Hold On To Your Forks

As I stood with Brother Harry Driggers at the Regional State Softball Tournament in Gulf Shores  a few weeks ago, he relayed the story of  the elderly lady that demanded she be buried with a fork in her hand.  When the family asked why, she relayed a story to them, of which most of us can relate, of her mother cleaning the table after a Sunday dinner, telling all to pass their plate, but to hold on to their forks.  Though the roast, ham, or chicken, the little white peas,  butter beans, creamed corn, cornbread were all delicious, we all knew that "the best was yet to come."  Cobblers, pies, and cake were to be had.  This person, who had lived a life pleasing to the One who matters most, realized that the best was yet to come. 

Know this, though we have accomplished much, hang on to your forks, for the best is yet to come!  

Look in your check envelopes for PD opportunities.  Enjoy your summer!  See you soon!

Brantley School's FFA Annual Banquet

Kudos to Mr. Mark Andrews and all the BHS FFA members on another fantastic year.

BHS FFA Chapter Officers

BHS FFA Senior Members

Star Chapter Farmer Award Winners

Star Greenhand Award Winners

New Employees Hired

Mr. Barry Gross- Principal, Highland Home School

Mr. Barry Gross is a native of Weptumka, Alabama.  He holds his Education Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership.  Mr. Gross has a background in elementary education and fine arts.  He is a current assistant principal of Greenville High School and has served as an assistant principal of Echols County School (unit school) in Statenville, Georgia, for four years.  Mr. Gross is married to Amber Gross and they have 3 children. 

Mrs. Katrina Roper Smith- Assistant Principal, Highland Home School

Mrs. Katrina Roper Smith is a native of Georgiana, Alabama. She has an Education Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership.  Over the past 10 years, as an administrator, Mrs. Smith has held such positions as Principal of Sidney Lanier High School, Assistant Principal McIntyre Junior High School, and Curriculum Director of Anniston City Schools.  Mrs. Smith is married to “La La” Smith of Luverne.  They have two children, one of which is enrolled at Cumberland University and the other at Auburn University. 

Mr. Greg Pittman- Principal of Luverne School

Mr. Greg Pittman is a 1984 graduate of Luverne High School.  He holds a Master’s Degree in Education Leadership and is highly qualified in the area of general science and history. While serving as the assistant principal of Luverne School, the joint efforts of faculty and administrators has yielded a 65% reduction in office referrals and 68% reduction in physical altercations.  Mr. Pittman is a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army Reserve.  He is a 29-year veteran having served active duty twice in Iraq.  Mr. Pittman is the son of Windham and Patricia Pittman who served Crenshaw County Schools well for 24 and 25 years respectively.  Mr. Pitman is married to Daun Pittman.  They have two children HeartLee and PresLee.

Mr. Bob Williams- Technology Coordinator

Mr. Bob Williams has over 30 years of technology related work experience.  He is a former employee of Microsoft, IBM, and Sun Microsystems.  In February 2004, former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates introduced to the world Mr. William’s prototype media center extender that allows the PC to be extended to the television and other PCs.  Mr. Williams is IC3 certified.  He presently serves as a business teacher at Luverne High School.  He is married to Annie Williams and they reside in Luverne.

New School Calendar

We are receiving a lot of thoughtful consideration regarding the new school calendar and are very appreciative.  The new law states that students can begin no sooner than the two weeks prior to Labor Day and students must be dismissed no later than Memorial Day.  This is a two year law (actually 15 months).  All we know today is that students cannot begin prior to August 20, 2012, and salaries cannot be reduced.   Below is a follow-up to your responses thus far.

1. Add minutes to the day and attend fewer days.
1. We looked at this earlier and came to the conclusion that if we add minutes to either side of the day, some students would either be picked-up or dropped-off in the dark.  This is a tremendous safety concern. 
2. Cutting days will result in fewer meals served.  We are reimbursed per each meal that we serve.  Reimbursement for CCBOE is approximately $5,000 per day.  A 175 day calendar, would cost the system $25,000 or the equivalent of one CNP staff member.
3. Cutting days could lead to future problems.  If the system reduces instructional days, some non-certified persons would have nothing to do unless reassigned (transportation and CNP).  If the aforementioned work fewer days, when the law expires and if we return to a 187 calendar, do they earn more pay?
2. Increase the number of days for Christmas break
1. The proposed consists of a first semester calendar of 85 days and a second semester calendar of 95 days.  Keep in mind, by law, there are only two required holidays, Memorial Day and Veterans Day.  To make Christmas break longer, days would either be taken from Thanksgiving or Spring Break.  Currently, Spring Break will also serve as bad weather days.
2. If you shorten first semester,  first semester exams might have to be given in January. 

Again thank you for your thoughts and keep them coming.

BHS and LHS Softball Teams Represent

The Brantley Bulldogs and the Luverne Tiger Softball teams participated in regional play in Gulf Shores this past weekend.  In an attempt to get play in before the approaching sytem, game times were moved from early Saturday morning to even earlier Saturday Morning.  The BHS softball team defeated Florala around 2 AM and the LHS Tigers removed #3 Excel from the tournament sometime after 3 AM.  Both teams returned to the park at 7 AM for their next game.  With little or no sleep, both teams performed admirably.  BHS went up big before losing to Sweetwater and LHS defeated Slocomb, then lost out to tournament champion Trinity.  BHS finished the tournament 2-2 and LHS finished 3-2.  Great job girls and kudos to the coaches and fans, especially the four students-fans who spent the night in their car.

LHS Senior Tori Free demonstrates why opponent's E.R.A. is at 0.45.
Count the balls in her hand, which one will they try to hit?

BHS in the field after sunset in Gulf Shores, Alabama

Spelling B Champions Determined

Kudos to our system's Spelling B champs.  They are left to right:first runner-up Avery Carpenter (BHS), Winner John Ross Folmar (BHS), and second runner-up Hyun Ryu (LHS).

Science Fair With a Flair

The flair was in the air and on the project boards as students from across Crenshaw County gathered at Central Office to demonstrate their scientific prowess.  Much thanks to the system committee!  Winners were:

• Grade 4
• 1st Place-  Madison McDougald (LHS)
• 2nd Place-  Tony Bell (LHS)
• 3rd Place-  Blake Carlisle (BHS)
• 3rd Place- Charlie Elliott (HHS)
• Grade 5
• 1st Place- Madison Keener (LHS)
• 2nd Place- Callie Armstrong (LHS)
• 3rd Place- Alex Watts (HHS)
• Grade 6
• 1st Place- Jace Baines (LHS)
• 2nd Place- Brady Balkcom (HHS)
• 3rd Place- Tae Forbes (LHS)
• High School
• 1st Place- Kyle Elliott (HHS)
• 2nd Place- Cody Adams (LHS)
• 3rd Place-  Bailey Wiggins (HHS)