Murray County Schools - Committed to Student Success... No Exceptions, No Excuses!

📣 Leadership Updates for 2025–2026 Murray County Schools is pleased to announce upcoming administrative transitions for the 2025–2026 school year. These administrative updates reflect our continued commitment to student success and the unique strength and experience these ladies will bring to each of these school communities. Please join us in celebrating the following leaders as they step into new roles: 🔹 Elizabeth Selvage will return as principal of Pleasant Valley Innovative School. With extensive experience in both middle/high school education and alternative learning environments—including a previous term as PVIS principal—Ms. Selvage is uniquely positioned to build on the innovative work already underway at Pleasant Valley and bring her passion for students and alternative education to PVIS. 🔹 Dr. Daphne Johnson will become the principal of Eton Elementary School. A seasoned elementary educator and former elementary administrator with 10 years of elementary administrative experience, Dr. Johnson brings a strong background in curriculum and leadership. She’s excited to return to her elementary school roots and get to know the students, staff, and families in our Eton community. We’re excited about the future and grateful for the dedication of these two exceptional leaders.

Yesterday, we cut the ribbon on the brand new gym and band room at Murray County High School—a space our students can be proud of for years to come. Thank you to our students, families, and staff for your patience and flexibility during construction. We're especially grateful to the Board of Education (past and present), RaLin Construction, J.W. Buckley & Associates, and our supportive community for helping make this project possible. It is a beautiful space that reflects the heart and talent of our students! 📅 Join us for a community open house on May 27 from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm.! Come walk the court, see the band room, and celebrate this exciting addition to Murray County High School.

🎉 Happy Speech-Language Pathologist Day! Today, we proudly celebrate and recognize the incredible work of our district’s Speech-Language Pathologists! These dedicated professionals help students find their voice—quite literally—by supporting speech, language, communication, and social skills that are vital for success in school and life. Please join us in showing appreciation for our amazing SLP team: 🧡 Monica Peters 🧡 Kyra Caloway 🧡 Sarah Castoro 🧡 Nathan Webb 🧡 Angeline Hill 🧡 Carolyn Reid 🧡 Whitney Lewis Thank you for making a difference in Murray County Schools! #SLPDay#YouAreMurray

Checkmate! Some of our Excel classes held their very first Chess Tournament, which was a great success! 🧠🏆 Students from Woodlawn and Eton faced off after hosting classroom tournaments at their own schools. The top two players from each grade (2nd–5th) advanced to a bracket-style tournament where strategy, focus, and fun took center stage! 👏 Congratulations to our grade-level champions: 2nd Grade – Eli Winkler (Woodlawn) 3rd Grade – Case Buckner (Eton) 4th Grade – Joacquin Ramirez (Woodlawn) 5th Grade – Van Lian (Eton) We're already planning to expand the competition next year with more elementary schools joining the fun. Way to go, students—you definitely made your move! #ExcelChess #MurrayMomentum #YouAreMurray #FutureGrandmasters #Checkmate

Follow Up Budget Meeting

📚✨ Good News Spotlight! ✨📚 We’re proud to celebrate the incredible work of some of our Murray County Schools Media Specialists! 🎉 🌟 Stacy Roland, at Bagley Middle School, was awarded the prestigious Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries Grant! What an outstanding achievement! But that’s not all... Thanks to their dedication to building strong, resource-rich libraries, Stacy, Jill, and Allison were also awarded the Marine Toys for Tots Literacy Grants in March: Jill Hensley – Coker Elementary Allison Harrison – Spring Place Elementary Stacy Roland – Bagley Middle School These grants help provide new books and resources for students and make a lasting impact on literacy across our schools. We’re grateful for the passion these educators bring to their libraries and the love of reading they inspire every day! #GoodNewsMurray #YouAreMurray #LibraryLove

2025 Cannery Schedule

We’re excited to celebrate two outstanding team members who help make Murray County Schools a great place to learn and grow! Congratulations to Branson Defoor, named Substitute of the Year, and Britany Bowen, named Permanent Employee of the Year, by our staffing partner, ESS! Thank you both for your dedication, positive impact, and the difference you make in our schools every day. We’re so proud to have you as part of our Murray family! #YouAreMurray 📸: ESS Georgia

🎉 Celebrating 50 Years of Brainpower! 🧠✨ Yesterday marked the 50th Annual District Quiz Bowl, and what a milestone it was! Our elementary schools brought their A-game in a fun, fast-paced competition celebrating knowledge, teamwork, and academic excellence. 🏆 Congratulations to the Coker Cubs, this year’s Quiz Bowl Champions! 📸 Pictured left to right: Mrs. Baldridge, Emalyn Silvers, Presley Pollard, Leah Davis, Tate Townsend, Brooks Reed, Charles Ingram, Nolan Stanley, Jalen Goble, Nicole Kinion, and Mrs. Hulett. 🎖️ Top Scorers from each school: Woodlawn – Emma Prince Chatsworth – Gracie Hawkins Northwest – Asher Smith Coker – Tate Townsend (also named Tournament MVP!) Spring Place – Pate Winkler Eton – Zoey Miles 👏 It was a close and exciting competition, with all teams performing exceptionally well. We are so proud of these brilliant young minds! A big thank you to our dedicated Gifted teachers and Mrs. Chasity Hulett for organizing this beloved event each year. Here’s to 50 more years of celebrating student success! #YouAreMurray #QuizBowl #AcademicExcellence #50thAnniversary

