Lisa-Marie Haygood Earns Certified Association Executive Credential American Society of Association Executives announced that Lisa-Marie Haygood, executive director of the Cherokee County Educational Foundation (CCEF), earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation, which is the highest professional credential in the association industry. To be designated as a CAE, the applicant must have experience with nonprofit organization management, complete a minimum of 100 hours of specialized professional development, pass a stringent examination in association management, and pledge to uphold a code of ethics. Haygood has served as CCEF’s executive director since 2017 and has a long history of advocating for excellence in public schools throughout Georgia.
CCSD School Nutrition Meals Free to All Students Cherokee County School District (CCSD) families are receiving a new form of economic stimulus: free meals. Through December 31, 2020 (end date depends upon funding), CCSD School Nutrition will not charge fees to students for breakfast or lunch. No forms or income eligibility requirements are necessary for this federally funded temporary relief program. The USDA funding is retroactive to Sept. 1, 2020, and all meals charged since then will be credited back to student accounts. If an unpaid balance for meals was incurred, that balance will be waived. School Nutrition will charge fees for second helpings and extras like chips and cookies. Free meals are available to in-person students and Digital Learning students who order a week of to-go meals. Free meals are available to students at high schools with hybrid schedules for both in-person days and at-home days if to-go meals are ordered in advance. Children who are not yet school age who come with their parent/caregiver to the Digital Learning meal pick-up are also eligible to receive to-go meals. “We’re grateful for this federal support to provide relief to families who need a helping hand during this challenging time to ensure their children are fed,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower.
CCSD Speech Language Pathologist Named to National Board The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association selected Cherokee County School District Lead Speech Language Pathologist Dr. Patti Howard to serve on its Clinical Specialty Certification Board, a prestigious national appointment. According to the Association, Certification Board members are responsible for setting standards for professional clinical certification for speech-language pathologists and audiologists as well as for clinical specialty certification programs and recognition programs for support personnel.
Cherokee County Educational Foundation Awards $56K in Grants The Cherokee County Educational Foundation (CCEF) kicked off the new school year by presenting teachers and support staff with $56,000 in grants. Since its 2012 formation, CCEF has awarded more than $500,000 in grants to support Cherokee County School District (CCSD) teachers, programs, and schools. “The Cherokee County Educational Foundation makes teachers’ dream projects a reality, and we’re incredibly grateful for the Foundation board, executive director, volunteers, sponsors, and donors who make its fundraising successful,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said. The Foundation also supports initiatives including credit recovery scholarships for high school students, STEM learning, and the Teacher of the Year recognition program. These funds are raised through events as well as direct donations, which can be made online at CherokeeCountyEducationalFoundation.org.
Reinhardt Ranked in Top 10 of Best Colleges for Jobs in Georgia The ultimate goal after finishing college is securing employment in a chosen career field, so selecting a college recognized for the success of its students is important.Reinhardt University was recently listed in the Top 10 Best Colleges for Jobs in Georgia by Zippia.com. The organization used data from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) and College Scorecard for their rankings.Reinhardt was ranked in the company with the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Emory, Spelman, and Mercer. We are pleased to be recognized for the outstanding work of our faculty educating students for 21st century careers, said President Kina S. Mallard. Our alumni outcomes attest to how Reinhardt prepares students to make a living and make a life. To learn more about Reinhardt and programs offered, visit Reinhardt.edu. To read the full ranking analysis, visit Zippia.com/advice/best-colleges-for-jobs-in-georgia.
CCSD Announces Teacher of the Year at Legacy Makers Banquet The Cherokee County School District recently rolled out the red carpet and shined the spotlight on superstar educators at the 2020 Legacy Makers: CCSD Teachers of the Year Celebration.Befitting the events Oscars-inspired theme, with the opening of an envelope, Barry Dalton of Hasty ES Fine Arts Academy was surprised with the news he was the 2020 CCSD Teacher of the Year. Barry really impresses me with his dedication to the kids. He was all in with social and emotional learning long before we started talking about it as a CCSD initiative, Cherokee County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said. He teaches his kids grit and resiliency. He shows them he cares about them, their success and, most importantly, their happiness.Dalton, who teaches health and PE at Hasty ES and is in his 12th year as an educator, will advance as CCSDs nominee for the Georgia Teacher of the Year competition. In his remarks, Dalton thanked his mother, Vickie Dalton, for her inspiration as an educator; his father, Eddie; his wife, Heather; his current colleagues at Hasty ES; and his former colleagues at Clark Creek ES STEM Academy.Ive recently learned about an Aristotle quote, Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all, Dalton said. I dont believe students will truly learn in our classrooms until we have built the relationships and trust needed to make them feel comfortable.The Legacy Makers event, held at the Northside Hospital Cherokee Conference Center in Canton, honored the Teacher of the Year for every CCSD school and the four school district finalists, including Dalton, who was named the winner at the events close.
CCSDs Middle School Academic Bowl Winners Freedom MS earned the top trophy at this years Cherokee County School District Middle School Academic Bowl. Creekland MS came in second, and Teasley MS placed third at the event, which was organized by CCSDs Office of Curriculum & Instruction and was hosted this year by Dean Rusk MS.
Reinhardt University Ranks 7th in College of Consensus Reinhardt University improved its 2018 College Consensus ranking, rising three spots to the No. 7 Best College in Georgia this year. The ranking is determined by a composite from College Consensus based on thousands of student reviews and recent results from publishing ratings organizations. College Consensus recognition of Reinhardt once again this year gives us a great reason to celebrate all that is being done across campus for our students. To be included in the top 10 of all colleges and universities in Georgia with the likes of Emory University, Georgia Tech, and the University of Georgia is a milestone of which we are very proud, said Reinhardt President Kina S. Mallard.The faculty and staff at Reinhardt work every year to improve the experience and education students receive, while students maintain the universitys reputation through academic achievement, breaking athletic records, and growing into leadership roles.
Reinhardt Receives Nearly $1 Million STEM Education Grant The National Science Foundation (NSF) recently awarded Reinhardt University the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program grant. The nearly $1 million federal grant will fund Reinhardts STEM Teacher Education and Development Program, which will provide enhanced science and math education for students seeking to be high school teachers. Provost Mark Roberts and Associate Provost Jacob Harney, who also serves as the dean of Reinhardts School of Mathematics and Sciences, spearheaded the grant writing project with several university education and science faculty. I commend the creative and collaborative effort of the Reinhardt faculty, who imagined and wrote the grant. They listened to the needs of our students and our communities, as Reinhardt continues to pave the way for student success, said Reinhardt President Kina S. Mallard.Over five years, Reinhardt is expected to receive $930,000 for the STEM Teacher Education and Development Program to fund student scholarships, teacher stipends, research, and a STEM summer camp. The program will serve Reinhardt students, as well as teachers from Cherokee County School District and Pickens County School District.The scholarship funds will be distributed to eligible Reinhardt juniors and seniors who major in biology or math. After graduating, recipients will take their knowledge to a Title I public school in Cherokee or Pickens County and teach for at least two years.
Dave Henritze Golf Classic Raises $150,000 for Reinhardt Students More than 100 golfers enjoyed a beautiful day on the golf course at Capital City Club-Crabapple supporting Reinhardt University students.The 31st Annual Dave Henritze Scholarship Golf Classic raised $150,000 for Reinhardt University student scholarships.We are so grateful for everyone who participated in this years Golf Classic, said Dale Morrissey, senior director of constituent engagement. Id like to thank all of our sponsors and participants for their generous support and for making the tournament such a success.