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Virginia-Highland Elementary School opens new STEAM Smart Lab

by Thomas Scott
written by Thomas Scott

After the school’s celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony, the students at Virginia-Highland Elementary School were more than excited to start exploring the new devices and gadgets in its new STEAM Smart Lab.

The STEAM Smart Lab has everything from virtual reality headsets, new computers, a 3D printer, tools for circuity building, laser cutters, graphic design programs, videography equipment, and more for the students to get a hands-on learning experience with modern technology.

“It’s an endless possibility in that classroom,” APS interim superintendent Dr. Danielle Battle said after the ribbon cutting. “It’s not just another room full of devices.  It will open up creativity for our students, more critical thinking, and help them work collaboratively with each other.”

Virginia-Highland Elementary School is just one of three APS schools to have a STEAM Smart Lab on campus. The lab is designed to immerse students in hands-on, inquiry-based learning experiences in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Cutting-edge technology and interactive learning tools will provide students with a dynamic environment where they can explore, create, and collaborate.

“This is going to give our students opportunities that we would not have otherwise experienced,” Virginia-Highland Elementary School principal Terry Harness said. “They’re excited to be able to use the resources that the STEAM Lab will be able to provide to do some innovative, critical, creative thinking that they’ll be able to use throughout the day. They want to create. They want to be makers, and this is going to give them that opportunity to do that.”

Watching the students take over the room after the ribbon-cutting ceremony revealed how in-touch with technology the elementary-aged students already are. There was a line for the virtual reality headsets, a huddle around the 3D printer and more students exploring the innovation-inspiring room.

“This has been a long process to get these resources and tools to provide for the students of Virginia-Highland Elementary School access so they can build and experience the things they learn about in class,” APS digital learning specialist for science Tommy Clay said. “You want kids excited about learning. This is what learning should be. It should be kids excited about coming in to school.”

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Supercharge Your Student’s Summer: Register for the Power Up Summer 2024 Program

by Allison M. Slocum
written by Allison M. Slocum

All photos are of Atlanta Public Schools summer programs. APS ©

Atlanta Public Schools (APS) is ready to supercharge the summer and embark on an enriching educational journey through the Power Up Summer 2024 program. Parents can seize the moment and register their students, as the Friday, April 12, 2024, deadline quickly approaches.

Set to run for four weeks from June 3 to June 28, the program is open to all APS students and consists of full-day, diversified curriculum offerings designed with a holistic approach to learning by integrating social-emotional development, behavior management, wellness, and academic intervention.

“Inclusivity is at the heart of Atlanta Public Schools,” said APS Interim Superintendent Dr. Danielle S. Battle. “With that in mind, we took great care in curating programming that will enrich our students in a trusting environment with the goal of preparing them to advance and bridge the gap in needed learning areas.”

Transportation and support for students with disabilities will be provided to ensure participants are able to fully engage in the program.

Elementary and middle school participants will learn how to strengthen their academic skills and social-emotional competencies, while high school students will focus their efforts on credit recovery and graduation preparation.

Power Up Summer 2024 also offers specialized summer programming tailored to specific grade levels and interests (see the list below).

“Extending beyond the classroom, students will have the opportunity to participate in a range of learning activities,” said APS Director of After-School and Summer Programs, Sedric Smith. “From STEM projects to artistic endeavors and outdoor adventures there is something for every scholar to keep them engaged and excited about learning.”

All students interested in a summer filled with growth, learning, and fun are encouraged to secure their spot today by visiting the Power Up Summer 2024 website: https://www.atlantapublicschools.us/summeraps

For questions and more information, contact Sedric Smith at powerupsummer@atlanta.k12.ga.us.

*Please take a moment to view the below list of programs.

PRE-K

Kinder Camp
Rising Kindergarteners

Kinder Camp is an opportunity for children who are eligible to attend APS Kindergarten in the fall (5 yrs. of age by September 1st) to learn routines, become comfortable with the school environment, engage in social interactions with peers, and nurture skills to be Day One (August 1) ready.

For more information and to register, please click here.

