Jennifer Dawson, District Teacher of the Year from Lost Mountain Middle, was honored at the annual handprint ceremony.

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.

Partners in Education
A partnership among the Cobb County School District, Marietta City Schools and the Cobb County Chamber of Commerce, the Partners in Education program boasts 1015 business partners (as of winter 2007). With retention as high as 90 percent, business leaders throughout the county demonstrate their support for 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.

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. 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
Each school in Cobb has its own school council, an advisory body intended to provide advice and
recommendations to the principal, the superintendent and potentially, the Cobb County Board of Education. 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.

Debbie Abernathy of the Cobb Schools Foundationpresents one of its Educational IMPACT grants to Julie Grajqevci of Brumby Primary.

Cobb Schools Foundation
Established in 1999, the Cobb Schools Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to supporting, rewarding and enhancing the schools, staff and students of the Cobb County School District.

The Foundation awarded $30,000 in college scholarships to graduating seniors at each of Cobb’s high schools in 2006, as well as $20,000 in Teacher IMPACT grants, promoting teachers with creative and innovative ideas in the classroom. More than $2,000 in scholarships was awarded to students needing assistance to attend After School Programs at their schools.

These programs are funded entirely by individual and community donations. The Foundation’s ‘Gimme 5 for Education’ campaign reached the entire District, encouraging small $5 donations that collectively make a big impact. The campaign raised more than $25,000. The Foundation’s 2nd annual Cobb Homecoming Classic golf tournament was held in Acworth in September, raising $43,000 for scholarships and grants.

For more information, call (770) 426-3390 or visit www.cobbeducationalfoundation.org.