Metter Elementary School

Help Your Child Learn to Concentrate While Studying Your child is actually sitting down ready to learn. But every sound is a new distraction. Try three tips that can help children learn to concentrate. Help your child: Prepare to learn. When adults start the working day, most have little rituals that say, “It’s time to get to work.” Help your child establish these rituals, too. Your student might turn on a study light, lay out pencils or put books on the table. One child even put on a hat—he called it his “thinking cap.” Wearing it reinforced that it was time to study. Set goals. Help your child set some study goals for each session. You might put a dry-erase board on the wall of the study area where your student can post them. Take short breaks. Brain researchers know that children learn more in two 20-minute study sessions than they do in one 40-minute session. For some children, even 20 minutes may be too long at first. Set a timer for 10 minutes and help your child set a goal for what to accomplish in that time. At the end of the ten minutes, check to see whether your student has met the goal. Together, set another goal and set the timer for another 10 minutes. Even this short break will help your child stay focused while learning.

Dr. Fred “Bubba” Longgrear has just been named the recipient of the Bill Barr Leadership Award by the Georgia School Superintendents Association (GSSA). The announcement was made at the GSSA’s annual Bootstrap Conference. The Bill Barr Leadership Award is named after Dr. Bill Barr, who served as GSSA’s executive director from 1991 to 1999. It is considered a coveted award in public education in Georgia and is given to a superintendent who represents the service-minded and mentorship characteristics that embody Dr. Barr. “This award is humbling and truly an honor,” says Dr. Longgrear. “I have had so many others mentor me throughout my career. This is a recognition for the great work going on throughout our school district.” “Dr. Longgrear’s leadership within Candler County Schools has been transformative,” says Mr. Richard Smith, Executive Director of First District RESA. “One of his standout achievements is founding the Metter College & Career Academy, which bridges the gap between education and the workforce. This academy offers students hands-on experience, helping them succeed after high school and setting the student up for future success.” Dr. Longgrear believes in giving every student a chance to thrive; a competitive advantage. His leadership is also clear in the district’s strategic plan, which focuses on providing high-quality, well-rounded education to all students. This plan is a living guide that drives decisions throughout the district, ensuring that every step taken is aimed at student success. Dr. Longgrear is a leader who truly cares about education and the people around him. His commitment to excellence, mentorship, and community involvement has transformed Candler County Schools and has impacted education across Georgia. His leadership is an outstanding example of what it means to guide with both heart and strategy. As the Bill Barr Leadership Award winner, Dr. Longgrear accepted a plaque at a luncheon during the Bootstrap Conference this past week in Athens. pictured: left to right: Dr. Rob Brown the 2023 Bill Barr Award recipient; Dr. Bubba Longgrear; and GSSA Executive Director Dr. John Zauner.

e-tip from The Parent Institute: Learning is the Best Reward Children whose accomplishments are smothered in rewards such as candy, money and excessive praise often feel motivated only if they receive these external rewards. They usually concentrate more on the reward than the accomplishment. Research shows that successful learners are more “intrinsically” motivated—stimulated more by their own curiosity than by any reward or bonus. They are rewarded for their successes with their own satisfaction. To promote intrinsic motivation: Allow your child reasonable independence and creativity when playing. When children have freedom in play, it allows them to see the effects of their actions. When they create something, they have something tangible that represents their efforts. Provide learning challenges that strengthen feelings of success. For example, if your child has just successfully learned a part of the multiplication table, offer a challenge: "You have really learned the 5 times table. Can you learn the 6 times table as well?" Ask your child to evaluate personal effort and work. Ask, “How do you feel about this paper you just wrote? Are you proud of your effort?” Avoid excessive rewards and praise. Instead, comment on your child’s effort, progress and learning. For example, “You stuck with your math until you did it all. I am really impressed with your diligence. And now you really understand how to round numbers up or down!”

It's Drive 4 UR School day on Wednesday, October 23! From 8am - 3pm, you can test drive a Ford vehicle at Metter High School and Metter Ford will donate $20 to Candler County Schools! Come help us out!

