The Georgia Charter School Commission voted to approve the Heron Bay Academy charter for opening as early as fall of 2011.  Thirty five groups applied to the commission for new charters and Heron Bay Academy was one of only seven that were approved, after a very thorough review by the State. Heron Bay Academy will be a tuition free K-8 public charter school, open to residents of Henry and Spalding Counties.  The school will be located on Highway 155 close to the main entrance of Heron Bay.  The Academy expects to serve up to 400 students in grades K-6 in its first year, and will expand to grade 8 by the third year, with an ultimate capacity of 560 students.

The Academy will have a 7 ½ hour extended day, one hour longer than traditionally required.  The school year will be extended to 192 days.

Heron Bay Academy will offer Paragon - a proprietary hands-on social studies program that incorporates literature, drama, art, music and technology while addressing unique learning styles.  In addition, foreign language will be offered beginning in kindergarten.  The school will have a uniform dress code, before and after school programs, and a personalized achievement plan for every student.

The school will be designed as a focal point of the Heron Bay community, with its theatre, library, and playgrounds accessible to the community during non-school hours.  Energy efficiency and solid environmental practices will be a key facet of the facility design, to help emphasize environmental sustainability which will be a focus at the school.  This theme will be reflected in other areas of the school, including walking and biking trails, outdoor classrooms and experiential learning.
   
The school will be governed by an independent board, and will be operated by Mosaica Education, which operates 76 charter schools in seven states, DC, and the Middle East.

Applications for enrollment are available on the school’s website: www.heronbayacademy.org.

The Georgia Charter School Commission voted today to approve the Heron Bay Academy charter for opening in fall of 2011.  Heron Bay Academy will be a free K-8 public charter school, open to residents of Henry and Spalding Counties.  The school will be located on Highway 155 close to the main entrance of Heron Bay.  The Academy expects to serve up to 400 students in grades K-6 in its first year, and will expand to grade 8 by the third year, with an ultimate capacity of 560 students.

The Academy will have a 7 ½ hour extended day, one hour longer than traditionally required.  The school year will be extended to 192 days.

Heron Bay Academy will offer Paragon - a proprietary hands-on social studies program that incorporates literature, drama, art, music and technology while addressing unique learning styles.  In addition, foreign language will be offered beginning in kindergarten.  The school will have a uniform dress code, before and after school programs, and a personalized achievement plan for every student.

The school will be designed as a focal point of the Heron Bay community, with its theatre, library, and playgrounds accessible to the community during non-school hours.  Energy efficiency and solid environmental practices will be a key facet of the facility design, to help emphasize environmental sustainability which will be a focus at the school.  This theme will be reflected in other areas of the school, including walking and biking trails, outdoor classrooms and experiential learning.
    
The school will be governed by an independent board, and will be operated by Mosaica Education, which operates 76 charter schools in seven states, DC, and the Middle East.

Applications for enrollment are available on the school’s website: www.heronbayacademy.org.

Heron Bay Golf & Country Club had the honor of being awarded 9 OBIEs at the 2009 OBIE Awards Gala, held on November 7 at the Cobb Galleria Centre.
Each year the Atlanta Sales and Marketing Council of the Home Builders Association hosts the OBIE Awards Gala to honor the best in the real estate industry. OBIE Awards began in 1980 and have grown consistently to feature more then 100 building, remodeling, marketing and personal achievement categories. The OBIE awards are the highest honor given in the Atlanta housing industry and each year the best builders, remodelers and marketing gurus submit their nominations, each hoping to take home the coveted Gold OBIE at the end of the evening.

In the Special category, Heron Bay Golf & Country Club received 3 Gold OBIES for Land Planning, Landscape Design  (Master Planned Community) and Amenity Package (500+ Units).
Heron Bay also received 6 OBIEs in the Marketing category, winning Gold OBIEs for Best Sales Center, Best Off-Site Signage, Best Website. In addition, Heron Bay was awarded Silver OBIEs for Best On-Site Signage, Best E-Marketing – Social Media Campaign and Best Marketing Campaign/Promotion – Developer.

