Dear #CCSDfam,
While we know the past week has not been easy, and the news that Georgia’s schools will remain closed through April 24 caused many families more stress, I am filled with hope.
I am hopeful because of the hard work of our staff. We’re improving daily in delivering online education, technology support, and meals to those who need them. Today, our #CCSDserves program provided a week of to-go meals to even more children: 3,845. Another improvement achieved in the past week is developing a plan to deliver report cards to our elementary and middle school students who traditionally receive them in backpacks -- you will receive an emailed report card for your child this week. These reports will be emailed for all Special Education students (grades K-12) as well. High school students’ grades continue to be accessible through Canvas.
I am hopeful because of your support. I read every message, and appreciate your words of support, your suggestions and your prayers. Thank you for your continued donations to our #CCSDserves meal program; donations now have reached nearly $43,000, and every penny is valued, as the need is great and growing. As I have said before, I will say again: we do not expect you to become a teacher … help your children with their learning as best as you can, and ask your child’s teacher for help -- and grace – when you need it.
I am hopeful because of our students. I am hopeful because of students like Laney and Lillianne Cline, who, inspired by World War II history lessons, are sewing masks for healthcare workers. I am hopeful because of students like Aubrey Lee and Savannah Buchanan, who, like many, have created chalk mosaics … but to their design, they added the words “Stay Strong” to inspire our community (see the photo above). And I am hopeful because I see so many smiling students’ faces in social media posts about online chats with their teachers, and hear their happy voices in videos, like the ones they’ve made to read bedtime stories to their teachers.
I am hopeful because the sun is shining today and because I know we will one day be back in our schools together. Until then, we will keep doing our best, and we will keep you informed as to the Governor’s plans for further extending school closures.
Thank you for everything,
Dr. Brian V. Hightower
Superintendent of Schools
RESOURCES
Technology support: If the CCSD laptop your child is using is not working properly, please check our help page at https://bit.ly/DLDfaq; if you still need assistance, please ask your child’s teacher to make a technology help desk request.
Canvas support: For help, please first check our webpage at https://www.cherokeek12.net/Content2/canvas for answers; if you still need assistance, please email our Canvas help desk staff at canvas.support@cherokeek12.net
#CCSDserves To-Go Meals: Distribution is scheduled to continue on Mondays through April 20; the full list of sites and schedule of delivery times is posted at http://bit.ly/CCSDserves
Support #CCSDserves: You can donate by check, mailed in with the form at http://bit.ly/CCSDdonate (staff signatures not required); online by credit card at http://bit.ly/CCSDgiveonline or by transferring unspent funds in your child’s account using the form at http://bit.ly/CCSDpayfwd (choose “Pay It Forward” and email it to us).
MUST Ministries at CCSD Schools: MUST Ministries is distributing food from its pantries at Cherokee HS, Hasty ES Fine Arts Academy and Oak Grove ES Fine Arts Academy to families already served by those programs. If you’re not participating in one of those programs, please contact MUST (https://www.mustministries.org/) about picking up food from its main pantry in Canton.
We are continuously updating our webpage at https://www.cherokeek12.net/content/bulletin-board with information and resources.