McCleskey Middle School has earned the ‘No Place For Hate’ designation from the Anti-Defamation League.  Teams of McCleskey students and teachers completed the five steps required to demonstrate the school’s efforts in combatting bullying behaviors and educating students on diversity and acceptance.

The No Place for Hate initiative provides educators and students with the resources to ensure that anti-bias and diversity education are an integral part of the school curriculum. No Place for Hate also helps to create and sustain inclusive school environments where all students feel valued and have the opportunity to succeed by promoting respect for individual difference while challenging bigotry and prejudice.

Mr. Kent Wright, paraprofessional at Teasley Elementary, was honored with a 11Alive News ‘Random Act of Kindness,’ receiving a $200 gift card and a surprise visit from WXIA cameras. Watch the video below:

CCSD Wellness Supervisor Kelley Toon was presented with the Golden Radish award by Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black and State Superintendent Dr. John Barge.

Cobb County School District was one of 25 Georgia school systems recognized March 6 at the state capitol for its participation in the 5 Million Meals campaign, a statewide effort to get more local food in schools. State superintendent Dr. John Barge and Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black presented CCSD Wellness Supervisor Kelley Toon with the Golden Radish award for the District’s efforts promoting the ‘Georgia Grown’ program. School districts were also honored with resolutions in the state Senate and House of Representatives.

Georgia Organics and its partners launched the 5 Million Meals Challenge in fall 2012, with the goal of serving 5 million meals made with locally grown food in K-12 cafeterias across Georgia. The program includes educational components to help teach children where their food comes from and why that matters, and inspire them to eat more fruits and vegetables. During this school year, Cobb students have enjoyed Georgia Grown gala apples, fuji apples, pink lady apples, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, collard greens, kale, and carrots. For March 2013, Cobb school cafeterias are featuring locally grown green beans and strawberries.

Dr. Barge said, “Children learn better when their bodies and minds are fueled by nutritional meals. This program helps create a better school environment so that students can reach new heights academically. It also helps us expose children to science through agriculture. We must teach our children about an industry that is so critical to Georgia’s economy in order to inspire the next generation of farmers and agricultural scientists.”

Cynthia Downs, Director of Food & Nutrition Services, pledged to continue supporting the local economy and local farmers through the Farm to School program. Visit the Food & Nutrition Services section of the CCSD website for breakfast and lunch menus and more information about the District’s nutrition offerings.

Sara Dada, senior at The Center for Advanced Studies Magnet Program at Wheeler High School, has been honored for her exemplary volunteer service with a state-level Certificate of Excellence from The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Program. Presented annually by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards honor young people across America for outstanding community service activities.

The Georgia chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council recently named Cobb County School District one of three statewide winners of its award for Leadership in Indoor Environmental Quality. The honor is part of the USGBC’s High Performance Healthy Schools initiative, promoting energy and water efficiency, sustainable operations and maintenance and improved indoor air quality in school buildings.

The USGBC praised the District during the council’s annual summit Feb. 19 in Atlanta with the following:

Cobb County Schools, led by Jim Mitchell [supervisor for custodial services], has established that the health of the children they serve is the paramount consideration in custodial and maintenance policy, practice and purchasing decisions. Jim has a saying that everyone in Cobb knows: “If it ain’t green, it ain’t going to be seen.”

Since 2007, Cobb has been working to establish sustainable cleaning standards and practices parallel to those required for LEED certification. Recently, Cobb became the first school system in Georgia to evaluate, adopt and implement the use of electrically activated water for daily cleaning to fully utilize a chemical-free environment — and has shown measurable savings from the use of new cleaning technologies.

Kell High School artist Jackie Ducros's piece, Cocoon, was awarded the Gold Key.

Kell High School student artists Jackie Ducros, Marissa D’Onofrio, Marissa Keith, Marrissa Jimenez, and Roxanne Newcity recently had their artwork and portfolios recognized during the 2013 Scholastic Art Awards. Jackie Ducros won the show’s highest honor – the Gold Key award – for her piece Cocoon; she will now compete at the national level.

View all of the Kell students’ artwork from the Scholastic Art Awards on the blog of art teacher Laura LaQuaglia.

Lassiter High School Band Director Alfred Watkins was recently presented with America’s Most Admired Band Director Award for 2012. Watkins received more than 850 votes from his fellow band directors and received what is dubbed the “People’s Choice” of band directing awards.

This award, nominated and chosen by Watkins’s fellow band directors , is the “People’s Choice” of band directing awards. With over 850 votes cast by his peers, this award shows that Alfred Watkins does not just teach his students, he teaches teachers as well! Watch the video above for a feature interview with Alfred Watkins by music advocate Scott Lang.

(L-R): GSTA President and CCSD Science Supervisor Sally Creel, Mountain View principal Dr. Renee Garriss, Stacey Osborne Duffy, Board of Education member David Banks, and Area Assistant Superintendent Ed Thayer.

Stacey Osborne Duffy of Mountain View Elementary School was announced as statewide Elementary Science Teacher of the Year by the Georgia Science Teachers Association. Each year, GSTA recognizes recognizes ongoing excellence in science education and the commitment to its improvement by selecting state winners for elementary, middle and high school levels. Principal Dr. Renee Garriss said, “This is a well-deserved recognition of [Duffy's] teaching and outstanding contributions as a science educator.”

The Southeast United Dairy industry Association and Atlanta Falcons sponsored the “Rise Up, Fuel Up” statewide contest to increase milk consumption in all elementary, middle and high schools in Georgia. Four of the top six winners from across the state were from Cobb County! Hollydale Elementary School was the overall state winner and will receive a Falcons Pep Rally and $2,500. Pebblebrook High also earned $2,500, while South Cobb High and Simpson Middle schools each received $1,000. All Cobb County schools entered the competition and will receive Atlanta Falcons items as recognition for participating in the contest.

Several Cobb County elementary school physical education programs have earned big kudos for their successful implementation of the Jump for Heart program! Jump Rope for Heart is an educational fundraising program that energizes students about being physically fit. Proceeds are donated to the American Heart Association to help children in need of heart-related medicines and treatment.

Congratulations to these schools and HPE teachers for their efforts.

(#1 Georgia) Hoops For Heart School – Big Shanty Intermediate – Nancy Cobelli and David Worrall

(#2 Georgia) Jump Rope For Heart  School – Kennesaw Elementary – 
Emily Adams

(#10 Georgia) Jump Rope For Heart  School – Mt. Bethel Elementary – 
Pat Toole, Theresa Collins, and Chuck Jones

(#1 Georgia)  1st Year School in Georgia Jump Rope For Heart  School – Baker Elementary – Matt Cool

(#1 Georgia) Most Improved Jump Rope For Heart  School – Nickajack Elementary – Eric Homansky