Jennifer Gates, third grade teacher at Powers Ferry Elementary, is among 200 teachers nationwide selected to attend the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy. The summer academy will be held in Jersey City, NJ and includes teachers from all 50 states. The program allows teachers to expand their math and science skills during a week-long, all-expenses paid professional development program. Gates is a former national journalist and university instructor and is entering her third year at Powers Ferry Elementary, a Title 1 school in Marietta. “Hands-on instruction is the only way to effectively teach subjects like Math and Science; that’s one of the reasons I’m so excited to take part in the Academy. It will allow me to bring back new skills and even more strategies to engage my students.”

Gates is a graduate student at Kennesaw State University’s Bagwell College of Education. In 2005, PGA golfer Phil Mickelson and his wife Amy joined forces with the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and Math Solutions to create ways for teachers to engage young students in Math and Science. More information is available from ExxonMobil.

Several Cobb teachers took part in a unique professional development exercise June 15-18 as they participated in the District’s Model Teaching Week at Sope Creek Elementary. Essentially a ‘classroom in a classroom,’ Cobb teachers observed a team of expert teachers as they engaged a classroom of Cobb students. Participants alternated between observing in the classroom and attending sessions that expand their professional knowledge base, along with their capacity to provide performance-based learning opportunities. This training supports the district’s focus on differentiated standards based instruction, professional learning communities, and embedded formative assessment.

Three multi-age groups (K-2, 3-5, 6-8) focused on integrated thematic performance based activities, driven by the Georgia Performance Standards for Science. Specific content for the week emphasized using community locations as the starting point for creating curriculum that is naturally integrated. Skills that are often the target of standardized measures are taught in relation to the real-life location and topic under study.

The Model Teaching Week partnership began in 2007 between Clarkdale, Kennesaw Primary, and Varner elementary schools and has grown to include Sope Creek, Acworth Intermediate, Still, and Bryant elementary schools and East Cobb, Lindley, Cooper, and Floyd middle schools.

Newsweek magazine included 12 high schools from the Cobb County School District in its list of America’s Top Public High Schools. Only 1,500 schools made the list, based on a ‘Challenge Index’ devised by Newsweek that gauges participation rates for Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and Cambridge tests. Walton High School (ranked 90th) was the only school in Georgia to crack the top 100.

The other Cobb high schools listed, with ranking indicated in parentheses are: Campbell (213 [includes IB program]), Lassiter (354), Wheeler (751), Harrison (945), Pope (1029), Sprayberry (1073),  Kell (1157), Hillgrove (1160), Kennesaw Mountain (1280), North Cobb (1420) and Pebblebrook (1442). Osborne High School was one of 25 schools recognized for their efforts to build a more rigorous college-level program in the new “Catching Up” category.

The District has encouraged and supported schools to open Advanced Placement courses to all students through the Advanced Placement Certified Schools initiative. From 2004 to 2008, there was an increase of 139% in the number of Cobb County students participating in Advanced Placement testing. The number of tests administered also increased 152.7 % during the same time period.

More information about the list of America’s Top Public High Schools, including the selection criteria and FAQs, is available on Newsweek.com.

The Dickerson Middle School Band Program has been selected by the Georgia Music Educators Association to receive the 2009 GMEA Exemplary Performance Award! Dickerson is the first band to ever win the honor. The Exemplary Performance Award was established to recognize middle school bands that achieve outstanding results in all areas of performance, including Large Group Performance Evaluation, Solo and Ensemble, All-State Band, and District Honor Band.

The award is given to recognize the outstanding bands in Georgia whose students excel in all aspects of band performance, both individually and as part of a group. The selection process required the following documentation to be submitted with the application – CD of the Large Group Performance Evaluation Concert, Band Roster, a copy of the District Honor Band Program, a list of All-State participants, copies of Performance Evaluation Adjudicator sheets, and a list of Solo and Ensemble participants with their ratings.

The team from Sedalia Park Elementary School took home third place in the Georgia Science Olympiad on May 15 at Kennesaw State University. The statewide event is a hands-on competition where students compete in specific events relating to science. The program is aligned to the Georgia Performance Standards and has been recognized nationally for enhancing science education. The Sedalia Park team, coached by Linda Leland and Gina Coss consists of:

5th grade:  Steven A., Hans B., Marco C., Savannah B., Samanthan C., Francesca V., Francis V.

4th grade:  Faith, Maria, Chris, Eduardo

3rd grade:  Ellen W., Daryl Ann C.

For more information, visit the Georgia Science Olympaid Web site.

Dr. Michael Johnson, principal of North Cobb High School, was honored by the City of Acworth during the city council meeting May 22. Mayor Tommy Allegood presented Dr. Johnson with a plaque in appreciation for the outstanding leadership and contributions to the NCHS community during the 2008-2009 school year.

