APS celebrates National School Counseling Week: Meet Andrew Ragland of Mays High

Is there a difference between counseling high school students compared with elementary or middle school students? Andrew Ragland, an APS alum and counselor at Mays High, answered that question and more in the video above.

APS students thrive, thanks to support from dedicated teachers, principals and support staff such as counselors. During National School Counseling Week, we turn our attention to the professionals who ensure that APS students are prepared to excel emotionally, socially and academically. Professional school counselors at APS are certified, experienced educators with a minimum of a master’s degree in guidance and counseling. Be sure to thank these talented caregivers today!

We are grateful to Ronald Garlington, coordinator of K-8 Guidance and Counseling Services, and LaVerne Ware, coordinator of High School Counseling and Student Support Services, for proudly sharing information about our amazing team.

Target invests in student achievement at Thomasville Heights Elementary

Thomasville Heights Elementary School Principal Charles Penn continuously makes the connection between home and school to promote student success. Support from community partners — and a book by President Barack Obama — also keep students motivated.

Target recently awarded 60 students with a gift bag, reading certificate and the book “Of Thee, I Sing,” written by President Obama, for consistently completing reading homework as part of the Success for All (SFA) program.

Thomasville Heights Elementary is in its first year as an SFA school. One major component of the initiative is the Read and Respond homework.  Students are required to read nightly for 20 minutes and have a parent sign their Read and Respond form. Read and Respond homework assists with reading comprehension and fluency, and fosters a love of reading.

Every eight weeks, students are highlighted for their progress with reading homework.

Special thanks to Linda Howard, Success for All Coach, for sharing the good news.

APS honors school crossing guards, students’ ‘first line of defense’

Describing them as “students’ first line of defense,” APS Superintendent Dr. Beverly L. Hall paid tribute to the district’s school crossing guards at an awards ceremony held in the Brewer building today. The event marks a weeklong celebration of National School Crossing Guard Recognition Week.

In 2008, APS became one of the first districts in the country to introduce a certified school crossing guard program. Not only do these dedicated individuals help students cross Atlanta streets safely, most also have been certified in CPR and use of an automated external defibrillator.

We thank them for their hard work on behalf of our students.

Radio personality Elle Duncan helps Parks Middle students carve out career paths

Parks Middle School has always worked to provide students with positive role models and mentors to help carve their journey to success. Today was no exception as attorneys, chiropractors, funeral directors and scientists descended on the campus for Career Day.

“It was a great success this year,” said guidance counselor Barbara Santiago. “We actually had so many volunteers that we had to turn some away.”

In one seventh-grade class, Delta Air Lines pilot Patrick Ryan shared that is path to the cockpit of a commercial airplane included a stint cleaning high schools.

“You always thave to be prepared and work hard,” he said. “No matter what the task is, do your best.”

The day’s events culminated with a speech by V-103 on-air personality Elle Duncan, who urged students to block out distractions and focus on excelling in school.

Slater Elementary debuts SunTrust Youth bank with assist from Mayor Kasim Reed

Successful school partnerships go beyond businesses providing pizza during PTA meetings. At Slater Elementary, a successful school partnership with SunTrust Bank even proves to be lucrative for students.

On Oct. 6, the school debuted its youth bank, which allows students to create an account and make deposits throughout the school year. When the focus turns to summer vacation, they can withdraw funds, or re-invest their money during the next year. To promote fiscal responsibility, SunTrust will donate incremental matches up to $25 based on the student’s balance.

“It’s innovative, it’s cutting-edge, it’s exactly what we need to be doing as a city and a nation,” said Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, who helped students celebrate the mini branch.

Once the bank was officially open for business, students of all ages filed in with their pennies and dollars earned from babysitting, or earning good grades. APS parent Shawnta Smith was impressed with the program and stopped by to watch as her three children opened accounts.

“This teaches them to save and be more responsible with their money,” said Smith, who gives her children money for cleaning their rooms and performing well in school. “I really like this.”

APS takes a greener path

Atlanta Public Schools has embraced plenty of green initiatives, such as schoolyard gardens and outdoor classrooms. Last year, Springdale Park Elementary opened as the first APS facility to seek LEED certification. By the way, Springdale Park will be honored during a ceremony at City Hall tonight by the Atlanta Urban Design Commission.

But APS plans to do even more for the environment. The APS Facilities Services Department has launched a Green Awareness Campaign with the goal of creating awareness for green initiatives around the district. The program kicks off today with a paper recycling program.

Over the next couple of weeks, representatives from the Energy and Environmental Services Department will place blue recycling containers in common areas throughout the Center for Learning and Leadership building, year-round school sites, as well as designated summer school sites.

The Valerie Dial Thomas Facilities Service Center also will be included in the initial distribution. The program will progressively roll out to the entire district during the 2010-11 academic year. This exciting new program will partner with school-based recycling programs throughout the district.

It’s just one more example of how Atlanta Public Schools is Making a Difference in the lives of its students — and the planet!

Happy 80th Birthday, Morningside Elementary!

Tuesday is no ordinary day for the students, parents, faculty and staff of Morningside Elementary. December 8 marks the 80th day of the school’s 80th year. To mark this occasion, Morningside will have a PTA-sponsored breakfast for alumni and honored guests, student-led interviews of former students, teachers and administrators and a Dine-Out at D.B.A. BBQ  (1190 North Highland Ave.) later in the day.

The event also will honor teachers who have worked at Morningside for several years, including 20-year veterans:

• Betty Meek, our Media Center director
• Teresa Westwood, first-grade teacher
• Cindy Nester, second-grade teacher
• Beth Burney, fifth-grade Challenge teacher
• Amy Mather, fourth-grade teacher
• Elizabeth Ashmore, kindergarten teacher

Student interviews will be part of the Morningside History Project, a 12-year effort to record and celebrate the school’s rich history.  Birthday book donations to the Media Center will feature a special 80th year bookplate inside the front cover in honor of this special occasion.

Check out Talk Up APS for photos, interviews and more information on the big day.