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Dobbs Elementary

Heritage Academy Soars to the Top in Atlanta Hawks Reading Challenge

by Allison M. Slocum 13 May 2025

written by Allison M. Slocum

This article appears courtesy of Jennifer Saunders, director of Media Services for Atlanta Public Schools.

Heritage Academy and Atlanta Hawks 2025 March Reading Challenge Pep Rally. Photo credit: Heritage Academy, APS ©

During the month of March, Heritage Academy proved that leaders are readers by achieving a slam dunk in literacy! The school took home top honors in the Atlanta Hawks March Reading Challenge with a perfect 100% participation rate from both students and staff, with 244,503 minutes logged. Every reader, every day— that’s how Heritage brought the heat!

To celebrate their all-star performance, the school hosted an electrifying pep rally featuring the Atlanta Hawks dancers, fan-favorite Harry the Hawk, and spirited on-court reporter, Shamea Morton. The gym roared with excitement as students and staff were recognized for logging the most minutes read throughout the challenge.

But the celebration didn’t stop there. Thanks to Library Media Services, every student received a free book to take home, and the school library was awarded $1,000 worth of new books from the Hawks organization to continue fueling students’ love for reading. Dobbs Elementary earned a collection of books valued at $750 for reading their way to 2nd place. Miles Elementary scored 3rd and will receive a collection of books valued at $500.

Heritage Academy didn’t just rise to the challenge—they soared past it, showing that the impact is nothing short of championship-level when a school reads together.

13 May 2025 0 comment

APS is Thankful for Delta! Global Giant Steps Up Again to Help Hutchinson and Dobbs Elementary Schools

by talkupaps 17 Nov 2017

written by talkupaps

Delta Airlines has pledged to donate $500,000 over five years toward programs and initiatives at two Atlanta Public Schools – Hutchinson and Dobbs Elementary.

Students and staff at Hutchinson and Dobbs Elementary Schools have one more thing for which to be thankful … the generosity of Delta Airlines.

Members of Delta’s cargo division, led by vice president Shawn Cole, visited Hutchinson on Friday and brought boxes of school supplies, along with large bags filled with snacks

and treats for every student in the school. The students can take the snacks home over the holiday to ensure they have plenty of nourishment between meals during the Thanksgiving break. Then, the 50 or so employees hung around for a few hours to read to students.

It is yet another example of the commitment Delta has made to partner with Atlanta Public Schools to improve the lives of students and give back to the community. Along with volunteer efforts, Delta has pledged to donate $100,000 a year for the next five years to fund various projects and initiatives at Hutchinson and Dobbs Elementary.

Shawn Cole, vice president of the Delta Airlines Cargo Division speaks with students at Hutchinson Elementary School.

“Atlanta is our hometown, and we want to make sure we focus on improving the community,” Cole said. “Education is the key to a successful future, and with Hutchinson and Dobbs being just five minutes away from us, we’re all part of the community. These students are our future employees and our future customers. We want to bring that ‘Delta love’ to them.”

So far this year that “Delta love” has been displayed in various ways at Hutchinson. The gym has been painted. The cafeteria has been refurbished with fresh paint, new lights and two large flat screen monitors, and Delta volunteers organized the school’s “Trunk or Treat” Halloween event and are active participants in the Delta Buddies reading program.

“We have made a huge and much-needed commitment to improve reading, and Delta is helping us with that,” Hutchinson Principal Dr. Shaunta Broadway said. “But there has been a trickle- down effect that has improved our school culture. To have an international company like Delta come in and be a partner, and donate so much time and money, it has made all of us – teachers, students, parents – feel more important. It’s just been a blessing.”

17 Nov 2017 0 comment

Dobbs Care Center Impresses Foundation President

by talkupaps 30 Sep 2016

written by talkupaps

Dobbs Elementary Principal Charnita West, Ed.D, (left), joined Emory University pediatrician Dr. Veda Johnson (center) and Howard Dobbs Foundation President David Weitnauer during their site visit to the new school-based care center at Dobbs.

“Beautiful” was the term used by David Weitnauer, president of the Howard Dobbs Foundation, when describing the new school based care center at Dobbs Elementary School.

The care center, which opened this month, was made possible by a grant from the Howard Dobbs Foundation and partnerships with the Emory University Department of Pediatrics and Southside Medical Center.

“It looks very professional, just a beautiful space,” Weitnauer said during a site visit this week. “We want to expand health care options for underserved communities, and school-based health centers are a great way for us to reach families.”

