Heritage Packs a Punch to Hunger at Hasty ES The cashier asked, You hungry? I was used to the question. After all, both shopping carts were overflowing with SpaghettiOs and applesauce. She looked both curious and concerned. Actually, my church donates all this food to kids in a backpack program at Hasty Elementary, I said. As she began counting the boxes of macaroni and cheese, she wanted to know more. Thats great! But cant they get food from other places? I thought about it a moment. Well, youre right, I said. But many families dont have access to good transportation, so they cant drive to pick up the food. And even if they could, most places are closed after their parents get off work. This way, we put food directly into the hands of children, and its all easy for them to cook by themselves on the weekends when they dont get school lunches. I couldnt believe what happened next. The cashier took out a $20 bill from her pocket, handed it to me, and said, What a wonderful thing youre doing! I was a foster kid in a family of seven, and I know this would have a made a huge difference in my life. I hope this money helps. And I know it did.If you can contribute food or money to the Hasty Elementary backpack food program, or if you would like to volunteer, please contact Justin Bishop at Heritage Fellowship, 770-479-9415 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
CCSD STEM Grows With 3-Year Discovery Partnership The Cherokee County School District, already recognized nationally for its commitment to STEM education, now is working with Discovery Education, part of the same company as the Discovery TV network, so its classroom resources and professional development for teachers can enhance lessons and incorporate more real-world learning experiences.For the kickoff event, Dr. Cindy Moss, the Discovery Educations vice president of global STEM initiatives, led a crowd of CCSD teachers, administrators, and school partners from STEM businesses and organizations in hands-on activities to better understand what the company will deliver to students. We want our kids to become experts, to develop creative problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, as well as collaboration and other key soft skills, and Discovery Ed offers it all with an outstanding reputation, said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower.The partnerships benefits include Discovery Ed curriculum and other instructional resources, 15 days of professional development, and 10 days of coaching for the teachers and administrators at CCSDs middle schools and four of its STEM academy elementary schools. Hightower said he envisions the knowledge and skills gained by teachers through this partnership will spread districtwide, much as how the STEM academies teacher lesson plans and best practices have been shared to the benefit of all students.
Cherokee County Investigator Honored With Statewide Award Dan Combs, an investigator for the Cherokee County District Attorneys Office, was recently named Investigator of the Year for Division 2 by the District Attorneys Association of Georgia. Combs was one of three investigators from across the state who were honored at the recent Prosecuting Attorneys Council (PAC) of Georgia annual summer conference. These individuals serve our justice system with dignity, honor, and respect each and every day. We are extremely proud of their hard work and dedication to the prosecution profession, said PAC Executive Director Pete Skandalakis.Currently assigned to the Domestic Violence Unit in the District Attorneys Office, Combs focuses solely on cases involving intimate partner violence and other serious family violence felonies. The unit handles cases ranging from strangulation to malice murder. Combs has 20 years of experience in law enforcement. He has been with the District Attorneys Office for six years. Dan is a crucial part of our Domestic Violence Unit, said Cherokee County District Attorney Shannon Wallace. Besides being an extremely experienced investigator, Dan consistently goes above and beyond to ensure justice for our victims.The Prosecuting Attorneys Council of Georgia (PAC) is the overarching judicial branch government agency supporting Georgia prosecutors and their staff, which includes 49 district attorney offices (which handle primarily felony cases) and 65 solicitor-general offices (which handle only misdemeanor cases).
Cherokee County DAs Office Welcomes New Chief ADA The Cherokee County District Attorneys Office recently welcomed Susan K. Treadaway as its new chief assistant district attorney. Treadaway comes to the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit District Attorneys Office with more than 15 years of prosecution and management experience, including 11 years in the Cobb County District Attorneys Office, where she held positions as senior assistant district attorney and, most recently, chief assistant district attorney. During her time in Cobb County, she also served as an assistant supervisor of the Special Victims Unit, which prosecuted cases involving physical and sexual abuse against children and sexual abuse against women. Before her work in Cobb County, Treadaway served four years as an assistant district attorney in Cherokee County under District Attorney Garry Moss. I am excited to be back in Cherokee County, where I can be part of law enforcement in a growing community that still has small town charm, said Treadaway. I look forward to partnering with law enforcement to ensure justice is served here.Cherokee County District Attorney Shannon Wallace said she chose Treadaway as chief assistant district attorney because of her tremendous experience both inside of Cherokee County as well as in the large metro Atlanta county of Cobb. Susan Treadaway is a phenomenal prosecutor who has the perfect blend of both courtroom and management experience in a large metro Atlanta district attorneys office. She brings a wealth of experience in handling serious violent felonies, and we are thrilled to welcome her back to Cherokee County, said Wallace.
