Local winners include Chase L., 3rd Place Power Equipment Technology, Will R., 3rd Place Automotive Service Technology, Prince M., 2nd Place Motorcycle Service Technology, Cody R., Diesel Service Technology, Josey S., 2nd Place Carpentry, and Leslie J., 3rd Place Job Skill Demonstration Open.

Automotive Technology Instructor Larry Walker is pictured with winning students from his classes.

Physics students enjoyed an outdoor vector lab, in which they measured the distance between several pre-marked points using standard metric tape measures and found the angle using a compass. The resultant of these vectors was then calculated and verified using handheld GPS units.

Spring Garden students agree that using such lab equipment is an exciting way to extend the lessons into everyday life. This use of technology to better explain the concepts taught in the classroom is a prime example of hands-on learning.

Jonathan P. and Jessica S. calculate and record one of the vectors in the Vector Lab.

Jessica H. and Laura P. work out the length and corresponding angle of one of their vectors.

J.D. G., Caton A., Adam I., and Jordan S. compare notes and calculations for one of their vectors.

For example, she found Power Point presentations to be extremely helpful as she prepared her students for the ARMT. These Power Points included sample questions from all of the math content standards. She and her students benefitted greatly from this method of test preparation. She spoke highly of the fact that she was able to visually demonstrate the proper way to use the answer grids to her students.

According to Mrs. Burgess, her students respond extremely well to this integration of technology. Preparing for the ARMT is tough work for everyone involved, and Mrs. Burgess has eliminated some of the drudgery through her use of technology.

• Birth certificate
• Social Security Card
• Alabama Immunization Record (blue card)
• Two proofs of Residency
• Parental identification
• Custody papers (if applicable)

Registration Locations and Dates

For additional information, please contact the local school.

The external review team provided the district with four commendations and three required actions. The commendations were the following:

• 1) “Cherokee County School System has implemented an exemplary shared leadership model that promotes broad internal stakeholder participation in an efficient, effective, intentional systemic planning process.” The review team’s chair commented that shared stakeholder leadership was evidenced not only at the district office level, but also throughout the schools’ administrative and teaching levels as well as into the classrooms where students participated in shared leadership opportunities.
• 2) “Cherokee County School System has developed a unique, highly effective Professional Learning Community (PLC) structure that facilitates the Continuous Improvement Monitoring Review process at each school for Quality Assurance.”
• 3) “Cherokee County School System garnered unprecedented community support for the funding needs of the Career Technical Center.”
• 4) “Technology is embedded in systemic processes that support student learning, professional collaboration, and organizational effectiveness.”

The required actions were the following:

• 1) “Create, communicate, and implement a long range strategic plan.”
• 2) “Formulate and articulate system-wide strategies for community stakeholder participation in policy formation and review in the Cherokee County Schools decision-making process.”
• 3) “Explore additional funding sources and expand system-wide strategies and practices that support the academic, social, and emotional needs of students impacted by the economic downturn.”

Of the seven (7) standards that were extensively reviewed, all were measured operational with the exception of Governance and Leadership – “The system provides governance and leadership that promote student performance and system effectiveness.” The Governance and Leadership standard was considered to be at the highest level obtainable – highly functional.

The Superintendent, Brian Johnson, and the Cherokee County District Leadership Team would like to thank standards committee members, administrators, certified and support staff, students, parents, and community members for your work and participation in this process that began in 2009. Because of your care, work and commitment to the children of Cherokee County, we can celebrate, together, this recognition of achievement as we continue our work towards educational excellence.

Cherokee County Schools are celebrating National School Breakfast Week Monday through Friday of this week. We encourage you to ensure that you/your child eats breakfast at home each day or joins us in the cafeteria for a nutritious school breakfast. One study revealed that students participating in school breakfast programs achieved significantly higher test scores, reduced absence and tardy rates and reduced discipline problems.