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FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS Sunday, October 23,2022 FORSYTHNEWS.COM FCS asks for input on emergency funds File photo Forsyth County Schools is seeking public input to determine how to spend its leftover emergency funds from the American Rescue Plan. By Sabrina Kerns skerns@forsythnews.com Forsyth County residents can now provide feedback on how Forsyth County Schools should spend the remainder of its federal emergency relief funding following the COVID-19 pandemic. At last month’s Board of Education work session, district leaders said they received $13 million in fed eral funding through the American Rescue Plan dur ing the pandemic, and the system was required to use 20%, or $2.6 million, of that funding to help address learning loss. They used that funding to host a summer school in June and July before the start of the current school year to help at-risk students in all grade levels across the district either make up lost credits or go over current and upcoming learning standards. The funding helped to provide staff during that period along with food and snacks for students through out the day and transporta tion to and from the desig nated schools. And after the short pro gram, school leaders agreed it made a positive impact on students and their learning. “We’re really proud of the results,” said Amy Bartlett, Director of Elementary Education. Amy Chang, the district’s Director of Federal Programs, said the district still has funding set aside to help address further learn ing loss for students, and she noted district leaders would like to continue with the summer school program next year. Before continuing with the program, however, dis trict leaders plan to meet with stakeholders this month to get their feedback on what the remaining fund ing should go toward. The district is also asking com munity members to give their feedback online through the district’s web site, www.forsyth.kl2.ga.us. Those interested can open the site, scroll down to District News and click on the box tided “ARP ESSER HI District Plan and Budget Input.” There, residents can find a link to the presenta tion from last month’s work session with more informa tion about the summer school program. There is also a link to a form where residents can provide their own feedback on how the district should use the funding. The form is open now and will remain open for public feedback through Friday, Oct. 28. A 'really special' milestone Photos by Kelly Whitmire Forsyth County News Beaver Toyota General Manager Patrick Abad receives a President's Award from Darryl Bowen, district sales manager for Southeast Toyota Distributors LLC, during the business' five-year anniversary lun cheon onTuesday, Oct. 18. Beaver Toyota marks 5 years, 23.5K vehicles sold During the luncheon, employees received individualized plaques commemorating the anniversary that listed all employees who had worked at the business over the last five years with a special message from owners Mike and Linda Beaver. By Kelly Whitmire kwhitmire@forsythnews.com After five years of hard work, employees at Beaver Toyota of Cumming recently took some time to celebrate. On Tuesday, Oct. 18, the dealer ship held a luncheon to celebrate the fifth anniversary of its opening and its employees. “What a lot of people don’t understand is ... the five-year mark is really special because the five- year mark is really hard to get to,” Beaver Toyota General Manager Patrick Abad told employees. “The first five years in any business is hard, but it’s exceptionally hard in an automotive dealership.” During the luncheon, employees also received individualized plaques commemorating the anniversary that listed all employees who had worked at the business over the last five years with a special message from owners Mike and Linda Beaver. The ceremony was a chance to celebrate 19 employees, whom Abad called out one-by-one to applause from the crowd, who had been with Beaver since the opening. “What happens is, and you guys will attest to this, you work really, really hard to prepare it,” Abad said. See Beaver 12A Group holding hazardous waste disposal event From staff reports Keep Forsyth County Beautiful will hold the Household Hazardous Waste Recycling and Disposal event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5, at the Cumming Fairgrounds. The event, held in partnership with the Forsyth County Recycling and Solid Waste Department and the City of Cumming, will give residents the opportunity to dispose of material safe ly and responsibly. Items that will be accepted include corrosive, ignitable, toxic or reactive household hazardous waste such as paints, cleaners, oils, fuels, batteries, fluorescent or HID light bulbs, herbi cides, pesticides and more. Items that will not be accepted include medical waste, needles, ammunition, explo sives, pharmaceuticals and non-hazard- ous items. A full list of accepted materials and more details on the event can be found on KFCB’s website, or residents can find out more by emailing KFCB@for- sythco.com or by calling (770) 205- 4573. Online pre-registration is now open and required for participation at www. keepforsythcountybeautiful.org. Availability is on a first-come, first- served basis until the maximum amount of materials or vehicles are reg istered for participation. “We know folks are always looking for a way to get rid of their clutter in a convenient way,” said Forsyth County Environmental Program Manager Tammy Wright. “Things that people use every day, such as cleaning sup plies and paint, can be hazardous not only to people but the environment if not disposed of properly.” There is no charge for dropping off household hazardous waste during the event. A $5 donation is requested to help support Keep Forsyth County Beautiful, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organi zation. The event will be held at the Cumming Fairgrounds’ parking lot 3 at 235 Castleberry Road, located across from the Fairgrounds at the Castleberry Bridge. Volunteers recognized for National Friends of Libraries week From staff reports Forsyth County Public Library recognized the FCPL Friends and Advocates group of vol unteers as part of the 17th annual National Friends of Libraries Week from Oct. 16-22. Since the FCPL Friends and Advocates were established in 1995, they have raised over $500,000 through used book sales, membership fees and other donations to fund special programs, materials and resources beyond the library’s reg ular budget. The Friends operate used bookstores at three of FCPL’s locations seven days a week, with volunteers numbering more than 100. Friends Bookstores are located inside the Cumming Library, the Sharon Forks Library and the Post Road Library. There will also be a Friends of the Library Bookstore at the future Denmark Library, which is expected to open in 2024. “Library staff are grateful to have the Friends and Advocates as a partner,” Library Director Anna Lyle said. “Many people know that the Friends group sup ports library programs and services through funds raised from used book sales. But library staff also see the tremen dous amount of organi zation and physical work See Libraries 12A L r r n 1 jjjM rT>, Mi.ill.er . 1 1 Cl — 1 Bf MTiayne V 111' > £91 Mtjffm r i i Forsyth County Public Library recent ly recognized the FCPL Friends and Advocates group of vol unteers as part of National Friends of Libraries Week. Photo submitted to Forsyth County News Weather High Low 73/47 Access local news online at ForsythNews.com