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Humphries Elementary School Celebrates Students with Perfect and Near Perfect Attendance

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Humphries ES Perfect Attendance (2017)

227 students at Humphries Elementary School had perfect attendance or missed less than three days of school during the first semester. The students were honored at a ceremony at the school on Friday.

(Click here to view the video.)

School attendance is vital for academic success, and it is really serious business at Humphries Elementary School. On Friday, 96 students with perfect attendance, along with 131 more with no more than three absences during the first semester, were honored for their dedication to coming to school.

During the hour-long ceremony, students received a certificate and were treated to

Que 9 at Humphries ES 1

Teenage rapper Que 9 performed at the Humphries Elementary School celebration for students with perfect or near perfect attendance.

Christmas cookies and apple cider, while teenage rapper Que 9 made a surprise appearance and performed his hit single “Red Light, Green Light.” Parents who were winners of a lottery drawing received their gift – a $50 American Express gift card – and CIGNA Healthcare executives Helen Glenn, Thomas Hunter-James and Reggie White gave words of encouragement.

CIGNA Healthcare is one of Humphries Elementary’s community partners, and provided the school with funding to purchase one Christmas present for all 227 students with perfect or near-perfect attendance.

“At some point I hope it will become intrinsic,” said Humphries Elementary Principal Melanie Mitchell. “When they leave and go to middle school [attendance] may not be celebrated as large, I hope they remember the message that it is important to be in school every day. When you show up and you are accountable, that’s a skill that we all need.”

CIGNA Execs at Humphries ES (2017)

CIGNA Healthcare executives Thomas Hunter-James (far left), Helen Glenn (second from right), and Reggie White (far right), helped provide Christmas presents for all 227 Humphries Elementary students with perfect or near perfect attendance. Humphries Elementary Principal Melanie Mitchell (second from the left) presented the gifts to students on Friday.

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M. Agnes Jones Elementary School’s Literacy Initiative Gets a Big Boost from Georgia-Pacific

by talkupaps
written by talkupaps
MAJ and GP staff

Georgia-Pacific has provided all 547 students at M. Agnes Jones Elementary School with a “lit kit” filled with books, school supplies and flash cards. Students received their bags at the monthly honors assembly on Friday.

Agnes Jones Elementary School was “lit” on Friday afternoon … literally!

Thanks to community partner Georgia-Pacific, all 547 students at the school received a personalized “lit kit” during its monthly honors assembly, held on the last Friday of each month. Each kit includes several books, based on the student’s interests, flash cards and various school supplies. The kits, created by members of the sales team at Georgia-Pacific, were placed in white shopping bags and decorated for each individual student.MAJ students get Lit Bags

The “lit kit” distribution marked the official kickoff of M. Agnes Jones’ drive to improve the reading proficiency rates of its students, said Principal Dr. Margul Woolfolk.

MAJ students with Lit Bags“We want to help foster a love of reading in our students, so that they will want to read more,” Dr. Woolfolk said. “The more they read, the more their comprehension and proficiency will increase. We’re so grateful to Georgia-Pacific for their support in helping us reach our goals.”

Literacy T-shirt

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Michael Pleze Takes Pride in His Craft at Usher-Collier ES

by talkupaps
written by talkupaps

NATIONAL CUSTODIAL WORKER’S DAY: Monday, Oct. 2

Michael Pleze -- Usher-Colier (Windows 2)

Michael Pleze has been a custodian in Atlanta Public Schools for 21 years, following in the footsteps of his father, Jesse Pleze, who retired in 2006 after 40 years in APS. Micheal Pleze serves at Usher-Collier Elementary School.

Ask Michael Pleze to state the hardest, most challenging part of his job as a custodian at Usher-Collier Elementary School and he’ll hesitate. Then, just when he is about to give you an answer, he’ll hesitate again.

That’s because he enjoys and takes pride in all aspects of his work, something he has been doing for the past 21 years – from 7:30 a.m., sometimes earlier if need be, to 4 p.m. or later.

“I’m blessed to have this job,” Pleze said. “I just try to come to work every day and do a good job. Just do my best.” His attitude is representative of the 161 full-time and part-time custodians employed by Atlanta Public Schools.

“He is in perpetual motion,” Usher-Collier Principal Jerry Parker said of Pleze. “He is dedicated and self-motivated. He does things before you can even ask him, and he puts children first. He is the best I have ever seen at what he does.”

Pleze learned his craft and his working philosophy from his father, Jesse Pleze, who worked for 40 years as a custodian in APS in several different schools, including Morris Brandon Elementary and South Atlanta High School, where he retired in 2006. He passed away last year, but Michael Pleze said his father’s words of advice continue to guide him.

