The June 2021 edition of the CCSD Connections monthly parent e-newsletter is now online at https://www.cherokeek12.net/Content2/newsletter.  Thanks to this month's sponsor, Credit Union of Georgia, a CCSD Partner.  #CCSDfam

Our teachers are amazing, which is why we share the story of a school’s Teacher of the Year every week ... please help us celebrate 2021 Bascomb Elementary School Teacher of the Year Suzy Gebhart!

Bascomb Elementary School Teacher of the Year Suzy Gebhart loves a challenge.

We greatly value the outstanding support staff in our schools and central office divisions, which is why we recognize them here.  Please join us in congratulating the 2021 Support Staff Employee of the Year for Freedom MS: Amanda Hoffman! #CCSDfam #CCSDunited

More than 50 of the Cherokee County School District’s Class of 2021 graduates have committed to military service, including three selected for prestigious U.S. Service Academies!

“We’re deeply proud and grateful for the decision each of these graduates has made to serve our country.  Thank you to you all, and thank you to your families,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said.  “We also congratulate our three graduates selected for U.S. Service Academies – we know how hard each of you worked to earn these appointments.  We are grateful for your dedication and for all of our teachers and coaches who supported you along the way.”

Volunteers make a positive difference in our schools, which is why we spotlight them here ... congratulations to Little River ES 2021 Volunteer of the Year: LRES PTA Executive Board! #CCSDfam #CCSDunited

We appreciate partners' support of our schools, which is why we celebrate their service here -- congratulations to Holly Springs ES STEM Academy 2021 Partner of the Year: Lil' Angels Photography!

Does your business or organization partner with a CCSD school? Visit our School Partnerships webpage (https://www.cherokeek12.net/Content/ccsd-school-partnerships) to learn more! #CCSDPartnersInAction

The Cherokee County School District congratulates the winners of its middle school writing contest!

Layne M. Davidson of Dean Rusk Middle School won the seventh-grade division for her children’s book, “Flowers from London,” and Chloe Feibus of Creekland Middle School won the eighth-grade division for her story “The Mend”  in the 2021 Writing Contest organized by CCSD’s Office of Curriculum & Instruction.  Their winning stories are published below:

Our teachers are amazing, which is why we share the story of a school’s Teacher of the Year every week ... please help us celebrate 2021 Ball Ground Elementary School STEM Academy Teacher of the Year Jennie Allen!

The Cherokee County School District recently celebrated the winners of its second annual Minecraft Student Build Challenge!

The competition, organized by CCSD’s Office of Technology and Information Services, challenged students in all grades to use Redstone in Minecraft: Education Edition to build a device that could make the world a better place.

Three Cherokee County School District staff members earned honors from the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce!

Cherokee HS Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Jeremy Adams, Coordinator of Recruitment Lindsay Bowley and River Ridge HS Media Specialist Savannah Holcomb received the Chamber's Top 10 in 10 Young Professionals to Watch honor, which recognizes outstanding leaders who are 40 or younger, at the organization's June meeting.

We're so proud of Creekview High School rising junior Jaymel Napoleon!  His heroism saved his family and his neighbors from a fire that destroyed several houses including the home of Creekview HS teacher Rachel Velardez.  Read about if here in the AJC. #CCSDfam 

We greatly value the outstanding support staff in our schools and central office divisions, which is why we recognize them here.  Please join us in congratulating the 2021 Support Staff Employee of the Year for Avery ES: Taylor Johnson! #CCSDfam #CCSDunited

Seventeen Cherokee County School District students have earned Region and State honors for achievements in career skills competitions.

All CCSD high schools offer Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) programs and Career Pathway classes as well as aligned Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs).  The CTSOs give students the opportunity to participate in career-oriented extra-curricular activities including community service, leadership roles and demonstrating at statewide competitions the skills they’ve learned in class.

Two CCSD schools have earned recognition from Safe Routes to School for their efforts to encourage students to walk and bike more and stay safe! 

