Tommy McClellan
Superintendent of Schools

Dear Students and Parents:
Summer is almost gone and it’s time to begin another exciting and challenging new school year.
The Calhoun County School System, I’m sure, will again be among the top performing districts in the state. Our students, faculties, and administrators will once again make us proud of Calhoun County.
We had 2 out of 5 schools to make the Annual Yearly Progress in the NCLB (No Child Left Behind) requirements set forth by the federal government. For the first time in 3 years, we had a C in the Florida School Grading System. We also had 3 A’s and 1 B which was still among the best performing districts in the state. We have created a county reading coordinator position to work with all of our schools and improve those reading scores.
Last year, Altha School was the top performing school in the 1-A all sports programs in the state. Blountstown High School was the state weightlifting champion in 1 of the 2 classes in the state. Altha had the number 4 ranked culinary arts program in the nation. Blountstown High’s Adam Harpool finished 6th in the nation in Computer Networking. Two Calhoun County students now enrolled at Chipola College were named to the USA Today Academic All America Team. Altha School had a banner year in girls volleyball and softball, boys baseball, and weightlifting. Blountstown High School was also successful in girls volleyball, boys football, basketball, and weightlifting.
We will bring the remainder of our students from Hope School in Jackson County home to Calhoun County with newly improved facilities. We will offer our students dual enrollment classes in Pre Calculus, Trigonometry, English I & II, French I & II, American History I & II, and World History I & II. Biology is another possibility, along with the opportunity for our students to participate in vocational and early enrollment classes at Chipola College.
We are in the process of installing a new roof on the Blountstown High School auditorium. We will install a paved parking and bus unloading zone at Altha School. We are planning to erect an outdoor basketball pavilion at Altha School similar to the ones at Blountstown Elementary and Carr School. There will be 3 new portable classrooms at Altha to help solve the overcrowding problem.
I want to thank our parents and community leaders for their continued support of our schools. This should be an exciting year in athletics, academics, and other outstanding programs in our schools. We will have many new faces in our classrooms, and on our faculties. We will continue to equip our students with the best high school education affordable, and help them meet the many challenges of our highly competitive society.
Our students, instructors, administrators, and non-instructional personnel are the best and they all play a very important role in helping us achieve greatness and making all of us very proud of this wonderful school district.

Sincerely,

Tommy McClellan
Superintendent of Schools

from Blountstown Elementary School...

Dear Parents:
Welcome to an exciting new school year at Blountstown Elementary School. Research shows that parent involvement is high on the list of factors contributing to a student’s success in school.
How can you get involved? Show your children you are interested and concerned. At home, take the time each day to talk to them about their experiences in school. Ask about homework assignments. Your consistent interest in their progress and personal development in school will motivate them to want to learn.
Get involved in school by maintaining contact with your child’s teachers. Feel free to ask questions, attend parent conferences, and be supportive of the exciting schoolwide activities held each year. Let your child know you are working together with the teacher and the school to help make your child’s education beneficial in every way.
We endeavor to be a friendly school and look forward to a pleasant association with you and your family. Home and school working together as a team can make the school year a very successful one for your child.

Sincerely,
Vicki Davis, Principal
Blountstown Elementary School

from Blountstown Middle School...

Dear Students and Parents:
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome our returning students as well as all first time students to Blountstown Middle School for the 2004-2005 school year.
Students will have many opportunities to be involved and have a very positive experience. We will offer strong academics, a variety of activities and organizations, and competitive athletics for girls and boys.
BMS earned an “A” grade again in the 2003-2004 year. We recognize this achievement is due to the effort and determination of our students, parents, and teachers. In the coming year, BMS will strive to meet the challenge and keep the “A” for a fourth consecutive year.
I look forward to seeing each of you on August 9 and remember, “BMS aims for excellence.”

Sincerely,

Michael Johnson
Principal

Open House: Friday, August 6, 1 to 3 p.m.

Changes/Reminders: BMS will continue the computerized lunch program that was implemented at the end of last school year. Students should be prepared to make deposits into their accounts on the first day of school.
Parents and students are reminded that student drop-off and pick-up should be done at the south (rear) entrance unless the weather is inclement. The north (front) drive is used for bus traffic and parental business.

School Advisory Council Chairperson: Sue Price (The School Advisory Council will meet August 5 at 8 a.m. in the BMS Media Center.)

from Blountstown High School...

Dear Parents and Students:
It is a privilege to be the principal of Blountstown High School. As an alumnus of BHS, I have a true appreciation for the faculty, staff, students, and community that we all serve. Our students are widely recognized statewide and nationwide in virtually every area - academics, athletics, technology, and extra-curricular activities, as they successfully prepare for their post-secondary goals that include college, technical schools, military, as well as immediate employment.
Enthusiastic, responsible, and motivated, our students are exemplary in their behavior, achievements, and desire to excel. To complete this equation, we have a knowledgeable and experienced faculty committed to serve the students and to stimulate student learning. For example, our teachers employ a variety of teaching strategies including the traditional lecture format, group work, projects and on-line learning. As demonstrated by our high test scores, we are continuing to incorporate the Florida Sunshine State Standards into our curriculum and focusing on student learning and critical thinking.
The administration of BHS will continue to create and maintain a supportive environment so that teachers and students alike can achieve the goals set for and by themselves.
The administration, faculty and staff of Blountstown High School extend a cordial welcome to students, parents, and concerned community members to the “Tiger Family”. BHS needs the cooperation of everyone to make 2004-2005 the best school year ever. We challenge you, the students, to take advantage of the academic, social, and extra-curricular opportunities available to you.

Ronnie Hand
Principal