Cherokee Schools Earns Communication, Community Engagement Awards

CHEROKEE COUNTY, GA — The Cherokee County School District won top awards for communications and community engagement including two “Best in State” top honors.

The Georgia School Public Relations Association’s Annual Publications, Photography & Electronic Media Contest recognizes outstanding work by public schools, school systems, post-secondary institutions, and educational agencies and associations. The winners were announced at the Association’s Annual Conference in October. Cherokee Schools earned the highest total number of awards presented with 17 gold awards – including two “Best in State” honors -and four silver awards.

“These awards recognize our long-standing commitment to effective communications, community engagement and transparency,” Superintendent of Schools Brian Hightower said. “I’m proud of the Office of Communications’ daily work to ensure our community understands who we are, what we do, and, most importantly, our why – to not only educate every child for future success, but also to care for them and their well-being.”

The award-winning staff members will be recognized by the Cherokee County School Board and Superintendent of Schools at the School Board’s Nov. 21 meeting.

BEST IN CATEGORY (& GOLD AWARD)

• Category: Photography
  • For “Grad Jump” photographed by Carrie McGowan, Supervisor of Strategic Planning, Community Relations & Publications
• Category: Newsletter
  • For the District Delegate monthly employee newsletter edited by Penny Dempsey, Coordinator of Events and Recognition Programs

GOLD & SILVER AWARDS

• Category: Crisis Communications
  • Gold Award
  • Barbara P. Jacoby, Chief Communications Officer
  • Carrie McGowan, Supervisor of Strategic Planning, Community Relations & Publications
• Category: Excellence in Writing
  • Gold Awards, “Teacher of the Year Finalist Announcement” and “#CCSD1stDay”
  • Barbara P. Jacoby, Chief Communications Officer
• Category: Internet Website
  • Gold Award
  • Carrie McGowan, Supervisor of Strategic Planning, Community Relations & Publications
  • Barbara P. Jacoby, Chief Communications Officer
• Category: Newsletter
  • Gold Award, CCSD Connections parent newsletter
  • Barbara P. Jacoby, Chief Communications Officer

Gold Award, Connection Points employee newsletter

• Bobby Blount, Chief Information Officer
• Robby Carmichael, Executive Director of Information Technology
• Brad Orth, Executive Director of Business Information Systems
• Dr. Shannon Carroll, Supervisor of Instructional Technology
• Dr. Jennifer Scrivner, Supervisor of Research
• Chris Saxon, Supervisor of Technology Field Services
• Karla Tipton, Supervisor of Technology Support Services
• Derek Brock, Facilitator of Technology Support Services
• Matt Roper, Facilitator of Technology Support Services
• Jeremy Gravley, Manager of Technology Logistics
• Marsha Pickens, Administrative Assistant
• Kaity Littlefield, Copy Editor/Support Clerk

Category: Social Media

• Gold Award
• CCSD Office of Communications

Category: Special Event

• Gold Awards, “2019 Legacy Makers: CCSD Teachers of the Year Celebration,” “CCSD 2019 Support Staff Employee of the Year Awards” and “Partner Up! with CCSD”
• Penny Dempsey, Coordinator of Events and Recognition Programs
• Anne Reed, Executive Secretary for Office of Communications
• Barbara P. Jacoby, Chief Communications Officer

Category: Special Purpose Publication

• Gold Award, 2019 Legislative Partnership Priorities
• Carrie McGowan, Supervisor of Strategic Planning, Community Relations & Publications
• Mike McGowan, Chief of Staff
• Silver Award, CCSD FY20 Budget
• Kenneth Owen, Chief Financial Officer
• Marjorie DeFrank, Executive Director of Financial Management
• Tina Farmer, Director of School Nutrition
• Shannon Nolan, Director of Procurement Services
• Mindy Woosley, Supervisor of Accounting & Budgets
• Connie Henderson, Supervisor of Payroll
• Jenna Williams, Coordinator of Financial Compliance & Reporting
• Tammie Hunter, Administrative Assistant for Office of Financial Management

Category: Annual Report

• Silver Award
• Carrie McGowan, Supervisor of Strategic Planning, Community Relations & Publications

Category: Electronic Media

• Silver Awards, “Bronco’s Surprise” and “#CCSD1stDay”
• CCSD Office of Communications

Category: Marketing Campaign

• Silver Award, #SafeCherokee
• CCSD Office of Communications