Foothills RHS - Jackson
Comments
Steve Middlebrooks of Heyward Allen announced the winner on Tuesday. All students who attended during the recent FTE Attendance Period were given a ticket for each day they attended. A drawing was held with Addy being the lucky winner of the $500 prize.
A “zoom meeting” was held today with the winner being announced. Addy was in class as the announcement made and was very surprised and excited to find out she won!
Foothills superintendent Dr. Gibney-Sherman and Regional Director for Student Services Melanie Brittain.
This is the fourth Attendance Award given by Heyward Allen.
Two trainings were held in January and February and another training for mentors is planned for late March.
The sessions were scheduled after Foothills staff surveys indicated a need for more training and information on youth mental health issues.
Team coordinator Angela Gary stated, “The training gave the mentors a lot to think about and gave us tools to use when working with our students.”
The Georgia Department of Education offers Mental Health Training and Foothills partnered with the DOE to bring Youth Mental Health First Aid to the district.
“We started by offering voluntary training to our mentors, as we realize that they are often on the ‘front lines’ with students who are struggling with anxiety, depression and a host of other mental health challenges,” said Dawn Myers, Footills Regional Social Emotional Learning Specialist. “Students have strong relationships with their mentors and are likely to share with them if they are experiencing a crisis.”
Plans are underway to offer additional training, including sessions on Trauma 101, to all Foothills teaching and support staff. These trainings offered by the State DOE Mental Health Awareness Training Program are free to school districts.
Youth Mental Health First Aid (first developed in Australia in 2001) is a nationally-recognized, full-day course that gives people the skills to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.
“The evidence behind the program demonstrates that it does build mental health literacy, helping the public identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness,” Myers said.
Participants in the seven- hour course were provided with participant manuals to use as reference materials.
"Most of us have been trained in first aid at some point-- how to do CPR, how to prevent choking or how to stop bleeding following an injury,” Myers said. “But how many of us would know what to do to help a student, colleague, or other individual who is experiencing a mental health challenge? This is just as important as physical health first aid and could easily save someone's life! Especially in this time following COVID social isolation, educators are reporting higher than average rates of anxiety and depression among our students. By bringing Youth Mental Health First Aid Training to our mentors at Foothills, we know that they will be better equipped to recognize the signs and symptoms that suggest a potential mental health challenge, how to listen non-judgmentally and give reassurance, and how to refer a youth to appropriate professional support and services. Thank you to all of the dedicated mentors who gave up a Saturday to attend the training-- Foothills is healthier because of you and the skills you have to help our students navigate a mental health crisis!"
Students asked questions, were engaged, and extremely attentive during presentations.
College opportunities, summer jobs, internships, and possible careers were discussed.
The students enjoyed Barberitos, and talking with friends before heading back to class.
Foothills Jackson extends gratitude to all who poured into the students and their futures.
Bradley Bohannon
In high school, Bradley Bohannon knew that he wanted to produce commercials. His passion led him to create film for many of the sporting events at his school. Because he knew what he wanted as a career, Bradley became less content with his high school classes.
“I didn’t think the curriculum was relevant to what I wanted to do in life," he said.
He wanted to be independent, and believed he did not need school to obtain this goal.
He did quit that school, and started Foothills in 2019. Even though he said Ms. Glenda Meeler (his mentor) kept him motivated, his stubbornness was leading him another way.
“I was wanting to go into film, and I didn’t feel like the curriculum was applying to what I was going to do, and it felt like a waste of time," he said.
Again, Bradley chose to leave school, and he started his own film business. He was doing well, he said, and then the pandemic changed everything. Being that his clientele consisted of small businesses, they could no longer afford to run commercials. Bradley now had to find another job.
“Finding a job without a high school diploma is kind of hard,” he said.
He did find a job, and became an assistant manager; but, it was not fulfilling his dream, did not make him happy, nor was it going to sustain his desire to be independent.
At this point, Bradley began to reflect on his future and examine his motivations. He had always wanted to be in film to create something that helped people and would make a difference in their lives. His interest shifted to a career as an EMT, which definitely would help others and be meaningful.
His previous mentor at Foothills, Ms. Meeler, talked with Bradley’s mother and explained that he could re-enroll. His mother told her son of this opportunity, and he realized it was the best choice for his future.
When asked to give advice to students at Foothills, Bradley said that he did not feel qualified, because he dropped out twice. His real life experience is that, “you can’t get into a career without finishing high school,” and it speaks volumes.
“One of the biggest reasons for my dropping out of high school was for independence,” he said. “And, sure you get it very quickly, but you’re also very limited on what you can do. For most, you are going to be in low-paying positions which don’t pay the bills.”
Bradley is so grateful that he returned to Foothills. He was under the assumption that he was too old to return. Thankfully, his former mentor talked to his mother to assure them that it was not too late.
“It saved me a lot of time only having to finish a few classes, rather than trying to obtain my GED,” he said. “Obtaining my GED still involved the whole process of studying, taking exams, and re-learning concepts I had not seen since my freshman year.”
Even after graduation, Ms. Meeler advised Bradley in his endeavors to work in the medical field. Being that she too works in that field, she was able to guide him, and get him an interview.
“I got him the interview, but Bradley’s own determination to excel is what got him the job,” Ms. Meeler said.
He now works as an Emergency Department Tech, and receives a lot of hands-on experience that will put him ahead if he seeks EMT certification. Bradley indicated that there are now more employment options on the table since working in ED, such as Nursing, and Paramedicine.
Foothills congratulates you, Bradley, and looks forward to hearing of all the successes in your life.
Pictured below: Bradley Bohannon and his mentor, Glenda Poole Meeler
Students and staff enjoyed the holiday party, planned by the mentor team at Jackson Foothills.
“The mentors love our students and what better day than Valentine’s Day to host a party for them,” said Team Coordinator Angela Gary, who supervises the mentor team. “We always enjoy time to visit with our students and treat them to snacks and other fun activities. We are already planning something fun for St. Patrick’s Day.”
The party kicked off with the “Speed Friending” game, which was organized by mentor Christina Healan.
The students sat along long tables facing each other and were given questions to ask the person across from them. Every few minutes, the students rotated down one place so that a different person was sitting across from them. This gave the students the opportunity to talk to several different people during the game.
“Speed Friending is a great way to meet new people and make friends,” Mrs. Healan said.
A few examples of the questions:
•What do you want to do after graduation?
•Do you currently work now? If so, where do you work?
•What do you like to do in your spare time?
•If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you go? Why?
•If your house were burning down, which three items would you try to save?
•If you had a time machine that would work only once, what point in the future or in history would you visit? Why?
Mentor Silviana Birkett suggested a photo booth for the party and Miss Gary brought a Polaroid camera which produces mini photos. Miss Gary, along with mentor Sherry Lewis, walked throughout the party with a basket of props, including red and pink boas, headbands with hearts and heart-shaped sunglasses, for the students to wear for the photos.
Mentor Julius Richie gave out the door prizes, which were boxes of chocolate and bags of candy.
Other members of the mentor team gave out food and served drinks, as well as visiting with students during the party. They included: Robin Sykes, Glenda Meeler, Allyson Terrell, Erin Uesseler and Emily Hall.
Foothills Regional High School - Jackson Site
Operating as usual

