About The Banks County news. (Homer, Banks County, Ga.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 6, 2023)
PAGE 2A BANKS COUNTY NEWS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023 Banks County Schools receive GAEF mini grant for Agricultural Education Initiatives Banks County Schools has been selected as a recipient of the 2023 Georgia Agriculture Education Foundation (GAEF) Educator Fellowship Mini-Grant. This award, valued at $1,000, recognizes the efforts of the school in advancing elementary agriculture education. The GAEF Mini Grant program, under the guidance of the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture, aims to support and enrich the learning experiences of students in the field of agriculture. Banks County Schools was chosen as one of the top 20 recipients from a competitive pool of appli cants, reflecting the commitment and innovative approach to teaching agriculture at the elementary level, school lead ers state. “We are thrilled to receive this grant and are excited about the opportunities it will open up for our students,” said Banks County Primary School Principal Dr. Mike Boyle. “This funding will enable us to enhance our exist ing programs with more hands-on learning experiences in agriculture.” The grant will be utilized to support various educational activities and projects that connect students with farming, food production, and sustainable practices. This includes purchasing supplies, developing new curriculum resourc es. and facilitating student-led agricultural projects. Lily Baucom, executive director of the Georgia Foun dation for Agriculture, commended Banks County Schools for their dedication to agricultural education. “Your school’s commitment to this vital field is not only inspiring but also essential in shaping the future of our farming communities,” said Baucom. “Banks County Schools is committed to keeping the community updated on the progress of our agricultural ed ucation initiatives,” school leaders state. “We look forward to sharing the success stories and challenges of our journey in this endeavor.” For more information about agriculture classes, contact Candice Looney at candice.looney@banks.kl2.ga.us Banks County Primary School students had a hands-on expe rience in nature as they harvested mustard greens, broccoli, cabbage, and collard greens in Mrs. Candace Looney’s agri culture classes. BCES students receive coats through Operation Warm Coat Maysville Baptist Church recently spearheaded the Operation Warm Coat ini tiative, providing over 800 coats to every student at Banks County Elementa ry School to ensure that no child faced the winter with out a coat. Volunteers from Mays ville Baptist Church and school staff set up a distri bution area where students could choose their coats. Students tried on different coats with many sizes, col ors, and styles throughout the day. Operation Warm is a na tional nonprofit organization dedicated to manufacturing and providing children with brand-new, high-quality coats and shoes. “Our students were so excited about their coats. We are so grateful to Mays ville Baptist Church for the generous donation to our school, “ Principal Dr. Leigh Ann Perry stated. Banks County Elementary School students, Anna Perry, Autumn Seabolt, Anna Hicks and BellaKayt Hopkins, are shown modeling their new coats. Ava Dover and Mikayla Campanale are shown after getting their new coats. WRITING PROJECT AT BCES Banks County Elementary School Mrs. Lord’s classroom wrapped up their narrative writing and point of view unit with a fun and interactive project: designing turkey traps. Students collaborated in teams to design and construct creative traps and obstacle courses to capture the turkey. They each took turns presenting their ingenious solutions. Shown with their project are: Adam Layfield, Julian Cuadros, Olivia Williams and Sylus Morgan. Email photos and news to angela@mainstreetnews.com % ARNELL DESIGNS EMORIALS An MED Enterprises Co. Serving this community since 1962. Ask about the FREE gift with purchase. Office located at 220 Hwy. 441 S. in Commerce, GA. 706-335-4066 Hours: Monday - Friday 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Saturday By appointment only • Closed Sunday **We accept M/C, Visa and offer a lay-a-way plan. WILDLIFE TEAM ADVANCES TO STATE The Banks County High Scool Senior Wildlife team won the area competition and advance to state. Team members are: Raegan Gilbert- Whitetail Management (1st Place), Reagen Ferguson- Aquatics ( 1st Place), Eric Ashworth- Game Bird (2nd Place), and Garrison Fowler- General Id (2nd Place). JUNIOR WILDLIFE TEAM WINS AREA COMPETITION The Banks County High School FFA Jr. Wildlife team won the area competition and advanced to state. Team members are: Catie Cochran- General ID (1st Place), Natalie Seigler- Aquatics (1st Place), Luke Wheatley- Game Bird (1st Place, and Jabe Andrews- Whitetail Management (2nd Place). Baldwin Council approves employee award program By KARLEE CALDWELL The Baldwin City Council has adopted an Employee Award Program. At last week’s meeting, the council approved the ad dition to the employee handbook that adds an employee award policy that will have several levels reflecting years of service, career highlights, and more. This addition will administer and develop an awards program to help em ployees develop themselves professionally and to encour age and celebrate hard work and commitment to the City of Baldwin, city leaders stated. The city has not previous ly had a formal process that reflects this. Baldwin’s Chief Administrative Officer, Emily Wood- master stated, “We wanted to create something that rec ognized and encouraged our employees as they dedicate years of service to the city and the commitment that they are making.” Anyone who is an employee with the City of Baldwin will be eligible for the program. This will also not con flict with city employee wages as it is solely a recognition program. OTHER BUSINESS In other business at the meeting, the city council ap proved: •the already budgeted Axon In-Car Cameras for the Po lice Department at the cost of $14,975. •to table the vote for the second reading of Precision Digital Special Use Permit Ordinance which would allow for the addition of a business consisting of a data center, cryptocurrency mining site, and high-performance com puting center. •adjustments made to the previous Wrecker Policy to change towing rates, which will be reviewed annually, and to add insurance requirements for towing companies, along with several other modifications. •the first reading of the Bellamy Special Use Permit Ordinance which requests a rezoning of newly-acquired land to Neighborhood Commercial in order to expand the owner’s Auto Repair shop. This parcel of land connects to his existing land where his shop already operates. Fun By The Numbers 1 9 5 6 2 7 2 6 3 9 1 2 7 4 8 2 6 5 7 6 2 3 1 8 9 3 7 2 4 8 5 6
