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 […]
Author Archives: Zelda Andrews
We used to teach now we write full-time about all things education in Atlanta.
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 […]
Posted inCobb County Schools
Cobb County School Board Vice Chairman David Banks Disseminates Misinformation About COVID-19
In a series of emails Cobb County School Board Vice Chairman, David Banks, shocked parents by sending out the controversial video of Dr. Dan Stock addressing the Mt. Vernon School Board in Indiana. The video which has drawn ire from the community focused on masks not being worthwhile and drew a rebuttal from the Indiana […]
Posted inFayette County Schools
Sandy Creek High School Alumni, Calvin Johnson, Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Former Sandy Creek High School standout, Calvin Johnson is now officially a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame after his induction on Sunday, August 8. A former three-year starter and almost State Player of the year in 2003, Johnson went on to Georgia Tech where he finished his college career, second in catches, first […]
Posted inCobb County Schools
State Representative Penns Letter to Cobb County Schools Superintendent Chris Ragsdale
In a letter to Cobb County School Superintendent, Chris Ragsdale, State Representative Teri Anulewicz from Georgia House District 42, penned a letter imploring him to prioritize students and staff safety and mandate masks. The letter was penned after Cobb County Schools has had over 822 COVID cases since July 1st- with only two weeks of […]
Posted inFulton County Schools
Fulton County Schools Announces Mask Optional K-8 School and New K-2 Virtual School for some students
In a regularly scheduled work session Thursday, Fulton County Schools announced plans for a K-2 remote learning option and a K-8 mask optional hub. This comes after the district announced last week that due to rising COVID-19 numbers, masks are required to be worn inside buildings. These new options will start September 7 and go […]
Posted inHenry County Schools
Henry County Schools Will Now Require Masks
In a message to parents late Monday afternoon, Henry County Schools moved from a level 1 to level 4 of the COVID-19 Management Plan that now requires all students to wear a mask for all indoor spacing along with a reduction in seating capacity for indoor extracurricular events and public meetings. In addition, all large […]
Posted inFulton County Schools
Fulton County School Implements Mask Mandate
In a communication to families, Fulton County Schools implemented a mask mandate in 13 out of the 14 FCS Cities. Using the local data taken from the Fulton County Board of Health (FCBOH) Epidemiology Reports Fulton County Schools determined schools and facilities located in municipalities where the rate of infection exceeds 100 per 100,000 residents will require […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Public Schools Updated COVID-19 Mitigation Strategies
In communication with families late Wednesday, Atlanta Public Schools issued updated guidance for families and staff in the fight to combat COVID-19. This comes as other districts are under fire for not requiring masks to be worn in schools after parent outcry. While APS was one of the first districts to implement a mask mandate, […]
Posted inCobb County Schools
Cobb County Schools Updates Public Health Protocols
In a twist to the ongoing mask discussion, Cobb County Schools updated their public health protocols on Wednesday morning. The most notable change was that there is no more quarantine for close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19. Instead, students are able to return to class as long as they do not display symptoms. Stay […]
Posted inFulton County Schools
Fulton County Schools Changes Guidance Around Masks
Yesterday, the fourth largest school district in the state, Fulton County Schools, issued more guidance around mask-wearing and other COVID precautions to their families. The most notable change is that Fulton County Schools will require masks in schools located in municipalities with high rates of COVID-19 infection. In a statement, the district said, “We are […]
Posted inClayton County Schools, Uncategorized
Clayton County Public School Morrow High Impacted By Positive COVID Test
In a Facebook message late Tuesday, it was announced that Morrow High School will impose a 10-day quarantine for students exposed to COVID-19. In short, the message to parents read, “Clayton County Public Schools (CCPS) has been informed of a positive COVID-19 case that will impact a number of classrooms at Morrow High School. While […]
Posted inDouglas County Schools, Uncategorized
Douglas County Schools Students Will Start Year Wearing Masks to Combat COVID-19
