Next week is Banned Books Week, and to bring awareness to the continued banning of books in school districts across America, the Penguin Random House’s Banned Book Wagon will be at Charis Books & More in Decatur, Georgia, on Sunday, October 1. The book wagon is traveling across the South in conjunction with the Freedom […]
Category: Community
Posted inCommunity
Spelman College announces Dr. Pamela E. Scott-Johnson as new provost
Spelman College recently announced the appointment of Dr. Pamela E. Scott- Johnson as the College’s new provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. According to the press release, Scott-Johnson currently serves as provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs at Monmouth University in West Long Branch.“We are pleased to welcome alumna and former faculty […]
Posted inCommunity
Georgia schools close due to severe weather
By: Christina Norris Several schools in Georgia are either closing or delaying start times this week due to its heavy rains and flash flooding. The storms produced damage in areas east and west of Atlanta last Sunday. The school districts that were affected released statements announcing their close or delay. An “Important Message” on Harris […]
Posted inCommunity
University of Georgia football player recruiting staff member killed in an early morning car crash
On Sunday at 2:45 a.m., a car crash involving a 2021 Ford Expedition claimed the life of 20-year-old Georgia offensive lineman Devin Willock and Chandler LeCroy, a Georgia recruiting staffer, passed away. The Ford Expedition, driven by LeCroy, was traveling southbound in the land of Barnett Shoals Road when the vehicle left the roadway, striking […]
Posted inCommunity
GHSA talks instant replay and football state championship at board meeting
The Georgia High School Association’s board of trustees met on Jan. 12, 2023. The day’s agenda included a discussion of the football state championship, changes to Lifetime Pass requirements, and scheduling for the spring 2023 semester. Here’s a look at what the board approved this week and what’s to expect this spring: Scheduling The State […]
Posted inCommunity
Georgia State University campus faces damage from winter weather
According to the press release from the University, several buildings on Georgia State University’s Downtown campus were damaged due to the arctic blast that passed through Atlanta in December 2022. A weather update on the University’s website reports which housing facilities were affected. “Three of Georgia State’s Housing facilities — University Commons A, Commons D, […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Q&A with Atlanta Public Schools seat nine vacancy nominee Jessica Johnson
This Wednesday, the Atlanta Public Schools Board of Education nominated Jessica Johnson, a local entrepreneur and executive director of The Scholarship Academy, to fill the At-Large Seat 9 vacancy left by former board member Jason Esteves when he was elected to the Georgia State Senate in November 2022. The Atlanta Board of Education will hold […]
Posted inPolicy
Atlanta City Council approves new gun safety legislation
The Atlanta City Council approved new gun safety legislation during their Jan. 3, 2022 meeting. The resolution, 22-R-4798, requests the mayor’s Office of Violence Reduction and the Atlanta Police Department to develop a program to provide firearm safety storage (lockboxes) for free to qualifying Atlanta residents. The resolution was proposed by council member Antonio Lewis. […]
Posted inCommunity
Georgia Department of Education announces legislative priorities for 2023
The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) has announced its legislative priorities for 2023. In addition, the department shared a press release listing all the areas it intends to strengthen. These areas include support and opportunities for students, school safety, the teaching profession, and public education. The press release also contains a federal priority to extend […]
Posted inCommunity
Two area high school bands to perform at HBCU All-Star Battle of the Bands in Atlanta
Two of Atlanta’s top high schools, Pebblebrook High School – the Mighty Marching Machine and Westlake High School – the Mighty Marching Lions, will perform at the HBCU Battle of the Bands at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 4, 2023. Showcasing more than 35,000 student musicians over the last 17 years, HBCU All-Star Battle of […]
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 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 inCommunity, Henry County Schools, Teaching in Atlanta
Henry County elementary schools welcomes new principals
Henry County Schools will welcome two new principals to its elementary schools this upcoming school year, the board of education announced on Facebook. Dana Flowers will act as principal at Hickory Flat Elementary and Tamika Knighton will serve as principal at Walnut Creek Elementary, the board announced on Facebook. The two have extensive experience as […]
