APS ‘posse’ of students earns lucrative scholarships, begins intensive pre-college training

Congratulations to the 12 APS seniors recently named 2013 Posse Scholars, each earning a four-year, full-tuition scholarship worth approximately $100,000. The awards come from The Posse Foundation, which recruits students who demonstrate extraordinary academic and leadership potential and sends them to college in supportive, multicultural teams called “posses.”

Named in December, Posse Scholars will spend the rest of their senior year and the summer – January to August – participating in intensive college-preparatory training sessions every week. Then, throughout their college years, scholars will continue to receive support and development in the form of mentoring, retreats, internships and other meaningful activities. The Posse Foundation administers a rigorous college access and youth leadership program that boasts a college graduation rate of 90 percent. Again, best wishes and congratulations to the 2013 Posse Scholars across APS!

First Name	Last Name	APS High School	University Partner
Autumn	Rivers	Henry W. Grady HS	Bard College
Jasmine	Thomas	Frederick Douglass HS	Bard College
Elias	Flores	Carver School of the Arts	Brandeis University
Kourtney	Mosley	Washington Banking, Finance & Investment	Brandeis University
Jordan	Carter	Benjamin E. Mays HS	Boston University
Jameson	Hollis	North Atlanta HS	Boston University
Demetrius	Moore	D.M. Therrell STEMS	Texas A&M University
Diana	Powers	Henry W. Grady HS	The College of Wooster
Divine	Butts	Maynard H. Jackson HS	Syracuse University
Dulce	Gallo-Blanco	Benjamin E. Mays HS	Syracuse University
Demarquez	Grissom	Carver Health Sciences      & Research	Syracuse University
Bilal	Vaughn	Henry W. Grady HS	Syracuse University

State-of-the-schools meetings to be held in each APS Cluster

At the start of the 2012-13 school year, Superintendent Erroll Davis delivered a state-of-the-district address to speak candidly about our challenges and new work to build a culture of excellence system wide. Now, our K-12 regional executive directors and school principals will hold their own forums to provide an update on the state of the schools in each cluster. APS leaders will discuss the academic offerings in our schools and answer questions from parents, students, employees and partners. Listed below is the schedule of cluster meetings:

South Region

·        Carver Cluster: February 19 – Price MS – 6 p.m.

·        South Atlanta Cluster: January 31 – Long MS – 6 p.m.

 

North Region

·        North Atlanta Cluster: January 23 – Jackson ES PRIMARY CAMPUS of Warren Jackson Elementary, located at 4191 Northside Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30342.  NOON

·        Douglass Cluster: February 21 – Coretta Scott King YWLA – 6 p.m.

East Region

·        Maynard Jackson Cluster: January 24 – Maynard Jackson HS – 6:30 p.m.

·        Grady Cluster: February 7 – Grady HS – 6:30 p.m.

West Region

·        Mays Cluster: February 6 – Mays HS – 6:30 p.m.

·        Therrell Cluster: February 13 – Therrell HS – 6:30 p.m.

·        Washington Cluster: February 28 – Washington HS – 6:30 p.m.

Student Spotlight of the Week

Name: Kaylah Jordan

Grade: 5th Grade

School: Hope-Hill Elementary

Kaylah is an efficient student who takes advantage of all her resources to excel in school. She is a young and highly motivated student who was able to overcome her challenges with math. Within the past year, Kaylah was able to pull her grades up from a C average to an A or B average. Her persistence and hard work is rewarded with high scores and her teacher identified her as the most improved student in her class. Kaylah’s mom played an important role in her improvement with math as she continually tested her and helped her understand math problems.

“My teacher helped me a lot online through a website called Edmodo,” Kaylah says. “We can call him through the website and he helps us whenever we need it.”  Mr. Childs, Kaylah’s teacher, supported Kaylah by telling her to never give up and to always try again. “I feel good because I didn’t really get math when I started 5^th grade and thought it was hard, but now I get it and it’s pretty easy,” Kaylah says.

Kaylah was a performer in Hope-Hill’s Holiday program this year. She sang “Feliz Navidad” with the chorus, played the xylophone, and performed the rockin’ around dance. Outside of school, she enjoys playing basketball with her cousin, and the playground with her sisters and brothers. She participates in science club, tutoring, and Cool Girls.

Name: Zykeria Douglas

Grade: 4th Grade

School: Heritage Academy

Zykeria Douglas is a dynamic fourth grade student at Heritage Academy. She enjoys math because she likes to focus and strive when she encounters tough problems. She encourages her fellow students to “keep trying” when the answers are just around the corner. “Zykeria always excels in her subjects, likes challenges and is very enthusiastic about learning.” says Heritage Academy gifted teacher Mrs. Brown, who has worked with Zykeria since kindergarten. “She always helps and encourages students in her group.”

Zykeria aspires to be an attorney because she loves discussions and diplomacy. Her passions include cheerleading, gymnastics, and math. If Zykeria were granted one wish, she states it would be for world peace.

Name: Amanda Watts

Grade: 11th Grade

School: Mays High

As Amanda Watts sat in math class on November 29th, she overhead an announcement being made over the speaker system honoring a student who received a perfect score on the Georgia High School Writing Test. The loud cheers and claps from students throughout the school made it difficult for Amanda to hear the student’s name. But, nonetheless, she thought this was a fantastic accomplishment, and couldn’t wait to congratulate her fellow Raider. When she entered the hallway after class she was greeted with smiles, hugs and congratulations. To Amanda’s surprise, she was the student with the perfect score.

