Dean Rusk Middle School is committed to providing a learning environment that encourages academic, physical, social, and emotional growth for students. The school mission is to enable students to become successful lifelong learners in a global society. The school council elections will take place on September 4th during PTSA curriculum night, where parents can vote for parent and business representative nominees to serve two-year terms on the council. The council aims to improve student achievement and represent the community in advising the principal and board of education.

1. Mrs. Cindy Cooper, Principal
DRMS Mission Statement:
Dean Rusk Middle School is committed to a
learning environment of cooperation that will
encourage the maximum development of
academic, physical, social, and emotional
growth. Our mission is to enable students to
become successful participants and life long
learners in a global society.

2. Dean Rusk Middle School Belief Statements
1. Each student should be provided an opportunity and encouraged to learn, achieve, and
succeed in a cooperative endeavor among the school, the home, and the global
community.
2. Each student’s needs and learning styles should be met with quality staff teaching a core
curriculum that offers optimum development in communication, math, science, social
studies, physical education and health skills. In addition, a variety of connections courses
should be provided to afford students the opportunity to discover and develop talents,
interests, or abilities in areas such as art, music, foreign language, family and consumer
science, career education, application and exploration of technologies, and business
technologies.
3. Students should have an opportunity to participate in experiences that
meet their social and developmental needs through programs such as service clubs,
student support groups, and mentoring.
4. The total education experience should promote an awareness of diversity, high standards
of behavior and achievement, and an understanding of consequences that occur as a
result of one’s actions.
5. Students have the right to learn in a safe, clean, organized, well-maintained environment.

3.  TheGeneral Assembly of Georgia created
councils to “bring communities and schools
closer together in a spirit of cooperation to
solve difficult education problems, improve
academic achievement, provide support for
teachers and administrators, and bring
parents into the school-based decision-
making process.”

4.  SchoolCouncils shall provide
advice, recommendations, and assistance
and represent the community of parents and
business.

5.  Members of the School Council will
serve for a term of two years.
 The council will have a minimum of
seven members.
 Parents must make up the majority
of the council and at least two
members representing the business
community.
 A parent member must serve as the
chair.

6. Parent/Business Members:
- vacant, Parent
- Mrs. Felicia Kyle, Parent
- Mrs. Jeannette Carter, Parent
- Mrs. Ann Lynn Galloway, Parent
- PTSA Co- President
- vacant, Business Partner
Faculty/Staff Members:
- Mrs. Cindy Cooper, Principal
- Mr. William Morris, Teacher
- Mrs. Amelia Ormsby, Teacher

7.  The electing body for parent members shall
consist of all parents and guardians eligible
to serve as a parent member.
 The electing body for the teacher members
shall consist of all certified personnel eligible
to serve as a teacher member.

8.  Nominations are accepted by the Principal
from within the electing body prior to the
voting meeting.
 Nominations must be submitted in writing
(email, fax, letter are all acceptable) by
8/30.
 One vote shall take place with the highest
vote recipient(s) being elected to serve on
the school council for a 2-year term.
 You must be present to vote.
 A person does not have to be present at the
time of the vote to be elected to the council.

9. All parent nominations are DUE
TO PRINCIPAL in writing by 8/30
Please complete the
council nomination form
located on the DRMS homepage
sample on the next slide
parent MEMBER ELECTION
9/4/2012:
PTSA Curriculum night,
6:45pm ,Cafeteria

10. DEAN RUSK MIDDLE SCHOOL NOMINATION FORM
Name:__________________________________________________________________________
Phone:__________________________________________________________________________
Email Address:____________________________________________________________________
Grades of children attending Dean Rusk MS in 2012-13:___________________________________
Previous volunteer experiences related to your child(ren)’s education:_______________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Please explain why you would like to serve on the Dean Rusk School Council:
Please submit to Mrs. Cindy Cooper, Principal, no later than Thursday, August 30, 2012. Nominations may be
submitted electronically to cindy.cooper@cherokee.k12.ga.us, or may be dropped off in the
Administration/Attendance Office. Nominations must be in writing. Please see expectations for School
Council participation on the back of this form.

11. 1st Meeting: Friday, September 28, 2012
7:15 AM-8:15 AM, DRMS Conference Room (Officer Elections)
2nd Meeting: Friday, November 30, 2012
7:15 AM-8:15 AM, DRMS Conference Room
3rd Meeting: Friday, January 25, 2013
7:15 AM-8:15 AM, DRMS Conference Room
4th Meeting: April 26, 2013
7:15 AM-8:15 AM, DRMS Conference Room

12. Officers will be elected by the School Council at
the first meeting following the election of the
School Council Members.
1st Meeting: Friday, September 28, 2012
7:15 AM – 8:15 AM
DRMS Conference Room
 Chairperson – vacant
 Vice-Chairperson – Jeannette Carter
 Secretary – Felicia Kyle

13.  Maintain a school-wide perspective on issues
 Participate in council meetings
 Participate in information and training programs
 Act as a link between the school council and the
community
 Encourage the participation of parents and
others within the school community
 Work to improve student achievement
 Provide advice and recommendations to the
school principal and local board of education

14.  You can vote for multiple nominees on one ballot.
 Only one ballot can be cast per person on 9/4 from 6:45 PM – 8:30 PM.
 You must be present to vote.
 Nominees do not have to be present to win.
 Winners will be notified by the Principal by 9/7.
2012-2014 School Council Nominees: please place a check next to your nominee selection(s)
TBD – Parent
TBD – Parent
TBD – Parent
TBD – Business Representative