While practicing required COVID-19 health and safety precautions, some libraries have reopened their doors for limited operating hours.

Any library materials that have been checked out can now be returned, and overdue fines will not be charged. Once returned, materials are held in quarantine for a limited time. Also, libraries are not accepting donated materials at this time. Here are other services that are currently being offered:

Sequoyah Sidewalk Service
You can request titles for pick-up at a pre-arranged appointment time, Monday thru Friday, with Sequoyah Sidewalk Service. Some libraries offer Saturday pick-up hours. Request a title online or by phone, and youll be contacted when your hold is available.

2020 Summer Reading Program
Sign up for the Summer Reading Program online. Log your reading, participate in bonus challenges for rewards, and post reviews of titles for others to read on Beanstack, an online portal. Adults, teens, and children can participate for free, individually or as a family, through the end of July. Visit the official 2020 Summer Reading Program webpage for the latest on summer happenings, updates, and partnerships.

Virtual Programming
Enjoy your favorite programs at the library from the comfort of your own home. Follow Sequoyah Regional Library on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for a full schedule of virtual programming each week. Also, enjoy LIVE story times, DIY crafts, health and wellness exercises, and more. View the full schedule on the online events page at SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org.

Cherokee County School District has reserved the auditorium at First Baptist Church of Woodstock to host graduation ceremonies on this schedule:

River Ridge HS Thursday, July 23, 4:00pm  
Woodstock HS Thursday, July 23, 8:00pm  
Cherokee HS Friday, July 24, 4:00pm
Sequoyah HS Friday, July 24, 8:00pm
Creekview HS Saturday, July 25, 9:00am
Etowah HS Saturday, July 25, 1:00pm

The tentative plan is for graduating seniors to invite all family and friends to attend. Should it be necessary to make adjustments such as limiting attendance or changing to virtual ceremonies due to continuing health and safety concerns, the decision will be announced by July 1.

I cant truly know the heartbreak our seniors parents feel. I stepped across each of my milestones, as did my two children, who enjoyed all the pomp and circumstance of a traditional CCSD senior year. But I know this we will do our best, together as a community, to celebrate them, said Superintendent Dr. Brian V. Hightower.

Starting next school year, Sequoyah HS students will have the opportunity to begin earning the AP (Advanced Placement) Capstone Diploma, which was developed by the College Board in partnership with colleges and universities. Sequoyah is only the second school in the Cherokee County School District to be approved for the AP Capstone program.

Sequoyah HS is very excited to provide this opportunity for our students, Principal Robert Van Alstyne said. With only 66 other high schools in Georgia participating, the AP Capstone program will keep Sequoyah among the elite schools in the Southeast.

Students who earn scores of three or higher for AP Seminar and AP Research coursework as well as scores of three or higher on four additional AP course exams will earn the AP Capstone Diploma. Students who score a three or higher in AP Seminar and Research but not on the four additional AP exams will earn an AP Seminar and Research Certificate. Through AP classes, high school students participate in college-level studies and have the opportunity to earn college credit.

School Counselor Kelly Schalliol found success in her first career supporting the mental health of adults but knew she could do more to help those in need. If she counseled them as children, she realized, she could make a longer-lasting impact.

Eighteen years ago, Schalliol began her work as a school counselor, and 10 years ago, she was chosen to help the Cherokee County School District (CCSD) open the Tippens Education Center. The program provides students who are struggling with emotional and mental health issues a place not only to learn academics but also to receive additional counseling and therapeutic support and services.

Through Schalliols dedication, including her own continuing education to provide the best services possible, Tippens supports its students and helps many transition back to their regular school. 

That is a very proud day, she said of when its decided a student is ready to transition back, noting those moments are among her greatest accomplishments.

This spirit of care, compassion, and continuous improvement led her colleagues to name Schalliol the Cherokee Innovation Zones Counselor of the Year, and for Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower to surprise her with the honor that shes the CCSD 2020 Counselor of the Year.

Kelly is a champion for every child she serves, Dr. Hightower said. She cares deeply about them and their families and was ahead of the curve on understanding the importance of social and emotional learning for every child. We appreciate Kelly. We are proud of her, and we congratulate her on this well-deserved honor!

Cherokee County residents responded generously to a recent food drive to support homeless and in-need local veterans. The American Legion Auxiliary at American Legion Post 45, located at 160 McClure Street in Canton, hosted the drive.