All photos are of Atlanta Public Schools summer programs. APS ©

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

APS Power Up Summer Program
Current 1st – 5th Graders

The APS Power Up Summer program will focus on academic intervention that integrates social-emotional learning. The students will also have the option to participate in extended learning activities.

For more information and to register, please click here.

Additional Programs

Power Up DLI Español
Rising 1st – 6th Graders

Students currently enrolled in the Spanish Dual Language Immersion program to engage in hands-on science in Spanish during the Power Up portion of the day at the locations serving DLI program elementary schools.

For more information, please contact Maritza Estrada at maritza.estrada@atlanta.k12.ga.us.

Summer Bridge Rising 6th Grade
Current 5th Graders

This summer transition program is designed to address the unique needs of rising 6th grade students and outlines teacher and administrator expectations at the middle school level. The program is intended to foster communication and build a sense of community amongst students, teachers, and staff which will be the foundation for a productive middle school experience.

For more information and to register, please reach out directly to the administrative office of your potential middle school.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

APS Power Up Summer Program
Current 6th – 8th Graders

The APS Power Up Summer program will focus on academic intervention that integrates social-emotional learning. The students will also have the option to participate in extended learning activities

For more information and to register, please click here.

Additional Programs

Photo courtesy of Atlanta College and Career Academy.

ACCA Career Exposure Camp
Current 6th – 8th Graders

The Atlanta College and Career Academy’s Career Exposure Camp 2024 is a week-long enrichment program for current sixth, seventh and eighth grade scholars in Atlanta Public Schools. During the program, students will gain exposure to high-demand/high-wage careers in the Metro-Atlanta area and a general understanding that postsecondary education and lifelong learning are necessary for long-term success. Featured pathways are Culinary Arts, Criminal Investigations, Dental Science, Graphic Design and Patient Care. Breakfast and Lunch will be provided for all students, and transportation will be provided to students from traditional APS Middle Schools. Applications are due now!

For more information and to apply, click here.

Summer Bridge Rising 9th Grade
Current 8th Graders

A summer transition program that is developed to address the unique needs of the rising 9th grade students and outlines teacher and administrator expectations at the high school level. The program is intended to foster communication and build a sense of community amongst students, teachers, and staff which will be the foundation for a strong high school experience.

For more information and to register, please reach out directly to the administrative office of your potential high school.

Level Up Summer Math Academy
Rising 7th and 8th Graders

Level Up Summer Math Academy is a summer program specially designed for rising seventh and eighth-grade students who are high-achieving and highly motivated in the area of mathematics. The four-week, intensive program will provide students with an opportunity to master essential standards taught in enhanced and accelerated math courses from distinguished math teachers. This program is available by invitation only.

For more information, please contact Ashely Garner at ashley.garner@atlanta.k12.ga.us.

HIGH SCHOOL

APS Power Up Summer Program
Current 9th – 12th Graders

High school students will focus on credit recovery and graduation.

For more information about this program and other offerings for students, please contact your high school counselor directly.

Additional Programs

Science and Math Summer Enrichment Academy (SMSEA)
Rising 9th – 12th Graders

SMSEA is designed to provide students with additional flexibility in their secondary experience as they can complete one math or science course for a full high school credit during the summer. This allows room in their schedule during the school year for higher-level coursework and Advanced Placement classes in their program of study. This year’s program will take place at Sutton Middle School, Northside Campus.

For more information and to apply, please click here.

Fine Arts Camp
Current 9th – 12th Graders

Power Up with the Arts: The program is designed to provide high school students with a two-week (June 3 – 15, 2024) immersive arts experience, culminating with a presentation in the Juneteenth parade.

For more information, please contact Sara Erickson at sarah.erickson@atlanta.k12.ga.us.

WINGS @ Phoenix Academy
Current Phoenix Academy 12th Graders

Wings @ Phoenix will prioritize credit recovery for seniors who are on target for summer graduation.

For more information, please click here and contact the Pheonix Academy counselor.

Photo by Atlanta Public Schools ©

ALL GRADE LEVELS

Extended School Year + Power Up
Students with Disabilities

APS must provide Extended School Year (ESY) services to all students with disabilities (SWD) in order for them to receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). ESY provides services beyond the typical school day and/or year and is not limited to just the summer months. The school-based IEP Team determines whether a student requires ESY, what specific services are required, and when those services will be provided.