Present were City of Acworth officials, Dr. Johnson’s wife and daughter, Eileen and Melissa, Fred Sanderson, Lynnda Crowder-Eagle, John Abraham, James Carter, and the North Cobb administrative team.

Mayor Allegood also introduced new principal Dr. Phillip Page to the Acworth Community and recognized the “Ambassadors” from McCall Primary school.

Allatoona High School media specialist and ‘Guybrarian‘ Robin Wofford was recently chosen as the Cobb County School District Media Specialist of the year. Robin is in his 2nd year on the CCSD Media Leadership Team and is also one of the charter members/founders of the CCSD Book Cart Drill Team.

When asked about the recognition, Mr. Wofford said, “Media specialists in Cobb County are some of the most talented women and men in our profession today. I was totally blown away and deeply moved by this award. It is such an honor and a blessing to be recognized for doing something that you love.”

Pictured above, L-R: Fitzhugh-Lee teacher Carol Silva, Lowe's representatives Lewis Scruggs and Michelle Reis; HAVEN Academy graduating senior Matthew Linskey, Fitzhugh-Lee assistant principal Debbie Adelman, Lowe's representative Brian Scott and Fitzhugh-Lee secretary Joy Spitznagel.

Representatives from the Lowe’s Home Improvement store in Austell paid a visit to the Fitzhugh-Lee Center of HAVEN Academy on May 14 to announce the school as a winner of a $4,250 grant! Part of the company’s Toolbox for Education program, the grant monies will be used to furnish the school’s brand new greenhouse, an outdoor classroom that helps students learn life skills by growing plants, fruits and vegetables. The produce grown will be used in a variety of ways, including food preparation at school and donations to a local food bank. Students will have an active voice in what they would like to grow and have an opportunity to be a part of a student advisory group.

Lowe’s Toolbox for Education grant program is funded by the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation, which has supported thousands of grassroots community and school projects in the communities where Lowe’s does business.

Lowe's associate Brian Scott and HAVEN Academy graduating senior Matthew Linskey tend to the first plants at the new Fitzhugh-Lee greenhouse.

The Cobb County School District is proud to announce its School Counselor of the Year honorees for 2008-09. Each of these honorees was recognized during a special Counselor Celebration May 8 at Southern Polytechnic State University.

High School Counselor of the Year
Molly Ream, Harrison High School

Molly Ream was selected as high school counselor of the year because of her lifetime dedication to serving students and their families. She has worked as a runaway counselor, psychotherapist, and caseworker.  In 2005, she began her first school counseling job at Harrison High School where she works with peer leaders, Habit for Humanity, and Sources of Strength. She assisted the Harrison faculty with forming the “I-Team” a group of Harrison students who are nominated by their teachers for their known integrity.

Middle School Counselor of the Year
Tanyika Butler, Floyd Middle School

Tanyika Butler was selected as middle school counselor of the year because of the positive impact her creativity has had on students at Floyd Middle School.  Tanyika initiated the “Pink Floyd” days when all staff and students dress in pink to show their solidarity against bullying.  She also created the “CRCT Bus Ride” to cheer students on to success with the CRCT.  Tanyika also worked with her school counseling team to provide a summer workshop for students who were transitioning from fifth to sixth grade.

Elementary School Counselor of the Year
Nicole Pfleger, Nickajack Elementary School

Nicole Pfleger was selected as elementary counselor of the year because of her successful efforts to develop a framework of collaboration that fosters a sense of community within the school.  Among her many projects, she developed a program called the D.R.E.A. M. team with DREAM being the acronym for Demonstrating Respect Everyday to Achieve More.  The team is made up of Campbell High School mentors and 15 at risk boys from grades K-5.  They meet regularly to discuss anger management, conflict resolution, self-control, etiquette, respect, responsibility and teamwork.

Writer of the Year
Patti Agatston, Prevention/Intervention Center

Patti Agatston was selected as writer of the year because of her intensive research and publications on the topic of cyber-bullying.  She has spent the last 17 years focusing on drug and violence prevention in schools and became a certified trainer for the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program in 2003.  In 2007, she published a book titled Cyber Bullying: Bullying in the Digital Age.  She has also published a research article in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

A pair of Walton High School students performed well at the recent SkillsUSA Championships event at the Georgia International Convention Center. Sophomore Alexander Higgins placed 1st in the Screen Printing Technology event, earning him a trip to Kansas City in June to compete in the national championships. Junior Brooke Weikle place 2nd in the Promotional Powerpoint Championship.

Walton’s SkillsUSA students are advised by Daniel Campagna.

A partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives, SkillsUSA is the largest technology-oriented student organization in the nation. The group works to ensure America has a skilled work force by preparing students for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations, including healthcare.