March 2011    
    Principal for a Day    
       Have you ever wondered how it would feel to sit on the other side of a principal’s desk? On Feb. 9 and 16, more than 80 of Cobb’s business, community and political leaders experienced this by being a “Principal for a Day” (PFAD) at Cobb County and Marietta City public schools. This 10th annual half-day program gave the PFADs an opportunity to see firsthand the strengths and challenges of our educational system through visiting classrooms, spending time with the principal, students and faculty, and strengthening the relationship between the local schools and the business community. Thank you to all of our participants.
   (right) During his day at Powder Springs Elementary School, Cobb County Commission Chairman Tim Lee experienced life from behind the desk of Principal Darlene Mitchell.
    
 
   
    Activity Spotlight: Cobb EMC Career Day    
       Local elementary students experienced the real working world at Cobb EMC’s Career Day.
   In February, Cobb EMC hosted their 20th annual Career Day. This is an opportunity for fourth- and fifth-grade students to apply for positions at Cobb EMC and spend a partial day experiencing those job roles. Before the event, over 500 students were given an application by their teacher, to chose a job they would like to do. Forty-five students from two of Cobb EMC’s Partner in Education schools, Due West Elementary and Timber Ridge Elementary, were selected and entered the workforce at Cobb EMC for the day. The jobs students applied for ranged from security coordinator to master power control technician to customer service technician.
   In addition to learning about various careers, this day is designed to explain to students what it takes to operate a large organization. Cobb EMC employees also talked to students about character qualities important for success in the workplace, including punctuality, honesty and willingness to learn new things.
   "It was a pleasure to host students from across our service area at the 2011 Career Day. I want to thank them for their hard work," said Sam Kelly, senior vice president of public relations at Cobb EMC. "For the last 20 years, Career Day has been an important way that Cobb EMC has demonstrated its support for our schools and their vital job of educating the next generation of citizens and leaders in our community."
   After shadowing employees in the morning, the students and their parents were treated to lunch with Cobb EMC employees.
   (above) "Spymaster” Sam Kelly, vice president of public relations at Cobb EMC, welcomes local students to “spy on the world of work” at Cobb EMC along with his “fellow spy” Rod Snell.
   
       
 
   
    Welcome New Partners    
       Involvement of businesses like yours in our public education system is key to school success. The Cobb Chamber is proud to have more than 1,000 Partners in Education (PIE) helping in the Cobb and Marietta City school systems, and the list just keeps on growing. Click here to view the new businesses that are now part of the PIE Program.
   For a full list of Partners in Education, click here.		    
   
   
    Partner Signings    
       More businesses and schools are making their partnerships official every day. Click here to see pictures from recent Signing Ceremonies.
    
   
   
    Partners in Action    
   
   Businesses and schools come together to hold events and fundraisers every year to provide for the school and promote community spirit. Click here to see the creative ways that businesses and schools have partnered together.

   (right) Sixth-grade teacher Ms. Kimberly Bundschu of Floyd Middle School works the cash register during McTeacher's Night at McDonalds. 		 
   
   
   
    Schools in Action    
       
   To thank their partners, schools hold a variety of activities ranging from appreciation celebrations to class projects and writing exercises devoted to their partners, such as writing thank you notes. Click here to see how schools are showing appreciation for their partners.

   (right) Floyd Middle School recently showed their appreciation for their Partner in Education, Chick-fil-A at Brookwood Square, to all customers of the restaurant. 		 

   
   
   
    Business/Education Committee Update    
       Each month around 40 of Cobb’s business, political and educational professionals meet to form the Cobb Chamber of Commerce’s Business/Education Committee. They meet in order to help plan the Cobb Chamber's education programs and discuss the partnership of business and education in Cobb County. The committee also enjoys holding meetings at various educational institutions in Cobb County in order to get a firsthand look into education and our educational facilities and services.
   For the March meeting, The International Welcome Center, Oakwood Digital Academy and the Cobb Performance Learning Center welcomed the committee to learn about the various services they offer to Cobb County students and parents. For more information about these services, click here or view pictures of the event. 		   
   
