CCSD Connections
A Monthly Parent Newsletter - March 2020
Superintendent's Message
While much is happening in our schools as we continue our daily teaching and learning, I know that the coronavirus-borne disease COVID-19 is on the minds of many parents.
As shared in my letter to you last week, we work closely with Georgia Department of Public Health and local public safety officials whenever there is a public health or safety concern affecting any of our schools. In light of the first cases of the virus in Georgia being diagnosed yesterday, we now are communicating daily with public health officials.
Their message continues to be one of preparation and every-day healthy practices including staying home when sick. When children have a fever, they need to stay home from school and be fever free, without the aid of fever-reducing medication, for at least 24 hours before returning to school.
The Georgia Department of Public Health is advising that if you have recently traveled to areas where there are ongoing outbreaks of COVID-19 and develop fever with cough and shortness of breath within 14 days of your travel, or if you have had contact with someone who is suspected to have COVID-19, stay home and immediately call your health care provider or a local health department.
In the event that public health officials advise any change in school schedules, we are prepared to continue to provide teaching and learning by using our Canvas learning management system. Just as when we close schools for inclement weather, we will not make this call lightly, as we know the significant impact it will have on families, especially those without a stay-at-home parent.
We have added information about COVID-19 and advice from public health officials to our website here and will continue to communicate any updates with you.
Sincerely,
Dr. Brian V. Hightower
Superintendent of Schools
THANKS TO THIS MONTH'S SPONSOR
TOP STORIES
CCSD Partners with Mountain Ed Charter High School
The Cherokee County School District is kicking off its new partnership with Mountain Education Charter High School, with classes set to begin in Woodstock this summer.
The Cherokee County School Board recently unanimously approved contracting with Mountain Ed to take over CCSD’s evening high school program, currently known as Polaris Evening Program. Beginning in June, Mountain Ed will run the evening school program at the Etowah East building on the Etowah HS campus, and expand services using the same successful model already in place in counties across north Georgia. Just as with Polaris, there will be no charge to students to enroll in evening classes with Mountain Ed; classes are open to students ages 15-21, and to age 22 for special education students.
“Mountain Ed will offer our high school students the continued opportunity to earn their high school diploma in the evenings, and will provide them with new services including a mentor to coach them onto graduation and nightly dinners catered by local restaurants,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said, noting that an evening high school has been a valuable academic choice in CCSD for many years. “We’re excited about this partnership and the benefits it will provide to our students.”
Read more about this important partnership here.
Ready to Respond
CCSD during the winter break last month conducted a successful multi-agency emergency response drill to practice school evacuation and reunification plans.
With Honors
CCSD's high schools all have earned State honors for excellent Advanced Placement (AP) programs and performance that continues to exceed State and National averages!
By the Book
Cherokee High School Media Specialist Anne Nechvatal, a past Georgia Media Specialist of the Year, has earned the Cherokee County School District’s title again!
ACCOLADES
Key to Success
CCSD recognized 318 extraordinary high school juniors as Superintendent’s Key Scholars for ranking in the top 10% of students in the Nation!
Perfect Score
Woodstock High School junior Thomas Arntzen earned a perfect 36 on the ACT college entrance and placement test. On average, less than one-half of 1 percent of the 1.8 Million students achieve this.
We've Got Spirit
CCSD and our Superintendent of Schools are finalists for national Varsity Brands School Spirit Awards recognizing the best in school spirit and dedication to schools and students!
MORE GREAT #CCSDfam NEWS
Six CCSD High School Seniors Named National Merit Scholarship Finalists
Congratulations to CCSD's STAR Students and Teachers
CCSD Announces Second Annual Support Staff Employees of the Year Awards
32 CCSD Students Headed to State Science & Engineering Fair
Clark Creek ES STEM Academy Teacher Earns More State Honors
Hasty ES Fine Arts Academy Wins $10,000 Grant for Healthy Schools Project
CCSD Celebrates National Girls and Women in Sports Day
Mountain Road Elementary Celebrates 30 Years
CCSD Staff Member Earns Recognition for Community Service
CCSD Hosts New Leaders Reception
WATCH & LEARN
Welcome to Kindergarten in CCSD!
Registration is underway for kindergarten for next school year! You can learn more about kindergarten in CCSD here, and this brief "day in the life" video is perfect for watching together with your future kindergartner.
WHO IS CCSD?
Meet CCSD's New District & School Leaders
The Cherokee County School Board at its last meeting approved the appointments of new Principals and other leaders for next school year. The openings were prompted by the announcement that several longtime school and CCSD leaders will retire at the end of the school year.
“Each of these leaders is exceptional,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said as he introduced them to the audience, “and we know they are the best fit for their new roles to keep us on track for continuous improvement in service to our students.”
Please read more about the backgrounds of these new leaders here.
River Ridge High School Dr. Kerry Martin was appointed to fill the role of CCSD's executive director of administrative leadership for elementary schools. As a result of Dr. Martin’s appointment, Cherokee High School Principal Todd Miller will take on the Principal role at River Ridge HS. Hasty Elementary School Fine Arts Academy Principal Rodney Larrotta now will lead Cherokee HS as its next Principal.
