Join us on Tuesday, November 5, at 2 PM for the ULMS Baseball & Softball Complex groundbreaking ceremony!
Travon Walker has been nominated for the NFL's 2024 Salute To Service Award!!! The Salute to Service Award acknowledges the exceptional efforts by members of the NFL community to honor and support U.S. service members, veterans, and their families. We all know how generous Travon has been to our school system and our community, and it's heartwarming to know that his generosity resonates throughout the military community in Jacksonville, Florida, as well. This young man continues to shine a positive light on Thomaston, GA and the Thomaston-Upson School System. You can VOTE now for Travon to be one of the 2024 finalists for this award!!! Click the voting link below, find Jacksonville Jaguars/Travon Walker among all of the nominees and vote for Travon!!! You can vote once a day, so vote now and vote daily. 😁
Voting Link: NFL.com/SaluteFanVote
Voting ends on November 30. Votes determines the top 3 finalists, and a panel of judges will select the winner from among the 3 finalists. The Travon Walker Foundation is a Partner In Education with the Thomaston-Upson School System!
Upson-Lee Students Continue to Show Increased Scores on State Assessments
The Thomaston-Upson School System’s 2024 Georgia Milestones Assessment System (GMAS) results for Mathematics, released on September 30 by the Georgia Department of Education, provide evidence of student improvement in mathematics in multiple grades. Students across the state participated in the first Georgia Milestones for the new math curriculum implemented in 2023-2024. The Georgia Department of Education delayed the release of the mathematics scores to align the GMAS grading scales with the new K-12 Mathematics standards. GMAS scores for English-Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science were released on July 26, 2024.
Students take Georgia Milestones End of Grade (EOG) tests in grades 3-8 and Georgia Milestones End of Course (EOC) tests in identified high school courses. The Georgia Milestones assessment system meets the federal requirement that states test students in math and ELA in grades 3-8, once in high school, and science once per grade band (3-5, 6-8, 9-12).
Deputy Superintendent Dr. Amy Miller stated, “We are delighted to report that our district has experienced significant improvements on the 2024 Milestones for mathematics. This achievement is evidence of the tireless efforts and unwavering commitment of our students, teachers, staff, and families. Our math teachers and staff embraced the new curriculum and designed lessons that increase students’ mathematical thinking and reasoning. Our math lessons are engaging, relevant, hands-on, and full of opportunities for students to work together to acquire the skills necessary for future industry and the workforce. Our academic growth across all contents on the 2024 Georgia Milestones and graduation rate is evidence of our district’s commitment to achieving our vision of inspiring and preparing students to be personally, academically, and socially successful in school and life.”
Thomaston-Upson Schools 2024 GA Milestones Mathematics Highlights
3rd Grade: Highest percentage of students scoring Developing, Proficient, and Distinguished since 2018 (88.5%)
3rd Grade: Highest percentage of students scoring Proficient and Distinguished since 2018 (46%)
3rd Grade: The percentage of students scoring Proficient and Distinguished (46%) exceeded the RESA and State average
4th Grade: Highest percentage of students scoring Developing, Proficient, and Distinguished since 2016 (87%)
4th Grade: Highest percentage of students scoring Proficient and Distinguished since 2018 (50%)
4th Grade: The percentage of students scoring Proficient and Distinguished (50%) exceeded the RESA and State average
5th Grade: Highest percentage of students scoring Developing, Proficient, and Distinguished since 2019 (78%)
5th Grade: Highest percentage of students scoring Proficient and Distinguished since 2019 (40%)
5th Grade: The percentage of students scoring Proficient and Distinguished (40%) exceeded the RESA average
8th Grade: Highest percentage of students scoring Developing, Proficient, and Distinguished since 2018 (77%)
8th Grade: Highest percentage of students scoring Proficient and Distinguished since 2019 (32%)
8th Grade Algebra Concepts and Connections: Increase of 4 percentage points since 2023
8th Grade Algebra Concepts and Connections: The percentage of students scoring Proficient and Distinguished (67%) exceeds the RESA and State average
9th Grade Algebra Concepts and Connections: Highest percentage of students scoring Developing, Proficient, and Distinguished since 2015 (68%)
Additional information about the 2024 Georgia Mathematics Milestones can be found at:https://www.gadoe.org/External-Affairs-and-Policy/communications/Pages/PressReleaseDetails.aspx?PressView=default&pid=1168
Upson-Lee High School 2024 4-Year Graduation Rate Sets a District Record
The Georgia Department of Education released state and district graduation rates on October 8, 2024. Upson-Lee High School's 2024 4-year graduation rate was 91.6%, the highest graduation rate on record for Thomaston-Upson County Schools. The ULHS 2024 graduation rate was 3.7 percentage points higher than the 2023 graduation rate, 6.17 percentage points higher than the 2024 state average of 85.4%, and 3.4 percentage points higher than the unofficial Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA) average of 88.2%. Thomaston-Upson County Schools is third in the RESA district for the highest 4-year district graduation rate in 2024.
