State of Schools page 1 7/6/10 5:40 PM Page 1 State of Schools page 2 7/6/10 10:26 AM Page 2 Michael R. Hansen, DDS American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Georgia Dental Association American Dental Association Nationally Board Certified Pediatric Dentist Your Child sees Dr. Hansen ENJOY THE FUN, TOWN-LIKE ATMOSPHERE every visit! WITH THEMED TREATMENT ROOMS. JOIN YOUR CHILD DURING THE EXAM! Ryan Schwendiman, Kids play their favorite video games in the DMD, MBA Fellow Academy of General Dentistry garage styled activity room. First infant American Academy Exams are complimentary! of Cosmetic Dentistry Board Advisor for Dental Product Shopper & Contemporary Product Solutions FOR EVERY SMILE IN THE FAMILY... DR. SCHWENDIMAN SEEING ADULT PATIENTS! ORTHODONTIC EVALUATION WITH EVERY Look for our 2nd CHILD’S EXAM! location at The Avenue Forsyth in Cumming Most Insurance Accepted and Filed early 2011. 770-622-1515 • www.PediatricDentalTown.com 4330 Johns Creek Parkway, Suwanee, GA 30024 • Off of 141 & McGinnis Ferry, Behind Kohls 2 2010-11 State of Schools State of Schools page 3 7/7/10 3:55 PM Page 1 Welcome to 2010-11 State of the Schools Welcome from John Hall We at the Forsyth County News are excited to be a partner with the school system to provide you the 2010-11 State of the Schools, which fea- tures a wealth of valuable information in one convenient publication. Additionally, we also provide coverage of our local students, staff and schools in both the Forsyth County News and the South Forsyth News. Our newspa- pers are also complimented with breaking news and video at www.forsythnews.com. We are also pleased to bring you valuable advertisements from local businesses. In Forsyth County, we believe a strong school-community partnership is essential Welcome from Superintendent for the success of both the school system and L.C. (Buster) Evans our community. As such, I encourage you to take advantage of the offers from local business- I am once again pleased to welcome you to a new es found within these pages. school year. As I review what has led us to this new beginning, I am moved by the dedication and support John Hall, Publisher from the many people who worked to make Forsyth Forsyth County News County Schools a success. I am gratified that even in the challenging economic times many people stepped for- Many thanks to In & Out Photo for providing ward to work on behalf of our students. I credit this sup- photos used in this year’s State of the Schools. port to the unique nature of our community, our stu- dents, our staff and friends who understand how con- nected education is to our daily lives. Because of this united commitment, we have achieved and demonstrated the importance of our mis- sion to prepare and inspire all students to contribute and excel. It is the next generation that will mold the future of the country. With your continued support we can help ensure they are well educated and responsible citizens. L.C. (Buster) Evans, Superintendent About Forsyth County Schools: The 2010-11 State of the Schools is produced by the Forsyth County School’s Public Information and Communication Department. For information, contact [email protected]. • Sign up to receive FCS newsletters! E-mail [email protected] • Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! www.facebook.com/FCSchools and www. twitter.com/FCSchoolsGA FCS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability or gender in employment decisions or educational programs and activities, including athletic programs. The accuracy of the content within this publication is subject to change prior to dissemination. Copyright 2010, Forsyth County Schools, 1120 Dahlonega Highway, Cumming, Georgia 30040 (770) 887-2461 • www.forsyth.k12.ga.us 2010-11 State of Schools 3 State of Schools page 4 7/6/10 5:39 PM Page 1 2010-11 State of the Schools Table of contents FCS vision, mission and beliefs ........... 5 New technology streamlines cafeterias .......................... 28 Congratulations to the FCS retirees ............................................ 6 Exceptional Child Book Fair is a hit ..................................................... 31 District points of pride ........................ 7 Keep up to date on Forsyth County latest teen vaccines ............................. 32 Board of Education ............................... 9 iAchieve Virtual Academy Bring Your Own Technology ............. 10 a new way to learn .............................. 35 Teacher of the Year ............................. 12 Transforming schools, brick by brick ........................................ 36 Assistive technology success stories ..................................... 15 Common sense on cyberbullying .......................................... 