The October 2021 edition of the CCSD Connections monthly parent e-newsletter is now online at https://www.cherokeek12.net/Content2/newsletter and includes a message from the Superintendent.  Thanks to this month's sponsor, Credit Union of Georgia! #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 Johnston Elementary School Teacher of the Year Meredith Peacock!

The Cherokee County School Board at its Thursday, Oct. 21 work session, reviewed projects proposed for the Education Special Purpose Location Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) renewal up for a vote on Nov. 2, with Early Voting now underway.

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 R.M. Moore ES STEM Academy: Nora Vizuete! #CCSDfam

It’s National School Bus Safety Week, and we want to recognize the ones who are responsible for keeping our students safe on the bus!   Meet school bus driver Louisa Rodriguez-Vital! #CCSDfam

Q.  What led you to become a CCSD bus driver?

A. I had a child in school and no family in this Country, but I needed to work.  My husband suggested that I should try driving a bus – that way, when my child was out of school, I would be out of school and not have to put him in daycare; this worked out great for us.  I enjoyed driving right away. 

Q.  What do you love most about your job?

A.  I love the children and their different personalities.  I enjoy hearing the stories they tell, whether it's about a vacation trip or birthday party … whatever comes to mind, even questions about math just like your own kids would ask. 

Q.  What would you like others to know about driving a bus for CCSD? 

A.  If you’re thinking about becoming a bus driver, you must have patience and a love for children.  Discipline and bus safety rules should come first.  Show the children respect, and they will do the same.   Be positive and smile as you greet your students and parents, as well.  You will be trained by CCSD trainers - just give it a try!

The Cherokee County School District’s graduation rate has hit a new high, with 90.82% of the Class of 2021 earning a diploma within four years of entering high school!  

Cherokee County School Board members regularly visit schools for tours with the Superintendent of Schools, members of his staff, and the school’s Principal and administrative team.  This month, the visit was to Hasty Elementary School Fine Arts Academy, where they met with Principal Dr. Maria Rosario-Regan and her leadership team and enjoyed a School Nutrition lunch from the cafeteria. 

Volunteers make a positive difference in our schools, which is why we spotlight them here ... congratulations to Creekview HS 2021 Volunteer of the Year: Creekview HS PTSA Executive Board! #CCSDfam

It’s National School Bus Safety Week, and we want to recognize the ones who are responsible for keeping our students safe on the bus!   Meet school bus driver Gail Hyde! #CCSDfam

Q.  What led you to become a CCSD bus driver?

A.  My youngest child started to school, and I found I had more time.  A friend asked me to sub for her and that got me started.  I loved it and have made many great friends through driving a bus.

Q.  What do you love most about your job?

A.  I love working with children.  I have been driving so many years that I'm driving second and third generation children of my former students. 

Q.  What would you like others to know about driving a bus for CCSD?  

A.  It's a great job with wonderful benefits.  It is perfect for all ages, but especially mothers with school age children because you are away the same hours your children are.  In this season of life, it is great because I have time to work around home and attend appointments during the off hours.

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

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

It’s National School Bus Safety Week, and we want to recognize the ones who are responsible for keeping our students safe on the bus!   Meet school bus driver Christine Minter! #CCSDfam

Q.  What led you to become a CCSD bus driver?

A.  After 11 years as a full-time stay-at-home mom, I became a CCSD bus driver to supplement our family's income.  My almost three-year-old son was still at home with me;  I needed a job but did not want to pay daycare expenses.  When my older kids' bus driver told me that my son could be on the bus with me once he turned three, I was sold!  Good pay, amazing job, take my last child with me … Amen - sign me up!

Q.  What do you love most about your job?

A.  I love being able to interact with so many different kinds of people, especially my students.

Q.  What would you like others to know about driving a bus for CCSD? 

A.  When you drive a school bus for the CCSD, they train you well, pay you well and provide excellent benefits.  It is by far the most rewarding, challenging and fun job I have ever had.  I genuinely look forward to going to work every day.

Creekview Zone parent Brittany Dean’s “Southern Okra Corn Salsa” won over the judges’ taste buds and made her the winner of CCSD’s 3rd Annual Parent Recipe Contest! 

CCSD recognized its school bus drivers on Tuesday morning with a drive-through breakfast and gifts.  

The Cherokee County School District participates in the statewide Child Find program to help identify students eligible for Special Education services.

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

It’s National School Bus Safety Week, and we want to recognize the ones who are responsible for keeping our students safe on the bus! Meet school bus driver Tammy Stephens! #CCSDfam

Q.  What led you to become a CCSD bus driver?

A.  I graduated from Cherokee High School in 1979, and Mr. Bell (Principal of then Ralph Bunche ES) came to our house and asked who wanted a job.  I said, ‘me,’ and he hired me for the Head Start program and later as a parapro at Tippens and Johnston.  Then, in 1986, I became a bus driver because I love kids and wanted to continue working with them - being a bus driver allowed for that, but also worked for my schedule, because I could be off when my son was off.

Q.  What do you love most about your job?

A.  I enjoy what I do and have always had a passion for children.  I feel they need an advocate, and I’m it. Driving for Cherokee County has been an experience that I would not trade for anything!

