The Counselors' Corner

Just a reminder that Frank Timmerman, from Pebblebrook Performing Arts Magnet School, will be here October 29th to meet with any 8th grade students who are interested in attending Pebblebrook Performing Arts School next year.  Please call us at 678-331-3022 if you have any questions.

The application for the Magnet Program at South Cobb will be available on line beginning October 15, 2009.  Students are encouraged to apply on-line at www.southcobbmagnet.com.  If you are unable to access the internet please stop by the counseling office, at McClure Middle School, to pick up an application.

Below is a list of all magnet school parent nights.  If your child is interested in attending a magnet school next year, please attend the parent night to receive important information.

Campbell International Baccalaureate:  Monday, November 9, at 7 p.m. in the Livingston Auditorium at Campbell High School. After a general assembly and information session, prospective students and their families will get a chance to meet and talk to the IB faculty members and current IB students.

Kennesaw Mountain Academy of Mathematics, Science, and Technology:  Tuesday November 17th at 7:00 in the Kennesaw Mountain Theater.

North Cobb School for International Studies:  Tuesday November 5th at 7:00 in the media center of North Cobb.

Pebblebrook Performing Arts:  Friday October 16th.  The performace of Dance and Shout begins at 7:30 and then there will be an open house following the show at 8:30.  It will be held at the

South Cobb Academy of Research and Medical Sciences:  Wednesday October 30th from 5:00-7:30

Wheeler High School for Advanced Studies in Science, Math, and Technology:  Tuesday November 10th from 7:00-9:00 in Wheeler’s gymnasium

FINANCIAL CRUNCH SURVIVAL 101 

There are ways to navigate a financial crunch without debt or panic.  Listed below are some tips for families in a financial crunch.  The phone numbers and addresses of all resources below and more can be found by calling #211-Infoline.

The Pocket Key to Resources developed by The Cobb Collaborative also has useful information www.cobbcollaborative.org/images/pdf/the_pocket_key_update_0906.pdf

Low Cost Family/Child Activities 

• Marietta Picture Show is a 75 cent/1.50 movie theater
• Free movie rental from the Cobb County Library System
• There are many great parks in Cobb www.cobbcounty.org –parks & recreation link
• Great playgrounds at Chattahoochee  River area, East Side Baptist Church, a great train to climb on at Marietta Square                
• Kennesaw National Battlefield Trails and Museum
• Picnics and neighborhood potluck dinners for a game night
• After school activities which might be inexpensive are the Boys and Girl’s Club, YMCA (ask for a scholarship), 4-H, school clubs, Big Brother’s/Big Sister’s
• Free family and/or student events at your school
• Check out Atlanta Parent and East/West Cobber magazines for event calendar
• Creative Loafing lists free events

Clothes    

• Church sales and thrift stores
• MUST 7)427-9862  (for all Cobb residents, Smyrna & Marietta locations)
• Sweetwater Valley Community Action Mission Program (CAMP) only helps residents of Powder Springs, Austell, Clarkdale and Mableton.  Also has FOOD, RENT & UTILITY ASSISTANCE   www.svcamp.org.  6289 Veterans Memorial Hwy, Austell  7)819-0662  Monday-Saturday
• The Giving Tree- 1^st Saturday of every month 10am-1pm 6)618-0300
• www.allforkids.com Great clothing sale website for Cobb

Rent/Utility/Food   

• Calling the 24 hour Info Line at #211 is the quickest guide for help.
• www.angelfoodministries.org or call 7)267-7015 –no income requirement
• Cobb County Department of Family and Children’s Services  www.dfcs.dhr.georgia.gov. 325 Fairground Street, 30060,  7) 528-5000; M-F 7:30 am-5 pm Applications available online
• The Sheppard’s House  7)426-5529 186 Alexander Street Marietta box of food to anyone
• Church food pantries
• Center for Family Resources www.thecfr.org  995 Roswell Street suite 100, 30060. 7)428-2601 M-F…call for hours
• MUST Ministries www.mustministries.org/marietta; 55 Elizabeth Church Road,    30060, 7)427-9862, M-F 10-2
• Salvation Army www.salvationarmyusa.org. 202 Waterman Street, 30060,

