We had a great week celebrating our Bus Drivers! Thank you so much to all of our Partners who participated in making them feel appreciated. PCSD is lucky to have such an awesome group in Transportation. Our bus drivers are a big part of what makes being a Dragon so special. Thank you again for all that you do!
Hartman Law
ETC
Alan Horne State Farm
Mountain City Auto Parts
Roper Funeral Home
Tutton Group
iThink
Amicalola EMC
Hartman Law
ETC
Alan Horne State Farm
Mountain City Auto Parts
Roper Funeral Home
Tutton Group
iThink
Amicalola EMC
Morning drop-off gives Principal Stephen Hunter a chance to do something he values every day, welcome students to school. He says students arrive genuinely excited, and greeting them brings joy to both students and staff. During Principals Month, we’re sharing a look at how that welcoming spirit carries through Harmony Elementary.
That care begins even before students enter the classroom. This year, Harmony paired new students in grades 1 through 4 with an adult outside their homeroom who checks in with them during their first month. The goal is to help each student feel welcomed and included as they adjust to a new environment.
Jamie Morgan, HES instructional coach, calls Mr. Hunter “the glue to our Harmony Family.” She says he has an open-door policy with staff and gives his full attention when they bring him a concern. She also appreciates his calm demeanor and professionalism when student misconduct arises. Students see his warmth in the smiles, high-fives and hugs he shares, while staff see him pitching in around the school, from lunch duty to carline. Morgan says his strong work ethic makes him “our head eagle.”
Mr. Hunter is quick to praise the staff, too. He says they create a school-family environment by stepping in to help one another, even when a task isn’t assigned to them. Their motto, “Every Eagle, Every Day,” reflects their commitment to supporting students academically, socially and emotionally.
At home, Mr. Hunter and his wife, Kristin, have been married for 13 years. Kristin works in the medical field locally in Jasper, and their sons, Hayes and Hayden, both attend Harmony.
When students leave HES, Mr. Hunter hopes they remember that learning can be fun and challenges help us grow. Above all, he wants them to know they were loved, supported, encouraged to try new things and always believed in. “No matter where life takes them, they will always be part of the Harmony family!”
That care begins even before students enter the classroom. This year, Harmony paired new students in grades 1 through 4 with an adult outside their homeroom who checks in with them during their first month. The goal is to help each student feel welcomed and included as they adjust to a new environment.
Jamie Morgan, HES instructional coach, calls Mr. Hunter “the glue to our Harmony Family.” She says he has an open-door policy with staff and gives his full attention when they bring him a concern. She also appreciates his calm demeanor and professionalism when student misconduct arises. Students see his warmth in the smiles, high-fives and hugs he shares, while staff see him pitching in around the school, from lunch duty to carline. Morgan says his strong work ethic makes him “our head eagle.”
Mr. Hunter is quick to praise the staff, too. He says they create a school-family environment by stepping in to help one another, even when a task isn’t assigned to them. Their motto, “Every Eagle, Every Day,” reflects their commitment to supporting students academically, socially and emotionally.
At home, Mr. Hunter and his wife, Kristin, have been married for 13 years. Kristin works in the medical field locally in Jasper, and their sons, Hayes and Hayden, both attend Harmony.
When students leave HES, Mr. Hunter hopes they remember that learning can be fun and challenges help us grow. Above all, he wants them to know they were loved, supported, encouraged to try new things and always believed in. “No matter where life takes them, they will always be part of the Harmony family!”
Meet Tate McFarland, a second grader at Tate Elementary School and our September Portrait of a Graduate honoree. September's focus was Responsible, and Tate is a great example of what that looks like!
His teacher, Lacey Jones, says Tate comes to class prepared, completes his work, and takes ownership of his responsibilities without needing reminders. He's always ready to learn, willing to help others, and is a wonderful friend to his classmates.
Through our Portrait of a Graduate initiative, we're helping students build qualities that will serve them well in school and beyond. Tate is already showing what it means to be responsible!
