Atlanta- The surge in COVID cases has metro Atlanta schools adjusting their plans for students and staff for a return to school after the holiday break. Here are the changes that are known to date.
Author Archives: Zelda Andrews
We used to teach now we write full-time about all things education in Atlanta.
Posted inDecatur City Schools
Decatur City Schools to require booster shot for COVID-19 for all staff members
In a surprising move, all Decatur City School indicated to parents that staff will have until January 31, 2022 to get a booster shot to combat the rising numbers of COVID-19 infections.
Posted inDekalb County Schools
Dekalb County Schools partners with Amazon to fund computer science education
Stone Mountain- Today, Amazon and DeKalb County School District (DCSD) today announced that Amazon is funding computer science education and teacher professional development for 30 elementary schools in the district, impacting more than 10,000 students from underserved communities and groups currently underrepresented in tech as part of its Amazon Future Engineer program. DeKalb County School […]
Posted inUncategorized
Emory University announces spring semester courses to begin in remote format
Atlanta-With rising COVID infections from Omicron variant spreading rapidly, Emory University President, Gregory L. Fenves announced today that the spring semester will start virtually. In a letter to students and the community, Fenves cited the “significant increases in COVID-19 cases because of the spread of the Omicron variant” and announced that the university will pivot […]
Posted inUncategorized
Blair Not Seeking Reelection to Gwinnett County Schools Board
In a surprise move, Gwinnett County School Board Chair, Everton Blair, Jr. will not seek reelection in 2022. Blair, a Democrat, was the first Black person elected to Gwinnett County School board in 2018 Blair, joined the board at the time when he was the youngest member. Since then, two other Democratic members of color […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics
Four Georgia Public Schools Recognized as 2021 National Blue Ribbon Schools
Today the Georgia Department of Education recognized eight public schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools with four from the metro area. This recognition comes from the U.S. Department of Education and up to 420 schools may be nominated each year., the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. “Congratulations to Georgia’s […]
Posted inUncategorized
Fulton County Schools to Raise Minimum Wage to $16 and Introduces New Compensation
Atlanta, Georgia – In the regularly scheduled work session, Fulton County Schools unanimously approved a mid-year compensation adjustment brought by Superintendent Mike Looney for their 14,000 employees. The full package brings the minimum starting pay up to $16.00 per hour, with commensurate adjustments to the associated compensation schedule, and includes generous pay increases and one-time […]
Posted inUncategorized
Gwinnett County Schools Board Meeting Ends in Disruption
Lawrenceville, GA -An hour into the Gwinnett County Board of Education, the meeting ended early after several audience members refused to wear masks properly and denied requests to leave. The board had voted on all their agenda items and was in the public comment section of the meeting, when Board Chair, Everton Blair III, addressed […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics, Uncategorized
Georgia Board of Regents changes tenure guidelines
On Wednesday the University System of Georgia approved changes in tenure policies in 25 of Georgia’s colleges and universities. The new system will permit professors to be dismissed if they fail to take corrective steps following two unsatisfactory reviews. In a vote that warranted no discussion, the Regents voted for the sweeping changes. The changes come […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools, Uncategorized
Atlanta Public Schools to Host Student-Led Mayoral Forum on Educational Issues
Students will ask questions of top candidates vying to be the next mayor of Atlanta On October 11 at 6 pm, a panel of students from Atlanta Public Schools will ask the top Mayoral Candidates for the City of Atlanta Alonzo A. Crim Center for Learning and Leadership (CLL) The invitation to attend comes to […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics, Uncategorized
Howard to Challenge Woods for State School Superintendent Role in 2022
In a surprising move, Cobb County School Board Member Dr. Jaha Howard, a Democrat filed on Sunday to run for state school superintendent currently held by Republican, Richard Woods. Howard who owns a successful dental practice in Smyrna, was first elected to the school board in 2018 and has been at the center of controversy […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics, Uncategorized
Metro Area Districts Receive $886,534 in Grant Funds
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 […]
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 […]