Transition Academy Supports CCSD Students With Disabilities

CANTON, GA — Cherokee County School District students, parents, teachers and administrators cut the ribbon Oct. 23 on the system's Transition Academy, celebrating the new program’s establishment as a career and work center for students with cognitive disabilities.

Transition Academy is a program that serves young adults ages 18-22, helping them make a smooth transition into the community when they exit from the school system. Located in the former Teacher Center inside ACE Academy in Canton, the Academy provides students with vocational experiences onsite where they learn to operate computers and equipment to fill orders from schools and the community.

Students create banners and posters, vinyl lettering, T-shirts, die-cuts and more. They also spend time focusing on independence and daily living skills, including personal safety, social skills and self-advocacy, and the program also works with local businesses to place students in jobs in the community.

Students Amanda Julian and Travis Mitchell gave opening remarks for the ribbon cutting, followed by Linda VanFossen, CCSD teacher on special assignment for Special Education. VanFossen thanked all the divisions within the school district, from Finance to Facilities, for their role in helping make the Transition Academy become a reality, and thanked the parents for allowing their children to participate in a new program.

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"Your young adults amaze us every day," she said.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian Hightower said he has been very pleased and impressed with the new program.

"It’s been a thrill to get to know the kids and see their work progress," Dr. Hightower added. "These are great kids, and they have the work ethic that we want to see in all our kids. Kudos to the Curriculum and Instruction Division, and especially Special Education, in making this dream a reality."

The students spent about an hour showing guests their new skills and work products, and also invited guests to have refreshments after the ribbon-cutting.

Images via Cherokee County School District