A hands-on lesson

Russ Hillman is building his eighth kayak with his architectural drawing and design class at the Effingham Career Academy to show them that if they can draw it, they can build it.

BoE revenues holding steady

Although property tax collections declined in February and March, the Effingham County Board of Education continues to draw closer to meeting its budgeted revenue of approximately $26 million.

ECMS to host Battlefront Miniatures tournament

Effingham County Middle School in Springfield will be sponsoring a regional Battlefront Miniatures Tournament Saturday from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. at ECMS. Battlefront Miniature clubs are found nationwide.

RES parent of the month

Rendi DeGenaro has been selected as Rincon Elementary's April Parent of the Month. She is employed at I'll Be Your Best Friend Academy and is the mother of Kaden-Deen, Pre-K student at RES; Camryn, a fifth grader at RES; Hannah, a sixth grader at Ebenezer Middle School; and A'Lexis, a ninth grade student at Effingham County High School. DeGenaro was nominated for this award by Kaden-Deen's teacher, Judy Perry. Perry stated DeGenaro was very involved ...

Daddy and me

On April 2, the Effingham County Pre-K Parent and Child Together program collaborated with the Rincon Branch of the Effingham County Library for this year's second "Daddy and Me" session.

SEHS art students accept SCAD Showcase Challenge

Elizabeth Heyden and Marlie Smith, both juniors at South Effingham High School, recently participated in the Savannah College of Art and Design's "SCAD Challenge," an international 2-D and 3-D art competition for high school juniors and seniors.

Career Academy team members introduced to container logistics

Team members from the Effingham Career Academy's Architecture and Design lab and students from business classes at both high schools recently participated in a new project organized by local logistic industry leaders. Called "Follow the Container," the program gives students a sneak peak into not only what's shipped in a container, but also how the containers come off the ship, through the port, over the road, and into and out of the warehouse.

State school board to do away with graduation test

The State Board of Education approved State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge's plan to phase out the Georgia High School Graduation Test (GHSGT). Students who enter high school in fall 2011 will no longer take the GHSGT in English, math, social studies and science, in order to graduate. This new plan will require students to pass all required courses, and the End-of-Course Tests (EOCT) would now count 20 percent of a student's final grade, rather ...

GSU to welcome back two noted alumni as graduation speakers

Georgia Southern University will welcome two of its alumni back to campus as Chick-fil-A President and Chief Operating Officer Dan T. Cathy and Georgia Chamber of Commerce President Chris Clark have been selected to serve as spring 2011 commencement speakers. The annual ceremonies are scheduled for May 13 (graduate) and May 14 (undergraduate).

Elementary school honor rolls

Blandford Elementary First grade Paige Addington, Seriah Ancil, Harrison Ashlock, Sha'Kynah Baker, Sina Ballew, Jace Barrs, Alexis Belcher, Chapman Bennett, Aidan Bernard, Cassie Biggers, Julian Boland, Leannah Bowden, Jacob Bragg, Katherine Britt, Journi Brown, Parker Brownley, Timothy Burnsed, Emma Carroll, Colton Cassidy, Rachel Collins, Jazmin Creel, Brandon Davis, Christopher Davis, Franklin Davis, Tariq Echols, Kamryn Ellis, Ryan Flood, Luke Floyd, Donald Fludd, Kaitlyn Fludd, Darrell Fowler, Jacob Galindez, Bradley Gangewere, Caitlynn Grayson, Benjamin Griffin, Tyler ...

GED testing fees to go up this summer

ATLANTA-Georgia's adult learners who want to earn their General Educational Development (GED®) diploma will soon have to pay more for the test following changes to the fee structure by the national administrator of the GED Testing Service.

School system puts Georgia on the map for data system

Effingham County played a pivotal role in launching the Georgia Department of Education's state-wide Student Longitudinal Data System, which gives the state, the district, schools, teachers and parents access to data that allows them to make informed decisions about student learning.

Effingham seventh graders qualify for Duke TIP

Because of their exceptional academic abilities, 27 seventh graders from Effingham County qualified for participation in the Duke Talent Identification Program (TIP) 7th Grade Talent Search, sponsored by Duke University.

EMS votes to help three of its own

It is not uncommon to hear an employee of the Effingham County School System refer to his or her "school family" when discussing something going on at that school.

Miss ECMS crowned

Camille Vernava, left, was crowned Miss Effingham County Middle School 2011 during the "Candy Land" themed pageant held March 5. Vernava, a sixth grader, also won formal wear and casual wear awards.

Ready to be crowned

The Miss Diamond Pageant will be held Saturday at 7 p.m. at Effingham County Middle School. Debra Shelton is crowning the winner and instead of a Miss Congeniality award, a Logan Shelton Award will be handed out.

4-H’ers attend Junior Conference

Effingham County 4-H youth recently traveled to Rock Eagle 4-H Center to attend the Georgia 4-H Junior Conference, a 26-hour event filled with community service projects, classes, workshops and activities. There were 715 4-H youth who took part in this year's conference. Participants from Effingham County were Jose Espino, Phoenix Truitt, Skyler Lanier and Anna Sykes.

Springfield Elementary marks Veterans Day

In honor of Veterans Day, Springfield Elementary School celebrated their local veterans with a special program Wednesday afternoon, featuring guest speaker, Lt. Col. John Gentry, who spoke to the students about Army Values. The National Guard visitors brought a Humvee and a howitzer to show the children after the assembly. Students also wrote more than 600 letters to service members deployed in Afghanistan.

USG looks to more students ready for college

Getting more students ready for college and able to complete college has led University System of Georgia officials to look closely at all areas involved in this effort, including the efforts directed at the Board of Regents level.

RES parent of the month

November is National Parent Engagement Month and Rincon Elementary School encourages and welcomes parental involvement. In an effort to recognize valuable parents of students at RES, the school is continuing to salute parents for their hard work and commitment. Natarsha House has been selected for the "Parent of Month" award for November at Rincon Elementary School.

EES honored for fire safety

State Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner Ralph T. Hudgens presented awards that recognized Georgia fire personnel and citizens for outstanding service in fighting fires and saving lives at the 19th Annual "Life, Fire & Safety" Awards Luncheon, as part of the Fire Prevention Week activities.

BoE may look at staff cuts, tax hike

After weathering years of budget woes and combing out expenditures, the Effingham County Board of Education is now considering a move that may result in faculty cuts.

ECS students make some noise with $1,000 prize

The theme for the day at Effingham Christian School was "expect the unexpected."

School system may change class schedules for high schools

STC dedicates new student center

SAVANNAH-Savannah Technical College celebrated the dedication of its Student Enrichment Center on Sunday. The new building is home to STC's adult education programs that help students improve basic skills crucial for success in higher education and the workforce.

At Georgia Southern, it’s drive now, txt l8r

Georgia Southern University is launching an anti-texting and driving campaign aimed at young drivers on its campus and around the state.

SES supports breast cancer awareness

Springfield Elementary School teachers celebrated Breast Cancer Awareness on Sept. 30 by participating in Lee's National Denim Day, a fundraiser to benefit the Women's Cancer Programs of the EIP.

Middle and high school honor rolls, first nine weeks

Ebenezer Middle

Elementary school honor rolls

Blandford Elementary

BoE to put old yacht building to use

Effingham County Schools' maintenance department soon will have everything it needs under one roof.