Georgia, Schley DFCS need help

The Georgia and Schley County Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) are always looking for special people interested in becoming foster and adoptive parents. DFCS is especially in need of loving people interested in parenting  teenagers, siblings, groups, newborns, children with behavior issues, and short-term placement.

Fran Kinservik, director of Macon and Schley DFCS, is asking if any of you would be interested in adopting a child to go o line to itsmyturnnow.com or call her at 229-937-2591. It takes very special people to give so much love and care to children who are in such special need.

Schley school board makes announcements

The Schley County Board of Education had some special announcements.

When the Schley County Board of Education met at the first meeting in January, the first thing they did was welcomed the new board member, John Patrick. The Board elected a new chairman, Maria Cloer, and Tommy Pilcher was elected vice chair.

Brian Hall, principal of Schley County Elementary School, reported that he was really excited about the school’s CCRPI score and being number one in Georgia out of 190 schools.

Formal observations and walk-throughs for the first half of this school year were completed. Frank Mancer, the schools’ GEMA consultant, also conducts walk-throughs at the Pre-K and kindergarten building and the elementary school. Safety plans are being updated.

Emily Collins, Ed.D., from RESA met with the fifth-grade teachers to familiarize them with a collaborative model for one of the gifted classes. She offered insight into enrichment ideas for students.

Teachers have begun “The Digital Classroom” training. Sixteen teachers will be completing his course at RESA and new iPads have arrived.

New Title I Chrome Note Books were placed in targeted home rooms. The school has received $500 from the new Walmart to be used to apply for a community grant to offset the cost of rubber mulch for the playground.

Honors Day was held for the second nine weeks in the Elementary School Media Center.

The third grade will perform “Love in Any Language’ at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 3 in the elementary school gym.

The Middle and High School principal made announcements. The Schley County Middle and High School is number seven in the state.

A faculty meeting was held to discuss the changes made to standardized testing this year. The principal said all teachers will be attending Advanced Placement training soon and Internet safety training for students will be soon. The school has also completed LKES surveys and will be administering TKES and health surveys soon.

Debra Adams and Joan Perkins were honored for their service to the school system. They both retired.

The Schley County Recreation Department asked to use the elementary school gym for games. This was approved.

Local resident undergoes surgery

On Monday morning Charles Kirby had a heart attack and was taken to Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany where he underwent bypass surgery on Tuesday. He came through the surgery find but had some problems due to medications. He has been moved to a private room and Carlynn said he is better.

Carlynn asked to please continue to pray for Charles. She also wants to thank everyone for their phone calls, visits, love, and for your prayers.

Ellaville-Schley Chamber has annual dinner meeting

The Ellaville-Schley County Chamber of Commerce held its annual dinner party on at 7 p.m. Jan. 29 in the Schley County High School Cafeteria.

Sharon Watson, president of the Chamber, welcomed everyone. Eddie Watson asked the blessing and a delicious meal was served by Cousins Catering of Americus. The meal consisted of green salad, chicken, twice-baked potato casserole, green beans, rolls, coffee, tea and apple dumplings with vanilla ice cream.

The guest tables were covered with gray linen tablecloths and the meal was served on white china. A lovely centerpiece graced each table. The arrangement was assorted greenery placed inside a birch basket.

After the meal Kim Lawhorn spoke on Springtime Ellaville. The Chamber sponsors this event annually. Kim is chairman.

President Watson announced the new Chamber Board for 2015 and introduced the guest speaker, Bill King of Opelika, Ala. He is a husband, father and grandfather, and he is a ordained minister, Christian humorist, singer, songwriter, author and columnist. He was educated at Samford University in Birmingham, Ala., and then earned his master’s and doctoral degrees from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He’s been married to Jean Willis King since 1975. They have a married daughter and a 5-year-old grandson. Bill has been known as Brother Billy Bob Bohannan since 2002. He has performed more than 500 Billy Bob programs throughout the Southeast. He was invited to perform in 2014, for the Alabama State Legislature. Everyone surely enjoyed this special guest.

Fifty-eight guests attended this special event.

Military congratulations go to Joey Menendez

Congratulations go out to Joseph “Joey ” Menendez for his promotion to master sergeant. He has been in the U.S. Air Force for 14 years and serves as an air traffic controller. He is stationed currently in Oscan, South Korea.

Joey is married to Rena Ouber Menendez and they have two children, Adriana, 6 and Colton, 2. His family is with him in South Korea.

Joey is the son of Joe and Iris Menendez of Spartanburg, S.C., and the nephew of Wilbur and Vicki Justice of Ellaville. Joey managed to have it fixed so his parents and the Justices could see the ceremony as he received his promotion in rank.

The ceremony was held on Jan. 30, and his family saw the ceremony and were so proud of him and his promotion.