Teasley MS Principal Dr. Benjamin Lester was appointed to serve as CCSD's administrator for student services. Katherine Monti, an assistant principal at E.T. Booth MS and this year’s Georgia Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year, will serve as the next Principal of Teasley MS.
Hickory Flat ES Principal Whitney Nolan will take on the Principal role at Freedom MS. Kerry Estep, an assistant principal at Hickory Flat ES, will advance to serve as its Principal.
Free Home ES Principal Kimberly Hagood will move to Carmel ES to lead as its Principal. Julie Peppers, currently an assistant principal at Sixes ES, will serve as the next Principal for Free Home ES. Avery ES Assistant Principal Amanda Schoeniger was appointed to serve as Holly Springs ES STEM Academy’s next Principal.
Tonya Sebring will serve as supervisor of student activities and athletics in the Office of School Operations. Melissa Whatley will advance to lead CCSD's benefits and risk management department as director. Greg Mason has been appointed as CCSD's coordinator of facilities maintenance.
#CCSDfam
PARENT RESOURCES
School Up at Parent U
The Cherokee County Council PTA's "Parent University" program, presented in collaboration with CCSD and community partners, this month offers free programs for parents on mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
Healthy Eats from CCSD
CCSD's award-winning School Nutrition department shares a recipe of the month from its school kitchens. This month's recipe is for a simple & delicious Chicken Pot Pie.
#CherokeeByChoice
Help your soon-to-be grad find a job close to home by attending the Cherokee County's Office of Economic Development's annual Cherokee Career Expo. The March 18 event will showcase job opportunities for all county residents including our graduating seniors!
UPCOMING EVENTS
March 5: 6:30 to 8 p.m., Woodstock High School, Parent University program presented by Cherokee County Council PTA in collaboration with CCSD and community partners. Parents are welcome to attend any session, no matter what school their child attends. Each will feature the same topics -- mental health awareness and suicide prevention -- and speakers from CCSD's School Police Department and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) initiative, and Highland Rivers Health. Admission is free.
March 5: 6 to 8 p.m., Cherokee Arts Center, CCSD Elementary School Art Show - A opening reception. Admission is free.
March 5-6: 7 p.m., Creekview HS, Creekland MS students will present the Disney musical “Alice in Wonderland, Jr.”; tickets are $5.
March 7: 9 a.m. to Noon, River Ridge HS, CCSD Job Fair - Principals and CCSD Leaders will be on site to recruit new teachers, bus drivers, School Nutrition staff and more!
March 7: 6 p.m., Northside Hospital Cherokee Conference Center, Cherokee County Educational Foundation "Celebration of Education" Gala fundraiser for CCSD schools and programs. Click here to learn about sponsorships and tickets.
March 7: 6 p.m., Cherokee HS, Cherokee High's Beat Out Cancer Club presents "Georgia Has Talent" talent show and silent auction fundraiser. Tickets start at $10.
March 10: 5 p.m., Creekview HS, CCSD Senior Classic basketball game. Admission is free, with donations accepted for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
March 11: 6:30 to 8 p.m., Cherokee High School, Parent University program presented by Cherokee County Council PTA in collaboration with CCSD and community partners.
March 12: 8:45 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. (registration begins at 8:15 a.m., CCSD Educational Services Annex, CCSD Special Education program for parents on helping students with disabilities succeed academically and socially
March 15: 9 a.m., Etowah HS, Etowah HS will celebrate the end of its “DUDE. be nice.” week with an Etowah Cares 5K fundraiser. Funds raised will be donated to mental health and medical nonprofits and charities. A flier with registration info is posted online here.
March 18: 6:30 to 8 p.m., Etowah High School; Parent University program presented by Cherokee County Council PTA in collaboration with CCSD and community partners.
March 19: 7 p.m., School Board Auditorium at Dr. Frank R. Petruzielo Educational Services Facility, Cherokee County School Board Meeting
March 19: 6 to 8 p.m., Cherokee Arts Center, CCSD Elementary School Art Show - B opening reception. Admission is free.
March 24: Student Holiday/Digital Learning Day. Classes will not be held on campus due to the presidential primary election, but learning will continue online through the Canvas learning management system. More details to come from your child's teacher!
March 25: 6:30 to 8 p.m., River Ridge High School; Parent University program presented by Cherokee County Council PTA in collaboration with CCSD and community partners.
March 26: 2:30 to 5 p.m., CCSD Educational Services Annex, CCSD Special Education Community Agency Information Fair for Parents and Families
March 31: 6:30 to 8 p.m., Sequoyah High School Parent University program presented by Cherokee County Council PTA in collaboration with CCSD and community partners.
April 6-10: Spring Break. All CCSD schools and offices closed.
CONTACT US
Email: communications@cherokeek12.net
Website: www.cherokeek12.net
Location: PO Box 769, Canton, GA 30169
Phone: 7704791871
Facebook: facebook.com/CherokeeGASchools/
Twitter: @CherokeeSchools