Four APS students named 2010 Horatio Alger Georgia Scholars

Only 50 high school seniors have been recognized as 2010 Horatio Alger Georgia Scholars, but four of those students attend Atlanta Public Schools. Please congratulate Kamalia Blunt and Shaeroya Earls of Booker T. Washington High School, as well as LaToria Dixon and Amanda Harrison of Frederick Douglass High. Each student will receive a college scholarship totaling $5,000 from the O. Wayne Rollins Foundation.

APS graduates from the class of 2009 amassed more than $92 million in scholarship offers, so look for this year’s graduating class to meet — and hopefully exceed — that number. Also, special thanks to Principal Sharonda Murrell of the Douglass School of Communication & Journalism for spreading the good news.

APS Health Career Fair connects high schoolers with professionals

The APS Health Career Fair was held this week, co-hosted by the APS Department of Career Technology Education and Atlanta Technical College, Atlanta Metropolitan College and Fulton County Department of Health and Human Services. Presenters included representatives from the Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness, Planned Parenthood and the Diabetes Association of Atlanta. Of several speakers was Dr. Angelita Covington, M.D., head of pediatrics for Southside Medical Center Inc.

Students from several schools from around APS participated in the fair, including Carver, Grady, South Atlanta, Therrell and Washington high schools, as they learned how to collaborate and partner with health professionals.

Atlanta Hawks honor Dr. Hall as African-American leader for Black History Month

As part of this year’s celebration of Black History Month, the Atlanta Hawks are honoring prominent African-American leaders during home games in February for their civic contributions, accomplishments and leadership. During Wednesday’s night game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, APS Superintendent Dr. Beverly L. Hall and her work to tranform the district were recognized. Among her accomplishments cited were her being named as the American Association of School Administrators’ 2009 National Superintendent of the Year; Georgia Superintendent of the Year by the Georgia School Superintendents Association; and as one of the 100 most influential Georgians by Georgia Trend magazine.

By the way, the Hawks really honored Dr. Hall by winning, 98-92! For more photos, check out the gallery here.

Falcons help Coan Middle School celebrate Black History Month

Atlanta Falcons players William Moore and Lawrence Sidbury joined some of the Falcons cheerleaders for Coan Middle School’s Black History Month Celebration on Wednesday (Feb. 24), and APS’ Armon Moore was there to capture the moments including a Quiz Bowl hosted by the Falcons reps.

45 APS students will be awarded science and mathematics project awards

Forty-five APS students in grades 5-12 will be awarded gold, silver or bronze medals on March 11 for their performance in the APS One Academic Fair. Their math and science projects were culled from 200 entries submitted during an earlier event at North Atlanta High School. The One Academic Fair showcases quality instruction as part of the APS Math and Science Initiative, funded by a $22.5 million grant from the GE Foundation. Gold Key award winners marked with an asterisk will move on to the Georgia Science and Engineering Fair on March 31-April 3 and April 6-9. Two students from the senior division will represent APS at the International Science and Engineering Fair this spring in California.

Student projects were evaluated and ranked by a panel of judges with science and math backgrounds. The projects are evaluated based on the students’ use of the scientific method in developing their theories and conclusions. Winners of the Science and Engineering Categories from the 2010 District-wide competition are: