Woodstock HS Presented With State STEM Certification Banner

WOODSTOCK, GA — State School Superintendent Richard Woods visited Woodstock High School last week to present the school's official State STEM Certification banner, recognizing it as the 12th high school in Georgia to earn the prestigious honor.

Woodstock is the first high school in the Cherokee County School District to earn this certification, joining Clark Creek Elementary School STEM Academy on the list of 59 approved schools (For more news like this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here).

"We are so proud of their success in this endeavor," Cherokee County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian Hightower said, noting teachers, leaders, students, parents and partners all played an important role. "We look forward to seeing more of our students become scientists, engineers, doctors, teachers, researchers, programmers...or any of the many other careers STEM knowledge offers them the opportunity to pursue."

The path to state STEM certification is a multi-year process requiring strong evidence of meeting and exceeding standards in areas such as math and science instruction, technology integration, teacher collaboration, STEM competitions, and business partnerships. Woodstock High School officially earned the designation in November following a state STEM team visit.

The school held a brief program in the media center on Wednesday, Feb. 28 for the banner presentation and remarks from Superintendent Woods, as well as Dr. Hightower and Principal Mark Smith. School Board Chair Kyla Cromer was in attendance, along with School Board members Clark Menard and Kelly Poole, State School Board Member Scott Johnson and an audience of about 120 students and STEM teachers.

Dr. Hightower commended Smith and his team of administrators and teachers for their commitment to the arduous STEM process. Superintendent Woods acknowledged the efforts of CCSD in making STEM a priority.

"This does not happen without leadership support. That's clear," he said, and then turned his attention to the Woodstock administrators and teachers, "And without your buy in, I honestly say this does not happen at all.

"A lot of people don't understand, this certification does not come easy. There's a lot of work involved in it and a lot of commitment, and there has to be a lot of collaboration," Woods said. "You young people - you are the exception to the rule. It is my charge to you to say that your journey has just begun here at Woodstock High School. This is an opportunity."

Smith thanked his teachers and administrators, especially Assistant Principal Todd Sharrock, and spoke of the importance of STEM in career readiness.

"Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Those four words drive our nation's innovations and competitiveness by generating new ideas, new companies and new industries," he added. "STEM occupations are projected to grow by 17 percent into 2018, compared to 9.8 percent growth of non-STEM jobs. Three out of five jobs in the future will be STEM-related.

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. Teachers, you dreamed this several years ago; thank you for all your hard work," Smith continued. "Students, words cannot describe how proud I am to be your principal. Each one of you in this room have taken on a challenge that is incredibly rigorous and rewarding. You have made a commitment to step outside the normal high school box and pursue classes with a STEM focus. You have clearly left your mark on Woodstock High School. Your legacy is forever imprinted on the fabric of Wolverine nation."

A complete list of STEM certified schools can be found online.

Photo 1: CCSD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian Hightower, School Board members Clark Menard and Kelly Poole; State School Superintendent Richard Woods; School Board Chair Kyla Cromer; Woodstock HS Principal Mark Smith, and State School Board Member Scott Johnson pose with the school's STEM banner.

Photo 2: State Superintendent Richard Woods presents the STEM banner with, from left, WHS science teacher Kelly Burke, and students Sarah Head, Michael McDowell, Katherine Relick and Isabella Canales.

Photo credits: Cherokee County School District