For more information, please contact Samantha Fitts at sfitts@atlanta.k12.ga.us.

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Google debuts Tech Hub at Benjamin E. Mays High School

by Thomas Scott
written by Thomas Scott

The students at Benjamin E. Mays High School now have a new “sandbox for learning,” after the opening of the new Google Tech Hub on campus.

Atlanta Public Schools’ partnership with Google and the Georgia Tech Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics and Computing (CEISMC) has delivered an engaging experience for students at Mays to get a hands-on experience learning with the tools and technology of the future.

“The tech hub gives the students a sandbox for deeper learning,” CEISMC associate director for school and community engagement Norman “Storm” Robinson III said. “We are actually doing industry level type tasks. So now, students can make that direct correlation from the things you learn in the classroom to a career making a livable earning wage.”

Google was the first corporate partner to fully take on the adopt-a-school model and worked with Mays High School to design a space and develop a program fitting the needs of the students.

Senior Malachi Rivers sharing ideas with CEISMC associate director for school and community engagement Norman “Storm” Robinson III.

“We wanted corporations to have a deeper engagement approach with schools,” APS executive director of partnerships and development Joi Hunter said. “In thinking about a model that was not just for one year but will be impactful and sustainable for years and years to come.”

“Google’s strong commitment to listening to school leadership on the needs of their students has been truly instrumental to building this relationship and serves as an example for other corporations across the district,” she added.

Google celebrates opening a Tech Hub at Benjamin E. Mays High School.

Malachi Rivers, a senior at Mays High School, was one of the few students who experienced working with Google on three main capstone projects: Game Design, Engineering and Computer Design.

As a straight-A student, Rivers relished the challenge of working on an interactive project and that he actually enjoyed. He took on all three capstones, which included creating a game server for the school, designing and building a tour-bot that will autonomously traverse the school and provide information about the school, and designing a game that solves one of 17 United Nations sustainable problems.

Rivers, of course, is attempting to solve three he believes are interconnected.

“This brings a little more excitement to my high school career,” he said. “Having access to this type of information and technology brings more interactive ways to learn to students like myself.”

“With Google, it’s like, ‘Hey. I’m going to teach you how to do this. We’re going to build it together, and then we’re actually going to use it and play with it,’” he added. “If this is the learning experience I can get daily, I’d rather have this in high school than the traditional ‘teach this and test on this.’”

Google vice president of Global Server Operations Felica Coney speaks at the opening of the Google Tech Hubs at Mays High School.

In Anbria Powell’s 12th-grade game design class, students utilize their critical thinking, computational thinking, and problem-solving skills to work on 2-D and 3-D development as well as networking. Ultimately, the game server they are building in her class will be used by the school.

“This partnership just takes our level of engagement to a different level,” Mays High School principal Ramon Garner said. “I’m really excited about what’s to come and the pipeline that we’re creating here for students that will be able to take on jobs at Google or anywhere else. It feels almost like a proud parent to see kids really take on and understand what they’re doing and make the connection that this is meaningful work that is preparing them for their future.”

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I am APS: SPARK’s Rya Van Voorhis and Malcolm Guise

by Allison M. Slocum
written by Allison M. Slocum

For 150 years, Atlanta Public Schools has taught, nurtured, employed and cultivated generations of citizens who contribute to society, both locally and globally.

Throughout this school year, we will highlight students, faculty, alumni, and many others through our I am APS campaign to celebrate the rich and diverse experiences, backgrounds and contributions of the Atlanta Public Schools (APS) family. Together, we stand in solidarity of our shared admiration of APS and the mission which guides us as a family.

By leading with C.A.R.E., APS is creating a culture of compassion, accountability, respect and empathy. This culture weaves its way into every life we touch, and we believe storytelling lies at the heart of preserving our legacy as a district that prepares its students for college, career and life.

Our journey to identifying our first I am APS feature led us down the halls of Springdale Park Elementary School (SPARK), a flourishing and energetic COGNIA STEM certified school with over 400 students, nestled within the Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, and neighboring communities.

