One of the exciting highlights to every school year is the Ledger-Enquirer Page One Awards Program. Harris County has traditionally been well represented at these prestigious awards, and last night was no different. Top students from public and private high schools in the Chattahoochee Valley Region are recognized in thirteen categories and one top teacher is recognized.

Last night, Virginia Byrd was named the runner up in Citizenship, Chelsea Walker was named the runner up in Journalism, Brandon Walker was named the top student in art, Rebecca Manseau was named the top student in English-Literature and Slater Bridgman was named the top student in music.  Please join me in congratulating these outstanding students!

Finally, Mrs. Jodi Lumsden, our Harris County Teacher of the year, received the honor of being named the "Saro Spano Top Teacher." I was told that this is the first time in the 36 years of the Page One Awards Program that the top teacher award was won by a Harris County Teacher. A very proud moment for all of Harris County. Congratulations, Mrs. Lumsden.

Congratulations to Creekside's 6^th grade Math Team on their 3^rd place overall win at the Math Tournament hosted by Phenix City Schools Saturday, May 7, 2011.  There was a written test, ciphering round (team effort with more points for faster response), and a speed round (bonus points given only to the first correct response).  It was quite impressive to see Creekside students place in the overall win category at their very first tournament under a math curriculum that was somewhat different from ours; especially since we competed against six or seven other schools that have been participating in this tournament for five to six years! Job well done to our students and math coaches!

Congratulations to Mrs. Wetherington's 4th grade class at New Mountain Hill Elementary School! Mrs. Wetherington's class competed in the 2010-2011 Disney Planet Challenge. Disney Planet Challenge [DPC] is a project-based learning, environmental competition for classrooms across the United States. DPC teaches kids about science and conservation while empowering them to make a positive impact on their communities and planet.

The students expanded last year's recycling project by creating the "Wildcat Recycling Center" that is housed on the school's property. A big "Thanks!" goes to Harris County High School's Skills USA students who built the fence for the recycling center. They were also able to develop a fundraiser for New Mountain Hill's chorus program by collecting over 1,500 pounds of aluminum and more than 1,300 pounds of phonebooks (Park Elementary, Pine Ridge Elementary and Harris County Carver Middle School also participated by collecting phonebooks). In addition, the students also sorted, counted, weighed, and graphed New Mountain Hill Elementary School's in-house recycling which included: more than 600 pounds of paper, almost 600 pounds of magazines, more than 100 pounds of cardboard, 15 pounds of newspapers, over 1,000 plastic containers, more than 500 aluminum cans and over 800 pieces of Styrofoam!

Laurie Monserrat, Disney's spokesperson, said, "CONGRATULATIONS to you and your students on submitting such a fantastic project for Disney's Planet Challenge! In order to be recognized as a 'State Winner', your project needed to score over 80% and as you know, that is not easy to accomplish. So again, a gigantic 'congratulations' to you and your students for your accomplishments. Your hard work, passion, and dedication shined through, and we are delighted to have had the opportunity to see just that through your project." By the end of April, the students will receive the following prizes: reusable lunch boxes, reusable water bottles, CDs, DVDs, and a certificate of appreciation.

**Special thanks to: All students, parents, teachers and administrators who played a part in our Disney Planet Challenge, Mr. Kennis Thomas' students for creating the signs and banners for the project, Mr. Connor and his Skills USA students for building the fence surrounding the recycling center, Mr. Ryan Miller for printing the t-shirts, Sheriff Mike Jolley for donating the funds in order to build the fence, Harris County's Landfill for donating the recycling unit, and Harris County's community members for their continued support.

Congratulations are in order for Advanced Placement [AP] teachers and students at Harris County High School. They have been recognized for their outstanding achievement on their AP Math and Science exams. Only 147public high schools in Georgia were ranked as an AP STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics) School. Harris County High School was one of the 147 schools to be named an AP STEM school for 2010. (See full list here) Achieving the status of being named an AP STEM school requires that students test in at least two AP math courses and two AP science courses. Of the more than 30 AP exams offered by the College Board, 11 are classified as STEM. Additionally, there are approximately 336 public high schools in Georgia and only 80 made the notable achievement of being recognized as an AP STEM Achievement School.  Harris County High School was one of the 80 schools to be named an AP STEM Achievement School. Earning the status of an AP STEM Achievement School requires that students test in at least two AP math courses and two AP science courses and at least 40% of the scores on AP math and AP science exams earn scores of 3 or higher. This is something that teachers and students have worked very hard to achieve - Congratulations on your accomplishments!

