By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Board of Education adopts academic calendars
ncs
Published: Dec 26, 2024, 3:33 PM

The Newton County Board of Education approved the official school calendars for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 academic years during their monthly meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. The decision followed a comprehensive online survey in which all employees, parents, and community members were invited to provide input on three calendar options for each year. The preferred calendar set, which received 50 percent of the votes, was ultimately adopted. 


Key Dates for the 2025-2026 School Year:


First Day of School: Monday, Aug. 4, 2025

Fall Break: Oct. 13-17, 2025

Thanksgiving Break: Nov. 24-28, 2025

Winter Holiday Break: Dec. 22, 2025-January 2, 2026

Mid-Winter Break for Students: Feb. 16-17, 2026

- Feb. 16, 2026, is a holiday for teachers

- February 17, 2026, is a professional learning workday

Spring Break: April 6-10, 2026

Last Day of School for Students: Friday, May 22, 2026


Key Dates for the 2026-2027 School Year:


First Day of School: Monday, Aug. 3, 2026

Fall Break: Oct. 12-16, 2026

Thanksgiving Break: Nov. 23-27, 2026

Winter Holiday Break: Dec. 21, 2026-Jan. 1, 2027

Mid-Winter Break for Students: Feb. 15-16, 2027

- Feb. 15, 2027, is a holiday for teachers

- Feb. 16, 2027, is a professional learning workday

Spring Break: April 5-9, 2027

Last Day of School for Students: Friday, May 21, 2027


Calendar Features


Both calendars include 190 teacher days and 180 student days and feature:

- A full week for Fall Break, Thanksgiving Break, and Spring Break

- A two-week Winter Holiday Break

- Two independent learning days for students to complete assignments at home while all employees participate in professional learning


Inclement Weather Make-Up Days


To minimize disruptions caused by unforeseen closures, make-up days may be scheduled during the mid-winter break if needed.

Now that the calendars have been adopted by the Board, school administrators can set report cards and progress report dates and will add them to the calendars. These will be shared with parents upon returning from the holiday break.

“We value the input of our employees, parents, and community members as we strive to create calendars that support student learning while providing families and staff with a balanced schedule,” said Newton County Schools’ superintendent Dr. Duke Bradley III
Eastside High School announces Top 10 graduates for Class of 2025
eastside top 10
Staff Report
Published: Apr 2, 2025, 7:30 PM

Eastside High School has announced the names of the top ten graduates of the Class of 2025. Leading the way are valedictorian, Ian White, and salutatorian, Malachi Scharf. Each of the top ten graduates have exciting prospects ahead of them as they prepare for life after high school.

Eastside High School’s 2025 Top 10 Graduates are:

• Ian White—The valedictorian, Ian plans to attend college and obtain a doctorate in chemical engineering. He selected Mr. Elijah Clark as his top teacher.

• Malachi Scharf—The salutatorian, Malachi plans to major in chemical engineering at Georgia Tech. He chose Mr. Michael Poor as his favorite teacher.

ehs val and sal
Malachi Scharf (left) and Ian White (right) are Eastside High School’s 2025 Salutatorian and Valedictorian. - photo by Courtesy of Newton County School System

• Kaiden Blazina—Kaiden plans to attend Georgia College and State University to study biology with plans to become an anesthesiologist or a missionary. Kaiden selected Mrs. Haley Dawkins as his honored teacher.

• Abby Malcom—Abby will be attending Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in the fall to major in agribusiness. Her goal is to run a floral business. She selected Ms. Sara Beth Hammond as her top teacher.

• Shelby Moore—Shelby plans to attend Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College to pursue a degree in agricultural education. She selected Ms. Alisa Echols as her top teacher.

• Annalie Parker—Annalie will attend Georgia College & State University with plans to obtain a doctorate and pursue a career in the scientific field. She selected Dr. Catrina Pollard as her favorite teacher.

• Chandler Shurtz—Chandler plans to attend Georgia Tech to study industrial engineering. He selected Mrs. Kelly Elder as his honored teacher.

• Robby Thomas, Jr.—Robby will attend Georgia Tech to study aerospace engineering and astrophysics. His goal is to work for NASA. Robby chose Ms. Kayla Stoddard as his honored teacher.

• Anna Underwood—Anna is attending Georgia State Perimeter to study her core classes with plans to transfer to the University of Georgia. Her career goal is to become an elementary school teacher. She selected Mr. Eric Adams as her top teacher.

• Benjamin Weaver—Benjamin is attending Newberry College to play soccer and study in their pre-vet program before moving on to veterinary school. He selected Mr. Caleb Watson as his honored teacher