An ONLINE registration portal will be active on January 31 and February 1. This live link will be available on this website and on social media for registration. If you need access to a computer, please call Hand-In-Hand at 229-225-3908 and ask for Trish Kearce who will schedule an appointment to assist you in registering your child.  All eligible students signed up for pre-k on January 31 and February 1 will be guaranteed a slot. Out-of-district students will be accepted upon approval by the Board of Education.

A link will also be available during online registration to schedule your child’s screening appointment. 

Click here for more information.

Two Thomas County Central High School youth musicians impressed the Georgia Music Educators Association with their skills, receiving a seat and an alternate position on the 2022 GMEA All-State Jazz Ensemble. Junior Tessa Thomas earned the single seat for vibraphone players. Junior Morgan Loper received the alternate position on piano, which means that, if the student selected cannot attend, Loper takes their place.

Joe Regina, TCCHS bands program director, said both students practiced tirelessly for their virtual auditions, and he’s proud of their accomplishments.

“It's very prestigious to be selected, even as an alternate, for the [GMEA] All-State Jazz Ensemble which is only composed of a total of 20 students statewide,” Regina said. “In fact, there is only one piano player and one vibraphone player selected from the entire state. The competition is fierce, and I'm extremely proud of both of them for their hard work and determination.”

Thomas calls earning a seat on the GMEA All-State Jazz Band an honor.

“Music has been a huge part of my life ever since I was a kid, and I view this as a great opportunity to learn more about it,” she said.

The youth musician, 16, has five years as a percussionist and two years playing vibraphone in her musical repertoire. However, music is a Thomas family tradition.

Thomas County Middle School eighth grader Jaclyn Maxwell recently made the 2022 GMEA Middle School All-State Band on bass clarinet. A total of only eight bass clarinet players were accepted into the All-State middle school bands. Maxwell was one of the elite eight.

The All-State band competition consists of two rounds of auditions. The first round took place at the district level in December at Shiver Elementary School in Grady County. Students had to make a minimum score in order to pass to the second round. The second round audition took place at Union Grove Middle School in McDonough, Georgia, on January 8. 

"This is a major accomplishment and a huge honor," said Band Director William Majors. "Best wishes to Jaclyn as she represents Thomas County Middle School, her community, and the entire South Georgia region at this prestigious event."

Maxwell will join some of the finest musicians in the state of Georgia for the All-State Band Clinic which will take place at The Classic Center in Athens, Georgia on March 3 - 5, 2022. The clinic will culminate in a very special concert performance on Saturday, March 5. 

Thomas County first grade teacher Bethany Warren of Garrison-Pilcher Elementary School was awarded the Community Foundation Public Education Mini-Grant of $500 this past December for spring 2022 projects. Warren’s students received a class set of “Boogie Boards” which is an alternative to the traditional whiteboard. Students can use the included stylus, a pen, or even a fingernail. There is no need to buy special markers. The boards erase instantly with the push of a button and can be disinfected with any available cleaning product. These boards will be used daily for years to come.

Ten teachers from the Thomas County School System received Community Education Mini-Grants including the following: Hanah Taylor, Hand-In-Hand; Bethany Warren, Garrison-Pilcher; Melissa Artz and Stephanie Wilson, Thomas County Middle School; Farren Burnette, Ashley Finch, and Caitlin Muse, Thomas County Central; Regina Beasley, Bishop Hall; Bill Wilhelm, Renaissance Center; and Gini Billingsley, Pathways.

Teachers in Thomasville City, Thomas County, and Brooks County School Systems were awarded grants of up to $500. A total of $10,500 was awarded in December 2021 to 22 educators across these three school systems.