Good News from the River Ridge Innovation Zone

Check out the latest good news from schools in the River Ridge Innovation Zone…

River Ridge High School
The Cherokee County School District annually recognizes outstanding high school juniors as Superintendent’s Key Scholars, and 134 students earned his honor for the 2012-13 School Year – a 9-percent increase from last school year.

Each of these outstanding students has scored at the 90th percentile or above on the Grade 11 PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. 

River Ridge High honorees are: Emma Burke, Ansley Capps, Spencer Frost, Matthew Hamill, Alexander Herdt, Christina Hollander, Jesse Kasing, Marcus Lynch, Nicholas Mezzacapo, Zoe Moore, Laura Nastrom, Matthew Polley, Madison Puhy, Omari Reeves-Miller and Edward Rose.

During the Eighth Annual Superintendent’s Key Scholar Recognition Ceremony held recently at Sequoyah High School, they received a School District Certificate of Achievement and a letter jacket patch that reads “Superintendent’s Key Scholar.”  Each student will also be honored at their school’s year-end awards ceremony as a Superintendent’s Key Scholar. 

“Our Key Scholars represent the top 10% of all students in the Nation who took the PSAT exam in October, and that’s a major accomplishment for which each of them and their families should be very proud,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Petruzielo said.  “As academic leaders, these outstanding students have the potential to continue distinguishing themselves as high school seniors and in their college pursuits and chosen careers.”

The Key Scholar Program is a District-wide academic recognition plan that begins in elementary schools with students qualifying for the nationally recognized Duke University Talent Identification Program (or TIP). 

The top award in the Key Scholar Program goes to seniors who qualify as National Merit Scholars.  Over the past eight years, these academically outstanding students have led their classes as they marched across the stage at graduation wearing a special gold medallion. 

Cherokee County School District schools, staff and volunteers recently were recognized with District 13 PTA Awards.  The River Ridge High School PTSA won second place for Outstanding Local Unit – High School.

River Ridge High School recently celebrated Georgia STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Day and National “Star Wars” Day with special events.  During lunch, students could visit the school’s library to participate in “Star Wars”-inspired STEM activities including a Lego engineering contest, analysis of iPad applications, Cubebot activities and an analysis of science-fiction character costume designs.  Visitors dressed up as “Star Wars” characters including Darth Vader and Stormtroopers also made appearances.  

River Ridge High School students recently had the opportunity to pan for gold during history class.  Members of the Allatoona Gold Panners club visited Matthew May’s Local History class and spoke about the history of gold mining in Cherokee County and brought equipment so students could try their hand at panning.

Mill Creek Middle School
Mill Creek Middle School’s Symphonic Seventh-Grade, Symphonic Eighth-Grade and Concert Bands received straight Superiors – the highest possible rating -- at the recent Large Group Performance Evaluation.  During the event, which was held at Pickens County High School, bands were judged on their performance of three works and a sight-reading piece, which they only study for six minutes before performing.   Groups are evaluated on their performances by veteran music educators.  Mill Creek Middle’s band program, under the leadership of Director Erick Stallings, since the school’s opening has grown to more than 250 members, and the bands have consistently received Superior ratings.  “Congratulations to MCMS for the continued excellence in band!” Principal Elaine Daniel said.
Mill Creek Middle School Concert Band members are: Mauro Acosta, Jillian Andrews, Larry Bell, Lauren Brack, Nicholas Busson, Alexis Castorela, Courtney Coffman, Lilli Collins, Emily Corwin, Gally Cosgrove, Emma Criman, Gracie Diaz, Kevin Edenfield, Joseph Faletra, Nathan Frost, Benjamin Gonzalez, Ashlee Green, Calise Hammonds, Michael Horde, Joseph Inthalangsy, Joshua Isaksen, Sebastian Johnson-Crouch, Christopher Kroes, William Louder, Lydia Majors, Kyra Mason, Alexander McMath, Alexandra Mejia, Kayla Miller, Raven Ortiz, Jou Pan, Grant Randolph, Steven Shetler, Kimberly Silva, Raymond Slater, Savannah Smith, Ryan Spring, Jackson Stadler-Phillips, Grace Weiss, Haley Woodruff and Nicole Woods.

Cherokee County School District schools, staff and volunteers recently were recognized with District 13 PTA Awards.  The Mill Creek Middle School PTSA won second place for Outstanding Local Unit – Middle School.

Arnold Mill Elementary School
Arnold Mill Elementary School recently recognized its school nurse, Betty Miller, for being named the District 13 and Cherokee County PTA Nurse of the Year.  Mrs. Miller, who has worked at the school for two years, cares for 830 children, conducts hearing and vision screenings and organizes a semi-annual school blood drive.  She also has trained student nurses from Kennesaw State University.  “She has done an outstanding job in the position,” Principal Kerry Martin said. “We congratulate Nurse Betty for always going above and beyond the call of duty.” 