“He told me to always be on time, and to do what they ask you to do,” said Pleze, a 1994 graduate of Douglass High School. “I come to work on time, with my shirt tucked in, ready to do a good job every day.”

Pleze said he starts the day cleaning every doorknob and hand rail in the school, along with every window that needs cleaning.

“You have to make sure you disinfect the doorknobs to cut down on the germs,” Pleze said. “And the windows, especially the ones at the front of the school, have to stay clean. It’s the first thing you see when you walk in the building.”Michael Pleze -- Usher-Collier (Hallway)

Next, Pleze cleans all 10 of the bathrooms in the building for the first time. He revisits all 10 at least two to three times each day. “It’s very important,” he said, “to make sure they are clean for the kids. You have to keep moving in this job. You can’t just go sit in the cafeteria all day.”

After lunch, Pleze will clean the cafeteria and then go out and inspect the outside of the building for trash, debris or anything else that is out of place. And he is always ready to assist teachers with heavy boxes or cleaning up messes in their classrooms. Keeping the teachers happy is another one of Pleze’s goals.

“I want to make sure I cater to the staff, make sure everything is right for them,” Pleze said. “That’s very important to me.”

Though he loves his job, Pleze said he will most likely call it a career nine years from now when he is eligible for retirement. He’ll spend more time with his wife, take longer walks to keep his Type II diabetes in check and serve at his church, Foundation Baptist Church, pastored by his uncle.

But until then, Pleze said he’ll continue to work under the same creed he now imparts to his younger peers who are just starting out.

“Come to work on time every day. Make sure you get along with the staff and do what they ask you to do,” Pleze said. “Be faithful to the job. Take pride in what you do and always do your best.”

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APS Announces “APS Homecoming” Schedule, Including Venue for 2017-18 State of the District Event

by talkupaps
written by talkupaps
APS Homecoming 2017

“APS Homecoming” will take place Oct. 20-21. It will feature the annual State of the District, an alumni and community tailgate, APS Family Spirit Day and three high school football games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

ATLANTA – Atlanta Public Schools wants its alumni, community supporters, parents and students to “come home.”

APS Homecoming Weekend will be Oct. 20-21
The district announced today a weekend of events – Oct. 20-21 – under the theme “APS Homecoming. Events include:

  • The annual State of the District address at Hollis Innovation Academy, followed immediately by an alumni and community tailgate (Friday, Oct. 20)
  • APS Family Spirit Day (Saturday, Oct. 21)
  • Three high school football games featuring five APS schools, being played at the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Saturday, Oct. 21)

“Whether you are a product or a graduate of Atlanta Public Schools or friends or family of an APS student, we welcome everyone to become a part of the APS Journey of Transformation,” Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Meria J. Carstarphen said.

Five APS schools in three high school football games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
This year’s State of the District address will be held Friday, Oct. 20, at the natatorium in one of the district’s newest schools, Hollis Innovation Academy, located in historic Westside Atlanta (225 James P. Brawley Drive). The building is undergoing an extensive renovation in order to bring it in line with the school’s innovative STEM curriculum for elementary and middle school students. The alumni and community tailgate following the State of the District will feature food, music and representatives from various organizations offering resources and services for community members.

APS Family Spirit Day kick-off activities for Saturday, Oct. 21 include fun activities for APS parents, students, staff, alumni and community supporters prior to game time. Five APS high schools – Grady, Maynard Jackson, Mays, South Atlanta and Washington – will be featured in three high school football games played in the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday: Grady vs. Maynard Jackson (1 p.m.), South Atlanta vs. Washington (4 p.m.) and Mays vs. South Paulding (7 p.m.).

 Advance Tickets are $15.00 and $22.00 at the door.

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John Lewis Invictus Academy Hosts Atlanta Falcons’ Rise Up 159 Event

by talkupaps
written by talkupaps
Rise Up 159 at John Lewis Invictus (8-25-17)

Atlanta Public Schools is partnering with the Atlanta Falcons’ on the team’s “Rise Up 159” program, which introduces kids to the sport of football through flag football. John Lewis Invictus Academy hosted physical education teachers from 79 counties at this year’s launch event for the program, Friday.

The Atlanta Falcons want to introduce more kids to the game of football, and Atlanta Public Schools is helping them do it.

APS is partnering with the Falcons on the organization’s “Rise Up 159” initiative, named for the 159 different counties in Georgia. The program is designed to introduce the sport of football to young students through playing flag football. “Rise Up 159” has a full curriculum that relates to several required core standards taught in physical education classes in elementary and middle schools in Georgia.

