Atlanta Public Schools JROTC Director Lt. Col. (Retired) Robert W. Rooker receives checks for $550 from (left) Tom Torbert of the Atlanta Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) and (right) Dale Hajost of the West Point Society of Atlanta. The donations will pay for transportation to Fort Bennign for 100 APS cadets to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Army JROTC program.
By Seth Coleman
Thanks to the generosity of two military organizations, 100 cadets from the Atlanta Public Schools Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) will get the opportunity to make history and celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Army JROTC program at the same time.
The Atlanta Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) and the West Point Society of Atlanta have each donated $550 to the APS JROTC, which will pay for charter buses to transport 100 APS cadets to Fort Benning, Ga., near Columbus, on April 23 – the day the 100th anniversary of the Army JROTC program will be celebrated. On that day, the cadets will join military personnel from around the world in a 5K run, in an attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for the largest 5K run.
“There will be 5K runs on bases around the world,” said Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Robert W. Rooker, Director of the AJC JROTC. “It will be great for our students to take part in something historic like this. We are extremely grateful to the Atlanta Chapter of MOAA and the West Point Society of Atlanta for allowing our students to have this opportunity.”
While at Fort Benning, the APS cadets will tour the National Infantry Museum, which is located on the base.
“It is on par with the Smithsonian, it is just that big and grand,” Rooker said. “We are thrilled to be able to expose our students to something of this significance and magnitude.”
The Benjamin E. Mays baseball team, coached by Reginald Austin (far right, back row, No. 21), is 14-1 overall this season and undefeated (10-0) and in first place in Class AAAAA-Region 6.
By Seth Coleman
The Benjamin E. Mays baseball team has already demonstrated that it is one of the best in Georgia. Now the Raiders have the opportunity to show the nation.
Mays has been invited to match up against some of the best teams in the nation during a national tournament, beginning Saturday morning. The Raiders will face the Henry Clay Blue Devils from Lexington, Ky., in the Rawlings Select Classic, a 16-team event being held at the LakePoint Sports Complex in Emerson, Ga. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m.
This is the first time an Atlanta Public School team has been invited to the prestigious tournament. Mays earned an invitation through its stellar play thus far this season. The Raiders are 14-1 and are in first place and undefeated (10-0) in their region, Class AAAAA-Region 6. Mays, coached by Reginald Austin, has won 12 consecutive games.
Other top teams in the tournament, which will culminate with a championship game Saturday evening, include Archbishop Moeller of Cincinnati, Morgan Park of Chicago, and T.L. Hanna of Anderson, S.C. Mays and Valdosta High School will represent Georgia. Tickets are $5.
By: Taylor R. Jones
More than 550 Parkside Elementary School students were celebrated by their active participation in the district’s “Take 5” campaign and Parkside’s F.I.T. (Fundamental Instructional Training) Challenges with a pizza party from the district.
In the beginning of 2016, Atlanta Public Schools issued a challenge to all APS schools to have parents update their contact information in Infinite Campus. After careful research by the district’s Research and Evaluation Office, it was determined that Parkside had more parents to update their information than any other school.
In lieu of their recent success, Parkside kept the momentum going with their annual F.I.T. Challenges. These comprehensive educational games engage students to use what they have learned over the years through fun, yet stimulating games. Each grade experiences 4 challenges in 20-minute rotations.
Some of these games include “Math Football” and playing “Hungry, Hungry Hippo” to answer comprehensive educational questions.
As F.I.T. Challenges started off catering to the math subject, this year marked Parkside’s first F.I.T. Challenges that included all areas of learning such as ELA (English Language Arts) problem solving activities and competitive content games.
Math Instructional Coach, Gregory Coleman, is ecstatic to see the amount of fun students have applying the concepts they have learned. Especially, taking them out of traditional elements to teach standard concepts.
“Well, when we started, we knew that we needed to do something to engage the students,” said Coleman. “It’s a split between academics and Field Day to make it fun. They (the students) know that they’re being engaged and learning through the process.”
To learn more about the district’s “Take 5” Campaign, please go here.
Perkerson Elementary School Principal Tracie Astin (left) and her staff are all smiles during the school’s 2016 Dual Immersion/STEAM/Health Fair Expo.
By: Alicia Sands Lurry
More than 100 parents packed the gymnasium of Thomas Jefferson Perkerson Elementary School Tuesday night to celebrate the “Power of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics” as part of Perkerson’s 2016 Dual Immersion/STEAM/Health Fair Expo. Designed to showcase the school’s dual language immersion and science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics programs, the program also provided parents with valuable resources, such as community gardening, heart healthy and other support programs.
Throughout the evening, teachers shared program overviews, highlights and program information that offered parents a glimpse into student projects and activities that are designed to motivate children to think “outside of the box” and become creative problem solvers.
“We want parents to know about the instructional programs in place and the community resources that are available to them,” said Perkerson Elementary Principal Tracie Astin. “This was their opportunity to come into the school and learn what’s going on here and also bring community resources and foster a sense of connectedness.”
