This morning it was announced that the Georgia Department of Education is awarding $4.9 million in competitive grants to support school improvement efforts in 14 school districts and state charter schools. In the metro area, two districts, Fulton County Schools and Dekalb County Schools receiving $886, 534 of state funds. Districts were targeted if they […]
Author Archives: Zelda Andrews
We used to teach now we write full-time about all things education in Atlanta.
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools, Uncategorized
Atlanta Public Schools Partners with Rock the Vote for National Voter Registration Day Pep Rally
Atlanta Public Schools partnered with AMB Sports and Entertainment, Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United, Rock the Vote, and New Georgia Project on a first-of-its-kind initiative, Democracy Class Atlanta, leveraging sports and entertainment to celebrate civic education and engagement and spread the message that there is “no offseason in democracy.” Held on Sept. 28 at the Home […]
Posted inGwinnett County Schools, Uncategorized
No Change in Cognia Status for Gwinnett County Schools Cognia Special Review
On Monday, September 13, Superintendent Calvin J. Watts shared Cognia’s final report and that the accreditation agency had made no change to the school district’s accreditation status- GCPS remains a fully accredited school district. We are excited to see that the recommendations Cognia suggested are initiatives our Board is already working on. We look forward to growing […]
Posted inDekalb County Schools, Uncategorized
Dekalb County Schools had multiple bus drivers out, canceling routes
After over 50+ bus drivers called out on Friday morning and routes canceled, dozens of Dekalb County Schools parents were forced to pick up their children from school. The cause was there were not enough bus drivers who showed up for work. Dekalb is among the other metro Atlanta school districts who are finding bus […]
Posted inMarietta City Schools, Uncategorized
Marietta City Schools to Implement “Test and Stay” Protocol Starting September 13
In an email to parents, Marietta City Schools Superintendent, Dr. Grant Rivera, shared an update on protocols for students and staff identified as “close contacts” of a COVID-positive person. The change in policy comes after concerns about the impact f lost instructional time as a result of quarantines. To date, Marietta City Schools has had […]
Posted inCobb County Schools, Uncategorized
Cobb Health Advisory Panel Calls Special Meeting to Ask Cobb County Schools to Mandate Masks
On Tuesday, the Cobb County Health Advisory Panel met in a virtual special called l meeting with the intent to advise the Cobb County Schools to adopt a universal mask policy that would require all students to wear masks in school. The panels include Cobb Schools Superintendent, Chris Ragsdale, Chairwoman Lisa Cupid, Marietta City Schools […]
Posted inGriffin-Spaulding County Schools, Uncategorized
Griffin-Spalding County Schools Go Virtual After Bus Driver Shortage
Griffin-Spalding County School System opted to go virtual after three transportation staff members passed away in the last two weeks. A third staff member passed away over the weekend making it nearly impossible for the normal routine of buses on Tuesday. Instead parents are asked to drop their children off for school on Tuesday and […]
Posted inDekalb County Schools
Dekalb County Schools to Close Until September 13
On Thursday, DeKalb County School District announced that an elementary school is closing temporarily after a group of students tested positive for the coronavirus. “We feel this is the best decision for this school community at this time.” Superintendent Cheryl Watson-Harris said at a news conference this afternoon. In the statement, the district said 18 students at […]
Posted inFayette County Schools
Fayette County High School Looking for Alumni
On Friday, October 15, the Fayette County High School Marching Band will celebrate the 55th anniversary of the marching band as an alumni band performs before the Tigers’ varsity football game against Riverdale. Any and all marching band alumni are asked to participate in the pre-game performance to celebrate the monumental milestone. The participation fee […]
Posted inFulton County Schools
Fulton County Schools Pulls Plug on Mask Optional School
After the lack of interest from parents, Fulton County Schools pulled the plug on a plan to open a mask-optional campus at the old Crabapple Middle School located in Roswell. This learning hub was proposed at the August 12th work session by Fulton County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Looney as a response to meet the demands […]
Posted inFayette County Schools
Fayette County School Board member chips in as classroom sub
Fayette County Board of Education member Leonard Presberg is among the many stepping up and stepping in as a substitute teacher. Presberg recently filled in as a sub for a Pre-K class at Robert J. Burch Elementary. Presberg has represented Post 4 on the Fayette County School Board since being appointed in December. 2011. Recently, […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Public Schools to Mandate Testing for Staff After Labor Day
Starting after Labor Day, Atlanta Public School employees will be required to be tested twice weekly in an attempt to curb the rising COVID-19 numbers in the district. ”Surveillance testing will allow us to keep up our momentum of quality, in-person learning and minimize the risk for everyone. Even if you are fully vaccinated, or […]
Posted inMarietta City Schools
NewsBrief: Alan Levine Resigns from Marietta City Schools Board
