Oglethorpe County School System
“Excellence for every student, every day!”
💙 Patriot of the Month: Tim Hayes! 🚌⭐
Help us congratulate Tim Hayes, one of our amazing bus drivers and our August Patriot of the Month!
Tim was nominated for the incredible care, patience, and kindness he shows one of our self-contained students. He goes far beyond simply getting students safely to and from school—he makes sure she is ready for the day, greets her with a smile, helps her when she needs extra support, and even fixes her hair when needed. ❤️
This year brought a big transition as she moved from elementary school to middle school. Having Mr. Tim there each morning to welcome her, encourage her, and help her feel safe and comfortable made that transition a little easier.
One nominator shared that “his caring presence helped make what could have been a difficult transition feel much more comfortable.”
That is what Patriot Pride is all about.
Mr. Tim, thank you for showing up every day with compassion, patience, and a genuine heart for our students. Your job may be getting students from Point A to Point B, but the impact you have along the way is so much greater.
Congratulations, Tim! We are proud to celebrate you! 💙🚌
🍕🍔🍱It's never too early to start thinking about lunch!
September menus are here! Take a look and see what's being served in our cafeterias next week.
And don't forget- ALL students eat FREE!
Last, but not least, meet our newest District Office team members!
🥇Dr. Phillip Powell- Superintendent
🥇Mr. Auburn Bolton- Director of Technology and Human Capital
🥇Ms. Stephanie Ring- Director of Teaching and Learning (Math/Science)
🥇Ms. Jenna Suares- Director of Teaching and Learning (ELA/SS)
WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE YOU ON TEAM OGLETHORPE!
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As part of our district-wide efforts to support students' overall well-being we are implementing a proactive approach to ensure the behavioral supports and positive school culture necessary for all students to succeed. Part of this approach includes universal behavioral screening.
Please review the resources below for additional information:
Universal Behavior Screening Information https://aptg.co/ghQfmt
Universal Behavior Screening Frequently Asked Questions https://aptg.co/dVRJGX
Meet the newest members of our Student Transportation Center....helping our Patriots get where they're going!
🚌Mr. Dan Mueller- Shop Mechanic
🚌Ms. Emma Hunt- Bus Driver
🚌Mr. Mike Hill-Bus Driver
🚌Mr. Terry Garrett-Bus Driver
THESE MILES MATTER- WELCOME ABOARD!
OCHS takes center stage today!
📚Mr. Perry Barrow- English Teacher
📚Mr. Micah Blanton- Math Teacher
📚Mr. Aaron Campbell- Social Studies Teacher
📚Mr. Stanley Latimore-Teacher, Head Wrestling Coach, Assistant Football Coach
📚Ms. McKenzie Stevens- English Teacher
📚Mr. Dayon Toomer- Weight Training Teacher and Head Boys Basketball Coach
📚Mr. Chuck Palmer- Economics Teacher
📚Ms. Stephanie Smith- Paraprofessional
📚Ms. Tannis Hillis- Speech & Language Pathologist
👔Dr. Michael Todd- Assistant Principal
IT'S GREAT TO HAVE YOU ON OUR TEAM!
Today, let's give a warm Patriot welcome to the new faces at OCMS!
⭐Mr. Bowen Kramer- Social Studies Teacher
⭐Ms. Dale Nesbit- Math Teacher
⭐Ms. Kelsie Walker- English Teacher
⭐Mr. Todd Wells- Social Studies Teacher, Assistant Football Coach, and Head Boys Soccer Coach
HERE'S TO A GREAT YEAR TOGETHER!
Now that we have settled into the new school year, let's introduce the newest members of our Patriot family!
First up, OCES!
🍎Mr. Jacob Bartoo- Special Education Assistant Principal
🍎Ms. Francisca Blanco- ESOL Teacher (Grades 3-5)
🍎Ms. Caroline Gabriel- 5th Grade Teacher
🍎Ms. Jenna Gay-4th Grade Teacher
🍎Ms. Mikayla Oldham-1st Grade Teacher
🍎Dr. Veronika Snuggs-Assistant Principal
WE ARE SO GLAD YOU ARE HERE!
