APS Today

“APS Today” launches the 2008-09 school year with student reporters.

Watch the video here »

September show highlights:

• Supt. Hall visits students at F.L. Stanton Elementary and Kennedy Middle School
• 2008 State of the Schools Address
• New Teacher Orientation
• GE Mathematics and Science Teacher Training Academy
• Juilliard Summer Residency Program at North Atlanta High School
• Newsbriefs: High Performing Principals, Whitefoord Elementary Playground
• APS Alumni Profile: H.J. Russell, Master Builder and Developer

September Student Reporters:

Alexandra is a sophomore in the Grady Communications Magnet Program. She is a native of Gloucester, Massachusetts and moved to Atlanta when she was 10-years-old. Alexandra’s hobby is dancing and she is a member of the Moving in the Spirit dance troupe. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with friends and loves to go to the beach on vacation.

Kevin is a senior in the Grady Communications Magnet Program. His family moved to Atlanta 8 years ago from Los Angeles, California where he spent his primary years. Kevin enjoys all things about music including singing and playing the piano and drums. He is also a member of the Grady tennis team. Upon graduation in May 2009, Kevin plans to attend the Berklee College of Music in Boston.

“APS Today” will rebroadcast on Sunday, September 14 at 10:30 a.m. on PBA TV 30.

Executive Producer: Luana Slaughter
Producer/Host: Nwandi Lawson

APS Today salutes the class of 2008, catches up with notable graduates from years past and goes inside schools with strong partnerships with Atlanta companies and civic organizations to find out how these relationships impact student achievement.

Watch the video here »

Rookie Achievement From the Georgia World Congress Center, the winners of the A+ Awards are being announced, beginning with Rookie Achievement. This award goes to new partnership that shows outstanding results.

Innovative Award The innovative award recognizes “out-of-the-box” activities that benefit student achievement. So is it any wonder that one of the APS grads presenting the category has taken his cum laude status from Alabama State University under the big top to become a clown with the “greatest show on earth.”

Collaborative Award Working together is the name of the game with this category, recognizing the effort of multiple business partners to strengthen a school.

Mentoring Award The mentoring award recognizes a partner that develops one-to-one relationships between a student and an adult to create a caring, supportive environment and meet the individual needs of the student.

Newsbriefs A few of the stories topping the docket include

• APS Superintendent Dr. Beverly L. Hall receives and honorary degree from Oglethorpe University
• Crim Open Campus High School receives a $100,000 gift in recognition for its intergenerational activities.
• A recent North Atlanta grad begins his career in the Major Leagues

Emmett Johnson Periodically, APS Today takes you inside the Atlanta Board of Education. Today we meet the senior member of the board Emmett Johnson. He has moved from parent-volunteer to PTA president to Board of Education member. It all started when he became active in his son’s education.

Tutoring Award This category recognizes companies and organizations that consistently provide tutoring services to a school.

Summa Cum Laude The final award recognizes a partnership in existence for 5 years or more that has had school-wide impact.

This episode features multi-generational teaching families in Atlanta Public Schools.

Watch the video here »

APS Today celebrates great teachers and innovative programs!

Watch the video here »

Atlanta Family Awards Find out what happens when nine philanthropic families reward 13 APS teachers and principals. The results are worth over $100,000!

Profile of Atlanta Family Award Winners Once you’ve seen the awards gala, learn more about the winners. APS Today caught up with them in their natural environments, the schools they serve each day.

Confucius Institute A partnership between APS, Emory University and the University of Nanjing means that Atlanta Public School students are getting a chance to hone their Mandarin Chinese skills from a very early age with the arrival of a Confucius Institute.

Newsbriefs These are the stories topping the APS Today Newsbrief roster—-

• Brain Day at Long Middle School
• Superintendent Hall holds a fireside chat for the Southside High School Community
• The Atlanta Hawks make a special book delivery to students at Hope Elementary School

Mayor Shirley Clarke Franklin Lecture Series Students from the Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy were honored with words of wisdom from the lecture namesake at this inaugural event.

Andrew Young Birthday Party Ambassador Andrew Young came to M. Agnes Jones Elementary School to share a new documentary series about the African continent, but students gave him an unexpected gift.