In a letter to parents late Tuesday, Douglas County Superintendent, Trent North announced that effective August 4th, “it was determined that masks will be required in our buildings and buses for all students, staff, and visitors.” This comes as no surprise as many other districts this week are either revising and/or changing their guidance based […]
Posted inClayton County Schools, Uncategorized
Martha Ellen Stilwell School of Arts Student Accepted Into Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra
Today, Clayton County Public Schools announced that sophomore Edric Nduwimana, a member of Martha Ellen Stilwell School of the Arts’ Orchestra, has been accepted into the 2021-2022 Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra (ASYO)! The Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra is an integral member of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra family and a vigorous part of the cultural fabric […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics, Hot Topics in Teaching, National News, Teaching in Atlanta
Morehouse College Clears Account Balances for Previously Enrolled Students
In a historic move, Morehouse College announced today that outstanding balances of students who have not enrolled for fall 2021 but were previously enrolled in spring 2020, summer 2020, fall 2020, spring 2021, and summer 2021 semesters have been cleared, effective Friday, July 30. The College’s goal is to provide assistance to students experiencing financial […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics, Uncategorized
State Superintendent seeks students for Student Advisory Council
State School Superintendent Richard Woods is seeking students in grades 10-12 to serve on his 2021-22 Student Advisory Council. Selected students will meet with Superintendent Woods to discuss the impact of state policies in the classroom, along with other issues related to education, and will serve as the Superintendent’s ambassadors to their respective schools. Applicants […]
Posted inClayton County Schools, Uncategorized
Pointe South Middle School in Clayton County will Begin 2021-2022 School Year Virtual
According to a Facebook post late Sunday night, Clayton County Schools announced that another school would start virtually. “Due to a number of staff members having to quarantine, Pointe South Middle School in Jonesboro, Georgia will begin the 2021-2022 School Year virtually on Monday, August 2, and will continue in the virtual learning environment on […]
Posted inCobb County Schools, Uncategorized
Cobb County School welcomes 600 new teachers
Last week the Cobb County School District, welcomed 600 teachers at their annual New Teacher Academy. The New Teacher Academy helps welcome teachers new to Cobb and prepare them for a successful start to the new school year. The New Teacher Academy aimed to inspire Cobb’s new teachers and provide training on the digital-age […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools, Uncategorized
Atlanta Public Schools to use screening tool called HealthCheck
In a Facebook post-Friday afternoon, Atlanta Public Schools (APS) announced that they have released a helpful resource for parents while preparing for Back to School – a COVID-19 screening tool called HealthCheck. HealthCheck is available as a mobile app and website, and all schools will utilize HealthCheck to manage daily health screenings for students. In […]
Posted inClayton County Schools, Uncategorized
North Clayton High school to begin school year virtual
In a Facebook post late Friday night, Clayton County Schools announced that North Clayton High School to Begin School Year with Virtual Learning due to the number of staff members in quarantine. The school will begin the 2021-2022 School Year virtually on Monday, August 2, and will continue in the virtual learning environment on Tuesday, […]
Posted inGwinnett County Schools, Uncategorized
Gwinnett County Board of Education Approves Dr. Calvin J. Watts as next superintendent
On Friday, July 30, 2021, the Gwinnett County Board of Education unanimously approved Dr. Calvin J. Watts as the next superintendent of Gwinnett County Public Schools. Dr. Watts—a former GCPS school leader and assistant superintendent who most recently served as Superintendent of Kent School District in Washington—was the sole finalist for the Gwinnett position. In […]
Posted inUncategorized
State School Superintendent establishes new office of rural education and innovation
In a press release today to the state, State School Superintendent Richard Woods is establishing a new Office of Rural Education and Innovation at the Georgia Department of Education, providing a continued, cabinet-level voice for the needs of rural Georgia in K-12 education policy. Dr. Bronwyn Ragan-Martin, a Georgia educational leader with more than 31 […]