THURSDAY -FIRST LOVINGGOOD FCA TALENT SHOW AND SURPRISE!
FRIDAY -STEVE WALLACE, FORMER NFL PLAYER - SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AND 3 TIME SUPER BOWL CHAMPION!
CCSD Board Seeks Input on Budget
The Cobb County Board of Education is seeking input from stakeholders on the Fiscal Year 2011budget currently under development. Due to cuts in state funding and declining local property tax collections, the school district is facing aprojected financial shortfall of $137 million. To balance the budget,the school board will consider extreme measures to reduce expenses. The online survey provides an opportunity for Cobb County School District stakeholders to indicate their priorities, and offer input and suggestions. The information submitted by stakeholders will play an important role as the Board of Education prepares to approve a new budget on June 9, 2010.
CRCT testing will be taking place April 14-23. The Lovinggood School Council will be taking orders for CRCT Survival Kits for your student. A member of School Council will be stationed each morning at a table near the mural in the main hall. Parents can complete the order form by clicking here, and then sending it in with a check. Order forms will also be available at the hall table.
CRCT survival kits will be distributed during testing in April, and include useful items such as:
bottled water,
cereal bars,
mints,
pencils,
erasers, etc.
All proceeds go to support future programming of the Lovinggood School Council.
Hey Hey, it's FCA!
Freedom Week is here to stay!
Lace up your tennis shoes and be on your way,
We'll start to walk at 8:00 on Wednesday!
WEDNESDAY- PRAYER WALK (7 TIMES) AROUND THE SCHOOL!
THURSDAY -FIRST LOVINGGOOD FCA TALENT SHOW AND SURPRISE!
FRIDAY -STEVE WALLACE, FORMER NFL PLAYER - SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AND 3 TIME SUPER BOWL CHAMPION!
Senator John Wiles, chairman of the Cobb State Delegation, will be hosting a town hall meeting on Wednesday evening from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at the North Cobb Senior Center 4100 Highway 293, Acworth, GA 30101. He and other members of the state delegation have asked to hear from constituents on the matter of the Cobb County School calendar.
This past weekend, both winterguards at Hillgrove competed in the Southern Association of Performance Arts Championships in Macon, GA. After wonderful, hard-working seasons, each guard placed 5th in their respective classes in the state. The JV winterguard (Lovinggood students) competes in the Cadet class against other middle school guards, and the Varsity guard competes in the very-difficult Scholastic A class.
We are very proud of our girls!
Members of the JV Guard Aerial Consonery, Meggie Geisland, Sarah Grayburn, Katheryn Lucas, Lauren Reid, Mariah Sims, Caylin Smith, Jennifer Thomas, Sarah Thomas
Members of the Varsity Guard Kate Arocho, Rachel S Azevedo, Caitlyn M Ellesemere-Jones, Julia Fortenberry, Kasidee Gonet, Alexis Gordon, Chelsea Harrod, Jessica P Jackson, Candace A Lester, Caroline Maughon, Ann Elizabeth Sisk, Erin Sisk, Amanda B Thomas, Elizabeth Vaughan, Courtney Walker
ANY LOVINGGOOD (8th grade) or HILLGROVE LADIES interested in being a part of the guard - training for the Fall begins April 13th at 6pm in the Hillgrove Band Hall. See www.hillgroveband.com for all information.
Next week is
FCA FREEDOM WEEK
March 29th thru April 2nd
Hey Hey, it's FCA!
Freedom Week began today!
So set your alarms and don't delay,
Tomorrow, breakfast will be served, hooray!
TUESDAY - BREAKFAST IS SERVED! WEDNESDAY - PRAYER WALK AROUND THE SCHOOL! THURSDAY - FIRST LOVINGGOOD FCA TALENT SHOW! FRIDAY - STEVE WALLACE, FORMER NFL PLAYER - SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AND 3 TIME SUPER BOWL CHAMPION!
PTA Takes Action
Advocating for every child
Georgia PTA’s weekly update on legislative activity – Mar. 28, 2010
Welcome to the weekly reporting of legislative activity for the 2010 session. The General Assembly reached Crossover Day, the 30th day, on Mar. 25th. Any bill that did not passed out of one chamber to the other is now considered dead for the rest of the legislative session. The language of a bill may still be appended to another bill (as long as it pertains to the same area of Georgia Code) so it will be very important to watch for substitute language now as bills move. This recap will highlight the bills that crossed over and some of the ones that did not. This week the House Appropriation committees will be meeting briefly for a final look at the FY 11 budget before it is brought to a vote. It is anticipated that the vote will be this week so the Senate can get started on their deliberations. There are only 10 days left in the session.
