OCES

Students in kindergarten through fifth grade sit on the gymnasium floor before walking to home rooms on the first day of school at Oglethorpe County Elementary School. The 2025-26 school year started on Friday in Oglethorpe County. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

Students in kindergarten through fifth grade sit on the gymnasium floor before walking to home rooms on the first day of school at Oglethorpe County Elementary School. The 2025-26 school year started on Friday in Oglethorpe County. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

Photos: School's Back!

Anna Izquierdo
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Robin Guest (left), ASPIRE on-site coordinator for third-, fourth- and fifth-graders, and Tabatha Ashworth, ASPIRE on-site coordinator for kindergarten, first- and second-grade students, stand in Guest’s classroom on the first day of school. ASPIRE offers academic and enrichment opportunities for students during the school year. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

Robin Guest (left), ASPIRE on-site coordinator for third-, fourth- and fifth-graders, and Tabatha Ashworth, ASPIRE on-site coordinator for kindergarten, first- and second-grade students, stand in Guest’s classroom on the first day of school. ASPIRE offers academic and enrichment opportunities for students during the school year. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

ASPIRE program survives scare, to start seventh year

Anna Izquierdo
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Robin Guest has seen the After School Patriots Involved in Readiness and Enrichment (ASPIRE) program grow “from the ground up” since its beginning in the 2019-20 school year.  “We started with nothing,” said Guest, ASPIRE on-site coordinator for grades 3-5.
Southern A&E CEO emeritus Steve McCune, assistant superintendent Kanya Cornish, OCES principal Katie Baldwin, BOE vice-chair Tim Poole, operations director Paul Thiel, superintendent Beverley Levine, BOE chair Becky Soto, Jake Willcox, Guillermo Camacho, Susan Robinson and Parrish Construction senior project manager Alex Johnson prepare to cut the ribbon to mark the opening of the new elementary school Sunday. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

Southern A&E CEO emeritus Steve McCune, assistant superintendent Kanya Cornish, OCES principal Katie Baldwin, BOE vice-chair Tim Poole, operations director Paul Thiel, superintendent Beverley Levine, BOE chair Becky Soto, Jake Willcox, Guillermo Camacho, Susan Robinson and Parrish Construction senior project manager Alex Johnson prepare to cut the ribbon to mark the opening of the new elementary school Sunday. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

OCES ribbon cutting marks end of construction at new school

Anna Izquierdo
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Julie Holloman is hopeful the new elementary school will help her and fellow faculty members “rally and pull together” for the first day of school on Friday.  “We’re all unified under one building, so that’s super special,” said Holloman, who teaches first grade.
Courtney Corbin moved into her role as the school resource officer for Oglethorpe County Elementary School and Oglethorpe County Middle School in March, prioritizing safety of the students and staff. “My main motivation was a desire to work with the kids,” she said. (Submitted Photo)

Courtney Corbin moved into her role as the school resource officer for Oglethorpe County Elementary School and Oglethorpe County Middle School in March, prioritizing safety of the students and staff. “My main motivation was a desire to work with the kids,” she said. (Submitted Photo)

New SRO prioritizes safety, relationships

Anna Izquierdo
Thursday, July 17, 2025
Courtney Corbin prioritizes safety in the Oglethorpe County School System and hopes to be a positive influence in students’ lives.  “My goal is to be seen more as a trusted partner instead of just someone in a law enforcement uniform,” Corbin said.
Mother-daughter duo Kelli Kitchen (left) and Vicky Matthews have spent their lives in education and their teaching legacy may continue on through Kitchen’s daughter, Allison. “She has her mind set on going into education as well,” Kitchen said. (Photo/Felix Scheyer)

Mother-daughter duo Kelli Kitchen (left) and Vicky Matthews have spent their lives in education and their teaching legacy may continue on through Kitchen’s daughter, Allison. “She has her mind set on going into education as well,” Kitchen said. (Photo/Felix Scheyer)

Family ties run deep

Julianna Duennes Russ
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
There was a knock at the door of longtime educator Brian Lance’s office at Oglethorpe County High School. Jennifer Yauck, another teacher, poked her head in and smiled. “Here’s another one,” Lance said. He had been listing coworkers at OCHS that grew up in the school system and came back.
Guillermo Camacho, assistant superintendent Kanya Cornish, BOE Chair Becky Soto and Susan Robinson meet to discuss Sara Hughes’ work-based learning program on Tuesday. Several students were in attendance. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

Guillermo Camacho, assistant superintendent Kanya Cornish, BOE Chair Becky Soto and Susan Robinson meet to discuss Sara Hughes’ work-based learning program on Tuesday. Several students were in attendance. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

BOE recognizes work-based learning program

Anna Izquierdo
Thursday, May 8, 2025
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education recognized Sara Hughes’ work-based learning program during its monthly meeting Tuesday night.  Hughes’ program provides high school students the opportunity to receive credit while working in an environment related to their career pathway.
Students take a music class in a classroom at the new Oglethorpe County Elementary School on Tuesday. Staff and school officials continue to work out logistical issues with the new school. (Photo/Lucy Grey Shields)

Students take a music class in a classroom at the new Oglethorpe County Elementary School on Tuesday. Staff and school officials continue to work out logistical issues with the new school. (Photo/Lucy Grey Shields)

New school brings logistical changes, upgraded security

Lucy Grey Shields
Thursday, January 23, 2025
Students, parents and staff noticed a number of logistical changes at the new Oglethorpe County Elementary School during its first week. Issues — particularly with the carpool lane — arose on Jan.
Wade King, an education leader from Get Your Teach On, was one of the keynote speakers at the personal development event at Oglethorpe County Elementary School on Oct. 7. He and his wife, Hope King, worked with teachers on how to create engaging classrooms. (Photo/Megan Fitzgerald)

Wade King, an education leader from Get Your Teach On, was one of the keynote speakers at the personal development event at Oglethorpe County Elementary School on Oct. 7. He and his wife, Hope King, worked with teachers on how to create engaging classrooms. (Photo/Megan Fitzgerald)

Learning event at OCES focused on engagement

Megan Fitzgerald
Thursday, October 13, 2022
Swapping muted professional clothing for spunky ’90s fashion, Oglethorpe County teachers became students at a professional learning event on Oct. 7.