About The Sylvania times. (Sylvania, Ga.) 2022-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 31, 2024)
Page 6 - Wednesday, January 31, 2024 The Sylvania Times thesy lvaniatimes .com SCMS names Honor Society inductees By Anne McCord, Special Contributor for The Times The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) was officially established in 1929, eight years after the founding of the National Honor Society for high school students. The NJHS elevates a school’s commitment to the values of scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. It also recognizes and encourages scholastically outstanding middle school students. Screven County Middle School will recognize those who earned this prestigious award on February 6th at 6:30 p.m. in the middle school cafeteria. The following students will be inducted as members of the A.L. Freeland Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society at Screven County Middle School. The standard for selection was to demonstrate high academic achievement by having a cumulative grade point average of 93 or above. Samuel Bazemore Jack Chandler Jaylee Flanders Chase Reddick Kelcei Stewart Carlee Triplet Ella Withrow 6th Grade: Michael Boswell Jermaine Clare Trevor Lane Parker Sheppard Gentry Tillman Ava Withrow Maddox Yates Madison Best Dakota Bragg Avery Tapley 7th Grade: Christopher Blockett London Nesbitt Scarlett Teston 8th Grade: Mackenzie Preston Chase Wells Kailyn Yates NOTICE OF CORRECTION In the January 3rd issue in an article regarding Dr. David Lariscy we inadvertently listed the phone number incorrectly. The correct number is: 912-243-9274. Sorry for any inconvience. 19 Grieving El a loss? Find hope and healing after the death of a loved one TEACHER Continued from Page 1 music research through a grant, delving into the formative assessment of music across various styles and its diverse impacts. This academic exploration laid the foundation for her future endeavors in enriching the lives of students through music education. Before joining Screven County Elementary School, Hinson dedicated 17 years to teaching in the Gainesville Hall County schools. Her roles encompassed instructing chorus and music at multiple schools within the county. The decision to move to Screven County was deeply personal, driven by a desire to be closer to family in a place that held nostalgic significance to her upbringing. As a mother of two musically talented daughters, Hinson has instilled a love for music within her own family. Her legacy extends beyond the classroom, with the privilege of teaching the children of former students who once graced her classes. Christiana Daniels, a former student and now a 5th-grade math teacher, actively assists Hinson with the after-school chorus, alongside Jessica Hall, who plays the piano during chorus sessions. The news of Hinson's recognition as the K-5 Teacner of the Year came as a delightful surprise. Nominated by Bob Reno, a member of the local VFW, Hinson had no prior knowledge of her nomination. The revelation, delivered by Melissa Talley, left her so astonished that she had to take a moment to collect herself. Reflecting on her journey, Hinson credits her early love for music to her experiences in church during her formative years. Playing the piano in children's church at First Baptist Church in Rincon as a teenager ignited her passion for music. Additionally, the influence of her chorus teacher. Jack Mullis, and her band teacher. Bill Locklear, at Effingham County High School further deepened her appreciation for music, shaping her decision to E ursuc music education as oth a career and a lifelong passion. The recognition of Rhonda Hinson as the K-5 Teacher of the Year not only celebrates her individual achievements but also underscores the profound impact of dedicated educators on the lives of their students. The awards banquet on February 10 promises to be a momentous occasion, bringing together the education community to honor excellence in teaching and the enduring influence of music education on the next generation. (Dozier's (Doggie Daze Paws on Plastic’, a way to clean up the Neighborhood In 2018, while on sick leave from her job as a primary teacher, dog owner, Marion , started a campaign to encourage people to pick up plastic and trash on their daily walks. She says, “My dogs have always picked up plastic bottles on walks, I think they enjoy the satisfying crunchy noise. Once they’ve picked one up, I’ve always felt obligated to put it in a trash bin. I guess that’s really the inspiration for the group. With plastic pollution in the news at the moment, more and more people are asking themselves what they can do? But the issue is so overwhelming, it’s really hard to know where to start.” And so inspired by her dog, "Jitter Bug" and she started encouraging people to start a social action group in their own local areas based on plastic pollution, the action group ‘Paws On Plastic’ was bom. On the group’s growth, Marion says, “We’ve had an unbelievable start to the year! January has been hectic, welcoming so many new members. It just shows the real desire among dog owners to protect wildlife and our precious environment from harm. As awareness of the horrendous impact of plastic pollution grows, more and more people are looking for ways to combat it.” As we all can see 'Paws On Plastic' is its simplicity. Dog owners are already out there every day. We see the litter. Owners have a spare poo bag in our pocket and it just takes a second to pick up a couple of pieces. No extra time or effort is required, as we’re out there anyway every day. Dog owners are really in the frontline as we are out walking our dogs every day. We’re creatures of habit often walking the same routes and I am sure you find yourself often passing the same pieces of litter on the ground every day. I know I see it. While everyone would agree that beach, lake or park cleanups are fantastic, people are busy, the kids need to get to football and so on, and although it's cleaned one day, you and I know that it will be back in a few days from then. I think it is a great thing to do. When you are on a walk this week with your dog, let's all make an effort to pick up any bottles or trash we see, instead of passing it by, just like Jitter Bug did. We can all do our part. Let's give "Jitter Bug" and her Mom A Big A-paws!