Common Core State Standard Initiative (CCSSI)
The draft of the Common Core Standards is still open for review and comment. GA PTA urges its members, especially the teachers who are familiar with GA’s current curriculum, to review the standards and weigh in with their comments and suggestions. It is your input that will help shape those standards as they move towards finalization and adoption. GA PTA supports this voluntary state initiative and encourages its members to read more about it. Public comment will be accepted until April 2. Please forward this information to other parents and to the teachers in your school so they, too, can learn more about this initiative. The standards can be found at www.corestandards.org.
Legislation to Watch
Every week we will report on legislation that we believe is critical to you. Please note, if PTA has an established position, a local unit cannot take an opposing position.
Bills That Passed Over: SB 308: Concealed guns permitted in bars, public buildings, sporting events, churches and college campus except within 1000 feet of dorms. The bill prohibits guns only from K-12 schools, government buildings, jails, prisons, and mental institutions. Private property owners may determine if guns are allowed on their property. Shifts issuance of weapons permits to the Secretary of State rather than the local probate judge. Current law forbids guns at school functions and within the 1000 ft school safety zone around a school.
SB 299: A student accused of a weapons violation must have a hearing before being detained. Doesn’t give schools more flexibility but allows judge to look at intent instead of just applying zero tolerance.
SB 515: LBOE could not furlough educators until they had reduced any unencumbered reserve as of September 1 to 6% or less of the general fund budget. 'Unencumbered’ means that which is left over after all contractual obligations, include those of educator contracts, are provided for.
HR 1203: CA, and the enabling legislation, to expand the Educational Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) to be used for educational annual budgets (instead of just Capitol projects as it is now) with equivalent tax millage reduction. This purpose and the expected amount to be applied would be on the project list with all other projects.
SB 496: Creates a new HOPE college opportunity grant for students from low income families if money appropriated from the lottery. Has all the requirements of the current HOPE scholarship except for the B average. About 97% of those receiving PELL grants have family incomes of less than $40,000; 80% have family incomes of less than $30,000. GA Student Finance Commission will administer the program, and use the PELL grant process as a basis for evaluating students. As with the other HOPE, students must be a graduate from a GA high school and a legal resident for 12 months, or if not a graduate from a GA high school, they must be a resident for 24 months.
HB 938: No use of wireless communication while operating a vehicle, except for communications with emergency responders. Citizens band radios, citizens band radio hybrids, commercial two-way radio devices, subscription-based emergency communications, in-vehicle security, navigation, and remote diagnostics systems or amateur or ham radio devices are excluded from this prohibition. Drivers license will be suspended if accident caused by driver on the first offense for 90 days or until age 18, whichever occurs first; on the second offense, 6 months or until age 18. Fines are between $50 and $100, double if the operator caused an accident. Restoration of the drivers license will be $60. Those under age 18 also get 2 points on the drivers license
SB 458: Safety belts must be used in all passenger vehicles including pickups for drivers under age 18, and for older drivers if pickups driven on public roads.
HB 1200: Local school boards can solicit and accept donations for field trips and any other educational purpose.
Bills That Did Not Pass: HB 927: Anti-bullying: Expands the definition of ‘bullying’ to include electronic bullying that physically harms a person or damages the property of another, has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education, creates an intimidating or threatening education environment, or substantially disrupts the orderly operation of the school. DOE is required to develop a model policy and make it available on the department’s web site for use by local school systems.
SB 319: Money appropriated for 'textbooks’ can also be used to purchase computer hardware and software.
HB 281: Students enrolled in a charter school within the school district in grades 6-12 shall be allowed to participate in extracurricular activities of the traditional public school to which each would otherwise be enrolled.
HB 1121: Tampering with state test answer sheets shall be a misdemeanor such as copy a test booklet, make answer keys available, give inappropriate guidance to students taking the test. Superintendents and principals are included if they fail to follow testing procedures established by the state.
HB 39: Increase the tax on cigarettes by $1/pack. Would raise $355 M for the general budget.
HR 1: Freeze property taxes at current level until house sold. Similar to California’s Proposition 13.
Key: HR- House Resolution, HB – House Bill, SR – Senate Resolution, SB– Senate Bill CA – Constitutional Amendment
Hey Hey, it's FCA! Freedom Week is on the way, FCA will meet everyday!
Freedom Week begins THIS MONDAY! McEachern Methodist Youth Band will be in the house to play, We'll be rockin' out to start your day!