Awesome Teachers Awards A few years ago, APS Today introduced you to Antonio Jennings, a North Atlanta High School student who founded a mentoring and tutorial program. Several years after graduation, Antonio is still giving back to APS and to the awesome teachers who nurtured him and countless other APS students.

There are so many ways for families to get involved with Atlanta Public Schools. This month APS Today spotlights just a few!

Watch the video here »

JOHN LEWIS AT INMAN Two days after announcing a change in support from Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton to Barack Obama, veteran U.S. Congressman John Lewis shares reflections on the Civil Rights Movement with students at Inman Middle School.

READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY Atlanta Public Schools dons the ceremonial red and white striped “Cat in the Hat” hat in honor of the eleventh anniversary of the National Education Association’s Read Across America Day and welcomes dads, granddads and uncles to become “professional” readers.

NEWSBRIEFS Topping this months newsbriefs:

• APS Superintendent Dr. Beverly Hall hosts a fireside chat with the Coretta Scott King Young Women’s’ Leadership Academy community
• Southside students paint murals for the Grady Memorial Hospital burn unit
• Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank takes Bethune Elementary students to training camp
• State School Superintendent Kathy Cox celebrates Read Across America Day with students at F.L. Stanton Elementary

MORNINGSIDE FAMILY SCIENCE NIGHT A great mixture of experiments, exhibits, presentations, guest speakers and family fun marked the Morningside Family Science night for students in grades 2-5 to show off their love of science.

MARY LIN ELEMENTARY PROFILE What are some practical ways that parents can get involved in their children’s education? We get answers from a longtime volunteer at Mary Lin Elementary.

SELENA SLOAN BUTLER PROFILE As APS, Spelman College and the national and state PTAs team up to close the achievement gap, we look back to Selena Sloan Butler, the woman who brought universal kindergarten and parent-teacher associations to Atlanta Public Schools.

ATLANTA HAWKS-PROJECT GRAD RALLY The Atlanta Hawks Foundation honors winners of the Atlanta Hawks/Project GRAD essay contest.

BILL LESTER at F.L. STANTON ELEMENTARY In a fast-paced ending to the program, we catch up with NASCAR racer Bill Lester to learn about how he moved from electrical engineer to stock car champion.

APS Today doesn’t have to travel far to locate hometown heroes for our celebration of Black History Month.

Watch the video here »

THE EDUCATION OF MS. GROVES: The NBC Dateline special, profiling Young Middle School teacher Monica Groves has received a second broadcast award. APS Today goes inside Ms. Groves’ classroom to learn what she has learned from her students since becoming a Teach for America teacher.

LACHANDRA BUTLER BURKS PROFILE: From Miles Elementary School to Harper High School to the chairmanship of the Atlanta Board of Education, LaChandra Butler Burks has been on the ultimate APS journey.

JASMINE GUY PROFILE: Before she starred as a collegiate southern belle on A Different World, Jasmine Guy was a student at Peeple Street Elementary, Sutton Middle School and Northside High School. Her mother and stepfather both worked for Atlanta Public Schools. In fact, she based the character “Whitley Gilbert” on the mannerisms of one of her APS teachers.

VERNON JORDAN PROFILE: Although he is best known as a civil rights attorney, head of the National Urban League and advisor to former President Bill Clinton, Vernon Jordan says his first call to civic participation came when he and Maynard Jackson were band mates at David T. Washington High School.

RUSSELL CONSTRUCTION PROFILE: While a student at David T. Howard High School, Herman Russell built a duplex, his first rental property and the beginning of a construction empire.

NEWSBRIEFS: Topping this months newsbriefs:

• Venetian Hills gets a new look in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday
• M. Agnes Jones is home to the area’s first Kool Zone
• Brown Middle School hosts a poetry slam
• APS is honored the Georgia Department of Education as a distinguished Title I district
• APS Superintendent Dr. Beverly Hall hosts a fireside chat with the Cascade community
• APS students celebrate the life of MLK with Teach-ins

DOUGLASS HS JROTC-MLK CELEBRATION: The 23rd annual state commemoration of the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. began with the presentation of the colors by the award-winning Douglass High School JROTC.

