First Day Of School Is Aug. 1 In Cherokee County

CANTON, GA — The summer break is over, and many parents around Cherokee County are scrambling to make sure their children are ready for the first day of school. Classes will resume Wednesday, Aug. 1 in the Cherokee County School District, and more than 40,000 students are expected to show up to resume their education for the 2018-19 school year.

According to the district's 2018-19 First Day Facts, 42,894 is the projected enrollment for the year. To ensure these pupils get adequate attention in the classroom, the school district has hired 280 new teachers for the upcoming school year.

Some schools will also be led by new faces, as a slew of principals will continue their careers at new locations. Those changes include:

• Bob VanAlstyne, Sequoyah High School
• Dr. Abby May, R.M. Moore Elementary School
• Dr. Kerry Martin, River Ridge High School
• Matthew Freedman, Woodstock Elementary School
• Matthew May, Mill Creek Middle School
• Valerie Lowery, Boston Elementary School
• Laura Akers, Johnston Elementary School
• Kr. Kim Cerasoli, Indian Knoll Elementary School

Other good information to know: CCSD has expanded its My Bus Stop Tracking system to all schools. The tool allows parents or guardians to track their child's bus using a smartphone or computer. If you want to learn about what your little ones will be eating for breakfast and lunch, you can also check out the MealViewer To Go app and website.

(For more news like this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here)

Other highlights for the upcoming school year include:

• All six high school stadiums have been outfitted with new synthetic turf fields as approved by voters in the 2016 Ed SPLOST.
• Sequoyah High School's front office area has been renovated and reconfigured for better visibility and security.
• An additional lead nurse has been added to support school nurses and assist with medically fragile children, and an additional social worker has been added as well.
• RM Moore Elementary School STEM Academy parking lot has been reconfigured to accommodate additional traffic flow.
• Cherokee High School North campus, which is utilizing the former Canton Elementary School, has been updated and transformed to serve high school students.
• Slow pitch softball and gymnastics are being added as additional athletics opportunities at CCSD high schools.
• Construction of a 24-classroom addition at Mill Creek Middle School is underway.

Safety is also a top priority for the school system. Earlier this month the school district announced it would install security foyers at 15 additional elementary and middle schools, as well as front-door access control systems at all high schools. It's also added a SafeSchools Alert program for reporting threats, bullying and other tips via phone call, text, or email.

Three new school police officers will be added to the CCSD Police Department, which stayed abreast of its skills by conducting summer training exercises with local law enforcement agencies. The CCSD School Police Department was approved for recertification by the Georgia Law Enforcement Certification Program.

The last day of school for the 2018-19 school year is May 29. To view the school district's calendar for the year, click here.

Image via Shutterstock