These recent awards bring the total OBIE Award count for the Heron Bay community, since opening in 2004, to a remarkable 15 including Community of the Year for 2005. These awards are a testimonial to all of the hard work that is put into the Heron Bay community. Thank you to everyone who has worked to make Heron Bay a better and more beautiful place to live and work. Without your help and efforts these awards would not have been possible.

For the second year in a row, Heron Bay Golf and Country Club’s Goblin Gallop raised over $25,000 for the Hands of Hope Clinic, Henry County's only free medical and dental clinic. More than 300 racers participated in the sixth annual event which was held on Oct. 24. The race, which encourages runners to dress up in their Halloween costumes, included a 6K run, 1 mile Run/Walk and a Tot Trot for children ages 5 and under.
“This was the best Goblin Gallop in terms of participation in all six years of having it according to previous organizers and we are pleased with the amount of money raised in this economy where everyone is stretched to the limit,” said Linda Banks, Executive Director of the Hands of Hope Clinic.

Established in 2004 as a way to bring the community together while drawing awareness of and raising funds for the Hands of Hope Clinic, the Goblin Gallop has grown in size each year and has been hosted by Heron Bay Golf and Country Club since 2005. Last year’s Goblin Gallop attracted more than 250 participants and raised $25,000 for the clinic.

Sponsorship dollars, registration fees and raffle ticket sales all benefited the Hands of Hope Clinic, a free Christian medical clinic in Henry County. The clinic operates every Monday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at 1010 Hospital Drive on the campus of Henry Medical Center. Its commitment is to provide any resident of the county who does not qualify for Medicare or Medicaid, has no private health insurance and who cannot afford to see a doctor, with basic medical care and free medications as available. The clinic relies on help from volunteers, doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, therapists, and other various healthcare personnel and is financially supported through its volunteers and charitable donations. All monies raised during the Goblin Gallop and various raffles will support the clinic.

Heron Bay Golf & Country Club Community Association recently announced its newest inductees to its four community committees. The resident volunteer committees, which include the Positive Standards Committee, Safety/Pool Committee, Community Liaison Committee and Social Activities Committee, were initiated by the Heron Bay Community Association Board of Directors in 2003 to assist the Heron Bay Community Association Management and Board shortly after the master-planned community was formed.
“The committees that we have implemented are for the betterment of Heron Bay and the Heron Bay Community Association,” said Stacy Gooding, events coordinator and committee task leader for Heron Bay Golf & Country Club. “Each group allows us to have our eyes and ears to the ground,” added Gooding. “By having volunteers in place, it permits our homeowners to enjoy positive growth while maintaining property values.”

The Positive Standard’s Committee was created to support the covenants and guidelines within the Heron Bay Golf & Country Club community.  By providing a high level of communication within the community and offering educational community tools, the committee helps fuel positive growth as Heron Bay expands.

“These individuals work closely with their neighbors to help maintain high standards the association has set in place,” said Catherine Wright, a Heron Bay community task leader and association representative who oversees the Positive Standard’s Committee. “They monitor all of our neighborhood properties and make sure that community rules are being followed such as landscaping standards and lot modifications.”

The Safety/Pool Committee works closely to ensure community safety throughout Heron Bay, which includes three aquatic center pools, Lakefront Park, a sports field and tennis courts.  The committee investigates and suggests policies and procedures to the Heron Bay Board of Directors and Management that pertain to community safety and security.

“They let us know how we can continue to improve and also assist us with any potential community safety concerns. It’s a huge help and provides a community pulse which enables the association management staff to update the community in a timely manner,” said Wright.

The Social Activities Committee works closely with the community association to plan events throughout the year including the Annual Holiday Party, Community Wide Garage Sales, Community Pool Parties and Dive-in Movies to name a few.