“We are extremely proud of the 2024 Upson-Lee High School graduation rate of 91.6%, the highest 4-year graduation on record for our district,” stated Superintendent Dr. Larry Derico. “This milestone is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students, teachers, staff, and families. This is a significant achievement for Upson-Lee High School; however, it also signifies a collective effort, prekindergarten through twelfth grade, to provide our students with the education and support they need to succeed,” he concluded.
BIG congratulations to the ULHS Class of 2024 for this significant achievement!!! To the teachers, staff members, administrators, and family members who played a role in their achievements, we say "Job well done!" #ULProud #weareUL
The TU School System and Upson-Lee High School would like to remind you of important student/fan behavior expectations and stadium rules for football games at Matthews Stadium.
1. ALL students/fans should remain seated/standing in the bleachers throughout the games unless getting concessions or going to the restroom.
2. After going to the concession stand or restroom, students/fans should immediately return to their seats.
3. Ball playing or other games on the grass banks or side areas will not be allowed.
4. Loitering and/or congregating outside of the stands will not be allowed.
5. Please note that all restrooms and concession stands will be closed and locked at the 6-minute mark in the 4th quarter.
6. At the end of the game, all students/fans should exit and report to their cars. No loitering is permitted after the game in the parking lot or in the stadium.
7. The following items are NOT allowed at Matthews Field: backpacks, coolers, umbrellas, pets (with the exception of service dogs), weapons, tobacco products of any kind, vapes, and balloons.
Failure to comply with these rules and expectations could result in removal from the stadium. Thank you in advance for helping us to ensure student and spectator safety and to maintain a respectful and enjoyable environment for everyone at our Upson-Lee Knights football games. Go Knights!!! #weareUL
All schools have completed their school lockdown drills and will be returning to their regular class schedules. Parents and guardians, please take a moment this evening to talk with your children about the lockdown experience. Ask questions about the process, such as “What do you do first?” and praise your children for listening to the teacher and doing the things that they have been taught to do during a drill. You may want to explain that safety is something that we must practice, just like we practice reading or math. And, the more we practice, the better and more confident we become. We want safety drills to be a confidence-building experience, not a scary experience. Thank you for entrusting us with the education and safety of your children, and thank you to the Upson County Sheriff's Office for their assistance today! #weareUL
School Lockdown DRILL: At 9 AM this morning, all Thomaston-Upson Schools, with the assistance of the Upson County Sheriff’s Office, initiated a school lockdown DRILL. During a lockdown drill, all exterior doors are locked and no entry or exit is allowed. Phones at the school are not answered during a lockdown drill.
At the September 10 Board of Education meeting, the Board approved the 2025-26 school district calendar.
We are excited to announce that Upson-Lee High School is one of 10 national winners in Concord Theatricals’ Sing Like a Sponge: The SpongeBob Musical Contest! The ULHS Drama Department receives a FREE 3-performance license and ALL rental materials for their spring production of "The SpongeBob Musical"!!! CONGRATULATIONS to Mr. Jacob Sapp, ULHS Theatre Teacher, and Upson-Lee Knight Theatre!!! "The SpongeBob Musical" will take the stage at the Upson-Lee Fine Arts Center Spring 2025. More information will be released at a later date. WE CAN’T WAIT!!! BIG THANKS to Concord Theatricals!