Did you know that Atlanta Public Schools is on the cutting edge of math and science education, home to several innovative middle schools and in the forefront of urban high school transformation? This month, APS Today sits down with Dr. Beverly L. Hall to discover how one of the longest-serving urban school district superintendents is leading the charge for increased graduation rates and test scores, improved school facilities and streamlined business operations. Visit an elementary school recognized by the nationally for high academic achievement in a low-income area; two single-gender middle schools inspiring students to pursue higher education despite the fact that almost half are raised in families that have not yet experienced high school graduation; and one high school that is offering three distinct academic tracks to keep its students connected to their own educations.

Watch the video here »

Meet the APS Teacher of the Year finalists and find out why they stand out.

Watch the video here »

Elementary Teacher of the Year Lorene Irvin knew she wanted a career that would allow her to help others. She had a tendency to cry when others got hurt, so she chose teaching over nursing. APS Today visits Mrs. Irvin’s kindergarten classroom where she has nurtured her “babies” for the past 34 years.

High Museum How do you know when you’ve spotted a masterpiece? Eleven hundred APS students and 15 teachers are getting the opportunity to answer that question on their own terms at the High Museum. Thanks to two grants from the McCathey-Dressman Educational Foundation, they are participating in the A Masterpiece of Learning.

Middle School Teacher of the Year Zawadaski Robinson combines the discipline of a past military career with a strong science background to keep students at Price Middle School excited about coming to science class.

Newsbriefs Topping this month’s docket of newsbriefs:

• As APS launches a math and science education initiative funded by a $22-million grant from the GE Foundation, the GE College Bound program at Southside High School continues to prepare students for higher education.
• Five APS teachers earned National Board Certification, bringing to 51 the total number of APS educators with the advanced certification.

U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings made a special trip to Venetian Hills Elementary to celebrate the school’s recent designation as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and the district performance on the National Assessment of Educational Progress. - High School Teacher of the Year: “It’s not unusual for a coach to expect his players to outrun him,” says Mays High School math teacher Mack Graham. Mr. Graham expects his students to exceed his math ability by their senior years.

Teacher of the Year Announcement There are three outstanding finalists, but only one can earn the title of systemwide teacher of the year. Before the announcement is made, each teacher receives a special tribute from current and former students as well as colleagues.

Holiday Performances APS Today gets into the spirit of the season at the district holiday concert. We’ll leave you with a sampling of the top musicians and vocalists from all grade levels.

Atlanta Public Schools has hundreds of partnerships with the business and civic community that yield measurable results for students and staff. This month APS Today unveils one partnership that has a large financial reward as well.

Watch the video here »

GE Announcement From appliances to medical technology to water treatment, General Electric focuses on solving some of the world’s toughest problems. A $100 million dollar GE initiative to improve public education has left a big mark on Atlanta Public Schools.

State of the Schools One day after the GE grant announcement, APS Superintendent Dr. Beverly Hall was at the Carter Center to brief business and civic leaders about the state of Atlanta Public Schools.

Teacher Convocation Teachers, custodians, administrators, food services workers and bus drivers were among the staff of the twenty-two schools who crossed the stage at the Georgia International Convention Center in recognition of their contributions towards meeting or exceeding at least 70% of the district’s targets.

Principal for a Day Each year, APS students of all ages have some up-close and personal mentoring experiences through the Principal for a Day Program. This year’s event brought 135 visiting principals from the world of professional athletics, civic entities and major corporations.

Newsbriefs Topping this month’s docket of newsbriefs:

• Three Grady students have been selected as delegates for the ADL’s Youth Mission to the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C.
• APS Superintendent Dr. Beverly Hall has been signed to a new three-year contract
• Centennial Elementary School girls welcomed a new WNBA franchise to Atlanta

Lowery Lecture Every year, APS seniors are treated to an extra special lesson in civic participation at the Lowery Lecture Series. This year, words of wisdom and wit from Martin Luther King, III made this a fitting birthday celebration for this living legend of the Civil Rights Movement.