On Wednesday, Marietta City Schools Board Member, Alan Levine, resigned after moving out of his school zone in Marietta. Currently, there are three candidates for the Ward 1 Zone: Lisa Lindsay, Jeff DeJarnett, and Alex Castro for the November election. The board is currently weighing their options on replacing Levine for the remaining four months […]
Posted inDecatur City Schools
City of Decatur City Schools to Require Vaccinations for Students and Staff
In an unprecedented move, the City of Decatur City Schools will require all students and staff to be vaccinated from COVID-19. This idea was presented at the August 24th work session and will be voted on at their September regular board meeting. If passed, Decatur City Schools will be the first K-12 school district in […]
Posted inFayette County Schools
Fayette County Schools to Pivot to Mandatory Masks on Tuesday, August 24
In a letter to parents on Monday, Fayette County Schools will require masks in all schools and office buildings starting Tuesday, August 24 through September 17, 2021, with the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the community. Currently, 16 of their 24 schools have face-covering requirements after one percent of their staff and student population […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics
Superintendent Woods: Some Issues Divide Us, There Is More That Unites Us
In a statement released today, Georgia State Superintendent, Richard Woods, released a statement of him contracting and recovering from COVID-19. The letter released encouraged districts and schools to continue efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus.Woods tested positive for COVID several weeks prior to the start of the school year and after endorsing Governor […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Booker T. Washington High School Coach Named High School Coach of the Year
The NFL has named Booker T. Washington High School Coach Derrick Avery as the recipient of the 2020 NFL Don Shula High School Coach of the Year, the league announced today. The honor is given to the high school football coach that best represents character, integrity, leadership, dedication to the community, commitment to player protection, […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics
Georgia PTA Issues Statement on Culturally Responsive Curricula
In the aftermath of concerned parents storming school board meetings throughout the metro Atlanta area, Georgia PTA has issued a statement on the need for culturally responsive curricula in schools. The statement comes after the State Board of Education passed a resolution essentally the ‘banning’ of critical race theory being taught in K-12 despite dozens […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Board of Education Incumbents and Newcomers Vying For 9 Seats
Jordan Wilson This upcoming November 2nd, nine seats are available for the general election on the Atlanta Board of Education. The board is an independent system neither affiliated to the City of Atlanta’s Mayor or the City Council but holds the responsibility for creating approved policies that govern the Atlanta Public School districts. It consists […]
Posted inCobb County Schools
In Cobb County, Politics to Play as Argument Over COVID Not on Board Agenda
Despite COVID cases soaring in Cobb County, the Cobb County Board an item was absent from the agenda on Thursday’s meeting- the handling of COVID by the district. This comes after a parent rally advocating for a mask mandate and Board Vice-President, David Banks, making the news for responding to constituent’s concerns with conspiracy theories. […]
Posted inMarietta City Schools
Marietta City Schools to Require Masks Starting Monday, August 23
Starting Monday, August 23 all students, visitors, and staff in Marrietta City Schools and buses will require masks, according to Marietta Superintendent Grant Rivera’s announcement to families on Thursday. In addition to the mask mandate, Rivera introduced quarantine protocols and renewed COVID vaccination clinics. MCS Data In his announcement, Rivera reported 38 positive student cases […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics
President of Spelman College, Mary Schmidt Campbell, Ph.D. Announces Her Retirement
In a message to the University today, Mary Schmidt Campbell, Ph.D., announced that she will retire as president of Spelman College at the end of this academic year, effective as of June 30, 2022. This announcement came after Campbell exceeded the $250 million fundraising goal. Since Dr. Campbell joined the Spelman community in 2015, there have been […]
Posted inMarietta City Schools
Marietta City Schools Superintendent, Grant Rivera Cites Polarization and Politicization as Realities of COVID Pandemic
In a letter to Marietta City Schools Families, Superintendent Grant Rivera outlined what he described as… “the walls of the classroom, the polarization and politicization that come from the realities of a pandemic feel crushing. The opinions around masks, quarantine protocols, and virtual learning have sowed deep-seeded divisions in our community.” The letter in whole […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics
Georgia Milestones Scores Come In; Indicate Importance of In-Person Learning
Today scores from the 2020-2021 administration of the Georgia Milestones Assessment System were released throughout Georgia today. The scores compared to 2018-2019 show the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated learning disruptions, along with low levels in participation. The state has specifically asked districts, news media, parents, and community members to use caution in […]