The safety of students and staff is the top priority for Cobb schools, as emphasized by Superintendent Chris Ragsdale in this insightful discussion with Felicia Wagner, a parent of a Cobb student. They delve into the complexities surrounding school safety, including the impact of bullying and the importance of effective communication during crises.…

Don Baker joins the podcast to discuss just a few of the many things that happen "behind the scenes" to make sports in Cobb happen flawlessly. There are a multitude of details that need to be met and sometimes that involves students, staff, volunteers, or all three. District AD Baker gives a glimpse at the moving parts working hard off (or on the s…

Guests: Felicia Wagner, Mother of Cobb Student (and Executive Director of Cobb Schools Foundation) Chris Ragsdale, Superintendent of Cobb Schools Click on a timecode to jump to the topic: [01:29] Safety Overview & Budgetary Commitment [08:49] The Importance of Code Red Drills [11:10] How Columbine Changed Things [16:27] Response to Threats (If the …

Guests: Emily Lawery, Wellness Specialist Joy Doss, Vice President of the Cobb Schools Foundation Click on a timecode to jump to the topic: [01:04] State of Students' Wellness [02:59] Mental Health vs Mental Illness [03:53] Sources of Strength [06:45] Relationships & Connections Are Key [07:40] Foundation Support [10:09] Fun Ways to Participate [11…

Guests: April Sandifer, Assistant Director of Cobb Virtual Academy Ryan Fuller, Director of Cobb Virtual Academy Click on a timecode to jump to the topic: [01:04] CTLS vs CVA vs COLA [14:18] Supplementing Your School [07:21] Cobb Virtual Option and Georgia's [09:23] In-person Support [10:54] Similarity to College [11:45] Costs [13:40] Historical Ad…

On this bonus episode, Don Baker continues his discussion from last time, focusing on what's happening in Fall sports action for Cobb. Football, cross country, softball, and a look ahead to Flag Football and Winter sports are the topics of this "extra" podcast.Kirjoittanut Cobb County School District

Guest: Dr. Chris Ferrell, Supervisor of Performing Arts - Instrumental Music Click on a timecode to jump to the topic: [01:11] A Little About Chris [02:08] The General Impact of Music [03:25] It's About the Teamwork [04:41] Developing Leadership Skills [07:19] No One Plans a Career in Marching, So Why? [09:15] Do They All Compete? [10:42] Motivatin…

On this week’s episode we do a bit of a deep-dive into a topic that’s on everyone’s mind: Safety. District AD Don Baker joins to discuss this topic and the many different aspects to consider to keep stadiums, arenas, and fields safe for both players and fans.Kirjoittanut Cobb County School District

Guest: Kathleen Greb, Supervisor of Positive School Culture Support Click on a timecode to jump to the topic: [01:21] Warning Signs [02:21] Time Management, Prioritization & Procrastination [04:59] Developing a Growth Mindset [06:01] The Power of "Yet" [06:31] Overcoming Procrastination [09:06] The Importance of Sleep [11:13] Impact of Extracurricu…

Guest: Commander Phil Pascoe, NJROTC, North Cobb High School Click on a timecode to jump to the topic: [00:55] About the Commander [01:37] About NJROTC [03:26] Class versus Club [07:35] Growing Program [09:43] Impact on Students [11:12] Benefits After Graduation [13:37] Getting Your Student Involved [14:36] Combatting Misinformation [17:17] Parent …

Guest: Sherri Hill, Chief of Staff Click on a timecode to jump to the topic: [01:01] The Experience Sherri Brings [02:18] Getting & Staying Connected [04:20] How CTLS Parent Can Help [07:30] Value of the School's Website [08:46] Parent Support Orgs [09:43] Extracurriculars Can Help Academics [11:54] Still Need Help [14:47] Fostering a Culture of Ex…

Guest: Dr. Jeanne Walker, Principal of Cobb Horizon High School Click on a timecode to jump to the topic: [00:49] Cobb Horizon is Different [01:53] The Typical Student [02:50] Daily Schedule [05:02] Transportation [05:49] Where is it? [06:36] Comparison with University Model [07:44] Accountability [08:43] The Tassel! [09:16] A Unique Staff [11:34] …

Guest: John Floresta, Chief Strategy & Accountability Officer Click on a timecode to jump to the topic: [01:32] Milestones Defined [07:37] Looking Deeper with the Like Schools Tool [09:14] Cookie Cutter Doesn't Work [10:09] Impact on Classroom & District [11:46] Evidence of Value for Taxpayers (If the timecode links above don't work in your podcast…