Parents, Guardians, and Visitors to Thomaston-Upson Schools: In efforts to continue improving the safety and security of our schools, the Thomaston-Upson School System will be implementing new visitor procedures, effective Tuesday, September 3, 2024. These new procedures apply to any visitor gaining access beyond a school’s secure vestibule. Examples of these types of visitors include, but are not limited to, Parent/Guardian Eating Lunch with Student, Public Speaker/Presenter, PIE/School Council Member, Classroom Speaker, Parent Attending a Meeting (504, IEP, leadership), and College/Career Fair Participant.
According to our new procedures, the school visitor will check-in using the “Guest Check In” option on the school’s Checkmate system, which is located inside the school’s secure vestibule. The visitor will be prompted to scan his/her Driver's License. The visitor will then select the reason for his/her visit from the drop-down menu and enter any comments. The printer will provide the visitor with a visitor name tag which must be worn throughout his/her visit to the school.
Our wonderful school receptionists are available to assist with this process as we educate our valued school visitors about these new procedures. Thank you for allowing us to provide an advanced level of security to Thomaston-Upson students, faculty, and staff!
At the 2024 Thomaston-Upson School System’s Back to School Breakfast & Districtwide Meeting, employees with 25 years or more of service to the school system were presented with service pins. Since this was the first year of service pin implementation, an employee’s actual years of service may differ from the pin awarded, as 25-year pins were awarded to employees with 25-29 years of service; 30-year pins were awarded to employees with 30-34 years of service; 35-year pins were awarded to employees with 35-39 years of service; 40-year pins were awarded to employees with 40-44 years of service; and 45-year pins were awarded to employees with 45-49 years of service. Mrs. Susan Carter, ULPS Administrative Assistant to the Principal, was recognized for having the longest tenure with 55 years of service to our local school district. In all, forty-seven Thomaston-Upson School System employees were recognized for having twenty-five or more years of service to the local public school system. CONGRATULATIONS to these outstanding employees and thank you for choosing to work with the Thomaston-Upson School System!!! You are appreciated!!!
Upson-Lee Primary School Honorees: Renae Kilgore, 25 yr pin; Tracy Wainwright, 25 yr pin; Kim Seymour, 25 yr pin; Brenda Ivey, 25 yr pin; Karla Hernandez, 25 yr pin; Michele Daniel, 25 yr pin; Tiffany Bentley, 25 yr pin; Susan Carter, 55 yr pin; Sherry Holley, 25 yr pin; Angela Sledge, 40 yr pin; Natalie Logan, 25 yr pin; Brenda Burnette, 30 yr pin; not pictured: Janet Kendall, 25 yr pin; Betsy Stewart, 25 yr pin
Upson-Lee Elementary School Honorees: Sherre Rohling, 25 yr pin; Amy Fields, 25 yr pin; Donna Fouts, 25 yr pin; Matthew Whatley, 25 yr pin; Tara Keahey, 25 yr pin; Susan McGlon, 25 yr pin; Amy Salter, 25 yr pin; Lynn English, 25 yr pin. Not pictured: Harold Raines, 35 yr pin; Betty Ann Fordham, 30 yr pin
Upson-Lee Elementary Honorees: Eric Foster, 25 yr pin; Rhonda Gulley, 30 yr pin; Kristi Bosworth, 25 yr pin; Marie Reeves, 25 yr pin; not pictured Barbara Wise, 25 yr pin
Upson-Lee Middle School Honorees: Eric Foster, 25 yr pin; Rhonda Gulley, 30 yr pin; Kristi Bosworth, 25 yr pin; Marie Reeves, 25 yr pin; not pictured Barbara Wise, 25 yr pin
Upson-Lee High School Honorees: Vonda Bailey, 25 yr pin; Wayne Puckett, 25 yr pin; Chrystie Pitts, 25 yr pin; Marlene Wheeler, 25 yr pin; Ann McLane, 25 yr pin; Janet Nixon, 25 yr pin; Chester Grant, 35 yr pin; Cary Ellerbee, 25 yr pin; not pictured: Carol Price, 30 yr pin
Grounds Maintenance Honoree: John (CB) Worthy 25 yr pin
Central Office & Transportation Honorees: Karen Truesdale, 25 yr pin; Amy Miller, 25 yr pin; Tommy Allen, 35 yr pin; Kathy Adams, 25 yr pin; Eunice Lowry; Not pictured Chandria Taylor, 25 yr pin
Notes from the August 13th Board of Education meeting. If you would like to download the .pdf version, it is available here: https://5il.co/2u0rn.
