Class Act 2023–2024

CLASS ACT

Blasting Off

WITH STEM

MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

Dear CCSD Families,

We believe in the amazing potential found in each of our students. Like the rockets blasting off at Mill Creek Middle School on this magazine’s cover—the sky’s the limit!

Our role as your school district is to work with our community—parents and families, teachers and support staff, volunteers, and business and community partners—to give students the instruction and inspiration to take off to new heights. Together, we have already accomplished amazing steps in our mission, and our trajectory for this school year is aimed even higher. We’ve achieved great success, from our districtwide independent accreditation renewal to our students’ outstanding SAT and ACT scores to our successful efforts in recruiting and retaining exemplary teachers.

The year ahead offers more opportunities for achievement through every one of our 42,000 students and 6,000 employees. As you’ll read about in this magazine, we’re soaring higher through our focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) learning, but, at the same time, we’re also building a strong foundation through investment in early literacy. Our career education programs continue to flourish, such as through our new courses in aviation and cybersecurity, but, at the same time, we’re also raising the bar for academics with AP (Advancement Placement) college credit courses and the elite AP Capstone Diploma program.

We’re very proud of our Class Act magazine, now in its fourth year. All of the content comes from us, and we hope the information is useful to you now and all year. We’re grateful to Enjoy Cherokee Magazine for publishing our magazine and thankful to all the businesses that purchased advertising to pay for its printing. In addition to printing copies for all of our students’ families and our employees, Enjoy Cherokee Magazine also published a digital version available on our website at www.cherokeek12.net.

We can’t wait to see our students take flight this year!

Sincerely,

Dr. Brian V. Hightower Superintendent of Schools

About Dr. Hightower:

As Superintendent of Schools and CEO for the Cherokee County School District since February 2016, Dr. Hightower takes great pride in leading its 42,000 students and 6,000 employees in “Educating the Emerging Generation.”

For the 2023-24 school year, Dr. Hightower will serve on Georgia Governor Brian Kemp’s Superintendents Advisory Council, Cognia’s Georgia Superintendent Advisory Board, and as an oftconsulted senior leader for State Superintendent Richard Woods.

A 1983 graduate of Reinhardt College (A.A., Liberal Arts), Dr. Hightower continued his education at Kennesaw State University (B.S., Education, 7-12), North Georgia College & State University (M.Ed., Education, 7-12), Georgia State University (Ed.S., Education, 4-8) and Samford University (Ed.D., Educational Leadership).

Dr. Brian V. Hightower, Superintendent of Schools

Dr. Brian V. Hightower Superintendent of Schools

P O Box 769 Canton, GA 30169

Class Act is published annually by the Cherokee County School District’s Office of Communications

Barbara Jacoby Chief Communications Officer

Carrie McGowan Director, Strategic Planning, Community Relations and Publications

Suggestions for content can be submitted to communications@cherokeek12 .net

Thank you to Enjoy Cherokee Magazine for its assistance in producing this publication

©2023 Cherokee County School District All rights reserved . Every effort is made to ensure the contents of this publication are true and accurate Correction requests are always welcome at communications@ cherokeek12 .net .

ABOUT THE COVER

Georgia Science Teacher of the Year, Ann-Margaret Somers, assists students in launching rockets on a field behind Mill Creek Middle School. The students build, decorate and launch their spacecraft each spring in her science class.

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

Blasting Off WITH STEM

THE CHEROKEE County School District’s STEM programs have earned international recognition, as leaders look for new ways to expand student learning opportunities.

“STEM knowledge, problem solving and critical thinking are among the most in-demand skill sets in today’s workplace, and we’re dedicated to ensuring our students graduate future ready,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said. “STEM learning is important to every student no matter his or her career plan. It’s meaningful and memorable learning that can spark life-long interests and career pathways.”

The school district long has been known for its support of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) beginning with its early adoption of integrated STEM learning through the Cherokee Academies initiative. The nationally recognized program began in 2012 and currently includes STEM Academies at Ball Ground, Clark Creek,

Holly Springs, Knox and R.M. Moore Elementary Schools. Additionally, Oak Grove Elementary School is now a STEAM Academy (STEM plus integrated fine arts).

These Academies offer students not only core academics, arts and PE, but also STEM lessons integrated throughout their day as well as in standalone lab classes. Each academy has its own unique attributes, often established through partnerships with local businesses and organizations. Clark Creek additionally has earned State STEM certification–only the eleventh in Georgia to have done so at the time–in recognition for the outstanding quality of its program. The Academies serve as incubators for STEM education, with the lessons their teachers create shared districtwide to increase STEM learning in every classroom.

Over the past five years, CCSD has focused on how to ensure its investment in STEM learning continues as students advance in grade levels. While CCSD high schools have long been home to outstanding Advanced Placement (AP) college credit courses and

Mill Creek MS students build and launch rockets in eighth grade science class each spring.

CCSD is taking its commitment to STEM Instruction to new heights in 2023-24.

STEM INSTRUCTION

career electives in STEM fields, leaders were concerned about a potential middle school gap. Efforts were made to bridge any such gaps in middle schools through new class offerings, teacher professional development, additional technology equipment, collaborating with partners such as Discovery Education and Georgia Tech and offering afterschool and summer STEM programs.

This past school year, CCSD celebrated a major accomplishment in this effort: international STEM certification for 11 schools, including all middle schools, from Cognia, the international educational organization that accredits CCSD as a whole.

In addition to all of CCSD’s middle schools, Woodstock High School and R.M. Moore ES, Knox ES and Ball Ground ES STEM Academies underwent the challenging application and review process, and all received recommendations for certification approval. The school district plans to seek STEM accreditation for additional schools in the future.

To earn certification, schools must meet specific standards, such as providing students with high-quality, inquiry-based, collaborative and self-guided STEM lessons; providing teachers with ongoing STEM professional development; offering students extra-curricular STEM activities such as clubs and competitive teams; and engaging STEM related businesses as involved school partners. Significant continued on page 10

Blasting Off

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documentation is vetted and verified through in-person site visits by a Cognia review team. CCSD high school students can fill their schedule with AP college-credit STEM classes and earn college credit along with electives to earn industry certification in STEM fields, such as healthcare science courses that include real-world experience through clinical rotations at Northside Hospital Cherokee.

CCSD’s high schools prepare students to pursue STEM careers, whether they plan to enter the workforce immediately with industry certifications or to pursue

additional certifications or degrees through the military, technical colleges or universities.

The school district’s AP program has earned national recognition for its comprehensive course catalog and high passage rate, with every high school earning Georgia AP STEM and AP STEM Achievement honors. Woodstock High School additionally earned State STEM Certification for its accelerated learning opportunities.

Another important development at the high school level has been the use of Argument Driven Inquiry (ADI), a research based instructional model that increases students’ math and science knowledge while also developing writing, presentation, problem solving and critical thinking skills.

The successful program has expanded into middle schools and, last school year, CCSD was one of only 10 districts nationwide to earn the 2023 ADI Make a Change grant. The $75,000 grant will fund an expansion of CCSD’s ADI program into elementary schools to further enhance science and math instruction.