Perkerson parents packed the school's gymnasium to learn more about Perkerson's dual immersion Spanish and STEAM programs
Latin jazz artists Jerry Field and Veccinos Del Mundo perform courtesy of school partner, Rialto Center for the Arts
Brian Ashley Media Specialist, Deerwood Academy
By: Erica Fatima
Atlanta Public Schools proudly congratulates Brian Ashely, Media Specialist at Deerwood Academy for being chosen as APS’ Library Media Specialist of the Year! Brian was selected among many highly qualified candidates throughout the District and will go on to represent APS at the Georgia Library Media Association(GLMA) and Georgia Association of Instructional Technology (GAIT), who co-sponsor the Georgia School Library Media Specialist of the Year award. This prestigious award recognizes K-12 library media specialists whose service has resulted in exemplary library media programs.
“It was a very difficult decision for the committee to make. Brian and all of our media specialist are stellar and they continue to ensure that our libraries and media centers are filled with wonderful tools that enable our students to excel in the global market. Thanks to all our amazing media specialists,”said Dr. Warren Goetzel, Media Services Coordinator for APS.
The three APS finalists will receive a box of library books for their collection valued at approximately $500.
- Tomiko Cobb – Dunbar ES
- Carla Jackman – Parkside ES
- Linda Green – Carver HS
Each school system in Georgia may select one library media specialist for the GLMA award. From those awarded at the school system level, one media specialist is selected as the regional Library Media Specialist of the Year. The state Library Media Specialist of the Year is chosen from the regional winners and will be announced the GaETC Conference in November. Also, the nine regional winners will be recognized and presented awards at GaETC. For more information on the award please visit http://www.glma-inc.org.
Congratulations Brian and best of luck moving on to the next level!
APS will also celebrate National School Library Week, April 10 through April 16. Many schools have great programs outlined in recognition of the week.
More information can be found at: http://www.ala.org/conferencesevents/celebrationweeks/natlibraryweek
As March winds down, our guest blogger and music teacher Brianne Turgeon recaps the importance of music education and its impact on students.
SPARK’s Music in (around, near, and far from) our Schools Month
By Brianne Turgeon, Music/Chorus teacher at Springdale Park Elementary
SPARK music students performed “We are Gonna Be Friends” and “My Best Friend” at the Gazoyks Family Show on March 19th.
“Music In Our Schools Month® or “MIOSM®” is the National Association for Music Education’s annual celebration during March which engages music educators, students, and communities from around the country in promoting the benefits of high quality music education programs in schools.”
As the Music and Chorus teacher at Springdale Park Elementary, I take the task of promoting Music Education very seriously. My personal goal as SPARK’s Music teacher is to make music an integral part of our school’s fabric that includes the students & teachers, our parents, the local community, and our community at large.
Throughout the month of March the students at Springdale Park have been extremely busy and involved in raising awareness of the deep importance that our school community places on Music. Students on every grade level have had opportunities to perform and create music, as well as be audience members for some amazing musical performances!
Here’s what we have been up to, just in March! For information about what we’ve been doing all year go to: http://springdaleparkmusic.blogspot.com/
Watch SPARK fifth graders sing the National Anthem at a March 11 Fifth Grade Basketball Challenge.
SPARK K & 1st kids had awesome seats at the @AtlantaSymphony ! #musicinourschools @apsupdate @AtlPSarts @SPARKpto pic.twitter.com/owkXqPOWii
— Ms. Turgeon (@MusicAtSPARK) March 16, 2016
A fantastic ending to our #FineArtsNight. Kids performed & amazing artwork was displayed and purchased. #goSPARKarts pic.twitter.com/e3gkRj4PHi
— Ms. Turgeon (@MusicAtSPARK) March 18, 2016
Music takes our kids everywhere #fineartschatGA @ATLsuper @AtlPSarts @SPARKpto #goAPSFineArts pic.twitter.com/LMKKbPrFEu
— Ms. Turgeon (@MusicAtSPARK) March 24, 2016
For more SPARK music updates follow Ms. Turgeon on Twitter @MusicAtSPARK!
The Grady High School Philharmonic is among four finalists nationwide to win the Kishi Bashi National Music Contest.
By: Alicia Sands Lurry
Atlanta Public Schools (APS) has been honored with the 2016 Best Communities for Music Education designation from the NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. APS joins 476 districts across the country in receiving the prestigious award in 2016.
The Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.
Districts that have been recognized by the NAMM Foundation are often held up as models for other educators looking to boost their own music education programs. Some of the biggest achievements for APS during the 2015-2016 school year include:
• Over $80,000 awarded in music scholarships to Maynard H. Jackson choral music students
• South Atlanta High School Jazz Band received the Unity Jazz Foundation Award
• Grady High School Philharmonic Orchestra won the Kishi Bashi National Music Contest
• Sutton Middle School’s band and orchestra performed at Carnegie Hall
• Several APS students are represented in the All State Chorus
To qualify for the Best Communities designation, APS answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and community music-making programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.
“The fact that Atlanta Public Schools has been designated one of the 400-plus school districts in the United States as a Best Community for Music Education reinforces the decisions made by the Atlanta Board of Education and Dr. Meria Carstarphen to ensure music education is included in all K-12 APS schools,” said Elizabeth Eppes, fine arts coordinator for the district. “This designation provides affirmation that APS is committed to providing music programming and will rally the district community to continue to accept quality and robust music and arts programs in all of our schools.”