School Notebook: Henry for Music seeks donated instruments

The group’s founder, Jerry Hesselink, said the goal is to place an instrument in the hands of any student interested in learning music. He said he believes the long-term effects of the push will be increased student achievement and life-long music lovers.

Henry for Music is seeking donors of instruments. There is an immediate need at area schools for an alto saxophone, flutes and clarinets, said Hesselink, who sent out a social media call for support this week.

Citizens may donate music instruments they no longer use and the participating music shops help repair or refurbish the instruments at a discounted rate. And those instruments are paired with students in need at schools with needs.

To learn more, email henryformusic@aol.com or call 770-342-9045.

Locals earn collegiate honors

• Henry County was well-represented in summer commencement ceremonies at the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega. Local graduates include Donald Cameron Corsino of McDonough, Robert Dean Harlow of Stockbridge and Courtney Taylor Kilgore of Hampton.

Kaitlen Marie Kelly of McDonough was named to North Georgia’s summer 2016 semester President’s Honor Roll. She was recognized for earning a 4.0 grade point average while enrolled in 12 or more credit hours.

Fellow student Marissa Ramsey of Stockbridge made the university’s summer 2016 semester Dean’s Lists by achieving a 3.5 GPA, carrying 12 or more credit hours in one semester and having no grade lower than B.

• Megan Kay of the Lake Spivey community recently joined Kappa Delta sorority at Troy University in Troy, Ala.

Schools, community to honor first responders

The Henry County Schools Department of Discipline and Safety will honor first responders from across Henry County with a luncheon and program to mark the 15th anniversary of 9/11.

The luncheon was originally started six years ago by then-Eagle’s Landing Middle Principal Earlene Crump, now the district’s discipline and safety director. The program has grown in size and will now be held Friday at the Family Center behind Shiloh Baptist Church in McDonough. It begins at 11:30 a.m.

The community has rallied to support the event as evidenced by the numerous vendors contributing to assist with honoring the local heroes. Over 25 vendors are supplying food and approximately 20 vendors have contributed gifts to be given away as door prizes. Dignitaries from the state, county and city will also be on hand to honor the first responders.

Student involvement has also been a hallmark of this event. In recent years there have been color guard presentations, video tributes, and handwritten notes to those first responders attending the event.

Each event has afforded the community a chance to come together and recognize an important piece to the well-being of Henry County. The invitation to this year’s event has been extended to surrounding counties as well.

“We are so appreciative of what these brave men and women have done and continue to do for our community,” said Crump. “We thank them for their selfless efforts given each and every day to provide safety and security for the residents of Henry County.”

More than 200 individuals participated during the luncheon in 2015, and event organizers are looking for more to show this year.

One objective of the luncheon is to have a positive effect on students and their relationships with those serving our community.

“One of our goals is to maintain a safe, orderly, and supportive environment for all students,” said Crump.

“Building a safe school environment means involving the whole community in a collaborative effort to create a nurturing atmosphere, prepare for emergencies, provide activities before and after school, and increase community involvement in the school,” she continued. “We believe events such as our Heroes Luncheon will continue to embrace the ideas of citizenship and prepare our students to become the future leaders of tomorrow.”

Other upcoming events, meetings

• Henry County Schools is planning to host a Parent Involvement Conference on Saturday.

The conference, titled “Parents Investing in Their Children’s Education: ‘A Dream Team Conference,’” will be from 8 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the Academy for Advanced Studies, 401 East Tomlinson St. in McDonough. For more information, visit henry.k12.ga.us.

• The Henry County Library System Board of Trustees plans to meet Monday, at 5:30 p.m. at the George C. Alexander Building, 1001 Florence McGarity Blvd. in McDonough.

Foreign exchange programs accepting host families

Host families are needed for foreign exchange students from all over the world. Participants will learn about another culture and make a friend for life in the process. Students attend local high school for one school year, 2016-17. All students are well-screened, bring their own money and have great insurance. They will not drive or drink. For more information, call 770-477-1376 between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.