Blog

Gimme a B! My visit to Bunche Middle School

October 26, 2014

Having been a former middle school teacher, I definitely had a good sense of what should be happening in the classrooms and even during transitions when I arrived at Bunche Middle School. Things were running smoothly with students and teachers and it was fun to see the cheerleaders weaving through the hallways wearing their big yellow…

Our Emerging Artists at Price Middle School

October 26, 2014

Last week students at Price Middle School were treated to a sculpting class with sculptor Fred Ajanogha.  Mr. Ajanogha is working with students on a series of sculpture projects throughout the school year.   Price students have participated in three workshops where they’ve learned various sculptural techniques and created several small models.  They will continue…

Happy Bus Driver Appreciation Day and Bus Safety Week!

October 22, 2014

  It takes a team of hundreds of transportation employees to keep our students moving to and from school, field trips and after school events each day.  From our drivers and mechanics to bus monitors, supervisors and dispatchers – everyone plays an important role on our transportation team.   This week Atlanta Public Schools recognizes…

We are ‘So Fresh’

October 22, 2014

I truly enjoyed our “Farm 2 Fresh” lunch theme last week!  Using a “Farm 2 Fresh” theme, select APS lunchrooms featured a local farmers market stand. Tuesday, Brightside Farm of East Atlanta visited students at Bethune Elementary School. Brightside Farm grows a diversity of fruits and vegetables on two acres of land just miles from East Atlanta.  Wednesday, Love is Love made a stop…

Dancing and Celebrating our Teacher of the Year

October 21, 2014

We have amazing teachers here in Atlanta Public Schools.  Last night I had the honor of celebrating our elementary, middle & high school Teacher of the Year finalists and winner at our annual award ceremony.  Elementary School Teacher of the Year Kesha Payne, third-grade teacher at Warren T. Jackson Elementary School, Jayongela Wilder, drama teacher…

Team of the Week – Way to Go Carver!

October 16, 2014

I kicked off today with the Carver High School Panthers, this week’s High Five Team of the Week! The band was rocking, the team looked tough and the crowd…oh my goodness the crowd was on their feet.  Carver has so much school spirit! Carver football is having a GREAT year.  They are ranked in their…

Bunche Middle Receives Safety and Security Donation

October 15, 2014

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’…

Our Three New Stakeholder Committees

October 13, 2014

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…

Breakfast with PFAD and Lunch at BizTown

October 8, 2014

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…

No School for Students – Tons of Learning for Adults

October 8, 2014

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…