Connection The
Showcasing the best of Polk County
Official Publication of
THE CHAMBER
Georgia www.polkgeorgia.com
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
Back To School Showcasing the best of Polk Scho ol District
Polk School District
Table of Contents
Connection News: Events Calendar: Connection News:
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Dear Parents, Students born during the past 20 years have been labeled “Twenty-First Century Learners”, “Digital Natives”, or “Generation Y Students”. However they’re labeled, today’s students learn much differently than previous generations, they have never known a world not connected to the internet and to each other. Polk School District (PSD) teachers attended blended learning training this summer, Mobile Minds University. Blended learning is a method where students learn partly through delivery of educational content via mobile devices, the world-wide media, and the On-Line classroom. Blended learning allows for students to have a more individualized and customized learning experience. The Mobile Minds University training focused on tailoring the instructional delivery methods to meet each students’ individual needs. Transforming learning to engage project-based learning, higher order thinking skills, and the role of the On-Line classroom in blended learning. Teachers also meet every Wednesday during their planning time to build comprehension lesson plans that include multiple teaching strategies and assessment strategies to determine mastery. Quick Facts: 1. All of our students in Polk County have access to mobile devices: • Pre-K: 10 iPad minis per room • Grades K-2: iPad minis per student • Grade 3-8: iPads per student for school day use • Grade 9-12: iPads for student use 24/7 2. All students are provided with breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks at no cost. 3. Our students will attend a full, 180 day school year. 4. Each teacher will have an on-line classroom which allows for better communication with parents, and an opportunity for students to continue learning during times of illness or school closings. We are looking forward to a great 2015-2016 school year! Sincerely,
William A. Hunter
William A. Hunter, Superintedent
Events Calendar
SEPTEMBER September 7 G.R.I.T.S. Labor Day Bike Ride Begins at the Rockmart Silver Comet Trailhead. Registration begins at 8:00 am. Registration forms and brochures are available at the Rockmart and Cedartown Trailhead’s. Riders can also register on-line at www.active.com. September 10 Polk Chamber 2015 Small Business & Community EXPO Admission $5.00. 6:00 pm – 7:45 pm Open General Admission. 7:45 pm- 9:15 pm Special Music guests Scarlet Wool and Speaker Ms. GiGi Butler of GiGi’s Cupcakes. Join us at the Cedartown Civic Auditorium at 205 East Ave. For more information on this event call the Polk Chamber at 770-684-8760. September 22 Polk County Chamber Candidates Forum Political forum held for candidates seeking election in the November 2015 election. Forum will be held at 6:00 pm at the Polk County Commission meeting room, 73 Cline Ingram Jackson Rd. Cedartown. For more information call 770-684-8760.
OCTOBER October 3 38th Annual Fall Festival in Historic Downtown Cedartown Join us from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm for a day full of fun. At 10:00 am enjoy the Shriner’s Parade and then come into downtown and shop with the Art/ Craft vendors, food vendors and local businesses. Food vendors will be located in the food court next to Ed’s Cleaners. Pirkle’s Deli and the Cedar & Smoke Restaurant will be
open as well. There will be live entertainment throughout the day at the park in front of Courthouse No. 2. October 17 Riverwalk Festival on the Euharlee Be a part of the Inaugural “Riverwalk Festival on the Euharlee” on Saturday, October 17, 2015 from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm and experience the fun with old and young alike as we take a “Stroll through Past and Present”. There will be Arts and Crafts, food, live entertainment throughout the day, Bluegrass music and a concert performance at the Rockmart Theater that evening. Special events will be held throughout the day for old and young alike from a fried pie competition, a horseshoe pitching contest and for those who dare to enter a checker tournament. As the evening hours approach, our main attraction will be “Hot Air Balloon” rides! And don’t forget the Premiere Homespun Floyd Polk Medical Center Firework Show at 9:00 pm. October 31 Rockmart Festival of Treats Downtown Rockmart from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm. Be sure to check the local paper for more information about this event. October 31 Trick or Treat Cedartown Downtown Cedartown from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm. Be sure to check the local paper for more information about this event. Find more upcoming events at
www.polkgeorgia.com
and follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/polkchamberga.
Connection News:
“We had an awesome week at MMU! I enjoyed seeing so many teachers excited about learning! Way to go PSD!”
MOBILE MINDS UNIVERSITY The 2nd annual Mobile Minds University (MMU) is a true testament to show Polk School District is on the move. Mobile Minds University is designed to provide training in specific content areas to help teachers create student-centered, technology integrated, and personalized instruction through engaging lessons. By attending MMU, teachers display confidence with their delivery and approach of instruction where technology is utilized. MMU’s goal is to improve student achievement, student engagement, teacher and administration collaboration, and technology based instruction. Mobile Minds University offered over 100 professional learning opportunities. Over 500 teachers and administrators within 11 districts are now transforming learning through technology by engaging the mobile minds in the classroom.
