APS Archives: Charles Walter Hill Elementary School Speech Class (year unknown)

C. W. Hill Elementary Speech Class, year unknown

Opened in 1883 and first named Calhoun Grammar School, then The “Opportunity School” this school was originally located at 417 Piedmont Ave.  In 1947 the school name was changed to Charles Walter Hill Elementary and relocated to 386 Pine Street, N.E. in 1967.  C. W. Hill, (1857 – 1944), was a student of the Atlanta Public Schools and a former teacher and principal in the district.  Students featured in this photo were a part of the school’s speech class.

C.W. Hill students participated in the city’s desegregation plan through busing in 1973.  Students can be seen boarding a bus at Hill, on their way to Morningside Elementary, in this photo from the Atlanta History Center. 

The Atlanta Opportunity School was funded by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and a 1935 photo of women learning to sew at the school can be seen in this photo on the Atlanta History Center website.

APS Archives: Williams Street Elementary School 1917

by Tammy Garnes

Williams Street Elementary School, 7th Grade Students, 1917

“APS Archives” will be an ongoing feature here on Talk Up APS coinciding with the district’s preparations to display its artifacts and archives in a new home.  We will feature photos, articles and stories throughout the school year and we encourage feedback from our readers.

Today’s find is a photo from a 7th grade class at Williams Street School, Atlanta Public Schools, 1917.

Teachers:  Miss Wilkes, Miss Nolan and Miss Elizabeth Silvey
Principal:  Mrs. Berman

Students identified on the back of the photo are as follows:
1st row sitting, L to R – Unknown, Gladys Awtry, Unknown, Catherine Tallifero, Marie Ellerbe, Unknown, Unknown, Mary Kate Langley, Florine Kline, Jeanette Russy, Unknown Canada, Unknown, Ann Mitchell

2nd row middle, L to R – Nelson Sheppard, Walter Warren, Isadore Gallanti, Herman Crocker, Jack Crocker, J.D. Ambrose, Wesson Oliver, Neal Austin, M. Meadows, Olive Jung or Young, Earl Mann, Roger Wisner, George Hardin

3rd row back, L to R – Lucille Langley, Unknown, Euna Tatem, Minnie Lou Spurlock, Thelma DeLay, Unknown, Sarah Moulton, Unknown, Unknown, Kirk Simmons, Unknown, Harold Martin, Unknown

This photo was donated to Atlanta Public Schools by Mr. Harold Martin.

What do you know about Williams Street Elementary? We would love to add more information to our archives.

Fain Elementary hosts dozens of professionals for annual career day

Representatives from AirTran Airways, Morehouse School of Medicine, IBM, as well as Atlanta City Councilman H. Lamar Willis were just a few of the representatives that participated in Margaret Fain Elementary School’s annual career day on December 9. Held throughout the day, professionals presented their career as a potential option to students and many of them engaged in role play so they could get a better understanding of their work field. Atlanta City Councilman H. Lamar Willis told a fifth-grade class that he was the youngest person elected city-wide in Atlanta since the late Mayor Maynard Holbrook Jackson. “My commitment has always been in public service,” said Willis. “I wanted to become a lawyer and a public servant. It’s not where you start, it’s how you finish.”

Willis shared with the students how he grew up in a single parent household with two siblings and that he worked and paid bills at the age of 13.  He also said he wanted to become a public servant when his family was evicted.  Willis said he was watching an episode of the sitcom “Alice” about eviction and decided then he wanted to help people.  “I said there must be a more humane way to treat people,” said Willis.

Willis went on to tell the students to never give up.  “Vince Lombardi once said ‘Show me a good loser and I’ll show you a loser,’” said Willis.  “What he was saying is you should never become comfortable with losing.  You should look up and say ‘I will be better next time.”

Fulton County Public Defender LaRonda Martin and private investigator visited second-grade students and engaged them in a court case of why they should or should not complete their homework before watching television.

Atlanta Falcon Ray Edwards spreads holiday cheer with a donation to South Atlanta High School and shopping spree for local teens

On Friday night, 20 teenagers between the age of 14 and 18 were given a Wal-Mart shopping spree courtesy of Atlanta Falcon, Ray Edwards, and a few of his Atlanta Falcons teammates.

Ray Edwards (#93) in collaboration with Thomas DeCoud (#28), Dominique Franks (#24), Peria Jerry (#94), and Cliff Matthews (#98) played an integral role in putting smiles on the faces and joy in the hearts of teenagers in the Atlanta community this holiday season. “We love giving back to the community and we’re honored to be able to give back to an area that supports us week after week,” said Edwards.