“I was like wow, and I couldn’t believe it,” Amanda explained. “I immediately hugged all of my English teachers. I was just so happy.”

Beyond her glowing accomplishment on the writing exam, Amanda shines in other ways as well.

“Amanda is the epitome of excellence,” explained Ms. Veronica Barnes, an ELA Teacher at Mays.

Amanda serves as a member of the Science National Honor Society, Kappa Pearls Service Organization, Wind Symphony, Marching Band, Jazz Band, Chemistry Club, Soccer Team, and the Student Government Association. In the little free time she has left, she enjoys playing soccer, reading, and playing the piano.

Upon graduating from Mays, Amanda aspires to attend Duke University, where she will major in neuroscience to begin her path towards one day becoming a neurological surgeon. When asked who inspires her to succeed, Amanda explains that the past Mays High School Valedictorians are her inspiration. She looks forward to the day in May 2014 when she too can recite the Valedictorian speech in front of her classmates, family, and friends.

Name: Reginald Grant 

Grade: 2nd

School: Carter G. Woodson Primary School

At seven years old Reginald Grant already stands out as a natural leader, a star student and a truly gifted conversationalist.

He loves reading, and spends a good amount of his spare time absorbed in schoolwork and his Kindle. Reginald’s enthusiasm toward reading has definitely enhanced his vocabulary and his gift for gab.  And his gift for gab has allowed his enthusiasm for learning to help and encourage his peers, communicate well with adults and promote his school.

Last fall, Target and the Heart of America Foundation, a non-profit that focuses on community, service and literacy, combined their efforts to provide Woodson Elementary School with a complete library makeover. The makeover included new technology for students, new books for the library and new books for every student to take home. Reginald was arguably the most excited person at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“This library is the best thing to ever happen to me.   Woodson was already a good school, and now it’s the best school,” said Reginald.  “We have so many good books to read, and now we can read in this good looking new library. Just look at how beautiful it is. Target and Heart of America really know how to do it right!”

Reginald’s teacher, Ms. Veronica Armstrong, says, “Reginald loves school. No matter the situation, Reginald is always enthusiastic, happy.”

And he is also very serious about learning.  Reginald is an excellent student who announced to Armstrong on the first day of school that his goal was to graduate from Georgia Tech.

His strong academic record, his enthusiasm for learning and his caring and compassion toward others earned Reginald the distinguished “Hero of the Heart” award.  Heart of America Foundation grants the award to inspirational individuals across America who have made extraordinary contributions to enrich the lives of others.

Reginald’s picture hangs on Woodson’s Wall of Fame in the school’s newly remodeled media center. Images of other notable individuals including President Obama, Nelson Mandela and Albert Einstein surround Reginald’s photograph, suggesting that the second grader is destined for greatness.

Board Meeting- January 14, 2013

 

ATLANTA BOARD OF EDUCATION

January 2013 Board Meeting

 130 Trinity Avenue, S.W. | Atlanta, GA 30303 | Phone: (404) 802-2200 | Fax: (404) 802-1204

 

 JANUARY 14TH

(Combined Meeting Schedule)

Committee of the Whole- 2:00 P.M.

Board Work Session

Community Meeting- 6:00 P.M.

Legislative Meeting- 7:00 P.M.

 

*Meeting dates and times are subject to change and will be noticed appropriately.

Stakeholders are welcome to provide comments at the beginning of the Committee of the Whole meeting on any item on the agenda.

In order to provide comments during the Committee of the Whole, please contact:

The Office of the Atlanta Board of Education – 404.802.2200, at least 1 hour prior to the start of the Committee of the Whole.

Meetings will be held in The Center for Learning and Leadership Auditorium, 130 Trinity Avenue SW, Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Questions/Comments Contact:

Howard W. Grant, Ph.D.

Board Administrator

404-802-2200

hgrant@atlanta.k12.ga.us

 

Community Meetings for District Calendars

January 22—January 29                 In February, the Atlanta Board of Education will take action on the district calendars for the next two school years (2013-14 and 2014-15). Prior to the board’s consideration, however, the Department of Organizational Advancement will present information about the proposed calendars to the community. The district calendar meetings will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in each region as follows: ·        South Region: January 22 – South Atlanta High School ·        West Region: January 23 – Mays High School ·        East Region: January 28 – Inman Middle School ·       North Region: January 29 – Douglass High School

Community Listening Sessions: Offer Ideas on How to Enhance School Culture, Climate, Safety and Student Transportation, 6pm – 8pm

All meetings will take place from 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Ethics Commission Meeting Notice- Friday, Jan. 11, 2013

ETHICS COMMISSION

MEETING NOTICE 

 Friday January 11, 2013

 

According to Section 3-106 © (3), Charter.

The Ethics Commission of the Atlanta Board of Education will convene to continue the investigation on an alleged ethics violation by a Board Chair Reuben McDaniel.*

 According Section 3-106 of the Atlanta Public Schools charter; the meeting will be convened in public and the investigation discussion will take place in closed session.  The commission will report next steps at the conclusion of the closed session in public. 

 Meeting Location:  

Center for Learning and Leadership

Dr. Benjamin E. May Conference Room

130 Trinity Ave

Atlanta, Georgia 30303

 

Time:

9:00 am