Cobb County School District social workers volunteered their time and talents to give back this holiday season. Organized by the Center for Family Resources, social workers encouraged students to bring canned food items to school in order to fill Thanksgiving baskets. This year’s program was a giant success with more than 1,000 families receiving the assistance they needed this holiday season.

The Jump Rope for Heart event at Kennesaw Elementary was extremely successful, raising $46,174 for the American Heart Association. Students received pledges from family and friends to donate to their jump rope efforts. Not only does the event get kids active, but teaches the importance of community service. This year’s event proceeds were more than $10,000 over last year’s totals. Physical education teacher Emily Adams and first grade teacher Patti Zaino organized the event.

A group of Walton High School students involved in the school’s Red, White and Blue Club spent time mentoring third graders at Mt. Bethel Elementary on Dec. 6. The club helped Mt. Bethel students write thank you letters for soldiers serving overseas.

The Red, White and Blue Club promotes school spirit and patriotism at Walton and throughout the school’s community. Their time with Mt. Bethel students helps strengthen the learning community in east Cobb.

Congratulations to Cynthia Flores, daughter of Roberto and Arely Flores, who recently earned her high school diploma from Campbell High School after overcoming some major health hurdles. A student in the SID-PID program, Cynthia recently spent nearly a year in hospitals – five months in intensive care at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and several more in another hospital. Following her remarkable recovery, she completed her graduation requirements and was issued her diploma in a special ceremony at Campbell. Cynthia Flores is an example of hard work and strong will that leads to overcoming obstacles.

In just one week, students at Green Acres Elementary School raised over $2,000 for the American Cancer Society, a record for the school. The most money raised previously was $1,600. The Relay for Life annual sticker contest began in 2003, allowing students to purchase stickers for ten cents, with all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society.

These students had a clear understanding of the importance of their participation. PE Specialist Laurie Lincoln explained to students that the American Cancer Society uses donations for research to cure cancer. The students talked about what cancer is and how it affects the body. In addition, Lincoln gave examples of teachers and students at Green Acres who have survived the disease. After discussing the importance of the American Cancer Society, the students were charged up and determined to help their class win the sticker contest, but more importantly, help find a cure for cancer.

Students at Floyd Middle School are participating in the O Ambassadors program, a joint project of Oprah’s Angel Network and Free The Children. These students are working towards the UN Millennium Development Goals, learning about global issues and making a tangible difference in the lives of their peers in the developing world.

They are part of a network of O Ambassadors clubs across North America that are working to find solutions to global challenges through active learning, idea-sharing and taking action. Through this program, youth in North America have the unique opportunity to develop leadership skills and become active and compassionate global citizens.
“We are so excited to be a part of the O Ambassadors program and we’re proud to represent the voices of youth in Mableton,” said Rhonda Tanner. “There are so many issues in our world that need our attention and we’re ready to show that youth in Mableton care and want to make a difference in our world.”

Throughout the year, The Inner Circle Mentor Group/ O Ambassadors Club will raise awareness about the importance of a holistic approach to development by focusing on the Millennium Development Goals. Every two months the club will focus on a different theme (poverty, education, health and sustainable development) in West Africa and organize fundraising and awareness-raising events for their school with the help of posters, how-to guides, regional guides and an Educator binder (with curricula).

The funds raised by students at Floyd will go towards holistic development projects in East Africa, West Africa, South Asia, East Asia and Latin America. Clubs have the opportunity to choose the world regions they would like to research and support. These projects provide local children and their families with the tools they need to break the cycle of poverty. All projects will be carried out in partnership with local communities.

The Floyd branch of O Ambassadors is coordinated by Courtney L. Teague. For more information, please visit www.oambassadors.org.

Congratulations to Harrison High School alumni Evan Randall, the recipient of a unique Fulbright Program scholarship that will fund his studies in Beijing, China next year. Randall recently graduated from the University of Georgia and will continue his education at Peking University’s school of economics. The Fulbright Program is the largest international exchange program in the country, funded by the U.S. Department of State. Read more about Evan Randall at the Atlanta-Journal Constitution Web site.

Congratulations to Campbell High School’s Logan Krusac, who was selected as one of Georgia’s two delegates to the United States Senate Youth Program. Sponsored by the Hearst Foundation, the program gives students an opportunity to observe government in action. Krusac will fly to Washington, DC March 1-8, 2008 to participate in the program and receive a $5,000 scholarship for college.

Logan Krusac is active at Campbell, where he maintains a 4.365 GPA average in the International Baccalaureate program. He was the 2007 Georgia Boys’ State Governor, is Student Government Association president, an Anchor Club Admiral and participates in National Honor Society, Beta Club, and the Georgia Youth Symphony.

The United States Senate Youth Scholarship Program provides students with an introduction to functions of the federal government. It will be held in Washington March 1-March 8, 2008.

A recent trend in college has been the tradition of not shaving in the month of November. This practice in recent years has trickled down to the high school ranks. Students at Kell High School started asking their teachers to participate. Teachers volunteered to participate in this program in exchange for their students raising money for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

The University of Georgia raised over $237,000 last year for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, making them the 5th largest contributor to Children’s. In an effort to increase their fundraising, they began to reach out to high schools in Georgia by hosting Mini-Marathons. Beginning Nov. 1, many male teachers at Kell High School put down their razors! As long as students continued to bring in money or if their students raised at least $150, teachers would keep growing their beards.

As of Nov. 30, Kell High School has raised over $1600.00. This money will be presented at the Mini-Dance Marathon held at Walton High School on January 19, 2008. Any schools interested in contributing to this fundraiser or interested in participating in the Mini-dance marathon should contact either Ben Needle at Kell High School or Brendan Wright at UGA.

Ten teachers in the Cobb County School District are among 87 educators in Georgia to be named National Board Certified Teachers by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. National Board Certification is a voluntary assessment program designed to recognize and reward great teachers—and make them better. As part of the process, teachers build a portfolio that includes student work samples, assignments, videotapes and a thorough analysis of their classroom teaching. Additionally, teachers are assessed on their knowledge of the subjects they teach.

Congratulations to these 2007 National Board Certified Teachers: Carlos Barrera of Osborne High School, Tamara Brawner of Green Acres Elementary, Linda Bonstein of East Cobb Middle, Teresa Kent of Hayes Elementary, Karen Kraeger of Keheley Elementary, Jelyne Martin of the Martha J. Moore Transitional Learning Center, Elizabeth Miles of Vaughan Elementary, Timothy Mooney of McEachern High, Jane Moore of East Cobb Middle and Sandra Shelnutt of Hollydale Elementary.