CCSDs Dr. Christian Kirby Wins Principal of the Year The Georgia PTA awarded Cherokee County School Districts Dr. Christian Kirby, principal of Ball Ground ES STEM Academy, its top title for school leaders, which was presented at the organizations annual summer conference. Kirby was also recognized by the Cherokee County School Board and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower at a school board meeting. Meaningful parent and community engagement is critical to the success of our students, and were so proud to see Dr. Kirby recognized for his dedication to this mission, Dr. Hightower said. Ball Ground Elementary School STEM Academy is the heart of its community, and we appreciate everything Dr. Kirby does to ensure the community knows that heart is open and welcoming.
Local Families Score Big in Annual Golf Tourney The Service League of Cherokee Countys inaugural Golfing Fore! the Children tournament was a great success. With 109 golfers and numerous event sponsors, more than $18,000 was raised for underprivileged children during the event held at Woodmont Golf Club. Money raised through Service Leagues fundraising events provides needy families in Cherokee County with day-to-day necessities such as food, clothing, dental care, eyeglasses, medical care, rental and utilities assistance, scholarships, and much more. The 2020 Golfing Fore! the Children tournament is set to take place June 15 at Eagle Watch Golf Club. For more information about participating next year as a golfer or a sponsor, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit ServiceLeague.net.
Marine Corp League Detachment Partners With CCSD The Marine Corps League Major General Warren R. Johnson Detachment 1311 in Woodstock will partner with the Cherokee County School District (CCSD) to provide annual cash awards to outstanding graduating Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) cadets and assist with and participate in Veterans Day programs and other school functions.CCSD will nominate JROTC cadets for the Detachment to consider for scholarships, provide the use of certain facilities, promote the Detachments programs, and explore/pursue joint grant opportunities in both parties best interest.The Marine Corps League voluntarily renders assistance to active and veteran Marines and to their widows and orphans and works to perpetuate the history of the Marine Corps by observing the anniversaries of historical occasions of interest to Marines.
Girl Scout Gold Award Fairy House Demonstration Day Ambassador Girl Scout Analise Black is working on her Gold Award, which is the highest level achievable and equivalent to the Boy Scouts Eagle Scout designation. Her project focuses on the decrease in the use of the imagination in elementary-school-aged children due to the prevalence of screen time/technology in their lives. Blacks goal is to provide families with ways to use their imagination. As part of her Gold Award project, she is creating a Fairy House Trail at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agencys Lewis Park. The trail includes one special area where children and their families can use their imaginations to create miniature fairy houses, constructed with any fallen/dead natural materials (no man-made materials to protect the environment). Black hopes that community use of the Fairy House Trail will also help increase childrens physical activity while stimulating their imaginations. She is holding a public demonstration on how to construct fairy houses on August 10, 10:00am-12:00pm (rain date is August 24) at Lewis Park, which is located at 200 East Bells Ferry Road in Woodstock.
Fitness, Fellowship, and Faith F3 Celebrates One-Year Anniversary On July 4 at 7:00am, more than 100 men celebrated the one-year anniversary of Fitness, Fellowship, and Faith (F3) Cherokee. Men throughout the county converged at Sequoyah Park for a huge boot camp style workout to celebrate the anniversary. F3 is a national network of peer-led workout groups for men. Every workout is free, open to all men, and outside (rain or shine, hot or cold). F3 Cherokee has workouts that meet Monday through Saturday in all parts of Cherokee County. Most workouts average 12-20 men and include boot camps, running, rucking, kettlebells, and mountain biking. For locations and more information, visit F3Cherokee.com or F3Nation.com. Women interested in a similar workout experience should explore Females in Action (FiA) Cherokee at FiANation.com
CCSD Gets New Police Chief Buster Cushing, who recently retired as a major with the Cherokee Sheriffs Office and just returned from the FBI National Academy program for law enforcement leaders, was sworn in as the Cherokee County School District (CCSD) Police Departments new chief.His longtime friend, Cherokee County State Court Judge A. Dee Morris, conducted the ceremony, which was attended by Cushings family and a crowd of local law enforcement leaders including Sheriff Frank Reynolds and Chief Deputy Ken Ball, as well as immediate past Sheriff Roger Garrison.Youre excited were getting one of your best, and were excited were getting one of your best, CCSD Superintendent Brian Hightower told the audience, which rose to give Cushing a standing ovation. We think a lot of Buster. Its a very forward moment for us as a school district and school police department.Cushing will fill the role held by retiring Chief Mark Kissel, who has led the department since its establishment 20 years ago.
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