In addition to holiday shopping, a financial donation will be made to South Atlanta High School Athletic Program in order to improve the quality of programs offered to students. Edwards says “As Falcons we work as a team day in and day out and we consider ourselves to be a part of the team here in Atlanta so we want to do whatever we can. We hope to inspire the youth and teach them the importance of giving.”

The local WINGSTOP Restaurant franchisees also participated by feeding the kids and players. “It’s a great way to give back and we were honored to be asked to help”, said owners Johnny Blake and Ed Cooper.

Through these events Ray hopes to establish partnerships in Atlanta, the place the he now calls home. For more information or to donate to the cause, please contact, Ingrid Bachelor at 954-752-2758.

About South Atlanta High School Educational Complex

The graduates of the South Atlanta School of Leadership and Economic Empowerment (SASLEE) will be able to succeed higher education levels of academia and/or in aviation/leadership/economic career opportunities of their choosing.  Through a multicultural curriculum that integrates instruction in aviation, business, leadership and economic studies, students will be able to thrive in an increasingly competitive and fast-paced global society, where change is the norm and flexibility, ability and desire to learn are the keys to success.

The South Atlanta School of Health and Medical Science is committed to the preparation of students for immediate entry into the workforce, higher education, careers in health sciences, biotechnology, and biomedical and scientific research.  The curriculum will provide an increased understanding of health and conditions which compromise health while seeking to promote lifelong learning among students and instilling a commitment to serve the communities where they live and work.

At South Atlanta High School of Computer Animation & Design (CAD), students explore some of the most exciting careers of the 21st century.  The school exposes students to a college-preparatory curriculum, complete with Honors and Advanced Placement courses.  All courses use rigorous, problem-based, interdisciplinary teaching and learning strategies to develop students’ ability to communicate, collaborate and solve 21st century challenges.  Recognized for three consecutive years as the high school Arts School of the Year, CAD offers two pathways of study: computer animation and industrial design.  The school is equipped with the latest technological resources, allowing students to have hands-on training in claymation and stop motion film production, computer-aided product design, sound mixing and more.  Partnerships with the Cartoon Network, Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta, Communities in Schools Atlanta, and design and production firms help bring learning to life.

The South Atlanta School of Law and Social Justice is part of only the second campus in Georgia to convert to small schools.  Furthermore, despite the fact that there are other small schools and programs that focus on the law, we are the only school in the state with an explicit focus on social justice.  The themes of law and social justice are apparent in unique courses such as the Individual and the Law, Forensic Science and Peer Leadership as well as unique extracurricular activities such as Mock Trial, Honor Court and community organizing.  Our law courses have access to a 115-person courtroom and law library stocked with thousands of books donated by the Douglass County Courthouse.  All classes have access to multiple computer labs, Promethean (Smart) boards and Macintosh and PC laptop carts.Each month law students from Georgia State University come teach our law courses. Our students also have the opportunty to learn directly from the legal departments of Turner Broadcasting and Macy’s department stores.  Through partnerships with local universities such as Oglethorpe University we have been able to conduct college tours and provide unique college-readiness support to all of our students.  Inside the classroom, our teachers have the opportunity to work with teaching-artists through the Atlanta Partnership for Arts and Learning as they plan arts infusion units.

 

Grady, Douglass, Mays, North Atlanta and Washington High School Students Awarded 2011 AP Scholar Awards

by Tamiko Hudson, Office of High Schools

Fifty-seven Atlanta Public Schools high school students have earned the College Board’s AP Scholar Awards in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the 2011AP Exams.

The College Board’s Advanced Placement Program^® (AP^®) provides willing and academically- prepared students with the opportunity to take rigorous college-level courses while still in high school, and to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both for successful performance on the AP Exams. Research consistently shows that AP students who score a 3 or higher on AP Exams (based on a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest) typically experience greater academic success in college and achieve higher college graduation rates than students who do not participate in AP.

According to the College Board, about 18 percent of the more than 1.9 million students worldwide who took AP Exams performed at a sufficiently high level to earn an AP Scholar Award. The College Board recognizes several levels of achievement based on students’ performance on AP Exams.