Dr. Veda Johnson, M.D., Emory Associate Professor and Director of PARTNERS for Equity in Child and Adolescent Health (PARTNERS) for the Department of Pediatrics at Emory University, was equally impressed and hopes the care center will increase parental involvement in the school.

“It’s an outstanding facility, from the look of it to the professionals working here,” Dr. Johnson said. “I hope it entices more parents to come to the school and become involved. Sometimes, parents can be intimidated by teachers and principals. Schools can be an intimidating place for them. But everyone goes to the doctor. I hope this care center can help bring more parents here to the school.”

30 Sep 2016 0 comment

L.P. Miles, Dobbs Elementary School Launch School-Based Community Health Centers

by talkupaps 8 Sep 2016

written by talkupaps

miles-ribbon-cutting-1

Ribbon cutting ceremonies were held this week at L.P. Miles Elementary (top) and Dobbs Elementary for new school-based health centers that will be housed at each school.

On a recent visit to L.P. Miles Elementary School, Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Meria J. Carstarphen complained about an earache. But the physician on duty at the school’s new school health center diagnosed and treated the problem and in no time she was feeling much better.

Thanks to the generosity of Emory University, Healing Community Centers and Southside Medical Center, ailing students and adults in the Miles and Dobbs Elementary School communities – some with earaches like Dr. Carstarphen – will not have to travel far for health services.

The school health center at Miles Elementary was established through a partnership with Healing Community Centers.

An “oasis” in the middle of a desert. That’s the sentiment now that two school-based community health centers are open for business in southeast Atlanta (Dobbs) and southwest Atlanta (Miles). Ribbon cutting ceremonies were held Wednesday for the state-of-the-art facilities, located on the campuses of both schools. The centers provide a “health care oasis” in these communities. Each will offer physical health,dental health and emotional/behavioral health services with a licensed physician, dentist and behavioral specialist on staff throughout the day. The health care centers will be in operation Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“This will help improve our attendance because now our students can get the health services they need right here,” said Miles Principal Thalise Perry. “We can nip those illnesses in the bud. The wrap around services this health center will provide are what our school and this community needs.”

Southside Medical Center serves as the principal partner to Dobbs Elementary School for its school health center.

Dobbs Principal Dr. Charnita West agreed. “Now our students and the members of this community have a place to go where they can get quality health services, and our school staff members can use the health centers as well,” West said. “This will help our student attendance and our staff attendance as well. This community needed a facility like this and I am so grateful that our school was chosen to house it.”

8 Sep 2016 0 comment

Dobbs Elementary School Program Bridges the Gap Between Education and Opportunity

by talkupaps 18 Aug 2016

written by talkupaps

By Donovan Harris

“The power is in your hands. You are their first teacher. Education starts at home.”

These are the wise words of Peyton Rhone, secretary at Dobbs Elementary School, as she led an introductory meeting for parents at the Kids Matter 21^st Century AfterSchool Program at Dobbs on Monday, Aug. 15.

Unlike typical after-school childcare services, Kids Matter offers a two-fold program where parents are also empowered and educated alongside their children through workshops that deal with bullying, as well as cooking and parent-student painting classes. The parents involved in this program receive an all-around support group experience.

Dobbs

Kids Matter also offers a GED Preparation program for its parents.

“If our parents commit to these GED Preparation classes that we offer here, they are guaranteed to pass the GED test.”, Ms. Rhone proclaimed.

Rhone is a testament to this program. Thanks to the partnership between the National Center for Families Learning and Toyota, Rhone was able to receive her GED and later become a college graduate.

“A family that learns together, excels together,” she said. “I have seen that in my own life and through the lives of my children.”

Throughout the evening, Rhone emphasized to parents that receiving her GED opened many “unimaginable” doors. She shared that her GED led her to a job that ultimately aligned with her passion.

“Having my GED made it that much easier to achieve my goals,” she said.

The Kids Matter parent kickoff will be held at Dobbs Elementary School on Saturday, Sept. 17. at 9 a.m.

18 Aug 2016 0 comment

Google Brings Virtual Reality to APS Classrooms

by talkupaps 9 Mar 2016

written by talkupaps

By: Taylor R. Jones

Can you imagine visiting the bottom of the sea and the surface of Mars in one day? This has now become a marvelous reality thanks to Google’s Expeditions Pioneer Program.

googlexpeditions

The Expeditions Pioneer Program is a virtual reality platform built for the classroom and designed to incorporate with teacher lesson plans. Teachers guide students on 3D virtual tours of places that school buses cannot go.

