Posts by Meria

As a school district educating students from mostly lower-income families, Atlanta Public Schools faces numerous challenges in ensuring children are ready for school each day, especially those who come to school hungry. We’ve seen the research: Children whose nutritional needs are met throughout the day have fewer attendance and disciplinary problems and are more attentive…

District announces second annual edition of district fundraiser for Saturday, May 2, at Brown Middle School to kick off National Teacher Appreciation Week Atlanta Public Schools will be off to the races again in May as it will sponsor its own 5K and fun run event for a second year! With the success of APS…

Just a few days ago I recognized what would have been the 91st birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. if he had not been assassinated on April 4, 1968. While sadly he is gone, he will live forever in the hearts and minds of those who believe in social justice because of…

In support for Congressman John Lewis’ battle against pancreatic cancer, “Five 5Ks in Five Months in Congressional District 5” starts Monday with MLK Drum Run in Piedmont Park. As we neared the end of 2019, we learned sad news: Congressman John Lewis had been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He would spend the new…

It breaks my heart to share that our beloved friend and colleague, Alvah Hardy, passed away Friday, January 10, 2020. Alvah has been a pillar in the APS family for close to a decade, serving as our Executive Director of Facilities Services since joining APS in November 2010. From 2010 to now, Alvah has had…

As we move into 2020 – a new decade – it amazes me that we are 20 years into the new millennium and experiencing advances in technology and innovations involving the Internet, social media and smartphones that truly connect the world. And yet, we still see intense cruelty and degradation in society, such as child…

[UPDATE: January 13, 2019: And then there were eight! Two more APS students have been added to the latest class of Posse Scholars. Congratulations to Payton Gunner (Brandeis University) and Connor Mason (College of Wooster), both from Drew Charter!] It’s great when we can start a new year – and a new decade – with…

In time for semester break, my true love gave to me … Here we are: The end of the first semester of the 2019-2020. Hard to believe the New Year is nearly here! Not only is this time of year for celebration, it’s time for everyone in the Atlanta Public Schools community to rest, reflect…

Thirty-six APS schools performed better than expected on College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) when compared with schools with similar characteristics across the state. Hot off the press! Atlanta Public Schools, based on new analysis released today by the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement (GOSA), leads Metro Atlanta districts and exceeds the state in…

As anyone following Atlanta Public Schools over the past few weeks knows, the district has found numerous ways to showcase the “EPIC” talent of our amazing students from the State of the District to the Anti-Defamation League’s Concert Against Hate to the many productions at our schools all over Atlanta. And now we have our…