Posts by Meria
Considering a Moment of Atlanta History for APS Transformation
I couldn’t leave the office today without acknowledging a transformative moment in Atlanta Public Schools, one that unfolded this very day exactly 55 years ago. It was on Aug. 30, 1961, that nine students – Willie Jean Black, Donita Gaines, Martha Ann Holmes, Madelyn Patricia Nix, Arthur Simmons, Lawrence Jefferson, Mary James McMullen, Rosalyn Walton…
Read MoreGuest Blog on Huffington Post: I Have a Dream for a Kinder, Braver, Safer World
Today is the 53rd anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech. Today, I shared my thoughts about this historic occasion in this Huffington Post blog along with my own dream for a “kinder, braver, safer” world. #Ihaveadream #SELectLove http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/i-have-a-dream-for-a-kinder-braver-safer-world-advancing_us_57c10ea1e4b06384eb3fbe98
Read MoreHuddle Up and Have a Ball!
Huddle up, fans of our schools, teams and athletes in Atlanta Public Schools. After playing football with B.E.S.T. Academy, Carver, Douglass, Grady, Jackson (USA Today covered my touchdown!), North Atlanta and South Atlanta, I’m ready for opening day! (Don’t worry KIPP Atlanta Collegiate, Therrell, Mays and Washington! I’ve got my eyes on you next!) I’ve…
Read MoreWeek One Reflections, Selfies and Dispatches by the Super on Super Staff and Students
As we end the near of another first week of school in Atlanta Public Schools, I have finally had a few moments to reflect upon the past three days among our students, teachers, administrators, support staff and the rest of our community. Day One for the 2016-2017 school year marked my third opening day at…
Read MoreDispatches from the District, Day Two
It’s Day Two in Atlanta Public Schools. We had such a rewarding and fun experience traveling around the district on Day One that we are out among the students, teachers, administrators, support staff and the community to report on even more Back-to-School happenings across the district. Here are my live reports for Day Two: Day…
Read MoreDispatches from the District, Day One
As part of Day One in Atlanta Public Schools, my team and I have boarded an APS bus to visit students, teachers, administrators, support staff and the community to report on Back-to-School happenings across the district. Here are my live reports: Day One, 3:25 p.m., Martin Luther King Middle School (Jackson Cluster) Last stop for…
Read MoreAre You Day One Ready? APS Is.
Long before the last student exited from school for the 2015-2016 school year, Atlanta Public Schools began preparing for that first student walking into one of our schools for the next school year. Are you Day One ready? APS is. [wpvideo HOEl3EzW] Here’s how we got ready: Our Operations Department went into high gear to…
Read MoreUnpacking Georgia Milestones Assessments for APS, Year Two
Whenever the time nears for the state to release major progress reports for schools – graduation rates, test results, the College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) – my feelings jump from anticipation to eagerness to anxiety and back again. Such reports almost always come with positive news of hope and progress tempered with indicators…
Read MoreCall to Action for a Kinder, Braver, Safer World
Dear President Barack Obama and U.S. Secretary of Education John King, It started with the first rally cry: Je suis Charlie. And, sadly, then there were more. Paris. San Bernardino. Brussels. Orlando. Istanbul. Bangladesh. Dallas. As the United States is still reeling from weeks of tragic events, it came full circle for France last night. Je suis Nice. Among the 84…
Read MoreMore Facts and Update on Water Testing Mid-Point Results
With less than a month before we open the 2016-2017 school year, Atlanta Public Schools is quickly and methodically wrapping up its voluntary, proactive effort to test the district’s water sources to determine if there is any lead. As I wrote in detail a couple of weeks ago, we took the initiative to test our…
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