School News

Add Reading to Summer Break Plans

BY BARBARA P. JACOBY

My childhood memories of summer break tend to run together like melted popsicles. Hearing the warping ring as my dad assembled the heavily chlorinated, aluminum pool every May. Riding my blue coaster bike to friends’ backyards or to the corner store for the aforementioned popsicles. Cooling off indoors, often under my bed, and always with a book.

We’d usually spend a week at my grandparents’ farm and a week at the YMCA testing our swimming and lanyard-making skills, but most of the summer was spent at home. That didn’t mean my mind stayed home, though. It wandered the world and through time thanks to books, some of which I was grateful to own, but most were borrowed from the library. I attribute my career and my continued reading “travels” to books and the teachers and librarians who fostered my love of words.

Our outstanding school library media specialists foster that joy in students throughout the school year, but during the summer break, we’re thankful for our partners that bridge the gap. The Sequoyah Regional Library System and our media specialists developed the EZ Access Program this school year that allows Cherokee County School District students to use their student ID number as a public library card to check out books and materials. The existing process wasn’t difficult, but this program makes it even easier for a child to check out books.

The public library collections have a wide selection of everything from picture books to chapter books, teen novels to nonfiction. As my avid reader Charlie, who’s 9, recently was delighted to learn, the public library has the “cool” books his school has, like the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” and “Captain Underpants” series, and even DVDs to borrow! So far, we’ve watched “Flushed Away” and “Haunted Mansion,” much to his delight, with many more this summer, I’m sure.

The Sequoyah Regional Library System’s summer reading program makes the experience even more fun with reading challenges and special activities. Details about this program and more are posted on the library system’s website at sequoyahregionallibrary.org.

Another outstanding summer reading option is Get Georgia Reading’s partnership with Renaissance myON. Through this program, students can read digital books and age-appropriate news articles online at no cost at renaissance. com/getgeorgiareading through July 31.

Unsure about what books your children should be reading based on their grade level? The Scholastic Book Wizard at bookwizard. scholastic.com is an awesome tool, but nothing can beat the knowledge of children’s librarians, who encourage reading during the summer, or at any time of year.

Barbara P. Jacoby serves as chief communications officer for the Cherokee County School District, and is a CCSD parent with four children.

School News

Students Graduate from Leadership Program

Ila Prabhuram of Etowah High and Fawzan Khan of Woodstock High were among 29 high school students who graduated recently from the Model Atlanta Regional Ila Prabhuram Commission (MARC) youth leadership program.

The six-month program offers students the opportunity to learn about issues affecting their region, including housing affordability, Fawzan Khan water usage and transportation options. The students had the opportunity to speak with local leaders and to offer their ideas to improve life for metro Atlanta residents.

“I commend the work and collaboration these young leaders put into the MARC program,” Kerry Armstrong, MARC board chair, said. “The insights they bring to the challenges facing our region is refreshing, and make me feel optimistic about our future.”

Etowah Principal Robert Horn congratulates future educators. From left: Olivia Tafoya, Tori Cofield, John “Duke” Jenkins, Kayla Hix, Paige Alvarez.

High Schools Celebrate Future Educators

High schools are celebrating future educators by holding “signing day” events as part of Teacher Appreciation Month to honor graduating seniors who plan to pursue careers in education. Etowah, Cherokee and Sequoyah hosted the first round of special events, with more schools to follow.

“Learning one of your students plans to be a teacher is an incredibly proud moment for an educator,” Superintendent of Schools Brian V. Hightower said. “I’m so proud of each of these students for making the decision to influence eternity by teaching the next generation. We hope to see you back in our classrooms in a few years to rejoin the Cherokee County family as a teacher. Congratulations, and thank you!”

Etowah future educators include Paige Alvarez, Valdosta State University; Tori Cofield, Kennesaw State University; Kayla Hix, University of West Georgia; John “Duke” Jenkins, Kennesaw State University; and Olivia Tafoya, Georgia Southern University.

Cherokee High future educators are Alyssa Baumaister; Caroline Burke, University of North Georgia; Adrianna Chavez; Reese Holcomb, University of North Georgia; Haley Kelley; Melanie Ramirez; Jessica Tzun and Payton Waters.