🌟 Show Your Patriot Pride! 🌟
Help us celebrate the people who make Oglethorpe County Schools special! Each month, we will recognize an outstanding employee who makes a difference for our students, families, schools, and community. ANYONE can submit a nomination! Nominate a deserving Patriot today!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfcE0VuUALZokwP40CnPpTiAnBJaXsP5TWBiFgOCRTBP-ASVg/viewform?usp=header
One Team. One Vision. One Oglethorpe.
Help us celebrate the people who make Oglethorpe County Schools special! Each month, we will recognize an outstanding employee who makes a difference for our students, families, schools, and community. ANYONE can submit a nomination! Nominate a deserving Patriot today!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfcE0VuUALZokwP40CnPpTiAnBJaXsP5TWBiFgOCRTBP-ASVg/viewform?usp=header
One Team. One Vision. One Oglethorpe.
Healthcare close to home- and close to school! The MEDLINK PATRIOT HEALTH HUB is here to serve. Care at school means less missed class time for students and less missed work for parents.
🚌Transportation available for students during the school day, upon request🚌
💙Sick Visit
❤️Minor injuries
💙Well Care
❤️Behavioral Health
💙Sports Physicals
❤️Immunizations
Located at 15 Fairground Road, the Patriot Health Hub provides convenient access to healthcare for students, staff, families, and our community!!
EXCELLENCE STARTS WITH HEALTHY PATRIOTS!
This morning, Oglethorpe County Middle School administrators were made aware of a social media post by a student that contained a threat involving potential violence at the school. School administrators and Oglethorpe County Sheriff's Office School Resource Officers responded immediately and conducted an investigation. As a result of the investigation, the student was taken into custody, charged, and transported to a juvenile detention facility.
Oglethorpe County Schools takes all threats seriously and remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of our students, staff, and schools. We appreciate the partnership and prompt response of the Oglethorpe County Sheriff's Office in helping maintain a safe learning environment for everyone.
Oglethorpe County Schools takes all threats seriously and remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of our students, staff, and schools. We appreciate the partnership and prompt response of the Oglethorpe County Sheriff's Office in helping maintain a safe learning environment for everyone.
Join us for The Patriot Porch: Building Relationships. Building the Future.
Superintendent Dr. Phillip Powell invites parents, families, community members, and stakeholders to Oglethorpe County High School for coffee, donuts, pastries, and conversation about the future of Oglethorpe County Schools.
Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Location: Oglethorpe County High School Cafeteria
We hope to see you there!
One Team. One Vision. One Oglethorpe.
Superintendent Dr. Phillip Powell invites parents, families, community members, and stakeholders to Oglethorpe County High School for coffee, donuts, pastries, and conversation about the future of Oglethorpe County Schools.
Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Location: Oglethorpe County High School Cafeteria
We hope to see you there!
One Team. One Vision. One Oglethorpe.
Stay connected all year with Rooms! 📱 Message your child's teacher and see class announcements right in the OCSS app — just log in with the email or cell number on file with your school. Have a Gmail on file? Tap "Sign in with Google" for the fastest way in. On a computer? https://edurooms.com — Need to update your contact info? Call your school's front office.
🍎 Great News for Oglethorpe County Families! 🍎
FREE Breakfast & Lunch for ALL Oglethorpe County Schools students during the 2026–2027 school year! 🎉
Through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), every enrolled student can enjoy a nutritious breakfast and lunch at no cost every school day.
✅ No meal applications required
✅ Free breakfast every school day
✅ Free lunch every school day
✅ Available to all enrolled Oglethorpe County Schools students
Healthy meals help our students learn, grow, and succeed—and we're proud to ensure every child has access to them.
FREE Breakfast & Lunch for ALL Oglethorpe County Schools students during the 2026–2027 school year! 🎉
Through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), every enrolled student can enjoy a nutritious breakfast and lunch at no cost every school day.
✅ No meal applications required
✅ Free breakfast every school day
✅ Free lunch every school day
✅ Available to all enrolled Oglethorpe County Schools students
Healthy meals help our students learn, grow, and succeed—and we're proud to ensure every child has access to them.
Planning a family trip this year? Our 2026-2027 Vacation Planner is here.📅
Regular attendance is one of the biggest factors in a student's success, so we've mapped out every extended weekend and scheduled break on next year's calendar — including an 18-day winter break window and nine days at both Thanksgiving and spring break.
Please plan vacations during these times whenever possible so students don't miss instructional days. Spanish version included below.
