Kids of the Month : December : ROCKY BRANCH

Caroline Gaines (First Grade)

Favorite Ice Cream: Chocolate

Hero: Mom and Dad

Favorite Teacher: Mrs. Britt

Favorite Thing To Do: Play a game

Mia Vogel (Fourth Grade)

Favorite Ice Cream: Cookies and Cream

Hero: Anna Grace and Sarah Kate

Favorite Teacher: Ms. Whitehead and Ms. Smith

Favorite Thing To Do: Basketball

Thomas Dorris (Fifth Grade)

Favorite Ice Cream: Strawberry and Mint Chocolate Chip

Hero: Tim Tebow

Favorite Teacher: My 1st grade teacher Mrs. Luhquest

Favorite Thing To Do: Play video games



Congratulations on being chosen as the last Kid's of the Month for 2012! See you next year!

Kid of the Month: November

 ROCKY BRANCH

Jackson Memler-Jones (First Grade)

Favorite Ice Cream : Chocolate

Hero: Super Bird

Favorite Teacher: Mrs. B

Favorite Thing to Do: Draw

Charley Gaines (Second Grade)

Favorite Ice Cream : Cookies & Cream

Hero: My Friends

Favorite Teacher: Mrs. Bradshaw (My 2nd grade teacher)

Favorite Thing to Do: Play soccer and do gymnastics

Anna Pinneau (Fifth Grade)

Favorite Ice Cream : Chocolate or Vanilla

Hero: My mom or aunt

Favorite Teacher: Mrs. Dixson

Favorite Thing to Do: Trapeze, play outside, or draw

Congratulations !!

Kid of the Month : ROCKY BRANCH : October

(Waiting for Photo)

Reese Aspenwall

Favorite Ice Cream : Checkered Board

Hero : Mia

Favorite Teacher : Mrs. Julie

Favorite Thing To Do : Dance

Eleni Deaton

Favorite Ice Cream : Chocolate

Hero : Mommy and Daddy

Favorite Teacher : Ms. McGrath

Favorite Thing To Do : Drawing

(Waiting for Photo)

Max Patrick

Favorite Ice Cream : Vanilla

Hero : Batman

Favorite Teacher : Ms. Stacey

Favorite Thing To Do : Go to the REC department!

Kid of the Week: October 1st - 5th : The REC

Hannah Oliver - Kindergarten

Favorite Ice Cream : Chocolate

Hero : My Mom

Favorite Counselor : Ms. Lacey

Favorite Activity @ The REC : Arts & Crafts

Chas Calvin - First Grade

Favorite Ice Cream : Superman

Hero : My Dad

Favorite Counselor : Mr. Jerico

Favorite Activity @ The REC : Kickball

Kate Nichols - Second Grade

Favorite Ice Cream : Cookies & Cream

Hero : My dog

Favorite Counselor : Ms. Mandy

Favorite Activity @ The REC : Arts & Crafts

Afton Girtman - Third Grade

Favorite Ice Cream : Vanilla with Chocolate Syrup

Hero : My Dad

Favorite Counselor : Mr. Griffin

Favorite Activity @ The REC : Playground

Holly Peterson - Fourth Grade

Favorite Ice Cream : Birthday Cake

Hero :  My Friends

Favorite Counselor : Ms. Meg

Favorite Activity @ The REC : Playground

Ashleigh May - Fifth Grade

Favorite Ice Cream : Chocolate

Hero : My Mom

Favorite Counselor : Ms. Lacey & Ms. Polly

Favorite Activity @ The REC : Arts & Crafts

Congratulations!! You six are a joy to be around. :)

Kid of the Week : September 10th - 14th : The REC

Emmy Holt - Kindergarten

Favorite Ice Cream : Chocolate

Hero : Mom & Dad

Favorite counselor : Ms. Lacey

Favorite activity at The REC : Playground

Julia Laster - First Grade

Favorite Ice Cream : Chocolate

Hero : My Grandma

Favorite counselor : Madison

Favorite activity at The REC : Playground

Dylan Gooch - Second Grade

Favorite Ice Cream : Chocolate & Vanilla

Hero : Coach Dreeco

Favorite counselor : Matthew

Favorite activity at The REC : Sidefield

Abigail Haynie - Third Grade

Favorite Ice Cream : Cherry Vanilla

Hero : My Mom

Favorite counselor : Madison

Favorite activity at The REC : Arts & Crafts

John Tidwell - Fourth Grade

Favorite Ice Cream : Cake Batter Froyo with Gummy Bears

Hero : Rainbow Airsoft

Favorite counselor : Mr. Chris

Favorite activity at The REC : Warball

(Waiting on Photo)

