Atlanta Public Schools honored all of its valedictorians, salutatorians and STAR students with a celebratory breakfast on Friday, April 17, at Georgia Power headquarters.
Georgia Power
The Atlanta Board of Education releases financial details and a list of corporate donors supporting the current APS leadership transition team
Last week, the Atlanta Board of Education reported that to date, nearly $350,00 has been committed to the Atlanta Public Schools Improvement Fund to support the current APS leadership transition. With funds being managed by The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, corporate donors have committed $200,000 to support the Atlanta Public Schools’ incoming superintendent Dr. Meria Carstarphen’s transition team; in combination with $147,000 previously raised to support the APS strategic leadership initiatives.
In a press release sent out by the Atlanta Board of Education last Thursday, Board Chairman Courtney English stated “As a Board, we wanted to ensure that Dr. Carstarphen could get to work right away, and she also wanted to get started with the transition. It was important that she was able to get familiar with our schools, the communities, and the employees of the district. She also has had a chance to understand the needs and opportunities that exist and plan for what has to be done. Deciding to set-up a separate fund was a good one. We promised to share details of the funding and its use, and this is our first report.”
A group of Atlanta corporate donors have committed to the campaign with amounts ranging from $10,000- $25,000.
See the list of donors below:
AGL Resources
Bank of America
Delta Airlines
Emory Healthcare
Georgia Pacific
Georgia Power Company
Invesco
SunTrust
The Coca-Cola Company
Dr. Carstarphen’s compensation for the transition period and a directed strategic review of major functions within the school system was outlined in the April Transaction Services Agreement. Since then, extensive examination of the system’s legal, communication, human resources, financial and academic departments, as well as a review of Georgia polices and laws, and continued meetings with community stakeholders has taken place. There has also been a large-scale effort to recruit and appoint applicants for school principal and essential leadership vacancies that existed.
As of June 2nd, the school board has approved the hiring of eight new employees to join the incoming Superintendents leadership team. These members will manage functional areas including curriculum and instruction, accountability, communications and human resources. The cost for these functions and other administrative activities related to the transition are also included in expenses paid by for by the fund. Current Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent, Errol B. Davis, and his senior leaders have worked closely with Dr. Carstarphen throughout the process to ensure a smooth transition.
More than 100 public schools in Georgia will begin to deliver The First Tee National School Program as part of their physical education curriculum this school year. The program expansion, which will include 13 Atlanta Public Schools (APS), is happening in association with Georgia Power, the largest subsidiary of Southern Company.
The announcement was made today at the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola, where representatives from The First Tee, Southern Company, Georgia Power, APS and Georgia AHPERD (Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance) were present.
The First Tee National School Program is an extension of the programs offered by local chapters, including The First Tee of Atlanta and The First Tee of East Lake. The program seamlessly introduces elementary students to golf skills and Nine Core Values within the physical education instructional setting. The program is aligned with and meets national standards developed by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE).
“Southern Company’s customer-focused business model is guided by SouthernStyle – the company’s value proposition that includes Unquestionable Trust, Superior Performance and Total Commitment,” said Southern Company President of External Affairs Christopher C. Womack. “The character education lessons taught through The First Tee National School Program – honesty, judgment, respect and responsibility – are consistent with the principles to which employees of Southern Company and our subsidiaries aspire.”
Over the coming months, P.E. teachers in the 13 selected APS elementary schools (to be determined) will receive The First Tee National School Program curriculum, professional development training and age-appropriate equipment.
“We’re proud to help bring the very successful First Tee National School Program to students in Atlanta Public Schools,” said Georgia Power Metro East Region Manager Mitchell King. “Georgia Power has a strong history of encouraging new education initiatives across the state and we look forward to continuing to support the work of The First Tee in Atlanta and other communities.”
Earlier this year, First Tee implemented the same program at 34 schools in Savannah, and 39 in Augusta and Waynesboro. Other schools will be identified this fall. Nationwide, there are more 5,800 schools in 800 school districts participating in The First Tee National School Program.
“We are grateful for Southern Company and Georgia Power’s commitment to The First Tee,” said Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., chief executive officer of The First Tee. “Expanding this program allows for a significantly greater number of students to benefit from the introduction to a life-long sport and its inherent values.”
For more information about The First Tee program in Atlanta, visit http://www.thefirstteeatlanta.org or www.thefirstteeeastlake.org. For more information on The First Tee National School Program, visit www.thefirsttee.org/nsp.
