Everyone knows that a nutritious breakfast is key to getting the day off to a great start, and the administration team at South Cobb took that seriously during their recent Partners in Ed Community event. The culinary spread was both beautiful and plentiful as the school welcomed community leaders, friends, and supporters into the Magnet Cafe to enjoy a meal, get to know each other, and learn new and exciting ways to strengthen and encourage the South Cobb community.

Principal Tommy Perry welcomed guests and introduced them to the other administrators present: Assistant Principals Angela Hurley, Ormond Moore, and Sean Strachan. Other guests included Cobb Chief of Staff Sherri Hill, Post 3 Board Member Tre Hutchins, Mableton Mayor Michael Owens, and Austell Mayor Ollie Clemons, to name-drop but a few. 

After everyone got acquainted and filled their plates with food, Principal Perry gave a short presentation highlighting many of the great things happening and being planned around the school. He proudly announced that South Cobb's graduation rate had increased nearly 20% in the last decade but stressed the most important statistic: a 97.4% graduation rate for students enrolled for all four years of high school. Cobb has since learned that the number is even higher for 2024, at 98.8%!

"There's a lot of great things happening here, but I am particularly excited by this number. It's what I tell the parents in freshman orientation. If you keep your kids here for all four years, we will get them a high school diploma," Principal Perry told the crowd to applause.

AP Hurley gave a short presentation on the school's Academy of Research and Medical Sciences magnet program. AP Moore discussed athletics, and AP Strachan gave details on the PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Support) program. Each stressed how important the relationship between the community and the school is to continued success. While it can often be easy to see school as "in there" and the community as "out there," all of the South Cobb administrators made the point that both are working towards the same goal: a brighter future for all of South Cobb.

Part of that brighter future includes the brand-new arena that will be open for sports and events in a few short weeks. Principal Perry gave the group a tour of the new facility and proudly described a few of the ways it will serve the school and the community for many years to come.

A few days after the community breakfast, Cobb's Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) brought their shiny new food truck to the school to serve several tasty lunch options to students and staff. Approved by the Board in July of 2023, the FNS food truck is called "Curbside Cravings" (keeping the "C" theme going like Cobb County) and was a huge hit.

FNS Director Emily Hanlin explained that the truck is primarily being used to test out new recipes created by the FNS chef and see how students in high schools around the District receive them. A map of Cobb County is even part of the truck's decorative wrap. South Cobb was Curbside Cravings' fifth high school visit, and Director Hanlin was very happy with the results.

"We're always looking for new ways to connect with students and their food preferences, and the food truck concept is very popular right now," she said. "The items we're serving on the truck are not currently part of our cafeteria menus, but we're getting a lot of great feedback. We have increased the lunch orders at each school when we visit, and those numbers are staying up after we leave. The truck is helping to generate new excitement for school lunches and reminding students that Cobb's food is both delicious and healthy!"

Curbside Cravings had three items for students to choose from, each using a Bao Bun. Bao Bun is a flatbread wrap made with rice flour. Students could then choose Gochujang Pork, Southwest Black Bean, or Sweet Chili Chicken to fill their Bao Bun. "It's essentially an Asian fusion taco with three different filling options," Director Hanlin said, describing the truck's cuisine. "And just like in the cafeteria, students get to choose up to four sides like fresh fruit, vegetables, and beverages to complete their meal."

Also, just like inside the building, the food truck takes student payment using a number on a keypad, so students weren't paying extra to try it out. Whatever meal plan they have is the same one accepted by Curbside Cravings. It made the line move fast and efficiently as students carried away their Asian-fusion-inspired fare.

"I can vouch for the Southwest Black Bean," said Principal Perry with a smile. "I had that one, and it was amazing!"

"This is such a great way for our students to try something new. The students I've talked to are loving the concept and the food. Having different options creates a level of excitement among the students, and I see a lot of food being eaten and a lot of happiness," Principal Perry concluded about the visit from Curbside Cravings.