Vaishali Patel
The Union-Recorder
MILLEDGEVILLE —
Baldwin County Schools will hold its second “Educate to Graduate: Stay in School Kickoff” next week to encourage students to remain in school, reinforce the emphasis of improving achievement and pump up the community for the upcoming 2010-2011 school year.
Community members, parents, student organizations and school athletic teams will look on as Baldwin County School Superintendent Geneva Braziel welcomes the anticipated crowd before Mayor Richard Bentley gives a proclamation.
“The purpose of the Stay In School Rally is first and foremost getting out the message of why we exist,” Braziel said. “We want to get our students excited and really capture everybody in the community and talk about our focus for the year, which is educate to graduate.”
The celebration, slated to be held at Baldwin Stadium off the U.S. Highway 441 bypass at 5:30 p.m. Monday, will begin with a parade of schools around the football field.
Baldwin County School Assistant Superintendent Dr. Sharon Hunt-Simmons will introduce former Baldwin students, Precious Lango, Hoganne Harrison-Walton and Kyle Walker, who will speak to the community about the importance of graduating by sharing their own experiences and success stories.
As part of the program, Parent University will hold its graduation and the band from Baldwin High School will perform. Milledgeville Idols Patrick Bohannon and Patrick Kelsey will showcase their vocals through a performance as well.
Throughout the evening, door prizes, gift cards and school supplies will be given out while 97.7 FM blares tunes with a live remote while giving out free movie tickets and other prizes. Mascots from Wendy’s and Chick-fil-A will excite the crowd while those attending the event fill their stomachs with food donated by Captain D’s.
With donations solicited from more than 35 restaurants, banks, car dealerships and other local businesses, all sponsors will be recognized on a large banner at the celebration, donated by Hattaway Screen Printing. A final listing of the donors will not be available until closer to the event.
“We still have donations coming in,” said Blandy Hills Principal Charlene Thorpe, with the Back To School Donations Committee. “One of my goals for the academic year is to increase parental involvement and make sure all students stay academically focused and meet the standard for district AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) status and help our districts mission to educate to graduate via reality.”
The rally will follow a day of activity as Baldwin County Schools welcome students and parents to open houses from 9 a.m. to noon Monday before the school term begins Wednesday, Aug. 4.
“We’re one district; we’re one motto,” Thorpe said. “We look forward to having the community come out and celebrate with us.”
