

CCSD Connections
A Monthly Parent Newsletter - March 2024
Superintendent's Message
Dear CCSD Family,
Today, I began my service to our community as your Superintendent of Schools and spent the day in my favorite place: school.
School is where I heard my calling as a young child. I was inspired by my amazing teachers and by my grandmother, the first Mary Elizabeth. She earned a chemistry degree, a rarity among women of her generation, and instilled in me the critical importance of education. Like her, I also earned a chemistry degree and, like her, I am dedicated to instilling in others the importance of education.
As I shared with you earlier this week, I'm embarking on a 100-day plan to “Listen to understand, Lean-in to remember, and Learn to Lead" that begins with visiting each of our schools this month and meeting with our community.
I invite you to follow along as I share my journey with you. I'll share updates with you regularly on our website here. There you can see a slideshow of photos and videos from my visits today.
Thank you,
Mary Elizabeth Davis
Superintendent of Schools
Mary Elizabeth Davis speaks with principals and teachers at the CCSD Job Fair.
THANKS TO THIS MONTH'S SPONSOR
TOP STORIES
Best in State
CCSD's high schools, for the 14th consecutive year, have earned the state’s top honors for outstanding Advanced Placement (AP) programs and performance, with CCSD earning a record number of awards. All of CCSD’s high schools were named 2024 AP Honor Schools for exceptional student performance and participation on AP exams, which offer students more challenging coursework and the opportunity to earn college credit. Learn more here.
Ready to Learn
CCSD kindergarten and new student registration now is open online for the 2024 -25 school year. Parents of any student who will be new to CCSD for the 2024-25 school year can enter information and upload documents to complete the registration process online using CCSD’s Synergy system. Parents are asked to complete this process by May to ensure as smooth an enrollment as possible. Learn more here.
Hiring Season
March begins peak teacher hiring season for school districts, and CCSD calls upon a special team to aid in its recruiting success: current teachers. The CCSD Recruitment Ambassador team is made up of outstanding educators from across the school district selected for their excellence in teaching and knowledge of the district and its opportunities for teachers. Learn more here.
ACCOLADES
With Honor
Three CCSD Class of 2024 seniors have earned prestigious U.S. military scholarships. They are among only 100 students worldwide to earn the Air Force JROTC J-100 Character-in-Leadership Scholarship: an elite four-year scholarship that pays full college tuition and fees at any public or private institution with an Air Force ROTC program and provides a $10,000 annual university housing allowance. Learn more about them here.
STAR Students
Congratulations to CCSD's 2024 STAR Students and Teachers! The STAR, or Student Teacher Achievement Recognition, Student honor is awarded to the high school senior from each Georgia public and private high school with the highest score on any single test date of the SAT and who also ranks at the top of their class. Each honored student is invited to select a STAR Teacher. Learn more about them here.
Signing Day
Forty-five CCSD student athletes recently signed commitment letters to play competitive sports at the college level. The National Signing Day event followed signings held earlier this school year at which 57 CCSD student athletes signed to play on competitive college teams … for a total so far this year of 102 signings. Learn more about their plans here.
Honor Roll
CCSD surprised four teachers with the news they are finalists for the 2024 CCSD Teacher of the Year award! The CCSD Teacher of the Year, who is one of the four finalists, will be announced during CCSD’s Legacy Makers celebration for all school honorees this spring. Learn more about the finalists here.
By the Book
As a former classroom teacher, Woodstock High School media specialist Jennifer Cogdill understands how a school’s media center can support teachers’ daily instruction and enrich student learning. In recognition of her professional excellence, she was surprised this week with the CCSD's Library Media Specialist of the Year award! Learn more about her here.
Share the Love
Thanks to the sponsorship of Credit Union of Georgia, CCSD gave families the opportunity to nominate their child’s teacher or a support staff member at their child’s school to win a $250 Visa gift card through the third annual Share the Love contest. Learn more here about the four winners.
