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Lifetime Movie Filming Brings Hollywood to the CCA, Showcasing Students and Staff
Brooke Brumbelow

The Floyd County College and Career Academy (CCA) campus recently transformed into a movie set as a Lifetime Channel original film was shot on location, bringing national attention and an unforgettable real-world experience to students and staff.

The production team partnered closely with FAME (Film, Arts, Media & Entertainment) instructor Rick Williams to secure access to the CCA’s state-of-the-art healthcare classroom, which was repurposed into a realistic hospital setting for several key scenes in the film.

But the collaboration didn’t stop there.

Four students from the FAME program, Rachel Usry, Creig Jones, Abbyann Holden, and FAME alumna Kirsten de Young were brought on board as official interns for some of the shoot. These budding filmmakers worked directly with the production crew, gaining valuable behind-the-scenes experience in lighting, camera operation, set design, and production management.

“This was more than just a cool opportunity, it was a genuine career-building experience for our students,” said Rick Williams. “It’s one thing to teach film in a classroom, but it’s another to stand on a professional set and be part of the action.”

Adding to the excitement, Williams and fellow CCA staff member Dr. Nancy Singh, were invited to appear as background actors in scenes filmed on campus and on Broad Street.

The production marks a rare and exciting fusion of education and entertainment, highlighting the power of community partnerships to enhance learning through real-world application. It also reinforces the value of CCA’s career pathways in preparing students for life beyond graduation, whether it’s behind the camera or in front of it.

More details about the movie, including its premiere date and title, will be announced by Lifetime later this year.

For now, the spotlight is shining bright on CCA, where learning just got a little more cinematic.


 

Intra-District Transfer Window Opens May 30
Brooke Brumbelow

The Intra-District transfer window will open for all students currently attending a Floyd County school to apply for a transfer to a different school within the school system on Friday, May 30, and will close on Friday, June 13, at 3 p.m.  

A parent or guardian may request to have a child transferred to another school within Floyd County Schools as long as the school system has determined that there is available classroom space at the school after all assigned students have been enrolled. Currently, projected enrollment figures indicate that all Floyd County Schools have limited space available for transfers. It should be noted that available classroom space does not exist at all grade levels at all schools and could change as enrollment for students within the district increases during the summer.

Please keep in mind that if a child is transferred to another school in the district, the parent or guardian assumes all costs and responsibilities related to the transportation of the child to and from school. Also, a student may not apply to attend a school that does not have courses necessary for that student’s graduation, or a school that does not have a program with the services in the student’s existing individualized education plan. 

Another important factor to consider before applying for transfer would be eligibility in sports or extracurricular activities. Students involved in extracurricular activities and sports should carefully consider their eligibility according to the rules of the individual programs and the rules and regulations of the Georgia High School Association (GHSA), prior to applying for a transfer. Such transfers may negatively impact a student’s ability to participate in a sport or activity.

Information about transfer options for all students and transfer application forms are available on the Floyd County Schools website at floydboe.net or at the Central Office of Floyd County Schools (600 Riverside Parkway). 

Completed transfer applications for the 2025-26 school year must be submitted to Floyd County Schools at the central office building by 3 p.m. Friday, June 13, 2025, for all students. All details regarding options for students are available on the Floyd County Schools’ Website.

Resources:

If there are more requests for transfer than space available at a school, a random selection of submitted applications will be used to fill the openings.

 

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Floyd County Schools Welcomes Shawna Cole as New Assistant Principal at Pepperell High School
Brooke Brumbelow

Floyd County Schools (FCS) is proud to announce the appointment of Shawna Cole as the new Assistant Principal at Pepperell High School (PHS). 

Ms. Cole brings with her a decade of experience in education and a proven track record of improving student outcomes through strong instructional leadership and a focus on school culture.

"It is a privilege to join the team at Pepperell High School,” said Cole. “I am excited to bring my experience and dedication to a school community that values excellence. I firmly believe that every student can achieve meaningful growth when we set high expectations and provide the right support. I look forward to working together to help all students reach their highest potential."

Ms. Cole most recently served as Assistant Principal at Bay High School in Panama City, Florida, where she led initiatives in curriculum implementation, safety planning, and departmental leadership for mathematics. During her time there, she helped reduce schoolwide discipline referrals by 14%, contributed to a rise in graduation rates, and played a key role in academic achievement efforts across multiple grade levels.

Prior to her leadership role, Ms. Cole spent several years teaching reading and language arts in grades 4 through 8, where she developed curriculum, fostered interdisciplinary learning, and earned recognition for student performance—achieving the highest writing scores in Bay District Schools. She also wrote the district’s 8th-grade English Language Arts curriculum and served as an exemplary teacher for training school administrators.

Ms. Cole holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of West Florida, a Bachelor of Business Administration from Georgia State University, and multiple certifications, including Educational Leadership for all levels, K–6 Elementary Education, and a Reading Endorsement.

A native of Carroll County, Ms. Cole is thrilled to return home to Georgia and join the Pepperell community. “It’s an honor to come back and serve in the state where my love for education began,” she shared. “I look forward to partnering with students, staff, and families to continue the legacy of excellence at Pepperell High School.”

Outside of her professional life, Ms. Cole enjoys exploring the outdoors, particularly hiking and nature trails. She is eager to reconnect with the local community and contribute both professionally and personally to the Pepperell family.