Last Friday, John Lewis Invictus Academy hosted physical education teachers from 78 counties around the state for a professional development session on teaching the Rise Up 159 curriculum. This is the second year for the APS-Falcons partnership in the implementation of Rise Up 159. The district’s physical education teachers used the curriculum last year.

“The curriculum is fun for the kids and allows them to be creative in coming up with their own [football] plays,” said Isaac Haynes, a physical education teacher at Hollis Innovation Academy, who attended the training and won an autographed Matt Ryan jersey in a raffle. “This is a fun way to get kids interested in football. They are playing and learning at the same time.”

Chris Millman, director of Community Relations for the Atlanta Falcons, said fun is key to the success of Rise Up 159. Schools that implement the Rise Up 159 curriculum receive football, flag football belts and cones, all courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons.

“Football has to be fun or kids won’t want to play – flag or tackle [football],” Millman said. “Rise Up 159 has fun activities so boys and girls will want to play this game.”

Daryl Rice, coordinator of Health and Physical Education for APS, said the district and the Atlanta Falcons are committed to the Rise Up 159 partnership for the long term.

“It helps our kids stay in shape and increases their cardiovascular endurance, and helps them learn football at the same time,” Rice said. “We’ve implemented the program in our elementary and middle schools, and we want to move it into our high schools as well. We want everything we do in APS to be sustainable and this is one of those programs.”

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It’s Official! M.A. Jones Elementary is APS’ First Certified STEM School

by talkupaps
written by talkupaps
M.A. Jones ES STEM celebration 1

Georgia Schools Superintendent Richard Woods (Back row, left to right), APS Superintendent Meria J. Carstarphen and M.A. Jones Elementary School Principal Margul Woolfolk celebrate with students at a ceremony to honor M.A. Jones’ official recognition as a STEM school.

After five years of hard work, it was party time at M. Agnes Jones Elementary School on Tuesday as the school celebrated becoming the first Atlanta Public School to earn STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) certification.

The school held a pep rally featuring Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Meria J. Carstarphen and State Schools Superintendent Richard Woods. Prior to the raM.A. Jones ES garden (carrots)lly, Dr. Carstarphen and Woods were taken on a tour of the school’s urban farm where students are growing lettuce, spinach, carrots, collards and basil. Students are also caring for the farm’s two chickens – Coco Puff and Valentine.

M.A. Jones Principal Margul Woolfolk said the five-year journey to become a certified STEM school was well worth it. Instead of teaching science, technology, engineering and math in isolation, the STEM schools feature an integrated curriculum driven by problem solving, discovery, exploratory project/problem-based learning and student-centered development of ideas and solutions. It helps prepare students for success in the 21st century workforce.

M.A. Jones ES STEM celebration (Dr. C and robot)“I wanted this to be sustainable for the long term, and so it took some time for all of our teachers to be certified in STEM. Also, being a charter system gave us autonomy with our funds so that we could adequately support STEM,” Woolfolk said. “It’s having an impact on our students and the community.”

 

 

 

M.A. Jones ES STEM celebration 2

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Mary Lin Elementary Steppers to Compete for National Title After Winning State Championship

by talkupaps
written by talkupaps
Mary Lin Steppers 2017 (State Champs)

The Mary Lin Elementary School step team, Psi Phi Beta, won the Georgia Steppers League Elementary Division State Championship last weekend. This weekend, the squad will compete for a national title in Memphis.

It continues to rain state championships in Atlanta Public Schools!

Earlier this month, the Mays girls, South Atlanta boys and Atlanta Wolfpack (wheelchair team) won state titles in basketball. Now you can add Mary Lin Elementary School to the list.

Last weekend at East Coweta High School in Sharpsburg, the school’s step team – Psi Phi Beta – won APS’ fourth state title this year when it took first place in the Georgia Steppers League Elementary Division State Championship competition. The win qualifies the team to compete in the National Stepping Alliance 2017 National Championships, which will take place this weekend in Memphis.2017 Steppers National Championship flyer - Mary Lin ES (Memphis)

At the state competition, Mary Lin’s team outperformed 14 other schools. Additionally, Psi Phi Beta coach Victor Hicks, a technology instructor at the school, was named the league’s Elementary Coach of the Year, while the team’s parents and supporters won the league’s “Fandemonium” Award, given to the fans who show the most sportsmanship during the season.

This weekend’s national competition will feature teams from New York, Illinois and Texas, as well as other states. While Psi Phi Beta is in Memphis, the members and their families will tour Lemoyne-Owens College and visit the Lorraine Motel National Civil Rights Museum.

