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What's a better way to show somebody you care than by making them a gift they will cherish forever? It's easy to get caught up in the gift giving aspect this time of year. So many of us are concerned about the latest trends, how to get ahold of something everybody else wants, and how to top last year's gifts. Or maybe you're worried about how you're going to afford gifts for everybody you love this year. Either way, one thing is for certain: gift giving does not have to break the bank in order to be special. 

"Showing gratitude is one of the simplest yet most powerful things humans can do for each other." – Randy Pausch

November is here! This month holds many different meanings for many different people. But first and foremost, it is the month of thanks. "Thanks" is defined as the exclamation or expression of gratitude to another person. And while the word has been around since the mid-13^th century, the way we express it is ever-changing

Learning is a huge part of life that never goes away. From the moment you open your eyes you start taking in the world around you. School starts and you go to preschool, elementary school, middle school, then high school. Some go to college and get their associates, bachelors, masters, or PHD degrees. Some go straight into the workforce. No matter the case, the one thing everybody has in common is we never stop learning.  

Two amazing events, the 2021 Golf Classic and Tennis Classic, took place on Monday, October 11th, 2021, at the Bridgemill Athletic Club both benefitting the students and teachers in the Cherokee County public school district.

CCEF strives to create inclusive and exciting opportunities for supporters of CCSD educators and students to get involved. We run several programs throughout the year to supply funds to the faculty and schools for impactful educational projects, big and small. From Impact Grants, Rapid Grants, sporting events, and more, CCEF wants to provide opportunities to those who otherwise may not have the funds to make their ideas come to life. CCEF consistently seeks to support innovative and impactful education programs in the district through fundraisers, grants, and campaigns.

When you have a classroom full of students with different interests, abilities, and learning styles, it can be difficult to keep them all engaged when going through your lesson plans. Ultimately, it's nearly impossible to keep every student 100% engaged for the entirety of every class. Why? Because they're different humans with different interests and different struggles. In the words of Albert Einstein, "It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge." So, as you work through the second month of school, we hope these are some ideas that will help you "awaken joy" in your students. 

We're sure you already know, but in case you don't – classes will not be held September 20th-24th for fall break! If you weren't already excited, we hope you are now! Whether you're a CCSD teacher or a CCSD parent, you may need some ideas for fun activities during this break. This is your chance to get into the fall spirit, so here are some ideas for things to do with your family during the break. 

Put yourself in the shoes of your students. Do you remember what it felt like to walk into a new classroom with a new teacher and new classmates? It's scary for some, exciting for others, but inevitable for every student as they seek to find their place in this little world of theirs. Many of us can think of at least one friend from school that has lasted the test of time and now these students just recently walked into a classroom with the potential to meet their best friend. As a teacher, you have the opportunity to help forge these relationships, and here are some ways to do just that. 

Not only have we started a new school year, but we also have some new Cherokee County Educational Foundation board members and even one returning board member! We couldn't do what we do without our awesome team, and we couldn't be more excited for all of the ways that these outstanding individuals will benefit the Foundation. 

Happy July! The school year ended, graduation commenced, and now everyone is nearing the end of summer break. As we look back on the 2020-2021 school year, we see many challenges, yet many triumphs as well. Throughout the year, our team adapted as we had to modify how we ran our usual fundraisers. Nonetheless, we were proud to see it come together for the good of the Cherokee County School District. Let's take a look at the list of 2020-2021 events that continue to make our mission possible.

We're thrilled that the 8th annual Chick-fil-A Moo've It 5K will be held in person this year! Over the years, this race has donated over $200,000 to both CCEF and the Cherokee County Special Olympics. This event is so much fun and we can't wait to see many of our friends and supporters on August 14th at Etowah River Park!

To the class of 2021, 

It may seem cliché, but it's true: You did it! The buzz of excitement will soon be settling, and you will be fully immersed in summer. Some are anxiously waiting to move into their college dorms, and others are preparing for their careers. Either way, you have completed quite the race. As you enter into this in-between time before you continue on your path, there are some things we would like to remind you... 

by Jenny Miller 

While it's not a formal medical diagnosis, nature-deficit disorder is no less alarming. The term was coined by author Richard Louv in his book, Last Child in the Woods, to describe the physical and psychological costs of the disconnect between humans and nature. This is concerning kids today who are spending less time in nature and more time indoors with their noses in electronic gadgets. This is not only depriving them of nature's innate benefits, but also giving rise to various learning, developmental, and health problems. Needless to say, understanding the disorder is as important as mitigating it. Here's what you need to know. 

No matter where you find yourself, you probably know that completing a race is hard. It takes preparation, perseverance, and the willingness to press forward even when you feel like you can't anymore. For all the teachers out there, you likely feel this before every fall, spring, and winter break…but more than ever right before the summer break. And perhaps even more so this year, as you have continued to navigate the challenges that COVID-19 has brought with it. However, as you get closer and closer to the end, remember this: Finish well. Here's how to do just that.

We recently released an article outlining how Alumni of the Year winner, Ms. Carolyn, Turner has been a light to our community. Now, we would like to highlight our other Alumni of the Year winner, the Honorable Judge Jackson Harris. Judge Harris grew up in Ball Ground Georgia, attended Ball Ground Elementary School, and graduated from Cherokee High School in 1972. Harris gained his B.A. at Emory University and his law degree from Mercer University. After many years of education and dedication, he began his career in law! 

If you've been in Cherokee County for any length of time, you've probably heard of Cherokee High School which sits on Marietta Highway. However, Cherokee High School hasn't always been here. In fact, it didn't become Cherokee High School until 1956. It was previously known as Canton High School – which is where Ms. Carolyn Turner graduated from in 1948. As you will see, Ms. Turner has been a light to the community and is truly a deserving recipient of the 2021 Alumni of the Year Award. 

It's FINALLY spring! It's been a cold, rainy winter and if you're like us, you're ready for it to warm up! Both you and your children have probably been itching to get outside because no one likes being stuck inside all of the time! As spring peeks out, we find that we often "freeze" up and don't know what to do outside. To help you get a spark of motivation, we've compiled 8 ideas for outdoor activities!

Over the last several months, we've been featuring many of our Impact Grant winners. However, we also offer rapid grants. These grants allow us to meet the more immediate classroom needs of our Cherokee County School District teachers, offering up to $500. We've recently been able to support Boston Elementary School and Free Home Elementary by providing materials needed for math improvement and to spark interest in STEM through robotics. 

Math, English, history…these are all subjects that are vital to the educational experience. However, other subjects can prove to be just as important as they inspire students to get in touch with their creative side or turn their eyes to the sky to observe all the vastness and beauty it has to offer. Ms. Panik of Creekview High School and Mr. Akins of River Ridge High School recognize the importance of these opportunities and have created space for students to put down the textbooks and apply what they've learned in class. 

In the Spring of 2019, the Cherokee County School District released a committee report focused on Social Emotional Learning within our school district. The primary objective is to not only prepare students for their future academically, but also to teach them how to foster meaningful relationships, make good decisions, and overall impact "not just the minds of Cherokee students, but also their hearts." However, this can't be accomplished single-handedly as it must be encouraged both in the classroom and in the home.