NSPG Global, a company based in Kennesaw, recently donated 17 new devices to the Cobb Schools Foundation after learning that Cobb students would be returning to school virtually this fall.
With over 113,000 students attending Cobb Schools and nearly half qualifying for free or reduced lunch, the additional needs of students and their families, caused by the pandemic, are profound. The Cobb Schools Foundation will continue to seek financial support that will provide students with needed technology as well as other needs related to family stabilization.
“We are so fortunate to live in the most generous county where parents, businesses, churches, everyone continues to support the education of our students. We were able to provide hundreds of devices in the Spring thanks to the generosity of hundreds of supporters in Cobb. We also have many relationships with other nonprofits in the community, and we are working tirelessly on building a collaborative network to meet all the immediate needs of families in our community, especially those caused by the pandemic,” said Felicia Wagner, executive director for the Cobb Schools Foundation.
The devices provided by NSPG Global will be paired with students at Bryant Elementary School due to other partnerships between Communities in Schools of Georgia in Marietta/Cobb (CIS) and Kennesaw State University (KSU). CIS has worked to host an Advanced Intern from KSU who serves as a site coordinator at the elementary school where 87% of its students qualify for free or reduced lunch.
“A CIS site coordinator fills a pivotal role coordinating and providing integrated student supports. They work with school leadership and staff to connect students and families with community resources that help address both academic and nonacademic needs. They coordinate community resources that can provide students with the supports they need to succeed both inside and outside the classroom. In the wake of COVID-19, coordinators have gone beyond the school walls to support students and families in the community they live,” explained Natalie Rutledge, CIS executive director.
The site coordinator from KSU will use the devices provided by NSPG Global to help keep the young Bryan students connected. “The vision of the Cobb County School District is to ensure that all students succeed, and this is one example of how, together, we can work through partnerships for the benefits of our students,” said Cobb Schools Superintendent Chris Ragsdale.
The Cobb Schools Foundation has a mission of taking student success to new heights. If you have interest in learning more about the Cobb Schools Foundation please visit cobbschoolsfoundation.org, send an email, or call 770.426.3390.
Gerald Shelton Perseverance Scholarship A Memorial Tribute Honoring the Life of Gerald Shelton Gerald Shelton was a man defined by kindness, quiet strength, and a deep belief in the power of education. Throughout his life, he treated others with generosity and respect, leaving a lasting impression on everyone who knew him. For ten years, Mr. Shelton faced the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease with remarkable perseverance. Even as the disease progressed, the love and dedication he inspired in his family remained constant. His journey became a powerful example of resilience, patience, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. Mr. Shelton believed that education opens doors and creates opportunities. He valued learning not only for the knowledge it provides, but for the confidence and determination it builds in young people as they shape their futures. A Legacy of Perseverance In honor of Gerald Shelton’s life and the perseverance he demonstrated during his battle with Alzheimer’s disease, the Cobb Schools Foundation is proud to establish the Gerald Shelton Perseverance Scholarship . This scholarship reflects the values Mr. Shelton lived by — resilience, determination, and the belief that education can help students overcome obstacles and reach their goals. The Gerald Shelton Perseverance Scholarship will support students who demonstrate the courage to keep moving forward when life becomes difficult. It celebrates young people who show determination, strength of character, and commitment to continue pursuing their education despite challenges. Continuing His Legacy Through this scholarship, Gerald Shelton’s legacy will live on in the lives of students who embody the same perseverance he showed throughout his life. Each recipient will carry forward his spirit of resilience — proving that when challenges arise, perseverance can lead the way to opportunity and hope. We are deeply grateful to Joy Doss, President of the Cobb Schools Foundation, and her family for honoring her daddy's life in a way that will inspire and support students for generations to come.
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