The Cobb County Board of Education approved a balanced calendar for the 2010-2011, 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 school years during its Nov. 11, 2009 meeting. Each school year will begin the first week of August and end the Friday prior to Memorial Day in May. The 180-day balanced calendar includes one-week mid-term breaks for students and teachers in September and February and a full week of Thanksgiving holidays. The first semester of each school year will conclude before the winter holidays in December.

In September 2009, the Board requested that Superintendent Fred Sanderson develop different calendar options for the Board to review. Four options were presented during the October 14 work session with varying start dates and breaks. These options were posted for review on the District Web site and all school Web sites, along with contact information for the seven Board members. The District used its automated calling system to notify 63,000 student households of the calendar options, and also included calendar information in its regular Board of Education e-mail newsletter, which reaches more than 24,000 community members. More than 8,400 Cobb County teachers and employees responded to a District survey asking which survey option they preferred. More than 50 percent voted in favor of the balanced calendar option.

The Cobb County School District will monitor the impact of a balanced calendar on key operational areas, including student achievement, attendance, and discipline, as well as teacher morale and retention. Evidence and data from some districts that have adopted balanced calendars appear to support at least some correlation between the calendar change and improvements in these areas. The District also will track potential impacts on maintenance and utility costs.

Conference weeks and any early release days for the approved calendars will be determined at a later date.

2010-2011 School Year Calendars

• 2010-11 School Year at a Glance Calendar

2011-2012 School Year Calendars

• 2011-12 School Year at a Glance Calendar

2012-2013 School Year Calendars

• 2012-13 School Year at a Glance Calendar

  Call or Email me today for all of your Real Estate needs! Jodi Smith, East Cobb Realtor with Keller Williams Realty Consultants.  Helping you find Homes in East Cobb, Homes in Marietta, Homes in Roswell and Homes in Alpharetta.  CELL:  678-763-6025 or EMAIL: jodismith@kw.com

Presbyterian Church, 755 Mimosa Blvd, Roswell GA, in their gorgeous 1,000 seat sanctuary. Concert begins at 7:30, and seating begins at 7:00. 100% of ticket proceeds benefit four different programs that focus on disadvantaged children, one in our city, one in our state, one national, and one international !!! Tickets are $10, and can be purchased in advance (770-993-6316) or at the door. The perfect music to get you in the Christmas spirit !!!

Call or Email me today for all of your Real Estate needs! Jodi Smith, East Cobb Realtor with Keller Williams Realty Consultants.  Helping you find Homes in East Cobb, Homes in Marietta, Homes in Roswell and Homes in Alpharetta.  CELL:  678-763-6025 or EMAIL: jodismith@kw.com

Improving your FICO® credit score

It’s important to note that raising your FICO credit score is a bit like losing weight: It takes time and there is no quick fix. In fact, quick-fix efforts can backfire. The best advice is to manage credit responsibly over time. See how much money you can save by just following these tips and raising your credit score.

Payment History Tips

• Pay your bills on time.
  Delinquent payments and collections can have a major negative impact on your FICO score.
• If you have missed payments, get current and stay current.
  The longer you pay your bills on time, the better your credit score.
• Be aware that paying off a collection account will not remove it from your credit report.
  It will stay on your report for seven years.
• If you are having trouble making ends meet, contact your creditors or see a legitimate credit counselor.
  This won’t improve your credit score immediately, but if you can begin to manage your credit and pay on time, your score will get better over time.

Amounts Owed Tips

• Keep balances low on credit cards and other “revolving credit”.
  High outstanding debt can affect a credit score.
• Pay off debt rather than moving it around.
  The most effective way to improve your credit score in this area is by paying down your revolving credit. In fact, owing the same amount but having fewer open accounts may lower your score.
• Don’t close unused credit cards as a short-term strategy to raise your score.
• Don’t open a number of new credit cards that you don’t need, just to increase your available credit.
  This approach could backfire and actually lower your credit score.

Length of Credit History Tips

• If you have been managing credit for a short time, don’t open a lot of new accounts too rapidly.
  New accounts will lower your average account age, which will have a larger effect on your score if you don’t have a lot of other credit information. Also, rapid account buildup can look risky if you are a new credit user.

New Credit Tips

• Do your rate shopping for a given loan within a focused period of time.
  FICO scores distinguish between a search for a single loan and a search for many new credit lines, in part by the length of time over which inquiries occur.
• Re-establish your credit history if you have had problems.
  Opening new accounts responsibly and paying them off on time will raise your credit score in the long term.
• Note that it’s OK to request and check your own credit report.
  This won’t affect your score, as long as you order your credit report directly from the credit reporting agency or through an organization authorized to provide credit reports to consumers.