APS had the pleasure of sitting down with two of SPARK’s vibrant scholars, Rya Van Voorhis and Malcolm Guise, to learn how their favorite lessons have prepared them to be fully engaged learners who are resourceful and driven.

RYA VAN VOORHIS
SPARK’s charismatic 9-year-old, fourth grader and future celebrity baker

Do you have a favorite subject?

No, but I love to read. I’ll do that for fun. And I love writing. I could write all day if you make me.

I also like science. I just love it. I especially like chemistry where I made rainbow snow one time. I would take food coloring, put red dye into the snow, and then pour it in a jar, and then layer it. All of a sudden, it’s like rainbow snow! You could roll it into balls and it would look like snowballs. It was really fun.

How do you think your family experience has translated into your school experience?

I think that I’m good at partnership. I want to work and present with [others]  and research together. For example— [me, Marina and Fred]. Me and Fred would come up with ideas, combine them, and then Marina would translate them into a fourth-grade word because she knows a lot of vocabulary.

What is something you wish you could incorporate into learning?

Have you ever heard of hands-on learning? That’s what I wish social studies was. There’s some computers where you can touch it and say, ‘Oh, that’s what happened!’ And connect the dots and actually see it and pretend you’re in the actual world. I wish that there was a program where you could [create] yourself and then pretend that you’re in these places. So you feel what they’re talking about.

In my summer school class, we used VRs. That’s what I wish social studies was.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I want to be a baker, and I really want to go to America’s Test Kitchen. When I was four, my dad showed me this episode of the old America’s Test Kitchen. It’s new now, and I absolutely loved it. They tested how to make lemon bars. They made the recipe and ever since then, I’ve been trying to bake stuff. And honestly, I like cakes. People always say the best part about baking is eating. And I say, the best part about baking is baking.

Do you think you have learned anything at school that will help you become a baker one day?

Yes, reading. You need to read recipes. Writing. If I’m going to be a baker, I need to write recipes. Science. I need to know the science behind it because [in the past] people would just have apprentices and they would just learn it not knowing how it worked and why it tastes delicious. I want to know [how it all works together].

MALCOLM GUISE
SPARK’s multi-talented 10-year-old, fifth grader and future herpetologist

Hobbies and Extracurricular Activities

Science Olympiad, Kung fu, and playing the cello, guitar and piano.

What is your favorite subject and is there a specific lesson you really liked?

Science is my favorite subject. I love learning useless random animal facts and facts about anything. In GATE in third grade we did a project at the beginning of the year where we talked about if we could be a scientist, what type we would want to be. By then, I hadn’t really thought about it too much, so I just put zoologist in general, and I wrote about a few different animals. [Now] I’m [deciding] between a herpetologist, which studies reptiles, and an anthropologist, which studies insects and many other creatures.

What do you find fascinating about reptiles?

They’re so much different than us, and even though it seems like we know a lot about them, they’re still some of the most mysterious creatures. We still aren’t sure exactly where they could have evolved from. And some of their skeletal structures work in a way that are much different [from ours].

Another thing that’s very interesting about them is some people have considered that some types of snake venom can be used as medicine. So I want to know how that works and different antidotes for things.

What are you doing to further along your interests?

Well, I’m trying to focus on reading more advanced books, learning more information. I’ve been trying to read for two hours every day. I’m currently reading Hamlet, the original version. And also, I want to improve both my long-term and short-term memory. Because if I learn a lot of information, I don’t want to just forget it.

Are your teachers helping you to be more involved in your interests?

Some of my teachers have recommended different fields and ways of learning, like certain clubs, certain teams that I could go to. Also, sometimes they give me special projects to work on, so I think they do understand [and are] helping me.

#IamAPS

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M. Agnes Jones Elementary School Introduces Student-Run Garden and Living Classroom

by Allison M. Slocum
written by Allison M. Slocum

Tucked away in the courtyard of M. Agnes Jones Elementary School (MAJ) is a quaint, student-run garden that has taken two years to cultivate and has finally made its formal debut through a special ribbon cutting ceremony.

