Archive for 2014
We are ‘So Fresh’
I truly enjoyed our “Farm 2 Fresh” lunch theme last week! Using a “Farm 2 Fresh” theme, select APS lunchrooms featured a local farmers market stand. Tuesday, Brightside Farm of East Atlanta visited students at Bethune Elementary School. Brightside Farm grows a diversity of fruits and vegetables on two acres of land just miles from East Atlanta. Wednesday, Love is Love made a stop…
Read MoreDancing and Celebrating our Teacher of the Year
We have amazing teachers here in Atlanta Public Schools. Last night I had the honor of celebrating our elementary, middle & high school Teacher of the Year finalists and winner at our annual award ceremony. Elementary School Teacher of the Year Kesha Payne, third-grade teacher at Warren T. Jackson Elementary School, Jayongela Wilder, drama teacher…
Read MoreTeam of the Week – Way to Go Carver!
I kicked off today with the Carver High School Panthers, this week’s High Five Team of the Week! The band was rocking, the team looked tough and the crowd…oh my goodness the crowd was on their feet. Carver has so much school spirit! Carver football is having a GREAT year. They are ranked in their…
Read MoreBunche Middle Receives Safety and Security Donation
Safety is a hot topic and I hear from community members often about safety on and off campus. Parents, neighbors and teachers are concerned about student safety at home, at school and online. Recently, the ASIS Foundation donated $20,500 to implement cutting edge security improvements at Bunche Middle School. Bunche was chosen based on students’…
Read MoreOur Three New Stakeholder Committees
I am pleased to announce the members of our three new stakeholder advisory and oversight committees: Finance and Budget Advisory Committee, Special Education Advisory Committee, and SPLOST Oversight Committee. Last month, I announced that we were creating the committees as part of our broader community engagement work in Atlanta Public Schools. We asked individuals who are…
Read MoreBreakfast with PFAD and Lunch at BizTown
I spent a lot of time in the community last week! Here are photos from two fantastic visits – our district’s Project for a Day breakfast and my visit to BizTown. Junior Achievement and Chick-fil-A Foundation’s, Discovery Center BizTown, which opened one year ago, operates as an interactive marketplace representing the local business community. It’s an…
Read MoreNo School for Students – Tons of Learning for Adults
I’d like to remind our parents and students that Thursday, Oct. 9 is our Districtwide Professional Learning Day. October 9 is a day off from school for students but a day on for all full-time APS employees, instructional and non-instructional. October 10 through October 13 is fall break and Columbus holiday, so schools will be closed for students…
Read More‘Shout Out’ to our great students, teachers and schools
There are a lot of GREAT things happening in our district. Each month I will give “shout outs” to students, staff and volunteers who are helping us achieve excellence in Atlanta Public Schools. Let’s give a shout out to… Senior football player Travodius “Vodi” Ferguson at Maynard Jackson High School made the Georgia High School…
Read MoreAnnouncing Three New Team Members
As I shared with you during community town hall meetings and our recent State of the Schools events, Atlanta Public Schools is focused on recruiting and retaining the best and the brightest talented leaders who care about educating children and can help us build on our strengths. Tonight I recommended, and the Board approved, three…
Read MoreAnd the Golden Radish Award Goes to…
Congratulations to our nutrition department on their Golden Radish Award! Their application was reviewed by a six member committee representing the Georgia Dept. of Education, Georgia Dept. of Agriculture, Georgia Dept. of Public Health, and Georgia Organics and the committee was particularly impressed by their commitment to the farm to school program. Earlier today, representatives…
Read More