The grant will be used to fund training and materials for fourth- and fifth-grade math and science teachers to begin using the ADI instructional model. Six CCSD elementary schools piloted the ADI model last school year, and the grant will fund bringing the program to all elementary schools.

Students at Clark Creek Elementary School STEM Academy build a marble-powered computer.

More Chromebooks will be added to classrooms this year.

CCSD Expands Its Focus on LITERACY in Grades K-5

LITERACY is the foundation for learning, and the Cherokee County School District is increasing its investment.

Research known as the Science of Reading is used to guide CCSD’s elementary school reading instruction program.

A committee, made up of CCSD teachers from all grade levels and instructional leaders, met over the past year to review the current curriculum, teaching techniques and professional development for teachers. This review led to writing a comprehensive literacy plan for this school year that builds upon best practices already in place in CCSD classrooms.

Fundations phonics curriculum, which has been used in CCSD kindergarten through second grade classrooms for six years, is expanding to third grade based on the committee’s research.

Students in kindergarten through second grade focus on phonemic awareness, which is recognizing the sounds letters make together to learn how to read, pronounce and spell words. Third-graders will focus on advanced phonics and add morphology, which is learning the meaning, pronunciation and spelling of longer words by breaking them down (prefixes, suffixes, etc.).

Teachers also will use specific reading and writing strategies in second- through fifth-grade classes to support students’ literacy including vocabulary and reading comprehension.

More than 100 teachers, as well as all of CCSD’s instructional lead strategists (the teaching coach assigned to each school), have undergone the first year of LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading) training. The program will continue and expand this school year to training for all kindergarten and first-grade teachers.

Chief Academic Officer Dr. Nicole H. Holmes said parents play an important role in supporting their child’s literacy.

“Parents are encouraged to read and discuss books daily to support literacy development in our youngest students. Allowing a child to listen to a story is valuable, but when the student is encouraged to discuss the story, make predictions and connections, the student’s cognitive abilities soar,” she said.

“Parents of older students are encouraged to engage in daily conversation to help build their student’s vocabulary. A rich vocabulary supports content knowledge in all areas and word knowledge is the most effective skill for reading comprehension.”

Career Pathway Options Give CCSD

Students

38 offerings within Career Technical and Agricultural Education

THE CHEROKEE COUNTY School District’s career education program is building bright futures for students.

The school district offers an outstanding Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) program, and over the last five years it has taken important steps to improve.

“Career Pathways play an important role in our high school course offerings, as they teach students valuable job-specific skills as well as workplace and life skills useful to all of us,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said. “We greatly appreciate the numerous business and industry partners that support our programs as advisors and sponsors. We’re committed to together preparing students to help build a better future for themselves and our community through skilled professions.”

A driving force in the improvement has been participation in the Cherokee Office of Economic Development’s Cherokee County Workforce Collaborative, made up of business and industry, economic development, technical college and school leaders.

Through this collaboration, CCSD has better aligned its programs with local employer needs as well as opportunities for continuing education at technical colleges. A recent example is CCSD’s launch last school year of the Career Pathway for Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Flight Operations.

The flight program is one of two that CCSD offers at the Cherokee College & Career Academy (C3), which was established two years ago with a Pathway for Cybersecurity. Career programs offered at C3, which is housed on the ACTIVE Academies campus in Canton, are open to all CCSD high school students who choose to leave their campus to come to C3 for the electives. They can attend academic classes at their home high school in the morning or afternoon and travel, by school bus or their own vehicle, to C3 for career classes.

Another highlight of the collaboration is the development of the annual Skilled Professions Signing Day, which celebrates graduating seniors who are entering the skilled workforce. The most recent event in May celebrated 36 graduating seniors beginning careers in skilled professions.

The collaborative also led to the establishment of the statewide Georgia Be Pro Be Proud initiative. It brings a mobile classroom to high school and middle schools across Georgia, including in CCSD, to teach students about careers through hands-on activities.

CCSD offers a total of 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.

The programs offer students opportunities to learn specific job skills and overall beneficial workplace skills, as well as valuable individual industry certifications, such as Carpentry Skills Connect for Construction and Carpentry students, ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) for Automotive and Transportation students and Certified Nursing Assistant for Healthcare Science - Therapeutic Services and Patient Care.

In addition to the new programs offered at C3, the school district last school year began offering Energy and Power: Generation, Transmission and Distribution at Cherokee High School with the support of a $25,000 Workforce for Georgia Grant Program grant funded by Georgia Power and the Georgia Foundation for Public Education. Other recent program additions include two new agriculture Career Pathways at Creekview High School: Agricultural

Mechanics/Electrical Systems and Veterinary Science, which complement the popular Equine Science program.

Last school year another CCSD Career Pathway earned state industry certification. Etowah High School’s Career Pathway Construction and Carpentry program several years ago began the challenging process of earning industry certification from the Georgia Department of Education and industry affiliate Construction Ready. The certification earned last school year is valid through 2027 school year and can be extended through a re-certification process.

Certification is considered an additional “stamp of excellence” for a Career Pathway program. To earn the honor, programs must demonstrate the highest levels of excellence for curriculum and instruction; facilities and equipment; extra-curricular programs aligned with the Pathway, such as SkillsUSA for construction; and partnerships with industry professionals.

Etowah’s Construction and Carpentry program joined a growing list of state industry certified Career Pathway

continued on page 16...

Through this collaboration, CCSD has better aligned its programs with local employer needs as well as opportunities for continuing education at technical colleges. A recent example is CCSD’s launch last school year of the Career Pathway for Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Flight Operations.

continued from page 15

programs offered in CCSD, including Architectural Drawing and Design at Etowah HS and Sequoyah HS, Audio/Video Technology and Film Industry at Sequoyah HS and Automotive Technology at Cherokee HS.

CCSD’s Career Pathway programs are complemented by extra-curricular career programs that provide students with career skill competitions and leadership opportunities. Last school year, CCSD students earned top honors in state career skill competitions in fields ranging from welding to healthcare science to carpentry to architecture.

To raise awareness about its career education programs, CCSD last school year started a new campaign. Every week, a different Career Pathway was highlighted on CCSD’s website and social media. The Pathway Profile posts share information about each program, including potential industry certifications, extra-curricular opportunities, jobs the courses prepare students for, salary ranges and local and area employers. You can read them on CCSD’s website at: https:// cherokeek12net.finalsite.com/divisions/curriculuminstruction/career-technical-agricultural-education

As part of the campaign, CCSD also published its first course catalog solely focused on Career Pathways. The Focus on the Future guide was distributed to all eighth-graders to use with their parents as they review elective options for high school.

The guide also is posted on the CCSD website so all students and parents can review it. Scan the QR code to go to the booklet.