TONIGHT - AWAY GAME!!! UL Knights vs Union Grove High School in Henry County. Tickets are available at the gate with cash or card or on GoFan here:
https://gofan.co/event/1580778?schoolId=GA5360
Union Grove High School has a clear bag only policy. This includes purses and camera bags. We hope to see you at the game tonight and Go Knights!
IMPORTANT INFO: ULHS is currently unsure if the weather is going to cooperate with our plan for Community Night at Matthews Field today. ULHS administration and coaches are monitoring weather conditions via the wet bulb, which lets our coaches know if it's safe to practice outdoors. If possible, we will have a shortened series of events at the field. We certainly hope that all our UL friends and supporters understand that even though we are very proud of our new facilities and want to show them off, we are MOST PROUD of our students and their safety is ALWAYS our top priority!!! We are UL!!! (Parrish Construction Company will still be giving away bottled water while supplies last!)
The Upson-Lee NJROTC program hosted its annual Freshman Orientation Camp this summer from July 15th to July 18th. Eleven cadets attended the camp each day from 8 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. to study military knowledge, physical fitness, and the basics of being an NJROTC cadet. The camp was led and instructed by the NJROTC’s Naval Science Instructors Chief Petty Officer Anthony Kendall and Petty Officer First Class Marvin Bert with the help of 8 senior cadets known as Cadres (specialty trainers). The Freshman Cadets graduated with a short exhibit of their learned knowledge and the receiving of their Cadet Seaman Apprentice rank, as well as a certificate of completion at the Fine Arts Center on July 18th.
Yes, it's summer -- but the work continues throughout the T-U School District! This week, Central Office and school personnel participated in the annual District Leadership Retreat, held at Upson-Lee Middle School. Leaders reviewed and revised their schools' continuous improvement plans, aligned expectations and goals, and focused on key performance measurements. The annual district retreat is an opportunity review, reflect, and reimagine while strengthening the leadership's commitment to the mission of T-U Schools, which is excellence in education, every individual, every day! #ULProud #weareUL
On Tuesday, June 4, participants in the Thomaston-Upson AP (Assistant Principal) Academy completed the first year of a two-year specialized training program developed and led by Dr. Jeff Kelly, Executive Director of Human Resources and Safety. The purpose of the T-U AP Academy is to support, develop, and retain quality leaders who are knowledgeable, well-prepared, and ready to fulfill the mission of the Thomaston-Upson School System: Excellence in education, every individual, every day. Year one curriculum has focused on departmental knowledge of curriculum & instruction, human resources, federal programs, special education, and finance. Year two of the program will provide participants with opportunities to deepen crucial leadership skills while addressing topics, trends, and challenges affecting today’s educational leaders. Pictured l-r: Executive Director Dr. Jeff Kelly, Chief Financial Officer Mrs. Kathy Matthews (instructor for the final session of the year), ULMS AP Ms. Machelle Graddick, ULPS AP Mrs. Hayley Rechtorovic, ULHS AP Mr. Wayne Puckett, ULMS AP Mrs. Michele McDaniel, ULMS AP Mr. Josh Akins, ULES AP Mrs. Amy Ellington, ULPS AP Mr. Michael Kirby, ULHS AP Dr. Sharon Harbour, ULHS AP Mrs. Lesley Murphy, Superintendent Dr. Larry Derico. Not pictured: ULES AP Mr. Chip Clarke and ULHS AP Mrs. Angie Hausman.
Phase 1 of renovations to Matthews Field started Friday night immediately following ULHS Class of 2024 Graduation. We're soooooo excited and can't wait to see all the great progress made possible by the ESPLOST!!!
View the ULHS Class of 2024 Graduation Video on the TU Schools YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/PX7PssZ7lu8
Get your own piece of Matthews Field history! This Saturday, May 25.
