Ware County Schools

If you've already had to sign three forms, wash the same hoodie twice, hunt for one missing shoe, and answer seventeen questions before 8:00 a.m.... congratulations! School is officially back.

The beautiful thing about ordinary routines is that they don't feel very important while we're living them. Years from now, you'll miss some of these mornings more than you can imagine.

Take a deep breath. One day, you'll wish you had just one more ordinary school day.

Teachers Notice More Than Grades

Teachers notice the child who includes someone sitting alone. The one who holds the door. The one who says "thank you." Those moments may never appear on a report card, but they say a great deal about who a child is becoming.

Character is always worth celebrating.

Let Them Struggle...Just a Little

It's hard to watch our children wrestle with something. But every time we solve a problem they could have solved themselves, we unintentionally rob them of confidence.

Offer encouragement. Offer guidance. But every now and then, let them discover that they're stronger than they thought.

🏆 August 2026 Golden Achievement Awards Presented by Ruskin Elementary 🏆

Some people make a difference through the work they do. Others make a difference through the way they make people feel while doing it. At Ruskin Elementary, this month’s Golden Achievement recipients do both. 💛🖤

Principal Dr. Erin Harvey proudly recognized Micah Harrell as Ruskin’s Certified Golden Achievement Award recipient at the August 2026 Ware County Board of Education meeting. Mr. Harrell brings learning to life through creative, engaging lessons that spark curiosity in his students. He continually looks for ways to grow professionally and even brings community members into his classroom to give students meaningful, real-world learning experiences. His impact extends beyond his classroom as he encourages his colleagues through weekly devotionals and challenges his students to become the very best versions of themselves.

Dr. Harvey also recognized Patricia Salgado as Ruskin’s Classified Golden Achievement Award recipient. Mrs. Salgado is one of those people whose presence simply makes a school better. Her positivity, willingness to step in wherever she is needed, and genuine desire to help others are matched by a calm, reassuring spirit that makes those around her feel valued and encouraged.

Congratulations to Mr. Harrell and Mrs. Salgado! Thank you for the talent, heart, and quiet acts of service you bring to Ruskin each day. We are proud to have you as part of the Ware County Schools family! 🐊💚💛

📸 Pieces of Our Past: The People Who Made Our Schools

The photographs change. The work looks surprisingly familiar.

In this ninth installment of our journey through the Ware County Schools archives, we found classrooms full of students, teachers gathered around tables, administrators in meetings, employees caring for our facilities, community members sharing their time with children, and plenty of learning happening along the way.

The desks are different. The technology is definitely different. And we’re pretty sure a few of these hairstyles deserve their own historical exhibit. 😄 But underneath all of that, there is something wonderfully recognizable.

Schools have always been built by people.

People who taught the lesson. Fixed the building. Planned the program. Made the decision. Encouraged the student. Organized the activity. Showed up from the community. And did the thousand ordinary things that, over time, became part of somebody’s childhood.

Now comes our favorite part: help us fill in the history.

👀 Who do you recognize?
🏫 Can you identify a school, classroom, office, or event?
📅 Any guesses on the years or decades?
💚 And if one of these pictures brings back a memory, we especially want to hear that story.

Take a good look. You just might find somebody you know! Every name, place, date, and memory shared in the comments helps us preserve another piece of our past for the generations still to come.

These are the Pieces of Our Past.
One Community.
Many Memories.
We Are WARE!

The Homework Sweet Spot

Homework doesn't have to become a nightly battle. Find one consistent place, one consistent time, and remove as many distractions as possible. A quiet kitchen table often beats a bedroom full of electronics. Routine takes the guesswork out of responsibility.

🩺 JOIN OUR TEAM | SCHOOL NURSE

Williams Heights Elementary School is looking for a caring, dependable RN or LPN to join the Ware County Schools family as a School Nurse.

