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.

Woodson’s first principal delighted and encouraged by Target’s School Library Makeover

Forty years after Margaret Jacobs first walked into Carter G. Woodson as the school’s first principal, the retired educator re-entered those same double-doors to witness the unveiling of the newly renovated media

Former Woodson principal, Margaret Jacobs, believes Target’s generosity sends a positive message to the entire Woodson community family.

center.  The November 2 ribbon cutting ceremony attracted parents, APS administrators and Woodson community members and business partners.

“This is beautiful—absolutely beautiful,” said Jacobs, who was clearly impressed as she inspected the library’s new books, shelves, painted walls and wall hangings.

The $100,000 renovation is part of the Target School Library Makeover program, in partnership with The Heart of America Foundation.  As part of the program Target donated 2,000 new books, larger space with new carpet, furniture and technology, and seven new books for each student to take home.

Target volunteers also painted pictures on hallway walls, enhanced the school grounds and had fun with Woodson students as the children tested the new media center computers and iPads.

A volunteer paints an image from The Very Hungry Caterpillar on a hallway wall

Jacobs said she was delighted to see so many individuals contributing to create a positive learning environment at the school she helped start, and she was encouraged to learn that Target had given Woodson—and by extension the Woodson community family—such a generous donation. She believes Target’s investment in the school has implications that extend beyond the school walls.

“This is the kind of thing this community needs, “ said Jacobs.

“It shows the students, the parents and the community that others care about what is happening here, and they really do want our students to succeed. It lets them know that they aren’t forgotten.”

Atlanta Public Schools Associate Superintendent Steve Smith, Target Store Manager Donna Stalter and school board members Byron Amos and Brenda Muhammad also attended the ribbon cutting and shared Jacobs’ sentiments that Target’s investment was much more than computers and library books.

Atlanta Board of Education vice-chair and district two representative Byron Amos said, “This is evidence that when the district, the city of Atlanta and our partners come together, we can do amazing things.  Just look at how much these kids are enjoying this.  This is

A Woodson student teaches a volunteer how to use an iPad.

something they will always remember. ”

Jacobs’ former student, Portia Jordan also attended the event.  Jordan works for the H.J. Russell Company as a project manager.  The company oversaw the construction aspect of the makeover, and Jordan says she was proud to be part of the process.

“To see the excitement on the kids’ faces and see the process unfold from beginning to end, and to be in a position to give back—I’m just very blessed,” Jordan stated.

“I was here in 1985, and the way it looked when I walked in before we started the construction, is exactly how it looked back then,” she added.

Principal Jacobs looked on proudly as the newest generation of Woodson students filed into the library with thrill and awe illuminating their smiles.

Bullseye, the Target Mascot, shares a hug with a Woodson second grader.  

“I think that the new library is so beautiful and so practical for small children.  And I am grateful to have the opportunity to come back and visit Carter G. Woodson,” Jacobs said.

Target has renovated 118 school libraries through the library makeover program since 2007. 

The new look of the Woodson media center.

Woodson’s “Wall of Fame” includes images of President Obama, Albert Einstein and students honored as “Heroes of the Heart” during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Woodson Elementary gets $100k Target Library Makeover from Target and Heart of America Foundation

Target Corporation and The Heart of America Foundation in partnership with H.J. Russell & Company unveiled a $100,000 state-of-the-art library makeover Friday, November 2, 2012 at Carter G. Woodson Primary School.

Participating in the ribbon-cutting ceremony were board members Byron Amos and Brenda Muhammad, APS Associate Superintendent Steve Smith, and Target Store Manager Donna Stalter.   Woodson Interim Principal Susan Crim-McClendon alowell as Carla Daniels, our 2012-2013 Elementary School Teacher of the Year and educator at Woodson Primary also participated in the event. The library features 2,000 new books, as well as furniture, carpet, shelves and a complete technology upgrade, including new computers and iPads.

As part of the makeover, each student received seven new books to take home for his or her personal collection.

A big THANK YOU to our corporate sponsors for giving the students of Woodson Elementary a safe place to read, learn and discover.

William M. Boyd Elementary School – Notice of Public Hearing – March 14 & March 16, 2012

The Atlanta Board of Education will hold two public hearings on March 14, 2012, and March 16, 2012, during which officials from Atlanta Public Schools will discuss the proposed closure of William M. Boyd Elementary School. No vote will be taken at these public hearings.

Both hearings will start at 6:30 p.m. at Boyd Elementary, located at 1891 Johnson Road N.W., Atlanta, Georgia 30318.

