Ramsey named new High School Principal
Education, News, Rebel's Corner May 2, 2021
Blue Ridge, Ga. – Dr. Scott Ramsey will be Fannin County High School’s new Principal after the Board of Education (BOE) voted 3-2 in favor of the hire for the 2021-22 school year.
Dr. Scott Ramsey to be Fannin County’s new High School Principal.
The search for Principal of Fannin County High School began in 2020 with then Principal Erik Cioffi giving his resignation.
Cioffi resigned in August of that year after accepting the position of Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and Personnel with a school system in Massachusetts.
“This move allows us to be closer to our immediate families in New England,” Cioffi said of his decision, adding, “I was born and raised in Massachusetts so I will be returning home.”
The search for a new high school Principal came to a brief halt as the BOE voted to name Debbie Decubellis Interim Principal. At the time Decubellis had been serving as Interim Assistant Principal of West Fannin Elementary.
In a special called meeting held on Friday, April 30, 2021. The BOE voted in favor of moving Ramsey into the position of Fannin County High School Principal.
The vote was 3-2 in favor of the move, with Board Members Chad Galloway and Bobby Bearden voting in opposition.
Ramsey is currently employed as an Assistant Principal at Fannin County High School and has served the school system previously in the role of Athletic Director.
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Solar grant to Calhoun Utilities offers students a chance to learn
Community November 1, 2020
Photo by American Public Power Association on Unsplash
Calhoun Utilities and Calhoun City Schools have been awarded a $50,000 matching grant to install solar panels for students to learn how they work.
Solar Power
Calhoun Utilities in conjunction with Calhoun City Schools received a $50,000 solar grant from the Georgia Environmental Finance Agency. The solar grant will allow the city to install a 60kW ground mount solar installation at the Utility Operations Building. It is a matching grant and the city plans to put $50,000 with it to fund the project. Larry Vickery, director of utilities, updated the city council about the project at Monday’s meeting.
Vickery said that while the project won’t generate a lot of energy, it will provide an opportunity for students to learn more about solar energy.
“They will learn how solar panels work, how the parts function, and how to determine how well they are working,” said Vickery.
While the grant is for the city utilities and city schools, Vickery plans to open the the project to the College and Career Academy and the county school’s as well.
HERE VICKERY'S COMMENTS
He said they are in the process of formalizing the bids and three companies have sent in bids.
“We are hoping to buy locally,” he said, adding panel manufacturers are located in Marietta and Dalton.
He added the grant was awarded in August with a deadline of October to have it installed, but the coronavirus delayed plans across the state.
Photo by Susan Kirkland
The Calhoun City Council heard several alcohol license renewals which will have their public hearings at the Nov. 9 meeting.
Old business
The city council heard second readings on several new alcohol licenses, including:
- Second reading of a beer, wine, and distilled spirits package license at a location of 960 North Wall Street, by Dilip Patel of Calhoun Liquor. Patel will also serve as the store manager.
- Second reading of a beer, wine, and distilled spirits package license at a location of 241 Highway 53 East, by Kamlesh Patel (ABC Liquor & Tobacco Outlet). Mr. Patel will also serve as the store manager.
- Second reading of a beer, wine, and distilled spirits pouring license at a location of 165 Outlet Center Drive, Suite 5, by Craig Johnson (Guacamoles). Mr. Johnson will also serve as the store manager.
The public hearing will be at the Nov. 9 meeting.
New Business
Photo by Susan Kirkland
Members of the Calhoun-Gordon County Leadership Class attended the city council meeting.
The city council approved the following first readings:
- First reading of a beer, wine package license at a location of 295 West Line Street, by Vinod Patel of High Tech Fuel. Patel will also serve as the store manager.
- First reading of a beer, wine package license at a location of 1503 Redbud Road NE, by Ghanshyan Patel of Circle K). Patel will also serve as the store manager.
The public hearing will be at the Nov. 23 city council meeting.
- Approved a request from the Calhoun Recycling center to surplus the following on GovDeals.com:
- 2016 Cardboard Baler and Compactor Serial# V63HD1506891
- Unknown Cardboard Baler Serial# 2219
- Approved a manager change request at a location of 401 West Line Street, by American legion Post 47. The prior manager was Terry Bruce Henderson and the proposed manager is Donna Blair.
The following renewals are on the agenda for the next month:
- 2021 beer, wine and distilled spirits package license renewals.
- CWL USA LLC
- Liquor Mart
- Party Liquor
- 2021 beer package license renewals.
- Calhoun Food & Tobacco
- KS Food Mart
- LN Food Mart
- N Wall BP
- 2021 beer, wine and distilled spirits pouring license renewals.
- Applebee’s
- Taco House
- 2021 beer and distilled spirits pouring license renewals.
- El Rayos
WATCH THE VIDEO OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
- 2021 beer and wine package license renewals.
- Calhoun Chevron
- Love’s Travel Stops
- Racetrac
- Wal-Mart
- 2021 combination beer package/pouring at private club license renewals.
- American Legion
- 2021 pawn shop license renewals
- Check into Cash
- Instant Cash loans
- National Title Pawn
Ask the Doc! The Science and Secondary Effects of Covid-19
Lifestyle July 19, 2020
With major spikes in numbers, Ask the Doc! talks about the daily science of treatment of the virus while translating and bringing the science of the virus to you.
Dr. William Whaley’s tie leads into a conversation about the international scope of the virus while comparing medical safety in countries. Which data is viable and what statistics are out of proportion? A 100% increase in deaths could mean going from 1 to 2. Whaley says to focus on people getting sick. So, what do you do about it?