\ Georgia approves bill defining antisemitism -Associated Press, newswire/Joe Brady, Editor for tin Times Georgia lawmakers passed a bill last Thursday that would define antisemitism in state law, with Republicans uniting in support of Israel's war on Hamas and some Democrats splitting over fears of suppressing support for Palestinians. "Today we can fight a pervasive and escalating threat in our state and fight it together," said Senate President Pro Tern John Kennedy, a Macon Republican who guided the bill to Senate passage, 44- 6. The measure had stalled in a Senate committee in 2023. The House later agreed to changes, voting 129-5 for passage. Gov. Brian Kemp said he would sign the bill, saying it "builds on our commitment to protect Georgians from criminal acts, including those based on hate." Sponsors say adopting the definition put forward by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance would help prosecutors and other officials identify hate crimes and illegal discrimination targeting Jewish people. Georgia has a hate crimes law that allows higher criminal penalties for crimes motivated by certain types of bias. The definition, which is only referred to in the bill, describes antisemitism as "a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities." Some lawmakers opposed the bill, saying they thought it would be used to censor free speech rights. "The First Amendment guarantees our rights as citizens to criticize any government, foreign and domestic," said Sen. Nikki Merritt, a Lawrenceville Democrat. "Does our Constitution not mean anything?" But supporters say the definition will only come into play after someone has committed a crime. "This legislation is not about stifling free speech," Kennedy said. "Nor is it about the government stopping someone from simply sharing their views. It is about safeguarding the dignity and the safety of our Jewish friends and neighbors." In at least eight states nationwide, lawmakers are working on measures to define antisemitism, part of an upsurge of legislation motivated in part by the Israel-Hamas war. Arkansas passed such a law last year. New bills are pending this year in Indiana, Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and South Dakota. The measure grew only more fraught with the start of the Israel-Hamas war. Some protesters chanting "Free Free Palestine!" were dragged from a committee room by police Monday, prompting one arrest. That came after some Jewish residents of Georgia testified, they had experienced a surge of bias incidents, including an antisemitic group that hung a Jewish person in effigy outside a Macon synagogue over the summer. Ghada Elnajjar, a Palestinian mother from the Atlanta suburb of Alpharetta, said she was concerned the bill could embolden those seeking to stifle criticism of Israel. She was particularly worried about her sons, saying they have been posting social media messages criticizing Israel for civilian deaths in Gaza. The sons have also worn keffiyehs, the black and white checkered scarfs that symbolize Palestinian solidarity. The bill "might take a simple thing as wearing a keffiyeh or a social media post and take it a step further and criminalize it and jeopardize my boys’ future," she said. State Rep. John Carson, a Marietta Republican who sponsored the bill, told the House the bill shows "Georgia stands with our friends in the Jewish community." Rep. El-Mahdi Holly, a Stockbridge Democrat and one of Georgia's handful of Muslim lawmakers, retorted, "I wish that was true of Palestinians as well." Some opponents said Thursday that they didn't want to choose sides in the Israel- Hamas war. "We can mourn the loss of both Israeli and Palestinian lives," said Sen. Kim Jackson, a Stone Mountain Democrat. "We can both condemn the unacceptable acts of antisemitism that are plaguing the Jewish community around our state and acknowledge that our citizens have the right to voice their dissent about the tremendous hami being visited upon Palestinian civilians." Some Democrats said that if Georgia moves to define antisemitism, then it should also define what prejudice against Muslims, African Americans or LGBTQ+ people look like. "If we’re going to define antisemitism in the law, then there a lot of other groups that experience racism, and they should also have definitions," said Sen. Sally Harrell, an Atlanta Democrat who didn't vote on the bill. But other Democrats said they wanted to support Jewish constituents and allies, with some recalling the historic support of Jewish people in the struggle for Black civil rights. "The Jewish community stood hand-in-hand with us," said Senate Minority Gloria Butler, a Stone Mountain Democrat. "Today I return their favor and stand with them." Screven County Pre-K Registration All parents interested in the Screven County Pre-Kindergarten program are required to complete online registration. To be eligible for Pre-Kindergarten, your child must be 4 years old by September 1,2024. The 2024-2025 Pre-K registration and required documents must be submitted prior to your child’s name being included in the Pre-K lottery drawing to be held Thursday, March 7,2024. Pre-K registration is available at www.screvenll2.ga,us. Pre-K registration and required documents must be uploaded or brought to the Screven County BOE. The following documents are required: IChllits certified birth certificate ISodal Security writ 3, Current immuniiation record (Form 3231) 4, Completed Vision, Hearing, Dental and Nutritional Screening (Form 3300) 5, Proof of residence (electricity bill, water bill, cable, internet, rent receipt or mortgage contract - has to shoii/ 911 address (no cell phone bills) 6, Proofofanygovernmentassistonce if received by the familysuch as IMF, Medicaid, Food Stomps, SSI, and/or Federal tax Credit-Famed Income Credit. Registration must be completed by March 6,2024 foryour child’s name to be placed in the Pre-K lottery drawing. For more information contact Melanie Lovett at 912-451-2000 Hiltonia City Council meets the second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Oliver Town Council meets first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. Rocky Ford City Council meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. Newington Town Council meeting are the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m Screven County Board of Education meets second Monday of each month at 5 p.m. Sylvania City Council meets first and third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. Camp Lawton Tour 10-11 AM Meet at Camp lawton History center and explore the grounds of what was once the largest prison in the world. Admission to the History Center is included. $5 (Ages 3and under free) Registration is required in advance. February 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th Archery 3-4 PM Learn archery from a certified instructor with all equipment provided. This is a great opportunity for experienced archers to improve your skills. Meet at the archery range. $10 plus $5 parking. 478-982- 1660 February 3rd, 17th, and 24th Homemade Butter in a Jar 11:30 AM-12:30 PM Join us inside Camp Lawton History center and learn to make butter the old fashion way. $3 Registration is required in advance. February 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th. ++++++++++++++ Magnolia Springs State Park participates in the Fishing Tackle Loaner Program that is sponsored by the Wildlife Resource Division of DNR. This program allows park visitors to rent fishing poles and equipment for free while they are visiting the park! Stop by the park office and rent your fishing gear and see what you can catch in our 30-acre lake! ++++++++++++++
