Smithville Elementary Names Students of the Month

November 26, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

Smithville Elementary would like to recognize our Students of the Month for November. These students were selected for their outstanding character, academics, and other traits that make them an all-around excellent student. Selected as Students of the Month for November are:

Pre-K: Isabella Newby

Kindergarten:  Carleigh Tramel

1^st grade:  Austin O’Conner

2^nd grade:  Payton Pedigo

Smithville Elementary Upcoming Events for December 2018

Wednesday, December 5 – Family Reading Night 3-6 p.m.

Thursday, December 6- Family Reading Night 3-6 p.m.

Wednesday, December 12 – Family Reading Night 3-6 p.m.

Thursday, December 13- In-School Banking, Family Reading Night 3-6 p.m., Around the World at Christmas presentation at the County Complex at 6:30 p.m.

Monday, December 17- Pajama Day

Wednesday, December 19 – Family Reading Night 3-6 p.m.

Thursday, December 20 – abbreviated day, Christmas Parties

December 21- January 3 – Christmas Break

Friday, January 4 – Stockpile day, no school for students

Monday, January 7 – Students return to school

November 26, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County Schools has formed an intergenerational partnership between students and assisted living residents at our local NHC. Intergenerational classrooms (iGen) are places where the young, old, and in between can pursue lifelong learning in mutually beneficial ways. Dr. Kathy Bryant explains, “Our goals for this partnership include providing an opportunity for students to become confident, independent learners through the inquiry process, offering experiences for intergenerational learning and sharing of values between generations, and developing leadership and relationship skills for students.”

Students will make visits to meet with the assisted living residents of NHC in Smithville. Starting in the spring semester, approximately twenty 12th grade students will visit the assistive living residents at NHC on four different occasions. During those visits, students will interview the assisted living residents who wish to participate in the iGen classroom. Students will create prototype devices in the DeKalb County High School Makerspace in order to assist residents with their daily needs. Students will meet with residents multiple times to make modifications to those prototypes as needed. Once the residents are pleased with the performance of the devices, they will be left with the resident for their personal use. Amy Fricks, the facilitator of the iGen classroom states, “This partnership provides an opportunity for students to practice the engineering design process while engaging in service learning. Our goal for service learning projects like this one is for students to gain important experience working with and meeting the needs of others in our community.”

Mr. Clint Hall, Director of NHC in Smithville, is excited about this partnership. Hall states, “The reason NHC and The Foundation for Geriatric Education decided to fund this project is that the assisted living residents are going to have the opportunity to interact with the young students.” He also mentioned that he had many intelligent residents who could offer their own expertise to the students. Often, students’ daily school schedules only allow students to visit elders on a family planned visit on the weekends or evenings. The iGen classroom time during the school day can expand opportunities for interactions among the students and residents that might not otherwise occur due to schedule limitations. Additionally, the iGen classroom visits will foster learning and socio-emotional development for students and provide an opportunity for powerful relationships that enrich the lives of young people and elders. Mr. Patrick Cripps, Director of Schools, is excited for this opportunity. “Connecting the multigenerational gap with the funds donated by NHC and The Foundation for Geriatric Education will support the iGen classroom concept while addressing the needs of today while making a better tomorrow.”

November 26, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

A Smithville man arrested last week on a failure to appear warrant was found with ecstasy, oxycodone, suboxone, and methamphetamine.

30 year old Joshua Scott Puckett of Four Seasons Road is charged with sale, manufacture, delivery or possession of schedule I, II, and III drugs.

His bond on the drug charges totals $85,000 and $10,000 on the failure to appear warrant. His court date on all charges is December 6.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Tuesday, November 20 a deputy arrested Puckett on Shady Lane for the failure to appear warrant and conducted a search incident to arrest. Found in Puckett’s pockets were half of a suboxone pill, two oxycodone pills, two green pills and a pink pill believed to be ecstasy, and a baggie of a crystal like substance thought to be methamphetamine which weighed 5.5 grams. A further search of Puckett’s belongings and vehicle turned up a set of scales and 28 baggies used to distribute illegal drugs.

The failure to appear warrant against Puckett was because he failed to show up in General Sessions Court on other drug charges.

50 year old Dennis Gene Gaines of Spencer is charged with two counts of domestic assault. His bond is $5,000 and he will make a court appearance on December 6.

Sheriff Ray said that on Wednesday, November 21 Gaines got into a confrontation with his girlfriend and her son. While holding a flat screen TV, Gaines pushed his girlfriend over a table and pinned her down.

Gaines then turned on the woman’s son as he came to her defense. Gaines pushed him to the ground, got on top and hit him with his fist about the face and head causing bruising, red marks, and a cut on the inside of his mouth.

Gaines also bit his girlfriend’s right middle finger as she tried to break up the altercation between Gaines and her son.

The attack resulted in physical wounds to both the woman and her son causing them to fear for their safety.

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