Sequoyah future educators include Fairleigh Glen, Kennesaw State University; Erin Kudla, Georgia College and State University; Valerie Martinez, Chattahoochee Technical College; and Lillyan Novak, Reinhardt University.

Mercer Places in National Photography Contest

Mill Creek Middle School eighth-grader Annie Mercer earned third place in the middle school division of the 2021 Jostens Photo Contest.

Annie’s photo, titled “2020 Be Like,” is a still life of her “quarantine survival kit” from when all schools were closed in spring 2020. Annie is a member of the school’s journalism program led by teacher Laurie Taylor.

Her award-winning photo will be featured in the Jostens Look Book 2022 and on the company’s issuu flipbook and social media.

Students Place at State Science Fair

Eight students placed first at the Fourth Annual Georgia College K-5 State Science Fair. Clark Creek Elementary STEM Academy second-grader Rishabh Pandya earned the top award of Best in Show in addition to her category’s highest honor, Best of Physical & Computational Science. Clark Creek first-grader Ananya Das earned Best of First Grade, as well as the top honor for her category, Best of Biological & Environmental Sciences.

“Congratulations to all of our state winners for their dedication to learning, research and exploring the world of science,” Superintendent of Schools Brian V. Hightower. “We’re so proud of you for your hard work and this impressive accomplishment.”

The first-place state winners are Nolan Cason, fifth grade, Hasty; Cherno Cham, third grade, Oak Grove; Ananya Das, first grade, Clark Creek; Rishabh Pandya, second grade, Clark Creek; Zavier Reinhart, fourth grade, Hasty; Evie Sickbert and Andrew Sickbert, fifth and third grade, Clark Creek; and Naomi White, fifth grade, Clark Creek.

Margaret Bradley

Emma Lambert

Holly O’Brien

Eleven Cherokee County seniors have been selected out of the 323 seniors statewide for the prestigious Georgia Scholar recognition, including Margaret Bradley, Emma Lambert and Holly O’Brien of Etowah High, and Noah Fornuto of River Ridge High. Through the Georgia Scholar program, the Georgia Department of Education identifies and honors high school seniors who exhibit excellence in all phases of school life, community activities and in the home.

The scholars from our county are: Codey Borrelli, Creekview; Margaret Bradley, Etowah; Gabriella Christian, Creekview; Mackenzie Czerner, Creekview; Brinn Dameron, Creekview; Noah Fornuto, River Ridge; William Jones, Creekview; Emma Lambert, Etowah; Randall Miller, Sequoyah; Holly O’Brien, Etowah; and Kayla Pimpleton, Cherokee.

“Congratulations to each of our Georgia Scholars! We’re so proud of each of you for your dedication to your studies, support of your school and care for your community,” Superintendent of Schools Brian V. Hightower said. “This is a milestone not only for these exceptional students, but also a testament to the excellence of our teachers and leaders and the support of our School Board.”

Oak Grove’s Polito Named Hometown Hero

Oak Grove Elementary School Assistant Principal Ashley Polito has been named a Hometown Hero award winner. The Hometown Hero program recognizes individuals that make a significant, positive impact on a local community. “Mrs. Polito goes above and beyond every day to serve the students, families, faculty and staff at Oak Grove Elementary,” Principal Penny Valle said. “She truly loves and cares about our Oak Grove community as demonstrated by her passion for student learning and her compassion for families in need. She is a ray of sunshine to everyone in her presence.”

Assistant Principal Ashley Polito holds her Hometown Hero Award.

County High Schools Make National Ranking

All six district high schools made the U.S. News & World Report’s “Best High Schools” list for 2021. Creekview led the county in the rankings at number 2,342 out of 24,000 high schools in the country and number 55 in the state. Etowah, River Ridge, Sequoyah and Woodstock also ranked in the Top 100 in Georgia of the more than 400 state high schools and fell within the top 15% nationwide.

The magazine’s prestigious list is based on factors including academic performance, college readiness, graduation rates and success of disadvantaged students. The rankings include data on nearly 24,000 public high schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia. In addition to traditional high schools, the rankings encompass charter; magnet; and science, technology, engineering and math-focused schools.