What does it mean to be successful in athletics? Is it calculated with wins and losses or does it go beyond that? For Cobb Schools it means much more than titles and championships. District AD Don Baker joins the first Cobb Sports Podcast of the 2024-25 school year to discuss a few markers of success achieved last year by a very productive group of…

Guest: Emily Hanlin, Executive Director, Food & Nutrition Services Click on a timecode to jump to the topic: [01:13] About FNS [02:55] What is CEP? [05:18] Impact on Non-CEP School Families [06:51] Menu Rotations [10:33] Local Cuisine [12:00] Special Diets [13:20] Resources for More Info (If the timecode links above don't work in your podcast playe…

Guest: Chris Salter, Principal of Smitha Middle School Click on a timecode to jump to the topic: [01:31] About Chris [01:47] Biggest Differences in Students [02:09] Nurturing the Whole Child [03:22] Diversity in Middle School [04:31] Teaching Through Turmoil [05:43] Beyond Academics [06:27] Growing Responsible Students [09:51] Staying Informed Usin…

Guest: TJ Perry, Principal of South Cobb High School Click on a timecode to jump to the topic: [00:32] About TJ Perry [01:44] Differences Students Will Experience [03:08] Biggest Factors For Success [04:59] Tips For Parents [06:57] Guarding Against Negativity [08:40] Encouraging Positive Culture [10:40] High School Changes Students [12:31] The Most…

Guest: Lori Horn, Director of Assessment & Personalized Learning Click on a timecode to jump to the topic: [00:56] Summer Options Explained [02:27] High School Distinctions [04:37] Options in Elementary and Middle [06:37] How to Get In [08:49] The Registration Window(s) [10:03] The Pandemic's Positive Impact [10:58] Registration Process [13:42] Mee…

Guest: Barbara Truluck, School Counseling Consultant Click on a timecode to jump to the topic: [01:46] It's a challenge! [04:05] Influence of the pandemic [05:20] Phone addiction [07:08] Sexting [08:27] Cyberbullying [10:22] Sleep [12:06] When to get a smartphone [16:08] Gaming [17:21] Best move by parents or guardians [18:46] Warning signs [19:28]…

Guest: Dr. Missy Marsh, Supervisor of School Counseling, Advisement & Crisis Response Click on a timecode to jump to the topic: [01:28] Staying On-track to Graduate [04:43] In Case You Missed the Letter [05:14] Senioritis [06:08] Once Confirmed For Graduation [08:01] Is Fall Too Late to Plan? [09:30] Students Struggling to Find Life Direction [10:5…

Guest: Patty DaSilva, Counseling Consultant for Middle Schools and High Schools Click on a timecode to jump to the topic: [00:37] Are SATs & ACTs Needed? [05:23] Best Time to Take Them [06:25] They Cost, but There Are Options! [07:25] The Value of Test Prep [09:21] Scoring [11:09] The Dreaded Essay Section [13:30] Multiple Attempts [15:15] Parental…

Guests: Lori Jouty, MPH of Cobb & Douglas Public Health Kaitlin Burkly, MSW of The Georgia Prevention Project Click on a timecode to jump to the topic: [00:53] How Big is the Problem? [04:06] The Consequences Are Far Worse [07:38] The Georgia Prevention Project [08:26] Warning Signs [12:48] Impact on Adults vs Adolescents [14:49] Combatting Vaping …

Guest: Lt. Michael Wilson, Cobb Schools Police Department Click on a timecode to jump to the topic: [01:02] Types of Inside Dangers [05:05] When Police Get Involved [07:29] Alert Badges [09:38] Positively Influencing Students [10:38] Giving the PD a Heads Up [13:12] Concerned Cops (If the timecode links above don't work in your podcast player, visi…

Guest: Officer Pete Saxton, Emergency Management Specialist Click on a timecode to jump to the topic: [00:39] Officer Pete's Expertise [01:54] Focus of Emergency Management [03:40] Types of External Threats [05:58] School-specific Plans [09:00] Assurance of Readiness [10:35] Better Than "Duck and Cover" [12:21] Critical Value of Alert Badges [13:41…