Students living in the Boyd zone will be reassigned to one of the following schools: Scott Elementary (a K-5 school) or Grove Park-Woodson Elementary (a merged school split between two campuses, one for K-2 and the other for grades 3-5). As a result of the proposed closure and reassignment, Scott Elementary is expected to have an enrollment of approximately 640 students, and Grove Park-Woodson Elementary is expect to have an enrollment of approximately 1,050 students.

Atlanta Public Schools is in the process of determining the future use of the Boyd facility. Boyd may be used as a relocation site, administrative site or nontraditional learning center, or the school may be leased, sold or demolished.

For more information please contact Interim Principal Keisha A. Gibbons – Phone: (404) 802-8150

Carter G. Woodson Elementary students get warm for winter, with a little help from their friends

With the temperatures dipping lower and sooner this winter, the Atlanta Chapter of Continental Societies, Inc., provided 139 warm coats to students at Carter G. Woodson Elementary. President Jean Cooper asked members to donate winter outerwear as well as help fit the children in their new coats in the school media center.

Woodson Principal Dr. Viola Blackshear thanked the organization for its generosity. With its mission to create environments that empower children to reach their optimal potential, the Atlanta Chapter of Continental Societies, Inc. continues to serve Atlantans in general but in particular the children.

Providing ongoing tangible assistance to children is a priority for the non-profit service organization. The Coat Drive is an annual initiative and this is the 3rd year that the children of Woodson Elementary School have been chosen as recipients. While the coat drive was going on in the media center, Continental members gathered children in another area of the school and facilitated an Arts program. The children expressed their creativity and created hand-made Christmas cards.  The Atlanta Chapter of Continental Societies, Inc. has a 37-year history of providing support to children. In the 2009- 2010 calendar year alone, $7,500 was expended by the organization to 250 youth through various programs, services and scholarships.

Student Wellness Ambassadors help kick off childhood obesity prevention program with The Links, Inc., and Community Voices

Student Wellness Ambassadors from Towns and Woodson elementary schools joined representatives from The Links, Inc., and Community Voices of the Morehouse College School of Medicine to help kick off a childhood obesity prevention program Thursday at the School of Medicine. (Community Voices promotes projects to help find ways to increase access to quality health care for the under-served and uninsured.)

Gail Anderson, wellness coordinator at the School of Medicine, led students in a series of low-impact aerobic activities to begin the morning, followed by a press conference hosted by WXIA’s Karyn Greer and WAGA’s Aungelique Proctor.

During the event, Mayor Kasim Reed also encouraged students to embrace the program, which is aligned with first lady Michelle Obama‘s Let’s Move campaign to prevent childhood obesity — a growing concern in the United States, particularly among African-American children.

Carter G. Woodson Elementary celebrates the holidays with a few friends

Lila Womack and Friends sponsored an annual holiday program on Tuesday that benefited the 434 students of Carter G. Woodson Elementary School. The event was held at Douglass High School. The highlights of the event included a student showcase of all of the clubs and opportunities available in high school presented by current Douglass High School students, and an original play written by 2006 Douglass alum Kaliah Womack, now a senior at Clark Atlanta University.

The event also featured introductions of Douglass High School alumni who are currently enrolled in various colleges throughout the country, and an inspirational message from Ms. Womack, a former Douglass High School parent and community advocate who raised the funds to provide a new popular toy for every student in grades Pre-K through fifth grade. In addition, two brand new bicycles were purchased for grades Pre-K to 5, and a male and female student were selected to win the bicycle via a random drawing. Students were challenged to set goals on attending and completing high school and college, and each student left the event with a brand new popular toy in hand.

‘How I Spent My Summer’: Charon Kirkland and Lorrae Walker

Our “How I Spent My Summer” series follows the experiences of teachers who were awarded the Fund for Teachers grant through the Atlanta Education Fund. Next up: Last year’s APS Teacher of the Year Charon Kirkland (pictured above) of Carter G. Woodson Elementary and her team member, Scott Elementary‘s Lorrae Walker. The pair traveled to the island of Dominica. Their goal, as they told the AJC: to explore tropical conservation and ecology. Kirkland picks up the story …

Have you ever visited a place that was naturally beautiful and peaceful? On May 31, 2009, my team member, Lorrae Walker, and I set foot on the rugged terrain of Dominica. This little known island is commonly mistaken for the Dominican Republic, but it is a totally different island situated between the islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe. Dominica is known as the “nature island” because of its undisturbed natural habitats that include a diverse ecology. These sites have been preserved as national parks and supported by UNESCO, which is what drew our attention to the island. Our Fund for Teachers grant focused on exploring the tropical ecology and conservation practices on the island through a partnership with the Atlanta Botanical Garden. We explored this tiny island that spans 29 miles long and 16 miles wide for seven days of pure adventure.