SPOTLIGHT ON Established in 1999, the Cobb County Public Schools Educational Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to supporting, rewarding and enhancing the schools, staff and students of Cobb County School District. In 2005, the Foundation worked to increase its involvement in Cobb County Schools by hiring its first Executive Director. Programs were identified to benefit the school district, including college scholarships, teacher IMPACT Grants, After School Program scholarships for students in-need and sponsoring the School Professional of the Year Awards. The Foundation awarded $28,000 in college scholarships to graduating seniors at each of the 14 high schools. In 2006, the Foundation will award $30,000 in college scholarships to students at 15 high schools. Teacher IMPACT Grants were awarded for the first time in 2005. These grants helped to promote creative and innovative ideas in teaching that would otherwise go unfunded. The Foundation was able to grant 10 projects totaling more than $20,000. Supported entirely by contributions from the public and business community, the Foundation hosted it's First Annual Cobb Homecoming Classic Charity Golf Tournament in October 2005. This event raised over $27,000 for programs supported by the Foundation. The business community continues to support the Foundation with major gift contributions made from Cobb Energy and Walton Communities in 2005. The Foundation welcomes contributions to benefit our schools from businesses and individuals. All contributions are tax-deductible. For more information, to volunteer, or to make a contribution, please contact the Foundation office at 770-426-3390 or visit our web site.

Area 3 Assistant Superintendent Alice Stouder accepts one of 15 World War II commemorative blankets donated to Cobb high schools.

The Cobb County School District is proud of the high level of involvement by its community members. From local business leaders to parents and other community leaders, the Cobb County community consistently demonstrates its commitment to promoting quality education in Cobb County. Various groups and organizations support the District’s goal of excellence in education.

Parent Teacher Associations

Cobb County boasts nearly 100 percent participation at each school in the Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs). Cobb’s PTA groups provide leadership, support and guidance to every school through volunteerism, program support, legislative advocacy and fund-raising.

Cobb PTAs actively support programs to increase parental/family involvement in education and endorse community efforts in critical areas such as driver education and underage drinking. Ninth District PTA leaders, representing four Cobb councils, meet with the superintendent regularly to encourage communication and understanding of common projects and concerns.

In addition, Cobb PTAs have worked with the United Way and other community agencies to introduce Building Successful Partnerships (BSP), a national PTA program featuring training for school/parent teams, into a number of Cobb schools. Local PTA leadership also works to support the Georgia PTA’s efforts to endorse legislative endeavors that support education, both at the state and local levels.

School Councils

As required by The A+ Education Reform Act of 2000 (House Bill 1187), all regular Cobb schools have now installed school councils. These school councils are intended to provide advice and recommendations to the principal, the superintendent and potentially, the Cobb County Board of Education. An advisory body, the council is made up of the principal, two certified teacher members, two parents/guardians, and two members of the business community. Council members may study a wide range of issues, including student achievement, the school improvement plan, curriculum and instruction, school and community communications, and local school board policies.

Each school council publicizes its annual meeting schedule and shares meeting minutes and information about its deliberations with the broader school community. Parents or members of the school community may visit school council meetings to hear the discussion. Cobb County Board of Education policy permits councils in an Area or feeder pattern to meet at least once annually to consider items of mutual interest and concern.

Before the implementation of councils, each school maintained a citizens advisory council, and the District operated a similar representative group. With the advent of school councils, local schools have discontinued their Citizens Advisory Councils. School councils represent yet another phase in the District tradition of community collaboration and involvement.

Character Education

The Cobb County Character Education program was formed to support parents' efforts in developing good character in their children. The schools, parents and communities identified a list of character words and definitions deemed important regardless of a person's political leanings, race, gender or religious convictions.

The character traits associated with each character word of the week are imbedded throughout the curriculum and are a daily focus of both students and school staff members. These words and definitions focus on the attitudes and personal qualities that build a foundation for success in life and work.

Parents and school Partners in Education are encouraged to participate in the Character Education program by focusing on the associated traits and demonstrating the qualities of the weekly character words at home and in school-sponsored activities.

Students from Wheeler High School performed a song from the musical 'Rent' before a meeting of the Board of Education. Outstanding achievements and groups are recognized at every Board meeting.

Teacher of the Year Diana Lossner was honored with a spot on the Teacher's Walk of Honor at Marietta Square, sponsored by the Cobb Chamber of Commerce.

Through the Partners in Education program, the Cobb County School District receives a tremendous amount of support from businesses and business leaders within the county.

A partnership among the Cobb County School District, Marietta City Schools and the Cobb County Chamber of Commerce, the Partners in Education program boasts 1061 business partners (as of winter 2006). With retention as high as 90 percent, business leaders throughout the county demonstrate their support of education.

Partners provide a variety of support for Cobb schools. Many partners make substantial monetary donations to schools for scholarships and materials schools may need. Additional assistance includes hands-on support such as mentoring, tutoring, assisting with school facility projects such as grounds clean-ups, and other volunteer activities. Each school has at least one business partner, with many schools establishing partnerships with several businesses.