The state Department of Education has announced an increased graduation rate for students in the Career, Technical and Agricultural Education program.
Those students have a graduation rate of 97.18%, compared to the roughly 83% graduation rate for standard students.
On Friday, Gainesville City Schools announced they have a 100% CTAE graduation rate. Hall County confirmed their CTAE graduation rate was 96.64%
CTAE prepares students for their next step after high school; which involves starting college, beginning a career, registering for apprenticeships, or enrolling in the military. State data shows that 96.4% of the high school graduates who are career pathway completers go on to postsecondary education, advanced training, military service, or employment.
Alyson Shields
Over 500 Gainesville City School System employees will be vaccinated against COVID-19 by lunchtime Friday. The school system hosted a clinic Friday morning to get their Pre-K through 12th grade teachers and staff vaccinated, following new rules set forth by Governor Brian Kemp last week.
Director of Pre-K Services and Migrant Education Program Donna Allen said she was nervous but pushed through. What really gave me a little bit of comfort was Gainesville City Schools, we ve been immersed in the community really since March, Allen said. We ve really been at work since we shut down. So being surrounded by the community wasn t so much of the anxiety, it was the personal vaccination for me and getting shots! But the most important thing for me was making sure to protect myself, my family, and others that we work with.
Gainesville City Schools employees will be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine next week at a clinic hosted by the school and District 2 Public Health.
That announcement came Monday evening during the school board s work session. The one shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be available.
Pre-K through Grade 12 teachers and staff, including substitutes and student teachers, will be able to get the shot the morning of Friday, March 12. While the clinic is dependent on the vaccine supply being available, Superintendent Jeremy Williams said they chose that day to allow for additional days in case of reaction. That Friday will be a teacher work day.
A teacher employed by the Gainesville City School System has been arrested on charges of child molestation. Gabriel Ramon Espinoza, 45 of Gainesville, was arrested Wednesday after a claim that he had inappropriate contact with a child.
According to a press release from the Gainesville Police Department, allegations were brought to school administrators and police by a child this past week. Both the school system and the police department worked together to carefully verify the evidence. It wasn’t until a thorough investigation that Espinoza was arrested.
Jeremy Williams, Superintendent of the Gainesville City School System, says that Espinoza is on administrative leave. “Earlier today, we were made aware of charges and arrest against one of our employees,” he said in a press release on Wednesday. “The safety of our students is a top priority, and future personnel actions will be handled appropriately.”
Elachee Nature Science Center names next president and CEO Sarah Bell will succeed Andrea Timpone in May 2021 as Elachee Nature Science Center s president and CEO.
Photo courtesy Elachee Nature Science Center
Elachee Nature Science Center has named a new leader to carry out its environmental education and conservation efforts in Chicopee Woods and throughout Northeast Georgia.
On May 1, 2021, Sarah Bell will officially succeed Andrea Timpone as the nonprofit’s president and CEO, according to a press release from the organization.
“I am honored to have been selected to lead this great organization,” Bell said in a statement. “This community has afforded me so many opportunities and I’m excited to use the skills I have learned while also returning to my first love science education.”