Schools

Coweta County schools raise over 180,000 food items

The spirit of giving could be seen throughout Coweta County schools as the holidays approached. Students raised more than 180,000 food items or cash equivalents for this year’s Coweta County Can-A-Thon sponsored by the Newnan Junior Service League. The items collected will be distributed to needy families by the Coweta Community Food Pantry. Read More»

Coweta BoE approves school calendars for 2013-2015

Many school districts in Georgia have cut back on the number of school days in the calendar due to budget concerns. Coweta County is not one of those. The Coweta County Board of Education last week approved calendars for the next two school years, maintaining a 180-day schedule and choosing the version of the calendar preferred by 67 percent of those who participated in a recent community survey.

School system spokesman Dean Jackson said the community was asked to vote on two versions of the calendar that will be used for the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 school years that begin in August. Read More»

Fayette schools review security measures

In the wake of the massacre of 26 children and teachers in Newtown, Conn., last week, both the Fayette County School System and the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office on Monday issued statements updating parents on the safety measures and precautions being taken locally. Read More»

Sandy Creek takes AAAA state title

Sandy Creek takes AAAA state title

Sandy Creek seniors Corey Griffin (7) and Jamon Rowe (58) hold up the championship trophy for the 2012 GHSA Class AAAA state championship. The Patriots captured their third state title in four years by defeating the Ridgeland Panthers 45-10 on Saturday evening. For more on the game, see www.thecitizensports.com. Photo/Rick Sauer.

Sherifffs increase patrols of elementary schools

No threats made; just a precaution in wake of deadly Conn. school shooting

The Fayette County Sheriff's Office has increased its patrols at elementary schools today in the wake of the deadly shooting rampage in Newtown, Conn. that killed 20 elementary schoolchildren and six adults.

There have been no threats to any local schools, but the department hopes to "reassure parents, staff and ultimately our children that they are now and will be safe from harm. We want to stress that there are no known threats or potential threats directed toward any school in Fayette County," according to a press release from Maj. Bryan Woodie. Read More»

Residency affidavits due for Coweta students

Residency affidavits to keep the Coweta County School System in compliance with federal requirements are due in by Dec. 20. Signed affidavits of residence for every Coweta public school student must be in place by Dec. 20. Affidavits are required to attend second semester classes that begin Jan. 3.          Read More»

Survey seeks local biz data for proposed career academy

Peachtree City Councilwoman Kim Learnard. File photo.

As momentum is building for the establishment of a college and career academy in Fayette County, this is a crucial month for the initiative.

Local businesses are being asked to complete a detailed online needs assessment survey that will help determine what courses are offered in a wide range of skill areas including health care and manufacturing. Time is of the essence, as the survey results are needed by the end of the month.

Russ Moore, who is consulting the steering committee formed to champion the new public school, Read More»

Next stop — The Dome as Sandy Creek floods the ’Canes, eyes 3rd state title

Sandy Creek quarterback Cole Garvin takes to the air postgame as the Sandy Creek Patriots celebrate their pending trip to the Georgia Dome Saturday to play in the AAAA championship game. Photo/John Munford.

Sandy Creek’s state semifinal game against the Monroe Area Hurricanes last week lacked the drama of the match with Burke County the week before, but Patriots’ fans enjoyed the 35-0 romp nonetheless because it put their team back in the Georgia Dome.

Sandy Creek (14-0) will play for a state championship for the third time in four years at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday against the Ridgeland Panthers (13-1).

Only 13 schools in GHSA history have won three titles in four years and if the Patriots can pull it off the word on everyone’s lips will be “dynasty.” Read More»

Fayette students score near perfect mark on state writing test

Fayette County registered a near-perfect score on the 2012 Georgia High School Writing Test. Ninety-three percent of students statewide met or exceeded the test standards while in Fayette that score was 98 percent.

School system spokesperson Melinda Berry-Dreisbach said Fayette’s overall passing score for the 2012 Georgia High School Writing Test increased 1 percent from last year.

”Ninety-eight percent of test takers met or exceeded standards, up from 97 percent in 2011,” Berry-Dreisbach said. Read More»

If BoE sells Rivers Elementary School, where does money go?

There is still not much official information available on the potential sale of Rivers Elementary School or who the buyer might be. But what is known is that, even if it is sold, the proceeds cannot be used to pay for teachers or parapros or even for maintenance and repairs of other buildings.

Instead, the money must be used to pay down bond debt and cannot be used to offset the millions that must be cut from the general fund in the spring. Read More»