Daniel Kinslow of North Cobb High School will represent Cobb at the National SkillsUSA culinary arts competition next month in Kansas City, Missouri. SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry focused on developing the nation’s workforce though trade, technical and skilled service training. Kinslow earned a spot in the national competition by winning first place for culinary arts at the Georgia SkillsUSA conference in March.

The Kennesaw Business Association reached out to Chef Xan Payton, culinary arts instructor at North Cobb, offering to help support Daniel and the NCHS program on the national stage. Greg Carter of the Kennesaw restaurant California Dreaming and former KBA president Debbie Underkofler presented a check for $2,000 to cover Daniel’s expenses for the trip.

Submitted by Stacy Regitsky, Wheeler High School Center for Advanced Studies in Science, Mathematics, and Technology

Pictured (L-R): Dr. Teresa Hargrett, Principal; Commissioner Lisa Cupid; Julian Robinson, 8th Grade Student.

Suggested reading lists for 2013 were developed to represent both school and public library collections, including current, popular books and literary classics, with Lexile levels/reading ranges provided for each title. Students still have the option of choosing any age- and level-appropriate book they prefer to read. Students in Kindergarten through fifth grades will “Dig Into Reading” and middle school students will dive “Beneath the Surface,” into books aimed for the pre-teen reader. The primary and intermediate lists for elementary schools and the middle school reading list have corresponding activities for students to choose from, designed to help reinforce study and research skills, critical thinking and application of knowledge.

Students may participate in the summer reading programs for free at any of the 16 branches of the Cobb County Public Library. Library cards are free to all Cobb County residents, property owners and business owners, and to students, with permission from a parent or guardian.

Local schools are also providing fun incentives for students to participate, with specific “reading rewards” criteria for the elementary and middle school programs. Students may also record the titles of all books read on the CCPL Summer Reading Log and return to any branch to be eligible for additional prizes.

Cobb County School District Library Media Education supervisor Janell McClure said, “Research consistently indicates that summer reading programs help boost student achievement and bridge the ‘summer gap’ of retention and learning focus. We’re excited to partner with our local libraries to create a unified reading experience Cobb students can enjoy.”

The Library Media Education department has set up special websites for the elementary and middle school summer reading programs that include promotional videos, suggested reading lists and activity sheets.

Elementary School Summer Reading Site | Middle School Summer Reading Site

Elementary School Summer Reading Video

Middle School Summer Reading Video

South Cobb High Gates Millennium Scholars Halimo Hasaan, Nnennia Magazwu, and Brittany Davis

Five members of Cobb County’s Class of 2013 have been named Gates Millennium Scholars and will receive “good-through-graduation” scholarships for any college or university they choose! South Cobb High School had three young women named Gates Scholars: Halimo Hasaan, Nnennia Magazwu and Brittany Davis. From Campbell High School, senior Queentela Benjamin will receive the Gates scholarship. Jayson Toweh of Kennesaw Mountain High School was also selected as a 2013 Gates Millennium Scholar.

The Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) program began in 1999, funded by a $1.6 billion grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Administered by the United Negro College Fund, the goal of the program is to provide outstanding, low income African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American, and Hispanic American students with an opportunity to complete an undergraduate college education in any discipline they choose.

U.S. Presidential Scholars are selected based on their academic success or artistic excellence, as well as essays, transcripts and evidence of leadership and community service. Mr. Fei and Ms. Mo were chosen from more than 3,3o0 applicants for the national honor.

Both Walton students are invited to attend an expenses-paid trip to the national recognition ceremony June 16 in Washington, D.C., where they will be awarded the U.S. Presidential Scholars medallion.

Barber Middle School was recently recognized as the Governor’s Red Ribbon contest winner for middle schools during a special ceremony March 28 at the Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta. Last October, Barber and other Cobb County schools participated in Georgia Red Ribbon Week, a statewide drug awareness campaign that provides an opportunity to bring parents, schools, businesses, and others together to help create drug-free communities.

Twelve Barber students represented the school at the awards ceremony. Afterwards, the group toured the High Museum of Art, where they explored the Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera exhibit.

Barber was recognized for its efforts to engage the entire Acworth community during Red Ribbon Week. The week started with the Acworth Police Department distributing red ribbons to the students. Each day, students participated in activities and events that promoted awareness including broadcasts over the school news, daily trivia questions, poster contests and daily themes. At the conclusion of the week, Barber held a community Health, Safety and Wellness Fair which included representatives from the Cobb Alcohol Task Force.

The National Red Ribbon Campaign began as an effort to honor federal drug enforcement agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, who was killed in the line of duty. Agent Camarena was kidnapped and killed in 1985 while working undercover investigating drug traffickers. To honor his memory, friends and neighbors began to wear red satin badges. In 1988, the National Family Partnership organized the first Red Ribbon Campaign. Georgia has participated since 1987 and Governor Nathan Deal is the Honorary Chair.

Submitted by Lara Salzman, professional school counselor, Barber Middle School

The Cobb community is invited to attend the ‘Inspired by the heART’ art show May 9-11, featuring the creative work of Cobb County students with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities. The show will be hosted by the Cobb County Central Library at 266 Roswell St. in Marietta.

An opening reception will be held on the first night, May 9 at 6:30 p.m., with complimentary desserts and a student slideshow.

Lassiter High School students went to infinity and beyond Friday, April 26, as the school celebrated “Brandon Carpenter Superhero Day.” Brandon, a sophomore at Lassiter High School with muscular dystrophy, has always been a fan of Marvel Comics and superheroes. To show their support of Brandon, Lassiter students and staff dressed in superhero attire and welcomed him to school on Friday morning with an inspiring round of applause. Students created posters of encouragement and posted cheerful door decorations throughout the hallways of the building. Brandon was treated to a special breakfast where he was celebrated for his “superhero strength!” Some of the guests spotted in the crowd were Brandon’s family, Lassiter cheerleaders, Lassiter String Ensemble, the Chick-fil-A Cow, Principal Dr. Chris Richie, and fellow Lassiter students and staff. A big thank you to Lassiter teacher, Cathy Zingler, for organizing this spectacular day for Brandon Carpenter!

Submitted by Ashlynn Campbell, assistant principal, Lassiter High School