River Ridge HS Students Winning at Regional Academic Competitions Senior, Garrett Johnston, was named the Varsity Champion at the 2015 Eastern Georgia Fall History Bowl on Oct. 31 in Athens, qualifying him for the National History Bee. He competed as a one-person team in the historical knowledge contest, outscoring teams from top-ranked high schools from the region. Not only did he win two first-place awards, but Garrett also went undefeated throughout the entire event. This is the fourth year that he has qualified for the National History Bee. The River Ridge High School Varsity A Academic Team recently finished in the top tier at its first event. The team, which is nationally competitive, placed in the top 8 out of 44 high schools in the regional competition.
Teasley MSs Jeremy Law is CCSDs Teacher of the Year Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Frank R. Petruzielo, made the surprise presentation to Jeremy Law, praising his service above self and compassion for every child. Law is in his sixth year teaching at Teasley Middle School, where he teaches special education students in resource and general education classes, and at Sequoyah High School, where he coaches football. Knowing that I have the opportunity to make an eternal impact on a kids life thrills me each day, Law said. Its easy to get out of bed each morning knowing that you have the chance to give a child hope through education.
Mill Creek MS Raises More than $2,500 for Childhood Cancer As part of Mill Creek Middle Schools efforts to raise awareness for Childhood Cancer Month, the school collected donations, and the schools Relay for Life team raised more than $2,500 to benefit The Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research.
CCSD Students Selected for State School Superintendents Student Advisory Council The CCSD is well-represented on the State School Superintendents Student Advisory Council, with five of the 110 students selected for the honor hailing from CCSD schools. State School Superintendent, Richard Woods, chose the students from a pool of more than 1,500 middle and high school students who applied to serve on the 2015-16 Student Advisory Council. Students were selected based on their answers to essay questions about public education and how to improve it. The CCSD students selected are: from E.T. Booth MS, Hannah Culver; Sequoyah HS, Loren Cagle and Maddison Faulkner; and Teasley MS, Isabella Ragozzine and Madelyn Zeiner. The students will meet with Superintendent Woods during the school year to talk about education issues, including the impact of state policies in the classroom and will serve as the Superintendents ambassadors in their schools.
Charity Roast Raises Over $100k for Boys and Girls Club The 12th Annual Charity Roast, presented by the Malon D. Mimms Company, was a smashing success! It was held at the Northside Hospital-Cherokee Conference Center, and thousands of dollars were raised, benefitting this years worthy charity, the Malon D. Mimms Boys and Girls Club. The guest of honor/roastee was Billy Hayes, CEO of Northside Hospital-Cherokee, who was a very good sport and took the ribbing in stride. The Master of Ceremonies was Jamie Bendall, from the Punchline Comedy Club. Other special guests/roasters included Avery Poe of Avery Poe Physician Recruiting, Dr. Angela Falany of Falany & Hulse Womens Center, Will Hopkins, Dr. Carl C. Capelouto of Georgia Urology and Mia Jackson, comedian. Lively entertainment was provided by Reinhardt Colleges mens acapella group, Men of Hardt. Food and fun was had by all, and all for a great cause!
Clark Creek Elementary School STEM Academy Makes History! A Georgia Department of Education State STEM Certification Team visited Clark Creek ES to determine if they had met the high bar to earn the prestigious, State STEM Certification. Dr. Scrivner then visited every classroom to tell teachers and students the positive outcome of their four years of hard work and she was met with jubilation! We are simply ecstatic about our State STEM Certification! Dr. Scrivner said. The students, teachers and community have worked diligently to ensure an amazing 21st-century education for our students. Clark Creek ES STEM Academy is one of only 11 elementary schools in Georgia to earn this commendation.
24 Cherokee County Schools Selected for SHAPE Honor Roll Twenty-four Cherokee County School District schools have been named to the Governors SHAPE (Student Health and Physical Education) Honor Roll in recognition of their commitment to the health and well-being of Georgias students through fitness and nutrition. The State named 186 schools statewide to the Honor Roll. CCSD claimed 13% of the total! Platinum winners: Avery ES, Boston ES, Clark Creek ES STEM Academy, Holly Springs ES STEM Academy, Indian Knoll ES, Knox ES, Sixes ES Gold winners: Johnston ES, Creekland MS, E.T. Booth MS, Freedom MS, Mill Creek MS, Woodstock MS Silver winners: Ball Ground ES STEM Academy, Bascomb ES, Canton ES STEM Academy, Clayton ES, Free Home ES, Macedonia ES, Oak Grove ES Fine Arts Academy, Dean Rusk MS, Cherokee HS, Etowah HS Bronze winner: River Ridge HS
Outstanding CCSD Athletes Recognized The Cherokee County Sports Hall of Fame recently recognized outstanding Cherokee County School District senior student athletes. Female student athletes: Caitlyn Farrell, Cherokee HS; Camille Fahrnbauer, Creekview HS; Leena Morris, Etowah HS; Avery Blackmon, River Ridge HS; Kyli Schmitt, Sequoyah HS; Alexandra Melehan, Woodstock HS; and male student athletes: Andrew Harris, Cherokee HS; Brennan Garriques, Creekview HS; Brad Morgan, Etowah HS; Scott Morgan, Etowah HS; Tanner Hicks, River Ridge HS; Jake Jensen, Sequoyah HS; Zach Shareef, Woodstock HS.
CCSD Ranks in Top 5 Districts in GA for SAT Scores The Cherokee County School District continues to rank in the top 5 school districts in Georgia for average SAT scores, and earned the highest county average in metro Atlanta! The School Districts Class of 2015 earned an average total score of 1560, which is the fifth-highest score out of 180 school systems in the State of Georgia, according to data released by the College Board. The School Districts Class of 2015 graduates topped the National average by 70 points and the State average by 110 points on the curriculum-based, college entrance and placement exam, which is the most commonly recognized measure of achievement for high school students.
Cherokee Countys 2015-16 Teachers of the Year The Cherokee County School District announces the school-level winners of its Teacher of the Year program that recognizes its most outstanding teachers. The county winner is entered as the School Districts nominee for Georgia Teacher of the Year award, which is announced in the spring. The CCSD and school-level winners are honored at the annual CCSD Teacher of the Year Banquet in December, which is sponsored by Northside Hospital-Cherokee and Credit Union of Georgia. Congratulations to the 2015-16 Teachers of the Year! Arnold Mill ES: Allison FussBascomb ES: Dawn BarrettBoston ES: Jennifer MartinCCSD Preschool Centers: Lori RichCarmel ES: Audrey CraigClark Creek ES STEM Academy: Jennifer McIntoshE.T. Booth MS: Angela MentzelEtowah HS: Dr. Brian HeglundJohnston ES: Cameron JohnstonLittle River ES: Debbie BrownMill Creek MS: Becky StodolaMountain Road ES: Rebecca SpearsOak Grove ES Fine Arts Academy: Carli OConnellRiver Ridge HS: Henley SawickiTippens Education Center: Jamie HortonWoodstock ES: Amy VanFossenWoodstock HS: Loretta Cameron Woodstock MS: Brandi Miller