We were proud to honor our Classified Employees of the Year at a special luncheon, celebrating the incredible individuals who make a difference in our schools each and every day. Their dedication, hard work, and commitment to our students and staff do not go unnoticed!
Congratulations to our 2026 Classified Employees of the Year:
✨ Cedartown High School – Dana Johnson
✨ Rockmart High School – Nan Suppes
✨ Polk County College & Career Academy – Jennifer Racine
✨ Cedartown Middle School – Vicki West
✨ Rockmart Middle School – Connie Fields
✨ Cherokee Elementary School – Joyce Hall
✨ Eastside Elementary School – Shelby Tanner
✨ Northside Elementary School – Gabriela Garcia
✨ Van Wert Elementary School – Ashlei Pace
✨ Westside Elementary School – Henzlee Ayers
✨ Youngs Grove Elementary School – Tanner Arnold
Thank you for your outstanding contributions and for the vital role you play in supporting student success every day. We are grateful for each of you and proud to celebrate your achievements!
We would like to thank James W. Buckley & Associates, Inc. for sponsoring our luncheon and gifts.
#PSDProud #ExcellenceInEducation #EmployeeoftheYear
Congratulations to our 2026 Classified Employees of the Year:
✨ Cedartown High School – Dana Johnson
✨ Rockmart High School – Nan Suppes
✨ Polk County College & Career Academy – Jennifer Racine
✨ Cedartown Middle School – Vicki West
✨ Rockmart Middle School – Connie Fields
✨ Cherokee Elementary School – Joyce Hall
✨ Eastside Elementary School – Shelby Tanner
✨ Northside Elementary School – Gabriela Garcia
✨ Van Wert Elementary School – Ashlei Pace
✨ Westside Elementary School – Henzlee Ayers
✨ Youngs Grove Elementary School – Tanner Arnold
Thank you for your outstanding contributions and for the vital role you play in supporting student success every day. We are grateful for each of you and proud to celebrate your achievements!
We would like to thank James W. Buckley & Associates, Inc. for sponsoring our luncheon and gifts.
#PSDProud #ExcellenceInEducation #EmployeeoftheYear
📚 Seven Research-Based Ways Families Can Promote Early Literacy at Home ✨
Families play a powerful role in helping children become strong readers! Building early literacy skills doesn’t have to be complicated—simple, everyday activities can make a big difference.
Here is a short journal article describing ways that families promote early literacy: https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4056/Psd/c0e6c207-f8b4-4098-89b6-625bdfe84ae3/Seven-Research-Based-Ways-That-Families-Promote-Early-Literacy.pdf?disposition=inline
💙 Strong readers start with strong support at home. Thank you, PSD families, for partnering with us to build a lifelong love of reading!
Families play a powerful role in helping children become strong readers! Building early literacy skills doesn’t have to be complicated—simple, everyday activities can make a big difference.
Here is a short journal article describing ways that families promote early literacy: https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4056/Psd/c0e6c207-f8b4-4098-89b6-625bdfe84ae3/Seven-Research-Based-Ways-That-Families-Promote-Early-Literacy.pdf?disposition=inline
💙 Strong readers start with strong support at home. Thank you, PSD families, for partnering with us to build a lifelong love of reading!
At last night’s Board of Education meeting, Judy Angle from the Polk Retired Educators Association presented CMS teacher Caroline Groves with this year’s New Teacher Grant. 🍎👏
Congratulations, Caroline! We can’t wait to see how you use this grant to continue making a positive impact and better serve your students.
#PolkRetiredEducatorsAssociation #PSDProud
Congratulations, Caroline! We can’t wait to see how you use this grant to continue making a positive impact and better serve your students.
