Houston County, Georgia Schools Recognized for Special Ed

EDUCATION BRIEFS
From staff reports
The Macon Telegraph/The Sun News
December 23, 2009

WARNER ROBINS — The Georgia Department of Education recently recognized the Houston County school system for its efforts to improve the performance of students with disabilities. It was honored at the Georgia Council for Administrators of Special Education conference in November, according to a news release.

Houston schools were recognized for high performance in achieving a higher percentage of students with regular education diplomas and increasing their percentage of students who meet or exceed state standards for reading and language arts, the news release states.

Houston also was one of 47 systems statewide that met three out of five state targets.

“These districts demonstrate the belief that all children can learn,” Kathy Cox, state superintendent of schools, said in a news release.

Perry FFA takes top state finishes at meat evaluation event

PERRY — Perry High School’s FFA chapter took first and second place finishes at the Georgia State FFA Meats Evaluation Career Development Event, according to a news release.

Perry’s Senior Meats Evaluation team, which included Kaila Ransom, Dereck Pollard, Edward Moore and A.C. Talton, took first place. Ransom was the “High Individual” of the contest, and all team members placed in the top 10, the release states.

Perry’s Junior Meats Evaluation team, including Myles Sowell, Daniel Bergman, Drew Rowell and Michael Herrin, took second place.

“All of the individuals on both teams worked very hard to prepare for the contest,” said Philip Gentry, an FFA adviser. “We are very proud of their accomplishments and look forward to working with them as we prepare for the national contest.”

Houston, Peach graduates earn research apprenticeship

ATHENS — Two University of Georgia students, from Warner Robins and Byron, are among 30 chosen for the 2009-10 Apprentice Program sponsored by the university’s Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities, according to a news release.

The apprentice program gives undergraduate students funded opportunities for research in partnership with faculty.

Vinh Dong, a graduate of Houston County High School, is a freshman majoring in biology and chemistry. Dong is studying the effect of different amino acids on DNA condensation, a process that may be used to treat diseases like cancer, the release states.

Teddy Story, a graduate of Peach County High School, is comparing the effectiveness of different types of teen driver interventions. Story, a sophomore, is majoring in business, according to the release.

Mossy Creek student’s drawing nets third at state

KATHLEEN — A Mossy Creek Middle School student won third place for his grade division in the National School Bus Safety Poster Contest, according to a news release.

Sixth-grader Nicholas Moulder took the award home in the division for sixth- through eighth-graders. He previously won first place at the school system level. For his third-place win, Moulder will receive a $100 savings bond from the National Association for Pupil Transportation, according to the release.

http://www.macon.com/197/story/962062.html

Copyright © 2009The McClatchy Company