State champions galore on this episode. Wrestling, swimming, and (hopefully) two basketball state champs. Kell and McEachern are heading south to the Macon Coliseum for the coveted 5A and 7A boys state title basketball games. Kell is in a rematch with Eagles Landing and McEachern is taking on Grayson. Listen in for interviews with both coaches and …

Guest: Dr. Andrew Kutscher, Supervisor of Advanced Learning Click on a timecode to jump to the topic: [01:17] Who should listen to this? [03:10] Dual Enrollment Defined [04:04] Student Eligibility [06:16] Other Considerations [09:26] Courses in All the Right Places [11:53] Slots Available [13:04] Potential Negatives [14:02] Full Time or Part Time […

Guests: Patty DaSilva, School Counseling Consultant Gillian Moody, Harrison HS School Counseling Dept. Chair Click on a timecode to jump to the topic: [01:00] Rising Cost of Education [03:32] Thinking Ahead [06:20] Means Testing [08:05] FAFSA Example [09:37] Jobs on Campus [10:28] Changes to FAFSA [13:03] Delays and Concerns [14:05] Abundant Resour…

Guest: Felicia Wagner, Executive Director of The Cobb Schools Foundation John Floresta, Chief Strategy & Accountability Officer Click on a timecode to jump to the topic: [01:00] About the Partnership [01:59] Students Benefit [04:55] Origins of the Relationship [07:50] Community Benefits [10:48] Impacting Already (If the timecode links above don't w…

Guest: Dr. Andrew Kutscher, Supervisor of K-12 Advanced Learning Click on a timecode to jump to the topic: [00:53] Advanced Learning Programs Available [01:41] What Makes Magnet Unique? [04:22] When to Start Looking [05:17] Timeline for Getting into a Magnet Program [06:44] The Prime Candidate [09:51] How Magnet is Viewed [11:52] On The Bus [12:56]…

McEachern's Head Basketball Coach Tremayne Anchrum joins the podcast to discuss his team, his school, and his players. Coach Anchrum reveals a health need for one his players that is very serious and explains how the District can help. We love to talk about sports on the podcast, but when issues off the court arise, there is no better place to get …

Guests: Ana Murphy, Assistant Director of Student Services Keylan Mitchell, Owner of Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes Click on a timecode to jump to the topic: [01:24] Help Through Family Crisis [03:43] Money Sources [04:41] Mooyah Moolah! [06:43] Making the Connection [08:00] Family Impact [10:21] What's the Point? [13:47] The Challenge [15:11] Grat…

The winter sports season is well underway and heading quickly toward the playoffs and state tournaments. District AD Don Baker joins the podcast to discuss the many options available to students in the winter months and it goes far beyond the Big Three (basketball, wrestling, and swimming).Kirjoittanut Cobb County School District

Guest: Anjeannette Barker, Mentoring Matters Coordinator Click on a timecode to jump to the topic: [00:46] Caring Motivates [02:01] Family Limitations [03:06] Working with The Foundation [04:32] Collaborating with REACH [05:43] What Mentors Are and Are Not [06:50] The Matchmaker! [08:40] Effectiveness of Commitment [09:55] Remote or In-person [13:2…

Guest: Gretchen Walton, Assistant Superintendent of Compliance & Legislative Affairs Click on a timecode to jump to the topic: [00:53] Civil Rights Defined [03:05] How Cobb Schools Protects Civil Rights [05:57] Civil Rights Complaints [07:16] Lagging OCR Complaints [14:04] Organizational vs. Individual Violations [17:25] Resources for Concerns [20:…

For the second time in three years, Cobb has the state champion in Flag Football. The Pope Greyhounds beat the Allatoona Buccaneers to secure its first title in the sport, and proving that Cobb has some of the best Flag teams to be found anywhere. District AD Don Baker and Dr. Sally Creel, Supervisor of STEM and Innovation, also join the episode to…

Guests: Lt. Mike Wilson & Ofc. Pete Saxton Click on a timecode to jump to the topic: [01:03] Cobb Schools' Police Department [02:15] Our Emergency Planning Guy [05:21] Alert Badges Save Time and Lives! [07:14] Consequences of Vapes [17:02] The Anonymous Tip Line for Texts (If the timecode links above don't work in your podcast player, visit "Podcas…

Four teams are still in the hunt for a fall sport state title: Allatoona, McEachern, and Pope in Flag Football, and Walton in Football. Listen in to find out all the details and some fun facts like why the Raider sidelines are full of players and coaches with mustaches. Wheeler AD Brittny Jones also joins the podcast to discuss all the possibilitie…