#PolkRetiredEducatorsAssociation #PSDProud
At last night’s Board of Education meeting, we were proud to recognize RHS Wrestling for their incredible season and their 2026 AA Dual State Championship! 🏆🤼
In addition, we recognized the CHS International Debate Team for their incredible accomplishment of becoming Parliamentary Debate World Congress Champions earlier this year in Japan. 🌏🎤
Congratulations to these amazing students and their coaches on their outstanding achievements. We are proud of the way you represent our schools and community! 👏
In addition, we recognized the CHS International Debate Team for their incredible accomplishment of becoming Parliamentary Debate World Congress Champions earlier this year in Japan. 🌏🎤
Congratulations to these amazing students and their coaches on their outstanding achievements. We are proud of the way you represent our schools and community! 👏
At last night’s Board of Education meeting, we were proud to recognize the Polk County College and Career Academy SkillsUSA State Champions and their outstanding instructors! 🏆👏
PCCCA – Cedartown
• Zaylan Voils – 1st Place, First Aid/CPR
Advisors: Callie Truett and Cassandra Jiles
• Edwin Jacinto-Escobar – 1st Place, Barbering
Advisors: Jill Parker and Leeanne Porterfield
PCCCA – Rockmart
• Amiyah Simmons – 1st Place, Intro to Personal Care Testing
Advisor: Anna Williams
• Jacey Dover – 1st Place, Nursing Assistant
Advisor: Kristin Pizano
Congratulations to these talented students and their dedicated advisors for representing Polk County with excellence. We are proud of your hard work and accomplishments! 🎉
#skillsusa #psdproud #PCCCA
PCCCA – Cedartown
• Zaylan Voils – 1st Place, First Aid/CPR
Advisors: Callie Truett and Cassandra Jiles
• Edwin Jacinto-Escobar – 1st Place, Barbering
Advisors: Jill Parker and Leeanne Porterfield
PCCCA – Rockmart
• Amiyah Simmons – 1st Place, Intro to Personal Care Testing
Advisor: Anna Williams
• Jacey Dover – 1st Place, Nursing Assistant
Advisor: Kristin Pizano
Congratulations to these talented students and their dedicated advisors for representing Polk County with excellence. We are proud of your hard work and accomplishments! 🎉
#skillsusa #psdproud #PCCCA
School Board Appreciation Week: This week, we celebrate School Board Appreciation Week and recognize the incredible individuals who serve on our School Board. 🎉
Our board members serve countless hours to make thoughtful decisions that support our students, staff, and community. Their leadership, dedication, and commitment to our students help shape the future of our schools every day.
Please join us in thanking our School Board members for their service and for their continued support of quality education. 👏📚
Left to right: Drew Williams, Dr. Rita Carter, Jeff Hawkins, Bernard Morgan, Vickie Mayes, Britt Madden, Dr. Judi Renshaw.
Our board members serve countless hours to make thoughtful decisions that support our students, staff, and community. Their leadership, dedication, and commitment to our students help shape the future of our schools every day.
Please join us in thanking our School Board members for their service and for their continued support of quality education. 👏📚
Left to right: Drew Williams, Dr. Rita Carter, Jeff Hawkins, Bernard Morgan, Vickie Mayes, Britt Madden, Dr. Judi Renshaw.
⏰💐It is time to Spring Forward! 💐⏰
Don't forget to set your clocks forward 1 hour tonight!
Don't forget to set your clocks forward 1 hour tonight!
🤼♂️🔥 Rockmart High School Wrestling – A Championship Season to Remember! 🔥🤼♂️
What an incredible year for Rockmart Wrestling! Our team has competed with heart, grit, and determination—and the results speak for themselves:
🏆 2026 AA Dual State Champions - 5th Consecutive Title
🏆 6AA Dual Area Champions
🏆 6AA Area Traditional Champions
💪 15 Individual State Qualifiers
And a HUGE congratulations to our 2026 State Champion at 113 lbs weight class — Eli Bowman! 🥇👑
Eli’s hard work, discipline, and relentless drive led him to the top of the podium, earning the ultimate title of State Champion. This is an outstanding accomplishment and a moment of pride for our entire school and community!