Halloween Bingo and treats for our students tonight! Thanks to our mentor team for planning this!

Mrs. Parr was so excited to have another graduate tonight! She’s always cheering our students on to the finish line!

Congratulations to our recent graduates, Olivia Dills and Abigail Green! Olivia is shown with her mentor, Glenda Meeler, and Abigail is shown with her mentor, Colleen Manthe.

Congratulations to Caleb Maddox on winning the ear buds in the final FTE Activities special event!

Foothills Jackson ended the fun week of FTE activities with a tablet give-away! Assistant site director Grady Caldwell put the names of students in attendance in a “digital wheel” and spun it with Cain Aldridge being the winner!

The Career Fair was a success with students getting information on many area job opportunities. Thank you to the participating businesses and career specialist Christy DeLay for planning this event!

Site director Rachael Parr and mentor facilitator Angie Gary attended the Partners in Education workshop sponsored by the Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce. They made several great contacts with businesses interested in providing opportunities to our students, including Solmax, Lanier Tech, Piedmont Regional Medical Center and iServe! We look forward to working together!

Thank you to Realtors Rod and Gigi Hill for providing pizza for the September faculty meeting!

Make sure you’re at school this week! Someone will win $500!
Did you miss DJ and Donuts? If so, here is a brief look at what you missed! Don’t miss the next fun activity! Your mentor will keep you informed on what’s coming up!

DJ and Donuts was a hit with both students and staff! Thank you to assistant site director Grady Caldwell for sharing his DJ skills!

Dear Parents,
We would like to share information with you about Foothills’ Title I Schoolwide Program. This year, you have the option of attending this meeting using one of these two meeting options.
Option One: In-person at the Jackson Site
Option Two: Participating in a virtual meeting
The Foothills Regional High School-Jackson Site Meeting will be held as a drop in from:
Thursday 9/14/23 to Monday, 10/2/23.
The Foothills Regional Virtual Meeting will be held on Thursday, September 21, 2023, 7-8 p.m. Connect to this meeting using this LINK:
https://meet.google.com/nvb-rrmu-gfs
We hope you will be able to participate in a 2023 Annual Title I Meeting. Thank you!
Rachael Parr and Scott Woodall
Jackson Foothills Site Directors
Meet Real-time meetings by Google. Using your browser, share your video, desktop, and presentations with teammates and customers.