7)422-8324  M-F 9–12, 1–4

• Tallatoona Cobb Energy  7)422-4926 . M-F 8-5 Utility assistance

Recursos Latinos & Immigrants

• International Welcome Center 50 Veterans Memorial Hwy Mableton 7)819-2373
• Catholic Social Services www.cssatlanta.com 7) 429-2369
• Culture Connect  www.cultureconnectinc.org 4(627-4793  Help with translation & mentors

Holiday Help

• Thanksgiving Baskets/Cobb Christmas @ Center For Family Resources 770-428-2601 Registration is Tuesday October 20th and Weds. 21st from 9am-4pm at Cobb Civic Center 548 South Marietta Pkwy.  MUST HAVE: Picture ID, Birth certificates or Social Security cards for ALL household members, Pay stubs for 4 weeks or separation notice, unemployment compensation, TANF, SS and child support documents

Emergency Shelter

• The Center for Family Resources 7) 428-2601 Transitional housing for small families
• MUST 55 Elizabeth Church Road, Marietta,  30060. 7)427-9862

Six week shelter program and then can refer to transition program if family works toward this goal.  Hot lunches M- F @ noon.  Budgeting/parenting/nutrition workshops, job placement, counseling and clothes closet.  First come, first served.  Be on property at 5:00 to register 

• Task Force for the Homeless www.homelesstaskforce.org 4)589-9495  Directs people to shelters according to situation. Advocates with job info. 24 hr hotline 1-800-448-0636
• Battered Women’s Shelter 24 hour hotline. 7) 427-3390 
• www.gahomeless.org

Housing

• Rental Access Network 7)679-4840;   www.GeorgiaHousingSearch.org
• Must 7)427-9862  see above info
• Salvation Army Wednesdays 9am 7)724-1652
• Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) has the mortgage relief  “Home Save Program”4) 377-4545
• Cobb Housing Inc. 7)429-4400 has a foreclosure prevention program
• The HOPE for Homeowners program refinances mortgages by HUD’s Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Call 1 (800) 225-5342
• Habitat for Humanity www.cobbhabitat.org    7) 432-7954

Medical

• Cobb County Board of Health www.cobbanddouglaspublichealth.org

875 Six Flags Drive Bldg 1 Austell 6)385-1360. M-F  8-12; 1-4:30 and also at 1650 County Services Parkway, Marietta 7)514-2300 M-F  8-5 –immunizations and pre-natal care.

• Luke’s Place 948 Front Street Mableton 6)945-1847 Tues. &Thurs. 5 pm-8-pm, 1^st/3^{rd ..}Saturdays 9-12
• SVCAMP Community Health Center www.chcctr.com  see contact info above

Wed & Fri 9-2;  Alternating Tuesday 1-5; Alternating Thurs & Sat 9-1

• Children’s Medical Services www.health.state.ga.us/programs/cms- 7)432-0112
• Early Intervention (Babies Can’t Wait) Ages birth-3 years 7)514-2759
• MUST Health Clinic…see contact info above
• Medicaid Insurance…see DFCS office info above
• Peach Care www.peachcare.org 1-877-427-3224
• Good Samaritan 7)419-3120   1605 Roberta Drive, Marietta  www.goodsamcobb.org   

Medical/dental/counseling/health education/social services. Appointment only.  M,T, Th, F 730am-5pm & W8am-5pm.  Referrals to specialists. Sliding scale fee for all 

Prescription Assistance

• Eli Lilly Drug Program 1-800-545-6962 or www.Lillycares.com Patient assistance
• Needy Meds  www.needymeds.com  Free and discount cards
• Partnership for Prescription Assistance   1-888-477-2669 or www.pparx.org

