For the sixth consecutive time, the Georgia School Boards Association has recognized the Carrollton Board of Education as an Exemplary Board of Achievement. 

The recognition program is designed to showcase best practices in school governance and leadership. In addition, GSBA recognizes good school board governance to foster educational community cultures in order to advance student learning and achievement.  

The board has been at the forefront of earning this prestigious designation since the GSBA began the process several years ago and was one of the first 36 school districts in the state to earn Exemplary status. This recognition program is a three-tier, three-year process and is considered GSBA’s highest honor. This year, 55 of the 180 school boards across the state were recognized.

In 1998, the Georgia School Boards Association was one of the first school board associations in the nation to develop a program of standards for local boards of education. 

A board must complete nine requirements to be considered for the Exemplary Board designation. One of these includes earning continuing education credits via classes and training. Carrollton BOE members have exceeded this training requirement while achieving high marks in the other required areas.

For more information on the program, you may visit https://gsba.com/board-development/awards-recognition/ to view the criteria for all tiers of the program.

The Carrollton City Schools Education Foundation’s continued mission to encourage field trip experiences received another boost this year when the Board of Directors approved a generous $7,000 in funding to support specific enrichment opportunities at all four schools for 2021-2022.  

The foundation began subsidizing field trips three years ago as a new initiative to support teaching and learning in the district. According to the National Education Association, students who are exposed to more experiences think more broadly and do better in school. In addition, field trips have been shown to improve graduation rates. These experiences provide hands-on learning, making academic concepts more memorable.

"When I think back on my experiences in school growing up, one thing I vividly remember is the field trips that I took with my classmates,” said Laurie Fleck, executive director of the foundation. “Those experiences helped build relationships with my peers and reinforced things we studied in class. For example, I still remember learning about the types of foods astronauts consumed in space when my fourth-grade class took an overnight field trip to the Huntsville Space Center. There are memories made from those types of trips that students are left reminiscing about for the rest of their lives."

The funding will help support various field trips within the district. Some of these experiences include a trip to Washington D.C. for Carrollton Upper Elementary School students, a trip to the Georgia Aquarium and Mercedes Benz Stadium for Carrollton Elementary students and a trip to New York City where Carrollton High School performing arts students will attend a broadway immersion experience.

Fleck noted that field trips help expose all students to the world around them.

"Every student comes to a classroom with different life experiences," said Fleck. "Field trips expose all students to worlds outside their own, building cultural understanding and tolerance. I think by providing more trips for kids, we are giving them a leg up in discovering more about themselves, their community, and the world to cultivate their future aspirations." 

Since its inception in 1993, the CCS Education Foundation has disbursed more than $800,000 in scholarships and grants through its three program areas — student scholarships, instructional grants, and enrichment experiences for students. 

To learn more about the Carrollton City Schools Education Foundation, visit https://www.carrolltoncityschools.net/community/foundation.

A new program designed to develop student leaders at an earlier age is now up and running at Carrollton Upper Elementary School and, as Principal Stacy Lawler noted, “it’s never too early to learn leadership skills.”

The CUES Student Ambassador Program was the brainchild of April Eidson, a new counselor at CUES this year.

Fourteen students have been selected to represent CUES as student ambassadors this year.

In order to be considered for the program, students were required to complete an application and meet certain criteria. In addition, selected applicants obtained a teacher recommendation, interviewed with school counselors, and were required to have a minimum cumulative average of 3.5 or higher. The students must also have good behavior.

April Eidson, who is the program sponsor, said she is looking forward to watching the students learn and grow as ambassadors.

“I am excited for this opportunity our student ambassadors have to make everyone feel welcome at CUES, particularly new students and visitors,” said Eidson. “Our school counseling team selected a diverse group of students who are already doing an amazing job.”

Eidson also said the students will have the opportunity to grow their communication and interpersonal skills through the program.

“The group will be visible at many campus events geared towards prospective students and families,” she said. “Ambassadors will be a positive reflection of our school and have the chance to develop and receive training in communication, marketing, and interpersonal skills.”

When the idea was presented to him, CUES principal Stacy Lawler said he was immediately on board.

“Mrs. Eidson is a new counselor at CUES this year and when she pitched the idea of student ambassadors, I thought it was great,” he said. “Any time we can provide opportunities for students to develop leadership skills and also learn the importance of being a servant leader, it is a good thing. I am excited to see the selected students represent our school at the highest level.”