Since STEM innovation is a driving force in our current economy, the growth of this [AP] program is just one way HCHS students can prepare themselves for future placements in competitive careers in the STEM field. Harris County High School currently offers a variety of Advanced Placement math and science classes. The courses currently offered are: AP Chemistry, AP Biology, AP Statistics and AP Calculus. Choosing to take an AP course and exam is a very beneficial option to many students, some of these benefits include:

• AP courses offer rigorous and standardized college-level curriculum
• Students who receive a 3, 4, or 5 on their AP exams have the potential to earn college credit
• AP exams are the most widely accepted college credit examinations in the world
• AP scores can be directly linked to scholarships and grants
• Students who earn a 3 or higher on an AP exam are more likely to complete a bachelor's degree within a four-year period of time

Again, congratulations on the hard work and efforts put forth by Harris County High School teachers and students. Your dedication to a high quality education is apparent and reflected in your achievements of becoming an AP STEM Achievement School.

Ms. Jody Lumsden has been selected by the Harris County School District as the district wide Teacher of the Year.  Ms. Lumsden has been an educator for 25 years, and currently teaches AP Chemistry and Honors Chemistry to students in grades 10 through 12 at Harris County High School. Ms. Lumsden will represent Harris County as a candidate in the 2012 Georgia Teacher of the Year Program.

Ms. Lumsden said: "I am extremely proud, honored, and humbled to represent Harris County as their Teacher of the Year. My hope as always is to represent Harris County and its students well."

Mr. Rodger Couch High School Principal said: "Ms. Lumsden has excelled as a teacher in our system for the past 15 years. Her passion and drive has enabled her to reach students of all levels taking them further than they ever imagined possible."

"Ms. Lumsden is an excellent representative of our commitment to academic excellence. She is creative, innovative, and insightful in her approach to teaching and learning." according to Dr. Craig Dowling Harris County Superintendent.

If selected as the Georgia Teacher of the Year Ms. Lumsden would then qualify for the National Teacher of the Year Award.

Congratulations are in order for Harris County Carver Middle School (HCCMS) students, teachers, administrators and parents! HCCMS has been awarded the "GOLD Greatest Gain Award." This prestigious award recognizes schools that have significant gains in the number of students who meet or exceed the standards. The State School Superintendent, Brad Bryant, recognizes that "These high levels of achievement and improvement don't happen unless everyone is focused on the goal of providing a world-class education to every student." Please view the official Press Release by clicking  here . The Governor's Office of Student Achievement determines the winners based on their "Accountability Profile," which is detailed below, or can be found by clicking  here . The awards distributed are based on the achievement accomplishments of the 2009-2010 school year. Please see the entire list of winners by clicking  here .

Georgia's Single Statewide Accountability System (SSAS) includes an Accountability Profile for every public school and school system in the state. The Accountability Profile is composed of:

1. An absolute performance determination based on Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).
2. A Performance Index based on annual growth in academic achievement as measured by statewide assessments.
3. Performance Highlights which provide recognition for schools and school systems based on academic related indicators.

Harris County Carver Middle School's performance on the three components is presented below:

1) Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)

-  School met AYP

-  School met criteria in 10 out of 10 areas

-  Title I School

-  Improvement Status: Distinguished

Link to full AYP report

2) Performance Index

ü  The percentage of Students Meeting and Exceeding Standards in the current year is 89.7%.

ü  This percentage reflects a Gain over the prior year of 4.3%.

ü  This change was at or above 97.28% of the middle schools in Georgia.

ü  HCCMS received the 2010 Gold Award for Greatest Gain in Percentage of Students Meeting and Exceeding Standards.

3) Performance Highlights  

 This information reflects the 2009-2010 State Report Cards data. Performance Highlights list the academic measurements for this school that meet or exceed 80%.

 Luke, a Mulberry Creek first grader poses with State School Superintendent Kathy Cox and displays his tempera and watercolor painting.  Luke is one of three Mulberry Creek students whose work will be on display at the State Board of Education's Youth Art Gallery.  Each month, the Georgia State Board of Education holds an "Excellence Recognition Program" ceremony honoring outstanding work throughout our state.  Luke received an additional honor, as he was the winner from our congressional district.  Luke was the youngest of all congressional district winners!  His work is now on display at the State Board of Education's Gallery during the 2010-2011 school year.