Band Exhibition With so many trophies on the table, you may be surprised to learn that there are no winners or losers at the annual APS Band Exhibition. Instead, experienced music educators expose burgeoning musicians to critiques in order to improve their musical talents and on-field showmanship.

APS Today broadcasts from the Center for Learning and Leadership with a look at the “business” of education.

Watch the video here »

Fain Playground: It may look like child’s play, but it took a team of business partners from Home Depot, the National Business school students signed up for the Arts Cool program, they may not have known that their instructor Aviation Association and KaBOOM! Playgrounds to provide more than $110,000 and a team of volunteers who built a 2,500-square-foot playground for the students at Margaret Fain Elementary School in just one day!

APS Youth Entrepreneurs: In its second year in Atlanta Public Schools, Youth Entrepreneurs of Atlanta, in association with the Georgia Pacific Foundation, is bringing its hands-on business experiences to three more APS high schools, adding future business leaders from Grady, Douglass and Washington high schools to the YE-ATL participants at Mays and Southside high schools.

Newsbriefs: Topping the APS Today roster of stories this month-

• 100 Health Science students got a lesson in trauma surgery at Morehouse School of Medicine
• Grady High School celebrates student talent at its outdoor fall festival
• Civic and business leaders go to “training camp” to prepare for the Principal for a Day Program
• SRT-4 Executive Director Dr. Gloria Patterson is honored as an education trailblazer by Women Looking Ahead Magazine

Kathy Cox Constitution Day: State School Superintendent Kathy Cox brought a high-energy Constitution Day lesson to students at Crim Open Campus High School.

Atlanta Reads: What do you do when the internationally acclaimed author you were expecting calls in sick, your co-host gets stuck in traffic and you have an auditorium filled with enthusiastic APS students? That’s when Atlanta Reads shows its creativity.

Project GRAD: Our final story is about the lengths to which some students will go to get a college education and the lengths that their mentors will go to support them.

“APS Today” gears up for the 2007-2008 school year with a look at some of the innovations reaching classrooms at all levels, and we look back at some of the productive ways students and teachers spent their summer vacation.

Watch the video here »

Project GRAD Summer Institute: It began with 137 Washington High School students on the campus of Clark Atlanta University. In its 7th year, more than 700 students completed the programs on 8 campuses, including residential programs at UGA and Oglethorpe University. Meet several of the students who completed the program and find out what they will take with them as they return to their high school classrooms.

Arts Cool: When APS high school students signed up for the Arts Cool summer program, they may not have known that their instructor would be a Nigerian chief and the inventor of Yoruba bead painting. Along the way they learned that and a lot more.

Project Nobility Summer Session: Modeled on the successful Project Nobility after school program at Brown Middle School, this summer session took students to Spelman College for academic enrichment, martial arts, dance and drama, as well as intensive study of the lives of children around the world.

Newsbriefs: Topping the “APS Today” roster of stories this month;

• 500 APS students receive new backpacks from the Office Depot Foundation
• Grady High School is lauded for its 2007 SAT scores
• Perfect attendance at DH Stanton Elementary leads to a shopping spree with the Atlanta Braves
• The all-male Eagle Academy takes flight at Mays High School in an effort to keep young men in school

Professional Development: Students weren’t the only ones hitting the books this summer. The Summer Mathematics Academy and New Teacher Orientation helped educators get a jump on the new school year.

Deloitte Clean Up at Cook: Students and staff at Cook Elementary School arrived on the first day of school to find new outdoor classrooms, a teacher workroom, and bright cafeteria art. They can thank employees from the Deloitte firm who used the company’s Impact Day to really make a difference.

First Day of School: New clothes…new teachers…new school supplies. The first day of school is always exciting. APS Today catches up with the district superintendent, Dr. Beverly Hall, to visit a new kindergarten annex and to meet the inaugural classes of the B.E.S.T. Academy and the Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy.

From the Atlantc Civic Center you can hear the echoes of “Pomp and Cirucmstance.” Graduation highlights and a spotlight on some of Atlanta Public Schools’ top students are the focus of this month’s “APS Today.”

Graduation Day: The Class of 2007 moves on to the great expectations of life after high school graduation. But on graduation day, the grads and their families are basking in the excitement of the ceremony, which for some is a bittersweet occasion. The valedictorians, salutatorians, and other notable students share their perspectives on making a positive impact on the world. 

