Students at Hope-Hill Elementary School experienced a wonderful surprise when their entire student population received a free pair of sneakers through a collaboration between Atlanta Public Schools (APS) and Soles4Souls.
See the APS Teacher Induction Program through the success stories of Vincent Callender, Taurra Staley and Kayla Spragin, current Hope-Hill Elementary School teachers. Both Tara and Kayla also serve in teacher-leader roles at Hope-Hill, paying it forward both inside the classroom and as Lead Campus-based Mentors helping to train and develop new teachers to their school.
Hope-Hill fifth grader Rose Alexander holds up the free sneaker event bag. Photo: Allison M. Slocum, APS ©
Students at Hope-Hill Elementary School experienced a wonderful surprise on January 26, 2024, when their entire student population received a free pair of sneakers through a collaboration between Atlanta Public Schools (APS) and Soles4Souls.
Chosen through a lottery system involving APS Title I schools, the Hope-Hill event marked a significant milestone. It was the first time in the district’s three-year partnership with Soles4Souls that shoes were provided for an entire school.
The non-profit organization specializes in turning unwanted shoes and clothing into opportunities for those in need and usually provides shoes for the district’s homeless and foster care students through its 4EveryKid program. Their mission, aligned with preventing waste and extending a helping hand, has made a significant impact globally.
“Our program, 4EveryKid, helps provide new athletic shoes to children that are typically in underserved communities or experiencing homelessness,” vice president of strategic communications for Soles4Souls Jamie Ellis explained. “It can help them with school activities, extracurricular activities, and in some cases, for the older kids, it can help them get jobs.”
In Atlanta, a considerable percentage of students experience homelessness, and qualify for assistance under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. The collaboration between APS and Soles4Souls has proven pivotal, providing thousands of pairs of shoes annually to homeless students, offering not just physical comfort but also a sense of dignity.
“The goal is to make sure that at least once a school year APS has inventory on-site for students,” vice president of outreach for Soles4Souls Tiffany Turner said.
Hope-Hill first grader Savayah Murray getting her foot sized and picking out her sneakers. Photo: Allison M. Slocum, APS ©
During the event, students had their feet sized and personally selected a new pair of sneakers. The excitement was contagious. Savayah Murray, a first grader in Mr. David Rankin’s class, who joyfully received a pair of pink and purple Sketchers.
“This is truly an awesome contribution to our school,” Hope-Hill principal Keisha Gibbons said. “We have to meet our students’ basic needs, and when you look good and feel good, you perform well.”
Rose Alexander, a fifth grader who recently moved to Atlanta, expressed gratitude for receiving free sneakers, highlighting the event’s positive impact on the community.
“The shoes are pretty cool,” Alexander said. “It’s so nice that they’re coming to APS to do this for us because I think that it’s a really good cause and APS is a good school district. So I’m glad they picked us because I like Hope-Hill.”
An amazing partnership! APS and Soles4Souls representatives are all smiles during the event. Photo: Allison M. Slocum, APS ©
The Soles4Souls and Atlanta Public Schools partnership extends beyond providing shoes; it’s about building a sense of community, addressing fundamental needs, and empowering every student for a brighter future.
“I want to thank Soles4Souls for the opportunity and everyone that made this event possible— Atlanta Public Schools, Dr. [Jacqueline] Anthony, our social worker, Ms. [Takara] McGee, and everyone that [helped] put it together.” principal Gibbons said. “I can’t wait to hear all the great things as I walk the building and see the beautiful shoes that were donated to our school.”
Currently, the APS Social Work Services department endeavors to sponsor a shoe distribution event every nine weeks throughout the school year. As the program evolves, the hope is to extend its reach to encompass all Title I schools in the APS district, ensuring that no student is left behind in their pursuit of education and well-being.
Enjoy the below slideshow of photos from the Hope-Hill Soles4Souls event. To view online, click here. Photos: Allison M. Slocum, APS ©
Also, we encourage you to visit our YouTube page @apsupdate and subscribe for the latest highlights around the district, like the below video recap of the event.