Posted inCommunity, Fayette County Schools, Policy
Fayette County elementary schools receive grant for fresh fruits and vegetables
North Fayette and Spring Hill Elementary in Fayette county will have fresh fruits and vegetables thanks to a federal grant by the United States Department of Agriculture. The schools were given a grant from the Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program, which is designed for schools with a high number of students on free or reduced-price […]
Posted inCommunity, COVID-19, Henry County Schools, Policy
Henry County Schools share COVID-19 prevention efforts for school year
As the first day of the 2021-22 school year quickly approaches Aug. 4, Henry County Schools are updating their COVID-19 mitigation efforts. The district shared a COVID-19 playbook with the community Monday, which outlines protocols the district will take this school year to prevent the spread of the virus. These measures include optional face masks, […]
Posted inTeaching in Atlanta
Henry County Schools to hold drive-thru backpack giveaway
As the 2021-22 school year quickly approaches, school supplies are in high demand. But for some families, re-purchasing supplies each year is a financial struggle. Communities In Schools of Henry County seeks to alleviate the struggle with the 10th annual backpack giveaway, which will be held July 24 from 9 a.m. to to 12 p.m. […]
Posted inTeaching in Atlanta
Cass High School in Bartow County welcomes new assistant principal
Cass High School of Bartow County Schools will welcome a new assistant principal this fall, the district announced on Facebook Thursday. Jennifer Suárez will join Assistant Principals Nicky Moore and Bill Johnson, and Principal Stephan Revard, according to the school’s website. She is an accomplished educator with 14 years of language teaching and mentorship experience. […]
Posted inCommunity
McIntosh High boys soccer team ranked No.1 in nation
The McIntosh High Chiefs boys soccer team of Fayette County Schools was ranked the No. 1 boys soccer team in the nation by the United Soccer Coaches Association, according to a Wednesday press release from the district. The team received the honor after finishing the year 22-1 and winning the state title 2-1 over Johnson […]
Posted inCommunity
Fayette County Schools student’s invention aims to help heart surgery patients
Sophia Farinacci, a rising ninth-grader at McIntosh High School, was born with truncus arteriosus — a life-threatening birth defect of the heart. After two open-heart surgeries — one at a week old and the other at age 12 — she felt inclined to help others in similar situations. Farinacci, 14, said she struggled with her […]
Posted inCOVID-19
Griffin-Spalding Schools to consult community on spending American Rescue Plan funds
Griffin-Spalding County School System is asking for community members’ opinions regarding spending of federal funds received due to the pandemic. The district is holding two meetings via Zoom on July 8 at 11:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. and is open to all parents and community members, according to a Facebook post-Tuesday. The meeting will allow […]
Posted inTeaching in Atlanta
Founder of Watch the Funds-Cobb and Bluknowledge Share How to Advocate in school districts: A Guide
Advocating for change in school districts can be a daunting task, especially when you don’t know where to start. Stacy Efrat, co-founder of Watching the Funds – Cobb, a grassroots watchdog group that monitors spending in the Cobb County School district, and Erika Tate, founder of Bluknowledge, a learning company that “advances equity through the […]
Posted inAnti Racism
Opinion: Stop the Hate Against Asian Americans Forces Us to Speak Up
Caroline Diaz is the preschool director for Westminster Schools, an independent school in Atlanta. She has a strong passion for leadership and mentorship in the field of early childhood education. Caroline began her career as a lecturer for De La Salle University’s Psychology Department in Manila, Philippines. She also operated two early childhood learning centers while […]
Posted inGwinnett County Schools
State Superintendent Woods Urges Compassion Over Compliance
This morning State School Superintendent Richard Woods urged us to choose compassion over compliance in a message to Georgia parents and stakeholders. The correspondence started by praising Georgia’s teachers, educational leaders, parents, and students by them doing a remarkable job during our “new normal”. Wood continued with, “We have seen public education rise up and […]
Posted inTeaching in Atlanta
Buford City Schools Implements New Grading System
Starting March 30th, Buford City Schools will implement a new grading system for the remainder of school closure (through April 27) for grades 1-8. The goal of this new grading system is to provide low impact grades for all students while providing additional support for those students who have not yet mastered standards in the […]