When this program was first launched in September 2015, its availability was limited to certain cities within the United States and around the world. When Gina Wilson, Dobbs Elementary School’s Educational Technology Specialist, was first introduced to Google Expedition technology last summer, she helped convince Google officials to include Atlanta Public Schools in their beta testing protocol. Now, these guided virtual tours not only enhance the in-classroom learning experience, but these tours have also given teachers extra motivation.

“Our teachers are able to use this technology to take their students on a virtual field trip all over the world,” Wilson said. “Our teachers have taken this technology, embraced it, and now see the positive impact it has on student instruction.”

Google representatives have traveled all over metro Atlanta to bring APS teachers the essential tools they will need to feed the malleable minds of their elementary school students: ASUS smartphones, a tablet for the teacher, router and viewers that turn phones into virtual reality headsets, and Google Cardboard. APS sites such as Dobbs, Boyd, Hope-Hill, and Venetian Hills elementary schools received the opportunity to test Google’s virtual realities early. But Google’s Expeditions have even stimulated the interest of district S.T.E.M. teachers, as well.

APS’ Venetian Hills S.T.E.M. teacher, Nichole Jones, is absolutely elated about the excitement Google is bringing to her classrooms. Not only have these expeditions given her the opportunity to observe student’s growth in knowledge, skills, and attitudes first-hand, but they have also greatly motivated her with the strong sense of technology that is replacing how students learn and interact.

Dr. Emily Massey, APS Associate Superintendent for East Region, and Venetian Hills ES students experiencing simulations from the Google Expeditions Pioneer Program.

“The virtual field trip experiences that Google Expeditions provides has set an exciting precedent of the capability that technology has to bridge the gap between the classroom and the world,” Wilson said.

Now that beta testing is coming to an end, it will be up to APS schools whether or not to adopt this new form of classroom teaching. Again, Google will try to make that decision easier. By January 2016. Google announced that the Expeditions Pioneer Program will release an app for Android. This way, teachers and schools can easily access virtual experiences for their classrooms.

9 Mar 2016 0 comment

Dobbs Elementary’s African American Read-In Attracts Celebrities, Community Members

by talkupaps 22 Feb 2016

written by talkupaps

WVEE-FM (V-103) radio personality Ferarri Simmons brought his “Reading with Rari” initiative to Dobbs Elementary School last week, as a part of the school’s “African American Read-In” program.

By Seth Coleman

In honor of Black History Month, Dobbs Elementary School highlighted its focus on reading with an “African American Read-In” program last week.

The program featured more than 20 participants from all walks of life, who read two-to-three short books to students throughout the day. One of the readers was WVEE-FM (V-103) radio personality Ferarri Simmons, who brought his “Reading with Rari” initiative to the school.

Simmons said he has always stressed to young people the importance of reading and getting a good education. However, he said having his own children – a second-grader and a four-year-old – has made him even more determined to drive home the message.

“Reading to them every night has really enlightened me,” said Simmons, who launched “Reading with Rari” this school year. Every Friday, he visits a local elementary school and reads to students. “I can see how it is making a difference with my kids, and so I want to do the same thing with as many kids in the community as I can.”

Simmons uses his celebrity to drive home the positive message of doing well in school.

“I tell them that even though you hear me on the radio, a lot of time I’m reading a sheet, I’m not just talking,” Simmons said. “So I tell them they can be a doctor, or a lawyer, or a radio host on V-103. They can be anything they want to be, but they have to be able to read.”

Damion “Da-Da” Lewis of Streetz 94.5 is another local celebrity who participated in the Dobbs African American Read-In. He too is passionate about stressing the importance of reading and education to young people. Additionally, he wants them to know that being smart and educated is “cool.”

“I want them to know that I may talk one way or act one way on the radio, but when I am reading to them I speak differently,” Lewis said. “My dad always told me growing up, that you have to know when to turn it on and turn it off. There is a way you talk when you’re having fun with your friends, but there is a way you speak when you are in school and handling business.”

Damion Da-Da Lewis of Streetz 94.5 reads at Dobbs ES

Damion “Da-Da” Lewis of Streetz 94.5 read “The Two Tyrones” and “Pet Show” to students during Dobbs Elementary School’s “African American Read-In” program last week.

Dobbs’ African American Read-In attracted non-celebrities as well. James Taylor visits Dobbs frequently, volunteering and serving as a male role model and mentor to the students.

“Anything that Dobbs has going on, I’m here,” Taylor said. “Reading is a fundamental part of getting your education. I wanted to be here to support an event like this that is so important.”