Ag Day 2025 Yesterday, our 4th-grade students from across the district had the opportunity to attend the annual Murray County Farm Bureau Ag Day, hosted this year at North Murray High School! This hands-on event gave students a close-up look at the many different programs and possibilities within agriculture. From livestock to equipment demonstrations to environmental practices, students got to explore it all! A huge shoutout to the amazing Ag students from Gladden Middle, Bagley Middle, Murray County High, and North Murray High who served as student leaders and guides throughout the day. Your leadership and enthusiasm helped make this experience meaningful and fun for our young learners! We also want to recognize our incredible Ag teachers who work tirelessly to grow the next generation of agricultural leaders. We’re so grateful for all you do! Thank you to the Murray County Farm Bureau for your continued partnership in planting seeds of curiosity and learning in our students! This day would not be possible without you.🌽🐄🚜 Thank you to all of our business partners! #murraycountyfarmbureau#Ag #YouAreMurray #TheSettingOfYourSuccess#AgricultureEducation#CTAE

🎉 Teacher Appreciation Week Spotlight: North Murray High, Bagley Middle, & Pleasant Valley Innovative! 🍎 Today, we're wrapping up our district-wide celebration with a huge shoutout to the passionate educators at North Murray High School, Bagley Middle School, and Pleasant Valley Innovative — home of the Mountaineers, Blazers, and Pioneers! To our Mountaineer teachers at NMHS: You climb every mountain with your students — pushing them to new heights, preparing them for what’s next, and reminding them they are capable of greatness. Thank you for the dedication and heart you bring to every lesson. To our Blazer educators at Bagley: Your energy lights a fire for learning in your students! Thank you for guiding them through the challenges of middle school with strength, empathy, and enthusiasm. You help them blaze a trail to success. To our Pioneer teachers at Pleasant Valley: Innovation starts with brave educators like you — those willing to think differently, teach creatively, and lead students into the future. Thank you for being fearless trailblazers and for helping each student find their path. Your impact is lasting, and we are so grateful for all you do! 💚 Thank you for joining us each day this week as we spotlighted every one of our incredible schools and the teachers who make Murray County such a special place to learn. #ThankATeacher #TeacherAppreciationWeek #YouAreMurray #NMHSMountaineers #BagleyBlazers #PVIpioneers

Teacher Appreciation Week Spotlight: Woodlawn, Eton & Northwest Elementary Schools! Today, we’re heading to the north end of the county to celebrate the amazing educators at Woodlawn Elementary, Eton Elementary, and Northwest Elementary — home of the Timberwolves, Eagles, and Wildcats! 🐺 To our Timberwolf teachers at Woodlawn: You lead with strength, loyalty, and heart, always putting your students first. Thank you for creating a learning environment where students feel safe, supported, and inspired to reach new heights. 🦅 To our Eagle educators at Eton: You lift your students higher every day with your encouragement, creativity, and care. Your classrooms are places of possibility, where students are empowered to believe in themselves and soar. 🐾 To our Wildcat teachers at Northwest: You show your students how to learn fiercely and love learning. Thank you for the energy, excitement, and dedication you bring to your classrooms. You help our Wildcats grow with confidence and curiosity! To every teacher in these north end schools — we see your impact, and we are thankful beyond words. 💙 Check back each day this week as we spotlight each one of our amazing schools and the teachers who make them so special! #ThankATeacher #TeacherAppreciationWeek #YouAreMurray #WLETimberwolves #EtonEagles #NWEWildcats

🎉 Teacher Appreciation Week Spotlight: Murray County High School & Gladden Middle School! 🍎 Today, we honor the dedicated educators who lead the way at Murray County High School and Gladden Middle School — home of the Indians and the Warriors! 🏹 To our Indian educators: You guide students through some of the most defining years of their lives with wisdom, patience, and unwavering support. Whether it’s helping them chase college dreams, build career skills, or grow into strong leaders — your influence lasts long after graduation. Thank you for showing our students what it means to lead with courage and purpose. ⚔️ To our Warrior teachers: Middle school is a time of big transitions — and you face each day with strength, flexibility, and compassion. You lift students up, challenge them to grow, and remind them they are capable of greatness. Thank you for standing beside them as mentors, motivators, and champions. Your passion drives success in and beyond the classroom. We are grateful for each of you! 💚 📅 Check back each day this week as we spotlight each one of our amazing schools and the teachers who make them so special! #ThankATeacher #TeacherAppreciationWeek #YouAreMurray #MCHSIndians #GladdenWarriors

🎉 Happy School Nurse Day! 🩺💙 Today, we celebrate the heart of our schools — our incredible school nurses! From managing daily health concerns to providing comfort during tough moments, our nurses go above and beyond to keep students safe, healthy, and ready to learn. Thank you for your compassion, care, and commitment. You are an essential part of our school community, and we are so grateful for all that you do! Drop a comment below to show some love for your school nurse! 👇 #SchoolNurseDay #ThankYouNurses #YouAreMurray