Career Pathways in CCSD High Schools

• Agricultural Mechanics

• Architectural Drawing & Design

• Audio/Video Technology & Film

• Business & Technology

• Carpentry

• Cloud Computing

• Collision Repair

• Computer Science

• Cybersecurity

• Diagnostics/Clinical Lab

• Early Childhood Care & Education

• Electrical

• Energy & Power

• Engineering & Technology

• Engineering Drafting & Design

• Equine/Veterinary Science

• Fire Services/Firefighting

• Flight Operations

• General Automotive Technology

• Graphic Design

• JROTC—Air Force

• JROTC-Army

• JROTC—Navy

• Law Enforcement Services/ Criminal Investigations

• Law Enforcement Services/ Forensic Science

• Marketing & Management

• Nutrition & Food Science

• Plant & Floral Design Systems

• Plant & Floriculture Systems

• Security & Protective Services

• Teaching as a Profession

• Therapeutic Services/ Exercise Physiology

• Therapeutic Services/ Sports Medicine

• Therapeutic Services/Patient Care

• Therapeutic Services/Allied Health & Medicine

• Unmanned Aircraft Systems

• Veterinary Science/Companion Animal Systems

• Welding

• Work Based Learning

•ALL• aboard

THE TRANSPORTATION department for the Cherokee County School District operates the community’s largest transportation fleet and carries the community’s most precious cargo.

CCSD’s 400 school bus drivers not only know best practices for operating their vehicles—which include inspections before and after every trip—but also learn first-aid, bus management and other tools for success. Students must follow the same code of conduct on school buses as they do in the classroom, and drivers study up to ensure adherence.

The state requires drivers complete 12 hours of instruction, six hours of driving without students, and six hours of driving with students; but CCSD exceeds the requirements by providing 50 hours of training. Jim Georges, the department’s executive director, is a National Association for Pupil Transportation certified director—one of only 200 nationwide.

Transportation routing staff plan and manage the 2,000 routes the drivers follow each day, which total 26,500 miles daily. Every summer, the department’s maintenance team prepares the fleet to travel 4 million miles in the coming school year. The team holds the prestigious National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Blue Seal of Excellence. To

remain ASE certified, professionals must be retested every five years.

Every bus is inspected by CCSD staff and undergoes maintenance at least once every 20 days. Additionally, each summer, state inspectors check every bus in the fleet. In the days before the start of the school year, CCSD’s school buses can be spotted on the road as drivers conduct practice routes. One practice run with their bus is required, but many drivers practice additional runs in their own vehicles.

A week before school begins, parents can find their child’s bus number and schedule on the CCSD website: www.cherokeek12.net/ divisions/school-operations/transportation.

The Versatrans My Stop Bus Tracking System allows parents to track their child’s school bus on its way to the bus stop each morning and afternoon.

CCSD Transportation offers outstanding driver and monitor job opportunities popular among parents and grandparents for their calendar, schedule and full benefits. Don’t have a commercial driver’s license for school buses? CCSD Transportation will train you to earn one! Info: https://www.cherokeek12.net/ divisions/school-operations/transportation/ join-the-transportation-team.

TRANSPORTATION TEAM Keeps the Fleet and Cargo Safe on the Road

FUTURE

CONSTRUCTION is underway on significant Cherokee County School District building projects, and support services crews stayed busy this summer with renovations.

CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

A new Cherokee High School is under construction to replace the district’s oldest facility that opened in 1956.

Planned to open in August 2026 in the RiverStone Plaza shopping district and adjacent to Teasley Middle School, the campus will include 473,761 square feet of facility space. It’s designed for 3,000 students in order to accommodate the current enrollment of 2,800 students and allow room for growth; with operating adjustments, capacity can increase to 3,700, if needed.

The campus will include 152 classrooms, a 1,000 seat auditorium, a 4,500 seat football stadium and a student parking deck among its features. Attendance boundary lines will not change; the entire enrollment will move to the new school.

Construction also is ongoing for the new Free Home Elementary School north of the existing campus. The replacement campus is needed due to the widening of Highway

20 that borders the current school. The scheduled completion date is August 2025 with the potential it could open as early as January 2025. Attendance boundary lines will not change; the entire enrollment will move to the new school.

Work is underway as well on a two-phase project to improve Creekview High School and Creekland Middle School. The first phase creates a longer queue for car rider traffic as well as more parking for student drivers. The second phase will add more classrooms and renovate some existing classrooms.

RENOVATION PROJECTS

Summer break is one of the busiest times of the year for CCSD’s Support Services facilities team. The absence of students and staff for an extended period allows for important improvements without disrupting class.

The Sequoyah High School family and consumer science lab, which offers Career Pathway Nutrition and Food Science classes, received a major update over the summer.

Crews upgraded heating ventilation and air conditioning systems including unit replacements at Arnold Mill, Carmel, Johnston, Mountain Road, R.M. Moore STEM Academy and Woodstock elementary

Architectural rendering of the front entrance for the new Cherokee High School, opening in 2026.

Renovation & construction are underway across the county to ensure a future with first class schools.

schools, as well as Sequoyah High School. Plant replacement projects were done at Hasty Elementary School Fine Arts Academy and the Woodstock High/Middle School campus. Schools are on a schedule for new paint and flooring to keep them all looking their best. This summer, repainting work was completed at Bascomb, Carmel, Hasty Fine Arts Academy and Knox STEM Academy elementary schools and at Dean Rusk and Mill Creek middle schools. Five schools gained new flooring: Carmel, Holly Springs STEM Academy, Liberty, Oak Grove STEAM Academy and R.M. Moore STEM Academy elementary schools. Other improvements included new fire alarm system installation at ACTIVE Academies and Clayton ES, intercom system replacement at Macedonia ES, cafeteria sound system replacement at Liberty ES, retaining wall replacement at Boston ES, and additional badge reader installation at the Woodstock High/Middle School campus. Support Services also continued the districtwide changeover to LED lighting systems, which reduces operating costs through decreased energy use.

There’s an App for That!

STUDENT CANVAS

This app allows your student to access CCSD’s online Learning Management System (LMS), called Canvas. Students will access assignments, submit work, and view their grades within Canvas.

PARENT CANVAS

This app allows parents to set up an account to view the academic progress of each child they have enrolled in CCSD schools. Grades are posted here, and Canvas also provides messaging capability with teachers.

PARENT SQUARE

This app provides a messaging platform for school adminstrators to parents. If you do not use the app, you can get these messages via email (or both). Some teachers also may use Parent Square.

VECTOR ALERTS

This app, formerly SafeSchools, can be used by parents and students alike and allows users to report tips to school district administration and school police about concerns, bullying, threats and other information.

LINQ CONNECT

New for 2023-24!

Online meal payments, menus and application for free/reduced price meals from CCSD School Nutrition have consolidated into ONE location with the addition of LinQ Connect.

MY STOP

Parents can track their child’s school bus using this app.

The GPS-based system shows parents the location of their child’s bus on a map of its route for 15 minutes prior to its scheduled arrival at the bus stop.

New Free Home Elementary School, opening in 2025.

Award-Winning School Nutrition Department

Serves Millions of Meals Each

Always Improving What’s on the Menu

NEW MENU ITEMS

and improved customer service are on the menu for the Cherokee County School District’s School Nutrition program.