Cherokee County School District schools, staff and volunteers recently were recognized with District 13 PTA Awards.  Arnold Mill Elementary won a Best Ideas Award for Best Celebrating Student Success with its PBIS Sock Hop.

Arnold Mill Elementary School fifth-graders and their teachers danced the Charleston in 1920s-style costumes as part of their social studies lesson on the “Roaring ’20s.”  Students came to school dressed as flappers, gangsters, baseball players and businessmen for the dance. 

Janice Butterworth has been named the Staff Member of the Month for April/May at Arnold Mill Elementary School.  Ms. Butterworth was nominated by her peers for being a respectful and helpful secretary and organizing school awards.  “She maintains a pleasant smile and never complains,” Principal Kerry Martin said.  “”The parents and staff members look forward to seeing her smiling face in the front office every day.”  She was presented a certificate and a $25 gift card from Walmart, a school Partner in Education.

Arnold Mill Elementary School Principal Kerry Martin recently recognized students for winning basketball championships.

The Fifth Grade Arnold Mill Girls are the 2012-13 Tournament Champions and the Division Champions.  Team members are: Aubrey Breeden, Abigail Haverland, Ella Monroe, Claudia Nickell, Joanna Paulson, Nikki Rogers, Sara Rogers, Carley Taylor and Makenzie Woodham.  Coaches are: Jeff Nickell, Mike Haverland and Edwin Breeden. 

The Fourth Grade Arnold Mill Girls are the 2012-13 Tournament Runners-Up and the Division Champions.  Team members are: Chloe Bedora, Carly Brinson, Katelyn Browning, Lailah Matthieu, Anslee McDonald, Ciara Miles and Caitlyn Moore.  Coaches are: Scott Bedora and Paul Matthieu.

The Second Grade Arnold Mill Girls are the 2012-13 Division Champions.  Team members are: Charlotte Carswell, Rylee Loggins, Gigi O’Hare, Riley Parker, Sarah Jane Reeves, Suzy Rogers and Summer Schultz.  Coaches are: Head Coach Valerie O’Hare and Assistant Coach Adam Loggins.

Two Third Grade Arnold Mill Boys Teams are both 2012-13 Division Champions.  One team’s members are: Andres Graber, Aiden Hall, Dylan Herrick, Sebastian Lopez, Braden Pierce, Dylan Ray, Will Reeves and Gavyn Whitney.  Their coaches are: Mark Herrick, Ray Hall and Brit Pierce.  The other team’s members are: Alex Boozer, Thomas Dugan, Jack Hall, Adam Krnyaich, Carson Lathem, Bradley Markley, Jack Surovchak and Nathan Tellason.  Their coaches are: Mike Boozer and Rene Pepin.

Johnston Elementary School
Johnston Elementary School recently recognized its Students of the Month for April with an appearance on the school’s WJES live morning news show.  These students also received a school store coupon, ice cream coupon, school spirit pencil and a Student of the Month bumper sticker.  They are: Valeria Perez, Katherine Lopez,  Cayden Cantrell, Christian Sanchez, Sorah Emory, Anahi Barrios, Ryaen Cantrell, Kayden Blackney, Jonathon Ramsey, Enrik Scott, Ava Ridge, Julia Morgan, Reese McDonald, Jacob Kilburn, Ryann Hutcheson, Josh Weeg, Maria Meza-Lopez, Craig Chace, Alan Graber, Aaron Osada, Hope Cummins, Brody Moore and Kayleigh Taylor.

Cherokee County School District schools, staff and volunteers recently were recognized with District 13 PTA Awards. Johnston Elementary School PTA won first place for Outstanding Local Unit – 750 and below.

Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce members have been visiting Cherokee County School District schools to present gifts to each school’s Teacher of the Year.  Melody Gullett with Just Driver Training and Bonnie Ellis with Renasant Bank visited Johnston Elementary School to present a gift to the school’s 2013 Teacher of the Year, Angel Ginn. 

The Woodstock Lions Club recently provided breakfast for Johnston Elementary School teachers and staff to thank them for their dedication and service to the students of Cherokee County. 

Little River Elementary School
Cherokee County School District teachers selected as 11Alive Class Act Teachers during this school year, including Cynthia Buell of Little River Elementary School, recently were honored by the TV station at a reception and breakfast.

Cherokee County School District schools, staff and volunteers recently were recognized with District 13 PTA Awards.  Little River Elementary School PTA won first place for Outstanding Local Unit – 751 and above and Jennifer Montfort won the Visionary Award.