Smyrna-Vinings School News You Can Use

Want to see the skilled work of the next great budding artist from our area? Then check out the second annual Kiwanis Student Art Showcase, set for Thursday night at .

More than 200 works of art from student-artists from and Osborne high schools, Campbell and middle schools, and will be on display and judged.

The 6:30 p.m. event is free to the public and refreshments will be provided. A pair of string quartets from CHS will also be on-hand to provide musical entertainment. Trophies will be award fro “Best in Show’’ along with first-, second- and third-place finishers. For more information, contact Ron Davis of Smyrna Golden K Kiwanis at (770) 431-9786, or Joe DeBose of the Smyrna Kiwanis Club at (770) 956-9929.

• Congratulations are in order to a few local schools that recently participated in the Great American Cleanup program, which challenges groups to volunteer their time for cleanup, recycling and beautification projects throughout Cobb County.

Griffin Middle School was honored with the ‘Make A Difference Award,’ while was honored for producing the largest recycling effort. Among those also participating was .

• If the idea of serving your community interests you, then check out the many volunteer opportunities at SuperSmyrna, where members of the Smyrna Area Council of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, the Smyrna Business Association, Smyrna Golden K Kiwanis, Smyrna Rotary Club, and Keller Williams Cares work together to make our community a better place.

On Sunday, March 27 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., volunteers are needed for a School grounds cleanup day. Rakes, trowels, pine straw, and bedding plants will be provided, as will refreshments. Do bring a pair of work gloves, though, and see here for more info.

• The Cobb County School District recently launched its Family Resource Database to assist families with instant and easy access to more than 1,000 social service providers in Cobb. The service is part of the ‘Success For All Students’ project, a school-based mental health support program funded by $8.5 million in grant funds from the federal Safe Schools/Healthy Students Program.

The Family Resource Database is available at http://www.cobbk12.org/FamilyResources and includes information regarding resources such as child care, individual and family counseling, emergency housing, food assistance, eldercare services and debt counseling. An effort of the District’s social work department, the ‘Success For All Students’ project provides additional support services that aim to decrease discipline events, improve attendance and ultimately, improve student performance.

• And finally, Saturday night at Campbell Middle School will be the 7th Annual Celebrity Wheelchair Basketball Jam, hosted by Dream Makers Youth Foundation and Energy Fitness. Funds raised from this event will support the Smyrna-based Dream Makers Youth Foundation in providing opportunities for youth with disability to stay active and learn the skills necessary for success in school and life.

The event runs from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. as the game will feature local celebrities and paralympians.

Confirmed guests include: Gavin Cloy (paralympian), Karin Korb (paralympian), Jessica Galli (paralympian), Mark Selbee (world champion kickboxer), Fred Williams (Atlanta Dream coach), Alasia Ballard (“America's Next Top Model,’’ cycle 14), Jasha Balcom (former Chicago Cubs player), Princess (rapper), Renaldo Nehemiah (celebrity stylist), Jerry Clark (music industry veteran), Krystin McCauley (TV personality), El Jefe (WGST morning show personality), Shaffee (Project 96.1 radio personality), Crystal Renee' (R&B artist), and Mia Nicole (R&B artist). See here for more information.