The program, which has earned USDA and Georgia Department of Education top honors, is focused on continuous improvement while keeping costs to students and taxpayers low.

The program is self-funded through meal sales, and student meal prices are unchanged for this school year. Breakfast is $1.60 for all grades. Lunch is $2.45 for elementary school, and $2.70 for middle and high school. The high school grill line with additional entrée choices is $3.75. The price for adult visitor meals will increase slightly.

Every day, CCSD students choose from a selection of breakfast and lunch entrées—with more than 30+ different entrée choices monthly, as well as daily fresh fruit and vegetable side choices and a selection of low-fat milks and 100% fruit juices.

Year

CCSD cafeterias still serve kid favorites like pizza and chicken nuggets, but with better nutritional value. The School Nutrition program also continuously introduces new menu items vetted through student tastetests. New items often debut as part of monthly heritage month celebrations. Last school year’s new additions included Korean Beef Bowl with Egg Fried Rice, introduced during Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and Chicken Shawarma with Israeli Cucumber Salad, rolled out for Arab American Heritage Month. New recipes for this school year, kicking off in September with Hispanic Heritage Month, already are being tested.

The program is self-funded through meal sales, and student meal prices are unchanged for this school year.

CCSD also has been a front-runner in offering parents online meal menus and meal payment systems. For this school year, accessing this information will be even easier due to the adoption of a new program that provides both services and more.

The new LINQ Connect system, accessible by website and mobile app, offers these services as well as the ability to set up automatic recurring payments to meal payment accounts and apply online for free or reduced price meals. To set up an account, visit https://linqconnect.com, select Register and follow the easy steps.

Budget Gives Teacher, Support Staff Raises While Keeping Tax Rate Flat

CCSD’S outstanding reputation has been built by its exemplary teachers and support staff, and their importance is recognized in how CCSD invests taxpayer resources.

“Preparing the budget is my most important role, as it ultimately drives the success of our students,”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said. “This year’s challenge is to keep our salaries and benefits for teachers and support staff as competitive as possible to retain and recruit the best of the best for our students’ benefit. There is no better investment.”

The general fund budget, which covers day-to-day operating costs, is set at $538 Million. The total budget, which also includes construction projects like the new replacement Cherokee High School and Free Home Elementary School, debt service, other funds and a strong emergency reserve, is $832.8 Million.

The bulk of the budget is used to pay teachers and support staff. The school district is Cherokee County’s largest employer, with

5,264 full- and part-time employees and 1,000 substitute and temporary workers. The full- and part-time workforce includes 2,963 teachers, 2,097 support staff (bus drivers, school nutrition, nurses, police, technology, etc.) and 204 school administrators. The school district spends less on administration than 90% of school systems in Georgia.

The metro Atlanta job market for teachers and support staff is competitive, prompting CCSD to review all salaries and approve $20 Million in adjustments, raises and bonuses. Teachers received a $4,500 raise, as well as any annual longevity step increase for which they are eligible. Support staff received a 3% pay increase plus any steps.

In addition to competitive pay, another challenge was the state’s recent decision to increase by 67% the employer share of paying for employees’ participation in the state health benefit plan. The school district did not pass this cost on to employees. It also pays to offer benefits, such as vision, dental and investment plans.

The school district additionally invests considerably in maintaining low class sizes, a ratio that would take Cobb County, for example, $20 Million in spending to match. To learn more from CCSD’s annual Financial Facts report on its website, scan the QR code below. All CCSD financial documents, including audits and current and past budgets, can be found on its Open CCSD page at www.cherokeek12.net/open-ccsd.

MILLAGE RATE

Bridging SKILLS GAPS with Cherokee Youth

SKILLED PROFESSIONS form the backbone of our society, providing essential services that keep our communities thriving. From HVAC technicians who ensure our comfort through scorching hot summers to electricians who power our homes, these skilled professionals play a vital role in our daily lives.

The Cherokee Office of Economic Development (COED) envisions a future where the potential and opportunities of skilled professions are fully recognized and embraced. Together with the dedicated COED team, President & CEO Misti Martin leads the transformative Be Pro Be Proud Georgia initiative, driven by a mission to reshape perceptions and inspire the next generation to embark on fulfilling careers in these fields.

With an unwavering focus on empowering students, the initiative shines a light on the crucial role skilled professionals play in businesses, schools, hospitals, and workplaces. Be Pro Be Proud Georgia is committed to equipping students with the necessary knowledge and resources to explore these career paths with enthusiasm and embrace the numerous possibilities available.

Students and parents often ask whether skilled professionals can earn a decent living without a college degree. She has a ready answer for those questions too. “In the Atlanta area, the top ten percent of earners in plumbing make more than $80,000 a year,” says Martin. “The top ten percent of diesel technicians earn almost $75,000 a year, automation and robotics professionals earn more than $85,000, linemen more than $100,000, and computer programmers more than $130,000 a year.

So yes, these jobs pay very well.” The Be Pro Be Proud Georgia website (www.BeProBeProudGA.org) showcases salary/wage information for these and other high-demand skilled professions with ten percent or more growth potential over the next five years.

As COED works with business and industry leaders to build a local workforce ready and able to support the continued growth of Cherokee

County, the Be Pro Be Proud program promotes the critical importance of skilled professions and attracts young people to them.

Created in Arkansas in 2016 with the expectation that the program could be duplicated in other states, Be Pro Be Proud links students with local industries, employers, and training. Misti and the COED team were integral in bringing the program to Georgia.

The centerpiece of the program is a Mobile Workshop that showcases numerous technical professions through simulators and gamified stations that appeal directly to students who prefer hands-on learning.

"We initially launched Be Pro Be Proud Georgia in Cherokee County with the goal of providing assistance and support to the local business community and neighboring counties in metro Atlanta," explains Misti. "However, as we delved deeper into our mission, we recognized a critical need to extend the reach of this initiative to economic development peers across the entire state of Georgia." To date more than 43,000 students have toured the Be Pro Be Proud Mobile Workshop.

Annie Axelsson, one of the students at River Ridge to tour the Mobile Workshop, says she learned a great deal, which is what sponsors hope will be the case with every student. “Be Pro Be Proud was an extremely valuable experience for me,” Annie says. “It opened my eyes to all the careers available in the skilled workforce and showed me that I don’t have to go to a prestigious college to be successful in life.”

In addition to the students who are embracing the program, area businesses have also gotten onboard. Be Pro Be Proud counts among its partners Construction Ready, Wellstar Health System, Georgia Power, Universal Alloy Corporation, United Federal Logistics, Vermeer Southeast and Cherokee By Choice, a public-private partnership among COED and local businesses that provided seed money to bring

To date more than

43,000 students

have toured the Be Pro Be Proud mobile workshop.

the program to Cherokee County. Other partners include economic development organizations, technical colleges and select regional boards of WorkSource Georgia. Tony Bacos, Chief Digital Officer at Frontdoor Inc., stressed the importance of industry support for programs like Be Pro Be Proud. He said, "It is the right thing to do for our country –to develop new career opportunities for the young, women, military veterans, and the underrepresented to address the substantial skills gap."