Dobbs will host a Family Literacy Day, Friday, Feb. 26, beginning at 9:30 a.m. This event will help parents better understand the importance of reading to their children through various mini-worshops and interactive sessions.

22 Feb 2016 0 comment

Southeast Atlanta Community Designs Playground for All Ages at Dobbs Elementary

by talkupaps 11 Sep 2013

written by talkupaps

On September 6^th, Atlanta Public Schools, the South Metro Scholastic Fund, Humana Foundation, and KaBoom! kicked off their design plans for a new one-of-a-kind community garden at Dobbs Elementary School.

The customized playground will be funded primarily by the Humana Foundation and will be created with personal drawings and other input from local community members – from children to seniors – collected during this special design day.

The children who attend J.W. Dobbs Elementary School have not had a playground to enjoy for more than 10 years. The community will rally together to design a new community garden to encourage a healthy diet – as well as more traditional, kid-friendly equipment to create a truly multi-generational space. The project will create a gathering area to inspire family picnics and get-togethers for years to come.

The project is one of more than 50 playgrounds being built by Humana, the Humana Foundation, and KaBOOM! across the U.S. over four years. The Humana Foundation is proud to help create a lasting neighborhood legacy that promotes healthy play and well-being.

APS is thankful for all of the partners sponsoring this project and is excited for the actual building day of the playground on November 9, 2013.

11 Sep 2013 0 comment

Principal Profile: Dr. Charnita West of Dobbs Elementary School

by talkupaps 5 Aug 2013

written by talkupaps

Students will be greeted this week at Dobbs Elementary School by a new school leader. APS welcomes Dr. Charnita West, the school’s new principal, to her new leadership role.

Principal West has been a kindergarten, 4th grade, 6th grade, EIP and Title I teacher and has served as an assistant principal. Dr. West is also an adjunct professor at Georgia State University and Georgia Regents University.

Rooted in the belief that it is the responsibility of the school, parents, and the community to nurture students’ dreams and feed their desire for knowledge, Principal West told Talk Up, ” I am personally welcoming and inviting our parents to take an active role in our school and be visible – join PTA, utilize the Parent Center, volunteer wherever needed, or tell us their talents and we will assist them in discovering the best way to participate in the lives of our students.”

Dobbs students took care of their school garden over the summer.

The teachers and staff have been busy this summer planning exciting opportunities that will make Dobbs a great place to teach and learn. Plans are underway for building a playground on the campus, designing a new website, launching a Dobbs Facebook page, organizing student clubs and creating Parent University.

Dobbs Elementary students reside in Atlanta’s south region, matriculating to Long Middle School and graduating from South Atlanta High School.

5 Aug 2013 1 comment

The South Metro Scholastic Fund’s Pete’s Promise Scholarship at Dobbs

by talkupaps 22 May 2013

written by talkupaps

Pete’s Promise Scholarship
Pete’s Promise Scholarship in partnership with the South Metro Scholastic Fund is for the kindergarten and fifth grade class of 2012-2013 from Dobbs Elementary. The scholarship has been provided for those students who will meet the criteria listed below and more importantly will focus their efforts and energies on becoming an agent of change. The scholarship candidates are part of a world community that is shifting on a daily basis and their charge as they move through their educational journey is to take part in making their community, city, state, country, world better than its current status.
Pete’s Promise is made to the all kindergarten and fifth grade students attending Dobbs Elementary for the 2012-2013 school year who meet the following criteria:

Maintain a 3.0 GPA from Sixth (6th) through their first year in a college/university/technical school.
Attend a mentor meeting twice a year with Pete Settelmayer (Pete’s Promise) and Sharon Pierre (South Metro Scholastic Fund).
Graduate High School by 2020 (fifth grade) and 2025 (kindergarten).
Complete one full-year of either college/university/technical/trade school while maintaining a 3.0 GPA.
At the age of sixteen (16) scholarship candidate must be enrolled in a service organization or participate regularly (once a year) in service activities. Service Activities would include but are not limited to work in community food banks, student to student mentoring, community improvement organizations, social action groups, etc…
Candidates and parent/guardians are responsible for updating contact information.

Pete’s promise will make monthly monetary contributions to the scholarship fund as well as hold an annual fund drive. All the proceeds raised between 2013 through the candidates first year of college/university/technical or trade school will be divided amongst the candidates successfully meeting all of the above criteria.

This is a worthwhile and wonderful opportunity for students at Dobbs! Thank you to Peter Settelmayer, Sharon Pierre and the South Atlanta Metro Scholastic Fund!

22 May 2013 0 comment

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