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FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 2006 6A HCBOE implements Classworks technology Special to the Journal The Houston County School System is implement ing Classworks, a technolo gy-based tool correlated with Georgia’s K-12 reading and mathematics curriculum. Installed worldwide in more than 2,000 schools, the software management system has successfully and consistently raised math and reading test scores. According to a release from the school system, with Classworks a teacher can easily import Criterion- Referenced Competency Test scores and immediately see a list of activities per stu dent that addresses specific areas of weakness. After students complete their assigned activities, they can then take a Classworks test which will generate a report so that the teacher may evaluate progress and prescribe additional work if necessaiy. Classworks was piloted in Westside Elementary School this year. Greg Peavy, Westside Elementary Principal, com mented, “Classworks is the epitome of differentiated instruction. It provides cus- HOPE From page 1 A “Jesus is the main focus,” says Pierce, who adds he has seen marriages saved and ways of thinking changed as a result of the program. For him, “seeing impact, a change in people’s lives - that’s really what it’s all about.” Celebrate Recovery meets at New Hope International at 2440 Hwy 127 in Kathleen every Monday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; however, the doors open for fellowship at 6:30 p.m. and at 9 p.m., coffee and donuts are served. The effort of Celebrate Recovery, though, is community wide. Unity Baptist at 479 Hwy 96 in Bonaire meets at 7.pm. on Tuesdays and Southside Baptist holds meetings each Thursday at 7 p.m. at 1040 S. Houston Lake Rd. in Warner Robins. Celebrate Recovery is a non-denominational pro gram. Charley Bibb from Southside Baptist was and continues to be helpful in New Hope International’s inception of the program. “He has always been there for Carl,” says Bishop Jeff Poole, senior pastor at New Hope. At each meeting, everyone joins for praise and worship, SPEC From page 1A The goal of the project, McClure said is to clarify the message, to make it con sistent with the county and cities. The Chamber has contracted with North Star and the project is scheduled for completion to coincide with the ribbon cutting for the new Chamber building. Chamber Chairman Brad Fink, explained brand ing: “it’s what people say about you when you’re not around.” He said the $60,000 cost has been negotiated to a three-year payment plan. “The first quarter of ’O7, we look to move in.” Jimmy Autry of Flint Energies noted “research is key to this, it will take us in the right way.” Authority member Larry Snellgrove noted, “often we have the same goals. I like to see us all sleep together. When one comes up with a good idea, let’s all get together on this.” Autry also noted that Flint Energies is working up an application for a rural economic development loan. He said the state loans are for rural electronic member ship cooperatives, and Flint qualifies “Except for Macon and Columbus, we can do this,” Autry said. Mary Therese Tebbe, After students complete their assigned activities, they can then take a Classworks test which will generate a report so that the teacher may evaluate progress and prescribe additional work if necessary. tomized instruction specific to each child’s needs. Not only does it help the student who is having difficulties, it also challenges and extends the learning opportunities for gifted students.” He added, “Students love the variety of software activities that keep them on the edge of their seats and engaged in learning. Another great feature is that parents can be active ly involved in helping their children learn. Teachers can print specific activities for homework, plus the pro gram has an Internet search engine accessible by pass word that provides activities relevant to what the child is learning in school.” The Classworks library includes 8,600 learning activ then breaks off into groups. All attendees are given “The Bible for people in 12 Step Recovery,” that includes insightful recovery notes, New Living Translation Bible text, Serenity Prayer devotionals, Recovery Reflections, and Bible per sonality profiles. Topic groups for women are chemical dependen cy and co-dependency. Chemical dependency and sexual dependency groups are available for men. The program at New Hope was up to 30 regular attend ees until summer, during which time it has dwindled to 15. Overall, Pierce has seen about 80 people come through the program since its inception at the church. Some people move on and some stay at the church and become involved in either the Celebrate Recovery min istry or another ministry under Bishop Poole. Pierce says they like to keep tabs on the attendees by calling them or using them in the ministry as greeters or ushers to keep them busy and their minds focused. He has seen a lot of heal ing and has recognized that confession plays a huge part in recovery. He says those suffering need to take their mask off and let God develop their director of the 21st Century Partnership, noted Taylor County received a $500,000 grant from One Georgia for workforce development with Robins Air Force Base. Tebbe noted the base will play host to international visitors in October, people from about 60 counties com ing to see JSTAR. “We’re the only one in the world who does this,” she Come Take A Look You Might Be Surprised! H KP 'J’ V xfllsl ■ ~~n I I? / 7h'e Jj.jilting (Store /J I Vn \ i)i >u>n Sc-;uhc,Flecvrica: SunpK jr | 926 Carroll St. • Perry, GA 31069 478-224-8888 T-F I()am-5ptn SAT l()am-2pm ities from hundreds of edu cational software programs, all of which are correlated with the Georgia Quality Core Curriculum standards and National Education Standards in math