Schley Elementary principal updates for new school year
Schley County Elementary School Principal Brian Hall has an update on the beginning of the new 2017-18 school year.
All students returned to school on July 28 for their first day of classes.
The new Pre-K, kindergarten and first grades were in their new wing that has been completed as well as a new parking lot for the front and side entrances. He said the only construction remaining is to complete the Pre-K and kindergarten playground. The new playground equipment and a separate, fenced-in play area will allow the younger students an appropriate and safe play area. He said it’s nice to have all students under the same roof.
This year they’ve added media arts and music to the elementary school curriculum.
They are expecting an enrollment of 600 or more students.
Schley County Elementary School has five new teachers this year. Jennifer Smith works with grades 1-5 in the media arts. Kendall Hollomon and Ashley Waller teach third grades. Ashley Saint is media specialist. Judy McClellan teaches music to the
Pre-K and kindergarten classes.

Schley County 4-H’er attends 75th annual Georgia State Congress
Last week was a very exciting time for Schley County 4-H’er Anna Trussell. She traveled to Atlanta to represent and to compete at the 75th Annual State 4-H Congress which is the highlight of a year’s hard work in 4-H by honoring those who have been District Project Achievement winners.
Anna competed in arts and crafts projects, explaining the steps in painting.
She won her first award in February at Rock Eagle which allowed her to compete in Atlanta. She competed with the winners of three other districts in Georgia.
Brenda Welch, Schley County Extension 4-H program assistant, said, “I’m so happy and proud for Anna, and all her accomplishment for this past year. I know how hard she has worked and am so pleased with her presentations. I can’t wait for the District Project Achievement for next year where Anna will have another chance to compete again.”
State Congress was held July 25-28 at the Crowne Plaza Ravinia Hotel in Atlanta. Over 350 youth attended. On Tuesday night the delegation was treated to the Leadership Banquet and Opening Assembly.
After all the hard work was over the 4-H’ers were taken to Six Flags for fun and a meal.
Everyone met at the Crystal Pistol for the announcement of the winners.
On Thursday morning, they all were treated to breakfast sponsored by Georgia Power and each delegate was able to tour a company in Atlanta in their project area. Anna toured the Center of Puppetry Arts, which she really enjoyed.
Thursday night was the annual 4-H Banquet sponsored by Georgia Electric Membership Corporation. Project donors were recognized. Anna’s sponsors were Mr. and Mrs. Ted Jenkins, and Marion Fisher. Without their generous contributions and support, these projects would not have been possible.
Sam Pardue, Dean and director of UGA College of Agriculture and Environmental Science, officially closed the State Congress which was followed by the 4-H Dance.

Ellaville-Schley Historical Society holds Membership Meeting
This is a special reminder of the Ellaville-Schley County Historical Society membership meeting at 7 p.m. Aug. 19 at the American Legion.
Please bring suggestions and different projects for discussion and formation of special committees. For more information call me at 937-2116. Hope to see you there.

Congratulations to president, ABAC Student Government Association
Congratulations to Ginger Orton, daughter of Bob and Laura Orton of Ellaville, who will become president of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Student Government Association on Aug. 16.
Ginger was really proud to have carried the American flag during her recent 2,000-mile journey across the United States as part of “Carry the Load.” Her father served as a Marine in Vietnam and she took great pride to carrying the flag.
The month-long trip started in West Point, New York, in late April and ended in Dallas, Texas, on Memorial Day. The mission was to honor and celebrate veterans by connecting Americans sacrifices by the military, law enforcement, firefighters and first responders.
Ginger and nine other ABAC students walked bicycled and rode a motor coach for the entire journey across America. She walked a minimum of 10 miles a day.
Ginger is an agriculture communications major. She said that she’s in the president’s position to hear everyone’s thoughts and ideas. When Ginger graduated from Schley County High School in 2014, she chose ABAC because she saw the opportunity to become involved in extra-curricular activities. She said her favorite part of ABAC are the professors and their relationship with the students.