“The Land of the Free, and the Home of the Brave”

On Monday, November 5th the 3^rd grade chorus at Kimberly Elementary presented a patriotic program filled with great music and articulate U.S. history facts. In honor of Election Day 2012, students wore red, white and blue as they performed songs honoring our nation.

“Under the direction of our music teacher and teacher of the year, Mr. Richard Harris, the chorus presented a patriotic program filled with great music and important history,” explained Jennifer Saunders, a teacher at Kimberly.

Students also presented a brief history of the United States, beginning with Betsy Ross and ending with the 2008 election of President Barack Obama.

“This proved to be meaningful, not only for the participating students, but for the attentive audience members of students and parents,” Saunders said.

During the program, parents and guests were encouraged to exercise their right to vote in this year’s election. The program helped students understand the importance of Election Day and voting throughout the United States.

The 3rd Grade chorus at Kimberly Elementary celebrates patriotism through music.

APS celebrates Black History Month — on the airwaves

Atlanta Public Schools salutes the heroes of Black History Month with compelling programming on its two television channels. First we invite you to flip to Channel 22 to watch “A History of Black Achievement in America,” an original, eight-part series that documents black achievement in American history, its defining role in the growth of the country, and its influence on current events. Presented by James Avery, the series highlights the many contributions of black Americans who have influenced our culture, enriched our society with their achievements, and shaped the history of the United States.

Then there’s this month’s episode of ”APS Today,” on PBA30. The February edition is hosted by Maynard H. Jackson High students Alexus Montalvo and Montanez Baugh (pictured, above) as we feature five African-American APS graduates who have established themselves in various professions and civic causes. The show airs Monday, Feb. 14, at 11 p.m.

Media specialists ‘kick off’ the 2010-11 school year

Fueled by record-breaking grants and the promise of more to come, APS media specialists gathered together to plot strategies, consider vendors and share best practices at the annual Media Specialists Kickoff held Wednesday at Atlanta Technical College. The librarians learned about Internet acceptable use from APS e-Learning Specialist Felicia Clark-Culbertson, studied a webinar from Teachingbooks.net, learned about new media services from Media Services Coordinator Warren Goetzel, found ways to broaden social studies learning from APS Social Studies Coordinator Keisha Nalty, and much more. They were also treated to educational CDs and DVDs by Atlanta musician Hamilton Bohannon.

The star of the show may have been famed Atlanta illustrator Michael P. White, whose collaboration with Carmen Agra Deedy, The Library Dragon, is a go-to book for media specialists. Sarah Smith Elementary Intermediate Campus media specialist Kelly McQueen invited the illustrator to come show her colleagues how easy it is for them and their students to draw. “He shows you that you don’t have to be perfect with your drawing,” noted McQueen. “I hope his appearance at a school will help the students with creative inspiration, making that creative connection to the books they’re reading. To have him come in is a very big deal.”

Long Middle School studies global warming with hands-on, year-end project

You have to admire the students, faculty and staff of Long Middle School for not taking it easy for the remainder of the school year, as they focused on their third annual environmental project. The theme, “Evolving Environmentally,” allowed students create dioramas or eco-friendly structures that would support their research on the environment. Each class divided up into groups, with each group receiving a specific task that supports an element of the overall project. Each project included a PSA that would be broadcast school-wide.

APS students take top awards at annual state social studies fair

David Kelley of Carver Early College with his award-winning exhibit

Five APS students earned top honors at the 2010 Georgia Social Studies Fair held earlier this month in Hampton. The district fostered more winning entries than any other district. APS students competed against the top 16 student entries from each region of the state. The awards are based on the exhibits and the quality and content of their verbal presentations.

The winning APS students are:

Best in Discipline: Class I Political Science
“Cpl. Paul Bannon”
Jackson Bannon
Morningside Elementary
Beth Burney, Directing Teacher

Best in Discipline: Class I Sociology/Social Psychology
“Is the Use of Technology Good for the Human Race?”
Mykel Barber
Centennial Place Elementary
Dr. Stinson, Directing Teacher

Best in Discipline: Class III Political Science
“What Affects the Approval Ratings of the Presidency?”
David Kelley
Carver Early College
Dr. Thomas Gosha, Directing Teacher

Best in Discipline: Class IV History
“How Have Third Parties Influenced American Politics?”
Sam Weinstock
Grady High School
Lou Sartor, Directing Teacher

 Best in Class IV (Grades 11-12)
“Jim Crow”
Aaron Foston
Grady High School
Lou Sartor, Directing Teacher

The winning students received cash awards, plaques, ribbons and T-shirts.