Decatur County Schools
est. 1871
Welcome to the Bearcat Family!
Welcome to the Bearcat Family!
Welcome to the Bearcat Family!
Get to Know Your Admin: Dr. Larry J. Clark
Safety and Youth Development Specialist, Decatur County Schools – Central Office
With 48 years of dedicated service, Dr. Larry J. Clark supports all schools across Decatur County by serving as a sounding board for students, parents, and staff. His role centers on ensuring stakeholders feel heard, offering feedback, and guiding the district toward continued growth in safety and youth development. Throughout his career, Dr. Clark has served at Hutto, Bainbridge Middle, Jones Wheat, and Bainbridge High.
His inspiration for entering education came from a lifelong desire to teach, coach, and support youth as they face the many trials of life. “Find yourself a job you like and you will never have to work a day in your life,” Clark believes. For him, education has always been more of a passion and hobby than a job.
The most rewarding part of his career is seeing the growth and maturity of youth as they take on new challenges in their walk of life. His personal mission is to ignite, inspire, and influence students to take an active and productive role as citizens who embrace lifelong learning.
Dr. Clark proudly reflects, "This is my home and I have thoroughly enjoyed the relationships that I have built over the many years of serving and working with parents, staff and students alike. "
A Bit More About Dr. Clark:
Hometown: Bainbridge, Georgia
Hobbies: Visiting family and friends, traveling with family
Favorite Show: Fred Sanford TV series
Thank you, Dr. Clark, for your decades of leadership, service, and Bearcat pride!
Safety and Youth Development Specialist, Decatur County Schools – Central Office
With 48 years of dedicated service, Dr. Larry J. Clark supports all schools across Decatur County by serving as a sounding board for students, parents, and staff. His role centers on ensuring stakeholders feel heard, offering feedback, and guiding the district toward continued growth in safety and youth development. Throughout his career, Dr. Clark has served at Hutto, Bainbridge Middle, Jones Wheat, and Bainbridge High.
His inspiration for entering education came from a lifelong desire to teach, coach, and support youth as they face the many trials of life. “Find yourself a job you like and you will never have to work a day in your life,” Clark believes. For him, education has always been more of a passion and hobby than a job.
The most rewarding part of his career is seeing the growth and maturity of youth as they take on new challenges in their walk of life. His personal mission is to ignite, inspire, and influence students to take an active and productive role as citizens who embrace lifelong learning.
Dr. Clark proudly reflects, "This is my home and I have thoroughly enjoyed the relationships that I have built over the many years of serving and working with parents, staff and students alike. "
A Bit More About Dr. Clark:
Hometown: Bainbridge, Georgia
Hobbies: Visiting family and friends, traveling with family
Favorite Show: Fred Sanford TV series
Thank you, Dr. Clark, for your decades of leadership, service, and Bearcat pride!
Welcome to the Bearcat Family!
✨ BHS Drama Director, Mrs. Apke is representing at the South Georgia Arts Symposium! A day filled with learning new ways to grow and promote the arts, while collaborating and sharing ideas with fellow creatives. 🎭🎨🎶
#ArtsInAction #SouthGeorgiaArts #CreativeCommunity #BHSFineArts
#ArtsInAction #SouthGeorgiaArts #CreativeCommunity #BHSFineArts
🚨 Attention Parents & Guardians! 🚨
📅 Mark your calendars! PROGRESS REPORTS will be sent home on Thursday, September 11, 2025
Stay informed about your student’s progress and celebrate their hard work! 📝✨
#TheBearcatWay #ProudTraditionPromisingFuture #StayInformed #DCBOE #ProgressReports #DecaturCountySchools
📅 Mark your calendars! PROGRESS REPORTS will be sent home on Thursday, September 11, 2025
Stay informed about your student’s progress and celebrate their hard work! 📝✨
#TheBearcatWay #ProudTraditionPromisingFuture #StayInformed #DCBOE #ProgressReports #DecaturCountySchools
🌟 Classroom Spotlight: Mrs. Schaaf’s 6th Graders + Magic School Study Bot! 🌟
This week, Mrs. Schaaf’s 6th-grade class turned test review into an adventure with the Magic School Study Bot! Instead of a traditional study guide, students explored their review material in an interactive and engaging way with the help of AI.
By the end of the lesson, students weren’t just reviewing for the test—they were thinking critically, collaborating, and realizing that AI can be a creative tool for learning. Mrs. Schaaf’s classroom showed that studying doesn’t have to be stressful when you add a little ✨magic✨ to the mix!
