Free Home ES Teacher Wins State Agriculture Award Free Home Elementary School teacher Carmen Power is the winner of the 2014 Georgia Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture Educator Award, presented by Georgia Farm Bureau. Power, who teaches fourth- and fifth-grade science, will receive a $500 grant for use in her classroom and will be presented the award at the Georgia Farm Bureau annual meeting on December 7 in Jekyll Island. The annual award recognizes one teacher in Georgia who makes an outstanding effort to introduce agricultural information into their classroom curriculum in an effort to assist students in learning the importance of agriculture. Nominees, who are nominated by a county farm bureau, must complete an application that includes a narrative about how they make agriculture education a part of their classroom; an agriculture education lesson plan; and letters of recommendation from the county farm bureau, the school's principal and a fellow teacher. Power's sample lesson was, "How Do We Grow Food in Small Spaces?" which used the school's new greenhouse for agriculture activities that integrated inquiry into science, plant biology, critical thinking and mathematics. "My goal this year is to bring agricultural awareness to my students and use these topics to teach my science content, as well as bringing in language arts skills, geography/social studies, and most certainly math," she stated on her application. "The most important skills I hope to instill in my students are being able to think critically and problem-solve. If I can spark the interest of even one child in an area of agriculture, I am hopeful that the farming lifestyle will continue to impact our community." Power will be recognized by the Cherokee County Superintendent of Schools and School Board at the school board meeting on December 4. In addition, Power will present a workshop at the organization's Educational Leadership Conference in March in Stone Mountain. She also will represent Georgia at the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference this summer in Kentucky (the value of this trip is $1,500) and will be entered into the 2016 National Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture Educator Award competition.
Donation to Develop Splash Lab at Canton Elementary STEM Academy Canton Elementary School STEM Academy has received a $5,000 gift from the Rotary Club of Canton to improve teaching and learning. The donation, which was presented by Canton Rotary at a recent meeting held at Morrison Products in Canton, will be used to develop an aquaponics "splash lab" at the school. The lab, which will be established in an unused classroom, will allow students to learn about sustainable agriculture by growing plants in water (hydroponics) that also serves as a habitat to farm tilapia (aquaculture). The hands-on lessons in this lab not only will connect to the school's mission to develop greater interest and knowledge of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects but also will expose students to potential career opportunities in this field. The gift is the latest contribution by Canton Rotary to the school, which together have forged a successful Partner in Education agreement that has included Club members donating their time and talents as volunteers at school events and the presentation of a $2,000 grant to provide enrichment field trip opportunities for students who otherwise could not afford them.
CMS Student Selected for Young Scholars Program Creekland Middle School student Daniela Trejo has been selected for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation's Young Scholars Program. The private, independent foundation "supports exceptional students from elementary school to graduate school through scholarships, grants, direct service, and knowledge creation and dissemination." Gianina Lockley will serve as Daniela's educational advisor and work closely with her throughout high school to develop her academic and extracurricular interests.
CHS Principal Honored at Principal of the Year Program Cherokee High School Principal Debra Murdock represented the State of Georgia at the National Association of Secondary Schools' Principal of the Year program in Washington, D.C. Principal Murdock was invited to the "Principal's Institute" as Georgia's High School Principal of the Year, an honor that she received this past spring. She made history by being the first principal in the Cherokee County School District to earn the prestigious title. During her visit to Washington, D.C., Principal Murdock met with fellow top educators from across the country and policymakers, including Georgia's U.S. delegation members. She also was recognized at the association's formal National Principal of the Year ceremony.
Reinhardt Students Selected for Dr. Bob Driscoll Awards for Regional Studies and Service Reinhardt University has announced the recipients of the Dr. Bob Driscoll Award scholarship, named for the late Dr. Bob Driscoll, former vice president for academic affairs, who emphasized the value of the unique local region as an opportunity for Reinhardt students to expand their intellectual horizons and their sense of community responsibility. The award is given to students in the Etowah River Valley region consisting of Cherokee, Pickens, Bartow and Gordon counties based on their regional studies or regional service. Students eligible for the award must be nominated and supported by a Reinhardt faculty member. The spring semester 2014 recipients included: Brandi Allen, a junior English major from Talking Rock; Alex Bryant, a senior marketing major from Canton; Wyatt Dean, a sophomore history major from Ball Ground; Marlea Martin, a junior healthcare administration major from Acworth; and Jasmine Simmons, a senior interdisciplinary studies major from Dallas. "The Dr. Bob Driscoll Awards for Regional Studies and Service, supported by faculty and presented to deserving students each semester, is a testament to the value Reinhardt University places on the study of and service to north Georgia," said Mark Roberts, vice president and dean for academic affairs. "We believe that the strength of our community lies within our collective service to its history and to its progress. This award is one tangible and scholastic way the University enriches the region in which we live." Allen was honored for her paper, "North Georgia Baptist Churches"; Bryant, for his paper, "Post-Rush Gold in Cherokee County"; Dean, for his paper, "The Franklin Gold Mine"; and Simmons, for her paper, "Farm and Food at Reinhardt University." The students wrote their papers as part of History Professor Ken Wheeler's course, "Town and Gown: Local History and Culture." Martin was recognized for her regional service as a volunteer at the Bethesda Community Clinic in Holly Springs.