MAJ principal, Robert Williams, spoke to a lively audience of proud faculty, parents, sponsors and students, and shared how the garden beautification project reinforces the school’s commitment to promoting critical thinking and problem-based learning.

“We want our scholars to not only embrace the community, but we want them to be thinking about finding solutions,” Williams said. “We want [learning] to be applicable to their lives, and this space has enabled them to do that.”

While the garden has been operational for nine years, the COVID-19 pandemic contributed greatly to its deterioration. However, hard work, dedication and community partnerships revitalized the project and STEAM educators, Lisa Colbert and Mikaela Zimmerman, spearhead its curriculum.

“It is a living classroom where we connect what we’re doing socially and emotionally. What we’re doing [surrounding] community. What we’re doing [surrounding] curriculum. And it comes together in just this unique, beautiful way that the students find their passion for what’s next and for what’s to come,” Zimmerman said.

The MAJ Garden successfully produces a variety of fruits and vegetables, as well as houses pollinator-friendly plants, a composting station, a chicken coup, and a turtle habitat.

Fifth grader A’Journi Walker said the chickens were her favorite part of the garden experience and that she’s learned a lot.

“This garden has helped me learn how nature can develop and change over a timespan of as little as two years,” Walker said. “It is a great space for people to learn and grow and is a community for chickens, plants, kids and adults.”

Additionally, the garden sits amid a vibrant, eye-catching mural that encompasses inspirational words and phrases depicting the school’s academic distinction as a science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) certified school.

In fact, MAJ is certified as a Georgia Department of Education (GADOE) STEM school, a GADOE STEAM school and a COGNIA STEM school— the only school in the state of Georgia holding all three certifications.

This distinction was earned, in part, with the support of the Georgia-Pacific Foundation, who adopted the school over two decades ago to further their mission of supporting programs designed to promote education, environment, community enrichment, and entrepreneurship.

“Georgia-Pacific set out over 27 years ago to make a difference, to create value, and to add value to what was [existing at MAJ].” Georgia-Pacific Foundation senior director of community affairs Beverly Ferguson said.

With Georgia-Pacific’s support and the hard work of the faculty throughout the years, the IOWA test scores at MAJ have improved and their focus as a STEAM institution has expanded their academic offerings, with the garden being another added value and learning experience for the students.

Local non-profit Learning in Color designed the garden’s unique murals using color theory and custom art, with the assistance of resources supplied by Northside Tool Rental and volunteers coordinated by Georgia Power.

Morehouse College also signed on to assist with the garden beautification project as well as other organizations including Truly Living Well, West End Neighborhood Development, Rotary Club of Atlanta West End, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and Spelman College’s Bonner Scholarship Program.

With the MAJ garden running at full capacity, future plans to expand its offerings are in development.

“We have a project coming up where we will be installing a greenhouse outdoors in this space to be able to further our outdoor learning and efforts in sustainability,” Colbert said. Krista Verdelotti, MAJ parent and GO Team member, also revealed that a partnership with Trees Atlanta to plant 50 trees was also in the works.

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APS unveils first Verizon Innovative Learning Labs in Georgia at Crawford W. Long Middle School and H.J. Russell West End Academy

by Thomas Scott
written by Thomas Scott

The students at Crawford W. Long Middle School and H.J. Russell West End Academy will be the first in the state of Georgia to have access to the Verizon Innovative Learning Labs, which opened on their respective campuses last Thursday.
Verizon and The Heart of America Foundation partnered with Atlanta Public Schools to help foster digital inclusion through a transformative education initiative called Verizon Innovative Learning.

“Technology and connectivity are incredible enablers for learning, and at Verizon we are committed to digital inclusion and ensuring that students have access to emerging technology and powerful learning opportunities in the Verizon Innovative Learning Lab,” Verizon’s director of community engagement and government affairs said. “This will be an exciting learning experience that will help ignite interest in STEM and an opportunity for everyone to become lifelong learners, creators and problem solvers. We expect this lab will offer opportunities for educators to leverage and integrate emerging technology in the classroom.

What used to be a standard classroom with rows of desks and limited equipment has been completely redesigned and repurposed to introduce the students to a variety of emerging technologies.

