🌧️ Rainy days ahead for the first week of school!
Make sure your Bearcats come prepared with raincoats, boots, and umbrellas to stay cozy and dry! ☔️
#FirstWeekForecast #RainyDayReady #BearcatWeather
This week, YOUR Bearcats take on the Colquitt County Packers under the lights!
Let’s pack the stands and kick off the school year the right way!
📍 Centennial Field
📅 Thursday, Aug. 7th
🕖 Kickoff at 7:00 PM
See you there!
#GoBearcats #HappyFirstWeekOfSchool #BearcatPride
BHS will implement a new attendance policy for the 25-26 school year. Please review the policy below for more information.
Minimum Attendance Requirement
Students must be present for a consistent number of class sessions to earn credit for each course. Failure to attend regularly may affect academic standing.
Unexcused Absence Rule
Students who have 10 or more unexcused absences in any course will not receive credit for that course, even if they are passing.
Students in this category will receive an Incomplete (“I”) as their course grade, and will be placed on an attendance contract for the first nine weeks of the next semester.
Attendance Contract Terms
If the student has 3 or fewer unexcused absences during the next nine weeks, the Incomplete will be removed and replaced with the earned grade and credit.
If the contract is not met, the student must complete Attendance Repair in Academic Stations or attend summer school to recover missed seat time and earn credit.
Attendance will not carry over from year to year.
Failure to resolve attendance concerns could result in an alternative placement.
Excused Absences
Excused absences include:
Personal illness
Family emergencies
Religious observances
Court appearances or government requirements
College visits (up to 3 days per year, with prior approval)
Note:
No more than 5 parent notes may be used per school semester.
Any additional absences require official documentation to be excused.
Unexcused Absences Include:
Vacations
Oversleeping
Transportation problems
Truancy or skipping school
Documentation Requirements
Notes for all absences must be submitted within 5 school days of return.
Medical documentation is required if illness-related absences exceed 7 total days.
Honor Graduate Eligibility
Students must comply with attendance expectations to be eligible for honor graduate status. Failure to meet seat time or attendance contract requirements may result in disqualification, even with a high GPA.
🎟️ Admission: 1 container of Oxi-Clean laundry detergent
Let’s pack the stands and show our Bearcat pride! 💜💛 #TheBearcatWay #FanDay2025
Bainbridge High School Principal
With 17 years of service, Christopher Bryant brings leadership and a student-first mindset to his role as Principal of Bainbridge High School. A proud graduate of Decatur County Schools himself, Bryant’s journey began at John Johnson and has taken him through West Bainbridge Elementary, Pathways, Hutto Middle, and now BHS—where he leads with purpose and heart.
As principal, Bryant is responsible for the full scope of school operations. From student achievement and instructional leadership to safety, staff supervision, and community engagement—he works daily to ensure every student is supported and prepared for life beyond high school.
Bryant’s career in education began on the field as a coach, where he discovered an enthusiasm for guiding young people. That experience, paired with time spent supporting students with exceptional needs, inspired him to pursue educational leadership. “Over time, that passion to help young people reach their full potential turned into a lifelong commitment to education and leadership,” he shares.
For Bryant, the most rewarding part of the job is watching students rise—whether it’s overcoming challenges, achieving their goals, or walking across the graduation stage with a plan for the future. He’s also quick to highlight the strong, unified team at BHS. “What makes this job so special is the great team we have at BHS. We’ve got an awesome group of people who all work toward the same goals, and we have fun doing it. Being part of a team like that makes a big difference and makes coming to work every day something I truly enjoy.”
Bryant is committed to growing as a leader, supporting his staff, and creating meaningful opportunities for students. His vision is clear, "I want Bainbridge High School to be a place where every student and staff member feels supported, challenged, and prepared for whatever comes next. Long term, I want to keep learning and growing so I can make an even bigger impact."
A Bit More About Christopher:
Hometown: Bainbridge, Georgia
Hobbies: Spending time with family, hunting, fishing, and attending BHS extracurricular events
Fun Fact: Loves playing guitar and woodworking
Favorite Book, Movie, or Song: The Greatest Generation by Tom Brokaw, Top Gun (movie), and too many favorite songs to name!
Bryant reflects, “I’m proud to work for Decatur County Schools because I’m a product of this system. I know firsthand the impact our schools and teachers can have on a student’s life. It means a lot to be able to give back to the same community that poured so much into me. Decatur County is home, and I’m proud to be part of a team that’s committed to making a difference for our kids every day.”
Thank you, Christopher, for leading with pride, purpose, and a Bearcat heart!
Planning ahead just got easier — especially when it comes to vacations. Be sure to schedule trips during student holidays because every day of learning matters and attendance is key to success!
You can also find the calendar on our website — just click the District Calendars button on the homepage at www.dcboe.com.