Please join us in welcoming Shawna Cole to Pepperell High School.

 

Floyd County Schools Further Expands Security Measures with K9 Detection and Increased Law Enforcement Presence
Brooke Brumbelow

Floyd County Schools (FCS) is taking bold new steps to further strengthen the safety and security of its students, staff, and campuses. 

Beginning in the upcoming school year, FCS will implement enhanced security protocols through a new partnership with Global K9 Protection Group, a nationally recognized leader in K9 detection services. Some notable partners of Global K9 include Delta Air Lines, the Department of Homeland Security, Monumental Sports and Entertainment, and the Transportation Security Administration.

As part of this initiative, dual-purpose K9 officers—trained to detect both firearms and illegal drugs—will be introduced into the school environment. These highly trained K9 teams will undergo specialized training this summer and are scheduled to be active in Floyd County schools starting the 2025–26 academic year.

“We are excited to partner with Global K9 Protection Group,” said Sgt. Stephen Wacker. “This partnership will add another proactive layer to the comprehensive security measures we already have in place. These dual-purpose K9s will serve as a powerful deterrent and an added resource in our efforts to keep schools safe for everyone.”

In addition to the K9 units, FCS is increasing its overall law enforcement presence by adding more School Resource Officers (SROs) and maintaining the current practice of placing off-duty police officers at each school campus, a practice that was implemented this school year and has been a great addition for each location. 

We are incredibly thankful for our ongoing partnership with the Floyd County Police Department (FCPD) and the vital work they do for our schools and students every day. This partnership continues to grow stronger, and we are pleased to share that the department has recently introduced yet another safety tool—the FCPD app. Among its many features, one key function allows users to submit anonymous tips by school, which are immediately routed to the appropriate personnel, allowing for a quicker and more effective response.

These combined efforts represent a proactive, comprehensive, and layered approach to school safety, reflecting FCS' ongoing commitment to creating secure, welcoming environments for learning.

“Ensuring the safety of our students and staff is our top priority,” said Dr. Glenn White, Superintendent of Floyd County Schools. “The addition of highly trained K9 units represents another important step in strengthening the measures already in place across our campuses. This partnership, and our continued partnership with the Floyd County Police Department, reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a secure and supportive learning environment.”

About Floyd County Schools

The Floyd County School (FloydBoe.net) system provides opportunities for schools and students to achieve academic excellence. Floyd County teachers focus on academic basics and innovative teaching methods to build a strong foundation for student learning. In Floyd County Schools, the academic programs are available to prepare students for the most demanding college, university, technical college, or other post-secondary training. It is the mission of FCS to foster productive citizens while building on the cornerstones of integrity, community, accountability, and trust. Located in Rome, Georgia, the school system serves 16 different schools.

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Johnson Elementary and Model Elementary Honored by Governor’s Office of Student Achievement with Prestigious State Awards
Brooke Brumbelow

Johnson Elementary School (JES) and Model Elementary School (MES) have been recognized as 2024 winners in the Single Statewide Accountability System (SSAS) Award by the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement (GOSA)—a testament to the school’s commitment to academic excellence and student growth.

JES earned two significant distinctions:

  • Silver Award in Greatest Gains: Recognizing schools with significant improvement in student achievement over the last three years, as measured by the College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI).
  • Bronze Award in Highest Performing: Honoring schools that consistently exhibit high academic performance.

MES earned one significant distinction: 

  • Bronze Award in Greatest Gains: Recognizing schools with significant improvement in student achievement over the last three years, as measured by the College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI).

“Our teachers and staff foster a supportive learning environment where we want students to feel valued and motivated to excel,” said JES Principal, April Cummings. “Our collaboration with parents and stakeholders enhances the learning experience for our students. The growth of our students is a collaborative effort, where everyone at JES is invested in success. We are honored by these recognitions and proud to be a part of Floyd County Schools.”

“Model Elementary School is proud to have been awarded the Bronze Award for Greatest Gains from the Governor's Office of Student Achievement,” said Miranda Pryor, MES principal. “ This recognition highlights the significant achievement and growth our students have demonstrated academically as they consistently pursue knowledge and personal development. Our dedicated teachers and staff have put in tremendous effort to emphasize academic success and nurture a passion for learning among our students. We remain devoted to maintaining high standards of academic excellence and are thrilled to receive this acknowledgment of the efforts of our students and staff.”

The SSAS Awards are part of GOSA’s effort to celebrate schools making strides in student progress and performance. Schools receiving these awards are among the highest-achieving and fastest-improving in Georgia. More information can be found here. 

*The information for JES was initially released last Thursday, but we were informed on Friday that the list had been updated and would be re-released this week. The current release reflects these updates, which include MES*

About Floyd County Schools

The Floyd County School (FloydBoe.net) system provides opportunities for schools and students to achieve academic excellence. Floyd County teachers focus on academic basics mixed with innovative teaching methods to build a strong foundation for student learning. In Floyd County Schools, the academic programs are available to prepare students for the most demanding college, university, technical college, or other post-secondary training. It is the mission of FCS to foster productive citizens while building on the cornerstones of integrity, community, accountability, and trust. Located in Rome, Georgia, the school system serves 16 different schools.

 

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