37 Parent Toolbox provides variety of information ........................ 16 Inclement weather information ........ 38 Partners in Education ......................... 17 District Cabinet directory ................................................. 39 PIE award winners ............................... 18 List of FCS principals ........................... 40 PROPEL program a launching pad ..................................... 22 Student calendar .................................. 42 The difference mentoring makes ................................. 22 Citrix Remote Access Gateway ................................................. 23 How we communicate ....................... 24 Attendance counts in more ways than one ........................... 25 4 2010-11 State of Schools State of Schools page 5 7/7/10 10:47 AM Page 1 Forsyth County Schools Our vision: • Quality learning and superior performance for all Our beliefs: • Trust among all stakeholders is vital • Expectations influence accomplishments because everyone has the capacity to learn • A school-community partnership is essential • Change creates opportunity • High-performing leadership makes visions reality 2009-12 strategic plan goals: • Increase all student achievement while expanding educational opportunities. • Recruit, develop and retain a highly qualified workforce. • Enhance educational programs through increased community involvement. • Communicate effectively both internally and externally. • Pursue and secure alternate funding and resources while maximizing operational efficiency. To review our progress on our Strategic Plan, visit www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/strategicplan. 2010-11 State of Schools 5 State of Schools page 6 7/6/10 5:13 PM Page 1 Congratulations to our retirees Congratulations to FCS’ 2009-10 retirees, our largest group to-date! Thank you for your dedication and service to the students in Forsyth County Schools! • Nancy Abbott Sawnee ES • Gwin Allen Forsyth Central HS • Esther Armour Sawnee ES • Donna Bailey Silver City ES • Amy Bowen Forsyth Central HS • Joan Burrows Mashburn ES • Connie Case Cumming ES • Rebecca Lee Midway ES • Theresa Coenen Transportation • Shirley Lewis Vickery Creek ES • Robert Countryman North Forsyth HS • Cynthia Lynn Vickery Creek ES & Midway ES • Dorothy Culver Coal Mountain ES • William Mattie Transportation • Lara Daniel Transportation • Susan May Chattahoochee ES • Linda Davis Sawnee ES • Carolyn Meadows South Forsyth HS • Barbara Denbow Cumming ES • Kim Medlin Shiloh Point ES • George Dickey Lakeside MS • Tammy Mize Central Office • Janie Ditmore Settles Bridge ES • Betty Mooney Forsyth Central HS • Sarah Evans North Forsyth HS • Phil Moore North Forsyth HS • Patricia Fouts Sawnee ES • Barbara Morris Settles Bridge ES • Joyce Frederick Daves Creek ES • Linda Nippert Central Office • Jan Gilmore Midway ES • William Nix Central Office • Terry Greene North Forsyth MS • Mary Page Transportation • Jean Griggs Sawnee ES • Sherrie Phillips Forsyth Central HS • Janice Grindle Coal Mountain ES • John Poss Hill Center • Linda Halbach Big Creek ES • William Pugh Gateway Academy • Linda Haney Sawnee ES • Joyce Reed Haw Creek ES • Linda Hare Cumming ES • Myra Reidy Vickery Creek ES • Mary John Harrison Chestatee ES • Shelley Richardson Cumming ES • Yatesy Harvey Forsyth Central HS • Nancy Rithmire Central Office • Mary Harwell Central Office • Becky Roper Sawnee ES • Cathy Herb Chattahoochee ES • Nancy Scarbrough Otwell MS • Donna Heusser Cumming ES • Deborah Shirley Cumming ES • Steve Hocker Johns Creek ES • Kathleen Startt Mashburn ES • Alice Holland North Forsyth HS • Bonnie Stone Technology • Cheryl Hood Sawnee ES • Jane Tatum Forsyth Central HS • Mary Hooker Daves Creek ES • Richie Taylor North Forsyth HS • Marie Hughes Transportation • Gary Vogt Transportation • Eleanor Hutto Forsyth Central HS • Don Westray North Forsyth MS • Shirley Jurczyk North Forsyth HS • Diane Woodall Sharon ES • Alice LaFleur North Forsyth MS • Ernest Young Transportation 6 2010-11 State of Schools State of Schools page 7 7/6/10 5:14 PM Page 1 District Points of Pride In addition to having the highest CRCT and ACT scores in Georgia, FCS also has some of the highest SAT scores in the state, which are also above national averages. STATE HONORS: • Advanced Placement (AP) Honor Schools • DECA (Delta Epsilon Chi) State Winner • Future Business Leaders of America(FBLA) State Winner • Georgia Academic Decathlon State Winner • Georgia Athletic Director of the Year • Georgia Civic Star Award • Georgia Department of Education Distinguished Achievement Awards • Georgia Educational Technology Fair Winners • Georgia Elementary and Middle School Counselor of the Year • Georgia Elementary Principal of the Year See POINTS, Page 8 2010-11 State of