“This was about a year and a half transformation process, and this gives our scholars the opportunity to have hands-on engagement lessons and engage with technologies that are beyond the scope of the regular classroom,” Long middle school principal Carla McCall-McCou said.

The students now have access to Ultimates 3D printers, virtual reality (VR) headsets, augmented reality (AR), Spike prime robotics, Sphero RVR dynamic robotic rovers and more in the Verizon Innovative Learning Lab.

“The purpose of this lab is to offer our students real experience with the different resources and technologies that are available,” Long middle school Verizon Innovative Learning instructor Taquoya Portee said. “The new skills, in the STEM world, will allow them to go into different fields and be better equipped and exposed to different areas.”

Long Middle School’s Verizon Innovative Learning Instructor Taquoya Portee and her students work with VR and AR on the new merge cubes in the Verizon Innovative Learning Lab. (photo: Thomas Scott)

Evan Flanigan, an eighth-grade student at Long middle school, had little interest in STEM learning until he walked into the Verizon Innovative Learning Lab at his school for the first time. When the class VR headsets put him face-to-face with a great white shark, the initial shock turned into a fun, immersive learning experience.

“Now, when I come to school and I have STEM, I’m happy to come here,” Flanigan said. “The activities are fun. The experience is fun. What we do is really intriguing and I learn a lot in the process.”

The students at H.J. Russell West End Academy were just as excited to show off their Verizon Innovative Learning Lab. School has been open less than a month and the students were already proficient in coding robots through mazes, setting up virtual reality museum tours and creating designs on their 3D printers.

Long Middle School students learning about the new Ultimates 3D printers in the Verizon Innovative Learning Lab. (photo: Thomas Scott)

Ni-khole Goulding and her brother Nikoh Goulding, eighth-grade students at H.J. Russell West End Academy, were excited to use the technology they have only had limited experience with.
“I was excited about the VR headsets because last year we were introduced to them, but we didn’t really use them much,” Nikoh said. “Seeing the whole lab and how the technology came together was pretty cool to see how much stuff we were open to.”

Having the Verizon Innovative Learning Labs in Atlanta, at APS, and on campus allows students at Crawford W. Long Middle School and H.J. Russell West End Academy to be prepared for a future with jobs and skills that have yet to be imagined.

“Because of great partners like Verizon Innovative Learning and the Heart of America Foundation, our scholars will be equipped to make a better tomorrow, to build a better tomorrow with tools that they may be touching for the very first time,” Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Lisa Herring said.

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Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy sets the bar during U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education visit

by Thomas Scott
written by Thomas Scott
Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Lisa Herring and U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Cindy Marten are greeted by Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy cheerleaders before touring the school.

The Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy (CSKYWLA) caught the attention of the U.S. Department of Education as it was selected to be one of eight schools the Deputy Secretary of Education Cindy Marten chose to visit on her cross-country “Raise the Bar: Lead the World,” tour.

The CSKYWLA Eagles cheerleaders gave the Deputy Secretary a spirited welcome as she was escorted to the school’s entrance by Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Lisa Herring and greeted at the front door by CSKYWLA Principal Eulonda Washington.

“I feel blessed and honored that we have been selected for this visit. It’s a testament to the work that our scholars and staff members are doing.” Washington said. “It is our purpose to pour into our scholars. If we’re going to make sure our ladies can compete with children that don’t necessarily look like them, we have to be about the work. That work includes a lot of research, forward movement and forward thinking.”

The “Raise the Bar: Lead the World” tour is an effort by the Department of Education to discover how schools are using STEM education to accelerate learning and deliver comprehensive and rigorous education. The goal is to learn from the examples set by successful programs and find ways their positive results can be replicated in more schools.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Cindy Marten and Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Lisa Herring engage with CSKYWLA students during science class.

“We’re going around the country looking for examples of how districts like this one (APS) here are raising the bar giving students access and opportunity with great programming like we’re seeing here at this school (CSKYWLA),” Marten said. “We’re connecting communities across the country to learn from one another. A lot of people are going to learn from Atlanta around what’s happening here at this school and say “Wow! How can we do this? This is replicable.’”