MORE GREAT #CCSDfam NEWS
Students Earn Top Honors at State Theatre Conference
CCSD Celebrates 2024 Partners of the Year, Volunteers of the Year
School Nutrition Culinary Specialist Earns National Recognition
Students Win at First Rowing Competition
Students Headed to State Science & Engineering Fair
Students Advancing to State Social Studies Fair
Elementary School Students Qualify for State Science Fair
Students Advance to Young Authors Regional Competition
Student Artists Headed to State Reflections Competition
National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists Advance to Finalists
CCSD Welcomes New Class to Educators Hall of Fame
CCSD Recognizes Superintendent's Key Scholars for Academic Success
Teacher Inducted into State Coaching Hall of Fame
Congratulations to CCSD Middle School Basketball Tournament Champions
Congratulations to CCSD's 2024 Innovation Zone Counselors of the Year!
PATHWAY PROFILE
Program Prepares Students for Careers in Information Technology: Game Design
CCSD has increased its Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives, to 41 this school year. Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we’ll profile each of the three new programs … this profile focuses on the Information Technology: Game Design program at Etowah High School. Learn more here.
PARENT RESOURCES
Teen Job Fair
The City of Canton on April 22 will present its Third Annual Teen and Young Adult Job & Volunteer Fair showcasing full time, part time and seasonal employment and volunteer opportunities. The free event is from 3 to 6 p.m. at Canton City Hall.
From CCSD Kitchens
CCSD's award-winning School Nutrition department shares a recipe of the month from its kitchens as part of its monthly newsletter. Check out the new issue online here including a recipe for Corned Beef and Cabbage celebrating Irish Heritage Month and the Georgia Harvest of the Month: root vegetables.
Confidence Boost
CCSD's "School to Home Connections" newsletter's primary audience is families whose children are learning English as a second language, but it provides useful info for all families. Please read the new issue online here, which offers tips on boosting your child's confidence in their learning.
UPCOMING EVENTS
March 3-9: National School Social Worker Week
March 4-8: National School Breakfast Week
March 8-10: Ball Ground ES STEM Academy drama club presents "Wizard of Oz" at 7 p.m. March 8-9, 2 p.m. March 9-10; tickets: $5.
March 9: 3 p.m., Coach English 3.3 Mile Trail Run at Blankets Creek Park in Canton presented by Building Fires
March 11-15: Georgia Exceptional Children's Week
March 11-15: Georgia School Boards Appreciation Week
March 12: Digital Learning Day - no in-person school for students due to schools being used as Presidential Primary Election polling sites. Assignments will be provided for students to complete online at home.
March 14-16: Etowah HS theatre program presents “Little Shop of Horrors” at 7 p.m. March 14-15, 5 p.m. March 16; tickets: $15.
March 14: 6 p.m., Senior Night at Chattahoochee Technical College North Metro Campus, Building D, 400 Hall (5198 Ross Road, Acworth, GA 30102), an informational event for Class of 2024 high school seniors (and parents).
March 15-16: 7 p.m., Cherokee HS theatre program presents “You Have the Right to Remain Dead”; tickets: $7.
March 15-16: Creekland MS drama club presents “Matilda Jr.” at Creekview HS at 7 p.m. plus 3 p.m. March 16 (sensory friendly); tickets: $10.
March 21: 7 p.m., School Board Auditorium at Dr. Frank R. Petruzielo Educational Services Facility, Cherokee County School Board Meeting.
March 22-23: 7 p.m., Cherokee HS theatre program presents “Bungee Jump, Bear Trap”; admission is a canned good at the door.
March 25-27: River Ridge HS theatre program presents drama class shows at 7 and 8 p.m. Admission is free.
March 26: 2:30-6 p.m., CCSD Special Education department's Community Service Fair at 1020 Keeter Road, Canton, GA 30114. Parents, students, educators and community members are invited to learn more about community services for students with disabilities, from preschool through post-graduation.
March 29-30: Cherokee HS theatre program presents “The Crucible” at 7 p.m.; tickets: $7.
April 1-5: 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