Caroline Gentry - Fifth Grade

Favorite Ice Cream : Chocolate

Hero : My Dad

Favorite counselor : Ms. Meg

Favorite activity at The REC : Flubber Attack

Kid's of the Month - September : ROCKY BRANCH

 Lainey Lyle

Favorite Ice Cream : Cookies & Cream

Hero : Mom & Dad

Favorite Teacher : Mrs. Hassemer

Favorite thing to do : Draw and play

Meredith Jones

Favorite Ice Cream : Reese's

Hero : My mom

Favorite Teacher : Ms. Daisy

Favorite thing to do : Softball

Harper Ashley

Favorite Ice Cream : Reese's cup

Hero : Todd Gurly

Favorite Teacher : Mrs. Harris

Favorite thing to do : Play basketball

Congratulations to Rocky Branch's Kid's of the Month!

Kid's of the Week : September 3rd - 7th

This week we had each child fill out our questionaare as well as come up with an adjective that described them best. Each child wrote the adjectives on a sheet a paper and held them up for the camera! -- If you cannot read them, they are right under their names.

Henry Melvin - Kindergarten

(Adorable)

Favorite Ice Cream : Chocolate

Hero : Dad "His name is Mark Melvin."

Favorite Counselor : Jerico & Griffin

Favorite Activity at The REC : Playground

 Jaden Palmore - First Grade

(Honest)

Favorite Ice Cream : Vanilla

Hero : Spiderman

Favorite Counselor : Ms. Jessica

Favorite Activity at The REC : Football

Max Thebeau - Second Grade

(Funny)

Favorite Ice Cream : Vanilla

Hero : Batman

Favorite Counselor : David

Favorite Activity at The REC : Warball

Charlie Evans - Third Grade

( Fun)

Favorite Ice Cream : Mint Chocolate Chip

Hero : Dad

Favorite Counselor : Meg

Favorite Activity at The REC : Soccer

John-Thomas Rodgers - Fourth Grade

(Funny)

Favorite Ice Cream : Chocolate

Hero : My Grammy

Favorite Counselor : Jerico, Meg & Lacey

Favorite Activity at The REC : Kickball & Football

Celina Zhao - Fifth Grade

(Intelligent)

Favorite Ice Cream : "I like Red Velvet Cake."

Hero : "My two-year old sister, Lilianna. She is totally fearless."

Favorite Counselor : "I like all the counselors, but my favorite was Ms. Jessica Pluta."

Favorite Activity at The REC : "I like Jump the River the most."

Congratulations to our Kid's of the Week! Keep up the good work and we have enjoyed spending our afternoons with you!

Kid of the Week : August 27th-31st - THE REC

Avery Cate - Kindergarten

Favorite Ice Cream : Mint Chocolate Chip

Hero : Daddy - "I'm his little monkey"

Favorite Counselor : Griffin

Favorite Activity at the REC : Finger Painting

Logan Pike - First Grade

Favorite Ice Cream : Chocolate

Hero : Scooby Doo - "I'm his biggest fan"

Favorite Counselor : Chris

Favorite Activity at the REC : Playground

Jasmin Wilder - Second Grade

Favorite Ice Cream : Vanilla

Hero : Mom

Favorite Counselor : Lacey

Favorite Activity at the REC : Playground

Colby Snow - Third Grade

Favorite Ice Cream : Birthday Cake

Hero : Mom

Favorite Counselor : Madison

Favorite Activity at the REC : Football

Jayden Halsey - Fourth Grade

Favorite Ice Cream : Oreo

Hero : Mom

Favorite Counselor : Jerico

Favorite Activity at the REC : Playground

Tanner Bowers - Fifth Grade

Favorite Ice Cream : Mint Chocolate Chip

Hero : Dad

Favorite Counselor : Lacey

Favorite Activity at the REC : Capture the Flag in the Woods

Congratulations Kid's of the Week! We're glad to have you here at the REC with us!

Kid of the Month : September - ROCKY BRANCH

Every month there will be 3 kids chosen from our Afterschool Program at Rocky Branch for Kid of the Month. They will be posted on our blog monthly with a small bit about themselves as a reward for their good behavior! Check back in with us to see more updates on what the kids are doing and who is next month's Kid of the Month!

Evie Heyen
Favorite Ice Cream : Cotton Candy

Hero : Mommy

Favorite Teacher : Ms. Paige

Favorite Thing to Do : Play barbies and drink water 

Kinsey Patrick

Favorite Ice Cream : Lemon and Lime Sherbert

Hero : God

Favorite Teacher : Mrs. Patrick

Favorite Thing to Do : Horse Back Riding

Mitch Perry

Favorite Ice Cream : Rainbow Sherbert

Hero : Mark Perry (Brother)

Favorite Teacher : Mrs. Yount

Favorite Thing to Do : Bike



 Congratulations to September's Kid's of the Month! Keep up the good work!

