Enrollment Tops 40,000 in Cherokee Schools On First Day

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The 2015-16 school year kicked off on Monday for the Cherokee County School District.

The first day of classes ”were extremely well-planned, smooth and successful,” the district said in its press release.

Enrollment reached 40,141 for the first day of the 2015-16 School Year a the district’s 44 schools and centers, according to preliminary attendance reports.

Cherokee County anticipates enrollment will continue to rise over the course of the school year to more than 41,500 students, with first-day enrollment 681 students higher than the first day report for the 2014-15 school year (day 1 of the 2014-15 school year’s student enrollment was 39,460).

“Today’s successful opening fills me with appreciation for the dedication of our staff and the support of our parents, partners and volunteers to ensure that each one of our students begins the school year right and has every opportunity to excel,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Petruzielo said. “Nothing is more important to us than preparing all students for advancement in their education and the rest of their lives, and the year ahead looks very bright for CCSD.”

• RELATED: First Day Of School “Off To A Great Start” In Canton, Sixes

The district’s 4,500 employees, including approximately 2,500 teachers, are now back at work on campuses and support facilities throughout Cherokee County; and the system’s fleet of 369 buses began their daily transport of approximately 70 percent of the student population through 1,450 daily bus routes.

District policies related to environmental/temperature concerns are being followed at all campuses, including: limiting the time students spend on school buses, allowing students to bring bottled water on school buses; and following guidelines for rescheduling and cancelling outdoor athletic/band/extra-curricular activities, when necessary, due to high temperatures.

Across the district, staff at every school worked together to ensure a successful start. At Clark Creek Elementary School STEM Academy that included rolling out a red carpet for students to walk as they entered school.

Creekland Middle School’s PTA created a clever “Thanks a Bunch” display of bananas and bottled water to keep teachers and staff energized during the morning rush. Elementary schools including Bascomb and Indian Knoll also held “boo-hoo”/“ya-hoo” breakfasts for kindergarten parents who needed some extra TLC after dropping off their little ones.

Additionally, construction for the replacement Dean Rusk Middle School is continues on schedule. This facility is scheduled to open in fall 2016 for students attending grades 6-8 in the Sequoyah Innovation Zone.

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