We are incredibly proud of every wrestler who stepped on the mat this season. Your dedication represents the very best of Rockmart High School! ❤️🖤
#PSDProud #RockmartWrestling #StateChampions
What an incredible year for Rockmart Wrestling! Our team has competed with heart, grit, and determination—and the results speak for themselves:
🏆 2026 AA Dual State Champions - 5th Consecutive Title
🏆 6AA Dual Area Champions
🏆 6AA Area Traditional Champions
💪 15 Individual State Qualifiers
And a HUGE congratulations to our 2026 State Champion at 113 lbs weight class — Eli Bowman! 🥇👑
Eli’s hard work, discipline, and relentless drive led him to the top of the podium, earning the ultimate title of State Champion. This is an outstanding accomplishment and a moment of pride for our entire school and community!
We are incredibly proud of every wrestler who stepped on the mat this season. Your dedication represents the very best of Rockmart High School! ❤️🖤
#PSDProud #RockmartWrestling #StateChampions
🌎🏆 Parliamentary Debate World Congress Champions! 🏆🌎
We are proud to celebrate the incredible achievement of the Cedartown High School International Debate Team for earning the title of Parliamentary Debate World Congress Champions!
Congratulations to Anna Vainrib, Armando Penaloza, Ande Kate Roper, and Coach Jennifer Cupp on this outstanding accomplishment. The team went an impressive 6–0, competing against teams from Mongolia, three schools in Japan (Kobe, Aichi, and Tokai), as well as Hungary and New Zealand.
Not only did they demonstrate exceptional skill and preparation, but they also represented our community and our country with grace, integrity, and pride.
We commend these students and their coach for their dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence. We are incredibly proud of this remarkable achievement! 🎉👏
#PSDProud
We are proud to celebrate the incredible achievement of the Cedartown High School International Debate Team for earning the title of Parliamentary Debate World Congress Champions!
Congratulations to Anna Vainrib, Armando Penaloza, Ande Kate Roper, and Coach Jennifer Cupp on this outstanding accomplishment. The team went an impressive 6–0, competing against teams from Mongolia, three schools in Japan (Kobe, Aichi, and Tokai), as well as Hungary and New Zealand.
Not only did they demonstrate exceptional skill and preparation, but they also represented our community and our country with grace, integrity, and pride.
We commend these students and their coach for their dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence. We are incredibly proud of this remarkable achievement! 🎉👏
#PSDProud
🌟✍️ Celebrating Our 2025–2026 Young Georgia Authors District Winners! ✍️🌟
We’re excited to recognize our incredible students who earned district-level honors in the Young Georgia Authors Writing Competition! 📚🏆 Their creativity, dedication, and passion for writing have truly set them apart.
These young authors have demonstrated exceptional talent and commitment to their craft, and we are so proud of the stories and ideas they’ve brought to life.
#PSDProud 💛🖤❤️
We’re excited to recognize our incredible students who earned district-level honors in the Young Georgia Authors Writing Competition! 📚🏆 Their creativity, dedication, and passion for writing have truly set them apart.
These young authors have demonstrated exceptional talent and commitment to their craft, and we are so proud of the stories and ideas they’ve brought to life.
#PSDProud 💛🖤❤️
🎉 Champions Lunch Celebration 🏆
On Friday, January 30, 2026, Polk School District proudly hosted a Champions Lunch to recognize our fall sports State Champions. Students were treated to a special luncheon at Cherokee Country Club as we celebrated their outstanding achievements.
We were excited to honor:
📣 Cedartown High School Gameday Cheer — 4A State Champions
🐄 Easton Cole (Rockmart High School) — 1st Place in Showmanship at the Georgia State Fair in Perry, GA
Congratulations to these incredible students for representing our district with excellence, dedication, and pride. We are so proud of you! 👏
On Friday, January 30, 2026, Polk School District proudly hosted a Champions Lunch to recognize our fall sports State Champions. Students were treated to a special luncheon at Cherokee Country Club as we celebrated their outstanding achievements.