“This committee allows us to enhance resident enjoyment by organizing events throughout the year,” said Gooding. “In addition to planning fun events, these members also plan various seminars that are beneficial to the community.”

The Community Liaison Committee supports all three of the committees and can address all issues and general neighborhood questions and concerns.

“They are very well versed and knowledgeable about all of our committees,” said Gooding. “This group can address community issues and concerns by using the “neighbor to neighbor approach.”

These four Heron Bay Community Association committees are just one way that Heron Bay Golf & Country Club helps distinguish themselves as one of the top master-planned communities in the greater Atlanta area.  The award winning community has a proven history of success in Henry County and metro Atlanta having been named one of the best single-family communities in the entire metropolitan area from 2005-2008.

Race at Heron Bay Golf and Country Club to benefit the Hands of Hope Clinic

Heron Bay Golf and Country Club and the Hands of Hope Clinic are looking for organizations and businesses to sponsor the Sixth Annual Goblin Gallop 6K, 1 mile Run/Walk and Tot Trot scheduled to take place at Heron Bay Golf and Country Club on October 24. The race will benefit Henry County’s Hands of Hope Clinic, Henry County’s only free medical and dental clinic.
“Sponsors allow for the Hands of Hope Clinic to continue offering free medical and dental care to those in need year after year,” said Stacy Gooding, marketing and event coordinator at Heron Bay Golf and Country Club. “The race raised a record $20,000 in 2008 and it is our hope that we will raise a record amount again for the clinic this year.”
Sponsorships are available in the following amounts.

Great Pumpkin--$2,000
Jack-O-Lantern--$1,500
Ghost Rider Sponsor--$1,000
Trick or Treat Sponsor--$500
Spooky Sponsor--$300
Goblin Ghost Runner--$20

To sponsor the Goblin Gallop or to learn more about sponsorship levels or opportunities, please call (770) 507-1344 or visit www.HeronBayInfo.com. Sponsor applications will be accepted until October 16.

Established in 2004 as a way to bring the community together while drawing awareness of and raising funds for the Hands of Hope Clinic, the Goblin Gallop has grown in size each year. The race has been hosted by Heron Bay Golf and Country Club since 2005. Last year’s run/walk attracted more than 250 participants and raised more than $20,000 for the clinic.

The Goblin Gallop is an event for every age group and includes three different races: 6K Run, 1 Mile Run/Walk and the “Tot Trot,” for kids five-years-old and under. Pre-registration is now being accepted. The cost is as follows: 6K Run - $15, Pre-registration, $20 at the door; 1 Mile Run/Walk - $10 Pre-registration, $15 at the door and “Tot Trot” ages 5 and under, 60 yards – no charge. During the Goblin Gallop, guests are encouraged to wear their favorite Halloween costumes. Prizes will be awarded to the most creative costumes. Pre-registration forms are available at www.HeronBayInfo.com. Click on the Goblin Gallop icon to access the form. Race day registration will begin at 4 p.m. with the races scheduled shortly thereafter at 5 p.m.
 
The Hands of Hope Clinic is the only free medical and dental clinic in Henry County. The clinic operates every Monday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at 1010 Hospital Drive on the campus of Henry Medical Center. Its commitment is to provide any resident of the county who does not qualify for Medicare or Medicaid, has no private health insurance and who cannot afford to see a doctor, with basic medical care and free medications as available. Hands of Hope Clinic relies on help from volunteers, doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, therapists, and other various healthcare personnel and is financially supported through its volunteers and charitable donations. All monies raised during the Goblin Gallop will support the clinic. 