#BearcatPride #DecaturCountySchools #SchoolCalendar #PlanAhead #AttendanceMatters
📅 Saturday, August 2nd | ⏰ 8:30 AM
📍 Meet at the front of any Decatur County school
Come together to pray for our students, teachers, and staff as they begin a new school year. This event is organized by the Bowen Baptist Association. All are welcome to participate! 💜
#TheBearcatWay #PrayerWalk #CommunitySupport
Let’s Inspire, Influence, and Ignite — The Bearcat Way!
If your child requires medication during the school day, please stop by the nurse’s booth at Open House on Thursday, July 31 to:
▪️Sign the REQUIRED annual medication paperwork (must be completed by the child’s legal guardian)
▪️Discuss your child’s specific medication needs with the school nurse
▪️Optional: You may bring your child’s first month’s supply of medication to check in at that time
Reminder: Medications cannot be distributed at school without properly signed paperwork on file. Thank you for helping us keep your child safe and healthy!
Community partnerships like this are a powerful example of The Bearcat Way—coming together to support and invest in our students.
A big thank you to the Lions Club for your continued support of public education in Decatur County.
#Community #TheBearcatWay #DecaturCountySchools #DCBOE #BHS #Baseball
This annual conference is one of the most prestigious events for music educators in the state, bringing together leaders and innovators in music education from across Georgia.
Mr. Parker will represent Bainbridge High School and the Decatur County School System with his powerful session titled:
“Yes, They Are Just as Capable: Creating a Culture of Success Within the Second Ensemble.”
His presentation will shine a light on the importance of providing meaningful, high-quality music education to all students, not just those in top-tier ensembles. By focusing on cultivating excellence, motivation, and pride within the second ensemble, Mr. Parker advocates for a program-wide culture where every student feels valued, challenged, and capable of greatness.
This is an incredible honor and a reflection of Mr. Parker’s passion for inclusive teaching and student growth. We are proud to see him recognized at the state level and thankful for his continued commitment to excellence in music education here at Bainbridge High School.
Bearcat Football Fan Day: Join us Friday, August 1st at 6:30 PM for Bearcat Football Fan Day!
Admission: Oxi Clean Laundry Detergent
Come out and get your first look at the 2025 Bearcats under the lights! 🏈💜💛
#BearcatNation #FridayNightLights #FanDay2025
The Second Annual Bearcat Blitz was a huge success! 🎉
A heartfelt THANK YOU to our incredible community for showing up and showing out with school supplies, household goods, and endless support for the students of Decatur County Schools. 💜🐾
Your generosity is helping to prepare our kids for a strong start to the new school year, and we couldn’t have done it without each and every one of you:
📚 Bainbridge High
📚 Southern Regional Technical College
📚 Decatur County MLK Committee
📚 City of Bainbridge
📚 First Port City Bank
📚 Bank OZK
📚 Bainbridge Middle School
📚 Events and Moore (Household Supplies)
📚 First National Bank
📚 United Methodist Church
📚Heritage Foundation
📚 First Baptist Church
📚 Hutto Elementary
📚 Mt. Moriah II MB Church
📚 Jones-Wheat Primary
📚 The Vashti Center
📚 Envision Credit Union
📚 Anointed Eats & Catering
📚 Bainbridge Public Safety
📚 St. John's Episcopal Church
📚 Georgia Pines APEX Team
📚 New Beginning Learning Center
📚 Parent & Family Engagement
📚 West Bainbridge Primary
📚5 Star Credit Union
Together, we are building a stronger, better-prepared community. Here's to an amazing school year ahead! ✏️📓
#BearcatBlitz #CommunityStrong #DecaturCountyProud #BackToSchool
We’re incredibly proud to recognize these Bearcats for earning a score of 5—the highest possible—on their respective AP Exams! Their dedication, focus, and academic excellence are truly worth celebrating.
🏅 Mitchell Carter – AP Precalculus & AP U.S. Government and Politics
🏅 Henry Vanstone – AP Precalculus
A special shoutout to our graduating seniors who finished strong:
🎓 Jerilyn Effland – AP English Literature and Composition
🎓 Mason Bird – AP Precalculus
Way to go, Bearcats! You’ve set the bar high and continue to make Bainbridge High School proud!
#BearcatProud #APExcellence #BHSStrong #AcademicAchievement #GoBearcats
Freshmen (9th Graders) and Juniors (11th Graders) test for $20. ALL Sophomores (10th Graders) will test (NO SIGN UP NECESSARY)
*9th and 11th Grade Students: Sign up by scanning the QR Code or using the link below. Deadline to sign up and pay is Friday, August 22, 2025 by 3:00PM
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeUNEEPgwgPBTEeJCYKp66CyYH97sogmwVn0ZVFwYYCccZrVQ/viewform?usp=header
