Archive for 2014
Pre-K, Pete and Me!
I’m spending the entire morning with our smallest learners as our district celebrates Pre-K Week! Our district has 42 pre-k classrooms at 35 school sites across the district. The school system serves around 875 pre-k students each year. Our pre-k program is funded by the Georgia Lottery and governed by Bright from the Start and partners with…
Read MoreAPS is the First System in Georgia to Offer Sushi!
I am excited to announce that this Monday our nutrition department will offer a new spicy crab sushi roll, a crisp veggie roll and tasty soy pockets to students in some of our APS middle and high schools. Our executive chef for the district, Justin Gillette, recently held a taste test for the new rolls…
Read MoreBest of the Best: Three Finalists Named for APS 2014-2015 Districtwide Teacher of the Year
I am excited to announce the district’s three finalist for APS Teacher of the Year. All of our teachers work tirelessly throughout the year, but these three, according to their peers, deserve a special honor. Elementary School Teacher of the Year Kesha Payne – Teacher, Grade 3 Warren T. Jackson Elementary School Middle School Teacher…
Read MoreOur Awesome Educators Earn Atlanta Families’ Awards
I am proud to announce that this year, five APS teachers and one APS principal received the Atlanta Families’ Awards for Excellence in Education (AFAEE). Educators receive this award when they demonstrate excellence in the classroom and in the Atlanta community. This was my first time participating in these surprise announcements and it was so much…
Read MoreHooray for Learning!
I love when our schools post their great work online – it makes it easier for me to share! Take a look at these exciting moments from around the district. (Photo: Perkerson Elementary Facebook Page) 3rd graders from Perkerson Elementary are sharpening their math skills! Their teacher says, “In this 3rd grade activity, student groups…
Read MoreI Had the Best Day at B.E.S.T. Academy!
As I started my trip down the main hallway at B.E.S.T. Academy, the district’s all male middle and high school, I immediately noticed a group of students looking intensely at a screen in the computer lab. Turns out the young men were members of the school’s football team. I spent some time with the football…
Read MoreHappy Custodial Appreciation Day!
Today our district celebrates custodial appreciation day! On behalf of Atlanta Public Schools, we sincerely thank all of our custodians for their continuous effort in keeping our schools clean, safe and friendly every day. We value their hard work and dedication to not only our buildings, but to our children. We created a little…
Read MoreGreat Things are Happening at Young Middle School
As usual I went to the wrong door. The main entry is so beautiful that I was certain it was my entrance. Instead, I ended up walking around by myself until I found the front office. The good news about that is that it means I get to see the school with my own eyes…
Read MoreA Beautiful READesign for West Manor Elementary School
I was excited to be on hand this week as we helped Target and The Heart of America Foundation unveil West Manor Elementary’s newly renovated school library! The renovated space features 2,000 new books, furniture, carpet, shelves, 25 iPads, a flat screen television; and a school broadcast video system complete with a mixer, laptop, teleprompter…
Read More90 Years of Excellence at Booker T. Washington High School
Pride. Pride was in the air today at the Historic Booker T. Washington High School where the school board and I joined students, staff, parents and the community to celebrate Founder’s Day – the school’s 90th anniversary. The first high school to serve African-American students in Atlanta, the halls of Washington have embraced world leaders, political…
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