Employers are struggling to attract enough skilled workers into high-demand industry sectors, and the problem is expected to worsen as retirements outpace recruitment efforts by two-thirds. “The skills gap isn’t just a Georgia problem; it’s a national problem, and it is widening,” explains Martin. “Right now, seventy-two percent of skilled trade workers are forty-five and older, edging toward retirement. More than eighty-two percent of manufacturers report a shortage in skilled production workers. Clearly there is opportunity out there, more than ever.” Students who want to learn more can visit the Be Pro Be Proud Georgia website and “Join the Movement” to be connected with training and job opportunities.

Cherokee County high school seniors can also sign up now to be honored at the 2024 Skilled Professions Signing Day, an event organized by the Cherokee Office of Economic Development, Be Pro Be Proud Georgia, Cherokee County School District, and Chattahoochee Technical College. This special occasion, held in early May at The Circuit Woodstock, not only showcases the impact of Be Pro Be Proud but also celebrates the next generation of skilled professions.

QUALITY LEADERSHIP

The Cherokee County School Board is recognized statewide for its exemplary leadership and governance.

WINNER of the Georgia School Boards Association Governance Team of the Year award, the School Board is made up of six members elected by specific voting districts and a chair who is elected countywide.

The board holds monthly public meetings to handle business such as approving policy changes, the budget, significant expenditures like construction projects and curriculum adoption.

School Board Chair Kyla Cromer, who lives in BridgeMill, is a former elementary school teacher and learning center director who served as a school, county and state PTA leader before beginning her service on the School Board. She now is in her 10th year on the School Board and her seventh year as the countywide-elected Chair. Both of her daughters are CCSD graduates.

Vice Chair Robert Rechsteiner of southwest Cherokee, known by his nickname Rick Steiner from his professional wrestling career, has served for 18 years on the School Board. A realtor and longtime youth sports volunteer and supporter, he is elected by

District 4, which includes Etowah High School and southwest Cherokee. His three sons are CCSD graduates.

Kelly Poole of BridgeMill, who is elected by District 1 which includes Holly Springs and the Sixes community, is an accountant with experience in government and nonprofits and their audits and joined the School Board in 2015 to expand upon her longtime service to local schools through the PTA. Her daughter and son are CCSD graduates.

Patsy Jordan of the Yellow Creek community has been a part of CCSD all of her life and most of her career, which included serving as a school custodian, school bus driver and teacher, for which she earned the honor of Teacher of the Year. After retiring, Ms. Jordan continued to serve by joining the School Board in 2012. She is elected by District 2, which includes Creekview High School and northeast Cherokee.

John Harmon built upon his service to youth through coaching baseball and basketball and serving on the Hickory Flat ES School Council by joining the School Board in 2014. A Hickory Flat businessman, Mr. Harmon is elected by District 3 that includes River Ridge High School, Sequoyah High School and

The Cherokee

County Board of Education is made up of seven elected officials, LEADERS WHO CARE about the 42,000 students who walk the 40 school campuses across the county.

southeast Cherokee. He and his wife share five children, two are CCSD students and one is a recent graduate.

Erin Ragsdale of Towne Lake joined the School Board in January, bringing to the role experience as a teacher, speech language pathologist and school and community volunteer. She is elected by District 4, which includes Etowah and Woodstock High Schools, Towne Lake and downtown Woodstock. Both of her children are CCSD students.

District 6 member Dr. Susan Padgett-Harrison of Canton, who took office in January, served as an educator with CCSD for 30 years in roles including teacher, assistant principal, Cherokee High School principal and district curriculum supervisor and assessment director. An adjunct Kennesaw State University professor and longtime community volunteer, her family includes three CCSD graduates, including two who now serve as CCSD educators, and 12 grandchildren.

Upgrading Infrastructure, Adding More Computers Are Priorities for 2023-24

KNOWN NATIONALLY

as a leader in instructional technology, CCSD is expanding opportunities for high-tech student learning.

CCSD is beginning a multi-year initiative to add thousands of laptop computers to classrooms districtwide. The initiative will improve CCSD’s current 2:1 student-to-classroom device ratio to a 1:1 ratio.

“We believe in the mindset that ‘technology will never replace great teachers, but in the hands of great teachers, it’s transformational,’"

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said, citing educator and author George Couros. “We don’t want our teachers’ success to be limited because there are too few laptops for their classroom. This is an investment our teachers have requested to help them succeed.”

The district’s Technology division this past school year began installing significant infrastructure upgrades on campuses to improve network service

and allow for the addition of more internet connected devices.

The first phase of purchasing additional computers is focused on middle and high schools, with elementary school purchases to follow. Various projects to improve specific instructional programs’ technology systems also are underway or planned, such as the recent upgrade of all CCSD high school Career Pathway audio video and film classrooms.

Along with providing more devices, CCSD’s Technology division is increasing professional development opportunities for teachers to learn how to better leverage these additional computers for teaching and learning. CCSD’s successful ConnectED YOUniversity allows teachers and support staff to enroll year-round in courses designed to improve their technical abilities.

While better internet access, devices and teacher training are the technology improvements most

noticed by students and parents, significant work is ongoing behind the scenes to use technology for the betterment of the school district as a whole.

“We believe in the mindset that ‘technology will never replace great teachers, but in the hands of great teachers, it’s transformational.’”

—Superintendent of Schools

Dr. Brian V. Hightower

The district has adopted a comprehensive technology business plan to identify solutions to improve operations, reduce costs and enhance services.

A major change currently under development is CCSD’s adoption of a new student information system, which in addition to significantly improving how teachers and staff can access and use information, will provide parents with better access to their students’ academic and attendance records.

SCHOOLS of ENGAGEMENT

PTA, VILLA AND PARENT UNIVERSITY OFFER MANY WAYS TO GET PLUGGED INTO SCHOOLS

The Cherokee County School District offers many ways for parents to become more engaged in their community’s schools.

JOIN THE PTA

The PTA is CCSD’s oldest and strongest partner thanks to its focus on supporting students, teachers and staff and school communities.

Every CCSD school is served by a PTA unit made up of parents, teachers and staff and supported by local businesses. These dedicated volunteers give their time, talent and treasure to support schools through volunteering, fundraising, organizing special events like the annual Reflections fine art contest for students, and advocating on behalf of public education.

The PTA is a separate organization from CCSD, with its own governance and accountability measures. Info https://cherokeecountycouncil. memberhub.com/. Every CCSD school website also includes information about its PTA unit and how to join.

ATTEND PARENT UNIVERSITY

CCSD’s Parent University is a collaboration between the school

district and PTA with support from business and community partners.

The program provides the opportunity for parents to attend free classes on topics designed to help their children be academically and socially and emotionally successful. Past sessions have included topics such as mental health awareness and community resources and internet safety and cyberbullying.

Details about upcoming sessions will be posted on CCSD’s website and included in the CCSD Connections monthly parent e-newsletter.