Way to go, Tate! We're proud of you!
His teacher, Lacey Jones, says Tate comes to class prepared, completes his work, and takes ownership of his responsibilities without needing reminders. He's always ready to learn, willing to help others, and is a wonderful friend to his classmates.
Through our Portrait of a Graduate initiative, we're helping students build qualities that will serve them well in school and beyond. Tate is already showing what it means to be responsible!
Way to go, Tate! We're proud of you!
It's Bus Driver Appreciation Week! All week long, we will be celebrating the folks who transport our Dragons to and from school. We have a full week of appreciation planned and can't wait to share pictures of the celebrations on Friday! In the meantime, please be sure to give your student's bus driver a wave and a big THANK YOU for all that they do!
October is National Principals Month, and we’re celebrating the people who lead our schools by sharing a closer look at the work they do and the relationships they build each day.
At Jasper Middle School, lunchtime is Mrs. Miranda Combs’ favorite part of the day. She sits with students, hears their jokes, asks what they’re looking forward to and learns who they are beyond the classroom. Some share a story, others just stop by to chat with her. Those ordinary moments reflect the school community she hopes to build, one where every student feels known, valued and heard.
That belief in listening and kindness reaches beyond the cafeteria. Mrs. Combs says she tries not to hurt any living thing, from a mouse to a bug. Every creature has a purpose, and there is always a lesson to be learned if we pay attention. “I genuinely believe that every student and teacher brings something unique and valuable to our community, and when we take the time to truly listen to one another, we all grow together.”
Her approach began early in her career as a substitute teacher. One middle school student, despite facing challenges at home, showed her how humor and conversation can brighten a difficult day. He taught her to ask, listen and find reasons to laugh together. Mrs. Combs still makes room for laughter. Every now and then, she slips into a class line headed to lunch or connections to see how long she can go unnoticed. “We rarely last long before the students and I burst out laughing,” she says. “Those joyful interactions build genuine connections and remind us all to enjoy the journey.”
When a student makes a mistake, Mrs. Combs starts by listening. She asks, “Were you your best self in that moment?” and uses the answer to open a conversation about growth and accountability. Consequences may follow, but she wants students to know one mistake does not define them. “Tomorrow is a brand-new day, and I care about you no matter what,” she tells them.
Education has long been part of Mrs. Combs’ family. Her mother and grandparents were educators, and her husband is Pickens County’s Director of Curriculum. Their daughter is a junior at PHS in the Health Occupations Pathway, and their son recently graduated from PHS and is preparing for U.S. Air Force basic training. Mrs. Combs hopes JMS students remember the warmth, laughter and care that helped them through hard days, and know they mattered.
Congratulations to Harmony Elementary for having the best student attendance for the month of September! Way to go Eagles!
Congratulations to PHS for having the best staff attendance for the month of September!
Our School Nurses were recognized at our October Board meeting. This group works hard every day to take care of our students when they aren't feeling their best and we are thankful for them!
Pictured from left to right: Hannah Lilley - PHS, Nicole Watson - HES, Libby Tallant - TES, Hannah Vreeland - JMS. Not pictured Melissa Faucett - HCES and Baylee Peterson - PJHS.
Thank you for all that you do to make sure our Dragons are well cared for!
Pictured from left to right: Hannah Lilley - PHS, Nicole Watson - HES, Libby Tallant - TES, Hannah Vreeland - JMS. Not pictured Melissa Faucett - HCES and Baylee Peterson - PJHS.
Thank you for all that you do to make sure our Dragons are well cared for!
Congratulations to our October Staff Dragon Award winner!
Congratulations to our October Teacher Dragon Award winner!
Congratulations to Ellie Hughes for being our Student Dragon Award winner for October. Ellie is a 4th grader at Harmony Elementary.
Reminder! Fall Break is next week for all PSCD students and staff. We hope everyone enjoys their time off.