MONDAY - LIVE MUSIC FOR PRAISE AND WORSHIP! TUESDAY - BREAKFAST IS SERVED! WEDNESDAY - PRAYER WALK AROUND THE SCHOOL! THURSDAY - FIRST LOVINGGOOD FCA TALENT SHOW! FRIDAY - STEVE WALLACE, FORMER NFL PLAYER - SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AND 3 TIME SUPER BOWL CHAMPION!
Hey Hey, it's FCA! Freedom Week is on the way,
FCA will meet everyday!
Freedom Week begins THIS MONDAY!
McEachern Methodist Youth Band will be in the house to play,
We'll be rockin' out to start your day!
FREEDOM WEEK - MARCH 29TH - APRIL 2ND
MONDAY - LIVE MUSIC FOR PRAISE AND WORSHIP! TUESDAY - BREAKFAST IS SERVED! WEDNESDAY - PRAYER WALK AROUND THE SCHOOL! THURSDAY - FIRST LOVINGGOOD FCA TALENT SHOW! FRIDAY - STEVE WALLACE, FORMER NFL PLAYER - SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AND 3 TIME SUPER BOWL CHAMPION!
Public Budget Forum Held 3/23
The CCSD Board of Education hosted a public forum regarding budget development on Tuesday, March 23 at 7 p.m. at Campbell High School. The forum was a general information session to help the public understand the budget development process and the challenges created by the economy. Additional forums will be announced as the FY2011 budget development process continues throughout spring.
Hey Hey it's FCA! Lovinggood on the Lawn is on the way!
April 30th is the big day!
How can you help, you say?
By donating fun gift cards which are designed for play!
Collections will begin this Friday at FCA! What?? Donations of gift cards and games for Silent Auction baskets(Examples: board games, restaurants and pizza places, tickets to sporting events, spa treatments, Blockbuster, movie theatre gift certificates, Target, Claire's, American Eagle, Brusters, etc.)
When and Where?? Friday morning (8:00 a.m.) FCA meetings for the months of March and April
As the district prepares for large shortfalls, this forum is intended to help the public understand how those issues will be met.
Next Public Budget Forum To Be Held March 23 at Campbell H.S.The Board of Education is hosting a series of public forums regarding budget development. The next forum will be Tuesday, March 23 at 7:00 p.m. at Campbell High School. The forum will be a general information session to help the public understand the budget development process and the challenges created by the economy. Additional forums will be announced as the FY2011 budget development process continues throughout spring.
Hey Hey it's FCA! Dan Radcliffe from 104.7 THE FISH will be in the house this FRIDAY! So set your alarms and don't delay you'll want to hear what he has to say!
An educational forum for families throughout South Cobb County to receive health and wellness-related information Admission is free for attendees and their families when at least one (1) current PTA membership card is presented from any South Cobb Council of PTAs school.
Memberships will be sold at the door.
Free light meal and childcare services provided
Childcare will have fun, interactive games!
Participate in at two sessions of your choice:
How to Talk to Your Child’s Doctor
Adolescent Health: Talking to Your Child About Puberty/Sex
Living a Maximized Life
Practical Nutrition for Busy Families
What is a Pediatric Dentist?
Internet Safety
Raising Socially Responsible Children in a “Me Generation”
Asthma Triggers and Symptoms
Childhood Obesity and How Parents Can Help
Safe Neighborhoods/Safe Homes
Please find the Health & Wellness Flier at the link below:
Tuesday March 30, Wednesday March 31, & Thursday April 1
8:15-8:50 a.m.
There will be Basketball Activities on these days. A minimum of a $10 donation due Tuesday, March 30 will allow students to participate on any or all of the 3 days. All money raised will go directly to the American Heart Association. Cash, checks made out to the American Heart Association, and on-line payments (visit www.americanheart.org/hoops for directions) are ways to make donations. Any questions see a P.E. staff member.
Hey Hey it's FCA! Lovinggood on the Lawn is on the way!
April 30th is the big day!
How can you help, you say?
By donating fun gift cards which are designed for play!
Collections will begin this Friday at FCA! What?? Donations of gift cards and games for Silent Auction baskets(Examples: board games, restaurants and pizza places, tickets to sporting events, spa treatments, Blockbuster, movie theatre gift certificates, Target, Claire's, American Eagle, Brusters, etc.)
