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A Message of gratitude from bcss
During this challenging time, our Barrow community and surrounding areas have shown an incredible outpouring of love and support. BCSS would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported our students, staff, and families during these difficult days.
We remain committed to focusing on the needs of our students and staff. We believe that together, we will heal, and love will prevail.
Information for our BCSS Family
Please see below for all updates concerning the return to school and answers to FAQ. We will update this page as more information becomes finalized. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
The Barrow County Board of Education voted on and heard about several safety and security enhancements and plans at the September Work Session and October meeting.
All Updates from BCSS & AHS
BCSS Families, if you haven't received our emails, please check your Parent Portal account to ensure your contact information is accurate.
Please review the FAQ section before submitting your question. Your inquiry may already be addressed there.
In addition to our current safety and security layers such as School Resource Officers (SROs) who serve our schools, the Centegix Crisis Alert system, security vestibules, visitor management system, and digital locking systems, we immediately added extra law enforcement officers at each campus. The Board of Education voted to add eight additional SROs and classroom phones at the September Work Session and October 1 meeting. We are also discussing possible additional layers of prevention and security and will release details about that as we can.
The Barrow County Board of Education voted on and heard about several safety and security enhancements and plans at the September Work Session and October meeting.
"We need your help. It’s important our students understand that words matter and what they might see as 'funny' or just a prank can hurt and scare people. Those words also have consequences." - BCSS Superintendent & BCSO Sheriff
We understand if you or your child feel anxious about returning to school. Please reach out to your school for support and guidance. As a district, we are not providing online learning, however, we are working with families to connect them with options. Please complete this form for more information.
As a district, we are not providing online learning, however, we are working with families to connect them with options. Please complete this form for more information.
The next Board of Education meeting is a Work Session at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29. The next Board of Education meeting that is open to public comment is 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. If you would like to request to speak, please complete this form and send it back to us. The form must be completed and returned to the Superintendent’s office at least 24 hours before the meeting.
Please know there is limited space in the board room but we do offer a live video feed on our YouTube channel.
To AHS Dual Enrollment Students:
We are keeping you in our thoughts every day and deeply share in the pain felt by the AHS community. We understand that this is a challenging time for everyone.
Lanier Technical College remains committed to offering grace and understanding to all AHS students. If you feel ready to resume your college classes, we welcome you back with open arms. For those who drive, you are welcome to attend your classes and then return home afterward. For students who rely on bus transportation, the following plan is in place:
- The bus will pick you up from your home in the morning, and you will remain at SIMS for the entire day until AHS classes resume.
- You will return home on the same bus in the afternoon.
Please be aware that Lanier Tech has a plan in place for AHS students who may need to withdraw from a dual enrollment course, without penalty. However, the deadline for making this decision is October 2nd, so it’s important to reach out for assistance before that date.
To BASA and WBHS Dual Enrollment Students:
You should have already resumed your college classes, and your instructors are expecting your participation. If, for any reason, you are unable to attend, please contact your school’s dual enrollment coordinator or counselor as soon as possible. Alternatively, you may reach out to me directly at SIMS, and I will assist you.
In addition to the School Resource Officers who serve our schools, the Centegix Crisis Alert system, security vestibules, visitor management system, and digital locking systems, we will have additional law enforcement officer presence at each campus. We are also discussing possible additional layers of prevention and security and will release details about that as we can.
The Barrow County Board of Education voted on and heard about several safety and security enhancements and plans at the September Work Session and October meeting.
In addition to our current safety and security layers such as School Resource Officers (SROs) who serve our schools, the Centegix Crisis Alert system, security vestibules, visitor management system, and digital locking systems, we immediately added extra law enforcement officers at each campus. The Board of Education voted to add eight additional SROs and classroom phones at the September Work Session and October 1 meeting. We are also discussing possible additional layers of prevention and security and will release details about that as we can.
The Barrow County Board of Education voted on and heard about several safety and security enhancements and plans at the September Work Session and October meeting.
"We need your help. It’s important our students understand that words matter and what they might see as 'funny' or just a prank can hurt and scare people. Those words also have consequences." - BCSS Superintendent & BCSO Sheriff
The safety of our students and staff is our top priority. We take every reported threat seriously and cooperate with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in their investigations.
The Barrow County Board of Education voted on and heard about several safety and security enhancements and plans at the September Work Session and October meeting.
This is an unbelievably challenging moment for all of us, and we encourage open and honest communication. You can contact your school counselor for guidance on how to approach these difficult conversations. To find some resources for right now:
We understand if you or your child feel anxious about returning to school. Please reach out to your school’s counselor for support and guidance.
As a district, we are not providing online learning, however, we are working with families to connect them with options. Please complete this form for more information.
We began a phased reopening for Apalachee High School on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024.
From Sept. 24 – Oct. 4, students will attend school for half days to help them ease back into the routine at a comfortable pace. School will start at 8:15am with shortened periods until dismissal at 12:40pm. Transportation will be provided. We plan to return full-time after Fall Break on Oct. 14, 2024.
- We will have an increase in law enforcement presence along with additional counselors, therapy dogs, and other resources.
- J Hall will be inaccessible and remain closed for the rest of the school year. We have temporarily arranged for all Social Studies classes to be held in a nearby Barrow County School System building on Star St. Buses will take students to and from those locations. This is temporary until new classroom pods arrive on campus, anticipated by January 2025.
- We offered an Open House at both locations on Monday, Sept. 23 to welcome families back to AHS.
- Click for Barrow County Community Resource Center Service Provider Directory
- Click for a list of Mental Health Resources
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This is an unbelievably challenging moment for all of us, and we encourage open and honest communication. You can contact your school counselor for guidance on how to approach these difficult conversations.
Some resources for right now:
Student athletics and activities have resumed for Apalachee High School. Please check sports schedules for any potential changes with dates. We will announce a rescheduled Homecoming winter date as soon as it is finalized.
As a district, we are not providing online learning, however, we are working with families to connect them with options. Please complete this form for more information.
Please contact your school directly or complete the form below.
- Click for Barrow County Community Resource Center Service Provider Directory
- Click for a list of Mental Health Resources
This is an unbelievably challenging moment for all of us, and we encourage open and honest communication. You can contact your school counselor for guidance on how to approach these difficult conversations.
Some resources for right now:
We understand if you or your child feel anxious about returning to school. Please reach out to your school’s counselor for support and guidance. As a district, we are not providing online learning, however, we are working with families to connect them with options. Please complete this form for more information.
We would like to thank everyone who reached out to help our Barrow County School System family. Your outpouring of support has been a bright light during this dark time.
How Can I Help?
The Barrow Community Foundation, a local non-profit agency, has been a valued partner of the Barrow County School System (BCSS) for several years.
The Barrow Community Foundation has established a designated fund, the "Barrow Community Crisis Fund," to collect donations and support those in need during this time. Grants from the fund will be distributed by a committee of community leaders to organizations, including the Barrow County School System (BCSS), as well as other local agencies and non-profits. The fund is intended to ensure a collective recovery for the entire community.
If you are interested in supporting our community during this time, please fill out the forms below and we will be in contact.
As a district, we are not providing online learning, however, we are working with families to connect them with options. Please complete this form for more information.
Families are encouraged to communicate with their child's school directly. A parent portal is also available on the Barrow County School System website for feedback that is not time sensitive.
This site provides information using PDF, visit this link to download the Adobe Acrobat Reader DC software.