It’s less than two weeks until the first day of school for CCSD on Monday, Aug. 2, 2021!  Please check out the July edition of the CCSD Connections newsletter at https://bit.ly/CCSDconnections, which includes important back-to-school info and a message from the Superintendent.  Don’t forget to visit the Back-to-School Gateway at https://bit.ly/CCSDb2s when it opens Monday, July 26, as we need the parents of all students – both in-person and Digital Learning – to update emergency contacts and provide other important “first day forms” information. Thank you to this month's sponsor, Credit Union of Georgia! #CCSDfam

On behalf of the Superintendent, please review the following updates about CCSD’s Digital Learning program for the 2021-22 School Year. 

We have outlined the highlights of the program and back-to-school preparations below.  We encourage you to review the CCSD Digital Learning Models for SY2021-22 Guidebook, which explains the learning models and expectations in greater detail, and is posted online at https://bit.ly/CCSDdlguide21.

CCSD's Transportation Department spends the summer break getting its fleet of big yellow buses inspected and ready for another 4 million miles on Cherokee County roads. In the days before the start of the school year, CCSD’s school buses can be spotted out on the county's roads and highways, running their routes.  One practice run with their bus is required, but many drivers practice more times in their own vehicles.

Cherokee County School District’s School Nutrition department is beginning the new school year with announcements including that it will continue to provide breakfasts and lunches to all students at no cost to them … for the entire 2021-22 school year!

The Cherokee County School District is seeking school bus drivers!  These positions offer excellent benefits (full-time benefits for part-time work, with at least four hours of pay per day guaranteed), a great work calendar and schedule, and a wonderful work environment and team.  A Georgia Class B CDL Driver’s License with School Bus & Passenger endorsements is required; CCSD provides drivers with specialized training.  Job details are posted at https://bit.ly/CCSDbusdriver.  Check out the video at http://bit.ly/CCSDbusvideo to learn more about a day in the life of a CCSD school bus driver!  Join the #CCSDfam & apply now by clicking Jobs@CCSD at www.CherokeeK12.net.  Questions? Please contact CCSD Recruitment Coordinator Lindsay Bowley at Lindsay.Bowley@cherokeek12.net and 770.704.4256.

The Cherokee County School Board at its meeting on Thursday, July 15, 2021 took the following action:

• Approved the monthly personnel report, which included the appointment of Adam Johnson, a 13-year CCSD teacher who has taught and coached track at Cherokee High School, as a new assistant principal at Woodstock High School;

On behalf of the Superintendent, please be advised that, based on the Governor’s decision through Executive Order to end the Public Health State of Emergency on June 30, 2021, and the significant improvement of the state of public health, we are returning to pre-pandemic school operations for the 2021-22 school year, which begins Aug. 2.  More back-to-school information will be shared with our families in the July edition of the CCSD Connections newsletter on July 22.

Cherokee County School District students earned Regional and State honors through the annual Georgia Student Technology Competition!
 
The statewide competition offers students in Grades 3-12 the opportunity to showcase their skills through 16 categories and vie for honors at Regional and State fairs.  
 

Ten Cherokee County School District student athletes have been honored by Positive Athlete Georgia!

The students have been honored with 2021 Positive Athlete Georgia Regional Awards by Positive Athlete Georgia, a subsidiary of Celebrate Positive LLC, which promotes the benefits of positivity to young athletes around the world.  Hines Ward, a former Forest Park High School, University of Georgia and Pittsburgh Steelers football star, formed Positive Athlete with local businessman Scott Pederson.

Six Cherokee County School District Class of 2021 graduates have earned scholarships from ABM Industry Groups LLC!

The company, which provides custodial services for CCSD schools, each year awards a $1,000 scholarship to one graduating senior from each of CCSD’s high schools.  The six winners are selected by a scholarship committee of retired CCSD educators and ABM representatives based on a student’s involvement in school and community activities and service; personal essays; and references.

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, June 17, 2021 unanimously approved its budget for next school year, which is balanced without a tax rate increase and includes hiring 125 new teachers above and beyond enrollment growth to help bridge any pandemic-related learning opportunity losses.  

Ten Cherokee County School District Class of 2021 graduates have earned $2,500 college scholarships from a community foundation!

It is the second year of the annual college scholarships presented by the Jason T. Dickerson Family Foundation, which have expanded from the inaugural awarding of two scholarships to 10.

The Cherokee County School District is celebrating four of its outstanding Special Education team members!

Four members of the Department of Special Education received its top annual honors during the annual Special Education Staff of the Year Awards ceremony.  They are: CCSD Occupational Therapist/Physical Therapist of the Year Amy Peart; CCSD School Psychologist of the Year Laura Killen; CCSD Special Education Facilitator of the Year Kortney Dempsey; and CCSD Speech Language Pathologist of the Year Stacy Irwin.

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.”

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.”

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.