HCBOE wears purple for military children

The Houston County Board of Education met for their monthly meeting at the Annex on Macon Road on Tuesday, April 13. Approving minutes, reports and resolutions, a large portion of the meeting consisted of Chairman Fred Wilson opening up the meeting with the announcement of the signing of a joint proclamation between the board and the Robins Air Force Base.

“April is recognized globally as the month of the military child and a time to honor the youth who are impacted by deployment or other challenges in military life,” Wilson introduced. He went on to explain, “In our district, approximately 6,300 students are military affiliated, representing 21% of our student population. For many years, our district and Robins Air Force Base have partnered to formally recognize this month. Our schools are celebrating the month of the military child with various activities.”

Wilson pointed out that he, many of the board members and those in attendance donned their own purple attire in observation of Purple Up Day in a display of support of military children. “Purple symbolizes all branches of the military. We have many employees who are personally connected to the military.”

With Houston County being such a military community, it is no wonder that the numbers of children with families involved in the Air Force Base are in the thousands. Guest Colonel Brian Moore represented the RAFB and explained that being a military child is a form of service as well. He commended Houston County for answering the call to care and recognize the children impacted by being of a military family, noting that on average, children experience six to nine relocations in their schooling career.

Just last month, Robins Air Force Base WR-ALC and its 402nd Software Engineering Group, Houston County Board of Education and Career Academy, Board of Commissioners and Development Authority announced their collaboration of Project Synergy at the new R. Wayne Lowe Synergy Innovation Complex. Juniors and seniors will have the opportunity to participate in the dual enrollment program under Middle Georgia University. In addition, this June, the first group of graduating seniors will begin a summer internship and have the opportunity to continue working with the base all the way to full employment after obtaining a degree.

Superintendent Mark Scott addressed Colonel Brian Moore for the hard work that he and his colleagues have put in to make the partnership happen. “Partnerships work both ways. It’s a better, stronger partnership when those entities work together. The Synergy Project is something that we’re very proud of and we appreciate your role and the people from Robins Air Force Base being so receptive to our needs as far as that institution. That lays the groundwork for more great things to come in the future.”

Scott and Moore signed the joint proclamation in show of the support both entities have for each other.

Scott followed up with the Superintendent’s Report, noting his thanks to the Houston Healthcare and the Houston County Health Department for working with the 39 schools to administer vaccines to faculty and staff on location. “They went above and beyond to make sure the process was easy as possible for our employees,” he commended.

He also shared awards from across the district. Among the highlighted news, all five of the high schools received recognition of the 2021 Advanced Placement Honor Schools for the seventh year in a row. Scott announced several teacher awards, including Perry High’s visual arts teacher, Cathy Heller, being named National Art Education Association Southeastern Region Secondary Director and theater teacher, Joe Sendek, receiving the Innovative Playwriting Instruction Award and Dr. Nicole Page being elected to serve on the Georgia Science Teachers Association Board of Directors as president-elect. Student award recognition consisted of winning the Reach and Teach national t-shirt design contest, getting first in the state for the FCCLA Culinary Arts Competition and various art scholarships.

Toward the end of his report, Scott pointed out that the testing period has arrived. “Georgia Milestones and grade exams for grades three through eight will be administered online April 22 through May 11. Georgia Milestones end of course for high school will be administered April 21 through 29. AP exams will be administered May 3 through May 14. I am confident that our students are prepared.”

In conclusion, Scott reminded attendees and onlookers that graduation will be held May 28 and 29 at Reaves Arena at the Georgia National Fairgrounds.

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