The Tiger Book Bus will be out and about tomorrow, Wednesday, October 23 to meet with kids to read, create crafts and have some fun! Visit the bus at 2 locations: 12:30 - 1:15 pm at Barbershop of the South, 307 Central Avenue 1:45-2:30 pm at the Downtown Park We look forward to seeing you at one (or both!) of these locations! #WINatEVERYTHING #educationisbetterinmetter

🚍✨ It's National School Bus Safety Week! Let’s come together to remind our kids and our community about the importance of school bus safety as we head back to school on Thursday, October 24. Here are a few tips to keep everyone safe: ✨Always stay seated and keep aisles clear. ✨Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before boarding or exiting. ✨Remember to stop for school buses with their lights flashing and always watch for children at bus stops. Together, we can ensure our children arrive to school safely every day! #educationisbetterinmetter #SchoolBusSafetyWeek

Fall Break for Students: October 22 & 23. Students return to school on Thursday, October 24. Happy Fall Break!

Let your child know you care about effort Your child is likely to work hard and learn as much as possible in school if you make it clear that you place a high value on effort. For instance, when your child shows you a high test score, instead of just saying "Hooray!" say "I know how hard you studied. Your hard work has really paid off." When your elementary schooler finishes reading a book, you can say, "You made a real effort to finish that book. I'm proud of you." For more eTips, please visit The Parent Institute by clicking on the following link: https://tpitip.com/?14jQ19702 Deja que tu hijo sepa que te importa el esfuerzo Es probable que su hijo trabaje duro y aprenda tanto como sea posible en la escuela si deja claro que le das un alto valor al esfuerzo. Por ejemplo, cuando tu hijo te muestra una puntuación alta en la prueba, en lugar de decir simplemente "¡Hurra! "Sé lo mucho que estudiaste. Tu trabajo duro ha dado sus frutos. Cuando tu estudiante termina de leer un libro, puedes decir: "Hiciste un gran esfuerzo para terminar ese libro. Estoy orgulloso de ti. " Para más eTips, visite The Parent Institute haciendo clic en el siguiente enlace: https://tpitip.com/?14jQ19702

It's no joke that humor can make reading fun Learning to read can be hard work. So it's important to remind your child how much fun reading can be. Write a joke on silly stationery and tuck it in with your child's lunch. Suggest that your student read it to friends. Their laughter will make your child feel special and proud. And your elementary schooler will connect those positive feelings with reading. For more eTips, please visit The Parent Institute by clicking on the following link: https://tpitip.com/?14jN19702 No es broma que el humor puede hacer que la lectura sea divertida Aprender a leer puede ser un trabajo duro. Así que es importante recordar a tu hijo lo divertido que puede ser leer. Escribe un chiste en papelería tonta y mételo con el almuerzo de tu hijo. Sugiere que tu estudiante se lo lea a tus amigos. Su risa hará que tu hijo se sienta especial y orgulloso. Y tu estudiante de primaria conectará esos sentimientos positivos con la lectura. Para más eTips, visite The Parent Institute haciendo clic en el siguiente enlace: https://tpitip.com/?14jN19702

Be sure to check out our events calendar for all CCSD happenings! Here's a few for the next week: Oct 15--BOE Workshop 8 am Oct 15--Underclassman Yearbook Picture Day Oct 16--MHS Softball Round 1 Playoff games vs. Hawkinsville 4 pm & 6 pm Oct 17--MCCA Board Meeting 8:15 am Oct 17--BOE Meeting 5 pm Oct 21-23--Student holidays Oct 22-23--Professional Learning Days for Staff

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL!! 6 pm against Claxton in Claxton! GO METTER TIGERS! If you are unable to make it to the game, listen to it live on Better Metter Radio WHCG 105.9 or radio stream it here: https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fradio.securenetsystems.net%2Fcirruscontent%2FWHCG%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1nkIBzwJfw-SC52VbbVwvJQY59Me8dBNKDjzyJVCVun2MZpCMLHn4YDtU_aem_NrMi-fD99qOFKmaceHfyog&h=AT3b6JRLG7m2WPL4kV7rld1Bc7HpA1MrB2vQK9GhTZPwte10JOJ17LeiWun9vsJRXfoY-GMuo-AaHBNw0FbhqEhFXFKBGR1kIs-9SI_nEcH9WtWH1dCTy3HA1y0Z5sph3fIFt0o&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AT0oxYwdeamKl97hVpgwm71euGZRWVJi8Nod8KK7FRWESWaasvFuukrj7KLtxfabjZxr7XdLOaBx8_2VGAW3Z7AwSKaYEqlBHbONeNmIctfdROLKXxD2npxA5I0aAntkB-4kzDCWNwciAu-hcgGgbsCODeExDBnHan_QGpQ97TQOdMNuqvWEPwmniekx8eHo8t1ZAnc-ex2bo5CWrluiQtjVDiI

Welcome back! Schools are now back in session.