Pre-Friday Dance Party - OCPRD Style

The Kids Had A Little Pre-Friday Fun Dance Party Today!  Enjoy!

OCPRD "What Makes You Beautiful"

OCPRD "Call Me Maybe"



MEET THE 2012-2013 AFTERSCHOOL STAFF

Jessica Tiller

Youth Program Coordinator

My name is Jessica Tiller and I am the Youth Program Coordinator for Oconee County Parks and Recreation.  I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and a Masters in Early Childhood Education, and put both of them to good use here daily!  I LOVE my job and getting to work with your children on a daily basis.  Although I have only worked here since May of 2010 in a full time position, I am no stranger to the Afterschool Program.  I was fortunate enough to be employed here straight out of high school as a counselor and was promoted to Assistant Youth Program Coordinator and worked here for several years, building many wonderful relationships with children and their parents before leaving to complete my schooling. 

OCPRD holds a very special place in my heart!  I met my husband here and now we have a son that will attend this program when he is of age!

We are looking forward to a great year in Afterschool!

Mrs. Cindy
Office Assistant/Accounts Receivable
The REC & Teen Extreme

I'm Cindy Hardigree and chances are if you've called the Rec you spoke to me. I've been here at Herman C. Michael Park for 7 years. I've lived here all my life and if I won the lottery today I'd still call Oconee County home....with a beach & mountain house to visit. I'm married to Matt Hardigree and we have 3 girls, two which had their weddings in the same year. Anna Leigh is in middle school at Malcom Bridge and enrolled in our Teen Extreme afterschool program.
I love working at The REC with Mrs. Jessica and all the counselor's who I consider my kids away from home. Many of whom I still stay connected to all these years later.
Your children are very important to me and I love seeing them every afternoon and getting their hugs and colored pages to hang on my bulletin board at my desk.

 

Madison Eason

Assistant Youth Program Coordinator - The REC

My name is Madison Eason and I am the Assistant Youth Program Coordinator for The REC. I am currently studying at UGA to get my Bachelors in Secondary English Education. I absolutely love my job. I have been with OCPRD for 2 years and hope to stay here for as long as I can! The kids brighten each and every day that I am here, and I can't imagine what my life would be like without them! I have grown and seen so many kids come through our program and had many great ties with all of them. All of these kids have taught me more than I could ever teach them! They are such a joy to be around and I am so grateful to spend my afternoons with them and our awesome counselors! We are hoping to have the best Afterschool year yet!

David Martin

Assistant Youth Program Coordinator - Teen Extreme

Hey guys! I am the Assistant Youth Program Coordinator for Teen Extreme. One of the things that I absolutely love about my life is that get to come and work at a wonderful place like the REC and Teen Extreme. Some things about me is that I LOVE sports... Playing them, watching them and even coaching them. I also love music. In fact in at very different time in my life I was a musician. I played piano and sang in choirs. I have been at the REC for about four years and haven't looked back. Every day is a different adventure and I gotta say, it's a lot of fun! I can't wait to see what these children will achieve this school year here at the REC and Teen Extreme.

Anna Cogdell
University of Georgia Child & Family Development Intern RBES Teacher Program

My name is Anna Cogdell and this is my first time working with the REC.  When searching for an internship, the REC was the first place I contacted, and I am so incredibly thankful to have been accepted here.  In my short time here, I have learned a lot and I am enjoying learning more and gaining more experience each day.  The kids here are great, and I have a blast talking and playing with them.  This is already becoming a very rewarding experience!  I am a senior at UGA majoring in Child and Family Development and I graduate in December.  I enjoy working and interacting with children and this is a great environment to learn more!  I look forward to learning more about each child.  I also look forward to helping in the development of the new Rocky Branch Teacher Program!

Kendal White
Counselor - The REC

Hey, hey! I'm Kendal White and I am an After School Counselor here at OCPRD. I am currently a student at UGA studying Recreation and Leisure Studies. Serving others, being silly, and creating smiles is what I live for. I thoroughly enjoy spontaneous dance parties, Moose Tracks ice cream, and anything outdoors. I love making memories with all the beautiful people in Afterschool and getting to know all the kids and watching them grow, learn, and express themeselves in new ways. It's a blessing to see all their personalities shine through while interacting with them.

