Back To School: First Day For Woodstock Students Picture Perfect

WOODSTOCK, GA — Cherokee County students are officially back in the classroom, and the photos from the first day prove it was a good time.

By the numbers, Cherokee County Schools began the 2019-20 school year on Thursday, Aug. 1 and, as in the past, first-day operations were well-planned, smooth and successful, the district said.
Enrollment reached 41,214 for the first day of the 2019-20 school year at CCSD’s 40 schools and centers, according to preliminary attendance reports. The district anticipates enrollment will continue to rise over the course of the school year to more than 42,400 students, with first day enrollment 56 students higher than last year (day 1 of the 2018-19 school year’s student enrollment was 41,158).

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said if the county could have ordered up a perfect morning for the first day of school, he isn't sure it would have been prettier than Thursday.

"Not only did the beautiful weather exceed expectations, so did our entire #CCSDfam," Hightower wrote in a welcome back message. "Everywhere I traveled today, and in all the photos you shared with us online, I saw joy on the faces of students and our staff. And quite a few parents looked pretty joyful, too – just saying."

One of Hightower's favorite photos is of Katie Meier, a first-grader at Clark Creek Elementary School STEM Academy.

"It’s clear that after she and her sister smiled for the first pic, mom then said they could have some fun," he wrote. "And she did - the excitement and determination in her face as she pointed to the sky like a Super Bowl winner sums up how I hope every one of our students feels about school. (And love that pug in the window.)"

Another favorite from the first day came from Tippens Education Center, which opens its doors each day to students who must overcome more challenges than their peers on their path to success.

"The staff members welcomed these extraordinary kids in an equally amazing way. Paraprofessional Jennifer D’Ambrisi and teacher Kelly Robertson donned a couple of those inflatable T. Rex suits and teacher April Popham dressed up like a princess on a unicorn… and the kids ate it up."

"We know there were less-than-perfect moments: the extra-long, first-day car-rider line, the buses that ran early or late as they fine-tuned their routes to transport nearly 30,000 bus riders," Hightower said. "We’re grateful for your patience in these moments."

He was recently asked “what’s new” for this school year. The district isn't opening any new schools, asking the students or parents to learn a new app, or telling educators to reinvent teaching. What they're doing that’s “new” is more important than all of that to the district, he said. They are asking everyone in the community to join them in refocusing on what matters most for the kids: knowing that they care about them and want them to be successful.

"In education, it’s called Social and Emotional Learning," Hightower said. "For me, it’s just what’s right. Sadly, it’s been lost somewhat in the focus on more mandated high-stakes testing and the pressure for kids to choose their college and life path at a younger age - and never make a mistake on that path."

In the coming year, there will be more signs of this refocus, from activities in students' school to teachers sharing best practices with each other on the new CCSDCares social media pages.
The district posted a video recently to welcome its students back with inspiring messages from all the principals and their leadership teams.

"We know every day won’t be picture-perfect, and we know smiles sometimes hide struggles," Hightower said. "Together, we can make school better for every child every day. Please join us in our mission: our schools always need caring volunteers and dedicated business partners. You will never regret caring more for our community’s children."