This week, Mrs. Schaaf’s 6th-grade class turned test review into an adventure with the Magic School Study Bot! Instead of a traditional study guide, students explored their review material in an interactive and engaging way with the help of AI.
By the end of the lesson, students weren’t just reviewing for the test—they were thinking critically, collaborating, and realizing that AI can be a creative tool for learning. Mrs. Schaaf’s classroom showed that studying doesn’t have to be stressful when you add a little ✨magic✨ to the mix!
Flu Vaccine Interest Form
Deadline to submit: September 19
The Decatur County Health Department can provide Flu Clinic packets for students who are interested in receiving the flu shot at school this year.
👉 Please complete this form: https://bit.ly/BearcatFLUshot
📌 A separate form must be completed for each child in your family for whom you would like to receive the flu shot paperwork.
📷 Scan the QR code below
Deadline to submit: September 19
The Decatur County Health Department can provide Flu Clinic packets for students who are interested in receiving the flu shot at school this year.
👉 Please complete this form: https://bit.ly/BearcatFLUshot
📌 A separate form must be completed for each child in your family for whom you would like to receive the flu shot paperwork.
📷 Scan the QR code below
Bearcat Nation took over the airwaves this morning! Coach Jay Walls, head football coach of the Bainbridge Bearcats, shared his voice with our community. Thanks to Sowega Live, Southwest Georgia's favorite radio station, your LIVE and LOCAL connection, for helping spread the Bearcat spirit! GO CATS!
#Community #SOWEGALIVE #TheBearcatWay #Radio #GOCATS #Bainbridge
#Community #SOWEGALIVE #TheBearcatWay #Radio #GOCATS #Bainbridge
Join us tonight at 5:00 p.m. at 1417 Dothan Road, Bainbridge, GA 39817, for our Parent Family Engagement Training.
This is for first time volunteers or if you haven't recertified in 5 years. We will start at 5:00.
This is for first time volunteers or if you haven't recertified in 5 years. We will start at 5:00.
🥗💚 Join Our Team at Decatur County Schools!
Do you enjoy working with kids?
Want to make a difference by fueling their success every single day?
Become a Nutrition Manager — where every meal served helps build brighter futures! 🌟
Apply Online Today:
👉 https://sites.google.com/dcboe.com/dcboe-apply/home
Or Give Us a Call: 📞 229-248-2200
Do you enjoy working with kids?
Want to make a difference by fueling their success every single day?
Become a Nutrition Manager — where every meal served helps build brighter futures! 🌟
Apply Online Today:
👉 https://sites.google.com/dcboe.com/dcboe-apply/home
Or Give Us a Call: 📞 229-248-2200
BHS Drama & Thespian Troupe President, Cameron Whigham, is headed to All-State Theatre for the second year in a row!
We’re so proud of his amazing dedication and talent. Keep shining, Cameron! 🎭✨
#BHSDrama #ThespianTroupe #AllStateTheatre
We’re so proud of his amazing dedication and talent. Keep shining, Cameron! 🎭✨
#BHSDrama #ThespianTroupe #AllStateTheatre
Tomorrow is Bearcat Pride Wednesday – let’s paint the town Purple & Gold!
Show your Bearcat spirit just like Mrs. Smith’s Class at Hutto Elementary — they’re shining bright with pride! ✨
📸 We want to see YOU! Post your Purple & Gold tomorrow, tag us, and let’s fill our feeds with Bearcat Pride!
Let’s show everyone what it means to be a Bearcat.
GO CATS! 🐾💜💛
#BearcatPrideWednesdays #GoCats #DecaturCountySchools #PurpleAndGold
Show your Bearcat spirit just like Mrs. Smith’s Class at Hutto Elementary — they’re shining bright with pride! ✨
📸 We want to see YOU! Post your Purple & Gold tomorrow, tag us, and let’s fill our feeds with Bearcat Pride!
Let’s show everyone what it means to be a Bearcat.
GO CATS! 🐾💜💛
#BearcatPrideWednesdays #GoCats #DecaturCountySchools #PurpleAndGold
✨ Decatur County Schools proudly celebrates Bainbridge High School English teacher Sally Hawthorne! ✨
At the August Board of Education meeting, Ms. Hawthorne was awarded the Susan Johnson Scholarship, an honor that supports employees pursuing further education while carrying forward the legacy of Susan Johnson—who dedicated 40 years to advocating for our students and educators.