Mary Lin Steppers 2017 - 2 (State Champs)

Members of Psi Phi Beta include (front to back) Kush Karki, Louis Daugherty, Franki Palmer, Kate Wolfe,  Ryan Milko, Lailah Stoudenmire, Gabby Witmer, Rohan Morel, Anika Karki, head coach Victor Hicks.

(Also pictured is Gavin Brown, coach of the Ultimate Stepping Machines.)

 

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Super Bowl Winner Malcolm Mitchell Stresses Importance of Reading to F.L. Stanton Students

by talkupaps
written by talkupaps
Malcolm Mitchell at F.L. Stanton (3-28-17)

Malcolm Mitchell, a current member of the Super Bowl winning New England Patriots and a former star at the University of Georgia, talked about the importance of reading to students at F.L. Stanton Elementary School on Tuesday.

Former University of Georgia football star and current New England Patriots player Malcolm Mitchell spoke about the importance of reading to students at F.L. Stanton Elementary School on Tuesday, as a part of his Read With Malcolm campaign.

Mitchell, who played for the New England Patriots, winners of this year’s Super Bowl, has teamed up with Page Turners Make Great Learners, a non-profit organization that seeks to help students discover the joy of reading.Malcolm Mitchell at F.L. Stanton 3 (3-28-17)

“Anything you want to be in life, you can learn more about through reading,” Mitchell told a group of third- and fourth-graders. Though he struggled in reading himself for most of his life, including when he got to college, Mitchell said he improved by continuing to read even more. When he came to a word he did not understand or recognize, he would write it down and look it up later, he said.

Today, Mitchell is an avid reader and author of the children’s book, “The Magician’s Hat,” which he read to the students. He is a member of a book club, and earned his bachelor’s degree in communications from UGA in 2015.

 

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APS Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Read Across America Day

by talkupaps
written by talkupaps
beecher-hills-with-sign

Schools throughout the district celebrated the 20th anniversary of Read Across America Day on Thursday.

Happy Birthday, Dr. Theodore Seuss Geisel!

Atlanta Public Schools (APS) on Thursday celebrated Read Across America Day, which honors the birthday of one of the world’s most beloved authors of children’s books, Dr. Seuss (1904-1991).

This year marked the 20th anniversary of Read Across America Day, an initiative launched by the National Education Association as a way to focus national attention on the importance and joys of reading. Schools throughout the district joined in on the fun:

Beecher Hills Elementarybeecher-hills-reading
APS Superintendent Meria J. Carstarphen read to a group of first graders, while students and staff wore red. The cafeteria served green eggs  and ham to students and staff, and members of the Mays High School varsity baseball team (some of whom attended Beecher Hills) stopped by to read along with various dads, beecher-hills-mays-baseballgrandfathers, uncles, and any important male figures in the lives of students. Also, the school held a door decorating contest.

 

 

Carver High School
Students in a handful of classes met in the library to discuss Katherine Johnson and the movie “Hidden Figures,” in relation to space travel. The conversation then focused on students discussing the far-away places they may like to visit and goals they plan to achieve in honor of Dr. Seuss’ book, “Oh the Places You Will Go.”

Continental Colony
continental-colony-es-1Community leaders from various industries read to students throughout the day. The list of readers included Atlanta Fire Department personnel, Fulton County Commissioner Marvin Arrington Jr., WVEE-FM news anchor Maria Boynton, and CBS46 anchor/reporter Aiyana Cristal.

Deerwood Academydeerwood-cat-in-the-hat
Dr. Carstarphen read to a group of kindergarten students, and students and staff dressed as their favorite Dr. Seuss character or wore their deerwood-with-kidsfavorite or craziest hat.

 

 

Hollis Innovation Academy
hollis-innovation-academyVolunteer groups from Reading with the Gr8’s (a non-profit organization founded by Atlanta Hawk center and Atlanta native Dwight Howard) and the Azalea Chapter of the Links read to students. Additionally, the TAU Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. presented Hollis with a check for $3,500 to help with literacy initiatives.

DH Stanton Elementarydh-stanton-principal-christian-and-dr-massey
Principal Robin Christian dressed as the Cat in the Hat, while teachers and students dressed in Dr. Seuss attire and wore their favorite hat or a Cat in the Hat top hat, and Atlanta Braves officials and CBS46 reporter/anchor Tracye Hutchins volunteered to read to students.

 

Usher-Collier Elementary
Students, faculty and staff are wore their craziest, wildest, most mixed-matched sock in honor of the book “Fox in Socks.”usher-collier-es-crazy-socks-3

 

 

 

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Schools Throughout the District Celebrate Black History Month

by talkupaps
written by talkupaps
black-history-wax-museum-at-cces-george-washington-carver

Mason Muhammad Royal portrays famed scientist and inventor Dr. George Washington Carver in the Continental Colony Elementary School Black History Wax Museum.

