BOE aims spotlight at stars

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March 14, 2013

BOE aims spotlight at stars

Latasha Everson CNHI The Tifton Gazette Thu Mar 14, 2013, 07:49 PM EDT

TIFTON — Tift County Board of Education members recognized several people at their recent work session.

Maj. Peter C. Candelario, Senior Master Sgt. Darrell Purvis and Master Sgt. Henry Thompson introduced a group of Tift County High School students with the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) unit. The unit earned an overall “Exceeds Standards” on their recent unit evaluation done by a representative with the AFJROTC headquarters. The unit is inspected every three years, Candelario said.

Exceeds Standards is the highest rating attainable. The primary purpose of the unit evaluation was to provide feedback regarding the performance of the school’s AFJROTC unit and to assess compliance with the Public Law Department of Defense and Air Force Instructions and the written agreement which exists between the school district and the Air Force that governs the proper operation of the unit.

Col. Matthew G. Anderer, director of the AFJROTC, wrote in a letter to Candelario, Purvis and Thompson that the representative was extremely impressed with the school’s program — from the dedication and commitment of the instructors to the professionalism and ownership displayed by the cadet corps. He commented that the program defines the term “successful unit” and established the benchmark for others to follow.

Anderer also wrote in a letter to Kim Seigler, interim principal at TCHS, “Your strong support of the AFJROTC program is clearly evident and greatly contributes to its success. The instructors are highly dedicated and create a dynamic and supportive learning environment in and out of the classroom. The cadets displayed exemplary pride, and their exceptional participation in numerous school and community service projects is particularly impressive.”

Candelario said it took the entire team to accomplish this feat.

“I tell my students this is my program but your unit,” he said.

One cadet explained the unit’s preparation and the hard work that went into ultimately receiving the highest rating for their unit evaluation. She said it was a great experience.

The board members congratulated the cadets and instructors.

Also, Melisa Bloodworth, Tift County school system’s federal programs manager, was recognized for a successful DCA audit. Tammie Smith, federal programs/public relations director, said someone commented that Bloodworth is one of the brightest people she’s worked with. She said Bloodworth was hired in November 2006. Joy West, director of the department for special education, said Bloodworth is usually behind the scenes.

“She makes a whole lot of us look good,” she said, smiling.

She and Smith commended Bloodworth on her hard work. West said a DCA audit is done every quarter.

Chairwoman Kim Rutland told Bloodworth, “You’re doing this for our students...a well deserved recognition.”

Betty Newkirk, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, recognized several local teachers for their work with the state on the elementary Student Learning Objectives (SLOs) for physical education. She said 11 out of 17 teachers nominated from the local school system were selected to create the SLOs. Those teachers are Sherri Youngblood, Terri Bridges, Paul Horst, Gloria Beard, Kristi Robinson, Anna Perrin, Jenny Abercrombie, Erin Davis, Chanon Collins, Ginger Houle and Brent Hatton.

She said these teachers have to give up four days of instruction to be a part of the process. Some of the teachers were present at the work session. They all had positive things to say about the meeting they had with other instructors working with the state on the SLOs. They also thanked the board members for allowing them to participate.

Horst said, “It was not only important to us to have an impact for the district but it was a great experience for us.”

Beard said it was one of the best workshops she has ever been a part of, and a lot was accomplished. She said all of the instructors acted as if they wanted to be there.

Rutland said the board appreciated their hard work.

The board also recognized the Tift County Pre-K Center, which has been recommended for an upcoming filming March 20-21. Director Wanda Veazey said she was contacted by the Georgia director of pre-k to inform her that they have been selected to be participants on Georgia Public Television. The center was selected because they do a good job with literacy, she said. Their lessons will be developed around the new Common Core Standards.

Veazey said the company will film a regular education classroom, as well as an inclusion classroom.

“I feel this is an honor, and I’m excited about being a part of the process,” she said. She said the center and the filming company will have releases for parents to sign to allow for photos/filming of their child. She said the local pre-k program is thought of very highly by the state.

“I get up every morning and look forward to what I can do for Tift County students,” Veazey said. “I’m a team leader at my school and team player in every way.”

Also, band director Dante Flowers spoke to the board about a trip request to take his students to Chicago. He said the local band, among five total bands, was chosen to go to Chicago and perform in a parade the weekend before Thanksgiving.

“The kids need this trip,” he said.

He said they plan to pay for the trip by doing fundraisers. It will cost $750 per student to go. This amount includes everything from meals to the hotel cost, etc. He said they plan to travel in a charter bus.

Flowers assured the board members that every band student would have the opportunity to go.

“Everyone will have an equal chance to go and be taken care of,” he said, noting that adjustments will be made if needed.

He also assured the members that discipline will not be an issue.

“If [the trip] gets approved, we will move forward,” Flowers said. “The kids will work — they want to work.”

To contact reporter Latasha Everson, call 382-4321.

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