APS students included in this year’s award list are the following:

Frederick Douglass High School

Rifat Mursalin, AP Scholar

Henry W. Grady High School

Jessica Alexander, AP Scholar

Michael S. Baer, AP Scholar

Daniel F. Baggerman, AP Scholar with Honor

Lucas Bailey*, AP Scholar with Honor

Erin M. Bailie*, AP Scholar with Distinction

Davis C. Bishop*, AP Scholar

Willamae E. Boling*, AP Scholar with Honor

Ashley L. Brown, AP Scholar

Daniel A. Burch, AP Scholar

Jasmine G. Burnett, AP Scholar

Ethan J. Campbell Taylor, AP Scholar with Distinction

Zoe N. Cato, AP Scholar

Shah A. Cheyn, AP Scholar with Distinction

Holden R. Choi, AP Scholar with Distinction

Eloisa O. Cleveland, AP Scholar with Honor

Kenneth Cochran, AP Scholar

Dylan Coyle*, AP Scholar with Honor

Benjamin D. Dean, AP Scholar with Distinction and National AP Scholar

Emily R. Drabik-Stevens*, AP Scholar

Alexander P. Fritzinger-Pitt*, AP Scholar

Grayson Fuller*, AP Scholar with Honor

Kristie S. Gadson*, AP Scholar

Grayson Garrett, AP Scholar

Mason T. Gepp*, AP Scholar with Honor

Maragh S. Girvan, AP Scholar

Benjamin W. Gittelson*, AP Scholar with Distinction

Zoe C. Hamilton, AP Scholar

Camille Harris, AP Scholar

Ryan Jones, AP Scholar

Marquis Q. Junior, AP Scholar

Shaun H. Kleber, AP Scholar with Distinction

Lucy C. Leonard, AP Scholar with Distinction

Elizabeth R. Mcglamry, AP Scholar with Distinction

Damon F. Melton*, AP Scholar

Audrey E. Miller, AP Scholar

Hai P. Nguyen, AP Scholar

David Olson*, AP Scholar with Honor

Lukas A. Olson, AP Scholar

Alexander M. Page*, AP Scholar with Honor

Julia B. Rapoport, AP Scholar with Distinction

Kamania C. Ray*, AP Scholar

Gabrielle N. Siegel, AP Scholar with Honor

Jeshua P. Silvers, AP Scholar with Honor

Phillip T. Suitts, AP Scholar

Isabelle K. Taft, AP Scholar

Zoe Taylor, AP Scholar

Steve W. Terry, AP Scholar

Ngoc T. Tran, AP Scholar

Micah C. Turpeau, AP Scholar

Ejike Uzochukwu*, AP Scholar with Honor

Ngoc K. Vu*, AP Scholar

Samuel Y. Weinstock*, AP Scholar with Distinction

Alix E. Youngblood, AP Scholar with Honor

Benjamin E. Mays High School

Vincent Onyilo*, AP Scholar with Distinction

North Atlanta High School

Michael Katica*, AP Scholar with Honor

Booker T. Washington Senior Academy

Tony Crosby*, AP Scholar

*Spring 2011 Graduate

Congratulations to all!

Morningside Elementary One of Twenty-six Schools Named as 2011Georgia Schools of Excellence

December 13, 2011 — State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge named the 2011 Georgia Schools of Excellence in Student Achievement this month, honoring 26 schools that have shown the greatest improvement or highest achievement across the state. Each of these schools will receive a $1,000 check from Georgia Natural Gas to be used however they wish.  Morningside Elementary was among the schools awarded this prestigious honor.

“These schools are showing that excellence can be achieved when they focus on providing a world-class education for their students,” Superintendent Barge said. “I offer my sincere congratulations to our 2011 Georgia Schools of Excellence and my appreciation to Georgia Natural Gas for their continued support of our schools as the title sponsor. As we continue to deal with tough economic times, schools are always looking for ways to generate revenue to benefit their students. I would highly encourage principals and parents to consider getting their schools on board with True-Blue Schools immediately to generate much-needed money.” To learn more about True-Blue Schools, go to http://www.gfpe.org.

United Healthcare is also a sponsor for the 2011 Schools of Excellence program.

The Georgia Schools of Excellence are honored in two categories. Qualifying schools are chosen from each Congressional District in the following categories (full criteria attached below):
- Top 10%: Schools that are in the top 10 percent in Georgia as measured by assessments in reading and mathematics.
- Greatest Gains: Schools that demonstrated greatest continuous gains in student achievement for the past three years as measured by assessments in reading and mathematics.