Q.  What would you like others to know about driving a bus for CCSD?  

A.  If you love kids, it’s the job for you, but you really have to have a passion for them because it can sometimes be difficult.  You must have patience, good driving skills and a love for children!

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 Holly Springs Elementary School STEM Academy Teacher of the Year Paula Neubert!

Holly Springs Elementary School STEM Academy Teacher of the Year Paula Neubert sees her greatest accomplishment in the lasting relationships she builds with students.

Going once, going twice..... sold! Your bid can be the winning one at CCSD’s annual surplus equipment auction, which is open to the public, and begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 13, at the CCSD Central Warehouse (201 Mountain Brook Court, Canton, 30115). The sale preview starts at 8:00 a.m.

Hundreds of athletes, peer helpers, CCSD staff and community volunteers participated in the annual CCSD Awareness Games on Friday, October 15, at River Ridge 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 CCSD’s Office of Financial Management: Vicki Holroyd! #CCSDfam

The Cherokee County School District has been named a finalist for the 2021 Governance Team of the Year Award presented by the Georgia School Boards Association!
 
Three awards are presented annually to recognize top School Boards and Superintendents of Schools for outstanding leadership and dedication to continuous improvement.  One winner is selected in three categories based on school district enrollment: small, 1-3,000 students; medium, 3,001-10,000 students; and large, 10,000+ students.  

Volunteers make a positive difference in our schools, which is why we spotlight them here ... congratulations to Boston ES 2021 Volunteer of the Year: Courtney Dewitt! #CCSDfam

The Cherokee County School District Class of 2021 increased average ACT scores and exceeded National and State scores!
 
The Class scored an outstanding 23.2 average, increasing from 22.6 in 2020, and topping Georgia’s 22.6 and the Nation’s 20.3 averages on the competitive college entrance and placement examination.  The scores ranked CCSD in the top 10% in the State.  Students earn a score on a scale of 1 to 36.  The average CCSD scores by subject on the ACT used to calculate the overall compositive average are: English, 22.4; Math, 22.8; Reading, 23.9; Science, 23.3.

We appreciate partners' support of our schools, which is why we celebrate their service here -- congratulations to Liberty ES 2021 Partner of the Year: Shottenkirk Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram! 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

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 Hickory Flat Elementary School Teacher of the Year Rebecca Wooten!

Hickory Flat Elementary School Teacher of the Year Rebecca Wooten teaches students who face significant challenges completing tasks most people take for granted.

CCSD Pre-K sites celebrated Georgia Pre-K Week (Oct. 4-8) with a variety of events, including guest readers and special activities. 

Community leaders gathered at the historic Hickory Flat Gym this week to celebrate the preservation and conversion of the 1950s building into a community center through a partnership between CCSD and the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners. 

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 Woodstock HS: Terry Vorobel! #CCSDfam

Volunteers make a positive difference in our schools, which is why we spotlight them here ... congratulations to Mill Creek MS 2021 Volunteer of the Year: Mill Creek MS PTSA Executive Board! #CCSDfam

We appreciate partners' support of our schools, which is why we celebrate their service here -- congratulations to E.T. Booth MS 2021 Partner of the Year: The Premier Group!

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

Every school year, each CCSD high school selects one Student Delegate to the School Board to represent the student voice. One Delegate is named the Student Advisor and sits with the Board at its meetings. We’ll introduce you to them all this year! #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 Hasty Elementary School Fine Arts Academy Teacher of the Year Cristin Bell!

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 Sequoyah HS: Erin Krantz! #CCSDfam

Volunteers make a positive difference in our schools, which is why we spotlight them here ... congratulations to Woodstock MS 2021 Volunteer of the Year: North Georgia Knitting Guild! #CCSDfam

The curtain will rise next month for the Cherokee County School District's 2021-22 theatre season! 

All CCSD high schools, as well as select middle schools and the districtwide Academy Street Theatre Group program for elementary through high school students, will present shows throughout the school year. 

We appreciate partners' support of our schools, which is why we celebrate their service here -- congratulations to Freedom MS 2021 Partner of the Year: Warrior Xpress!

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

A Cherokee County School District student has been named to the State School Superintendent’s 2021-22 Student Advisory Council!

Cherokee High School junior Weston Olds is among the 66 high school students from across the state selected for the prestigious role.  They were chosen by State School Superintendent Richard Woods from more than 1,000 applications statewide based on their answers to essay questions about improving public education.

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

A Hasty Elementary School Fine Arts Academy parent has been named to a statewide education panel!  

The Cherokee County School District is celebrating its first class of AP Capstone Program graduates!

The Cherokee County School Board at its regular meeting on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, reviewed plans for the Education SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) up for renewal by voters in the Nov. 2 election.

The Cherokee County School District, for the past 24 years, has used a 1-percent Education SPLOST to fund capital improvement projects, which include constructing new schools and facilities and renovating existing ones; funding technology infrastructure; buying school buses; and purchasing land for future schools.  

It's time for Friday Night Lights!