CCSD Wins 16 State Awards For Public Relations

WOODSTOCK, GA -- The Cherokee County School District has won 16 awards from the Georgia School Public Relations Association, including three “Best in State” top honors. The association's annual Publications, Photography & Electronic Media Contest recognizes outstanding work produced by Georgia public schools, school systems, post-secondary institutions, educational agencies or education-related associations.

The winners were announced at the Association’s annual conference held Oct. 22-24, the school district said.

“Our school district would not be as successful as it is today without our strong commitment to communications and community engagement,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian Hightower said. “We’re honored to be recognized for the work we do each day to keep the public informed and look forward to further improving our connections with our community.”

The award-winning staff members will be recognized by Dr. Hightower and the Cherokee County School Board at the Nov. 16 meeting. Here's a breakdown of the awards CCSD brought home:

Category: Crisis Communications

BEST IN CATEGORY & Gold Award

• Barbara P. Jacoby, Chief Communications Officer, Office of Communications
• Carrie McGowan, supervisor, strategic Planning, Community Relations and Publications, Office of Communications

Category: Marketing Campaign

BEST IN CATEGORY & Gold Award, CCSD Ed SPLOST Informational Campaign

• Barbara P. Jacoby, Chief Communications Officer, Office of Communications
• Carrie McGowan, Supervisor, Strategic Planning, Community Relations and Publications, Office of Communications

Category: Social Media

BEST IN CATEGORY & Gold Award

• Barbara P. Jacoby, Chief Communications Officer, Office of Communications
• Carrie McGowan, Supervisor, Strategic Planning, Community Relations and Publications, Office of Communications
• Penny Dempsey, Facilitator, Communications, Office of Communications

Category: Annual Report

Gold Award

• Carrie McGowan, Supervisor, Strategic Planning, Community Relations and Publications, Office of Communications

Category: Electronic Media

Silver Award, “To Close or Not to Close? Inclement Weather” Video

• Carrie McGowan, Supervisor, Strategic Planning, Community Relations and Publications, Office of Communications
• Brandon Grummer, Teacher, Etowah High School
• John Carter, Assistant Principal, Teasley Middle School

Category: Excellence in Writing

Gold Award, “Teacher Appreciation Day”

• Barbara P. Jacoby, Chief Communications Officer, Office of Communications

Silver Award, “Back to School”

• Barbara P. Jacoby, Chief Communications Officer, Office of Communications

Category: Internet Web Site

Gold Award

• Barbara P. Jacoby, Chief Communications Officer, Office of Communications
• Carrie McGowan, Supervisor, Strategic Planning, Community Relations and Publications, Office of Communications
• Bobby Blount, Chief Information Officer, Office of Technology & Information Services
• Karla Tipton, Supervisor, Technology Support Services, Office of Technology & Information Services

Category: Special Event

Gold Award, “2017 Legacy Makers: CCSD Teachers of the Year Celebration”

• Barbara P. Jacoby, Chief Communications Officer, Office of Communications
• Penny Dempsey, Facilitator, Communications, Office of Communications

Gold Award, “Partner of the Year & Volunteer of the Year”

• Barbara P. Jacoby, Chief Communications Officer, Office of Communications
• Penny Dempsey, Facilitator, Communications, Office of Communications

Category: Special Purpose Publication

Silver Award, CCSD FY18 Budget

• Kenneth Owen, Chief Financial Officer, Office of Financial Management
• Marjorie DeFrank, Director, Financial Management, Office of Financial Management
• Mindy Woosley, Supervisor, Accounting & Budgets, Office of Financial Management
• Tina Farmer, Director, School Nutrition, Office of Financial Management
• Shannon Nolan, Supervisor, Purchasing, Printshop and Warehouse, Office of Financial Management
• Connie Henderson, Coordinator, Payroll, Office of Financial Management
• Jenna Williams, Coordinator, Financial Compliance & Reporting, Office of Financial Management
• Tammie Hunter, Administrative Assistant, Office of Financial Management

Bronze Award, “First Day Facts”

• Carrie McGowan, Supervisor, Strategic Planning, Community Relations and Publications, Office of Communications

Category: Newsletter/Newspaper

Gold Award, “Connection Points”

• Bobby Blount, Chief Information Officer, Office of Technology & Information Services
• Karla Tipton, Supervisor of Technology Support Services, Office of Technology & Information Services
• Debbie Childress, Supervisor of Instructional Technology, Office of Technology & Information Services
• Robby Carmichael, Director of Information Technology, Office of Technology & Information Services
• Esther Brenneman, Facilitator of Instructional Technology, Office of Technology & Information Services
• Derek Brock, Facilitator of Technology Support Services, Office of Technology & Information Services
• Matt Roper, Facilitator of Technology Support Services, Office of Technology & Information Services
• Chris Saxon, Supervisor of Technology Filed Services, Office of Technology & Information Services
• Christina Clayton, Supervisor of Digital Learning, Office of Curriculum and Instruction

Gold Award, “District Delegate”

• Penny Dempsey, Facilitator, Communications, Office of Communications

Category: Photography

Gold Award, “Daddy’s Home”

• Carrie McGowan, Supervisor, Strategic Planning, Community Relations and Publications, Office of Communications

Silver Award, “Hugs & High Fives”

• Carrie McGowan, Supervisor, Strategic Planning, Community Relations and Publications, Office of Communications

PHOTOS: The award-winning photos, “Daddy’s Home” and “Hugs & High Fives.” by Carrie McGowan.