Types of Credit Use Tips

• Apply for and open new credit accounts only as needed.
  Don’t open accounts just to have a better credit mix – it probably won’t raise your credit score.
• Have credit cards – but manage them responsibly.
  In general, having credit cards and installment loans (and paying timely payments) will raise your credit score. Someone with no credit cards, for example, tends to be higher risk than someone who has managed credit cards responsibly.
• Note that closing an account doesn’t make it go away.
  A closed account will still show up on your credit report, and may be considered by the score.

Provided by Bank of America Senior Home Loan Consultants:

Kathy Vitali and Bragg Boyd

Call or Email me today for all of your Real Estate needs! Jodi Smith, East Cobb Realtor with Keller Williams Realty Consultants.  Helping you find Homes in East Cobb, Homes in Marietta, Homes in Roswell and Homes in Alpharetta.  CELL:  678-763-6025 or EMAIL: jodismith@kw.com

Your East Cobb Realtor would like to share this important information with YOU!

Ninety-four percent of Cobb County 11th graders met or exceeded standards on the 2009 Georgia High School Writing Test. Cobb students’ average scale score of 224 remains higher than average scale scores for metropolitan Atlanta and Georgia. The scale used to measure achievement ranges from 100 to 350, with a score of 200 as “meets expectations,” and 250 as “exceeds expectations.” Administered in September to 7,496 students, the writing test requires students to write a persuasive paper on an assigned topic in a limited time window. The assessment is the part of the Georgia High School Graduation Test, a requirement for all students pursuing a high school diploma.

Cobb’s population of Students with Disabilities (SWD) and English Language Learners (ELL) also performed well on the writing test. The percentage of Cobb’s Students with Disabilities meeting or exceeding expectations was 75 percent, compared to just 62 percent of their peers statewide (see Table III). Sixty-nine percent of ELL students tested in the district met or exceeded expectations, compared to sixty-six percent across the state.

Individual schools across the district fared well on the writing test. At 13 of the district’s 17 high schools, 90 percent or more of the students met or exceeded expectations. Seven schools – Allatoona, Harrison, Hillgrove, Kell, Lassiter, Pope and Walton - led all others with 95 percent or more of students scoring at or above expectations, with Lassiter and Pope students topping the district at 98 percent meeting or exceeding expectations.

The Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) domains, or broad themes, covered by the writing test include Ideas, Organization, Style, and Convention. The Ideas domain measures the degree to which the writer establishes a controlling idea and elaborates the main points with examples, illustrations, facts or details. In the Organization domain, students are assessed on their ability to arrange ideas in a clear order consistent with the persuasive genre. Style points are awarded based on the writer’s ability to control language and engage the reader. The Conventions domain measures the degree to which the writer demonstrates control of sentence formation, usage, and mechanics. Test scores are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is the lowest and 5 is the highest. In each domain, Cobb 11th graders scored higher than their peers across the state. Three of the high schools across the district had domain scores that were consistently higher than averages for both the district, metro area and state.

Superintendent Fred Sanderson said, “Writing is an essential skill for high school and beyond. We are pleased that these scores reflect the competitive ability of our students, especially for our special populations.”

In March 2010, Cobb 11th graders will be assessed on the language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science portions of the Georgia High School Graduation Test (GHSGT).

For more information, click here.

Call or Email me today for all of your Real Estate needs! Jodi Smith, East Cobb Realtor with Keller Williams Realty Consultants.  Helping you find Homes in East Cobb, Homes in Marietta, Homes in Roswell and Homes in Alpharetta.  CELL:  678-763-6025 or EMAIL: jodismith@kw.com

One of the most sought after communities in Marietta is EastHampton in prestigious East Cobb County, Georgia.

Comprised of 430 homes, this subdivision is located 20 miles north of downtown Atlanta.

EastHampton is privy to some of the highest ranked schools, not only in Georgia, but in the nation.  Pope High School and Walton High School were both named among America’s Top Public Schools.

Residents are able to take advantage of the complete amenity package the neighborhood provides including an Olympic sized pool with water slide, six tennis courts, a well appointed, two-story clubhouse with gym, two playgrounds and three lakes.

EastHampton is divided into sections – The Enclave, Lakeside, Overlook, Preserve, Estates and The Ridge.

Within walking distance of the Avenues at East Cobb and East Cobb restaurants that are easily accessible.

No wonder so many people find their home in EastHampton.

Welcome To Chimney Springs

Chimney Springs is a large, beautiful, proud community with homes ranging from the mid $200’s to the high $400’s.  A well-maintained neighborhood with a topnotch swimming pool and tremendous tennis facilities.

The Clubhouse is available for Homeowners to rent.

There are jogging trails, a bike path, basketball courts, three mini-parks, a lake-beach area, cul-de-sac islands and other common areas known as the Greenbelt Areas.

Homeowners Association membership is mandatory with home ownership.

Chimney Springs has the honor of being in one of the best East Cobb School Districts with Tritt Elementary, Hightower Trail Middle and Pope High School.

Take Johnson Ferry Road north, turn right on Post Oak Tritt and Chimney Springs will be on your right.

