The Candler County SWIRL Literacy Council is asking for your help in collecting new board books to give to the younger siblings (ages 0–5) of Metter Elementary School students!
Drop off new Board Books (for babies and toddlers):
When: December 1–19
Drop-off Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Where: Candler County Board of Education Office, 210 S. College St., Metter
We’re looking for board books specifically designed for babies and toddlers — those sturdy books with thick pages that can handle lots of love and little hands.
Your donation will help promote early literacy and inspire a lifelong love of reading in our community’s youngest learners.
Metter High’s Performing Arts is bringing ancient legend to life in an epic one-act show:
“Ariadne’s Thread: A Mythic Journey”
⚔️ Heroes. Monsters. A maze of destiny.
📅 Two Nights Only: Nov. 13 & 20
🕕 Show starts at 6 PM
📍 Wilcox Auditorium (Candler County BOE)
🎟️ $10 General Admission | $5 Students
Get ready for adventure, drama, and a battle with the beast. Don't miss it!
The team pulled off a 3-2 victory over Toombs County today in Round 1 of the Middle School Playoffs! 🙌
They’re moving on to the next round—stay tuned for updates on when and who they’ll face next.
Let’s go, MMS!
Get ready to run, walk, and spread some holiday cheer while supporting a great cause! (or, if your business would like to be a sponsor, please email kgrantham@metter.org for more information!)
📅 Date: December 13, 2025
⏰ Times:
Fun Run (ages 12 & under) – 8:30 AM
5K Run/Walk – 9:00 AM
📍 Location: 49 S. Rountree Street
💵 Entry Fees:
$25 – Fun Run
$35 – 5K Run/Walk
🎅 Awards & Festive Fun:
In addition to our regular Run Awards, we’ll have special Season Spirit/Costume Awards, including:
✨ Most Decked-Out Duo
✨ Most Festive Family
✨ Santa’s Most Rockin’ Little Reindeer
✨ Cutest Christmas Canine
🏅 Come for the fun, stay for the cause!
This year’s event supports Beta Club service projects and competitions, and will also help offset medical expenses for Beta Club member Lila Ulmer as she awaits a kidney transplant.
Register BY NOVEMBER 20 here: https://runsignup.com/Race/GA/Metter/TheSantaSleigh5K2ndEdition
❤️ Let’s lace up, dress up, and make a difference together!
October 28, 6:30 - 7:30 pm, Metter High School Football Field
This is a family event with activities for children Pre-K through 5th grade.
All elementary and younger children in attendance will receive a free book and a child's ticket to the Oct 31 Tiger Football game.
Pizza and drinks will be provided by the Jay Bowen Foundation. Books provided by Farmers Furniture and the Candler County SWIRL Council.
is well on its way to reaching its $45,000 fundraising goal for this school year — but they’re not there yet!
If you haven’t had a chance to donate, there’s still time to make a difference. Every dollar helps support our students, teachers, and school community. 🧡🖤
👉 Donate easily online: https://secure.anedot.com/candler-county-education.../donate
Or,
Mail a check to: Candler Ed Foundation, P O Box 21, Metter, GA 30439
Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far — let’s keep the momentum going!
To learn more about the Education Foundation and what it does for our students:
https://www.metter.org/page/candler-county-ed-foundation
Round 1 of the GHSA Class A-D2 Softball State Playoffs kicks off Monday, October 13 at Metter High School!
🏆 The Metter Lady Tigers will take on Georgia School of Innovation and Classics (GSIC) in a doubleheader starting at 4:30 PM.
🎟️ Admission:
$13.60 per person (includes Go Fan fees)
Tickets available ONLY on GoFan (GHSA rule)
https://gofan.co/event/4955906?schoolId=GA23136
No Booster Passes accepted. GHSA passes accepted for cardholder.
🍿 Concessions:
Available for purchase using cash or credit card.
Let’s pack the stands and cheer on our Lady Tigers! 🐅💪
#TigerPride #WINatEVERYTHING
The Candler County School District is proud to announce a 96.3% graduation rate for the Class of 2025, marking an increase from last year’s rate of 94.6%.
Metter High School achieved an impressive 99.2% graduation rate, while Metter College & Career Academy posted a strong 88.6% graduation rate.
Metter High School is one of only 60 districts that recorded rates at or above 95% in Georgia. Both Metter High School and Metter College & Career Academy have graduation rates above Georgia’s state average, which is 87.2%. Georgia’s statewide graduation rate has increased by 19.8 percentage points since 2011.
In addition, 70 Technical Certificates of Credit were earned in 2025 by Senior dual enrollment students at Metter High School and Metter College & Career Academy, highlighting the district’s commitment to career readiness and providing students with valuable skills for the workforce.
“This year’s results reflect the hard work and dedication of our students, teachers, and staff,” said Dr. Bubba Longgrear, Superintendent of Candler County Schools. “We are proud of our graduates and excited to see what they accomplish next.”
The district remains committed to providing high-quality education and support to ensure that every student has the opportunity to graduate and succeed in life.
