News
Earnestine Seay was recently named December's BEST Employee for Brooks County Schools. She is a paraprofessional at Brooks County High School. She was awarded a certificate, lunch at Ladybugs Café, and a gift card donated by Colony Bank Quitman at the January Brooks County Board of Education meeting.
Brooks County Middle School Parent-Teacher Social
Brooks County Middle School invites all of their parents to a Parent- Teacher Social on January 19, 2012. Parents will have the opportunity to meet with their child’s teachers to discuss their child’s progress as we begin the second school semester and exchange contact information. This will also give parents of new student an opportunity to tour the school. Parents may visit anytime between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Students whose parents attend this event will receive 5 points toward a test grade for the class of their choice.
Brooks County's Own Ben Wells
PARENT UNIVERSITY
Brooks County Schools’ Title I Parent Involvement Program and the ECHOES 21st Century Learning Communities After-School program will be hosting the system’s 4th Annual Parent University on January 28. The event will take place at the Brooks County Middle School beginning with registration at 8:00. This event is to communicate with and engage parents and guardians with PreK–12th grade students in small workshop sessions on how to be more involved as partners with the Brooks County Schools and to educate parents about important issues that our students face in the 21st century. This year there will be four 45 minute workshops offered for parents. Parent registration forms will be sent home with the students during the week of January 17th. Workshops begin at 8:30 and will end at 12:15. Childcare is provided, for parents and guardians who attend, by returning the registration form in advance. There is no cost for Parent University which includes all materials, continental breakfast and light refreshments.
BCHS Spring Semester Premiere
Brooks County High School invites all of their parents to a Spring Semester Premiere on January 17. You may visit your student's new teachers for second semester, exchange contact information, and obtain course requirements. You may visit anytime between 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Parents attending this event will receive a token which allows FREE entry into the January 24th basketball game.
BCHS Junior Chamber of Commerce Fund Raiser
The Brooks County High School Junior Chamber of Commerce Board recently sponsored a bake sale to raise funds for the Lowell Renfroe Memorial Gazebo Fund. The group of students raised $187.75 for this worthy cause.
NBES Christmas Chorus
The North Brooks Elementary 4th/5th grade chorus presented, “A Holiday of Music,” to a packed audience of family and friends. The students wowed the audience with singing, playing instruments, and dancing. The highlight of the program was a special song dedicated to the 310,000 United States service men and women who are currently deployed during the holiday season. Pictured with the chorus students is US Army SPC Jay Roberts with his children, Kimberly and Matthew Stabile. The chorus is directed by music teacher, Lee Cain.
Here Chick!
The fifth grade students at North Brooks Elementary School in Mrs. Futch, Mr. Martin, and Mrs. Thompson’s classes hatched twenty-five chicks in the classroom as a class project. They have been involved in a lot of great lessons across the curriculum covering the developing embryo, candling the eggs, witnessing them hatch, writing about the process, caring for them for the past eight weeks, and figuring out the costs associated with raising them. The students had a great time caring for the chickens. They were sold to parents with a bag of feed before the students left for the Christmas holidays.
Student Council Christmas Cheer
Quitman Elementary School’s Student Council recently visited the Presbyterian Home. They sang Christmas carols and mingled with the residents. Everyone enjoyed the singing and the students playing the bells. Ms. Susan Wassmuth, music teacher, worked with the students to help prepare them for the ‘mini’ concert.
BCHS Quiz Bowl Winners
Congratulations to Brooks County High School ECHOES U.S. Quiz Bowl Winners: (pictured left to right) Bonus Question Winner--Kenyatta Wade; Second Place—Ashley Howard; Third Place—Wanda Thompkins; First Place--Shanyal Brooks
BCMS Quiz Bowl Winners
Congratulations to our Brooks County Middle School ECHOES U.S. Quiz Bowl Winners: First Place—Ju’Coby Grace; Third Place—Briana Brown; Second Place—Kwice Reid; Bonus Question Winner—Kerriyah Hamilton.
1-AA All Region Football Team
The Region 1-AA Head Football coaches recently voted on the 1 AA All Region team. Several of the 2011 Brooks County Trojan players were awarded with this prestigious honor. They are:
Offensive Player Of The Year - Malkom Parrish
Co-Defensive Player Of the Year - EJ Shipman
All Academic Team - Domonique Jones
Wide Receivers - Derrick Herring
Center - Trevon Wright-Brooks County
Offensive Tackle - Honorable Mention- Derrien Anderson
Offensive Guards - Tyrae Goss Honorable Mention- Jicarrie Watkins
Defensive Line - Duke Gray-
Inside Linebackers - Brandon Golden
Outside Linebacker - Chris Jones
Corner - Caleb Wallace
Bring a Parent to Music Day
Friday, December 9th was “Bring a Parent to Music Class” for Mrs. Luckey’s kindergarten class at North Brooks Elementary School. The students enjoyed sharing Christmas carols, playing hand bells, and even dancing with candy cane horses for their parents. The parents even participated by playing bells and shakers to the Nutcracker March. It was a great way for parents to see what kindergarten students do in the music room!