CNN Money ranks Henry County 7th fastest growing job market in the nation

Henry County, Ga. ranked number seven among the top 25 counties in America for job opportunities according to a list recently compiled and released by CNN Money entitled, Where the Jobs Are.  Henry was the only county in Georgia to make the top ten on the list. Henry County’s job growth since 2000 has been above the national average. Close proximity to Atlanta employment centers and Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport add to the employment stability of the growing county. Experts agree that job growth is a key predictor of the growth of the local real estate market, a great sign for Henry County and communities like Heron Bay Golf and Country Club, the area’s top selling master-planned community.
“Job growth is one of the most critical aspects for the recovery of the housing market,” said Brian Davison, managing partner of Minerva Properties LLP, the developer of Heron Bay Golf and Country Club. “We are happy to be located in one of best job markets in the country. It is a great indicator for the future of Heron Bay.”

Many real estate and economic experts are predicting that job growth will lead to the recovery of the real estate market. Urban Land Institute’s Senior Resident Fellow, Steve Blank discussed this topic at a conference in Atlanta on July 21, 2009. Blank said that as people find stability in their employment, they will begin to participate in the real estate market, which in turn, will lead to its recovery.

Heron Bay Golf and Country Club has been the top selling community in Henry County since 2004 and has consistently ranked among the top selling single family communities in the entire metropolitan area.  The recipient of numerous awards for outstanding development practices, Heron Bay is a master-planned community featuring an aquatic center, golf course, tennis courts, Lakefront Park, extensive trail system, clubhouse and proposed charter school.

Community Spotlight

Atlanta’s Most Beautiful Master-Planned Community

Named the “Community of the Year” in 2005 by the Greater Atlanta Homebuilders Association, and awarded the 2006 Grand Award for Outstanding Development by the Georgia Urban Forest Council for their tree preservation efforts, Heron Bay Golf and Country Club, developed by Minerva Properties, is a master-planned community that is setting new standards for development in the Atlanta marketplace. Located in Locust Grove, just south of Atlanta, Heron Bay includes a variety of neighborhoods designed for every stage of life.

The community provides long-lasting benefits to homeowners through a focus on future values, architectural integrity, outstanding amenities, convenience, natural beauty and a sense of community. Heron Bay, located along the shore of the 1,100-acre Cole Reservoir, offers a full array of amenities in a resort-like setting, including a five-acre lake-front park with a pavilion, a three-pool aquatic center, tennis center, seven miles of nature and walking trails, a sports field, children’s play park, community lodge and a Canongate golf course with club, swim, tennis and grill facilities. A peaceful environment was created through the conservation of natural space, the creation of parks and walking trails and a strong focus on tree plantings and preservation. A retail center at the front of the community currently offers a bank, hair salon, pharmacy and urgent care clinic. Plans are underway for a dry cleaner and several restaurants. An on-site charter school for residents is also in the final planning and approval stage and is slated to open in the fall of 2010.

Heron Bay features a variety of housing options from top national and regional builders, including DR Horton, Pulte, Ryland, John Wieland Homes & Neighborhoods and as well as the area’s most popular custom builders. Home styles range from low-maintenance, active adult patio homes to traditional single-family homes to custom estate homes with golf or lake views. Heron Bay’s diverse selection of home styles, lot sizes and price ranges make it the ideal community for any stage of life. Visit today and experience resort-style living at its best!

GCSA Board Member Gene Eidelman and his wife, Dawn Eidelman, Ph.D., were honored recently by the Education Industry Association (EIA) when the organization presented them with its 2009 James P. Boyle Entrepreneurial Leadership Award.

The award is bestowed to individuals whose achievements in the for-profit education industry serve as a guidpost for others starting and building entrepreneurial education endeavors. The Eidelman's received the honor during EIA's 19th annual conference, held last week in New Orleans.
The Eidelmans founded Mosaica Education, Inc. in 1997 based on their shared vision of "opening portals of opportunity in public education."  Under their leadership, Mosaica has grown in 12 years to $125 million in revenues, employing more than 2,000 education professionals.  A two-time Inc. 500 winner, for four years in a row, Mosaica has been recognized by the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City as among the fastest-growing urban enterprises in the United States on the Inner City 100. 