We were excited to honor:
📣 Cedartown High School Gameday Cheer — 4A State Champions
🐄 Easton Cole (Rockmart High School) — 1st Place in Showmanship at the Georgia State Fair in Perry, GA
Congratulations to these incredible students for representing our district with excellence, dedication, and pride. We are so proud of you! 👏
📢🗓️MARK YOUR CALENDARS!🗓️📢
Polk School District is excited to announce our Pre-K/Kindergarten registration dates for the 2026-2027 school year!
✶Monday, February 23, 2026
✶Monday, March 2, 2026
✶Monday, March 9, 2026
Please be sure to carefully review the requirements listed on the attached flyer.
✶Students will not be able to register without a legal parent/guardian present*
✶Legal parent/guardian MUST have a valid photo ID**
✶You must provide a valid proof of residency
✶All current pre-k students MUST register for kindergarten
***Students MUST register at their zoned elementary school***
Please contact the school for which you are zoned if you have any questions.
Polk School District is excited to announce our Pre-K/Kindergarten registration dates for the 2026-2027 school year!
✶Monday, February 23, 2026
✶Monday, March 2, 2026
✶Monday, March 9, 2026
Please be sure to carefully review the requirements listed on the attached flyer.
✶Students will not be able to register without a legal parent/guardian present*
✶Legal parent/guardian MUST have a valid photo ID**
✶You must provide a valid proof of residency
✶All current pre-k students MUST register for kindergarten
***Students MUST register at their zoned elementary school***
Please contact the school for which you are zoned if you have any questions.
WEATHER UPDATE: Polk School District will open with a two-hour delayed start on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. The additional time will ensure our buses and facilities are fully operational and warm. This means all bus routes, school openings, and start times will be shifted forward by 2 hours from their regularly scheduled times. For example, a 7:00 AM bus pickup will now be a 9:00 AM pickup, etc. There will be no change in dismissal procedures.
Please ensure all students are dressed warmly for tomorrow's frigid temperatures. Wear layers, hats, gloves, and scarves.
We appreciate your continued understanding and support as we take these precautions to ensure the safety of our students and staff during these extreme cold conditions.
🔥🌴 STUDENTS — PSD IS GOING TO COSTA RICA! 🌴🔥
📅 June 3–10, 2027
Ready for the trip of a lifetime?! ✈️
This is your chance to explore Costa Rica and experience ADVENTURE like never before!
⚡ Imagine this:
🌿 Exploring lush rainforests
🚣 Kayaking on Lake Arenal
🧗 Zip lining through the jungle canopy
🐊 A real Jungle Crocodile Safari
🌉 Walking across hanging bridges
♨️ Observing natural hot springs
And much, much more!
📣 Interest Meetings (DON’T MISS THESE!):
📍 CHS – January 22nd @ 6:00 PM
OR
📍 RHS – February 5th @ 6:00 PM
Grab your friends, bring your family, and come hear all about it!
🌎 This is more than a trip — it’s an experience you’ll never forget.
There is an interest sign up sheet in the RHS Commons Area.
👉 PURA VIDA!
📅 June 3–10, 2027
Ready for the trip of a lifetime?! ✈️
This is your chance to explore Costa Rica and experience ADVENTURE like never before!
⚡ Imagine this:
🌿 Exploring lush rainforests
🚣 Kayaking on Lake Arenal
🧗 Zip lining through the jungle canopy
🐊 A real Jungle Crocodile Safari
🌉 Walking across hanging bridges
♨️ Observing natural hot springs
And much, much more!
📣 Interest Meetings (DON’T MISS THESE!):
📍 CHS – January 22nd @ 6:00 PM
OR
📍 RHS – February 5th @ 6:00 PM
Grab your friends, bring your family, and come hear all about it!
🌎 This is more than a trip — it’s an experience you’ll never forget.
There is an interest sign up sheet in the RHS Commons Area.
