Schools
Leaders 'Get on Board' with VIP Tour of Cherokee Schools
Dozens of community leaders got a first-hand look at the classroom and technology innovation in the Cherokee County School District.
Community leaders enjoyed a VIP tour of three Cherokee County School District schools on Tuesday, Oct. 21 as part of the second annual “Get on Board! with CCSD Schools” Bus Tour.
The tour kicked off in the morning at Canton Elementary School STEM Academy, where leaders learned more about why STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) is such a focus in education today and what students are learning at a STEM Academy.
The tour then proceeded next door to Cherokee High School for an overview of secondary education in the district, led by Principal Debra Murdock, the Georgia High School Principal of the Year. Participants learned more about Cherokee High’s award-winning Career Pathways courses and the recent athletic complex improvements.
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Participants ended their tour at the new Teasley Middle School, where they saw the latest in classroom technology including 3-D printers, learned the benefits of the school’s one-to-one laptop computer initiative, a district pilot program, and enjoyed a district school nutrition-prepared lunch.
The vision for “Get on Board! with CCSD Schools” is to better educate local leaders about the outstanding schools in the Cherokee County School District and how they can be a part of their success. In addition to classroom tours and lunch, the annual event, which is co-sponsored by Credit Union of Georgia, includes the opportunity for participants to share their thoughts and suggestions.
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Rand Bagwell of Northside Pharmacy, a graduate of district schools who today is a school district parent, said he was most impressed with how teaching and learning has adapted to prepare students for today’s world.
“The kids are in very capable hands,” he said.
Tour participants were wowed by various technology in use at all grade levels, ranging from students video-conferencing in class with a NASA scientist, using laptops and online resources to solve probability problems and designing and creating projects on a 3-D printer.
“The schools here are very technologically advanced and top of the line,” said Tarrah Suggs of Cobb EMC.
School board member-elect Clark Menard of Woodstock appreciated the focus on career preparation including the many industry certification and licensing programs offered at the district’s high schools.
“Our schools are not only preparing students for college, they also are offering classes that provide an immediate entry into the workforce,” he said.
Amanda Arnold of Credit Union of Georgia said she was impressed by how classroom instruction incorporated so many different types of technology.
“CCSD is doing incredible things,” she said.
For information on future tours, please contact Barbara Jacoby, CCSD Director of Public Information, Communications and Partnerships, at 770-704-4228 and Barbara.jacoby@cherokee.k12.ga.us.
“Get on Board! with CCSD Schools” 2014 Participants
- Amanda Arnold, Credit Union of Georgia
- Rand Bagwell, Northside Pharmacy
- State Rep. Mandi Ballinger
- State Sen. Brandon Beach
- State Rep. Michael Caldwell
- Pam Carnes, Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce President
- School Board Member-elect Mike Chapman, Morrison Products
- Rebecca Cooper, Credit Union of Georgia
- School Board Member Kyla Cromer
- Rod Drake, Georgia Power
- Will Goodwin, Oak Leaf Church
- John Hicks, YMCA of Cherokee County
- Steve Holcomb, United Community Bank and Cherokee County Development Authority Chairman
- Rick Ingram, Community & Southern Bank
- School Board Member Patsy Jordan
- Misti Martin, Cherokee County Office of Economic Development Executive Director
- Gary Mason, Moe’s Southwest Grill
- School Board Member-elect Clark Menard
- Dr. Ron Newcomb, Chattahoochee Technical College President
- Gwen Parker, Renasant Bank
- Jamie H. Pritchett, North GA CPA Services
- School Board Chair Janet Read
- Jeff Rusbridge, Dyer & Rusbridge, P.C. and Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce Chairman-elect
- Tarrah Suggs, Cobb EMC
- State Rep. Scott Turner and Kelly Turner
- School Board Vice Chair Robert Wofford
(Photo: Canton ES STEM Academy science teacher David Corn, a past Canton ES STEM Academy Teacher of the Year, assists students Adarius Harshaw, left, and Lathan Mears with an experiment on vascular attributes as tour participants Steve Holcomb, left, and Jeff Rusbridge look on. Credit: Cherokee County School District)
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