๐ SURPRISE! What a morning at Livingston Elementary! Third-grade teacher Dr. Shameka Smith was surprised in her classroom with the news that she's the 2026 Griffin RESA Regional Literacy Teacher of the Year! ๐๐
Recognized for outstanding student growth in literacy, Dr. Smith is now in the running for the statewide Georgia Literacy Teacher of the Year honor!
Congratulations, Dr. Smith! We are SO proud of you! โค๏ธ
Read her story! ๐
https://t.co/5rlqOqjR1v
Shoutout to my work partner & good friend Derrick Barnes, who is celebrating 5 years with Newton County Schools! ๐ Weโve told a LOT of great stories, won some awards & shared plenty of laughs along the way. Hiring him was definitely one of my better decisions! Congrats, Derrick!
Congrats to the Pride of Eastside Marching Band for tremendous results at 44th Annual Super Bowl of Sound Competition at Central HS in Carrollton!
1st Place Flagline in Class AAA
2nd Place Band
3rd Place Drum Major
3rd Place Percussion
Overall Superior Performance
Go EAGLES!!!
Despite the challenges of this week's network outage, our schools continue to shine.
Last night's Elementary Open Houses were another tremendous success, with an incredible turnout of students and families across Newton County. Hallways were filled with smiles as students met their teachers, visited their classrooms, and began getting excited for the new school year. Our Transportation Department team members were also on hand at each school to assist families with bus routes and transportation questions.
Thank you to our dedicated teachers, staff, administrators, and support teams who have gone above and beyond this week to ensure our schools were ready to welcome students. Your flexibility, teamwork, and commitment have made all the difference.
We're excited to officially welcome our students back on Monday, August 3. We can't wait to kick off another great school year!
Not a bad way to end the school year!
Derrick Barnes and I were honored to earn 18 national awards for our communications work on behalf of Newton County Schools. As a two-person team, we wear a lot of hats, but it's rewarding to see our efforts recognized on a national level.
National recognition for Newton County Schools! ๐
The Newton County Schools Communications Team has earned 18 national awards from the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA), including 15 Awards of Excellence and 3 Awards of Merit.
The honors recognize outstanding work in school communications, video storytelling, stakeholder engagement, social media, and strategic outreach. From celebrating student achievement and employee recognition to sharing important district initiatives and opportunities, these award-winning projects helped tell the story of Newton County Schools and the people who make our district exceptional.
For a two-person communications team, this recognition reflects a commitment to keeping our community informed, engaged, and connected while showcasing the incredible accomplishments happening across our schools every day.
Read the full story: https://t.co/vIonvw1vYT
After 50 years in public education and 23 years leading Oak Hill Elementary School, Dr. Brenda Gammans is retiring, leaving behind a legacy of service, leadership, and student success.
Under Dr. Gammansโ leadership, Oak Hill Elementary School recently earned statewide recognition as a 2025 Greatest Gains Platinum Award winner and was named a "Beating the Odds" school by the Georgia Governorโs Office of Student Achievement.
Thank you, Dr. Gammans, for the countless lives you have impacted, the culture of excellence you helped build, and your extraordinary contributions to Newton County Schools. We wish you all the best as you begin this well-deserved next chapter.
Read more about Dr. Gammansโ remarkable career and retirement announcement: https://t.co/oX5KZO43A7
The tassels have been turned, the diplomas have been awarded, and the next chapter has begun.
Before the Class of 2026 heads off to colleges and universities, careers, military service, and new adventures, take a moment to relive some of the inspiration, wisdom, and encouragement shared during this year's graduation ceremonies.
Congratulations to an extraordinary graduating class. ๐โค๏ธ
Thatโs a wrap on the 2025-2026 school year! ๐๐โ๏ธ
Today, Superintendent Dr. Duke Bradley helped wave off the final buses of the school year as our students officially headed into summer break. What an incredible year it has been across Newton County Schools!
From academic achievements and championships to performances, celebrations, growth, and unforgettable memories, we are so proud of our students, staff, and families for all that was accomplished this year.
Have a safe, fun, and well-deserved summer, Newton County! Weโll see you back in August ready for another amazing year! ๐๐
Top ONE PERCENT in Georgia! ๐๐
Newton County Schools is proud to celebrate Oak Hill Elementary School for being named a 2025 SSAS Greatest Gains Platinum Award winner by the Georgia Governorโs Office of Student Achievement!
Out of 2,314 public schools across Georgia, only 31 schools earned this prestigious Platinum designation for academic growth โ placing Oak Hill among the top one percent statewide.
Even more impressive, Oak Hill posted exceptional student growth scores over the past three years:
โญ 100% in 2025
โญ 100% in 2024
โญ 98.9% in 2023
The school was also recently recognized as a โBeating the Oddsโ school for outperforming projected expectations compared to similar schools across Georgia.
This recognition reflects the incredible work of Oak Hillโs students, teachers, staff, leadership, and families. Congratulations to the entire Oak Hill community on this outstanding accomplishment! ๐๐
Read the full story here: https://t.co/CMQd8z9QvR
Weโre proud to share the May 2026 edition of Board Notes! ๐
This monthโs summary provides an overview of key discussions and actions from the Newton County Board of Education meeting and reflects our continued commitment to transparency and keeping our community informed.
Read the latest edition here โก๏ธ https://t.co/uSCGJBxZNa
Cybersecurity threats continue to be a challenge for school systems nationwide. This weekend, Superintendent Dr. Duke Bradley joined CNNโs Newsroom with Fredricka Whitfield to discuss the recent Canvas cyberattack and what districts across the country are doing to respond and protect the continuity of learning.