Parent conferences are underway. Mentors will be meeting with parents through Oct. 2. Always a great time to get them up-to-date and hear any concerns they have.

Look what's coming up this week at Foothills RHS - Jackson-- Ice Cream Night on Monday and DJ and Donuts on Wednesday! Both activities will be held at break-time.
Students, you don't want to miss these fun activities--especially on Wednesday with our special DJ!

It was a great kick off to the FTE activities Thursday night with chicken tenders at break! Lots more fun events planned over the next two weeks!

FTE kicks off tonight at Jackson Foothills Regional High School! A special treat for students tonight will be chicken tenders at break-time!
Lots of other fun events are planned through the FTE period, which is Sept. 14-Oct. 2. Some upcoming events are DJ and Donut Night and Ice Cream Night. A Career Fair will also be held on Sept. 27.
Mentors will also be holding parent conferences during this time to give an update to parents and answer any questions they have.



Excited to get back to work! See you all from 4pm - 8pm!
Don't forget next week is a short week! Come in tonight from 4pm - 8pm. Closed Monday, June 19th.

Jackson Foothills truly appreciates The Jefferson Church for catering the meal for our graduates! "The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members." Coretta Scott King

Jackson Foothills will be virtual on Monday, June 12th from 4pm - 8pm. Click on the following links to access Math, Science, and Social Studies classrooms.
https://meet.google.com/ewx-dvvg-euy?authuser=0
https://meet.google.com/jgm-snzu-rae
https://meet.google.com/qnw-azwv-eph?authuser=0
Meet Real-time meetings by Google. Using your browser, share your video, desktop, and presentations with teammates and customers.

Regional Public Relations Coordinator, Ms. Angela Gary, covered the May 31st graduation Jackson Foothills.

Behind the scenes excitement and preparation before taking that well deserved walk to receive their diploma.

School will be virtual only on Tuesday, June 6.
Links to the virtual classrooms are as follows:
Math
https://meet.google.com/ewx-dvvg-euy?hs=122&authuser=0
ELA
https://meet.google.com/pkd-jtyy-biz?hs=122&authuser=0
Meet Real-time meetings by Google. Using your browser, share your video, desktop, and presentations with teammates and customers.
These young adults are amazing! They all have put in the hard work and tonight they will be recognized and celebrated for what they have accomplished!
The graduation ceremony will take place at Jackson Foothills site located at the Empower Center in Jefferson at 7 p.m.
Documenting students' successes is hands down the most glorious job in the world! Congratulations Gracie!
Help Jackson Foothills congratulate the newest graduate, Pixie Westphal!
So proud of this young man. He made every event more fun, filled out spotlight questions with so much thought, and was one of the rockstars in a Foothills video. Thank you for your participation Hunter and congratulations!!
Congratulations Landon Clark! Jackson Foothills is very proud of you!

Summer Norris graduated in record time!! Jackson Foothills is so proud of you and this accomplishment!

Thank you ladies for your words, and we wish you the best!
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.
About Foothills
Foothills Education Charter High School offers a unique opportunity to any student who wishes to earn an accredited Georgia High School Diploma. With 16 locations across the North-Middle Georgia region, Foothills offers a full range of high school courses in a convenient, flexible, self-paced format. All classes are held in the evening (4-9 p.m.) so students can work during the day and attend school at night. Tuition is 100% FREE for students who enroll at Foothills full-time.
All courses are mastery-based, which means students cannot fail a course. There are no deadlines, so students can take as much or as little time needed to successfully complete their coursework. To better meet the different learning styles of students, Foothills offers a variety of course formats including textbook and web-based instruction. All methods provide self-paced, individualized mastery learning.
Our staff value, respect and care for each student as individuals. Please visit our website at www.foothillscharter.org for locations and additional information.
Foothills reserves the right, but is not obligated, to remove comments that contain obscene language or sexual content; threaten any person or organization; violate the legal ownership interests of another party or constitute impersonation; constitute or promote illegal activity or the violation of Board policy; promote or advertise commercial services; are clearly off-topic; are reasonably likely to materially and substantially disrupt the educational environment; or violate Facebook’s Statement of Rights and Responsibilities. Foothills encourages all users to utilize the “Report” link upon encountering abusive content. The school reserves the right to block any individual who violates these standards.
Videos (show all)
Location
Category
Contact the school
Telephone
Website
Address
1952 Winder Highway
Jefferson, GA
30549
Opening Hours
Monday | 4:30pm - 8:30pm |
Tuesday | 4:30pm - 8:30pm |
Wednesday | 4:30pm - 8:30pm |
Thursday | 4:30pm - 8:30pm |