The New Schools at Carver Student Profiles: The New Schools at Carver recently made the front page of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in a story about an almost 30-percent gain in its graduation rate since the school was reorganized as five small campuses. “APS Today” presents aspiring broadcaster Kadesha McCastle from the School of Technology and Early College math whiz Ikenna Ugwuh, two students who are making the most of their Carver education.

Carson Scholars: “I used to hate being poor,” neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson recently told some of the top math and science students in the district. And in his characteristic style, Dr. Carson went on to tell the 2006 and 2007 Carson Scholars how his education ensured that he would never confront poverty again.

Young Middle School Orchestra: Dalian and Dilon Bryan may not be household names to most music aficionados, but don’t be surprised if they rise to that rank. “APS Today” takes you to the premier performance of original compositions by the Young Middle School students. When you hear these works, you will not believe that the twin boys have only been studying music for one year!  

Valedictorian Profiles: One valedictorian was raised in the Therrell High School community while the other began her education in Israel. Despite disparate beginnings, Southside High School senior Sarayfah Bolling and Contessa Monroe of Therrell High School now have at least one thing in common. They are the top students in their respective graduating classes.

Washington High School Student Profile: Brittany Swindle overcame the odds of being an “at risk” student raised in foster care to graduate as one of the top students at Washington High School. While she did not graduate as valedictorian or salutatorian, Brittany personifies perseverance and helps us to understand that achieving the goal is not always as important as striving to get there.

Our final story takes us outside to play…and to thank a big team of volunteers who have really improved the outdoor experience for students at East Lake Elementary School. And to think it all began with a student who looked at the former school playground and asked, “Where is the rest of it?”

March features a star-studded lineup. APS Today catches up with Grammy award winning rapper Ludacris, poet and social activist Nikki Giovanni and the state’s Attorney General. That’s not all, join a special Chinese New Year celebration to launch a first-of-it-kind Asian studies program at Toomer Elementary and Coan Middle schools.

Watch the video here »

Grammy Career Day: The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences brings performers, recording executives and sound engineers to Clark Atlanta University where APS high school students get pumped up about music careers and get the chance to meet Ludacris.

Atlanta Family Awards: Teachers, principals and even a member of the Superintendent’s cabinet took home prizes that will yield literacy centers, a new science initiative and a playground. But according to Superintendent Dr. Beverly Hall, the real winners are the students of Atlanta Public Schools.

Newsbriefs: These are the stories topping the APS Today Newsbrief roster-

• Signing Day: 9 Grey Knights are among the 25 APS football players being recruited by the nations colleges and universities.
• Grady High School models took to the runway to raise money for the fashion program and school band.
• The Court TV “Careers in Justice” seminar introduced students to the state’s Attorney General, Fulton County’s DA and the Chief Appellate Court Judge.
• Parks Middle School closed out Black History Month with a visit from Margaret Washington Clifford, granddaughter of Booker T. Washington.
• John Hope Elementary kindergarteners opened the 2007 International Civil Rights Walk of Fame induction with son.

Carver-Nikki Giovanni: The New Schools at Carver hosted poet Nikki Giovanni who presented an unforgettable rendition of the story of Rosa Parks.

Soweto Gospel Choir: The universal language of music brought together young people from South Africa and Atlanta when the Soweto Gospel Choir came to town.

Peyton Foretst-Mary Perdue: When Georgia’s first lady came to Peyton Forest Elementary, students weren’t shy about getting to know the woman known as “Miss Mary.”

Toomer/Coan Chinese Program: It started as the brainchild of parents and administrators at Toomer Elementary and Coan Middle School. APS Today is there for the festive launch of the first elementary and middle school Chinese language program in the state of Georgia!

APS Today celebrates Black History Month without ever leaving the district! Our Profiles in Excellence special highlights APS students who have gone onto greatness.

Watch the video here »

Sen. Emmanuel Jones/HJ Russell Profile: Besides serving his second term in the Georgia Senate, Emmanuel Jones also runs several automotive dealerships. Along with HJ Russell, founder of Russell Construction, Senator Jones is a successful entrepreneur and a former APS student.