Lauren King
Reading a Priority in Polk School District In an effort to improve literacy and reading Lexiles, Polk School District utilizes myON as their platform for digital literacy to monitor progress towards college and career readiness. Students in grades three through six have made huge gains over the past school year. The expected reading Lexile growth between each grade level is around 100 points. From the chart below, it is evident that Polk School District students are making amazing growth with their reading Lexiles. Students are truly engaged with the personalized reading environment offered by myON digital books.
Connection News:
THE CLASSROOM OF THE FUTURE: THE LEARNING LOUNGE Since birth, babies have been introduced to a device. Our learners have changed dramatically from five years ago to today. In order to meet the needs of all the learners in the classroom, teachers are changing the way they teach from lecture to cooperative learning in order to prepare students to be college and career ready. Using collaborative, personalized, and student-centered teaching approaches, teachers are preparing students for working with others in a future career.
Connection News:
POLK SCHOOL DISTRICT RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITIONS & DISTINCTIONS
Apple Distinguished Program:
“Our selection as an APPLE Distinguished Program recognizes the accomplishments of our teachers, administrators, and staff. Today’s generation of students learn much differently than previous generations. They have never known a world without mobile devices connected to the Internet. Therefore, we determined these powerful and dynamic tools should be used to enhance and extend the learning through innovative technology.” ~Dr. William Hunter
Premiere Homespun Sponsor
Fireworks Show At the Riverwalk Festival on the Euharlee in Rockmart Saturday, October 17th at 9:00 pm
For Advertising Information call Todd Britt at 770-748-1520
myOn Spotlight District:
myOn Spotlight District: around
Polk County School District in Northwest Georgia is proof-positive that providing students with content at their levels and within their interests will encourage engagement and growth in reading. Superintendent Dr. William A. Hunter has been vital in bringing 21st –century learning to Polk County School District. Polk County implemented myON in all ten of their schools in August 2013. In August, the average reading level was 325. Five months later, Polk County boasts an average Lexile level of 475, which marks an average improvement of more than 59 Lexile points per grade level. administrators in Polk County believe that myON provides their students with a Teachers and necessary and unique online environment that prepares their students to be 21st-century learners that are college and career ready. They note that students are increasingly motivated to read and learn when they observe their Lexile level increase on their personalized myON dashboard. Polk County’s continued use of myON professional development as well as internal instructional efforts- a “myON Team” of Instructional Technology Teachers and Media Specialists that conduct training on myON- ensures that Polk County will continue to leverage myON within their curriculum to succeed with Common Core Georgia Performance Standards.
myON Spotlights feature schools and districts that are implementing myON in unique ways. around Schools, districts and communities are rallying around literacy as a foundation to help all students succeed. As districts implement myON they are realizing the impact that technology is having on engaging kids in reading. myON Spotlights utilize both qualitative and quantitative information to describe the usage, effect, and success of myON in improving literacy in districts across the country.
http://thefutureinreading.myon.com/research/case-studies
http://thefutureinreading.myon.com/research/case-studies
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District of Distinction - Awarded July 2015 Districts of Distinction is a national recognition program created by District Administration magazine to honor school districts that are leading the way with new ideas that work. Polk School district is engaged in an innovative project that is improving student outcomes, streamlining operations and meeting the needs of our community. http://www.districtadministration.com/dod/awards/polk-school-district-mobile-minds-program
District Administration Leadership Institute Superintendent, Dr. William A. Hunter, was a Keynote Speaker for the National District Leadership Institute in Orlando, Florida. The District Administration Leadership Institute (DALI) provides cutting-edge professional development to school district superintendents and other senior education executives to inspire innovation and leadership excellence in K12 education. http://ubtech.mediasite.com/mediasite/Play/3189b0d55d3646c897a8f226ac1741631d
International Society for Technology in Education The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) is an organization serving educators and education leaders committed to empowering connected learners in a connected world. The Mobile Minds team of Polk School District connected with hundreds of passionate educators, leaders and experts who are committed to expanding the knowledge of education through technology. ISTE was a powerful way for Mobile Minds to connect with other passionate educators and share the excitement of education through technology. The goal for attending ISTE was to gain knowledge, confidence, and ideas to help lead the transformation of education for Polk School District. http://tinyurl.com/nuxvjph
EdSurge Takes Note of PSD’s Innovations EdSurge is an independent information resource and community for everyone in educational technology. “It is our job as educators to make learning fun and impactful for all students! Polk School District is preparing 21st Century learners for a world that exists today as well as the one that will exist tomorrow.” The Directed Studies program: Over the years, we’ve realized the importance of finding a way to equally support all student populations, ranging from special needs to the gifted and talented. https://www.edsurge.com/n/2014-11-03-leveling-the-playing-field-with-technology-it-s-no-longer-a-choice
Polk County at a Glance LOCATION AND LAND AREA Polk County, consisting of a 312 square mile area, is near the center of the South's three largest industrial centers: Atlanta, 45 miles east; Birmingham, 85 miles west, and Chattanooga, 83 miles north. Surrounded on four corners by mountains, Polk County is a land of dramatic contrasts from the city of Cedartown which lies on a gentle plain to Rockmart with its rocky hills and deep valleys.
