Archive for 2015
Kicking off Day One 2015!
I kicked off Day One APS at the district’s Lakewood Bus Depot with our drivers, mechanics, supervisors and plenty of doughnuts, (I know, bad for you – but they are just so yummy). Things were humming as the mechanics checked and prepped the buses and supervisors checked-in drivers. Board of Education members Leslie Grant, Eshe’ Collins,…
Read MoreOur Students Have Heart (and brains too)!
I love all of our students, I really do, but every now and then, as a school district leader, I meet a student who truly stands out and stands up for his school and community. I’m not sure if it’s his smarts, his humbleness or his heart, but I’ve truly enjoyed spending time this summer…
Read MoreWelcome Back Centennial Academy!
Yesterday was the first day of school for our students over at Centennial Academy. Centennial is beginning its second year as the district’s first conversion charter school in APS, expanding this school year to serve grades kindergarten through 7th. I stopped in to visit with veteran principal Allison Shelton who was busy making the rounds and ensuring…
Read MoreMixing it Up at South Atlanta High School!
This week, every school in our system hosted an open house to meet and greet students and parents. I spent the afternoon with the students and staff at South Atlanta High School, along with our talented friends from Atlanta’s Hot 107.9! D.J. Geronimo and his team gave me a crash course right there in the…
Read MoreLet’s Play! Every APS Elementary School Gets a Playground!
Last school year, with equity around the district in mind, the APS Operations Division identified 10 elementary schools in the district that were without playgrounds. The Atlanta Board of Education took steps to ensure that the building of playgrounds at these elementary schools were a priority during our back-to-school planning over the summer. I am…
Read MoreIt’s A New Year! Back-to-School Shopping with a Dunbar Family
It’s back-to-school time. The first day of the 2015-16 school year begins for APS students on Wednesday, Aug. 5. I love this time of year. With only one day until the start of the new school year, I can hardly contain my excitement. For me, it’s a time of renewal, full of hope for a…
Read MoreNew Experiences – New Year!
Back-to-school is all about trying new things and having new experiences. Last week, as I prepared for the new school year, I decided to try something new for the very first time. I’ve been blogging about my running experience and recent Peachtree race, and believe it or not, I’ve continued my training. I figured I…
Read MoreCommitting to ‘Career’ Part of APS Mission
We hear too often from business and industry that public education of today is not adequately preparing our young people for the demands and rigor of the 21st century global workforce. And sadly this is also true: We don’t get another chance to get it right for this generation. But I have hope because our…
Read MoreGrade Change Review Update and Revised Regulations
Several weeks ago, we announced that the district would be doing a comprehensive review of grade changes across the district with a focus on identifying process improvements and procedural safeguards before the start of the new school year. As always, I am committed to complete transparency. After a thorough review of the data by Chief…
Read MoreAPS students are ENGAGED with Georgia Tech!
Geniuses surrounded me this morning! Our students are seriously smart and today, 22 brilliant APS high school students had their scientific research work celebrated by our friends over at Georgia Tech! All of these students participated this school year in the Project ENGAGES Research Scholars program, a new high school science education program developed at…
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