In celebration of National Principals Month, our “A Look Inside” series introduces you to the leaders of our schools, continuing with Dr. Tippens at Pickens High School.
Dr. Brandon Tippens has been a coach, department head, and assistant principal at Pickens High School. This year, he’s taking on a new role as principal, but the reason he’s stayed at PHS is the same one that brought him here, the people.
Raised in Ball Ground, Tippens says Pickens felt like home when he arrived 13 years ago. Now he wants students and families to feel just as comfortable walking up to him. “I promise that I am friendly,” he says. “I like to joke around, so I am always up for a good laugh or story.”
He’s making time to see students outside the classroom, too. Tippens has challenged himself to attend at least one event for every sport and school-sponsored extracurricular program. He loves seeing students take part in the activities they’re passionate about. So if you see him at a ballgame or event, stop and say hey.
Some of his favorite moments happen during an ordinary school day and include talking with students between classes, at lunch, or during a classroom visit. He loves seeing them engaged with their teachers and classmates, but his favorite sight is a student smiling.
“I actually believe that learning can be fun, and I want to bring some of that energy back to the high school experience.”
Tippens hopes students come to know him as someone who cares about them as individuals, is easy to approach, and will challenge them to grow.
For Tippens, the best part of PHS is easy to identify. It’s the students, staff, and community that make Pickens feel like home. And the view doesn’t hurt, either. “I haven’t found a better backdrop for a school anywhere in the state.”
Congratulations to our Staff Members of the Month!
Big news for Pickens County School District!
PCSD has earned the Georgia School Boards Association’s 2026 Exemplary Governance Team Recognition, the highest level of recognition in the program!
This honor recognizes our Board of Education and Superintendent for their commitment to strong leadership, working together, and making thoughtful decisions that support our schools and student success.
Congratulations to our Board and Dr. Thomas, and thank you for all you do for our students, staff, and families!
PCSD has earned the Georgia School Boards Association’s 2026 Exemplary Governance Team Recognition, the highest level of recognition in the program!
This honor recognizes our Board of Education and Superintendent for their commitment to strong leadership, working together, and making thoughtful decisions that support our schools and student success.
Congratulations to our Board and Dr. Thomas, and thank you for all you do for our students, staff, and families!
Congratulations to our Teachers of the Month!
Just a reminder that this Friday, October 9th, will be a Virtual Day for our district.
Its time for the October Alumni Spotlight!
This month, we are recognizing five outstanding Pickens County School District alumni who demonstrate Dependability, one of the key competencies in our Portrait of a Graduate.
Each month, we will spotlight a graduate who is enrolled, one who is enlisted, and one who is employed, as well as a current and a past PCSD employee.
We are proud to celebrate their accomplishments and share the ways their time in Pickens County Schools helped shape who they are today.
Click the link in the comments to read their stories.
This month, we are recognizing five outstanding Pickens County School District alumni who demonstrate Dependability, one of the key competencies in our Portrait of a Graduate.
Each month, we will spotlight a graduate who is enrolled, one who is enlisted, and one who is employed, as well as a current and a past PCSD employee.
We are proud to celebrate their accomplishments and share the ways their time in Pickens County Schools helped shape who they are today.
Click the link in the comments to read their stories.
Happy National Custodians Day to our PCSD Custodians!
From keeping our classrooms tidy every day to the unexpected messes, our custodians are always there to help. They make each of our six schools and the Central Office cleaner and more welcoming for students and staff, and we are very grateful for them!
Take a look at the teams behind each school, and help us thank them for all they do.
IMPORTANT GRADE RECONFIGURATION INFORMATION - As you know, PCSD is reconfiguring its grade structure in 2027-28 (next year). Parents/guardians of elementary students should go to their Parent Portal in Infinite Campus to confirm or appeal their student’s placement by October 31st. For more information, visit our website hub at: https://www.pickens.k12.ga.us/page/reconfiguration