When and Where?? Friday morning (8:00 a.m.) FCA meetings for the months of March and April
PTA
Takes
Action
Advocating for every child
Georgia PTA’s weekly update on legislative activity – Mar. 15, 2010
Welcome to the weekly reporting of legislative activity for the 2010 session. The General Assembly is scheduled to reach Crossover Day, the 30th day, on Mar. 25th. Any bill that has not passed out of one chamber to the other, or ‘crossed over’ as it is called, is considered dead for the rest of the legislative session. The language of a bill may still be appended to another bill (as long as it pertains to the same area of Georgia Code) so it becomes very important to watch for substitute language now as bills move.
The revenue numbers for February were released recently and they don’t look positive. As a result of the continuing declining dollars, the Governor revised his FY 10 and FY 11 budgets. The remaining ARRA dollars have been moved from the FY 11 budget to fill the over $300 million hole in the FY 10 budget. That means the estimates for revenue in FY 11 were reduced by over $300 million. Education’s budget continues to shrink. One well founded rumor is that the 2010-11 school year will be funded only for 170 schools days, not the 180 required by law, and teacher work days will be limited to 4, not the 10 as required. That would save nearly $600 million, on the backs of school children. The local boards of education could continue for 180 days, with their own revenues, like the property tax, which means they will take the heat for raising taxes, but the General Assembly will not.
Common Core State Standard Initiative (CCSSI)
The draft of the Common Core State Standards has been released. This initiative, lead by the National Governors Association and the Chief Council of State School Officers, is designed to create common standards across the states. They are internationally benchmarked and are intended to prepare students to be college and career ready. In an increasingly mobile society it is critical that a student’s education does not suffer because the child moves from one state to another. The goal is to have every state voluntarily adopt these standards so that what a child learns in Massachusetts is the same as what the child learns in Georgia. These standards will establish what students need to learn, but they will not dictate how teachers should teach. Instead, schools and teachers will decide how best to help students reach the standards.
GA PTA supports this voluntary state initiative and encourages its members to read more about it. The standards themselves are open for review and public input is welcome and encouraged. Public comment will be accepted until April 2. Please forward this information to other parents and to the teachers in your school so they, too, can learn more about this initiative. The standards can be found at www.corestandards.org.
Legislation to Watch
Every week we will report on legislation that we believe is critical to you. In the next week we anticipate that there will be many committee hearings as legislators try to push bills so they can ‘cross over’. Legislation passed at the Capitol will have a big impact on your child, your school, your community and you. If PTA has an official position it will be shown next to the bill number. Please note, if PTA has an established position, a local unit cannot take an opposing position.
HB 1097: Establishes a school calendar start date not before the third Monday in August. This removes the local board of education’s ability to set the date that best meets the needs and wishes of the local community. Voted down in House Education committee.
HB 927: Anti-bullying: Expands the definition of ‘bullying’ to include electronic bullying that physically harms a person or damages the property of another, has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education, creates an intimidating or threatening education environment, or substantially disrupts the orderly operation of the school. DOE is required to develop a model policy and make it available on the department’s web site for use by local school systems. SUPPORT Tabled on House floor. Please contact your legislator by Mar. 22 and ask them to support this bill.
SB 319, Money appropriated for 'textbooks’ can also be used to purchase computer hardware and software. PASSED Senate and House Science and Tech committee
HB 1100: Eliminates the CRCT in grades 1 and 2. The SBOE can waive any required test if insufficient funds are appropriated. PASSED House Education Committee
HB 1121: Tampering with state test answer sheets shall be a misdemeanor such as copy a test booklet, make answer keys available, give inappropriate guidance to students taking the test. Superintendents and principals are included if they fail to follow testing procedures established by the state. The penalty is up to a $1000 fine and/or 30 days in jail and is in addition to any other process currently in law, such as loss of certification by the Professional Standards Commission. The governor’s recommendation. PASSED House Judiciary Non Civil
HB 1130: Class sizes can be increased until 2013 by the following:
K-5 can be exceeded by one student
6-12 can be exceeded by two students
State Board of Education may authorize up to one additional student per class upon requests by a local school board.
A 30 notice and a public hearing must be held by the local school board. The state board may ask for performance measures in exchange for the additional class size authority such as higher graduation rates, SAT or ACT performance, CRCT or EOCT score increases. Also removes expenditure controls on QBE programs and the 20 additional instructional day program. PASSED House Education Committee
SB 360: Use of a cell phone or texting while driving for those age 18 and under will get points added to their drivers licenses. Exceptions are in an emergency, reporting or averting a crime, public safety personnel and public utility service folk. Fine is $500. PASSED Senate Public Safety
SB 308: OPPOSE If one possessed a concealed weapons permit, one may carry it anywhere except a college dorm and a school building. Shifts issuance of weapons permits to the Secretary of State rather than the local probate judge. Current law also forbids guns at school functions and within the 1000 ft school safety zone around a school. PASSED Senate Special Judiciary
Key: HR- House Resolution, HB – House Bill, SR– Senate Resolution, SB– Senate Bill
CRCT testing will be taking place April 14-23. This coming week, the Lovinggood School Council will be taking orders for CRCT Survival Kits for your student. A member of School Council will be stationed each morning at a table near the mural in the main hall. Parents can complete the order form by clicking here, and then sending it in with a check. Order forms will also be available at the hall table.