GOVERNMENT Polk County is governed by a six member Board of Commissioners elected for four-year staggered terms. The chairman is elected from the board for a one-year term. Cedartown, the county seat, is governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners who elect a commission chairman from amongst board members and appoint a City Manager. The city of Rockmart is governed by an elected mayor and five council members who elect a City Manager. Aragon is governed by a mayor and four council members. Full-time police and fire departments are maintained in all three areas and the county for the protection of all residents.
INDUSTRY Polk County boasts a wide array of existing industry and takes pride in its success in new industry recruitment in the last decade. The top ten industries employee some 3,700 people and include both manufacturing and service.
CLIMATE A moderate climate with seasonal variation creates an excellent environment for outdoor activity throughout most of the year: January average minimum/maximum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32/55 degrees July average minimum/maximum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67/83 degrees Average annual rainfall is 50" based on ten year data. Relative humidity is 69.7%.
POPULATION 42,709 people reside in Polk County including 10,021 in Cedartown, 4,242 in Rockmart and 1,039 in Aragon.
TRANSPORTATION
Major trucking lines and both CSX and the Norfolk Southern Railway system link Polk County to points in all directions. Hartsfield/Jackson International Airport is only one hour away while Cornelius Moore Airport in the middle of the county provides a paved and lighted 4,000 ft. runway. The new $15,000,000 state of the art Paulding Northwest Atlanta Airport is only 8 miles from Polk County. Four lane Highway 278 east links Polk County to Atlanta via I-20. Other main arteries
CEDARTOWN • ROCKMART/ARAGON include U.S. Highway 27 and 113.
COMMUNICATIONS
Two newspapers, the Cedartown Standard and the Rockmart Journal, and two radio stations, WGAA Cedartown and WZOT Rockmart, keep county residents informed of local, regional and national happenings.
EDUCATION Educational institutions in the county include six elementary schools, two middle schools, two high schools and a regional vocational-technical school. Two private schools are maintained and county residents have easy access to three additional private schools in a neighboring county.
UTILITIES Georgia Power and Carroll EMC service electrical needs in Polk County and gas is distributed by Atlanta Gas Light Company and sold by several suppliers. The cities of Cedartown and Rockmart operate sewage treatment facilities and have their own water supply via a spring-fed gravity system in Cedartown and Euharlee Creek in Rockmart. The county’s water supply originates with three springs and one well. BellSouth provides a first-rate telecommunications system and cablevision is provided by Charter Communications.
HEALTHCARE Polk Medical Center is located in Cedartown. Numerous physicians, dentists, chiropractors and other health care proviers are throughout Polk County. Immediate Care facilities are also available.
POLK COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE The main office of the Polk County Chamber of Commerce is located at 133 South Marble Street in Rockmart. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-5:00 pm. The Chamber also maintains a Cedartown office in conjunction with the Cedartown Welcome Center at 609 S. Main St.. Cedartown office hours are Mon.-Fri., 8:30 am-5:00 pm. Call the Chamber office at 770-684-8760.
Connection The
Advertisers Index: Floyd Medical Center .............................6 Georgia Power.........................................7 Redmond Physician Network..................7 Coosa Dental Associates.........................7 Holmes Clothing.....................................7
Showcasing the best of Polk County Official Publication of
THE CHAMBER
Georgia
Published by: News Publishing Company P.O. Box 1633 Rome, GA 30162
www.polkgeorgia.com
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION
133 South Marble Street Rockmart, GA 30153 770/684-8760 Fax: 678/224-5320 609 S. Main St. Cedartown, GA 30125 www.polkgeorgia.com
For Advertising Information call Todd Britt at 770-748-1520 Editorial Content by: Polk County Chamber of Commerce 770/684-8760
Building Program Updates: Technology Infrastructure Upgrades The story about the networks over the last 3 years has been all about bandwidth. Our Internet access has gone from 30 megabits from 1 provider to 2,000 megabits (2 gig) with 2 providers. Thats an increase of 67 fold. In addition to Internet access, the network speed between schools and within each school has been increased by a factor of 10 with 1 gigabit links between schools. Our latest improvements have increased the network speeds within each school to a 10 gigabit backbone. Another challenge has been to make the network available throughout the district to all the wireless devices. This has been accomplished by placing WiFi access points throughout all of the schools in at least every other room.
Eastside Elementary
College & Career Academy
Rockmart High School Field House