State Schools Superintendent Visits Clark Creek STEM Academy

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State School Superintendent Richard Woods visited Clark Creek Elementary School STEM Academy to congratulate the students, teachers and parents on their recent achievement of State STEM Certification.

Woods made the visit Tuesday afternoon during a special school assembly, and he awarded the school its official State STEM banner.

Superintendent Woods told the crowd that Clark Creek STEM Academy has more teachers who have earned both math and science certification than any other STEM school in Georgia.

Clark Creek ES STEM Academy is only the 11th elementary school in Georgia, and the first school in Cherokee County, to earn State STEM Certification, which is a rigorous multi-year program evaluation of the integration of STEM instruction throughout the school.

“We are proud to be a school of choice in Cherokee County, and we are honored to lead the way and set a precedent for Cherokee County,” said Clark Creek Principal Dr. Jennifer Scrivner to the crowd gathered for the presentation.

Clark Creek is one of six academies of choice in the Cherokee County School District (four are STEM schools and two focus on Fine Arts). Parents can enroll their children in these schools during an enrollment window each spring.

Transportation is provided in most cases, and three busloads of students arrive at Clark Creek daily from transportation hubs in the county. The districts other STEM academies will soon begin the STEM certification process, following Clark Creek’s pilot model.

“We gave you a challenge when Clark Creek Elementary School opened as a STEM Academy; and you, seeing it as an opportunity to shine, met that challenge,” said Deputy Superintendent Dr. Brian Hightower during the assembly. “Congratulations to the students, teachers and support staff, as well as the parents, who have been so very supportive throughout this process. This couldn’t have been accomplished without you.”

Georgia PTA President Lisa-Marie Haygood also attended the presentation and shared her congratulations with the teachers and parents, including Clark Creek ES STEM Academy’s PTA officers.

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Photo 1: Many CCSD departments worked closely with the school to support the certification process. Left, Bobby Blount, Associate Superintendent for Accountability, Technology and Strategic Planning; Deputy Superintendent Dr. Brian Hightower, center right; and far right, Susan McCarthy, Associate Superintendent for Educational Programs, Student Support and Professional Development, were on hand to offer Principal Dr. Jennifer Scrivner, center left, their congratulations to her and her staff.
Photo 2: State School Superintendent Richard Woods congratulates the students, teachers and parents on the accomplishment of State STEM Certification.
Photo 3: The Clark Creek chorus entertains the audience with a song.
Photo 4: Clark Creek ES STEM Academy Principal Dr. Jennifer Scrivner (standing, in green) speaks to the students as the assembly begins.
Photo 5: Deputy Superintendent Dr. Brian Hightower, left, and State Superintendent Richard Woods, right, enjoy the choral performance.
Photo 6: Georgia PTA President Lisa-Marie Haygood offered her congratulations to the teachers and parents for all their hard work in the certification process.
Photo credits: Cherokee County School District