APPLY FOR THE VILLA PROGRAM

The award-winning VILLA (Volunteer Instructional Leadership Learning Academy) program offers parents the opportunity to learn about CCSD and how to be more involved in its future success.

The free program includes one session per week for six weeks in the fall. Participants learn from School Board members, the Superintendent of Schools and his senior staff about CCSD’s governance model and CCSD day-to-day operations. Every aspect of operations is covered: from

budgeting to employee recruitment to standards for teaching and learning. Associated costs for the program are sponsored by Credit Union of Georgia, a CCSD Partner.

An application process is used; parents who already volunteer with their school PTA are ideal applicants. The application is posted at the start of the school year on the CCSD website and included in CCSD Connections.

VILLA class members learn about the challenges of school transportation at the CCSD bus facility in Woodstock.

VILLA participants learn all about the inner workings of CCSD—from the boardroom to the school bus.

READY TO RESPOND

The Cherokee County School District Police Department holds the state’s highest recognition for excellence, with plans to raise the bar higher.

CCSD’S POLICE DEPARTMENT,

led by Chief Buster Cushing, is one of only five school police departments in the state to earn certification from the Joint Review Committee of the State of Georgia Law Enforcement Certification Program. This is the highest level of state accreditation that local law enforcement agencies can earn, and honors exemplary leadership, procedures and training. CCSD’s police officers all are Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Council certified and deputized by the Cherokee County Sheriff. The department grew last school year with the introduction of a team of officers focused solely on elementary schools. In addition to at least one officer being stationed at every middle and high school who additionally supports the zone’s elementary schools, eight elementary school officers have been added to each focus on three elementary schools in the same geographic area.

This school year, the department is embarking on a project to enhance safety systems. The Centegix alert badge system now in place in all CCSD middle and high schools will be

added to all elementary schools, which currently are served by a panic button system, with installation to be completed as soon as January. The Centegix system provides a badge to every employee that they can use to trigger various alarms and 911 alerts based on the level of emergency.

The Centegix expansion also will include the installation of its visitor management system, which was piloted this school year to determine how to better screen adults coming into the school. This system will check visitors for active arrest warrants and provide a uniform way to track visitors, including scanning sex offender registries.

CCSD also is developing a plan to install new security window film at schools as a potential additional safety measure.

CCSD will continue to use the Vector Alert (formerly SafeSchools Alert) system, which allows students, parents, school staff and everyone in the community to anonymously report safety concerns by text, email, online message, phone call or through a smartphone app.

The system can be used to report information about threats to school safety, bullying, harassment, drugs, vandalism or any other safety issue, including to report if you believe a student is experiencing a mental health or emotional crisis.

CCSD Police Chief Buster Cushing, center facing, listens along with CCSD officers to a multi-agency training debrief outside Teasley Middle School where law enforcement, fire and EMS trained on emergency response drills for a week in June.

CCSD School Police and School Operations administrators are notified of every tip, so they can investigate and take appropriate action. This system is closely monitored, but does not replace 911. If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911.

Vector Alert App

1. By Phone .............................. 470.315.9171

2. By Text ................................ 470.315.9171

3. By Email .......................... 1695@alert1.us

4. By Online message: https://Cherokee-GA.SafeSchoolsAlert.com

5. By Mobile App

Download the Vector Alert app for free from the iPhone App Store and Google Play for Android phones. The first time you open the app after downloading, you’ll need to enter 1695 for the ID and confirm your District is the Cherokee County School District.

doesn’t stop when the bell rings for the Cherokee County School District, where students can choose from numerous extra-curricular activities.

After-school clubs are offered at all CCSD schools, with opportunities beginning in fourth grade. These student-driven clubs vary by school and includes choices for academics, arts, athletics, friendship, hobbies and more. Elementary schools also offer districtwide academic competition teams such as academic bowl and Science Olympiad. Every school website includes a list of clubs and teams with the names of teacher sponsors.

The elementary school After School Program offers enrichment opportunities for students and support for working parents. For the low fee of $12 per child per day, students can stay after school until as late as 6 p.m. Optional classes, which vary by school based on vendors and range from music to martial arts, also are available.

Schools Have Lots to Offer When the School Day Ends

Middle schools complement their numerous clubs, both beforeand after-school choices, with a districtwide intramural basketball program for seventh- and eighth-grade boys and girls teams.

At the high school level, the number of student-driven clubs increases, and students can compete in Georgia High Schools Association athletics and activities. CCSD’s traditional high schools boast a lengthy list of choices, with new offerings, like e-sports and flag football, regularly added. These sports and activities, with coaches’ names and tryout information, are detailed on school websites.

Leadership and service opportunities abound at all grade levels, and the pinnacle of these programs is CCSD’s Student Advisor and Student Delegates to the School Board.

Since 2000, the School Board has invited an outstanding high school senior to serve a one-year term as its Student Advisor; the program expanded to include a senior Student Delegate from each high school. The

Advisor role rotates among CCSD’s high schools.

The Delegates attend all School Board meetings as student representatives, and throughout the year meet in work sessions with the Superintendent’s senior staff to advise them on important issues, ranging from the code of conduct to School Nutrition menus.

Each school determines its own selection process; students interested in the opportunity are encouraged to speak with their principal.

CCSD

PARTNER ENGAGEMENT is an important initiative for CCSD, and is a focus of the Blueprint five-year strategic plan and critical to the success of numerous programs, especially the Career, Technical and Agricultural Education classes and extra-curriculars in all high schools.

“We’re creating community. It’s a ‘we’ game—it isn’t an ‘I’ game—and we deeply appreciate our partners,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said. “From my first days as a teacher and coach, I’ve seen the positive difference made by caring volunteers and partners. The time, treasure and talent our partners share are valuable to us beyond measure.”

The long-standing Partners in Education program established by the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce has been complemented by additional efforts by CCSD to encourage more partner involvement.

The school district now annually surveys all schools to determine specific ways partners can support students and staff through donations of “time, talent and treasure.” This information has been incorporated into the School Partnerships page on CCSD’s website at www.cherokeek12.net/partners, which also highlights all current school partners and easy steps on how to become a partner.

The Cherokee County School District is supported by a STRONG NETWORK of business and community partners.

In addition to the Partners in Education program, which is open to Chamber of Commerce members, CCSD offers Companies That Care, a similar program for non-Chamber members. Partnership agreement forms for both are simple to complete and outline how the business or organization will support the school, and how the school will facilitate that involvement and thank the partner.

In addition to opportunities for recognition on school campuses and school and the CCSD website, the school district presents a Partner of the Year and Volunteer of the Year awards program every year. Through this recognition program, sponsored by the Cherokee County Educational Foundation, each school selects its own Partner of the Year and Volunteer of the Year, all of which are celebrated at the CCSD event—that concludes with the surprise presentation of the CCSD Partner of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.