Our school nurses do much more than bandage scraped knees. They provide care, reassurance, and a safe place for students when they need it most, while helping make sure our children are healthy and ready to learn each day. 💚💛

Position: School Nurse
Location: Williams Heights Elementary School
Qualifications: Valid Georgia RN or LPN license and current CPR certification required. One year of clinical experience and pediatric nursing experience are preferred.
Salary: Based on qualifications and years of experience
Applications: Accepted until the position is filled

Ready to join us?

Current Ware County Schools employees may apply through the HR Self-Service Portal under My Career → Search for Jobs.

External applicants can visit the Ware County Schools website and select Menu → Community → Employment to view current openings.

Former employees should contact Human Resources to update their portal access before applying.

Questions? Contact Brenda Kirkland, Nurse Coordinator, at 912-283-8656 or [email protected].

Come make a difference for our students every single day. We are WARE! 🐊

Community partners make a difference in the lives of our students, and we are incredibly grateful for Memorial Satilla Health!

Through its Healthy Starts School Supply Drive, Memorial Satilla Health donated classroom supplies, hygiene items, backpacks, and other essentials to support students and staff at Waycross Middle School and Center Elementary School as they begin a new year.

These are practical things, but their impact reaches far beyond the items you see in the photo. They help teachers meet needs in their classrooms, help students come to school ready to learn, and remind our schools that there is an entire community standing behind them.

We are fortunate in Ware County to have partners who recognize that caring for children is shared work. When our schools and community come together, our students are the ones who benefit most.

Pictured from left: Memorial Satilla Health representatives Kenny Schloemer, Sarah Gove, and Jen Weaver; Dr. Biff Lee, Federal Programs Coordinator; Donna Solomon, Director of Safety Operations and Strategic Partnerships; Superintendent Dr. Lynn Barber; Paige Coker, Executive Director of Technology, Safety, and Communications; Assistant Superintendent Dr. Shelli Tyre; and Lisa Crosby, Director of Student Services.

Thank you, Memorial Satilla Health, for investing in our students, supporting our educators, and continuing to show up for Ware County. This is what it looks like when a community comes together for its children.

💚💛 We are WARE!

As school starts back this week, we’re showing up for our community by helping students begin the year with essentials they need.

Through our Healthy Starts: School Supply Drive, Memorial Satilla Health donated classroom and hygiene supplies to benefit students and teachers at Waycross Middle School and Center Elementary School. Thank you to our hospital colleagues, school system leaders and everyone helping support a clean, healthy learning environment for Ware County children this school year.

The Questions That Matter Most

When your child gets home this afternoon, resist the temptation to start with homework. Instead, ask, "Who did you sit with at lunch today?" For many children, lunch tells you more about how school is going than a report card ever could.

Academic success matters. So does belonging. Sometimes the most important thing you can learn about your child's day isn't what happened in the classroom. It's who walked beside them in the hallway.

As part of our ongoing commitment to providing a safe environment for our students, staff, families, and visitors, Ware County Schools will continue using our Clear Bag Procedure at school-sponsored events.

The procedure applies to spectators and guests attending activities such as athletic competitions, fine arts performances, Honors Day programs, academic competitions, and other similar events held during or after the school day

Approved Bags:

✔️ Clear bag no larger than 12" x 6" x 12"

✔️ One-gallon clear plastic storage bag

✔️ Small clutch or wallet (clear or non-clear) no larger than 4.5" x 6.5", with or without a strap

Please note:
*Student backpacks and bookbags used during the regular school day are not affected by this procedure.
*Medically necessary bags are permitted following appropriate inspection.
*There is no bag check or bag valet, so any bag that does not meet these guidelines must be returned to your vehicle.
*All bags entering an event are subject to inspection.
*Umbrellas are not permitted at the stadium.

Thank you for helping us maintain a safe, welcoming environment for everyone attending Ware County Schools events. We appreciate your partnership and look forward to seeing you this school year!