Superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools
APS families, I recognize how the COVID-19 pandemic has placed even more challenges on our community when it comes to student attendance. But did you know that missing just two days per month indicates that a student may struggle to do well in class compared to their classmates with fewer absences? The connection between attendance […]
APS students and families, I want to share with you the results of Georgia’s 2020-2021 standardized testing (which were released this morning) while stressing the importance of context. I’m sending a separate message to our teachers, administrators, and staff outlining the same details, but I want to provide a message specifically to our families. Why? […]
Can you believe we’re already more than one week into the 2021-22 school year? I’ve had the great pleasure of visiting 21 schools since August 5th, and I’m going to reflect on that, but first… #VaxUp and #GetCOVIDTested Did you know we began our middle and high school vaccination clinics this week? Thank you to […]
Thank you for attending the Back to School Bash! Our volunteers and sponsor partners had a blast distributing 6,000 backpacks stuffed with school supplies, 5-day meal kits, and many other important resources. It’s energizing to see our students and families getting ready for Day One. I am excited for you to start back to school […]
My heart is filled with so much pride when I think about the graduating class of 2021. Despite a global pandemic, these resilient scholars persevered and overcame unprecedented challenges, and now they are officially proud graduates of Atlanta Public Schools. They are ready to soar to the next chapter of their lives. And, I am […]
Arriving at Zoo Atlanta on Wednesday for the Class of 2021 Valedictorian/Salutatorian/STAR Student Awards Ceremony, I could feel a deep sense of anticipation coming over me. This opportunity presented an important shift. Today, we would celebrate in person! As I moved about the 37 young men and women, I shared how our recent transition from […]
As we enter into the final stretch of this school year, I encourage everyone – our students, our teachers, our staff, our families, and our entire community – to maintain the commitment and energy to finish the school year strong. We have overcome many obstacles and explored many new ways of teaching and learning. Do […]
Following the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial, we in Atlanta Public Schools must continue to create spaces for conversation and peaceful protest about this issue and other social justice matters facing our nation. As I shared on my blog, students, teachers, staff, and community members regularly express fears, worries, and questions about events they […]
Dear Atlanta Public Schools Family, Like many educators across our nation, awaiting the impending verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial created a certain anxiety and impatience within me. Many have opinions about this case, but now that the jury’s final decision has been announced, we must continue to create spaces for conversation and protest about […]
We’re back! I hope everyone had a great Spring Break and started the final stretch of the school year refreshed and recharged. I know our first week was fully virtual, but we will be in our schools – for those families choosing in-person teaching and learning – on Monday, April 19. We continue to push […]