Dr. Whaley also touches on lockdowns and shutdowns have on the spread of the virus as he compares case rates before shutdown and those after shutdowns in 149 countries. But also compares mask usage with a story about two hair stylists in Missouri. With positive tests on these two stylists after having served 139 clients and contact with 6 coworkers. Dr. Whaley said not one of those people tested positive.
Dr. Tidman speaks to schools reopening and the panic onset. Overreactions are hurting our country and people are not calmly assessing the situation. Returning to schools and providing safety for students is possible with scientists and doctors supporting the thought.
But taking into account a student and family together, BKP turns the conversation to sports seasons. Tidman responds with the muddled message of masks in the country. Which mask is the mask people need and who needs them? The Docs go deeper into masks and needs within the community.
As we continue figuring things out amid the virus, Dr. Tidman talks about the learning process and the requirement of discipline. Discipline is the second half of the freedom we own as we must take responsibility as we move into school, into Fall, and into the next steps of recovery.
Sponsored by North Georgia Cancer Research Specialists, affiliated with Northside Hospital, you can follow more on Ask the Doc! through the dedicated playlist on FYNTV and check out a wider variety of shows there as well.
If you’re enjoying the Sunday Edition, then consider becoming a contributor with your own articles. If you have an article that needs highlighting send it to [email protected] to become a part of our growing community of feature news.
Community Paramedicine meets students in schools offering
Fetching Featured July 12, 2020
EAST ELLIJAY, Ga. – As many are beginning to talk about the possibility of returning to school, some are still attempting to wrap up the previous year.
Members of Gilmer’s Community Paramedicine offer masks and informational flyers for students and parents in schools.
In Gilmer, part of that process occurred this week as students returned to the buildings to collect left-behind belongings. Planned in April, the Board of Education and Superintendent had the day set in order to offer a better sense of closure to the school year as the virus ended normal classes mid-semester. But as they returned, they were met by some unexpected people.
Gilmer County’s Public Safety offered a statement today saying. “It’s nearly school-time with many preparations underway. Part of those preparations is helping our kids understand the importance of good health practices. Gilmer County Community Paramedicine, with the generosity of Parkside Ellijay Nursing Home, paired together for a fun project this week at our elementary and middle schools.”
Students returned to school this week to collect belongings, but were met with Gilmer’s Community Paramedics offering a community support service during this time of viral outbreak.
The project was to meet students in the schools and hand out face masks and flyers. According to Public Safety, the Community Paramedicine team visited three of our schools across the county supplied with the generous donation of 1,000 face-covering masks donated by Parkside Ellijay, and 1,000 informational flyers in English and Spanish.
The team handed out all the masks and 700 of the flyers to students and parents who arrived over the three-day period to collect their end-of 2019 school year belongings.
Public Safety was grateful for its partners in the endeavor, saying, “Many thanks to Michael Feist, Director & Part-Owner of Parkside Ellijay for the wonderful donation of the face covering masks, and to Dr. Shanna Downs, School Superintendent, for allowing our Community Paramedicine team to conduct this very successful service to our school children.”
If you’re enjoying the Sunday Edition, then consider becoming a contributor with your own articles. If you have an article that needs highlighting send it to [email protected] to become a part of our growing community of feature news.
FCHS thanks the Drive in for honoring the senior class of 2020 in a special way
Fetching Featured May 24, 2020
Fannin County Schools would like to say Thank you to the Swan Drive-In for hosting the FCHS seniors last night for the premiere of the Senior Video. The event was a huge success, and we estimate there were 120 seniors plus friends and family at the Swan last night.
A very special thank you goes out to Steven Setser and Hunter Alexander for their hard work and dedication to the Fannin County High School video program. Without them, this video would not have been possible. Thank you to Ethan Taylor Photography and Jerry Daves Photography for contributing some of the photos in this video.
The Senior Video is set to “Premier” on YouTube on the Fannin Rebel TV channel at 6 pm tonight. We will also begin our Graduation live stream at 7:20 with this video. Tonight’s ceremonies will be live on YouTube and ETC channel 14.
The link to the Premier of the video on YouTube is:
School Nurse Day
Featured Stories May 10, 2020
On May 6, 2020, we will recognize our school nurses by celebrating National School Nurse Day
to foster a better understanding of the role of school nurses have in the educational setting.
The theme this year is School Nurses: Supporting Students in Times of Crisis.
This year has been more challenging for everyone in the world with the COVID-19 global
pandemic. Pickens County School District (PCSD) has a licensed school nurse in every building
and whether they are working in the school clinic or working virtually, they take on a variety of
roles, duties, and responsibilities with the intent to promote academic and lifelong achievement.
For many children, the school nurse may be the only health professional they have access to
regularly. This becomes even more important as the prevalence of chronic social, emotional,
and other health problems keep increasing. Their role is essential for all students — in public
health, in care coordination, in organizing access to resources to help address the social
determinants of health, and in policy development, particularly to support the health and
education of our students during this pandemic.
Thank you, Pickens County School District nurses, for leading health promotion and disease
prevention in our school community. You have helped decrease fears and promote the
prevention of COVID-19, the flu, and other illnesses. You continue to educate and support
students, parents, and school staff virtually. You are volunteering with food distribution,
providing facial coverings, assisting the Department of Public Health with contact tracing, and
modifying end-of-year processes considering the pandemic.
Our elected officials and school leaders have invested in programs and services that improve
the health and well-being outcomes of all children. The school nurses could not do the job they
do without the support and investment of community stakeholders including PCSD Board of
Education members, district and school leaders, and many others. “Thank You” to everyone
who supports school nurses ensuring our children have a successful, productive, and healthy
future.