This slideshow provides just a glimpse at some of the amazing things that happened at Atlanta Public Schools in September. Click through to see the highlights from your school. A new slideshow will be posted at the end of each month, so be sure to subscribe to APS Today and look for your scholar or your school!
The Garden Hills Boosterthon Fun Run raised over $11K for our school. (photo: Katie Carlson) 
The Garden Hills Boosterthon Fun Run raised over $11K for our school. (photo: Katie Carlson) 
Trees Atlanta Urban Treetrackers program taught 3rd and 4th grade students at Garden Hills Elementary School about the water cycle and engaged their curiosity about our urban forest. (photo: Katie Carlson) 
Booker T. Washington High School students met with local entrepreneurs representing minority and female-owned businesses during Minority Enterprise Development Week. 
Bunche Middle School opened a new book vending machine on campus. 
Deerwood Academy unveiled its new Out Teach outdoor learning space with an outdoor classroom and two raised veggie beds. 
Deerwood Academy celebrates National Dot Day. 
Heritage Academy celebrating Grandparents Day 
Heritage Academy celebrating International Dot Day at Heritage Academy, where people of all ages are encouraged to tap into their creativity. 
Student at Heritage Academy on International Dot Day at QuiverVision Augmented Reality station making a dot come to life. 
The Dobbs Elementary School APS 5K race team. 
Donuts for Dads at Dobbs Elementary School. 
Dobbs’ National Grandparents Day Celebration. 
Peyton Forest Elementary School students having a fancy tea party. 
Peyton Forest Elementary students racing spheres using coding. 
Sylvan Hills Middle School Homecoming Court 
Grandparents Day at Boyd Elementary School. 
Grandparents Day at Boyd Elementary School. 
Goodr provided free groceries for the families at Boyd Elementary School. 
Student of the Month breakfast sponsored by the West Manor PTO. 
Serving breakfast at Grits with Grandparents at West Manor Elementary School. 
Newbery Award winning authors Katherine Applegate & Gennifer Choldenko visit Burgess-Peterson Academy. 
Dogtown Book Signing at Burgess-Peterson Academy. 
Burgess-Peterson Academy had the largest attendance ever at the annual East Atlanta Village Strut Parade. 
Dunbar Elementary MAP Masters Celebration. 
Dunbar Elementary Grandparent and Caregivers Appreciation Breakfast. 
Dunbar Elementary Bring Your Parents To School Day. 
STEAM in action at Douglass High School. 
STEAM in action at Douglass High School. 
Douglass High School 
Douglass High School Homecoming court. 
Cheerleaders at the Douglass High School football game. 
Hope-Hill Assistant Principal McCrary and Principal Gibbons_pop up attendance party where students got to throw water balloons at principal and assistant principal. 
Hope-Hill Elementary students Maddy and Kari twinning in our Hope-Hill spirit wear. 
Hope-Hill pop up attendance party where students got to throw water balloons at the principal and assistant principal. 
Hope-Hill student surveyors making plans for new school playground. 
John Lewis Invictus Academy students show their school pride. 
APS alumni surprised students at Parkside Elementary. 
East Atlanta Kids Club & DTP 
Everybody Wins! Reading to our 1st & 2nd graders 
Kindergarten Community Helpers at Parkside Elementary.
By: Alicia Sands Lurry
Students at E. Rivers and Hope-Hill elementary schools learned valuable lessons about cyber bullying and the importance of forgiveness and friendship, thanks to a recent visit by teen author Justine Del Monte and illustrator Brandon Chappell.
During her visit, the 14-year-old Del Monte, who hails from Danville, California, read her three colorfully illustrated children’s books, followed by a question-and-answer session.
