CCSD Connections

Dear CCSD Families,

Happy New Year! Although weather has impacted school operations and our schools and facilities will be closed Friday, Jan. 10, and Saturday, Jan. 11, our second semester is already off to an amazing start as we returned to learning after a restful break.

I am so thankful for every member of our CCSD team who has worked together for a strong start.

It’s been mighty chilly for our bus drivers as they’ve cranked up before sunrise, as it has for the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office crossing guards who keep everyone safe and traffic flowing. From the teachers and staff bundled up for car-rider duty to the maintenance crews arriving early to ensure our schools stay warm, we have an amazing team.

It’s been a delight to visit schools this week and see our students, teachers and staff back at work on our mission to be the highest-performing district in Georgia where students learn more, grow more, and achieve more than they could anywhere else.

We also celebrated this week as we welcomed back our newly elected School Board Chair Janet Read Welch and our re-elected School Board members Kelly Poole (District 1) and Patsy Jordan (District 2). All three were sworn into office for four-year terms during a ceremony on Tuesday, and then Ms. Jordan was elected as vice chair for a one-year term. You can see photos and video from this special event on our website.

A high-performing school district begins with a high-performing governance team. Our School Board for the past nine months has invested more time than ever before in growing as a governance team, and I can’t wait to see all that we will accomplish together for our students in 2025.

Thank you,

Mary Elizabeth Davis

Superintendent of Schools

CCSD Celebrates Support Staff, Honors Employees of the Year

E.T. Booth MS Student Wins Regional Essay Contest

CCSD Celebrates AP Capstone Graduates

CCSD Teachers Named 2025 Georgia STEM Scholars

Etowah HS Student Represents CCSD at Statewide Education Event

CCSD Recognizes Athletes of the Month in December

High School Student Delegates Meet with Superintendent

The Lift with Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis is a new monthly video to provide the community with a brief synopsis after each School Board meeting. The video will review the business of the board and lift up the work that matters from the board room to the classroom. We will include the latest video in each edition of this newsletter. #CCSDElevateTheExcellence

As CCSD's Chief Information Officer, Dr. Brian Blanton works closely with district leaders to build strong cross-divisional teams that support educational initiatives.

The Technology & Information Services division is responsible for managing and supporting more than 40,000 student devices, 5,000 staff devices, tablets, two data centers and networks across 46 locations.

“I am so excited and proud to be a part of the CCSD team as we strive to elevate the excellence in our support of the School Board's goals to improve student learning,” he said.

Dr. Blanton’s journey to his career in education did not follow the traditional path. While working in management in the paint industry, he was led to a career change while serving in student ministries at his church. Inspired to make a difference, Dr. Blanton became a classroom teacher and library media specialist for 14 years, later moving into instructional technology leadership.

Jan. 15: 6 p.m., CCSD Spelling Bee at Cherokee HS

Jan. 16-23: River Ridge HS theatre program will present the musical "We Will Rock You" at 7 p.m. Jan. 16-18 and 21-23 and 3 p.m. Jan. 18. Tickets $15; advance tickets for sale online here.

Jan. 16: 7 p.m., School Board Auditorium at Dr. Frank R. Petruzielo Educational Services Facility,

Cherokee County School Board Meeting.

Jan. 17: 7 p.m., Cherokee HS theatre program will present a "Night of Broadway." Tickets $5.

Jan. 17-19: Ball Ground ES STEM Academy will present the musical "Finding Nemo Jr." at 7 p.m. Jan. 17-18 and 2 p.m. Jan. 18-19. Tickets $5 adults, $2 students; cash only at the door.

Jan. 20: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. CCSD schools and offices closed.

Jan. 23 and 25: 7 p.m., Cherokee HS theatre program will present the play, "Magic Treehouse - Knight Before Dawn." Tickets $10.

February: CTAE (Career, Technical and Agricultural Education) Month

Feb. 3-7: National School Counseling Week

We’re seeking outstanding teachers and other certified staff to join our team for next school year! Please register now for CCSD’s Job Fair on Saturday, March 1. The fair is 9 a.m. to noon at River Ridge High School (400 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock, Ga. 30188). Pre-register online at https://bit.ly/2025CherokeeJobFair

Email: communications@cherokeek12.net
Website: www.cherokeek12.net
Location: PO Box 769, Canton, GA 30169
Phone: 7704791871
Facebook: facebook.com/CherokeeGASchools/
Twitter: @CherokeeSchools