CCA Rallies Support for Students' Sister Cherokee Charter Academy (CCA) is coming together with the community to help Harper Fry, 5, who has Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD), a rare, genetic disorder. Harper's older sisters, Lilee and Hanna, are CCA students. MLD is a progressive, terminal disease affecting the brain and nerves. Harper is gradually losing muscle control in her limbs and the ability to speak and eat. As time passes, Harper's physical needs increase, as do the demands placed on her family to care for her. The public is invited to show support for Harper at a special benefit event, "Harmonies for Harper Faith," at 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., October 4, at Mountain Park in Roswell. The event will include live music, inflatables, face painting, a raffle, and more fun. For donations and other support, go to CaringBridge.org/Visit/HarperFry and Facebook.com/HarmoniesForHarperFaith.
Knox Elementary Inducts New Junior Beta Club Members Knox Elementary School inducted the newest members of its Junior Beta Club recently. Students in Grades 4-8 were selected based on academic excellence, conduct, and leadership qualities. New members are Stella Belfield, Emma Bright, Molly Capozzi, Stephanie Cummings, Aden Diaz, Thomas Dragoone, Lillie Ergle, Emily Greer, Blake Henriques, Kali Holierhoek, Reagan Johnson, Olivia Langston, Sarah Liebert, Samantha Lindstrom, Zachary Lionetti, Madison Matthews, Brenden O'Sullivan, Molly Parker, Olivia Pavao, Sydney Payne, Lacey Powell, Tyler Presnell, Caleb Richardson, Kathryn Volz, Meghan Whitman, and Julia Williams. Junior Beta Club officers for 2014-15 are Stella Belfield, Sammy Lindstrom, Zack Lionett, Madison Mathews and Julia Williams. Teacher Katie Williams is club sponsor.
CCSD Speech Pathologist Wins National Award Patti Howard, lead speech language pathologist for Cherokee County School District (CCSD), was honored recently with the National Patriotic Employer Award. Presented by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Employer Support of The Guard and Reserve, the award recognizes employers who contribute to national security and to protecting liberty and freedom by supporting employee participation in the U.S. National Guard and Reserve Force. Howard was nominated for the award by Erin Riquelme, a contract occupational therapist who had meningitis while pregnant, while her husband was deployed out of the country by the National Guard. Howard arranged coverage for Riquelme from September through January (through her contract agency) so that she could move home to be with her family after she was released from the hospital. Howard also offered social emotional support during this critical time period for Riquelme and her family. "We are very proud that Patti Howard's actions were recognized, as this is something that she does daily as a valued employee of CCSD," said Charlette M. Green, director of Special Education for CCSD.
Boring Trust Establishes Scholarship Endowment at Reinhardt University Reinhardt University received a generous donation recently from the trust of James E. Boring Jr. and Syble E. Boring, who were devoted supporters of the college. The contribution of more than $200,000 will allow the university to establish the James M. Boring Jr. and Syble E. Boring Scholarship Endowment. Income from the endowment will provide scholarship assistance to students according to financial need and those with good academic records. Priority will be given to students in Whitfield County. Boring was the co-owner of Boring and Boring with his brother, Ken, and was president of Dalton Rock Products and Dalton Asphalt for 30 years before his retirement. He and his wife were residents of Dalton, where they attended the First United Methodist Church. He was an active member of Reinhardt's board of trustees from 1989-2001, and an emeritus member from 2001 until his passing in 2008. Reinhardt University's Jim and Syble Boring Sports Complex is named for the couple.
Georgia First Lady Visits Hasty Elementary Georgia First Lady Sandra Deal visited Hasty Elementary School Fine Arts Academy during the first week of school, appearing on a morning interview program and then reading a story to kindergarten students. Laney Cline, a fourth-grade student who hosts the "Mysteries of Life with Laney" morning TV show at the school, had written to Georgia Governor Nathan Deal, requesting that he appear on her program. While Governor Deal was not able to attend, Mrs. Deal was happy to visit the school in his stead. Laney, the daughter of John and Millie Cline of Canton, and the granddaughter of former CCSD School Superintendent Marguerite Cline, was delighted to land the interview and asked Mrs. Deal about her childhood and life in the Governor's Mansion during the 15-minute program. After the interview, which was televised to the school on a closed-circuit system, Mrs. Deal read to several kindergarten classes in the media center. She shared a poem entitled, "Learning to Read," and then read the book, "Who I'd Like to Be." Mrs. Deal is a former teacher and has made literacy one of her top priorities in her service as First Lady. She told the kindergarten students at Hasty ES that learning to read takes practice, and that they shouldn't get discouraged or give up.