🎉✏️ Today we celebrated Teacher Signing Day for a special group of seniors who have committed to a future in education! These students are taking the first step toward shaping the next generation, and we couldn’t be prouder. 👩‍🏫👨‍🏫 Congratulations to our future educators: North Murray High School • Jacob Dean Ellis • Addisyn Kynlee Faulknor Murray County High School • Madison Ellis • Jessica Francisco • Kaydence Locke • Brittany Shoemaker • MaKayla Stanley Also, a special thank you to their teachers Jennifer Weaver and Beth Granger for sharing the love of education with these students. We are incredibly grateful for our continued partnership with Dalton State College, and we were honored to have Dr. Fuchko, President of Dalton State College, join us for this important milestone and to cheer on his future Roadrunners. A heartfelt thank you to Board of Education member and retired educator Mrs. Renda Baggett, who shared inspiring words with our students about the power of teaching and the difference each of them can make. We are so proud of these young leaders and excited for all that’s ahead as they prepare to #TeachinthePeach! 🍑 #gaeducatorssigningday25#gafutureeducator#CTAEdelivers#TeachinthePeach

🎉 Teacher Appreciation Week Spotlight: Spring Place Elementary & Murray County Pre-K! Today, we’re roaring with pride as we shine the spotlight on the Tigers of Spring Place Elementary and the incredible educators at Murray County Pre-K! 🐯 To our Tiger teachers: Your energy, compassion, and commitment to excellence make Spring Place a place where students feel seen, supported, and encouraged to do their best. Whether you’re guiding little hands through writing or cheering on big milestones, you do it all with heart. Thank you for helping our Tigers thrive! 🧸To our Pre-K teachers: You are the first spark in a child’s educational journey — and what a powerful spark it is. From morning songs to afternoon stories, you pour love and learning into every moment. Your patience, joy, and creativity lay the foundation for a lifetime of success. Your work matters more than words can say — and this week, we celebrate YOU. Check back each day this week as we spotlight each of our amazing schools and the teachers who make them so special! #ThankATeacher #TeacherAppreciationWeek #YouAreMurray #SpringPlaceTigers #MurrayCountyPreK

🎉 Board of Education Recognitions 🎉 At last night’s board meeting, we celebrated excellence across our district! 📝 Young Georgia Authors Writing Competition System Winners – These talented K-12 students wowed us with their creativity and passion for writing. 🏅 GADOE Recognitions Ashleigh Saenz-Orellana (MCHS) – Exemplary English Learner Kelly Page (SPES) – Exemplary ESOL Teacher 🏀 Lady Indians Basketball Team – Honored for their incredible season as STATE RUNNERS-UP! Your hard work, determination, and teamwork made our community proud. 🎓 Retiring Teachers and Staff – We also honored our dedicated retirees who have served Murray County Schools with heart and commitment. Thank you for your years of service and the lasting impact you’ve made on our students and schools. Congratulations to all of our honorees! #YouAreMurray #SettingOfYourSuccess

Teacher Appreciation Week Spotlight: Chatsworth Elementary & Coker Elementary! This week, we’re celebrating the incredible educators who shape the hearts and minds of our students — and today, we're giving a special shoutout to the Chiefs of Chatsworth Elementary and the Cubs of Coker Elementary! 👩‍🏫 To our Chiefs: You lead with heart, passion, and purpose. Your commitment to building strong foundations for every student shows in every classroom moment — from early morning greetings to the last bell of the day. Thank you for helping your students grow into confident, capable learners! 🐾 To our Cubs: Your caring spirits and boundless creativity make learning fun, meaningful, and lasting. Every day, you guide your students with kindness and encouragement — and it shows in every smile, high five, and lightbulb moment. Your impact echoes far beyond the classroom. THANK YOU for all you do to inspire, nurture, and empower our youngest learners. 💙 📅 Check back each day this week as we spotlight each one of our amazing schools and the teachers who make them so special! #ThankATeacher #TeacherAppreciationWeek #YouAreMurray #ChatsworthChiefs #CokerCubs

MCS Families - Please be aware there may be some delays with buses today due to the weather. Some buses were delayed leaving school and may be delayed dropping off. Thanks for understanding, as we work to put student safety first.

🥄✨ Happy School Lunch Hero Day! ✨🥄 Today, we proudly celebrate the incredible School Nutrition teams who fuel our students each and every day—with a smile, a warm meal, and a heart for service! From our cafeteria heroes at every Murray County school to the dedicated leaders behind the scenes, we are grateful for your tireless work and your impact on student health and success. A special shoutout to our district team: Amanda Ridley, School Nutrition Director Melissa Land, Administrative Assistant Tina Garland, Bookkeeper Natasha Cox, Nutrition Training Manager Your leadership, organization, and care keep everything running smoothly, and our students and staff are better because of YOU! Help us thank our nutrition heroes in the comments below! 🥗🥪🍎 #SchoolLunchHeroDay #YouAreMurray #MurrayEatsWell