Jerico Phillips

Counselor - The REC

I am Jerico Phillips, a senior at the University of Georgia majoring in sociology and childhood and family development. This is my second school year at OCPRD's Afterschool program and I have loved seeing the kids grow! I beleive this is the best program offered in Oconee and we truly have the best kids. While playing games and getting to know each family that comes to The REC, I myself have grown and learned many life lessons that will stay with me forever.

Meg Andrews

Counselor - The REC

My name is Meg Andrews. I began working as a counselor this past summer. This fall marks my first time working for the Afterschool program at OCPRD. I am currently a student at Gainesville State College studying Health and Physical Education.  When I walk through the doors at work I can feel that this is the right place for me.  I love working with kids, especially in a setting such as this. Through the course of the summer I have developed a special bond with each child that will last a lifetime. I LOVE working here and from what I hear, the kids LOVE me too!

 

Griffin Houlihan

Counselor - The REC

My name is Griffin Houlihan. I am currently a Freshman at Gainesville State College. I graduated from Parkview High School last year, where I participated in many after school activities including baseball, football, and also participated in mentoring elementary school children at schools in my community. I am looking forward to having a great year this year at The REC.

Lacey Wagner

Counselor - The REC

My name is Lacey Wagner. This is the second time I have worked Aftershool and I have also worked The REC's Summer Day Camp. When I was little I loved coming to The Rec department. I was one of the kids that started coming here as soon as I started Oconee County schools and Mrs. Jessica was one of my counselors. I love my job and I love that I have the chance to make a difference in a childs life. These children brighten my day every day, they teach me so much about myself and what I love to do.

Matthew Moody

Counselor - The REC

My name is Matthew Moody and I am a sophomore at Georgia College and State University. I will be a junior when I go back but plan to take a break from college to find what I really want to do. I graduated from Oconee County High School in 2010 and played basketball for the high school team. I played all sports here at the Rec. Department. My goal is to graduate from GCSU within 2 years and open up my own physical therapy office. I am hoping to have a fun time here with the Afterschool Program and learn as much as possible from these children.

Polly Terry

Counselor - The REC

My name is Polly Terry and I am an Athens native. I recently graduated from Clarke Central High School. I went to the Oconee Country Parks and Recreation Department Summer Day Camp program as a child and I loved it. When I grew up I wanted to see what the other side was like...so I did. I worked this past summer for the first time at The REC and I loved it so much I decided I wanted to stay for the Afterschool Program.
I'm in charge of the Study Program. It's only been a week but I love it so far. I've had a good deal of experience tutoring students younger than me, during high school, in things such as English, Latin and Spanish. The children I get the wonderful opportunity to work with are all so bright. I'm amazed at what they understand and how fast they learn. It's really true that you can learn just as much if not more from them as they learn from you. They surprise me every day with something new and I love getting glimpses of the awesome potential they have. The future of this group looks very bright.
In the near future I hope to be studying Linguistics and Theater, among many other things. I'm interested in so much! My dream is to eventually reside in Europe--maybe teach children English in foreign countries for a while--but I definitely want to do something that involves foreign language and helping people. If acting can also somehow fit into my life that would be amazing.

Christopher Adkins

Counselor - The REC

Hi, My name is Christopher Adkins and I am a sophomore at Gainesville State College.  I graduated from North Oconee High School in 2012.  Go Titans!  I would like to be a high school science and history teacher while also coaching football and track.  I hope to graduate from the University of Georgia within the next couple of years. Go Dawgs! I plan on having a great and fun year with the Oconee County Afterschool program!





Jeremy Malone
Counselor - The REC

My name is Jeremy Malone and I graduated with my Masters degree in Early Childhood Education from Piedmont College in 2012.  I also graduated from the University of Georgia in 2006 with a Bachelors degree in Sport Studies.  I want to teach in the upper elementary grades and also work as an assistant coach in a middle or high school sport.  While I am working with the after-school program at the Recreation Department, I am also working as a substitute teacher in the elementary schools in Oconee County in order to gain more experience in the classroom.  I love working with kids and am looking forward to an awesome year!

Kristin Smith
Counselor - RBES Teacher Program

My name is Kristen. I am a full time student at Piedmont College. I am studying Early Childhood. I came to Oconee County Parks and Recreation, because I wanted to work with kids while I am in school. When you are having a bad day a kid can always cheer you up with a smile or a crazy story. I am a counselor for the teacher program at Rocky Branch Elementary. The staff and the students are fabulous. Go Rockets!   

Sydney O'Carroll

Counselor - RBES Teacher Program

 Melissa Crawford

Counselor - Teen Extreme

My name is Melissa Crawford, and I go by Missy.  I grew up right here in Oconee County!  Currently, I attend Piedmont Collge and am majoring in Middle Grades Math and Science.  I just started this job and so far I am loving it!