👏 Congratulations, Ms. Hawthorne, on this well-deserved achievement!
#DecaturCountySchools #TheBearcatWay #Excellence #EducationMatters #BainbridgeHigh #SusanJohnsonScholarship
At the August Board of Education meeting, Ms. Hawthorne was awarded the Susan Johnson Scholarship, an honor that supports employees pursuing further education while carrying forward the legacy of Susan Johnson—who dedicated 40 years to advocating for our students and educators.
👏 Congratulations, Ms. Hawthorne, on this well-deserved achievement!
#DecaturCountySchools #TheBearcatWay #Excellence #EducationMatters #BainbridgeHigh #SusanJohnsonScholarship
Tonight's Parent Volunteer Training has been rescheduled until Thursday, September 4, 2025 at 5:00. Sorry for the in convenience we will see everyone Thursday at 5.
Decatur County Schools is proud to opt in to the Floating Homestead Exemption (HB581) for property owners in Decatur County.
By participating in this statewide tax savings program, we have passed those savings directly to the citizens of Decatur County.
We honor the Will of the People and their vote!
🚨 GAMEDAY REMINDER – OPEN GATE SECURITY 🚨
All fans attending tonight’s Bainbridge Bearcats vs. Ware County game at Centennial Field will go through OpenGate security systems (metal detectors) at every entrance. Please arrive early and plan accordingly.
✅ Gates open at 6:00 PM
✅ Students 8th grade & below must be accompanied by an adult over 18
✅ No re-entry once you leave the stadium
✅ Clear Bag Policy enforced – no bookbags allowed
🎶 Be in your seat by 7:15 PM for a special Pre-Game Show featuring Bearcat Broadcasting, the BHS Band, BHS Cheerleaders, and Air Force JROTC!
🏈 Kickoff vs. Ware County is at 7:30 PM – let’s pack Centennial Field and cheer loud for our Bearcats! 💜💛🐾
#GoBearcats #BHSFootball #TheBearcatWay #FridayNightLights
All fans attending tonight’s Bainbridge Bearcats vs. Ware County game at Centennial Field will go through OpenGate security systems (metal detectors) at every entrance. Please arrive early and plan accordingly.
✅ Gates open at 6:00 PM
✅ Students 8th grade & below must be accompanied by an adult over 18
✅ No re-entry once you leave the stadium
✅ Clear Bag Policy enforced – no bookbags allowed
🎶 Be in your seat by 7:15 PM for a special Pre-Game Show featuring Bearcat Broadcasting, the BHS Band, BHS Cheerleaders, and Air Force JROTC!
🏈 Kickoff vs. Ware County is at 7:30 PM – let’s pack Centennial Field and cheer loud for our Bearcats! 💜💛🐾
#GoBearcats #BHSFootball #TheBearcatWay #FridayNightLights
☀️🙌 A big thank you to SunStop for partnering with Decatur County Schools in our appreciation initiative!
With your support, our educators will have a delicious and sunny way to start their day. 🌞☕
We’re so grateful for community sponsors who live The BEARCAT WAY — because THEY’RE FROM HERE! 🐾💜💛
✨ More details to come… stay tuned!
#BearcatWay #CommunityStrong #ProudTraditionPromisingFuture #SunStop #WereFromHere
With your support, our educators will have a delicious and sunny way to start their day. 🌞☕
We’re so grateful for community sponsors who live The BEARCAT WAY — because THEY’RE FROM HERE! 🐾💜💛
✨ More details to come… stay tuned!
#BearcatWay #CommunityStrong #ProudTraditionPromisingFuture #SunStop #WereFromHere
💙 Parents of children with autism — we’d love to connect with you! 💙
Decatur County Schools is hosting an Autism Parent Support Group Interest Meeting on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 6:00 PM in DCBOE Training Room 4.
This is a chance to meet other parents, share experiences, and explore ways we can support one another.
📍 Decatur County Board of Education
1417 Dothan Rd, Bainbridge, GA 39817
✨ Together, we can build a stronger community of support.
#Austism #DecaturCountySchools #Support #Community
Decatur County Schools is hosting an Autism Parent Support Group Interest Meeting on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 6:00 PM in DCBOE Training Room 4.
This is a chance to meet other parents, share experiences, and explore ways we can support one another.
📍 Decatur County Board of Education
1417 Dothan Rd, Bainbridge, GA 39817
✨ Together, we can build a stronger community of support.
#Austism #DecaturCountySchools #Support #Community
