In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Atlanta Public Schools is proud to highlight the stories of survivors who continue to serve students and their school communities. This is the story of Sandra Hernandez, a first-grade DLI Spanish teacher at Morris Brandon Elementary School.
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Atlanta Public Schools is proud to highlight the stories of survivors who continue to serve students and their school communities.
Jalysa Stewart is a 4th- and 5th-grade teacher at Kimberly Elementary School, and this is her story:
In 2022, I felt a lump in my right breast, and I didn’t know what it was at first. I waited a couple of days following that self-examination and later decided to go to the doctor and see what was happening. I shared my concerns with my mom and went to the doctor. My gynecologist referred me to the Breast Care Center of Macon, and that’s where I started the treatment plan to cure my Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) breast cancer.
During my journey, I wasn’t employed by APS. However, I had a great family unit that ensured I was mentally, spiritually, and physically okay. They supported me through every surgery, and the community I lived in supported me by wearing pink on the days of my surgeries.
The surgeries and not being able to hold my three-year-old were the most challenging part of my journey. She could tell something was wrong. My family explained to her that I had boo-boos, so she would have to be gentle and hug me in specific ways. One night, she wanted to sleep with me, but I was still healing and sore. I had to keep telling her and myself that we would lie together little by little and when I could. We would sit together, and I would read to her, watch TV, and sometimes sit outside. She motivated me to heal. It healed me even more to see her excitement when we could finally hug and I could hold her. She was a champ!
Today, I am happy to report that I am 100 percent cancer-free! I am truly blessed by those who supported me then and those who support me now.
Q: What advice or encouragement would you give to individuals who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and are undergoing treatment?
A: I would advise someone who has been diagnosed and is undergoing treatment to use music as a coping mechanism. Find a song that brings you peace and calms you. Surround yourself with people who speak positively about you daily, hour to hour, minute to minute; this will help. On the low days, remember that you are a vibe, someone full of strength, and your story matters.
As Breast Cancer Awareness Month comes to an end, the APS Department of Health and Physical Education invites everyone to wear pink this Wednesday, October 30. By participating, we honor survivors like Jalysa, remember those we’ve lost, and support the ongoing fight against this disease. Don’t forget to engage with us online using the hashtag #APSGoesPink! Together, we can raise awareness and advocate for progress in breast cancer prevention and care.
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Atlanta Public Schools is proud to highlight the stories of survivors who continue to serve students and their school communities.
Angela C. Rivers is a third-grade teacher at West Manor Elementary School who joined Atlanta Public Schools (APS) eight years ago. She is currently serving her 24th year as a teacher. This is her story:
My name is Angela Rivers, and I am a three-year breast cancer survivor. I was diagnosed with stage 1B, HER2-positive breast cancer on September 8, 2021, two days after my birthday. I went in for my regular mammogram, and they saw a difference in the imaging, which led them to send me in for a biopsy. I was at work sitting in my classroom when a message came through on MyChart. I was stunned for a moment as I read the results of the biopsy, which was directly followed by a call from my doctor’s office.
On October 4, 2021, I began what would become six rounds of chemotherapy and later had a lumpectomy, followed by a month of radiation.
The most difficult part of my journey was not being able to give my daughter, who was 6 years old at the time, 100 percent. She was very supportive and seemed to understand that mommy wasn’t feeling well or mommy was tired. I’m thankful that my husband and my support system were there for whatever we needed. My goal was to keep her life as normal as possible. I overcame this by doing everything that I could do with the strength that I did have on a daily basis. I picked her up from school. I took her to gymnastics practice. I attended school functions and gymnastics meets. I showed up for her. She was and still is a tremendous motivation throughout my journey.
Today, I am happy to report that I have completed my treatments and am maintaining my healing with a preventative medication.
My advice to anyone newly diagnosed and those going through treatment is that your life is not over. Medicine has advanced so much over the years. I hope you can be thankful that we are in a time where we can benefit from it, and I encourage you to hold on to all the good things in your life. Have faith in the next chapter.
Q: What support did you feel or receive from your APS community during your breast cancer journey?
A: During my journey, the support I felt the most from APS was simply holding my job. I didn’t worry about anything while on leave. Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough sick time to cover my full absence, and the sick bank was unavailable. Knowing I had a job to return to meant a lot to me.
The APS Department of Health and Physical Education invites everyone to wear pink on the remaining Wednesdays in October to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month. By participating, we honor survivors, remember those we’ve lost, and support the ongoing fight against this disease. Don’t forget to engage with us online using the hashtag #APSGoesPink! Together, we can raise awareness and advocate for progress in breast cancer prevention and care.
Peyton Forest Elementary School & St. Paul’s Episcopal
Health Fair & Breast Cancer Walk 2011
Saturday, October 1st—8am-1pm
Schedule
8:00am—9:15am……… Community Breakfast (Free)
9:30am-1:00pm—Vendor Expo& Screenings
10:00am-11:30am- Breast Cancer Walk
10:30pm-12:30pm—Dog Training Demonstration
11:30am-1:00pm—Speakers on Vision, Health, Sports Medicine, Asthma
Screenings
Blood Pressure
Vision
Asthma & Lung Disease
Diabetes
Vendors
AARP
American Cancer Society
American Diabetes Association
Counseling Services for Black Women’s Wellness
Sickle Cell Foundation
Fulton County Department of Health-Children and Special Needs Program
For more information about this event, please call (404) 696-3620
*Donations will be accepted for the American Cancer Society
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
306 Peyton Road SW Atlanta, Georgia 30311
The Sarah Smith Elementary School community raised more than $6,000 and registered more than 400 walkers for its inaugural 2-mile walk for breast cancer!
“This was an amazing and authentic expression of outreach, awareness and action on behalf of our school community,” said walk organizers Bejay Osby and Stephanie Wilkinson. “The walk allowed our united community to truly make a difference. We were deeply moved and inspired by the experience and we hope others were too.”
On Nov. 6, nearly 400 students, faculty, parents and neighbors walked 2 miles to support breast cancer awareness. This IB awareness and action plan was rooted in the PYP Learner Profile focusing on “caring” and “empathy.” The experience empowered children and encouraged them to contribute to their local community regarding a global epidemic.
Proceeds were donated on behalf of Sarah Smith Elementary to the Atlanta-area breast cancer organization It’s The Journey, Inc. It’s The Journey and the Atlanta 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer generates funding for multiple local programs that help provide financial assistance, education, diagnosis, treatment and more.
Enjoy the video above, which was sent to us from the fine folks at Sarah Smith Elementary! Good times.