Special thanks to Ward 3 representative Randy Weiner for all their accomplishments this year:

As a parent and board member, I couldn?t be more excited to be involved with this school
system. Marietta City Schools has a lot to offer. I will be walking my ward every Fall during my
four-year term to provide you with information and updates. I have learned so much during my
first year and would appreciate any feedback from you. Feel free to email or call anytime with
comments or questions. Listed below are a few initiatives approved this year.

School Uniforms for West Side Elementary and Marietta Sixth Grade Academy (MSGA)
West Side and MSGA has had a 99% participation rate this year. Both principals have commented about the positive impact of school uniforms. ?The uniforms have been met with an overwhelmingly positive reception. I think it has set an important tone for the expectation as far as the students, teachers and parents are concerned.? -Maria Cesaretti-Forese, MSGA Principal. ?The Students are eager and ready to get to work when they arrive at school.? -Dr. Darlene Darby, West Side Elementary Principal.

Middle Years IB Program (MYP) for 6th-?8th grade
MYP has rolled out this year for 6th graders, and will next year for 7th and 8th graders at Marietta Middle School. Parents in our
school system want a more challenging curriculum at all grade levels to benefit all students. MYP provides that challenge and will help
better prepare students to take full advantage of the IB Diploma Program at Marietta High School.

Expansion of the Magnet Program to 6th grade at MSGA
The Math and Science Magnet program (MCAA) will extend to 7th grade next school year and 8th grade the following year.

Renovation/expansion to West Side Elementary
West Side will receive much needed improvements starting this Fall. The addition will be the first phase to be completed with
additional classroom space, labs, etc. The renovation will start in June ?07. Students will be taught in the new classroom space while the renovation is in progress.

A comprehensive strategic plan to be finished Winter?06
The assessment portion of our strategic planning process, completed in August, consisted of mailing out over 5,000 surveys to the
community, internally surveying 10% of our staff, and holding 10 focus groups along with 18 one-on-one interviews. This process led to
the development of 4 key priorities. We are currently developing key action steps and measurements for each priority. The strategic
plan is set to be presented to the board for approval in December and will help shape the course for our future. The initial results of
the parent surveys indicated strong support for magnet/specialized programs in the neighborhood schools.

The Primary Years IB Program at Sawyer Road Elementary
Sawyer Road Elementary is working to become a conversion charter school next year. A charter school will allow flexibility from state
mandates, but in exchange will have to meet accountability standards. The Primary Years IB Program (PYP) promotes critical thinking
skills and aligns well with the philosophy of the new Ga. Performance Standards. Students will also learn a second language.

Hickory Hills Park agreement
The sale of Hickory Hills Park to the City of Marietta is now complete. HH Park will soon receive a major overhaul.

West Side School Enrichment Model
This model is used as the basis for most gifted programs and applies the ?know how? of gifted education to a systematic plan for total
school improvement. Enrichment classes are being offered to all students for I hour 4 days a week. Students choose a class from one
of four clusters. Each cluster course is nine weeks in duration. The West Side Extravaganza (open to all parents and the community)
will showcase the students un-tapped strengths, talents and knowledge at the end of each 9 week course with a range of classes from
Robotics to Readers Theater.
-The MCS board approved a fiscally conservative budget and increased our cash reserves-
The MCS board is focused on reaching higher achievement levels. We have several Good News items to celebrate:

Newsweek magazine (May ?06 issue) named it?s top High Schools in the US. MHS is listed in the top 5% nationwide.

Our system made AYP
(Adequate Yearly Progress under No Child Left Behind) for the first time ever. This compares
to some surrounding systems that did not make AYP?Cobb, Cherokee, Paulding, Gainesville City and Douglas County.

SAT Scores were up by 17 points to 1,057. Statewide, MCS SAT scores placed at #22 out of 181 school systems.

MHS Ga. High School Graduation test results
… showed improvement in all areas and we had an overall 97% pass rate.

MCAA was the 2006 Bronze category award recipient in the Ga. Statewide accountability system school awards.
MCAA won in the highest percentage of students meeting and exceeding academic standards category.

For more information go to www.marietta-city.org and click on Board Key Projects under the BOE tab.
Whatapane@bellsouth.net / 770.427.4956