Focused on a red-headed boy named Drew, “Drew’s Dancing Drum” spotlights bullying awareness and ignoring the negative criticism of your peers. Her second book, “Drew Meets Boo,” tells the story of friendship and overcoming bullying, while “Drew and the Cyber Bully” shares the importance of being polite while using social media.
“A cyber bully is someone who bullies you online and says bad things about you,” a student from E. Rivers said.
“That’s right,” Del Monte said after reading “Drew and the Cyber Bully.” “Social media should never be unkind or cruel. It should be used to make people happy, not sad.”
Del Monte knows of which she writes. At age 11, she was bullied. She wrote the books to raise awareness about bullying and to teach children the importance of kindness.
“There isn’t much material that’s stimulating for little kids,” she said. “This is something that’s non-threatening they can read and learn how to discuss bullying.”
Del Monte’s visit was sponsored by PBA 30, which is promoting the book during its televised children’s programming. The station is currently airing an animated, one-minute short of the books throughout the week at various times.
Del Monte is currently on a book tour to promote her books, some of which were presented to the library as a gift.
For more information or to read Del Monte’s books, visit: http://www.drewsbooks.com/.
By: Alicia Sands Lurry
More than 400 giddy Hope-Hill Elementary School students, donned in red capes emblazoned with “Reading Gives You Super Powers,” sat patiently in their seats Thursday afternoon, anxiously waiting to see Dav Pilkey, award-winning author and illustrator of the beloved “Captain Underpants” novel series.
Pilkey did not disappoint. During his visit, the popular author captivated students’ attention by sharing stories from his childhood and drawing such favorite characters as George Beard and Harold Hutchins, Captain Underpants, Dogzilla, Petey the cat, and Dog Man. In addition to giving away the drawings and reading excerpts from “Dog Man,” Pilkey personally donated more than 400 signed copies of “Dog Man” to every student at the school. Students also squealed with delight to learn they’ll have the opportunity to select their own book from a virtual book fair.
“This was extraordinary and mind-blowing,” said Christine Tigue, media specialist at Hope-Hill. “We were so excited to have Dav Pilkey here. Our kids began studying and reading his books more than one month ago to prepared for his visit, so to have him here was like a dream come true.”
Pilkey shared his personal journey as a young child growing up with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and dyslexia, and how despite those struggles and countless setbacks, he never gave up. He encouraged students to do the same.
“I sometimes still get discouraged,” Pilkey told the captivated audience of students and teachers. “But, I’ve learned that you always have to try your hardest and do your best.”
Warren Goetzel, media services coordinator for Atlanta Public Schools, said Pilkey was invited to visit Hope-Hill because of its exemplary media program and location in a historical neighborhood.
Goetzel also noted that Pilkey has been honored as the 2016 Milner Award winner. Established in 1983, the award is designed to promote reading among elementary school children in Atlanta and across Fulton County. Children vote for the author of the books they love to read. The winner is invited to Atlanta and is honored at a program attended by the children.
In addition to thanking Pilkey and his wife, Sayuri, for fostering a love of reading in students, Goetzel said that Tigue did an amazing job ensuring students that were exposed to Pilkey’s works and were prepared for the event.
“I knew Hope-Hill was the right school,” he said. “The overwhelming success of the occasion can be attributed to Ms. Tigue’s hard work and dedication and students’ unbridled enthusiasm. Mr. Pilkey also helped all the students understand that when students are permitted to choose the books they want to read, that is when Reading Superpowers are developed, especially with the most reluctant readers.”
The “Captain Underpants” series includes 12 books, and won a Disney Adventures Kids’ Choice Award in April 2006. As of 2016, the series has been translated in over 20 languages, with more than 70 million books sold worldwide. A “Captain Underpants” film starring comedian Kevin Hart is scheduled for release in 2017.
Hope-Hill Elementary School fifth-grade teachers Natasha Patterson, Jeffery Monroe and Katherine Evans, along with Mayor Kasim Reed and Principal Maureen Wheeler joined students to celebrate Community Day at their school on Thursday, Feb. 11.
