Posts by Meria
Bunche 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 MorePre-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…
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