👉 PURA VIDA!
WEATHER UPDATE: As part of our commitment to student and staff safety, Polk School District, in coordination with local and state officials, is closely monitoring updates on the forecasted winter weather that could impact our area.
Any decisions regarding school closures or delays next week will be made by 12 p.m. on Monday. Families will be notified through phone calls, text messages, our website, Facebook, and the district mobile app.
All weekend extracurricular activities have been canceled.
We appreciate your continued support and cooperation as conditions continue to evolve.
Any decisions regarding school closures or delays next week will be made by 12 p.m. on Monday. Families will be notified through phone calls, text messages, our website, Facebook, and the district mobile app.
All weekend extracurricular activities have been canceled.
We appreciate your continued support and cooperation as conditions continue to evolve.
🎒✨ Community Support Event for Polk County Families ✨🎒
Polk School District families are invited to a free community resource event hosted by Victory Baptist Church to help families replenish essentials for the second semester!
This event is open to all Polk County families and will offer:
✔️ School supplies
✔️ Hygiene products
✔️ Clothing
✔️ Food pantry items
✔️ Free haircuts
✔️ Backpacks
📅 Date: January 31, 2026
⏰ Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
📍 Hosted by: Victory Baptist Church
🎉 Cost: FREE
We are grateful to our community partners for supporting our students and families as we head into the second half of the school year. 💙
We hope to see you there!
Polk School District families are invited to a free community resource event hosted by Victory Baptist Church to help families replenish essentials for the second semester!
This event is open to all Polk County families and will offer:
✔️ School supplies
✔️ Hygiene products
✔️ Clothing
✔️ Food pantry items
✔️ Free haircuts
✔️ Backpacks
📅 Date: January 31, 2026
⏰ Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
📍 Hosted by: Victory Baptist Church
🎉 Cost: FREE
We are grateful to our community partners for supporting our students and families as we head into the second half of the school year. 💙
We hope to see you there!
Congratulations to our 2025-2026 Polk School District Spelling Bee winner, Jaxon Landrum! Jaxon is an eighth-grade student at Cedartown Middle School and will advance to compete in the Regional Spelling Bee on February 28 at Georgia Highlands College.
We are extremely proud of all our District Spelling Bee competitors. Two students from each of the district’s six elementary schools and two middle schools competed, reflecting impressive preparation and academic achievement.
We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to our Spelling Bee Coordinator, Dr. Melanie Hyde; Caller, Holly Amerman; and Judges—Debbie Ross, Tim Rowell, and Maria Garland. Your time, commitment, and support made this event possible, and we are truly grateful for all you do for our students.
A special thank you to our Spelling Bee sponsor, the Polk County Rotary Club. We are grateful for your continued support of our students and schools!
2025-2026 School Representatives:
Cedartown Middle School:
Winner - Jaxon Landrum - District Winner
Alternate - Zachary Quiahua
Rockmart Middle School:
Winner - Jacob Mendez
Alternate - Jesalie Bush
Cherokee Elementary School:
Winner - Gatlin Hooper
Alternate - Jett Addison
Eastside Elementary School:
Winner - Elijah Belcher
Alternate - Savannah Rutledge
Northside Elementary School:
Winner - Jeremiah Sisson
Alternate - Gael Pineda Ortiz
Van Wert Elementary School:
Winner - Anna Shepard - District Runner-Up
Alternate - James Odom
Westside Elementary School:
Winner - Daven Maddux
Alternate - Boone Burgess
Youngs Grove Elementary School:
Winner - Makalyn Grimes
Alternate - Andres Navarrete Celis
Ready, Set, Read! 🎉📚
Today, Northwest Georgia RESA Executive Director Brian Otott and Let’s Read, Georgia! Literacy Coach LeAnne Jones presented Polk School District schools with trophies and books in recognition of their outstanding performance in the Let’s Read, Georgia! literacy campaign this fall.
