Superintendent's Message
Dear CCSD Family,
Two special dates bookend our school year: the first day and graduation. Both fill our hearts with joy as we celebrate the possibility of every child.
Given the recent tragedy of Uvalde, our hearts are heavier this back-to-school season. But, as I committed to you after the tragedy, we have worked this summer to improve the safety and security of our schools.
As I announced last month, we are hiring additional POST certified police officers to join our CCSD Police Department. They will be part of a new group of officers assigned to serve only elementary schools, which replaces the system of officers being assigned to elementary schools in addition to the high school or middle school where they are stationed.
We will begin the school year with five officers in this group, with each assigned a cluster of neighboring elementary schools. We will expand the group to eight to 10 officers next semester, with further expansion possible to lower the officer to school ratio. This phase-in plan allows us time to recruit high quality officers, order equipped patrol cars and other equipment and provide any additional training required. This summer, our officers participated in a multi-agency, active shooter drill, which is just one example of the additional training they regularly undergo to be prepared for possible emergencies.
We also have been implementing other initiatives to strengthen school security, with the installation of additional and updated security cameras, the addition of teacher and staff badge readers to more doors so they also can be locked at all times, and the expansion to all middle schools of the new "panic alert" teacher and staff badge system now in use at our high schools.
This school year, we also will be piloting a new visitor management system to run active warrant background checks on all visitors (we already require criminal background checks for all volunteers who will be alone with students) and piloting the use of camera "buzz in" systems at entrances in addition to the already equipped main entrance.
Our Principals all have been tasked with reviewing safety concerns on their campuses, and these safety plan reports will be reviewed by our police department for further improvements. Additionally, our police department will be conducting unannounced safety audits at our schools throughout the school year to identify other areas for improvement.
Police Chief Buster Cushing, who joined our force after a successful career with the Cherokee Sheriff's Office, has assembled a department made up of officers with outstanding experience in all aspects of police work. I have confidence in every one of them. I also have confidence in Chief Cushing's ability to work with Sheriff Frank Reynolds, his longtime colleague, to immediately respond together to emergencies without confusion or delay.
As I shared after Uvalde, we strongly believe that supporting the well-being of our students also is critical to ensuring school safety. Our CCSDcares initiative, which will continue this school year, offers all students additional support, especially those struggling with emotional and mental health issues.
We also strongly believe in the importance of "see something, say something." Several potential incidents in our community have been avoided thanks to observant people who reported their concerns. Our Vector Alert system allows for students, parents, teachers and staff and community members to report safety concerns by phone, text, email, online message or app, with the option to do so anonymously. Please use this system to "see something, say something" and help us keep our students and staff safe.
Dr. Brian V. Hightower
Superintendent of Schools
Best of the Blue
Etowah High School Air Force Junior ROTC Lt. Col. (Retired) Stephen Bergey has been named the 2022 Overall AFJROTC Instructor of the Year. He was selected as the best out of more than 1,900 AFJROTC instructors worldwide. Read more here.
True Colors
Lisa Spence, the art teacher for Hasty Elementary School Fine Arts Academy, has been named a Crayola Creativity Ambassador by the National Art Education Association and Crayola Education. Read more here.
Top Driver
CCSD this month congratulated the winners of its new Bus Driver of the Year Awards, with 35-year driver Tamara Stephens of the Cherokee Innovation Zone named the best of the best. Read more here.
Science Olympians
Four CCSD students have earned statewide honors for science! Kaden Patel and Noah Larkin from Little River ES earned first place at the Georgia Elementary Science Olympiad, with Mason Trombley and Lily Juneghani from Hickory Flat ES placing third. Read more here.
Page Turners
Shelby Gibbs of Freedom MS won the seventh-grade division for her historical fiction children’s book, and Hadley Duncan of Creekland MS won the eighth-grade division for her short story in CCSD's 2022 Middle School Writing Contest. Read more here.
By Design
Three Sequoyah HS students in the Career Pathway for pre-architecture won honors in Georgia’s American Institute of Architects High School Design Competition, which is considered the top competition in the state for high school architecture students. Read more here.
School Supplies
CCSD's one-stop shop webpage online here lists all elementary and middle school supply lists. High school lists are supplied by teachers if specific supplies are needed. If you plan on attending your child's elementary school walk-though, that's a great time to deliver school supplies.
Best Laptops
CCSD encourages parents to consider purchasing a laptop computer for their child if they do not already have access to one at home. CCSD Office of Technology’s recommendations for the best laptop options are posted online here.
Recipe of the Month
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 and a recipe for Peach Ice Cream featuring the Georgia Harvest of the Month.
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