By: Alicia Sands Lurry
Fifth graders at John Hope-Charles Walter Hill Elementary School recently celebrated Community Day by welcoming Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed to their class. During the visit, Reed told students that with hard work, they can do – and be – anything they want.
“Now is a period in your life for picking what your dream and your path will be,” Reed told an audience of captivated students. “And what I will tell you is, if you put in the work, there really is no ceiling to the possibilities in your life.”
Reed’s visit was held in celebration of the students’ successful clothing drive, for which fifth graders collected coats, blankets, scarves, and other items for 125 homeless people in their surrounding neighborhood. As part of their community service project, the students and their social studies teacher, Jeffery Monroe, collaborated and wrote a letter to Reed, inviting him to speak at their school.
Students Makai Strozier and Gabriel Fowler recite a poem before Mayor Kasim Reed delivers his speech.
During the speech, Reed shared his personal journey, which included meeting Civil Rights icon and former Atlanta Mayor and Ambassador Andrew Young when he was 13 years old. Reed told students that Young became his mentor and later encouraged him to run for mayor of the city of Atlanta.
“The night that I was elected mayor, Ambassador Young was sitting by my side,” he said. “A man that I met at 13 and then again at age 20 when I attended Howard University, became my life-long mentor. It got me thinking that I want to be that for somebody else. When you’re in a job like mine, you never know who you’re going to touch.”
Mayor Reed encourages fifth graders to work hard to achieve their dreams.
Reed also encouraged students to work hard and prepare for their future by continuing their education. With talent and merit, he told them, they can write their own tickets to success.
“Do the work now, and as soon as you can, decide what you want to be, because deciding early gives you the opportunity to change your mind.”
Makai Strozier said she was excited that Reed visited her school.
“I was happy to see the mayor,” Makai said. “He inspired me to work hard.”
Fourth grader Jennifer Ramirez (center) explores virtual field trips through the Google Expeditions Pioneer Program.
By: Alicia Sands Lurry
Imagine visiting the Galapagos Islands, the rainforests of South America, the canals in Italy, and the surface of Mars – all in one afternoon.
That is exactly what 120 third, fourth, and fifth graders from John Hope-Charles Walter Hill Elementary School experienced on Friday, Feb. 5. The students “traveled” to various field trips around the world – thanks to the Expeditions Pioneer Program, a virtual reality platform built for the classroom and designed to be incorporated with teachers’ lesson plans. Powered by Google, the app-based program immerses students in entirely new experiences through cardboard viewers. With the use of a tablet, teachers serve as virtual tour guides to take their students on journeys.
Hope-Hill Elementary was among the first schools in Atlanta to unveil the technology to students and teachers. In addition to students, teachers and Google representatives, State Superintendent Richard Woods and his staff also stopped by to see the demonstration.
Fourth graders like Mikayla Westbrook and Ashara Parker couldn’t wait to take an expedition. The two girls spent most their time peering wide-eyed through the cardboard viewers, which resembled goggles, while they viewed images of natures, as well as the moon’s surface.
Hope-Hill fourth graders (left to right) Mikayla Westbrook, Zamari Crawford, Jazmen Bush, Ashara Parker, and Camiyah Fowler peer through their cardboard viewers.
“I was on the moon,” 9-year-old Ashara squealed with delight. “It was fun and creepy at the same time.”
“I saw two people standing behind me,” Mikayla, 10, said in disbelief. “It was creepy because they were staring at me.”
Their classmate, Jennifer Ramirez, was mesmerized by the experience.
“It’s fun,” said the 9-year-old fourth grader, while viewing the busy streets of New York City. “You get to be on the moon and go other places, too.”
Hope-Hill Principal Maureen Wheeler was just as excited.
“This is huge,” Wheeler said of the Expeditions program. “It exposes kids to things they may not see in their lifetime. The great thing about it is they don’t realize they’re learning. What I love is that it takes learning to a new level. It makes school fun and engaging.”