“Our district and school leaders, teachers, and staff have worked strategically on providing a supportive and safe school environment,” says Assistant Superintendent Dr. Cadeisha Cooper. “This fosters a sense of belonging and encourages students to stay in school.”
“Being the #1 educational choice for all students by providing outstanding opportunities for success is a key aspect of our strategic plan,” says Dr. Longgrear. “The hard work and commitment to being #1 are demonstrated through data like this. It also validates the fact that all stakeholders are working together for the betterment of our students.”
🏈🐅 It’s Homecoming, Tiger Fans! 🐅🏈
Join us Friday as the Metter Tigers take on the Claxton Tigers in our Homecoming Game! 🎉
📍 Location: The Jungle
🕠 Kickoff: 7:30 PM
🎟️ Admission: $10
👉 We strongly encourage purchasing prepaid GoFan tickets and having them pulled up on your phone before you reach the gate for the fastest entry.
💵 Cash gates will be available but expect slower lines.
https://gofan.co/event/3895436?schoolId=GA23136
Come out, wear your orange and black, and cheer loud for our Tigers! 🐅🧡🖤
The Candler County Board of Education is proud to provide a new AED (Automated External Defibrillator) for the Metter-Candler Recreation Department.
This life-saving device will be available during recreation and school sports, as well as at community events in the park—helping keep our athletes, families, and neighbors safe.
"We are grateful for the Board of Education's commitment to safety and for investing in resources that can make a life-saving difference in an emergency," says Superintendent Dr. Bubba Longgrear.
Pictured left to right: Recreation Director Logan McCullough; Commissioner Blake Hendrix, Commission Chair Brad Jones, Superintendent Dr. Bubba Longgrear, and K8 Nurse Brittany Hendrix
🚧 Traffic Alert 🚧
Please be aware of single lane closures on Hwy 129 South at E. Vertia Street on Thursday and Friday (9/25 & 9/26) that may affect school traffic. Allow extra time for travel, and remember to follow all traffic rules and redirections so everyone can arrive at their destination safely. 🛑🚦
Over the past decade, she has helped organize events for students and families, supported the Black Tie Tiger Club, and provided crucial input that led to the transition from Field Day to Buddy Ball and the establishment of the Best Buddies Club. She has worked closely with staff to raise awareness of family needs, helped connect families with community resources and outside agencies, guided fundraising decisions, and advocated for those less fortunate. In addition, Snelling has frequently assisted behind the scenes with event planning and even transported students on field trips to ensure they could enjoy meaningful experiences.
"Deniese has been a steady partner for families and a strong support for our district," says Christina Holland, Parent Mentor for the PEC. "We actually served on the team together as parents before I began my role at the school. Deniese was part of the original PAT team, which was created by former Parent Mentor, Carol Smith. Even back then, I could see how much heart she has for exceptional children."
Snelling's leadership, compassion, and commitment have touched the lives of many students and families in Candler County.
Pictured: (l-r) Dr. Robbie Dollar, CCSD Director of Special Education; Ms. Deniese Snelling; Ms. Christina Holland, Parent Mentor with the Program for Exceptional Children
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
The Candler County School District (CCSD) and the Candler County Sheriff’s Office remain committed to ensuring the safety of students, teachers, and staff by continuing strong partnerships through training and drills.
Throughout the year, Sheriff’s Office personnel, School Resource Officers, the Metter Fire Department, and the Candler County Emergency Management Agency work closely with school administrators to plan and conduct critical safety drills. These include monthly Fire Drills, seasonal Weather Drills, and Intruder Drills.
In compliance with House Bill 147, CCSD will conduct an Intruder Drill prior to October 1. State law also requires that at least one Intruder Drill be held each school year, although schools may choose to have additional drills.
“While these types of events are rare, our priority is to be as prepared as possible for any situation that may occur,” said CCSD Superintendent Bubba Longgrear. “The safety of our students and staff is at the center of everything we do.”
Fire and Weather Drills will be led by the Metter Fire Department, Emergency Management Agency, and School Resource Officers, while the Candler County Sheriff’s Office will conduct the Intruder Drill. Deputies have also trained CCSD staff on best practices to help protect themselves and their students in emergency situations.
Sheriff John Miles emphasized the importance of these exercises: “We want our community to know this is a drill and there is no cause for alarm. Deputies will be on campus to conduct the drill and evaluate procedures so that we are ready should a real emergency ever occur.”
In the event of an actual emergency, CCSD administrators will work in coordination with local and state emergency personnel, including the Candler County Sheriff’s Office and the Candler County Emergency Management Agency. Parents can stay informed by downloading the Candler County Schools app on iphone or android, checking the school website, following official school social media pages, and receiving phone calls/texts from the school’s automated system.
“When drills take place, our communications team will send alerts through local media, the Candler County Schools app, website, and social media, just as they would in a true emergency,” Longgrear explained. “We ask parents not to rush to the school during a drill or an actual emergency. Doing so makes it harder for officers to manage the situation safely.”
CCSD extends its appreciation to all local emergency agencies for their ongoing dedication to the safety of our schools and community.