Polk School District finished 1st overall among participating districts, with several schools earning top honors among schools:
🥇 1st Place : Van Wert Elementary – 16,672 books read
🥈 2nd Place: Northside Elementary – 10,049 books read
🥉 3rd Place: Youngs Grove Elementary – 4,500 books read
The Ready, Set, Read! Campaign, held September 1 – October 10, 2025, is a statewide literacy initiative designed to inspire children, families, and educators to read together and celebrate the joy of reading across Georgia. The campaign highlighted the collective commitment of Georgia’s Regional Education Service Agencies to advance literacy through meaningful engagement with school communities.
During the campaign:
📖 More than 60,000 books were logged statewide
🏫 Participation included 167 districts and 548 schools
📚 Over 17,000 unique book titles were read
👨👩👧 Parents logged more than 24,000 read-alouds
Participation was seen across every region of the state, with Let’s Read, Georgia Literacy Coaches, districts, and school communities rising to the top of the leaderboard. Polk School District is proud to be part of this incredible statewide effort to promote literacy and a love of reading.
Be sure to keep an eye out for another Let’s Read, Georgia campaign coming this February—and get ready to read, log, and compete for the top prizes once again! 📚🏆
#letsreadgeorgia #readsetread #nwgaresa #psdproud
Today, Northwest Georgia RESA Executive Director Brian Otott and Let’s Read, Georgia! Literacy Coach LeAnne Jones presented Polk School District schools with trophies and books in recognition of their outstanding performance in the Let’s Read, Georgia! literacy campaign this fall.
Polk School District finished 1st overall among participating districts, with several schools earning top honors among schools:
🥇 1st Place : Van Wert Elementary – 16,672 books read
🥈 2nd Place: Northside Elementary – 10,049 books read
🥉 3rd Place: Youngs Grove Elementary – 4,500 books read
The Ready, Set, Read! Campaign, held September 1 – October 10, 2025, is a statewide literacy initiative designed to inspire children, families, and educators to read together and celebrate the joy of reading across Georgia. The campaign highlighted the collective commitment of Georgia’s Regional Education Service Agencies to advance literacy through meaningful engagement with school communities.
During the campaign:
📖 More than 60,000 books were logged statewide
🏫 Participation included 167 districts and 548 schools
📚 Over 17,000 unique book titles were read
👨👩👧 Parents logged more than 24,000 read-alouds
Participation was seen across every region of the state, with Let’s Read, Georgia Literacy Coaches, districts, and school communities rising to the top of the leaderboard. Polk School District is proud to be part of this incredible statewide effort to promote literacy and a love of reading.
Be sure to keep an eye out for another Let’s Read, Georgia campaign coming this February—and get ready to read, log, and compete for the top prizes once again! 📚🏆
#letsreadgeorgia #readsetread #nwgaresa #psdproud
📢 Polk School District Early Release – Friday, December 19, 2025
Polk School District students will have an early release day on Friday, December 19, 2025.
Elementary Schools: Dismiss at 11:30 AM
Middle & High Schools: Dismiss at 12:00 PM
A sack lunch will be provided to all students before dismissal.
Please note: All After School programs will be closed on this day.
We wish all of our PSD families a safe and fun-filled holiday season! ❄️✨
Polk School District students will have an early release day on Friday, December 19, 2025.
Elementary Schools: Dismiss at 11:30 AM
Middle & High Schools: Dismiss at 12:00 PM
A sack lunch will be provided to all students before dismissal.
Please note: All After School programs will be closed on this day.
We wish all of our PSD families a safe and fun-filled holiday season! ❄️✨
🎉 BACK TO BACK TO BACK STATE CHAMPIONS! 🎉
Please join us in congratulating the Cedartown High School Game Day Cheer on earning the title of 3-Time 4A State Champions! 🏆🏆🏆
These athletes continue to raise the bar with their dedication, school spirit, and unwavering Bulldog pride. Their hard work and teamwork have once again placed Cedartown at the top!
👏 Way to go, Bulldogs!