Middle School Science Fair Winners
Brooks County Middle School recently held the 2011 Science Fair. Students have worked on the projects since September in the areas of Earth Science, Life Science, and Physical Science. Congratulations to the winners. The following students placed in the science fair:
1st Place Physical Science Luke Edmondson
2nd Place Physical Science Halle Tukes
3rd Place Physical Science Jarvis Seals Cameron Jackson
1st Place Life Science Clay Wilson
2nd Place Life Science Gavin Hiers McKenzie Mills
1st Place Earth Science Brice Bull
2nd Place Earth Science Brianna Priest
These students as well as those who earned Honorable Mention will have the opportunity to attend the Region Science Fair at ABAC in February of 2012.
The Sweet Sounds of Carols
Each year, North Brooks Elementary music teacher, Lee Cain takes the kindergarten classes caroling around the school. Pictured here are students from Mrs. Zipperer's kindergarten class caroling to another class. Each class gets to enjoy the wonderful music!
Helping Others
Congratulations to Mr. Chuck Martin's 5th grade class from North Brooks Elementary! They won the annual food drive to benefit America's Second Harvest Food Bank. Mr. Martin's class was rewarded with a pizza party provided by the food bank and they are pictured above enjoying their prize! North Brooks Elementary raised a total of over 1,600 pounds of food which provides meals for over 2,400 hungry people in South Georgia!
NBES Gingerbread Houses
North Brooks teacher Kimberly Dixon has integrated the Christmas season into her English Language Arts class. Mrs. Dixon wanted the students to truly understand the meaning of persuasion. Over the Thanksgiving break, they had the task of creating a gingerbread house (and an optional gingerbread man) for a contest to be judged by the other third grade teachers (Mrs. Hasenfelt, Mrs. Gerleman, and Ms. Sears). The experience of making them and the motivation to win the contest were important because the students had to come up with three reasons why their gingerbread house and/or man is the best. With this information, the students composed a persuasive letter to the judges telling why their gingerbread house and man should win first prize.
NBES Quiz Bowl Winners
Congratulations to the North Brooks Elementary ECHOES Afterschool Quiz Bowl winners. The winners are:
First Place—Ben Thomas
Second Place—Jamari Miller
Third Place—Dustin Edwards
Bonus Question Winner—Hanna Lambert
QES Quiz Bowl Winners
Congratulations to our Quitman Elementary ECHOES U.S. Quiz Bowl Winners! They had some very stiff competition!
The winners are:
First Place--Jordan Rose
Second Place--Rahkell Holden
Third Place--Rickell Holden
Bonus Question Winner--Demarria Robinson Other Top Five Finisher--Diana Hernandez
ECHOES Field Trips
Third, fourth, and fifth grade students in ECHOES 21ST CCLC Program from North Brooks Elementary and Quitman Elementary took field trips to Providence Canyon State Park in Lumpkin, Georgia on October 26 and November 10. The students learned about soil and rock formations at the canyon and hiked down into the canyon floor. Students described the canyon as “awesome,” and one said, “I didn’t know we had anything like this in Georgia!”
Shelby Hiers Named to 1st Team
Brooks County High School Trojan softball player Shelby Hiers was named as the 1st team All State catcher. Shelby had the highest batting average in Region AA. With a .559 batting average, Shelby had 38 hits in 68 at bats with 32 RBIs and 40 runs scored. She also hit 7 homeruns. She is a junior and plays catcher for the Lady Trojans.
Robotics Team Competition
Congratulations to the TSA VEX Robotics team of Tyler Zeigler and Michael Tidwell. They were assisted by Jessica Bell. They placed 6th overall in the TSA FLC qualifying match. The eventual winners were the teams from Lowndes HS followed by the teams from West Forsyth. Both schools are considerably larger than BCHS with more resources but our kids did an exceptional job. Jessica Bell and Nubian Whitfield were awarded “goose” pins by TSA State Advisor Ron Barker for their outstanding teamwork & “can do “ attitude. Our cardboard boat team of Nubian, Jessica and Katie Wilson successfully completed the trip across the pool without sinking but were edged out in time by the boys from Collins Hill HS.