Marten visited classrooms and interacted with students engaged in a variety of projects during her tour of the school. Students shared their progress on a group project in a social studies class, took the Deputy Secretary’s blood pressure in public health class and even demonstrated a hand-made, miniature catapult built in math class.

Each stop along the tour demonstrated CSKYWLA’s emphasis on STEM education, and how its courses provide academic pathways for its students.

Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy Principal Eulonda Washington gives a tour of the school to the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Cindy Marten and Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Lisa Herring.

“(Academic pathways) allow us to learn more before we go into college and a career,” Naija Dubose, a student and aspiring OBGYN, said after explaining a project-based learning project display to the Deputy Secretary.
The school prides itself on its academic rigor, pathways, 100 percent graduation rate and the third-highest seamless post-secondary enrollment in APS.

“Our purpose for being here today is to highlight the work that’s happening here at Coretta Scott King Young Leadership Academy with our young ladies,” Dr. Herring said. “The presence today of the U.S. Department of Education Deputy Secretary is extraordinarily important because it’s an opportunity to spotlight our young women who are also raising the bar and leading the world in this work.”

Marten and Dr. Herring held a private meeting with students, parents and teachers in a roundtable discussion after the tour of the school.

“We are excited as a school district to have the Department of Education present,” Dr. Herring said. “Whenever there’s an opportunity to showcase the greatness of school leadership, scholar achievement and the work that we’re doing in our community for the world to see, we are going to shout. APS is ready to stand together to continue to raise the bar, lead the world.”

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Hour of Code Celebrated Throughout Atlanta Public Schools

by talkupaps
written by talkupaps

Hour of Code at Bunche MS (2017)

(Click here to watch a short video about Hour of Coding activities at Bunche Middle School.)

Former President Barack Obama once famously said, “Don’t just play on your phone, program it.”

Scores of student throughout Atlanta Public Schools took those words to heart on Monday, as the district began its participation in an annual global movement to demystify coding and show that anybody can learn to code. The “Hour of Code,” held each year during the first week of December as part of Computer Science Education Week, is designed to introduce students to the basics of computer science and coding, giving them an even stronger foundation for success in today’s technology-driven society.

Bunche Middle School is one of several schools participating. On Sunday, two BuncheHour of Code at Bunche MS with Monica Kaufman Pearson (2017) students – Amani Bedwa and Enam Amevo – were interviewed by Monica Kaufman Pearson on her radio show on KISS 104FM. Amani and Enam talked about the importance of education, specifically in terms of computer technology.

Then on Monday, ADP associates from metro Atlanta gave Bunche Middle School students early exposure to coding in a fun, hands-on way, using a 12-level activity in Minecraft called “Hero’s Journey,” a game designed to improve critical thinking and literacy skills.

Here are various “Hour of Code” activities that will take place in other district schools this week:

— Monday, Dec. 4: Third graders at Humphries Elementary School used conduct coding activities using Minecraft, from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

 — Monday, Dec. 4: Third graders at Sarah Smith Intermediate performed activities with the LightBot computer program, beginning at 11:30 a.m.

— Monday, Dec. 4: Spanish classes at Mays High School conducted coding exercises throughout the day.

— Tuesday, Dec. 5: Students at King Middle School participate in grade-level coding sessions throughout the day.

— Tuesday, Dec. 5: Students at North Atlanta High School conduct coding activities at rotating stations in all grades throughout the day.

— Tuesday, Dec. 5: Fifth-grade students at Heritage Academy teach second graders how to do simple coding activities, beginning at 1 p.m.

— Tuesday, Dec. 5: Several Hollis Innovation Academy students attend coding sessions on the campus of Georgia Tech.

— Wednesday, Dec. 6: Students in all grade levels at Brown Middle School conduct coding activities throughout the day.

— Wednesday, Dec. 6: Students at Sarah Smith Primary School participate in a coding exercise, beginning at 10:30 a.m.

— Wednesday, Dec. 6: Students at Sylvan Hills Middle School conduct coding activities in French throughout the day.

— Thursday, Dec. 7: Students at Inman Middle School participate in coding session in science classes throughout the day.

 

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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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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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