2011 GEORGIA SCHOOLS OF EXCELLENCE

GREATEST GAINS
Congressional District, School, System
1. Matilda Harris Elementary, Camden County
2. Potter Street Elementary, Decatur County
3. Rosemont Elementary, Troup County
4. Pine Street Elementary, Rockdale County
5. Clairemont Elementary, City Schools of Decatur
6. Sprayberry High, Cobb County
7. Level Creek Elementary, Gwinnett County
8. Heard-Mixon Elementary, Newton County
9. Settles Bridge Elementary, Forsyth County
10. Demorest Elementary, Habersham County
11. Hillgrove High, Cobb County
12. Heard Elementary, Savannah-Chatham County
13. Stockbridge Elementary, Henry County

TOP 10%
Congressional District, School, System

1. Oglethorpe Point Elementary, Glynn County
2. Westside Elementary, Lowndes County
3. Peeples Elementary, Fayette County
4. Oak Grove Elementary, DeKalb County
5. Morningside Elementary, Atlanta Public Schools
6. Vanderlyn Elementary, DeKalb County
7. Shiloh Point Elementary, Forsyth County
8. Alexander II Magnet, Bibb County
9. Vickery Creek Elementary, Forsyth County
10. Stevens Creek Elementary, Columbia County
11. Jones Elementary, Bremen City
12 Savannah Arts Academy, Savannah-Chatham County
13. Holly Springs Elementary, Douglas County

Morningside is no stranger to accolades.  In 2010, Rachel Willis, a third-grade teacher at Morningside Elementary School, was the surprise recipient of a prestigious $25,000 national educator award from the Milken Family Foundation.

School Partners and Coaches Furnish New BEST Academy High School Fitness Center

by Michael Walker, Athletic Director, B.E.S.T. Academy

Community partnerships made the new BEST High School weight room possible.

Students at the all male BEST Academy High School will return after the break to new weight room equipment in their school’s fitness center.

The new addition to our weight room/fitness center will enhance the High School experience for our students and student/athletes at BEST Academy and will give them the opportunity to be physically fit.

As we know, with the challenges our young people face with obesity, there was a dire need to purchase the new weight/fitness equipment at BEST Academy High School as part of the new wellness initiative. The equipment is sensational and has been receiving rave reviews from our students.

The project at BEST Academy High School was sorely needed as Mr. Boris Hurst, Principal, teamed up with the Athletic Director, Coaches and School Partners to see that the proper funds were raised to furnish the weight room/fitness center.

Mr. Hurst was instrumental in kicking off the campaign by introducing the athletic staff to the right people for help. The weight room previously had a borrowed bench and squat rack with a small number of plates and two bars. Thanks to the efforts of a dedicated Principal, we now have equipment that our students can be trained properly in the area of physical fitness and athletic training. We are still in the process of obtaining more funds to purchase other equipment for use by our students and faculty and staff.

About BEST Academy High School

The Business, Engineering, Science, and Technology (B.E.S.T.) Academy High School at the Benjamin S. Carson Educational Complex will espouse the values of a solid work ethic, good citizenship, and a sense of morality that supports the community. B.E.S.T. will stand firm on the belief that students deserve a quality education that will propel them regardless of the path that they may choose. An education at B.E.S.T. Academy High School will focused on the development of the total student, preparing them for life, college, a commitment to community and a concern for the global society. B.E.S.T. will be designed to align with students’ strengths and interests to allow for real-world connections.

Through the single-gender structure, B.E.S.T. Academy High School at Ben S. Carson will strive to significantly shape its students into well-rounded young men who are prepared to meet current and future demands that are inevitable in an ever-changing global society. As one of the first single-gender high schools, coupled with the small learning communities environment design, B.E.S.T. is destined to be more effective in preparing our students for the post-secondary opportunities of today and tomorrow.

Frederick Douglass High School Celebrates Inclusive Schools Week

by Kisha Morgan-Dennis

The Department of Special Education at Frederick Douglass High School planned a variety of activities throughout the week in celebration of being an Inclusive School.

Melissa White and Alisha Williams, winners of the Inclusive School's Essay Contest at Douglass High School

Students participated in an Essay Competition, and there were daily “who am I” announcements, which highlighted famous people with disabilities. In addition, on Wednesday Faculty and staff wore Navy Blue in honor of Inclusive Schools, and were treated to hot coffee and Krispy Kreme Donuts.

