On October 6, the District announced an overall graduation rate of 80.98 percent, continuing an upward trend in recent years. This effort was led by Central High School, which posted a 90.14 percent grad rate.

"I could not be more proud of the incredible work of my team and schools," said Superintendent Dr. Dan A. Sims.

To mark the milestone, Central held a pep rally to announce the graduation rate and encourage current students to improve on this number. Dr. Sims and other District leaders were in attendance to celebrate the achievement.

Congratulations to Assistant Superintendent Dr. Lori Ward-Rodgers on being named the recipient of the Communities In Schools All In for Students Education Partner Award! She has been chosen for her 11 years of partnership with Communities In Schools of Central Georgia and her two decades of leadership and advocacy for students. She was recognized recently at a Bibb County Board of Education meeting and received the national award on Oct. 18 in Washington, DC!

The online application process for the Bibb County School District’s magnet schools and programs for the 2023-2024 school year is open through Dec. 6. These schools are Alexander II Math & Science Magnet School, Burdell-Hunt Communications Magnet School, Dr. John H. Heard Elementary School, Academic Magnet, and Vineville Academy of the Arts at the elementary school level, along with Miller Fine Arts Magnet Middle School and Central Fine Arts & International Baccalaureate Magnet High School.

CLICK HERE to access the applications.

On Tuesday, students at Hartley Elementary School participated in a Mock Election. These young electors were able to cast their vote for U.S. Senate, governor and state superintendent.

Prior to the election, students had been discussing and researching candidates leading up to the Election. After voting, they even received their voting sticker!

Superintendent Dr. Dan A. Sims will hold engagement sessions open to all Bibb County School District parents. Meetings will begin at 6 p.m. and will be held in each feeder zone in the district. Parents may attend any session listed below, no matter their child’s feeder zone. All meetings will be held in the auditorium.

Congratulations to Tondelair Chapman with Bibb County Campus Police Department. She has been named the 2022 Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police District 4 Administrative Assistant of the Year!

Each year, Hispanic Heritage Month is held from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. During this month, schools including Burdell-Hunt Communications Magnet Elementary School and Porter Elementary School celebrated Hispanic culture with parades, food and more.

"We celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at Porter to emphasize the amazing diversity of our student body," said Principal Chris Kirby. "Our Hispanic families are essential to the success of our school as a whole, and we love taking this special time to embrace them and let them know how much we value them."

Congratulations to Southwest High School junior James May on being named to State School Superintendent Richard Woods' 2022-2023 Student Advisory Council. May is also a running back on the Patriots' football team.

Throughout the year, this council will meet with Superintendent Woods to provide feedback on the impact of state policies in the classroom. Members of the Student Advisory Council will also discuss other education-related issues, serve as the Superintendent’s ambassadors to their respective schools, and participate in service projects to benefit schools and students.

“It is extremely important to me to receive direct feedback from those impacted by the decisions I make,” Superintendent Woods said. “Our purpose at the Georgia Department of Education is to open up opportunities for students. Building relationships with the Student Advisory Council members helps me ensure our policies are meeting their intended purpose, and allows me to make decisions that will benefit children throughout the state.”

On Oct. 28, Sonny Carter Elementary School celebrated being named a 2022 Leader in Me Lighthouse Academic Honor Roll school. This recognition goes to schools that have not only maintained the necessary standards for Lighthouse status, but that have also met academic growth or proficiency standards.

Springdale Elementary School also received this honor.

The celebration at Carter included music from the Howard High School marching band as well as visits from the Howard cheerleaders and football team. Students, faculty and staff delivered remarks, followed by encouragement from Superintendent Dr. Dan A. Sims to continue the leadership and academic progress at Carter.

"We're going to love on you and make sure that you keep doing that," Dr. Sims said.

Recently, 2022 Northeast High School graduate Travion Solomon visited Burdell-Hunt Communications Magnet Elementary School to speak to fourth and fifth grade students there. Solomon is now a football player at Mercer University, and he talked to the students about his journey to the next level.

On Oct. 17, the District's custodial workers were recognized with a cookout at Southfield Elementary School. This has become an annual tradition, with food prepared by Eddie Montgomery, the District's Director of Maintenance. We appreciate these valuable members of our team!

On Oct. 27, our schools joined schools across the nation in the annual "Read for the Record" campaign. This year's book was "Nigel and the Moon" by Antwan Eady.

To help us celebrate, guests from the community came into our schools to read the book to classes. This included a visit to MLK Raiders by members of the Macon Mayhem, and Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller also read a proclamation recognizing this important day for literacy!

In October, each of the District's six high schools began their first seasons of flag football. Westside beat Rutland in the inaugural game 21-6, with junior quarterback Danielle Roberson scoring the sport's first touchdown in the county.

"It means a lot," she said of winning such a milestone game. "We're a great team, pretty much a sisterhood. We play to have fun and play to win."

The flag football playoffs are scheduled to begin on Nov. 29. For more information about all Bibb County sports, follow @BibbAthletics on social media.

On Oct. 7, the District held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new walking pathway from Eastview Avenue to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School campus. This pathway was the result of community requests for a safer walk to school for students and was funded with ESPLOST dollars.

Principal Tawanya Wilson, Superintendent Dr. Dan A. Sims, Board of Education President Dr. Thelma Dillard and board member Myrtice Johnson all spoke about the importance of the project. Additionally, fifth-grade students Ahmarquis Patterson and Avianna Mack made remarks about the impact on the campus.

"I would like to take this time to thank all parties responsible for making this happen," Ahmarquis said. "This walkway will provide safety for all the students utilizing it to get to and from school."

On Oct. 31, Springdale Elementary School held its annual Book Character Parade. This allows students, faculty and staff to celebrate literacy with their best character costumes.

VISION: Each student will demonstrate strength of character and will be college or career ready.

MISSION: The Bibb County School District develops a highly trained staff and an engaged community dedicated to educating each student for a 21st century global society.

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