Bascomb Elementary School and Clayton Elementary School both earned the Gold Partner Award from the nonprofit organization.

Etowah High School Class of 2021 graduating senior Margaret Bradley has earned this year’s Waste Management/Pine Bluff Landfill Scholarship!

The $5,000 scholarship is presented to a graduating senior each year as part of the company’s partnership agreement with CCSD.  The designated school rotates annually, with Etowah selected for the Class of 2021 school, and all graduating seniors from the designated school have the opportunity to apply.  This is the 14^th anniversary of the scholarship.

The Cherokee County School District School Nutrition program has earned top honors from the Georgia Department of Education.

The program earned the State’s 2020 Vision District award in recognition of its outstanding efforts to use Georgia grown foods on school cafeteria menus.  CCSD has received numerous accolades for its Farm to School initiative and collaboration with community partners including the Cherokee County Farm Bureau.

Volunteers make a positive difference in our schools, which is why we spotlight them here ... congratulations to Mountain Road ES 2021 Volunteer of the Year: Christy Hopewell! #CCSDfam #CCSDunited

Three Cherokee County School District Class of 2021 graduates have earned National Merit special scholarships!

Cherokee High School graduate Dylan Iovino, who plans to pursue a degree in chemical engineering, has won a National Merit university scholarship from the University of Alabama.  Etowah High School graduate Benjamin Willett, who plans to pursue a career in finance, has won a National Merit university scholarship from the University of Georgia.  River Ridge High School graduate Audrey Norton has won a National Merit corporate scholarship from Crum & Forster and plans to attend the University of North Carolina.  

We appreciate partners' support of our schools, which is why we celebrate their service here -- congratulations to Sixes ES 2021 Partner of the Year: Sixes United Methodist Church (Shepherds Class)!

Does your business or organization partner with a CCSD school? Visit our School Partnerships webpage (https://www.cherokeek12.net/Content/ccsd-school-partnerships) to learn more! #CCSDPartnersInAction

Fourteen Cherokee County School District students have been selected for the competitive Georgia Governor's Honors Program.

The four-week summer instructional program at Berry College for rising high school juniors and seniors is designed to provide students with academic, cultural and social enrichment “necessary to become the next generation of global critical thinkers, innovators and leaders.”  Students live and study on the campus in Rome from June 20 to July 17.

Our teachers are amazing, which is why we share the story of a school’s Teacher of the Year every week ... please help us celebrate 2021 Avery Elementary School Teacher of the Year Alicia Thrower!

The Cherokee County School District is celebrating its retiring educators and support staff!

The majority of the retirees noted below are ending their careers at the close of this school year; some retired earlier in the year based on their retirement eligibility date.

“Congratulations to each of our retirees for dedicating your career to serving our community’s children,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said.  “Whether you served in a classroom or behind the scenes, you made a positive difference in the lives of our students.  I know our entire community has benefitted from your exemplary service and joins me in wishing you the best as you enjoy your hard-earned retirement.”

We greatly value the outstanding support staff in our schools and central office divisions, which is why we recognize them here.  Please join us in congratulating the 2021 Support Staff Employee of the Year for Hickory Flat ES: April Simmons! #CCSDfam #CCSDunited

The Cherokee County School District and School Board celebrated the Class of 2021 Valedictorians and Salutatorians at its 21st Annual Scholar Recognition Banquet.

The special event on Wednesday evening was attended by the Scholars and their parents; the teacher each Scholar chose as the most influential in his or her education; CCSD’s high school Principals; the Superintendent of Schools and members of his senior staff; and the School Board.

Volunteers make a positive difference in our schools, which is why we spotlight them here ... congratulations to Tippens EC 2021 Volunteer of the Year: Michelle Ledford Brown! #CCSDfam #CCSDunited

Dear CCSD Family,

The message below is to our graduating Class of 2021 seniors.  I am sharing it with all of you, as they are the future of our community.  You can see each of their names posted on our website at http://bit.ly/CCSDclassof2021.