The week of activities culminated on Friday with our 2nd Annual Inclusive Schools Week Breakfast. During the program the essay competition winners were announced, and they read excerpts from their essay’s. Another one of our students wowed the audience when he recited a personal poem that he wrote while in his collaborative ELA class, and there were several speakers from the district and community, that shared their thoughts on Inclusion!

We were excited to celebrate our students, parents, collaborative teaching teams, community partners, and everyone involved in making FDHS a true Inclusive School!!

NCLB Transfers, Hungry Club Forum, Davis at Jackson High School and other important December dates for the community

Dec. 10: Board chair to be featured speaker at The Hungry Club Forum of the Butler Street YMCA

The Hungry Club Forum was created by members of the Butler Street YMCA, both of which have legendary status in Atlanta. Since 1945, every Atlanta mayor has spoken at the club, formerly a secret society where black and white citizens uncharacteristically met together to address community concerns during segregation. For 60 years, the club has featured leaders who talk about the major social, political and economic issues of the day. Board Chair Brenda Muhammad will have an opportunity to share her views on key issues, especially education.

Dec. 13: Districts 1 & 2 demographic study listening session

Board member Courtney English and SNAPPS (Southwest and Northwest Atlanta Parents and Partners for Schools) will host a forum for parents and community members in the district he represents. Schools represented by At-Large Seat 7, districts 1 and 2 are Carver, Douglass, Jackson, Tech and Washington high schools, as well as their feeder elementary and middle schools. Superintendent Erroll Davis will participate in the listening session, which starts at 6:30 p.m. and ends at 8 p.m. at the Brown Middle School Auditorium.

Dec. 14: Last day for parents to apply for a No Child Left Behind school choice transfer

No Child Left Behind (NCLB) school choice transfers are available for students who are currently enrolled in eligible school attendance zones. Parents and legal guardians have until December 14 to apply for an NCLB school choice transfer. By December 14, a completed application must be postmarked and mailed or hand delivered to APS’ Department of Student Relations, 130 Trinity Avenue, 2nd Floor, Atlanta, GA 30303. Parents may access the application by visiting the district website or by calling 404-802-2233.

Dec. 15: Jackson HS community meeting

This meeting will highlight Jackson’s progress, including its candidacy to become an International Baccalaureate World School, additional Advanced Placement classes and upcoming renovation. Participating in the program will be students from Jackson, as well as its feeder middle schools. Valerie Jackson, former first lady of Atlanta; Brenda Muhammad; and Erroll Davis will deliver remarks. The meeting takes place 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the school’s auditorium.

Dec. 21–Jan. 2 or Jan. 3: Winter break for schools and offices

Students and staff in year-round schools

· Wed., Dec. 21 to Mon., Jan. 2: Year-round schools closed for winter/holiday break

· Mon., Jan. 2: Furlough day for year-round staff

· Tues., Jan. 3: Year-round students and staff return to school
Students and staff in all other schools*

· Wed., Dec. 21 to Tues., Jan. 3: Schools closed for winter/holiday break

· Tues., Jan. 3: Furlough day for teachers

· Tues., Jan. 3: Principals and other annual-duty staff return to school

· Wed., Jan. 4: Students and teachers return to school
*For charter school schedules, please check with the individual school.

Annual-duty staff in the SRTs and central office

· Wed., Dec. 21 to Mon., Jan. 2: Offices closed for winter/holiday break

· Mon., Jan. 2: Furlough day for annual-duty staff

· Tues, Jan. 3: Annual-duty staff returns to the SRTs and central office
Jan. 6: Lakewood Stadium ribbon cutting

The ribbon-cutting ceremony starts at 10 a.m. Ms. Muhammad will deliver greetings. More details will follow.

Cleveland Avenue School to hold mother-daughter ball

ATLANTA – Cleveland Avenue Elementary School is holding a mother-daughter ball for students and their mothers and female guardians Thursday, December 15 at 4 p.m. The school is located at 2672 Old Hapeville Road, SW, Atlanta 30315.

The event is sponsored and planned by Rita McGlothin, a gifted program teacher at the school and founder of the non-profit Just Be Beautiful organization, which focuses on mentoring girls by emphasizing good character traits and conduct becoming young ladies.

The ball is intended to commemorate the holiday season and the completion of a successful academic semester at Cleveland Avenue Elementary School. The event activities are intended to foster a sense of togetherness, awareness, communication and healthy relationships.

News media representatives are invited to cover this event.