Eyeglasses

• America’s Best 7)565-6200 $70 for exam and two pair of glasses
• Zenni Optical www.zennioptical.com  glasses for as low as $5.95 with prescription

Support Services

• Cobb Community Services Board  for Mental health 7)422-0202
• Ridgeview Institute  www.ridgeviewinstitute.com  7)434-4567 support groups
• Wellstar Hospital System www.wellstar.org  Has many free support groups
• Churches have great divorce care, grief counseling & support programs are free.
• Prevention/Intervention Center through Cobb Schools  refers to appropriate treatment  including free assessment 7)429-5846 www.cobbk12.org/~preventionintervention

Childcare

• Cobb DFCS Child Care Info Line 7)528-5150

Legal

• Legal Aid of Cobb County 7) 528-2565

Employment

• Cobb Works! 7) 528-4300  www.cobbworks.org

Helpful Advice  

• Buy food on sale along with store brands; Aldi & Food Depot less expensive than other chains
• Clip coupons and coordinate with store sales
• Pay bills on time and avoid finance/late charges
• Do all errands at a time in order to avoid excess gas usage
• Avoid convenient store shopping
• Pack a lunch for you and the kids
• Avoid soda or breakfast habits which incur a daily cost
• Be creative in seeking part time income: -walking dogs, banquet help and seasonal work, cutting lawns, babysitting, typing, sewing, etc.
• Give your kids allowance and let them budget their own purchases
• Use strategies to lower monthly payments (i.e. terminate your land line phone, turn thermostat to 68 in winter and 78 in summer etc.)
• Call Consumer Credit Counseling at 4)527-7630 for debt consolidation         
• Visit the Cobb Extension for their Surviving Tough Times Guide 7)528-4090 or at www.cobbextension.com

Distributed by your School Social Worker 

Kennesaw Mountain High School

Monday, October 5^th @ 7:00 PM

KMHS Theater

Topics

Graduation Requirements

Scheduling Information

Registering for 9^th Grade Classes

Transfer of Middle School Credit

Career Programs

Department Chairs will be available to answer specific questions after the meeting

KMHS school store will be open

Please visit   http://www.cobbk12.org/schools/magnet_schools.aspx to view important magnet school information.

Frank Timmerman, from Pebblebrook Performing Arts Magnet School, will be here October 29th at 9:30 to speak with any 8th grade students who are interested in going to Pebblebrook Performing Arts Magnet School next year.  He will come back to McClure on November 16th at 9:30 for student auditions.  If you have any questions, please contact Kristi Myers or Angela Campione at 678-331-3022.

The Cobb County Center for Excellence

in the Performing Arts

at Pebblebrook High School

presents

ComPAny 2010 in

DANCE AND SHOUT

COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS are available for

8^th graders and their parents for this

Open House Performance

Friday, October 16 at 7:30 PM

Jennie T. Anderson Theatre

Cobb Civic Center

548 S. Marietta Pkwy.

Marietta, GA 30060

Tickets to the Friday, 10/16, performance are complimentary for 8^th graders and their parents. Tickets will be available at the Admissions Information Table in the lobby of the Anderson Theatre on the night of the performance. IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO RESERVE TICKETS IN ADVANCE.

A Q&A session will be held after the performance followed by an informal reception on the stage. All students interested in auditioning for the performing arts magnet program are strongly encouraged to attend.

If you have questions, contact

Frank Timmerman, PA Director at frank.timmerman@cobbk12.org.

Harrison High School:

*October 8th (6:30 p.m.) - Parent night at Harrison High School

*February 4th (6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.) - 8th grade Open House at Harrison High School (meet with counselors about registration and take a tour of the school).

*February 8th – Harrison High School counselor comes to McClure to speak with 8th grade students.

*February 15th -18th – Rising 9th grade registration

Kennesaw Mountain High School:

*October 5th (7:00 p.m.) – Rising 9th grade Fall parent/student orientation (KMHS Theater)

*February 8th – Kennesaw Mountain High School counselor comes to McClure to speak with 8th grade students.

*February 15th – 18th – Rising 9th grade registration

*April 13th (7:00 p.m.) – Rising 9th grade Spring parent/student orientation (KMHS theater).

–A Special Camp for Kids Age 7-17 Who Have Lost a Parent, Sibling or Other Close Loved One—

www.campmagik.org

**October 2-4 Temple, Georgia   **October 16-18, Clarkesville, Georgia

Camp MAGIK is pleased to announce its 2009 fall schedule of healing camps for children and teens. Camp MAGIK (Mainly About Grief In Kids) serves children who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling or other close family member within the past three years. Camp MAGIK will provide an opportunity for children and teens to meet, talk, and process their grief with professional grief counselors. Time will also be spent on play and fun as a way to help the children heal from the experience of death in the family. Activities may include archery, canoeing, a ropes course, nature hikes, treasure hunts, hay rides, campfires, story-telling, and a talent show. Each camp will be divided into two groups, one for ages 7 – 11, and one for ages 12 – 17. There will be two camp sessions held this fall as noted above. Please pick the one session best suited to you and note this on your application form in the space provided.

Camp MAGIK sessions are free of charge for the children who attend. Our Temple camp session is sponsored by generous support from various businesses and individuals. Our Clarkesville camp is held in memory of Helen Agnes McDonald and is made possible thanks to a generous donation from her son Jim McDonald.

Applications need to be postmarked and sent to Camp MAGIK, 3377 Ridgewood Road, GA 30327 or faxed to the office at 404.355.6631 by the deadline dates. The deadlines for the applications are as follows:

• **Temple – Thursday September 24, 2009 **Clarkesville – Thursday, October 8, 2009

Due to the high demand for our camps, we cannot accept repeat campers.

Parents and guardians – There are three (3) options for parents/guardians:

• We are offering a special Retreat for parents/guardians which will be held at the same time as the children’s camp (October 2-4; October 16-18).  The retreat will be facilitated by mental health professionals and will provide an opportunity for adults to process their own grief and be with others who have also had a significant loss.  Parents/guardians will stay at a location close to, but separate from their children.  Activities will include opportunities to relax, talk, provide and receive support, and learn more about grief and loss in a beautiful and peaceful setting.  Cost for the retreat is $25.00 which includes room, meals and all activities. Space for this option is limited.
• For parents/guardians with more limited time, a special workshop will be held on Sunday October 4 and Sunday October 18 from 9:30am to 3:00pm.  This program will help you understand more about your child’s grief and will suggest healthy ways for your whole family to manage and cope with your loss. Activities will include a classroom lecture, a cook-out, and small group discussion. This option is free of charge.  All events except the cook-out are adults only.
• Parents/guardians who do not have the time to participate in any of the two options above can still have their children attend camp.  Drop your children off at the designated drop-off time on Friday and pick up at the designated pick-up time on Sunday. Again, children attend FREE OF CHARGE.

Camp Locations:

• • The Temple camp will be held at Woodland Christian camp, located in Temple, Georgia, 40 miles west of Atlanta on 1-20; 10 miles from Carrollton, Georgia
  • The Clarkesville camp will be held at the YWCO camp, located in Clarkesville, Georgia a mile off Hwy 441, approximately an hour north of the 85/285 intersection in north Atlanta.

Drop off is at 4:30 – 6:30pm Friday.  Pick up is at 3:30pm Sunday. Specific Camp MAGIK details (maps, directions, what to bring, etc.) will be mailed to all camp participants approximately 2 weeks before camp.  If you have any questions, please call Dr. Rene Searles McClatchey at 404.790.0140. We hope to see you at Camp MAGIK!!