Dear Class of 2021,

The finish line is in sight.

Cherokee County School District’s Class of 2021, made up of 2,995 students, will walk across the stage for graduation ceremonies this week!

All ceremonies will be held at First Baptist Church of Woodstock (11905 Highway 92, Woodstock, 30188).  The ceremonies will be streamed on www.fbcw.org so family and friends who are unable to attend still can participate.

We appreciate partners' support of our schools, which is why we celebrate their service here -- congratulations to Dean Rusk MS 2021 Partner of the Year: Modern Woodmen of America!

Does your business or organization partner with a CCSD school? Visit our School Partnerships webpage (https://www.cherokeek12.net/Content/ccsd-school-partnerships) to learn more! #CCSDPartnersInAction

We’re proud of our CCSD family’s dedicated teachers … and every week, you’ll get to know one of them better through a Q&A posted here. #CCSDfam #CCSDunited

Our teachers are amazing, which is why we share the story of a school’s Teacher of the Year every week ... please help us celebrate 2021 Arnold Mill Elementary School Teacher of the Year Debbie Baluch! 

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday reviewed the recommended budget for next school year, which includes hiring more teachers to lower class size while not raising the school property tax millage rate, and adopted a resolution that prohibits implementing Critical Race Theory (CRT) and The 1619 Project.  

Cherokee County School District recognized its inaugural Coach of the Year this week by surprising the winner, Matt Cates of Cherokee HS, with a plaque and gifts from sponsors.

We greatly value the outstanding support staff in our schools and central office divisions, which is why we recognize them here.  Please join us in congratulating the 2021 Support Staff Employee of the Year for Arnold Mill ES: Betty Miller! #CCSDfam #CCSDunited

Volunteers make a positive difference in our schools, which is why we spotlight them here ... congratulations to Oak Grove ES Fine Arts Academy 2021 Volunteer of the Year: Mike Maxwell! #CCSDfam #CCSDunited

We appreciate partners' support of our schools, which is why we celebrate their service here -- congratulations to Knox ES STEM Academy 2021 Partner of the Year: Huber Corporation!

Does your business or organization partner with a CCSD school? Visit our School Partnerships webpage (https://www.cherokeek12.net/Content/ccsd-school-partnerships) to learn more! #CCSDPartnersInAction

We’re proud of our CCSD family’s dedicated teachers … and every week, you’ll get to know one of them better through a Q&A posted here. #CCSDfam #CCSDunited

Our teachers are amazing, which is why we share the story of a school’s Teacher of the Year every week ... please help us celebrate 2021 ACE Academy Teacher of the Year Jeffrey Hutto!

Cherokee County School District staff and PTA units and leaders have been honored with top awards by the Cherokee County Council PTA!

Congratulations to the winners and best wishes as they advance to regional and State opportunities for recognition.

Congratulations to this year’s winners of the Golden Apple Award presented to top teachers this week by the Gamma Eta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International!  

Twelve CCSD schools were invited to recognize an honoree this year, and they are: Katelyn Sugar of Arnold Mill ES, Beth Smith of Ball Ground ES STEM Academy, Laura Wagner of Bascomb ES, Liane Moler of E.T. Booth MS, Heather Barton of Etowah HS, Lacy Savage of Free Home ES, Morgann Anderson of Indian Knoll ES, Meredith Rocker of Johnston ES, Janet Marotte of Knox ES STEM Academy,  Kristin Covington of Mountain Road ES, Stephanie Collett of R.M. Moore ES STEM Academy, Rachel LaChine of Sequoyah HS.

We greatly value the outstanding support staff in our schools and central office divisions, which is why we recognize them here.  Please join us in congratulating the 2021 Support Staff Employee of the Year for the Office of Support Services: Carla Cornelison! #CCSDfam #CCSDunited