Blog

My Adventures with Backpack Bear Part II

December 11, 2014

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…

Watch Now: Inside look of APS construction projects

November 21, 2014

Facilities matter, and I’m a big believer in creating dynamic, open and creative learning spaces which foster great teaching and learning.  APS continues to work to ensure that all students have an enriched learning experience. Often that begins with a working space that can comfortably accommodate our growing student population. I would like to share…

My 100th blog post – Hooray for learning!

November 17, 2014

There are at least a hundred reasons to get excited about the great things happening in APS. What is the best way for me to celebrate my 100th blog posting? By celebrating our students of course! Take a look at a few awesome highlights from around the district. Two North Atlanta video broadcast students, Jada…

My day with the KiPPsters of KIPP Strive Primary

November 12, 2014

KIPP Strive Primary was my first stop during school visits this past Friday.  I visited the adjacent middle school, KIPP Strive Academy recently to give out AFAEE awards, but this was my first time on the primary side of the building. From the moment you walk into their beautiful  Beltline adjacent facility, you are greeted…

Psychology Awareness Week

November 12, 2014

By now, you know that I truly believe that the social and emotional learning of students is equally as important as their academic success.  This week we celebrate School Psychology Awareness Week in our district and we are featuring conversations with several school psychologists on our Talk Up APS blog. The article features several of…

My Visit with the Beecher Bees

November 12, 2014

I spent time Friday at Beecher Hills Elementary School, an IB Primary Years Programme neighborhood school with 360 students in grades PK-5 that feeds into J.C. Young Middle School and Mays High School.  The school has a great sense of community. It sits on the Atlanta Beltline and the staff likes to walk on the…

Happy Veterans Day

November 11, 2014

Today, as a nation, we say a collective thank you to the 21.4 million veterans who have served and protected our country during times of war and peace.  President Dwight D. Eisenhower proclaimed November 11th as Veterans Day in 1954 to “…preserve our heritage of freedom.”  Atlanta Public Schools is proud to have many of…

Let’s go Maaaays…LET’S GO!

November 10, 2014

                    I just received this note from our athletic director Jasper Jewell.                      Way to go Mays High School!“Please join me in congratulating the Mays High Varsity Competition Cheerleading squad for becoming Region 6AAAA Champions this past…

‘Shout Out’ to our great students, teachers and schools

November 7, 2014

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… The 38 North Atlanta High School students who competed against students from 17 other high schools…

Wonderful Woodson Elementary School

October 29, 2014

Today was my very first visit to Carter G. Woodson Primary School.  My special assistant Angela King Smith was once a student teacher at the school many years ago.  On the ride there, she expressed reservations about what the school was like when she was there and her hopes that all of the new things she…