Candler County Schools Update: Schools will be closed on Thursday, October 3. However, staff volunteers will provide meals by buses to our students in the community. Between 11am-Noon on Thursday, buses will run their regular routes. Whether your child rides a bus or not, a bus should pass your house. Please be out in the yard and we'll stop to give you a meal. This is just a small gesture to let you, our students and their families, know that we care about you. If you do not see a bus on your road, you can come to the Elementary School (Pond side) and we'll get you a meal. If you are unable to come to the school, reach out to your teacher or contact us on social media, and we will do our best to come to you if possible. Actualización de las escuelas del condado de Candler: Las escuelas estarán cerradas el jueves 3 de octubre. Sin embargo, los voluntarios del personal proporcionarán comidas en autobuses a nuestros estudiantes en la comunidad. Entre las 11 a. m. y el mediodía del jueves, los autobuses realizarán sus rutas habituales. Ya sea que su hijo viaje en autobús o no, el autobús debe pasar por su casa. Por favor sal al patio y nos detendremos para darte una comida. Este es sólo un pequeño gesto para que ustedes, nuestros estudiantes y sus familias, sepan que nos preocupamos por ustedes. Si no ve un autobús en su camino, puede venir a la escuela primaria (al lado del estanque) y le conseguiremos una comida. Si no puede venir a la escuela, comuníquese con su maestro o contáctenos en las redes sociales, y haremos todo lo posible para acudir a usted si es posible.

Candler County Schools: We hope everyone is safe and has what they need during this storm recovery. We are in regular contact with EMC and GA Power for updates. Please note that school will be closed on Monday, 9/30, and Tuesday, 10/1. We will provide updates as power restoration progresses. A special thank you to the linemen and first responders working tirelessly to restore power. In the meantime, we encourage you to read, spend time with family, and enjoy life. We will continue to share daily updates and keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

Due to the strong recommendation from the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) for all schools to close on Friday, September 27, the Candler County School District will be closed for both staff and students. Forecasts indicate that our most severe weather will occur between Thursday evening and early Friday morning. Please prioritize your safety and remain vigilant during this time. With the speed of this storm, we expect that the storm's effects will diminish by mid-morning Friday. If conditions allow and there are no significant power outages or damage, the Metter vs. ECI football game is still scheduled for Friday at 7:30 PM at Tiger Stadium. We will provide updates should anything change. We plan to resume regular school operations on Monday, September 30. We hope that each of you stay safe as we weather this storm. As always, any updates will be communicated through our website, www.metter.org, our CCSD app, and social media, along with a notification through Infinite Campus. Debido a la fuerte recomendación de la Agencia de Manejo de Emergencias de Georgia (GEMA) para que todas las escuelas cierren el viernes 27 de septiembre, el Distrito Escolar del Condado de Candler estará cerrado tanto para el personal como para los estudiantes. Las predicciones indican que nuestro clima más severo se producirá entre el jueves por la tarde y el viernes temprano por la mañana. Por favor, dé prioridad a su seguridad y permanezca vigilante durante este tiempo. Con la velocidad de esta tormenta, esperamos que los efectos de la tormenta disminuyan a media mañana del viernes. Si las condiciones lo permiten y no hay cortes de energía o daños significativos, el Metter vs. El partido de fútbol ECI todavía está programado para el viernes a las 7:30 p. m. en el Tiger Stadium. Proporcionaremos actualizaciones en caso de que algo cambie. Planeamos reanudar las operaciones escolares regulares el lunes, 30 de septiembre. Esperamos que cada uno de ustedes se mantenga a salvo mientras aguantamos esta tormenta. Como siempre, cualquier actualización se comunicará a través de nuestro sitio web, www.metter.org nuestra aplicación CCSD y redes sociales, junto con una notificación a través de Infinite Campus.

