Joining a list of schools in the South Atlanta cluster in Atlanta Public Schools, both Long Middle School and Centennial Academy have earned Cognia STEM certification as the school year came to a close last week. As a result of Long Middle School’s achievement, all schools in the South Atlanta cluster are entirely STEM certified. The evaluation […]
Author Archives: Zelda Andrews
We used to teach now we write full-time about all things education in Atlanta.
Posted inGeorgia Politics
Georgia School Safety: What’s happened and what’s to come
In the wake of the 19 children and 2 teachers being killed at Robb Elementary in Ulvalvek, Texas, Governor Brian P. Kemp provided an update on school safety measures and resources in the State of Georgia as local parents inquire if their children are safe in schools. “As the parents of three daughters – including […]
Posted inFulton County Schools
Fulton County Schools and Dekalb County Schools announce a virtual start to the second semester
On Friday, both Dekalb County Schools and Fulton County Schools announced their plans to start the second semester virtually. This comes after both Clayton and Rockdale County made the same decision on Thursday. In a communication to parents, Fulton County made the announcement based on the December 30, Fulton County Board of Health Epidemiology Report […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Public Schools to return to school January 3, staff must test
Atlanta- Update: On January 1, 2022, Atlanta Public Schools reversed this decision and students will be virtual January 3rd-January 7th, 2022. All APS staff will report to their work location Monday, Jan. 3, for mandatory COVID surveillance testing, unless they are ill. The data collected from staff testing will be used for future planning. Students who […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics
Georgia Department of Education awards $500,000 to expand CTAE programs
The list of awardees is available at the bottom of this release. Atlanta – The Georgia Department of Education has awarded a total of $500,000 to school districts to help them expand and improve Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) programs for students. Eleven school districts received CTAE CONNECT (Creating Opportunities Needed Now to Expand Credentialed […]
Posted inClayton County Schools
Clayton County Schools to go virtual for start of second semester
JONESBORO- Starting on Wednesday, January 5, 2022, Clayton County Schools students and staff will begin the second semester of the 2021-2022 School Year virtually. Employees will work remotely from Monday, January 3 to Friday, January 7, 2022. Staff and students will report to work and school in a face-to-face environment on Monday, January 10, 2022. […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
An increase in COVID cases has metro Atlanta districts adjusting their plans
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.
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 […]