   
    Project 2400 Results 2010    
        Created in 2006, PROJECT 2400 is a strategic partnership between the Cobb Chamber of Commerce and the Cobb County Public School District to help enhance our students' SAT scores that are based off of a score of 2400. Here are the 2010 Project 2400 Results:
  • 348/408 students (85 percent) took Diagnostic 1 and the Actual SAT Test in May or June
  • 335/348 students (96 percent) scored higher on the Actual SAT than Diagnostic 1 by 10 to 810 points
  • Average change in score was 217 points
  • Median change in score was 220 points
  • Average score on the Actual Test was 1530
  • Median score on the Actual Test was 1510

    For more information on Project 2400, click here.

    
   
   
    School Needs    
   
  • Title 1 is sponsoring a Dad’s Fair on Saturday, May 21. They are looking for organizations and businesses that have services and/or items geared toward fathers. If you are interested in participating, please contact Jackie Rutherford, parent liasion at Austell Primary School at 770-819-5804, ext. 237 or Jacqueline.Rutherford@cobbk12.org.

  • Communities in Schools of Marietta/Cobb County (CISMCC) is seeking volunteers to join their network of passionate professionals working in local schools to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve their goals in life. They work with motivated young people who are seeking a high school diploma so that they can succeed in the professional world. However, many of these young people lack exposure to career options and familiarity with work environments. Internships and job shadowing opportunities open the eyes of the youth to fields of interest and help them feel comfortable and confident in the professional world. Opportunities include:

    - Internships: Provide an opportunity for high school juniors and seniors attending the Performance Learning Centers (PLCs) to participate in an internship. CISMCC is seeking workplace settings for these youth to work and experience particular occupations. If your company or organization can provide a learning work environment for these students for a one- to four-week unpaid internship, please contact us at the information listed below.

    - Job Shadowing: Provide an opportunity for small groups of high school students to experience an occupational work setting for a few hours during a week day. CISMCC would like to secure job sites representing various occupations for students to become more acquainted with a particular career setting of interest to them.

    If you are interested in this program or have questions, please contact Meghan Wilson at mwilson@cismcc.org or 678-503-0901.

  • Marietta Performance Learning Center and Communities (MPLCC) in Schools of Marietta/Cobb County are hosting the First Annual Community Healthy Choices Fair on Thursday, Apr. 14 from 2 to 7 p.m. at the MPLCC on the Woods Wilkins Campus. For more information, click here.

  • Oakwood Digital Academy is currently seeking internships, job placement and job shadowing opportunities for its high school students. Oakwood teachers and administrators believe these experiences are important to help our students gain valuable workplace skills, build character and provide students with the opportunity to explore post-secondary academic and career choices.
    If your company is interested in learning more about the opportunity to help Oakwood Digital Academy students reach their full potential, please contact Solomon C. Williams, post-secondary transition coach at Oakwood Digital Academy, at swilliams@ombudsman.com or 770-429-0042.

   To help or submit your schools’ needs, contact the Cobb Chamber Education Department at partners@cobbchamber.org or 770-859-2360.

   
   
   
    Attention Prospective Partners    
       Do you want to join the small and large businesses, civic groups and non-profits that are instrumental in providing Cobb schools with volunteers, equipment, supplies, scholarships, in-kind services and cash donations? Click here for a list of opportunities for your business.    
   
   
    Partners in Education Information Session and Training - Save the Dates    
   

   Not sure where to start on becoming a Partner in Education? Save the dates for the following information and training sessions.

  • Partner in Education Information Session
    Monday, Aug. 29
    8:30 to 10 a.m.
    Location: Cobb Chamber of Commerce

  • Partners in Education Training
    Wednesday, Sept. 14
    8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
    Location: Cobb Chamber of Commerce
    
   
   
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