Don Morgan Receives Invitation
Don Morgan, Engineering teacher at Brooks County High School, has been invited by State School Superintendent John Barge to serve on the advisory board for establishing the Career Clusters curriculum direction for the state of Georgia. Mr. Morgan will be serving on the Energy Systems cluster committee and will help develop the pathway courses that will be offered to high school students across the state. The Career Pathways initiative will provide that relevance by linking rigorous academic learning with the skills required for post secondary success.
BCHS Softball
Brooks County High is well represented in 1AA Region Softball this year. Although the overall record does not show the talent level of the players the team placed seven players on the All Region Team. Shelby Hiers was named the Offensive Player of the Year with a .559 batting average. She had 38 hits in 68 at bats with 32 RBIs and 40 runs scored. She also hit 7 homeruns. She is a junior and plays catcher for the Lady Trojans.
Adrianna Spencer was named to the 1st Team All Region Team as a sophomore and plays center field for the team. She batted .378 with 36 hits, 30 RBIs while batting behind Shelby.
Katie Wheeler was named 2nd Team Pitcher for the region. She is a sophomore and pitched 132 of the 148 innings for the team this year. She struck out 60 batters this year.
Rickell Arnold was named 2nd Team Infield. She played third base the majority of the year. She also played shortstop and pitched for the team. She batted .378 with 32 hits, 18 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases. Rickell is a junior.
Lakyn Griffin was named 2nd Team Defensive Player with a fielding percentage of .878. She is a sophomore and played left field the majority of the year but was also utilized in other positions.
Alyson Wheeler received Honorable Mention. She is a four year starter for the Lady Trojans. She plays several positions well and has been an asset to the team. She stepped in and played key positions this year and will be missed next year. She is a senior. Tiffany Rumph also received Honorable Mention for the region this year. Tiffany played second base and pitched for the Lady Trojans. She only played one year for the Lady Trojans but was a solid player and lead- off hitter for the team. She is a senior.
The Lady Trojans will have to rebuild for next year due to the graduation of five seniors, Alyson Wheeler, Jasmine Mapp, Tiffany Rumph, Ashley Clemons and JaMaria Rose, but with the All-Region Team leading the way the team has a bright future. The Lady Trojans are coached by Morgan Brooks and Libby Parrish. The team statistician is Chrissy Hiers.
Talking Turkey
North Brooks Elementary 2nd graders presented a program called, "Let's Talk Turkey" to kick off the holiday season. The students sang songs about turkeys, recited amazing turkey facts, and told some funny turkey jokes. They even danced to "Turkey in the Straw!" All of the students were dressed in festive turkey headbands that they made in art class with art teacher, Jeanie Tyler. The program was directed by NBES music teacher, Lee Cain. Pictured is Jaden Johns dressed as "Super Turkey."
BCMS Technology
The Brooks County Middle School Technology Student Association (TSA) took 11 students to gain life-changing leadership and technical skills as well as compete against student leaders in the Georgia Technology Student Association. BCMS was represented by two Lego Robotics Teams—“Brooks Battlers”(girls) and “Mechanical Dynamite”(boys). The teams are required to participate in a research project and presentation, teamwork presentation, and autonomous robot challenges. Both teams were successful in competition with team “Mechanical Dynamite” bringing home a first place trophy in Gracious Professionalism—exhibiting FLL Core Values of teamwork and positive attitudes. The “Brooks Battlers” brought home a 2nd place championship trophy, advancing them to super-regional competition to be held in Warner Robins, Georgia in January.
We were also represented by an Armada Boat Race Team; they successfully boarded the boat and sank gracefully!
QES Pre-K Celebrates Veterans Day
The Pre-K classes at Quitman Elementary School recently celebrated Veterans Day. Mrs. Brown, Ms Allen and Mrs. Sloan invited several veterans to come talk to their classes about this special holiday. Dr. Taveras stressed the importance of following rules at school, just like our military personal. Mr. Ware wore his uniform and explained all the emblems on it. The students sat attentively and listened to all they had to say. We all saluted our veterans, said the pledge to the flag, and presented them with thank you notes and flags. We appreciated them coming. We are very proud of our veterans and thank them for keeping us safe.
Carrilee Hiers Signs 
Carrilee Hiers, the daughter of Stephen and Chrissy Hiers, of Quitman has signed a scholarship to play golf at Bryan University in Dayton, Tennessee. She signed at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, GA on November 5 with friends and family in attendance.
She will start at the varsity level and is looking forward to the new adventures that attending Bryan will lead her toward. She is going to pursue a degree in the field of health and fitness, with future plans of becoming an occupational therapist.