Call or Email me today for all of your Real Estate needs! Jodi Smith, East Cobb Realtor with Keller Williams Realty Consultants.  Helping you find Homes in East Cobb, Homes in Marietta, Homes in Roswell and Homes in Alpharetta.  CELL:  678-763-6025 or EMAIL: jodismith@kw.com

CHIMNEY LAKES IN EAST COBB

Nestled in a perfect location that gives you the best of everything!

Chimney Lakes is made up of 350+ homes.  Their unique position allows residents to reside in Cobb County while possessing a Roswell address.

Home is where the best schools are for most families and Chimney Lakes is privy to Shallowford Falls Elementary, Simpson Middle and Lassiter High (listed as one of America’s Top Public Schools).

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Chimney Lakes has three convenient entrances/exits to the community.

From any of these three exits you will find gas stations, grocery stores, drug stores, health clubs, golf courses, and churches.  If you feel the desire to shop there is a Wal-Mart Superstore and a brand new Target Superstore nearby. Upscale shopping that is in the reasonably close area include: The Avenues of East Cobb, Northpoint Mall of Alpharetta, Perimeter Mall and the Buckhead District and also there is the Town Center Mall in Kennesaw.

From any of the three entrances you will find immaculately maintained, well-groomed and well-lit landscaping guiding you through the sidewalk-lined streets.  Of course, it couldn’t be called Chimney Lakes without a lake.  Residents are able to enjoy the deck overlooking the beautiful water, a gazebo, several walking trails, tennis courts, basketball hoops and a swimming pool.

Come see for yourself why Chimney Lakes is one of the most desirable communities of East Cobb!

Call or Email me today for all of your Real Estate needs! Jodi Smith, East Cobb Realtor with Keller Williams Realty Consultants.  Helping you find Homes in East Cobb, Homes in Marietta, Homes in Roswell and Homes in Alpharetta.  CELL:  678-763-6025 or EMAIL: jodismith@kw.com

Highland Park

Located off Gordy Parkway, near the intersection of Sandy Plains Road and Shallowford Road in Marietta, Georgia (East Cobb County), the Highland Park neighborhood is the perfect place to “escape” the busy downtown life.

The amenities of Highland Park include an active Swim/Tennis, community center, swimming pool, bath house, 2 lighted tennis courts, kids playground, large patio and very well maintained common areas.

186 homes make up this sought after community in East Cobb ranging from $250’s to $400’s.

Award winning schools include: Rocky Mount Elementary, Simpson Middle and Lassiter High Schools.

The subdivision is within 1/2 to 2 miles of major shopping centers, restaurants, businesses, sporting activities (soccer and ball fields, tennis centers, indoor aquatic center, golf range, etc.), library, art center and movie theatres.

So, not only are you getting the benefit of living in sought after East Cobb established community within a school district that has been selected as one of America’s Top Public Schools, but you are also able to enjoy the rich culture and vast number of activities and sites available in one of the most beautiful parts of the country.

Call or Email me today for all of your Real Estate needs! Jodi Smith, East Cobb Realtor with Keller Williams Realty Consultants.  Helping you find Homes in East Cobb, Homes in Marietta, Homes in Roswell and Homes in Alpharetta.  CELL:  678-763-6025 or EMAIL: jodismith@kw.com

Loch Highland

A woodsy neighborhood located in the northwest corner of Roswell, Georgia in East Cobb County, just off Highway 92.  Twenty years ago, before every square foot of land was carved into housing developments, developers had more choices of location and style.  It was the availability of a unique location and the novel concept that sparked an idea for Earl McMillen to develop a community of homes that could double as a lake house and a mountain home, but with less than an hour’s commute from the city.

The surrounding area is totally developed now, of course, but the development remains a secluded and wooded enclave that feels more like a resort than a subdivision.

When the subdivision was built the “California Contemporary” was the rage, so most of the houses are built mostly of cedar.  Some of the homes have touches of stacked stone or other “natural” building materials, but there’s none were made of vinyl siding.  There are dozens of variations of the contemporary theme with many different styles of homes, ranging from ranch-like designs to a soaring three story home with floor-to-ceiling glass walls, advertising a spectacular lake view.

Each home in Loch Highland is positioned to take advantage of the natural setting. Trees were not clear-cut and replaced with grassy spaces, making the lots low maintenance.  To this day, a homeowner cannot remove a tree without the permission from the Homeowner’s Association.

On top of all of this great location, your children will attend some of America’s Top Public Schools: Garrison Mill Elementary, Mabry Middle and Lassiter High Schools.

Call or Email me today for all of your Real Estate needs! Jodi Smith, East Cobb Realtor with Keller Williams Realty Consultants.  Helping you find Homes in East Cobb, Homes in Marietta, Homes in Roswell and Homes in Alpharetta.  CELL:  678-763-6025 or EMAIL: jodismith@kw.com