and lan guage arts. Classworks is also specifi cally aligned with the five key components of read ing instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, flu ency, vocabulary and com prehension, as defined by the National Institute for Literacy and the Partnership for Reading. This alignment ensures that Classworks is an effec tive curriculum and reme diation resource to address guidelines of the Reading First Initiative and the No Child Left Behind Act which character. One success story from the program is that of Philip Willard. He went through the program and is now a leader in the ministry. When he was 24, Willard suffered from depression after a divorce and began to use crack cocaine. When he was 32, he finally realized he needed help and became part of a residential program that brought him to New Hope International. Through the church, Willard said he was schooled on how to live day to day. When Recovery began, Willard was called back to the church, attending the classes. He is now a leader of the chemical addiction class and enjoys “giving somebody proof that they can turn their life around.” Bishop Poole points out that there is something to be said for government reha bilitation programs, but that those programs with spiri tual guidance have greater success and possibly pick up where programs like AA or NA leave off. Pierce is not stopping at the church level with the program. In the future, he would like to see the ministry in local prisons and to set up a program with the court system to have probationers said of the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System based at Robins. “Most of them have never been to this part of the United States,” Tebbe said. An idea of showing the southern hospitality may include a trip to the Georgia National Fair, which may coincide with the visit. It’d be another effort of local cooperation, it was said LOCAL focus on early literacy. The instructional tool will help the system achieve its goals for adequate yearly progress as mandated by the NCLB. “Classworks will provide instructional equity across our system, will give teach ers a resource to diagnose student weaknesses based on current CRCT results, and prescribe an instructional path for the student to suc ceed,” said Dr. Greg Gentry, Director of Testing and Instructional Technology. Training on Classworks began in June. Students enrolled in the summer remediation program will benefit from the software management system. The software is being installed in 30 schools systemwide. Classworks is produced by • Curriculum Advantage, Inc. (www.curriculumadvantage. com.) For more information about the company or Classworks, contact Jennifer Harrison at either 916-716-0636 or jhar risonpr.com, Peavy may be contacted at either 929-7820 or gpeavy@hcbe.net. Gentry may be contacted at either 988-6200 or ggentry@hcbe. net. attend Celebrate Recovery ministries. “We want the community to know that we’re here for them,” says Pierce. New Hope International Sunday Services are held at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. with a barbeque held on the first Monday of every month. Subscribe today! Call 987-1823 omb» Kir*- i£ Make Your Move. Transfer students find Mercer University the perfect piace to complete their undergraduate degree. * An exceptional educational experience * Nationally ranked for quality and value * Transfer-friendly admissions process * Attractive financial assistance packages * * Programs in liberal arts, business, education, engineering, music, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, law, and theology * More than 20 degree programs in over 60 major areas of study Transferring to Mercer is a move in the right direction. www.mercer.edu RR WR High School French students receive awards Special to the Journal Warner Robins High School student, Melissa Hyde, was ranked among the top five percent of stu dents in the nation who took the National French Test, or Le Grand Concours, this spring at Warner Robins High School, the Houston County Board of Education announced this week. Hyde also placed sixth at the state level, receiv ing a trophy and a cer tificate from the American Association of Teachers of French. Le Grand Concours, according to a release, is an annual competition sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of French in order to encour age excellence in foreign language education and | jnews.com I d leek Us Out | J first unltwygrodlst chute/, Ch «erfui cherubs Preset***' • We offer a Half Day Pre-K Program for 6 months • 4 years • Hlghßeach And Zoo-Phonics Curriculum • We encourage each child to develop to Us or her potential through new experiences including physical, emotional, social, cognitive and spiritual. \ 205 N. Davis Dr. • W.R., GA 31093 • 922-8448 s Sahp Mercer, there is never a shortage of outlets to obtain support or have my questions answered As a transfer student, I am a valued tmmdual in an environment where my efforts are noticed, encouraged, and rewarded." HkJB JASON BLIZZARD I Senior, History Major Macon, Ga. HOUSTON DAILY JOURNAL promote the French lan guage. Students of French in grades 1-12, in all 50 states and abroad, com pete against each other for prizes. Students take a written test with a listening compo nent and scores are ranked against students with simi lar educational background. The following WRHS stu dents also received offi cial commendations for their high scores: Jessica Applegate, Ruth Gorman, Hunter Blair, Tiffany Collins, Erick Farfan, Cassandra Gillmore, Blake Gunnells, Erick Howard, Rebecca Atkins, Maggie Brigmond, Christina Elmore, Angela Gorney, Bree Kitsko and Alexis Brown. Important Dates for Transfer Students Transfer Orientation: August 11, 2006 Fall Classes begin: August 22,2006 Learn more about what Mercer has to offer. Call today to schedule a visit to campus. mercer.edu/trx (800) Mercer-U 00035873