The Rotary Club of Woodstock, Oak Grove ES STEAM Academy’s Partner of the Year, is the CCSD 2023 Partner of the Year. Britt Parramore, ACTIVE Academies’ Volunteer of the Year, is the CCSD 2023 Volunteer of the Year.

One of the most significant partnerships that supports CCSD’s career education programs is the Cherokee County Workforce Collaborative (https://cherokeega.org/careers/ cherokee-workforce-collaborative/), which continues to strengthen each year. Overseen by the county’s Office of Economic Development, the collaborative brings together leaders from CCSD, higher education, government and businesses to improve local career opportunities.

The collaborative’s projects include a summer internship program for high school students that offers the opportunity to learn about a specific career field and earn a paycheck; a student film summit and festival that provides connections to local film industry professionals; the Be Pro Be Proud Georgia initiative that enables students to learn more about skilled professionals; and the Cherokee Skilled Professions Signing Day celebration.

2023 Partner of the Year Rotary Club of Woodstock was honored at the annual CCSD Partner recognition event.

School Choice

CCSD Offers School Choice Options Across the District

THE CHEROKEE

County School District offers families a nationally recognized school choice program.

It includes unique programs, as well as CCSD’s annual reassignment program for choosing a school other than your neighborhood school.

The Open Reassignment window is typically active during the month of February prior to each school year, but hardship applications may be filed at any time.

CCSD annually publishes Education CHOICES: A Parent Guide to School Choice on its website, with more information— scan the QR code to link to the document.

CHEROKEE ACADEMIES

CCSD is home to five STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Academies at Ball Ground, Clark Creek, Holly Springs, Knox and R.M. Moore Elementary, one Fine Arts Academy at Hasty

Elementary and one STEAM (STEM + Arts) Academy at Oak Grove Elementary. These schools use integrated curriculum focused on STEM, fine arts or both. As capacity allows, these schools all are open for reassignments.

HIGH SCHOOL CHOICE

ACE Academy: An alternative daytime middle/high school where students work at their own pace at ACTIVE Academies in Canton. Transportation is provided. Students should speak to their counselor for information.

Cherokee College & Career Academy (C3): Housed at ACTIVE Academies, C3 offers unique high school Career Pathway programs. Courses currently are offered in cybersecurity and aviation. Students attend core classes at their high school and travel to C3 for morning or afternoon career classes; transportation is available. Info: https://igrad.cherokeek12.net/ c3-academy

Dual Enrollment: High school students can earn high school and college credit simultaneously on a local college campus through the Dual Enrollment program. Application

deadlines are in mid-October and late March. Info: https://cherokeek12net. finalsite.com/divisions/curriculuminstruction/dual-enrollment.

i-Grad Virtual Academy: CCSD’s online high school program is open to students in Grades 9-12. Enrollment is application based. Most classes are remote, with in-person assessments at ACTIVE Academies. Info: www. cherokeek12.net/iGrad/Content2/igrad-info

Mountain Education: CCSD partners with Mountain Ed to offer an evening high school program at Etowah High School. The program offers mentors and nightly meals among supports. Info: https://www.mymec.org/.

REASSIGNMENT

Families can apply for reassignment Feb. 1 to March 1. Information is posted on CCSD’s website on Feb. 1, including the list of schools with capacity for additional students (17 schools were open for this school year). Transportation is not provided. High school students may lose Georgia High Schools Association varsity athletics eligibility.

ANNUAL RECOGNITION PROGRAMS

celebrate the best of the best among CCSD groups of employees and community members, with support for the events provided by generous business and community sponsors.

You can learn about CCSD’s annual award winners and finalists on the CCSD website at www.cherokeek12. net/divisions/communications/ awards-recognitions.

CCSD 2023 Teacher of the Year

Lara McDonald, Etowah High School

Finalists:

Kate Bruner, Hasty ES Fine Arts Academy

Charm Cochran, Oak Grove ES STEAM Academy Wyatt Wilkie, Creekview HS

CCSD 2023 Support Staff

Employees of the Year Elementary School: Debbie McMichen, Boston ES kindergarten paraprofessional

Middle School/High School/Centers:

Julissa Izaguirre, CCSD Preschool Centers Head Start paraprofessional

Central Office: Jill Phillips, CCSD Technology & Information Services Technology Specialist

CCSD 2022 Bus Driver of the Year

Tamara Stephens, Cherokee Innovation Zone

Zone Winners:

Creekview Misty Prestridge

Etowah Christine Minter

River Ridge Shanon Pruitt

Sequoyah

Woodstock

Special Education

Max Woodall

Lynn Moore

Linette Mitchell

CCSD 2023 Coach of the Year

Jason Taylor, River Ridge High School

High School Winners:

Cherokee Joe Veihman

Creekview Kirk Scharich

Etowah Jason Dasinger

Sequoyah John Edwards

Woodstock Helen Lane

CCSD 2023 Counselor of the Year

Kristie Sikes, Creekview High School

Zone Winners:

CherokeeMelissa Prater, Knox ES STEM Academy

EtowahLindsey Pinckard, Boston ES

River RidgeMadonna Mezzanotte, Little River ES

SequoyahSandra Hude, Hickory Flat ES

WoodstockMarcee Smith, Woodstock HS

The Cherokee County School District’s success is made possible through the dedicated service of outstanding educators, support staff, partners and volunteers.

Cherokee County School District recognized Lara McDonald of Etowah High School as the 2023 Teacher of the Year.

CCSD 2023 Game Changer Awards

Instructional Excellence:

Rebecca Coleman, Clark Creek ES STEM Academy

Instructional Support:

Kim Boehman, River Ridge HS

Instructional Leadership:

Dr. Erin Jacobs, CCSD Curriculum & Instruction

Instructional Advocacy:

Misti Martin, Cherokee Office of Economic Development

CCSD 2023 School Nurse of the Year

CCSD 2023 winner named after press time

Zone Winners:

Cherokee Kim Dorris, Clayton ES

Creekview Sandra McFarland, Avery ES

Etowah Tracy Cavanaugh, Bascomb ES

River Ridge Kathy Cox, Johnston ES

Sequoyah Christine Lynch, Dean Rusk MS

Woodstock Amber Palmer, Sixes ES

CCSD 2023 Special Education

Staff of the Year

School Psychologist

Debby Silberstein, Mill Creek MS

Occupational Therapist/Physical Therapist

CCSD 2023

Volunteer of the Year

Britt Parramore, ACTIVE Academies’ Volunteer of the Year

Brooke Sosebee, Cherokee HS and R.M. Moore ES STEM Academy

Special Education Facilitator:

Michelle Harris, Ball Ground ES STEM Academy, Free Home ES and Macedonia ES

Speech Language Pathologist:

Johanna Burchardt, Clark Creek ES STEM Academy and Johnson ES

CCSD 2023 Media Specialist of the Year

Jennifer Martin, Boston Elementary School

(Jennifer Martin has also been named the regional winner.)

CCSD 2023 Partner of the Year

The Rotary Club of Woodstock

Oak Grove ES STEAM Academy’s Partner of the Year

CHEROKEE COUNTY EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

TEACHERS’ BRIGHT IDEAS

come to life in their classrooms thanks to funding from a special organization.