 

The auditorium at Continental Colony Elementary School was transformed into an interactive, African American “wax museum” last week, as nearly 50 students posed as famous and influential African Americans in history.

The event is part of the school’s Black History Month celebration during the month of February. Continental Colony Principal Dr. Kristen Vaughn said the school always goes all out to pay homage to the great African American leaders and events of the past.

“Our school population is 98 percent African American. It is important for us to relate our history to our students,” Vaughn said. “If we don’t tell our stories, then who will? Also, we find that many of our parents learn a great deal from our programs and displays, and so it is good to know that we are educating the community as well.”

black-history-wax-museum-at-cces-mayor-shirley-franklin

Tylar Woods portrays Atlanta’s first female mayor Shirley Franklin at the Continental Colony Elementary School Black History Wax Museum.

In the wax museum, students took on the persona of individuals such as Louis Latimer (scientist, inventor), Hosea Williams (civil rights leader), Andrew Young (former Atlanta mayor and Secretary to the United Nations), Sarah Boone (inventor of the ironing board), Mary McCloud Bethune (educator, stateswoman and civil rights leader) and Sojourner Truth (abolitionist and women’s rights advocate). Visitors pressed a “button” located on the hand of the statues/students, which caused them to move and quote interesting facts about the characters they were portraying.

The top winner/performer in the wax museum was Jade Evans for her portrayal of Sarah Boone. Other students receiving awards for their portrayals were Kayla Sanders as Mary McCloud Bethune, Serena Booker as Serena Williams, Christian Murray as Andrew Young, Kevin Rose at Hosea Williams, and Jayla Graham as Sojourner Truth.

black-history-wax-museum-at-cces-louis-latimer

Zaire Parris portrays brilliant scientist and inventor Louis Latimer at the Continental Colony Elementary School Black History Wax Museum.

Additionally, Continental Colony is continuing its annual tradition of decorating its entire foyer with homages to African American history.

Here are several other Black History Month celebrations occurring throughout Atlanta Public Schools (in chronological order):

Forrest Hill Academy | February 1-28
Students are filming a documentary titled “What Black History Means to Me.”

Grady High School | February 1-28
Teachers are incorporating African-American history facts throughout the curriculum, and a date for the annual Black history play is being developed.

Morningside Elementary School | February 1-28
Reading quotes or brief bios on morning announcements and on the school’s daily message board; Kindergarten does a unit of study on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and creates hallway bulletin boards in his honor; Kindergarten and first-grade students are being taught a song about Dr. King and will read “Martin’s Big Words”; Books related to African-American history and heroes are on display in the media center; Fifth graders will analyze quotes by Dr. King as an ELA assignment.

South Atlanta High School | February 1-28
Black history facts are broadcasted over the public address system during the day.

Morris Brandon Elementary School  | February 3-28
First Street: Students are invited to research an African American who was the “first” African American to achieve a specific accomplishment. The student will create a poster detailing the individual and his/her accomplishment. The posters will be on display in the school’s “First Street” exhibit.

Mary Lin Elementary School/Inman Middle School | February 11
Psi Phi Beta Step Team performs at the monthly “SPARK Saturday” at the Center for Civil and Human Rights. This month’s “SPARK Saturday” event teaches youth about African American culture through rhythm and movement, and illustrates how today’s music and dance movements are inspired by African traditions.

Whitefoord Elementary School | February 16
(Grades 3-5) Guest speaker Nettie Washington-Douglass, great, great granddaughter of Booker T. Washington and Frederick Douglass.

Young Middle School | February 20-24
“Celebrating Black History in Atlanta”: A series of performances and guest speakers throughout the week.

Bunche Middle School | February 23
“Sankofa – Go Back and Get It.” Performing arts performances featuring dance, drama and chorus.

Long Middle School | February 23
“Remember the Times”: Thematic, living timeline created by students, highlighting moments in African-American history.

Benteen Elementary School | February 24
Essay competition and family movie night.

Brown Middle School | February 24
“Sankofa”:The annual Black History Program (sankofa translates to “recovering or retrieving the past”).

Scott Elementary School | February 24
“Lift Every Voice”: The annual performing arts program for Pre-K through fifth grade.

Whitefoord Elementary School | February 24
Black History Bowl

Continental Colony Elementary School | February 28
Pantherville Poetry Café.

Hope Hill Elementary School | February 28
Annual Black History program.

West Manor Elementary School| February 28
Annual African-American history program.

Whitefoord Elementary School| February 28
Black History Performing Arts Program.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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