National Blue Ribbon Schools

Mt. Bethel Christian Academy named a National Blue Ribbon School

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On Monday U.S. Department of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos named Mt. Bethel Christian Academy of East Cobb a 2018 National Blue Ribbon School, the only in Cobb County to earn that designation this year.Mt. Bethel Christian Acedemy

Mt. Bethel, which has an enrollment of more than 600 students in K-12, is one of around 350 schools (and 49 private schools) to make this year’s list.

Here’s more of what Mt. Bethel headmaster Jim Callis has been sharing with the school community:

Specifically, Mt. Bethel was recognized in the category of Exemplary High Performing Schools. Exemplary High Performing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests. MBCA was recognized in this category for its many years of sustained academic excellence.

“I’m pleased to celebrate with you as your school is named a National Blue Ribbon School,” said Secretary DeVos in a video message. “We recognize and honor your important work in preparing students for successful careers and meaningful lives. Congratulations on your students’ accomplishments and for your extraordinary commitment to meeting their unique needs.”

Mr. Callis shared news of this achievement today at a surprise-filled, all-school assembly. Special guests included Cobb County Commission Chairman Mike Boyce and Cobb County Commissioner Bob Ott. We are grateful for the support from local leadership as we strive to grow God’s kingdom and prepare our students to be leaders themselves.

The 2018 National Blue Ribbon School designation makes a powerful statement about the Academy’s commitment to developing and nurturing students who will succeed mightily in college and beyond. MBCA students are led and supported by the very best faculty, ready to be a force for good in the world.

 

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Dodgen and Dickerson recognized for National Blue Ribbon school status

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Dodgen and Dickerson

In late September both Dickerson and Dodgen middle schools were named National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education.

Last week the Cobb Board of Education formally recognized the administrators and teachers at both schools.

Dickerson and Dodgen were among 342 schools nationwide earning the Blue Ribbon designation, and they’re among 17 East Cobb schools so named since the award began in the early 1980s.

In both group photos the school board members and Superintendent Chris Ragsdale are in the back row. The Dickerson staff, in the photo above: Dr. Carole Brink, principal; Sandra Alford, assistant principal; and teachers Rebecca Johson, Tara Thieme, Jackie Roche, Jennifer Attard, Maureen McLaughlin, Megan Lankes, Natalie Cornwell and Drew Starnes.

In the photo below, the Dodgen staff in the front row: Dr. Loralee Hill, principal; Gary Jackson, assistant principal; Sheri Dennard, Teacher of the Year, 8th grade lead and math teacher; Marlo Sharp, French teacher; Tonia Martin-Gatlin, counselor; and Tricia Eoff, counseling office clerk.

Dodgen and Dickerson

Dickerson also was recognized by the school board for recently being named recipient of an Award of Excellence in Physical Education by the Georgia Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.

Those recognized by the school board included Dickerson physical education teachers Maureen McLaughlin, Megan Lankes, Natalie Cornwell, Duane Perozzi and Drew Starnes. 

Cobb school calendar adoption for 2018-20 years expected tonight

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A reminder that the Cobb school calendar for the 2018-20 academic years are slated for adoption tonight.Cobb School Calendars

It’s the last item on the Cobb Board of Education’s regular meeting agenda. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the board room of the Cobb County School District Central Office, 514 Glover Street, Marietta. (here’s a link to the full agenda).

Earlier this month, the board discussed Superintendent Chris Ragsdale’s proposed calendars for the 2018-19 and 2019-2020 years, which would both start on Aug. 1 (previous East Cobb News post here).

While there hasn’t been the contentious reaction from school parents or on the board as in previous news, East Cobb school board member Scott Sweeney noted at the work session that he gets a lot of feedback from parents who want a later starting date.

Both proposed calendars have generally the same scheduled breaks—late September in the fall, mid-February in the winter and early April in the spring—as well as the usual Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Year’s holiday breaks.

For the 2018-19 proposed calendar, the last day of school would be May 22, and for 2018-19, the final day would be May 20 (The full calendar proposals are attached at the bottom of this post).

Also tonight, the school board will formally recognize both Dickerson Middle School and Dodgen Middle School, which were recently named National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education (previous East Cobb News post here).

The board also will honor Dickerson, which was recently given an Award of Excellence in Physical Education by the Georgia Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.

Proposed 2018-19 Cobb school calendar

CCSD 2018-19 Calendar Proposal

Proposed 2019-2020 Cobb school calendar

CCSD 2019-20 Calendar Proposal

Dogden and Dickerson named National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2017

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The latest East Cobb recipients of the National Blue Ribbon Schools designation by the U.S. Department of Education are Dodgen and Dickerson middle schools.

The two feeder schools into Walton High School are among 342 schools nationwide and the only two schools in the Cobb County School District to be honored for 2017.Dodgen and Dickerson, National Blue Ribbon Schools

For Dickerson, it’s the second time it’s been named a Blue Ribbon School, which has been given out since 1982. Dodgen’s addition makes it 17 different East Cobb schools that have been so honored (see the list at the bottom of this post).

So what, exactly, is a Blue Ribbon School, and what does a school have to do be named? Like the other winners this year and in the past, Dodgen and Dickerson are “exemplary high performing schools,” as measured by overall academic performance, including test scores, closing achievement gaps in school subgroups and other factors.

The Blue Ribbon Schools summary sheet for Dodgen also details a high participation rate in music programs and the school’s 2016 designation as being the best in Georgia in the Scholastic Summer Reading Program.

Here’s Dodgen principal Dr. Loralee Hill, in comments provided by the CCSD:

“This recognition is the result of our vision to allow students to grow academically, cognitively, emotionally, and socially through service and leadership. Our teachers and staff are committed to providing our students with rigorous and challenging opportunities that will allow them to gain the knowledge and skills to be successful in their next phase of life. This honor truly belongs to everyone associated with Dodgen Middle School.”

At Dickerson, a school-wide Lead by Example program transcends academics to include social and emotional interactions and relationships between students, teachers and staff. Here’s principal Carol Brink’s reaction:

“The Blue Ribbon Award is truly an honor and a shared celebration both in our district and our school community. However, I must say that at the heart of this celebration is truly the focus and commitment of our students and teachers who lead by example by putting forth their very best every day!”

Both of the above links contain more information about Dodgen and Dickerson, including their application statements for the Blue Ribbon Schools designation, including demographics, special programs and more.

Here’s a longer roster of all the Blue Ribbon School winners from East Cobb:

  • 2016: Mt. Bethel Elementary School;
  • 2013: Tritt Elementary School;
  • 2011: Timber Ridge Elementary School;
  • 2009: Hightower Trail Middle School;
  • 2008: Mabry Middle School;
  • 2007: Walton High School;
  • 2003: Dickerson Middle School;
  • 2001: Shallowford Falls Elementary School;
  • 2000: Lassiter High School;
  • 1996: Sprayberry High School;
  • 1994: Eastvalley Elementary School;
  • 1992: McCleskey Middle School;
  • 1990: East Cobb Middle School;
  • 1988: Murdock Elementary School; Sope Creek Elementary School;
  • 1986: Mt. Bethel Elementary School;
  • 1984: Walton High School.