Parkside Oral History Project: Through the Outward Bound Atlanta Program, Parkside Elementary students are spending time with senior citizens at the Parkview Manor Retirement Community and learning that black history is all around them.

Newsbriefs: These are the stories topping the APS Today Newsbrief roster-

• GE awards APS over half a million dollars to assess math and science instruction
• APS wins $496,000 grant to strengthen school safety and emergency preparedness
• Students read their way to a world record
• King Middle School students share reflections on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with the CBS Evening News
• Washington Freedom Writers: 150 Washington High School students hone their literacy skills in the Kilpatrick Stockton Freedom Writers Program. Based on a feature film about a teacher who uses composition to improve the lives of inner-city youth in Southern California, the students are coached by Kilpatrick Stockton attorneys and other staffers in an experience that culminated in a preview screening of the movie.
• Long Middle School returns to a renovated campus

Tré Fortenberry/Carla Gomez Profile: After graduation from North Atlanta High School, pianist Tré Fortenberry makes a triumphant return to the Atlanta stage as a music student attending Oberlin College. Back when the school was called Northside, vocalist Carla Gomez was honing her skills and preparing to become a jazz singer.

Jasmine Guy/Judge Glenda Hatchett Profile: Speaking of Northside High School, APS Today caught up with actress Jasmine Guy who was reminiscing about how her entire family was intimately involved with Atlanta Public Schools. Judge Glenda Hatchett recalls how the staff and community at Anderson Park Elementary School prepared her to nurture young people from the bench.

Maynard Jackson/Vernon Jordan Profile: Before he headed a securities firm or the position of Atlanta Mayor, the Honorable Maynard Jackson was a student at David T. Howard High School. He and classmate Vernon Jordan explain how their APS experience prepared them for future greatness.

Watch the show here »

What happens when executives, entertainers, athletes, civic leaders and parents converge on Atlanta Public Schools classrooms? You’ll be witness to the magic!

PFAD-Andrew Young: “Get Sent to the Principal’s Office was a message that drew more than 150 business, political and civic leaders to this years Principal for a Day Program. Although his resume includes serving the U.S. Congress, ambassador to the United Nations and two terms as Mayor of Atlanta, at Coan Middle School the Honorable Andrew Young was known simply as Principal for a Day.

Parents to School: Since 2003, Every spring millions of kids get to shadow their parents at work in the Take our Daughters and Sons to Work program. At Carver School of the Arts, a recent twist on that theme brought parents to school.

PFAD-Angela Robinson: After decades of success in broadcasting, Angela Robinson never misses a chance to support her alma mater, Grady High School, making her the perfect Principal for a Day.

Newsbriefs: On the APS roster of top stories:

• The Coca-Cola Street Law Conference allows APS students to explore careers in law
• High School seniors participate in Youth Motivation Day
• M. Agnes Jones Elementary teams up with Georgia Pacific to help the needy

PFAD-Brian Jordan: Over the past 14 years, Atlanta Braves first baseman, Brian Jordan has racked up some pretty impressive stats: 821 RBI and almost 200 home runs, just to name a few. But as Principal for a Day at Dunbar Elementary, the baseball veteran said parental involvement is the key to raising the stats on student achievement.

PFAD Wrapup: This is the seventh year that APS has sponsored the Principal for a Day Program and participants, including former Atlanta Mayor Sam Massell, Atlanta Police Chief Richard Pennington and former APS student/President, Russell Construction H. Jerome Russell, say what they learned at schools across the district was priceless.

Profiles in Excellence: Sonny Emory: We catch up with a rhythmic Douglass High School graduate who has used his talents to achieve international success. But he’s never too busy to give back to his alma mater. Sonny Emory is the subject of this month’s Profiles in Excellence.

Watch the show here »

From classroom teachers to custodial staff…from food service workers to principals…Atlanta Public Schools pays tribute to the men and women whose work prepares future generations for success. The 7th annual Atlanta Public Schools Convocation provides a backdrop for celebrating student success at schools throughout the district, as “APS Today” takes you inside some high-performing schools and introduces you to the district’s top teachers..