Full calendar: https://www.oglethorpe.k12.ga.us/page/school-calendars
Regular attendance is one of the biggest factors in a student's success, so we've mapped out every extended weekend and scheduled break on next year's calendar — including an 18-day winter break window and nine days at both Thanksgiving and spring break.
Please plan vacations during these times whenever possible so students don't miss instructional days. Spanish version included below.
Full calendar: https://www.oglethorpe.k12.ga.us/page/school-calendars
🌱 Growing Minds, Changing Possibilities 🌱
Today, 29 OCSS educators gathered at Oglethorpe County Middle School for our Summer Special Education Conference! With six sessions of focused learning, our teachers and support staff are sharpening their skills and deepening their commitment to every learner.
When our educators grow, our students thrive. Thank you to everyone who spent a summer day investing in the children of Oglethorpe County! 💙❤️
#OCSS #GrowingMinds #SpecialEducation #OneOglethorpe
Planning a family trip this year? Our 2026-2027 Vacation Planner is here.📅
Regular attendance is one of the biggest factors in a student's success, so we've mapped out every extended weekend and scheduled break on next year's calendar — including an 18-day winter break window and nine days at both Thanksgiving and spring break.
Please plan vacations during these times whenever possible so students don't miss instructional days. Spanish version included below.
Full calendar: https://www.oglethorpe.k12.ga.us/page/school-calendars
📱 In compliance with the new state “Distraction-Free” Law, we are introducing our New Electronic Device Policy at Oglethorpe County School System.
We are committed to creating a focused, distraction-free learning environment where every student can thrive. Beginning this school year, our new electronic device policy will help support that mission across all three schools.
What this means for your student:OCES & OCMS (K–8) — Phones must remain OFF and OUT OF SIGHT at all times during the school day.OCHS (9–12) — Phones are prohibited during the school day, except during breakfast and lunch in the cafeteria. Phones must stay out of sight at all other times. As part of a new and updated procedure, students will place their phones into a classroom cell phone holder at the beginning of each class period, and phones will be returned at the end of class.
On the buses 🚌 — Phones may be used as long as they are not creating a distraction. There are NO phone calls and NO videoing or taking pictures permitted, at the bus driver's discretion.Important reminders for all students: no listening devices (earbuds, etc.), no Meta glasses or similar devices, no filming of fights, and no sharing of inappropriate material (photos, videos, or messages).Violations may result in disciplinary action. Please refer to the flyer above and your student's Student Handbook for additional details.OCMS families can view the full cell phone policy (page 23) in the OCMS Parent/Student Handbook: https://ocms.oglethorpe.k12.ga.us/o/ocms/page/parent-student-handbook
Thank you for partnering with us to keep our students focused and learning! ❤️💙
Great schools are built by great educators. Today, district and building leaders took part in GaLEADS training, learning how to better coach and support teachers through meaningful feedback and ongoing professional growth. As we build the capacity of our educators, we strengthen learning experiences for every student. We are excited to bring this work back to our schools!
📱 Introducing Our New Electronic Device Policy
At Oglethorpe County School System, we are committed to creating a focused, distraction-free learning environment where every student can thrive. Beginning this school year, our new electronic device policy will help support that mission across all three schools.
What this means for your student:
OCES & OCMS (K–8) — Phones must remain OFF and OUT OF SIGHT at all times during the school day.
OCHS (9–12) — Phones are prohibited during the school day, except during breakfast and lunch in the cafeteria. Phones must stay out of sight at all other times. As part of a new and updated procedure, students will place their phones into a classroom cell phone holder at the beginning of each class period, and phones will be returned at the end of class.
On the buses 🚌 — Phones may be used as long as they are not creating a distraction. There are NO phone calls and NO videoing or taking pictures permitted, at the bus driver's discretion.
Important reminders for all students: no listening devices (earbuds, etc.), no Meta glasses or similar devices, no filming of fights, and no sharing of inappropriate material (photos, videos, or messages).
Violations may result in disciplinary action. Please refer to the flyer above and your student's Student Handbook for additional details.
OCMS families can view the full cell phone policy (page 23) in the OCMS Parent/Student Handbook: https://ocms.oglethorpe.k12.ga.us/o/ocms/page/parent-student-handbook
Thank you for partnering with us to keep our students focused and learning! ❤️💙