Posts by Meria
Clarifying Class Size Waivers
Following the last two Board votes on class size waivers, I have spent a great deal of time reflecting and talking with staff and community members and listening to feedback on whether the district should continue to request flexibility from the state on class sizes. My recommendation to continue these waivers was so that our…
Read MoreGo! Raiders Go! The Benjamin E. Mays football team is history in the making
A big congratulations to the Benjamin E. Mays football team after a big win last Friday. Tonight the Mays Raiders take on the Northside Eagles of Warner Robbins in the GHSA Class AAAAA State Championship. These talented students, coaches and staff are making history! Not only is this the first Mays football team ever to…
Read MoreMy Adventures with Backpack Bear – The Final Chapter
My week with Backpack Bear was so much fun! We worked, we played and even gave back to the community. I’m so sad to say good-bye, but it’s time to hand him back over to the kids at Jackson Primary in Ms. Swalm’s kindergarten class. Thank you guys for introducing us, we are sure to…
Read MoreMy Adventures with Backpack Bear Part II
What a busy week for our friend Backpack Bear from Jackson Primary! Take a look at a few of his (our) adventures. Monday I learned that Backpack Bear is REALLY GOOD at putting labels on holiday cards! We are sending out cards to our friends throughout the district, featuring the winning designs from our Winter…
Read MoreAPS Employees Help Fill Over 2,400 Empty Stockings!
Lt. Col. Rooker led me into Santa’s Village on APS volunteer day. It was great to see our staff helping families in need. Last month many of them donated money towards this cause, so it was cool to see how that donation manifested into this event. All 30,000 square feet of this once-vacant retail space…
Read MoreA Great Day at Jackson Intermediate
The mood was festive at Jackson Intermediate as Dr. Lorraine Reich greeted me along with members of the Jackson Intermediate PTA and Local School Council. A school with an enrollment of approximately 850 students, school leaders have done a great job of making the school feel small and intimate. One of the first things I…
Read MoreMy Adventures with BackPack Bear – Part I
Yesterday I blogged about my new friend Backpack Bear from Ms. Swalm’s kindergarten class at Jackson Primary. As the class Star of the Week I am responsible for taking the bear home, introducing him to my family, friends and co-workers and taking photos of our adventures. Take a look at how we spent our weekend!…
Read MoreStudent Growth Percentiles released by GaDOE
Having worked in different states, I have learned that no two are alike when it comes to their approaches in accountability. There are always nuances. For example, in Georgia, there has been extensive work on measuring student growth. The general idea is that it not enough to know how well a student scored on a…
Read MoreNew friends and some friendly competition at Smith Elementary School
My new pal, “Backpack Bear” from Jackson Primary, made a bunch of new friends at Sarah Smith Primary! Dr. Freda Hamilton’s office may have been the most friendly, welcoming principal’s office ever! It’s full of fantastic souvenirs from the University of Georgia, Dr. Seuss books and an awesome Mr. Potato Head collection. Backpack Bear found…
Read MoreLearning the Classics at Atlanta Classical Academy
I started my day in a classic way as I took a trip last week to Atlanta Classical Academy. I was greeted by Principal Terrance Moore and board Chairman Matthew Kirby who both have children attending the district’s newest charter school. As I walked through the halls I noticed large pictures of influential and historic figures such as Dr. Martin Luther…
Read More