CCSD Announcement: Monitoring Helene Helene will impact Georgia overnight Thursday into Friday. Candler County Schools, along with Emergency Management personnel, are monitoring this storm that is expected to be a fast-moving hurricane and will make landfall on the coast of Florida Thursday evening. We will make any decisions about school operations as we know more accurate local weather forecasts for our area. This may be as late as Thursday evening. While we respect the choices of other school districts, our decisions will be made independently, with careful thought given to what’s best for our students and community. If we have school operation changes, we will send out an alert through our website and CCSD app, which also links to Infinite Campus (our registration software, so please make sure you have completed that online at www.metter.org). We will also send an alert to the Metter Advertiser, post on our website, www.metter.org, as well as, post on all social media outlets controlled by the school district. We ask you to make tentative plans in the event that there are changes in school operations. As always, we also we urge you to prepare for a storm's effects such as power outages, etc. Remain alert and be sure to monitor communications from the school district and local media.

#MondayMotivation Something really cool happened this past Friday. Our Superintendent, Dr. Bubba Longgrear, noticed a young man cleaning up the front of the school before opening Friday morning. Impressed with his initiative and effort to keep our campus clean, Dr. Longgrear awarded Mrs. Lacey Henneman’s class a hard hat for Aiden Odom’s effort. Students, you never know who is watching or when. Always remember to do the right thing and show your team effort! Let’s start this week strong! #WINatEVERYTHING

The Candler County Board of Education approved the 2025-2026 School Calendar at the Sept 19 Board Meeting. To view the calendar, visit https://5il.co/2x5zm.

The Candler County School District (CCSD) and the Candler County Sheriff’s Office continue to collaborate for the safety of our community’s students, teachers and staff through trainings and drills. Sheriff’s Office personnel, School Resource Officers, Metter Fire Department and the Candler County Emergency Management Agency have been working with the school administrators on planning important safety drills, which include Fire Drills, Weather Drills, and Intruder Drills. Fire Drills are planned once a month, while Weather Drills are scheduled depending on the season. An Intruder Drill will be conducted prior to October 1 as required by House Bill 147, which also requires that school systems conduct at least one each school year. “While these types of events are extremely rare nationwide, our focus remains on the safety of our children and staff and we want to be prepared in the best way possible for any event that might occur,” says CCSD Superintendent Bubba Longgrear. Fire and EMA, along with School Resource Officers, will conduct the Fire and Weather Drills. The Candler County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting the Intruder Drill and have trained school staff on best practices in order to keep themselves and their students safe. “We want to inform the community that this is a drill and there is no reason to be alarmed,” says Sheriff John Miles. “Our deputies will be on campus to conduct the drill and to evaluate procedures so we know we are prepared for any emergency.” Candler County School District works daily to ensure a safe and secure learning environment for all students and staff. In the event of an actual emergency, school administrators will work in collaboration with the Candler County Emergency Management Agency, the Candler County Sheriff’s Office and other emergency management personnel. In the event of an actual emergency, parents can obtain information about their child’s school by downloading the Candler County School District app on cell phones to receive notifications from the school, checking the school website, following the school on social media, as well as, accepting phone calls from the school’s automated phone system. “When the actual drill takes place, our communications team will send alerts through the website, the app, and social media, just as they would in a true emergency,” says Longgrear. “We ask parents to avoid coming to the school to ‘check on your child’ in this drill or in a real emergency. One concern noted by professionals with an event like this is that when people start racing to the school it interferes with the number of officers who can deal with the actual situation because officers are then needed to manage crowd control and secure the building from visitors." The Candler County School District would like to thank all of the local emergency agencies for their proactive approach to school and community safety.

ESOL Parent Night! Thursday, September 19 at 6 pm at the K8 Complex Noche para padres de alumnos de ESOL: jueves 19 de septiembre a las 6:00 p. m. en el complejo K8 Learn what it means to be an English learner and how you can support your child (children who are learning English at school. Videos and resources will be available in English and Spanish. Información Sobre lo que Significa ser un estudiante de inglés y cómo puede apoyar a sus hijos que están aprendiendo inglés en la escuela. Los videos y recursos estarán disponibles en inglés y español.