Today, Mosaica provides a quality educational alternative for 18,000 students attending 90 schools in eight states, the District of Columbia, and the Persian Gulf country of Qatar.  Perhaps most importantly, average students at Mosaica-managed schools achieve a 34% improvement in their academic achievement.

Under the guidance of Mosaica, Atlanta Preparatory Academy (K-8), will open as a charter school in Atlanta next week.

Dr. Dawn Eidelman serves as Mosaica's Chief Education Officer, a member of its Board of Directors and President of its Paragon Division, while Gene Eidelman is Mosaica's president.

"Dawn and Gene Eidelman exemplify the spirit of James P. Boyle through their unwavering commitment to innovation in education," said Shane Hedges, president of Envision EMI, the sponsor of the James P. Boyle Entrepreneurial Award.  "The incredible breadth of Mosaica Education, Inc's successes-which have changed the lives of tens of thousands of young people-are the direct result of their dedication, vision and entrepreneurial drive.  They are an inspiration to all of us."

For more information on Atlanta Preparatory Academy and Mosaica Education, Inc. visit www.mosaicaeducation.com.

In a vote on June 30, the Griffin-Spalding school board voted to deny the charter petition for Heron Bay Academy.  The petition was also denied by the Henry Board of Education at their meeting on July 13.  The reasons cited by Griffin-Spalding include liability concerns, their unfamiliarity with overseeing a start-up charter, and concerns over budget at the district level.  The primary concern cited by Henry County was that an Intergovernmental Agreement could not move forward without the approval by Griffin-Spalding.  In spite of their vote for denial, members of both boards commented on the strength of the charter petition and noted that the school’s educational program and structure was unique, solid and unquestioned.
The founding board of Heron Bay Academy began working with community members and local school boards over two years ago.  In May 2008, Heron Bay Academy applied for a joint charter with Griffin-Spalding and Henry County School Systems.  In the fall of 2008, the charter was denied by both school boards, who focused on the perceived difficulties in resolving the cross-jurisdictional issues.  At that time, they both commented on the strength of the educational program and encouraged the school to reapply for a charter.  As a result, the Heron Bay Academy Board and all of the volunteers who are supporting the effort have remained optimistic and continued to work toward the new charter for an additional nine months, involving extensive interaction with both boards.

In May 2009, Heron Bay Academy reapplied for their charter, leading to the July 13th denial vote.  However, this will not prevent the Academy from moving forward, since it is now eligible to apply for a charter through the Georgia Charter Schools Commission.  This is a recently formed state entity that was established as an alternate authorizer - due to the extremely high number of charters that have been denied by local boards in Georgia. The charter application will be submitted to the Georgia Charter School Commission on August 1, 2009, with an answer expected by December of 2009.  

Background

Heron Bay Academy is targeted to open in the fall of 2010 as a K-6 program for students residing in Spalding and Henry Counties.  The school will be tuition-free and will expand one grade level per year up to the 8th grade.  The academy is supported by parents, community leaders, and local businesses and organizations who believe passionately in the school’s mission and the importance of quality education and school choice in Locust Grove.

Partnering with parents, Heron Bay Academy will create an ideal learning environment in which students strive for academic excellence, explore a diverse curriculum, become responsible stewards, and develop into lifelong learners.  An important component of the educational program is Paragon - an interdisciplinary, hands-on social studies curriculum incorporating the arts and humanities

Minerva Properties, the developer of Heron Bay Golf & Country Club, and Mosaica Education have a unique vision to unite the community with a neighborhood charter school designed to promote educational excellence, parental partnerships and community stewardship.  If you would like to partner with the school or join the Parent Advisory Committee, please contact Marilyn Bowman at mbowman@mosaicaeducation.com or Stacy Patton at spatton@minerva-usa.com or join us for an Update Meeting on Heron Bay Academy at the Heron Bay Lodge on August 18, at 7:00 pm.