March 2023 Newsletter
Learn about the #FCSDuck Difference:
2023 Celebration of Excellence Winners!
Sponsored by Northside Hospital Forsyth, the Forsyth County Chamber, and Forsyth County Schools
Teacher of the Year
Morgan O'Leary was named the 2023 Forsyth County Schools Teacher of the Year. Ms. O’Leary is a first-grade teacher at New Hope Elementary School. She received her bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University and her master’s degree from Piedmont University. Ms. O'Leary started her teaching career in FCS at Big Creek Elementary School in 2015.She is photographed with members of the Otwell Family from Andean Chevrolet. For the past 8 years, Andean has provided FCS TOTY with a new car lease!
Don Hendricks Award
The Don Hendricks Award is the highest recognition a Partner in Education may receive. This year we are honored to recognize the Forsyth County Fire Department for being an ever-present resource for our schools. From training all school nurses in Stop the Bleed, establishing the Healthcare and First Responders pathway at Alliance Academy for Innovation, and providing fire safety and risk reduction education at all elementary schools, they are an essential part of our school community.
Gold Program of the Year
The first Gold Program of the Year Award was presented to Vulcan Materials, nominated by Liberty MS! Vulcan Materials assisted with positive student recognition, provided items for staff appreciation, a touchless water fountain, and funding for field trips. 
Gold Program of the Year
The second Gold Program of the Year is RBM of Alpharetta, nominated by DeSana MS. RBM provided funds for special education field trips, donated cameras for yearbook and instruments for the band, and ensured all 7th grade students could participate in a hands-on frog dissection lab. 
Silver Program of the Year 
The Silver Program of the Year is Altrusa, a Partner in Education with Otwell MS! This organization donated clothing, school supplies, and food for students, provided gift cards and items for families in need, and participated in teacher appreciation activities and painting the Family Resource Room. 
Friend of the School
We have two Friend of the School winners! All for Lunch, nominated by the FCS Food and Nutrition Department, paid off the full negative balances of student lunches in the district. 
Friend of the School
The second Friend of the School award winner was Burlington, a new partner with Chattahoochee ES. Burlington donated $5,000 for teacher supplies.
Volunteer of the Year 
We have the BEST volunteers! This year's Volunteer of the Year is Dr. Saad Bhamla, nominated by Lambert HS! Dr. Bhamla provided countless hours mentoring biotech students, preparing them for international competition, and assisting them in the publication of their work.
Mentor of the Year 
This year's Mentor of the Year award goes to Corey Milford, nominated by Silver City ES! Corey has been a mentor at Silver City ES since 2019. They shared “his positive energy just radiates from him, and he always makes connections”.