Convocation: And now the moment we’ve all been waiting for. Which schools are at the top of the class when it comes to district targets for student attendance and achievement? You’ll find out at the 7th annual Convocation.

But first, we visit high achieving schools, like Benjamin E. Mays High School where the faculty uses school pride to encourage student success. Luther J. Price Middle School is proud of its consistent success record. A Project GRAD school, Price staffers say reform models like Success For All reading, MOVE IT Math, Consistency Management Cooperative Discipline, Communities in Schools and Modern Red Schoolhouse all serve the needs of the student body. Students say knowing that their teachers will be on campus by 7:30 a.m. inspires them. While at Mary Lin Elementary School active community participation ensures that all students will experience success.

State of the System: APS Superintendent Dr. Beverly L. Hall told 200 Atlanta business, civic and community leaders that the school district has come a very long way in the seven years since she became superintendent, but that it still has some way to go to become a high-performing educational system. By then end of the 2007-2008 school year, Dr. Hall said, “we are going to have 100 percent of our schools meeting 70 percent of our targets while closing the achievement gap, and by doing so, we will become a high-performing school system.”

Newsbriefs: On the APS roster of top stories:

• Mays High School JROTC student receives Legion of Valor Award
• Eight APS students have been named semi-finalists in the annual National Merit Scholarship competition, and three have been chosen as semifinalists in the National Achievement Scholarship Program.
• APS Dietician wins honorable mention for “Golden Carrot” award
• Toomer & Coan middle schools receive grant to offer Chinese language

Teacher of the Year: Each year Atlanta Public Schools honors a group of educators who personify excellence in the classroom…Teachers of the Year. First, we meet Raine Hackler who brings the experience he gained teaching on three continents to the technology lab at Thomasville Heights Elementary School. At Walden Middle School, Gena Couben often goes home with a private smile on her face, as she thinks about the insights she gains from her students each day. Mary Carter Van Atta left a career in museum education more than a decade ago in order to introduce the wonders of world geography to students at Grady High School. Each brings an innovative approach to teaching, but only one can earn the title 2007 APS Teacher of the Year.

Lowery Lecture: Atlanta Public Schools celebrates the 85th birthday of civil rights icon Rev. Joseph E. Lowery at the 6th annual Lowery Lecture Series on Civic Participation. Bill Cosby was this year’s keynote speaker, combining his personal blend of dry wit and wisdom to encourage students to pursue higher education from technical school to junior college to colleges and universities. In 1957, Rev. Lowery helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and he led the organization for 20 years. Each year, select APS high school students are exposed to the experience of civic and business leaders by attending the lecture and taking the opportunity to pose questions to the speakers.

Watch the show here »

From the business community to parents and teacher, there are opportunities for everyone in Metro Atlanta to get “connected to the vision” of Atlanta Public Schools.

Principal for a Day: If you have ever wanted to know the ins and outs of your neighborhood school, the best way to learn is to come inside. Each year Atlanta Public Schools teams up with the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce to give business and civic leaders that opportunity. We caught up with this year’s recruits at the Principal for a Day Breakfast.

Mathematics Initiative: The new district mathematics imitative means more professional development to ensure that students get excited about learning the subject, from kindergarten through graduation.

Profiles in Excellence: Daneea Badio: Periodically, APS Today spotlights the achievements of outstanding graduates in our “Profiles in Excellence” segment. This month, we would like to introduce you to an APS alumna who is an advocate for the homeless, a poet and a motivational speaker. In short, Daneea Badio is a messenger.

Homework Hotline: Say a student gets stumped by one of those math problems after the school day has ended. Not to worry. That’s when Homework Hotline team springs into action.

Newsbriefs: On the APS roster of top stories:

• APS Superintendent Dr. Beverly Hall receives the Legacy Award from Big Brothers, Big Sisters Sutton Middle School dedicates its newly renovated campus
• APS shows staff members at all levels how they can remain “Connected to the Vision”

Walk For Success: “Solicitors” recently canvassed neighborhoods around The New Schools at Carver, Washington and South Atlanta high schools. But this was not your typical door-to-door sales force. The Walk for Success team invited students and their families to sign up for future success.