The Cherokee County Homeless Veterans Program offers material support (including this days giveaway of three donated vehicles and a Tiny House). This countywide program partners with American Legion Post 45 and other local organizations to help identify fellow veterans who need minor repairs to their homes. This work is made possible by a grant from the Home Depot Foundation, which is committed to improving the homes and lives of U.S. military veterans and their families.

For more information, contact program director Jim Lindenmayer (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or call American Legion Post 45 at 770-479-4405.

The Georgia Environmental Protection Divisions annual Open Burning Ban is now in effect in 54 Georgia counties. The ban on open burning prohibits the burning of yard and land clearing debris from May 1 through September 30.

The summer open burning restrictions help us improve Georgias air quality during the hot summer months, said Karen Hays, chief of the Georgia EPD Air Protection Branch.

Recreational activities such as campfires and grilling are exempt from the open burning ban. To access more information, visit EPD.Georgia.gov and click on Open Burning Ban under quick links.

Since many organizations are doing things a little differently due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the staff at Safe Kids Cherokee County would like you to know they are still available to help you with car seats.

Motor vehicle crashes are the No. 1 killer of children. And 3 out of 4 car seats are installed incorrectly. Safe Kids Cherokee has nationally certified child passenger safety technicians ready to make sure you and your family are riding safely in the car. 

Here are the ways they can assist and still follow social distancing guidelines:
    Phone conference appointment Call and discuss options or issues you are having with your seat.
    Virtual car seat appointment Utilizing Facebook Live, Zoom, Skype, or other media formats, technicians can see exactly whats going on with your seat in your car and walk you through what to do to make it safer.
    In-person appointment Primarily reserved for those in need of a seat, technicians can assist and instruct while maintaining social distancing and wearing appropriate protective equipment including masks and gloves.

If you are interested in making an appointment, visit SafeKidsCherokeeCounty.org or call 678-493-4343.

Give a Kid a Chances mission is to help low-income families equip their children for each new school year. On July 13, the organization will be distributing backpacks filled with school supplies to Cherokee County students in need. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the need will be greater this year.

If you would like to help, please visit GiveAKidAChance.org/files/2019_Backpack_Instruction_Sheet.pdf for specific instructions about backpack specifications as well as items that need to be purchased to go inside them. All items must be donated by July 5. If you have questions or require assistance, please contact Nitasha Ginn at 678-310-6257.

If your child needs a backpack/school supplies, please call 404-480-2334 (English) or 423-939-9031 (Spanish). For more information, visit GiveAKidAChance.org.

Rachel Gooch recently won the ADP Henry Taub Memorial Scholarship, sponsored by ADP Foundation and named for the companys late founder, who believed in the invaluable benefits of higher education. She will be attending the University of Georgia to major in art history.

Congratulations to Rachel, her family, and her teachers National Merit Scholarships are rare honors earned through years of hard work and dedication to academic excellence, leadership, and service, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said, noting Rachels many achievements including Superintendents Key Scholar, AP student, and outstanding visual artist.

Only about 1,000 distinguished high school seniors nationwide earn a special corporate-sponsored National Merit Scholarship. Scholars are selected based on National Merit criteria as well as requirements set by the scholarship sponsor.

The ADP Scholarship, which offers as much as $20,000 in annual financial assistance for college tuition and books, is open to children of ADP associates who are pursuing a college education. Of all qualifying applicants nationwide, five winners are selected annually based on criteria including academic achievements, extracurricular activities and community involvement, leadership roles, and an essay.

Caring for our community, changing lives

For the past two years, Hickory Flat Volunteer Association (HFVA) has been quietly offering lifesaving classes every month at no cost to residents of Cherokee County and beyond. In 24 months, more than 560 citizens have been certified in CPR, thanks to the dedication of these volunteers. Classes offered include CPR/AED, First Aid, First Responder, and Bleeding Control.

The past few months, we have had to shut down all our certification offerings to the community. We will most likely double our class schedule once we can open the doors again, said HFVA President Tim Crossland, adding that its his hope that classes can begin in late June.

HFVA offers all certification courses at no charge and is financially supported through donations offered by students and members of the community.

For 45 years, our community has been very supportive of our organization. From 1975 to 2018, when we were the Hickory Flat Volunteer Fire Department, and today, as Hickory Flat Volunteer Association, we have always been there to help people in need of our services, said Crossland. We are thrilled that we can continue to use our skills and expertise to train other people to save lives. June is Health and Wellness month and a perfect time to get certified or recertified in CPR.

HFVA members consist of career firefighters, volunteer firefighters, nurses, EMTs, fitness instructors, building contractors, and others. Some of the original founding members are still active in the organization. To find out more information about HFVA and other community services, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit HFVA.org.