Cherokee County Educational Foundation is a charitable, nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the Cherokee County School District’s students and teachers by promoting public education and celebrating achievements.

The Foundation seeks funding and resources to enrich CCSD schools in areas not fully funded in the regular school program. Since its establishment in 2012, CCEF has awarded more than $1 Million in grants to CCSD students, teachers and schools. All money raised by CCEF is returned to CCSD through teacher grant opportunities, program donations and other support.

The Foundation is governed by a board of directors that conducts business according to bylaws established by the organization. In 2023,

CCEF earned the Gold Seal of Transparency for its public financial reporting from Guidestar. Learn more at CherokeeCountyEducationalFoundation.org

The Foundation’s next fundraiser is the annual Chick-fil-A Cherokee 5K on Saturday, August 12, at Etowah River Park in Canton. The event benefits CCEF and the Cherokee County Special Olympics. More than 1,500 runners will arrive early to enjoy the 5K race and one-mile fun run presented by all Cherokee County Chick-fil-A locations. All race registrants will be treated to CFA chicken biscuits, and the many businesses that sponsor the race will provide water, fresh fruit, granola bars and goodies for everyone in attendance. There will be music, facepainting and more family fun. Children and strollers are welcome. It is not too late to register! Learn more at CherokeeCounty5k.com.

NATIONAL HONORS & RECOGNITIONS

A Eleven CCSD schools earned STEM Certification from Cognia: CCSD’s seven middle schools, Woodstock HS and R.M. Moore ES, Knox ES and Ball Ground ES STEM Academies

A CCSD was one of only 10 school systems nationwide to earn the 2023 Make a Change STEM grant from the national Argument Driven Inquiry educational organization. Liberty ES was named a 2023 National School of Character.

A CCSD and its Superintendent of Schools were finalists for national awards from Varsity Brands honoring outstanding school spirit and dedication to students.

A River Ridge HS student Baleigh Borna was a 2023 winner of the National Council of Teachers of English Writing’s Achievement Awards in Writing Program.

A The Air Force JROTC rifle team from Cherokee HS was named the Air Force JROTC National Champions for the 2022-23 season.

A Laura Casey, an assistant principal at Clark Creek ES STEM Academy, was named a 2023 National Outstanding Assistant Principal by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP).

A Lana Glaus, teacher of astronomy and physical science at Cherokee HS, was selected for NASA’s teacher professional development program at the Kennedy Space Center.

A CCSD School Nutrition is one of only 98 school districts nationwide to earn USDA’s Silver Turnip the Beet Award—for the second consecutive year.

A CCSD celebrated 259 outstanding high school juniors as 2023 Superintendent’s Key Scholars. These top students were recognized for scores achieved on the PSAT that rank them in the top 10% nationwide.

A Seven CCSD Class of 2023 seniors were named candidates for the U.S. Presidential Scholars program. Only 173 students from Georgia were named candidates.

A Three CCSD JROTC Cadets won the competitive Air Force Chief of Staff 2023 Flight Academy Scholarship valued at $25,000.

A Etowah HS JROTC won first place in the Raider National Championships, a multi-event military style athletic competition.

A Etowah HS JROTC intructor Lt. Col. (Retired) Stephen Bergey was named 2022 Overall AFJROTC Instructor of the Year for the U.S. out of 1,900 nationwide.

A Indian Knoll ES was selected by Microsoft as a 2022-23 Microsoft Showcase School. Only 43 U.S. schools were selected as Showcase Schools. Only 2 Georgia schools were named to the list.

A Boston ES and Little River ES were named winners of the National PTA School of Excellence award.

A CCSD earned three awards from the National School Public Relations Association for outstanding communications.

"We are committed to educating the emerging generation through learning environments designed to increase the performance of all students.”

CHEROKEE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT MISSION STATEMENT

2022–23 | CHEROKEE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT STATE HONORS & RECOGNITIONS

A Hasty ES Fine Arts Academy was named a 2023 Georgia Department of Education Arts Integration School of Excellence.

A Oak Grove ES STEAM Academy earned the Family Friendly Status Designation from the Georgia Department of Education.

A All six CCSD high schools were named AP Honor Schools and earned recognition as AP STEM and AP STEM Achievement Schools; five also were named AP Humanities and AP Humanities Achievement Schools; and five additionally earned AP School of Distinction Honors.

A Four high school students won honors in the 2023 Atlanta American Institute of Architects High School Design competition.

A Twelve students were finalists for the Governor’s Honors program.

A Twenty-three CCSD students placed in the statewide Georgia PTA Reflections Fine Arts contest.

A Four CCSD students earned honors at the Georgia Science and Engineering Fair—two first place and two fourth place.

A TOME Winners: Two Teasley Middle School entries earned first-place at the state level. The school’s TOME chapter also was named Honor Roll Chapter of the Year.

A E.T. Booth MS’s Reading Bowl team earned second place in the statewide competition.

A Three CCSD teams advanced to nationals in the Technology Student Association—Creekland MS, Creekview HS and Woodstock HS.

A State industry certification was achieved for Etowah HS Construction and Carpentry program.

A Woodstock HS senior Emily Coburn was one of only 50 Georgia high school student artists selected for the All-State Art Symposium.

A Four CCSD students earned first place awards and one placed third at the annual Georgia Student Technology Competition.

A Eight CCSD students placed first, four placed second, four placed

third and six earned honorable mention at the annual Georgia College K-5 State Science Fair.

A A team of Cherokee HS students placed first in the SkillsUSA Welding Fabrication Competition and advanced to the SkillsUSA National Competition.

A The Freedom MS eighth-grade History Bowl team earned the top trophy at the annual Jimmy Carter Academic History Bowl competition.

A The Woodstock MS Science Bowl team finished third in state at the National Science Bowl competition.

A Four Etowah HS students won first in state and advance to Nationals in the HOSA Future Health Professionals competition .

A Three Creekview HS students won at the DECA student marketing, management and entrepreneurship association’s State Career Development Conference and advanced to internationals.

A CCSD earned the most top honors presented by the Georgia School Public Relations Association with five “Best in State” trophies and 14 Gold Awards.

A Ann-Margaret Somers of Mill Creek MS was named the Georgia Science Teachers Association 2022-23 Teacher of the Year for Middle Schools.

A Teresa Bailey and Kimberly Harrison, both of Clark Creek ES STEM Academy, were named 2022-23 Georgia STEM Scholars by the Georgia Youth Science & Technology Centers.

A Woodstock HS Assistant Principal Dr. Meagan Waid was named the 2023 Georgia Assistant Principal of the Year.

A Clayton ES and R.M. Moore ES STEM Academy won the prestigious School Bell Award from the Georgia Association of Elementary School Principals in 2022; Sixes ES was named a School Bell Award winner in 2023.

A For the fourth consecutive year, the Georgia School Boards Association awarded the Cherokee County School Board its Leading Edge Award, for exemplary leadership and innovative practices in stakeholder communications.