Guest: Dr. Joseph Woodruff, Director of Applied Learning & Design Click on a timecode to jump to the topic: [01:06] Applied Learning & Design Explained [03:54] Uniquely Effective [08:05] Engages All Learning Styles [10:13] The Motto & Areas [14:24] You Heard It Here First! [15:55] Better Student Results [17:01] Prepping for a Career [18:14] STEM & …

The Walton Raiders are one of the top-rated football programs in the country and are currently the top program in the state of Georgia. The Raiders have had an exceptional undefeated season and they are the only Cobb team remaining in the GHSA state championship hunt. We are also joined by Walton Athletic Director Chris Williams. AD Williams has be…

Guest: Emily Hanlin, Executive Director of Food & Nutrition Services Click on a timecode to jump to the topic: [00:37] Self-Sustaining Team [01:53] A Different Approach [03:17] Overcoming Oppressive Federal Mandates [04:41] We Have a District Chef?! [06:36] Farm to School [10:09] Challenges & Benefits of Local Sourcing [12:42] Reducing Waste [14:40…

After a quick recap of the status of Cobb Schools' teams in football, flag football, and basketball, District AD Don Baker discusses the reclassification process currently happening in Georgia and what it means for Cobb. 7A has been eliminated as the highest classification, and most of Cobb schools find themselves in the new highest class, 6A. 10 t…

Guest: John Floresta, Chief Strategy & Accountability Officer Click on a timecode to jump to the topic: [01:19] Honorary Southerner [03:03] Importance of Early Info [04:18] Meteorologists & Cobb Schools [05:43] Early Preparation [06:21] Making the Call [07:42] When Forecasts Miss the Mark [10:20] Have a Family Plan B [11:40] Partial Closings [12:40…

State titles and more state titles! Cobb has already added three new state championships to its impressive list of past winners. Volleyball and cross country have concluded and football and flag football are heading into the postseason. South Cobb Athletic Director Ormond Moore is the guest on this episode and tells about his experiences with sport…

Guest: Felicia Wagner, Executive Director of The Cobb Schools Foundation Click on a timecode to jump to the topic: [00:54] About The Foundation [01:27] The REACH Scholarship [04:05] List of the Recipients [05:17] How Recipients Are Found [05:58] The Goal [06:58] Funding Sources [10:01] The Role of Mentors [10:55] Become Part of the Solution! (If th…

As fall sports seasons get into the postseason, the pressure is getting higher. On top of that, GHSA's reclassification has just been released and there's going to be some changes coming next year. Pope Athletic Director Josh Mathews joins the show to inform us about what's going on at his school and how he manages to keep everything moving while a…

Guest: Suzanne Cain, Alternative Education Director Click on a timecode to jump to the topic: [01:20] About the guest [02:07] Alternative Education Explained [03:23] The Alt Ed Team [04:45] Locations & Cobb Horizon [05:39] It's All About Relationships! [09:54] Bad Choices Don't Make Bad Kids [11:09] Success Stories! [13:47] Measuring Success [15:47…

Fall sport seasons are quickly approaching the end and the playoffs are here for volleyball and softball. Several Cobb teams are still in the championship hunt in both sports, as well as cross country. Football is playing the last couple of games in the regular season as well and things are getting very interesting for the gridiron postseason. Pebb…

Guest: Jameika Rice, Ed.S., Supervisor of Psychological Services Click on a timecode to jump to the topic: [00:44] About our guest [02:01] The Role of a School Psychologist [04:36] How They Relate to School Counselors [06:56] Who Gets Evaluated and Why [08:42] Student Age is Relevant [10:31] The Middle School Brain - What's Normal? [12:44] Tips for…

On this episode we sit down with District Athletic Director Don Baker to discuss the ins and outs of how Name, Image, and Likeness rules will affect Cobb athletes and their families. This is a very important discussion and shouldn't be missed. After a whirlwind tour of football, volleyball, and softball around the District, we interview Osborne AD …

Guest: Angela Hurley, Magnet Program Coordinator Click on a timecode to jump to the topic: [01:01] About Our Guest [01:50] About The Program [03:03] The Importance of Collaboration & Communication [04:52] The Facility [06:02] Program Size [06:33] Typical Career Trajectory [09:09] Areas of Study [11:06] Good Candidate [12:41] Application Process [13…