She has played golf competitively for many years playing on the SJGT circuit and the Red Hills Golf Tour. She is a four year golfer for Brooks County High. She is the reigning low medalists for Region 1AA and has held the title all three years. She has competed at the state level also each year placing in the top ten each year.
Catapult Engineering
Students in Mrs. Griffin's fourth grade class have been learning about force, motion, and simple machines. Students designed and built catapults, which are third class levers similar to slingshots. Students used their critical thinking and cooperative learning skills to complete this activity. A final tournament was held to allow children to observe whose catapult could launch cotton balls the farthest. Students’ curiosity definitely was aroused by this creative and engaging task.
Believe in You
Brooks County High School’s freshmen recently took part in the “Believe in You” program sponsored by Herff Jones. This program encourages 9th grade students to work hard and graduate from high school on time. Each student signed the “Believe in You” banner indicating their commitment to stay in school and graduate in four years. The banner will be displayed at the high school as a daily reminder to the 159 ninth graders who have committed to being a part of the graduating class of 2015. Students also signed and were given a pledge certificate to display in their homes as a reminder of their commitment.
Jasmine Mapp Signs
Brooks County High School senior Jasmine Mapp has signed with Valdosta State University. The 5-foot-10 Mapp has been the starting guard at Brooks County since the ninth grade. She averaged 21 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 steals and 3.3 assists a game as a junior and was named MVP in the Junior GACA All-State Game. Mapp is also a three-time 1st team all-region award winner for region 1-AA and has made the all-state selection twice. She was named Who’s Who in AAU completion this summer being one of the top 100 in the country.
NBES Music Program Named an “All Star School”
North Brooks Elementary School has been named a National Anthem Project "All Star" School by the National Association for Music Education. During the month of September, all of the music classes at North Brooks participated in patriotic music activities. September marked the anniversary of the writing of the Star Spangled Banner by Francis Scott Key in 1814. In grades 2-5, the students learned the words to this historical song, proper Anthem etiquette, and the history behind the National Anthem. On National Anthem Day, September 14, all of the 4th and 5th graders stood around the flag pole and sang the National Anthem. Music teacher, Lee Cain, submitted a summary of the school's activities to the "The National Anthem Project" and was thrilled to have the school recognized. Pictured are a group of very patriotic North Brooks 5th graders.
A Super Lunch with the Superintendent
Brooks County Schools Superintendent, Debra H. Folsom, recently had a Superintendent’s Lunch with some high school students. She carried the students to J.P.’s Pizza and discussed things they felt the school system could improve upon and things they felt the system does well. Superintendent Folsom hosts several luncheons throughout the school-year with different groups to get feedback from those the system serves. Pictured here are students from grades 9th-12th having lunch with Superintendent Folsom.
You Could Help BCHS Band Win Up to $1 Million Dollars with a Click of a Button!
The Brooks County High School Band has entered the Glee Give a Note Contest. If we win we could win up to $1 million dollars for our music program! Watch ourvideo entry directed by BCHS 9th grader Case Cain and vote for us at gleegiveanote.com. For more information please click on the flyer here.
Freshman 101 at BCHS
Ninth grade students at Brooks County High School are getting an extra boost thanks to the School Improvement Grant. Transition Coach Lamar Thomas has coordinated Freshman 101 sessions for all 9th grade
students and parents. The purpose of the three sessions is to inform students and parents of the requirements, share study habits, and other information that will help student succeed as freshman. Studies have shown that the transition from 8th grade to 9th grade can be difficult. This year is critical and studies have shown that this is when many students’ grades begin to fall. Pictured is Vocational Director Sharon Cunningham speaking to the freshman class about the career pathways for students. The next two sessions have been scheduled for Wednesday, November 2 from 10:40-11:15 and Wednesday, November 16 from 10:45-11:15.
Colquitt EMC Donates $8,000 to Ag Education for BCHS
Colquitt Electric Membership Corporation donated $8,000 to each public school system within the seven-county service area. Berrien, Brooks, Colquitt, Cook, Lowndes, Tift, Worth, and Valdosta City Schools each received the grant to use towards agriculture curriculum in the school system.
Colquitt EMC developed the CONNECT Grants program to support local schools in an effort to enhance the learning environment and improve academic opportunities for students. Funding for CONNECT grants is made possible through Georgia legislation which allows unclaimed capital credits to be used for education in the communities served by EMC’s.
Colquitt EMC is a member-owned, non-profit elective cooperative that provides electricity to more than 42,600 consumers with approximately 62,800 meters in Berrien, Brooks, Colquitt, Cook, Lowndes, Tift, and Worth counties. Pictured here is BCHS Agricultural teacher, Dave Bearden accepting the check from Colquitt EMC for $8,000.