New State Funded Virtual High School Launches this Fall

Provost Academy is a uniquely designed, state-authorized, online public high school for students in grades nine through twelve. Classes for the 2011-2012 school years at the Academy will begin in August of 2011.

Provost Academy is a free public high school just like attending Mill Creek or Dacula, there are no tuition costs. There is a possibility of fees for extracurricular activities, field trips and school supplies just like other public schools.

Students who attend this online school are required to have a computer with high speed Internet access. If a student does not have this equipment, it may be possible to receive via loan from the school or receive a subsidy based on financial needs.

Students who meet all graduation requirements will receive the same high school diploma they would receive if attending a traditional high school. Students attending Provost Academy are also still allowed to participate in sports and other programs at their local high school. Students will need special permission from the school or district and parents must initiate this approval on their own or with the help of Provost Academy facilitators.

For more information on Provost Academy you can visit their website or call 866-517-5582.

In local school news:

• Fourteen Gwinnett County teachers recently earned Master Teacher certification during the 2010-2011 school year by completing a statewide program that honors teachers based on experience and those that have made a significant difference in student achievement. Teachers from our area include: Jan Chastain, Osborne Middle; James A. Fisher, Jr., Osborne Middle; Lacey Jakes, Osborne Middle; Jill Lambes, Mulberry Elementary; Jane B. Moore, Mulberry Elementary; Jan Pruitt, Osborne Middle; Michelle Ruhl, Mulberry Elementary; Sue Tavernier, Mulberry Elementary; Stephanie Walker, Puckett’s Mill.

• Three Gwinnett County Public School foreign language high school students scored perfectly on the worldwide National Latin Exam. John “Ryan” O’Donnell a twelfth grader at our own Mill Creek High School had a Perfect Paper, Latin 4 Prose on the National Latin Exam. Considering each year less than one-percent of the worldwide test takers score perfectly on the test this is quite an accomplishment. Great job Ryan!

Local College News:

• Brenau University currently enrolls approximately 2,800 students in graduate, undergraduate and preparatory programs on campus and online. Congratulations to the following recent Brenau University graduates from our hometown of Dacula: 
  Erin Elizabeth Caufman, Bachelor of Business Administration
  Michael Gregory Davis, Master of Arts in Teaching
  Rosalee Dormio, Master of Sciences in Nursing
  Patricia Fiona Marshall-Mullin, Bachelor of Sciences in Nursing
  Debra Ann Murphy, Bachelor of Arts
  Michelle Thornton, Master of Arts in Teaching
  Ashley Morgan Toler, Master of Business Administration

• Registration is open for a summer mini-session at Gwinnett Technical College. Registration for new students is available through June 28, payment is due upon registration. The last date for orientation is June 20 and classes will begin for summer 2011 on July 6.

• Gwinnett Tech hosted the judging for the Professional Photographers of America 2011 International Print Competition June 11-17. More than 50 professional photographers came to view and judge over 5,000 entries.

• Gwinnett Tech recently graduated 31 associate nursing students in the first class of RN graduates from Gwinnett Technical College.

Upcoming School Activities:

• The Dacula Community School is offering cheerleading/tumbling for beginners ages six and up starting June 30 and running on Thursdays through July 28. The classes will be from 4:50 p.m. until 5:50 p.m. and the cost is $65. Contact the Dacula Community School at 770-338-4667 for more information.

• The Mill Creek Community School will offer a Driver’s Education Class from June 27-June 30 from 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. for a cost of $345. This costs includes 30 hours of classroom instruction, six hours of driving time and six hours of observation. Registration forms can be picked-up in the community school office or downloaded online.

• Osborne Middle School is holding Hawk Training Camp for rising sixth graders on Monday, June 27 through Thursday, June 30 from 9 a.m. until noon. Cost is $85 and camp will take place at OMS.