During the demonstration, fifth-grade teacher Monica Jones guided her class through expeditions, where they viewed everything from coral reefs, sharks and jelly fish, to volcanoes, land forms, and New York City.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for students to explore and feel like they’ve actually been to these places,” Jones said of the demonstration. “As a teacher, it allows me to tailor a lesson they can learn from and enjoy, and does my heart good to know they love it.”
Using a tablet, fourth-grade teacher Kristen Lyle guides her class through several expeditions.
State Superintendent Woods said he hopes to use the technology as a tool to advance and support student learning throughout grades K-12.
“There’s so much we can expose students to, and this technology opens a whole new world to them,” Woods said. “It actually goes beyond the classrooms, and proves that you don’t have to have four walls for kids to learn. It’s wonderful to see this level of excitement and engagement.”
State Superintendent Richard Woods (center) and Hope-Hill Principal Maureen Wheeler are joined by a group of Hope-Hill students; Brenden Dermody, team lead for Google Expeditions; a Georgia DOE staff member; and John Childs, owner of Mental Fitness.
For John Childs, a former Hope-Hill Elementary teacher, the program has endless possibilities.
“Students are getting virtual field trips to places they may not normally see,” said Childs, whose afterschool program, Mental Fitness, works with Hope-Hill and other Atlanta Public Schools to provide students with science technology, engineering, art and mathematics activities. “This is standards-based, visual learning that helps students learn even more. This should be a staple in every school, at every grade level.”
Earlier this month, schools across the district celebrated Read Across America Day, an annual nationwide event with a mission to promote literacy, in honor of Dr. Seuss’s birthday.
West Manor Elementary School had community partners, family members, and even Emperor Searcy, a radio personality from Hot 107.9, read to the students and encourage them to continue to be successful academically. This event was a highlight from their Mays Cluster Family Engagement Week, and was featured on Channel 2’s morning shout out as well as the Ryan Cameron Morning Show.
Read Across America was one of the highlights of the Mays Cluster Family Engagement Week.
Radio personality Emperor Sercy encouraged students to read, read, read!
Hope-Hill Elementary School had 20 community members and partners on hand to read to students for Dr. Seuss Day. Partners included Ingersoll Rand/Trane companies, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, and board members Leslie Grant and Matt Westmoreland.
Board of Education member Matt Westmoreland reads to students at Hope-Hill Elementary School.
At Thomasville Heights Elementary School, each grade level contributed a portion of their day for this event as they dressed in their Cat in the Hat attire and decorated their classrooms. Kindergarten and 2nd grade students had an opportunity to eat green eggs, from the Dr. Seuss book Green Eggs and Ham.
“I had fun,” said Quateria, third grade student at Thomasville Heights. “We also read Oh, the Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss and I’m going to make sure I read that book again.”
Green Eggs and Ham was a favorite among the students at Thomasville Heights.
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…”
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
Thomasville students learned about ‘the places they will go.’
Atlanta Public Schools partnered with the Scripps National Spelling Bee that is under the direction of the Georgia Association of Educators and conducted by the Atlanta Association of Educators. The spelling bee was held at F. L. Stanton Elementary School with twenty-two APS schools that participated. The purpose of the spelling bee is to promote literacy and vocabulary acquisition in grades 4-8.
The winners of the spelling bee:
Winner: Sydney Ragland, Jean Childs Young MS
1st Place: Hannah Littlejohn, L. P. Miles ES
2nd Place: Noorzi Raboodi, Sarah Smith ES
3rd Place: Anthony Stringfellow, F. L. Stanton ES
Runner-up: Cooper Carlson, Hope-Hill ES
“The students displayed great energy and enthusiasm for the spelling bee. The spellers did an amazing job! Congratulations to our APS winners who will compete at the next level,” said Isaac Sparks, literacy coordinator at APS.
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