CRCT survival kits will be distributed during testing in April, and include useful items such as:
bottled water,
cereal bars,
mints,
pencils,
erasers, etc.
All proceeds go to support future programming of the Lovinggood School Council.
Hey Hey, it's FCA! Freedom Week is on the way, FCA will meet everyday! Worship and praise on Monday, Breakfast is served on Tuesday, Prayer Walk on Wednesday, Talent Show on Thursday, and former NFL player, Steve Wallace is in the house on FRIDAY!!!
Lovinggood's got Talent?? We need to find out some way! So whether you sing, dance, rap or play, After school you will need to stay, Auditions will be held on March 16th on Tuesday! What? AUDITIONS for FCA Freedom Week (Thursday a.m.) Talent Show When? Tuesday, March 16th after school until 5:30ish Where? Lovinggood Auditorium
PS - Keep those donations coming for Lovinggood on the Lawn!
Next Public Budget Forum To Be Held March 23 at Campbell H.S.
The Board of Education is hosting a series of public forums regarding budget development. The next forum will be Tuesday, March 23 at 7:00 p.m. at Campbell High School. The forum will be a general information session to help the public understand the budget development process and the challenges created by the economy. Additional forums will be announced as the FY2011 budget development process continues throughout spring.View the budget Forum Info Sheet
Battery Recycling now available in Cobb
You can now take all of your used batteries (single-use batteries as well as rechargeable batteries) to any Cobb library for free recycling. Please see the information flyer for the libraries at: http://kcb.cobbcountyga.gov/downloads/library-2010.pdf
CRCT testing will be taking place April 14-23. This coming week, the Lovinggood School Council will be taking orders for CRCT Survival Kits for your student. A member of School Council will be stationed each morning at a table near the mural in the main hall. Parents can complete the order form by clicking here, and then sending it in with a check. Order forms will also be available at the hall table.
CRCT survival kits will be distributed during testing in April, and include useful items such as:
bottled water,
cereal bars,
mints,
pencils,
erasers, etc.
All proceeds go to support future programming of the Lovinggood School Council.
Hey Hey, it's FCA! Freedom Week is on the way,
FCA will meet everyday!
Worship and praise on Monday,
Breakfast is served on Tuesday,
Prayer Walk on Wednesday,
Talent Show on Thursday,
and former NFL player, Steve Wallace is in the house on FRIDAY!!!
Lovinggood's got Talent?? We need to find out some way!
So whether you sing, dance, rap or play,
After school you will need to stay,
Auditions will be held on March 16th on Tuesday! What? AUDITIONS for FCA Freedom Week (Thursday a.m.) Talent Show When? Tuesday, March 16th after school until 5:30ish Where? Lovinggood Auditorium
PS - Keep those donations coming for Lovinggood on the Lawn!
CobbCounty Navigator Team
Strengthening families, especially those with disabilities, through a statewide Parent-led volunteer network.
Presents A Free Workshop On
Katie Beckett/Deeming Waiver
Presenter:
Debbie Dobbs, Educational Consultant & Child Advocate, Health Care Consulting Services.
The presentation will focus on:
A step by step walk through on how to fill out the KB application
To RSVP please call Christine Perkins at 404-414-1442 or email cobb@p2pga.org (Childcare not available)
The Cobb County School District Financial Services department provides monthly budget updates to the Board of Education. This e-mail provides the highlights of these monthly updates in an easy-to-read newsletter format (Adobe PDF).
THURSDAY - FIRST LOVINGGOOD FCA TALENT SHOW AND SURPRISE!
FRIDAY - STEVE WALLACE, FORMER NFL PLAYER - SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AND 3 TIME SUPER BOWL CHAMPION!
Next Public Budget Forum To Be Held March 23 at Campbell H.S.
Nominations may be place in the PTSA box located in the Front Office.
PS - Keep those donations coming for Lovinggood on the Lawn!
Battery Recycling now available in Cobb