About The First Tee
The First Tee (www.thefirsttee.org), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization whose mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. With its home office at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla., The First Tee reaches young people on golf courses, in elementary schools, at other youth-serving locations and on military installations.
About Atlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Public Schools (APS) is one of the largest school districts in the state of Georgia, serving approximately 50,000 students across 103 learning sites. APS is organized into nine K-12 clusters and two citywide single-gender academies, where students are offered rigorous instructional programs that foster success in school and life. APS is renewing its commitment to stakeholders through excellence, equity, ethics and engagement. For more information visit, www.atlantapublicschools.us.
Dunbar students were full of energy and excitement on Career Day as they interacted with over 25 professionals in various career fields. In preparation for Career Day, students participated in activities that helped them discover their interests and dreams. DreamMaker Kids, a company promoting career awareness, visited the school campus with costumes and took photos of each student dressed up as professionals in their dream careers. This activity sparked the students’ interest and enthusiasm to meet with guest speakers on Career Day.
On April 3rd, Dunbar welcomed professionals from businesses, public safety, government, corporations, and more. Students rotated to the various career stations, received interactive presentations, and asked many questions. The students had opportunities to explore and interact with technology, fire trucks, horse units, food, and more. Career Day was a great opportunity for elementary students to be exposed to professional fields and develop interest in careers at an early age.
Professionals from Dunbar’s Career Day represented:
- Smoothie King
- Center for Disease Control
- Black Girl Radio
- Gus Thornhill Funeral Home
- Delta Airlines
- Coca-Cola
- Nursing
- Photography
- Georgia Power
- Chief of Staff for the City of Atlanta
- Culinary Arts
- Retail Management
- Judge Phillip Jackson
- Attorney Odis Williams
- Social Work
- South Region Agricultural Education/Georgia Young Farmers
- Fulton Sheriff/Community Outreach
- Atlanta Police Department
- Fire Rescue
- Hero Unit/GA Department of Transportation
- Georgia Department of Public Safety
- Helicopter/Motorcycle/Horse Unit
“I want to be a fashion designer when I grow up because I love colors and clothes. My favorite part of Career Day was Coca Cola because they talked about new inventions, and I like technology so it was very interesting.”
– Amoria Heard, 5th grader at Dunbar
“Our motto at Dunbar is, ‘We expect excellence… Every student, every parent, every teacher, every classroom, everyday!’ Our idea for Career Day was to let the children see themselves in careers that they would like to be in through the photo shoots, and invite professionals who are active in those fields. We wanted the children to be exposed to a variety of careers and move towards excellence in all that they do.”
– Karen Brown-Collier, Principal at Dunbar Elementary School
We had a chance to videotape some of the speeches delivered by the valedictorians, salutatorians and “STAR” students who were honored this week at the annual breakfast featuring Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Beverly L. Hall and hosted by Georgia Power. Here we get to watch in on Paul Harris, Jr. (valedictorian and “STAR” student of Carver Early College) and Edward Furman Mosely, III (salutatorian of Douglass High) speak during the segment “Fulfilling the Dream.” Enjoy!
Dr. Hall honors valedictorians, salutatorians and ‘STAR’ students & teachers with breakfast
UPDATES: Check out the photo gallery here. Watch speech by Carver Early College’s Paul Harris, Jr., and Douglass’ Edward Furman Mosley, III, here. Watch speech by Carver Early College teacher Matt Westmoreland here.
Atlanta Public Schools‘ valedictorians, salutatorians and “STAR” students were honored Wednesday morning with a breakfast hosted by Georgia Power and featuring Superintendent Dr. Beverly L. Hall.
“This celebration is one of my favorite events – for two very good reasons. First, it kicks off graduation season in Atlanta Public Schools. And second, this event represents the school district’s collective opportunity to publicly and proudly acknowledge the work of our valedictorians, salutatorians, STAR students, and STAR teachers,” Dr. Hall told the gathering.”
Dr. Hall went on to acknowledge sponsor Georgia Power, APS Associate Superintendent of High Schools Randolph Bynum, and the school principals, staff members, teachers and counselors. Dr. Hall also singled out the STAR teachers and students, the latter of whom scored the highest on their college entrance exams. The STAR student then selects the teacher who they believe made the difference in their education.
“STAR teachers were chosen for their significant contribution to students’ scholastic development,” Dr. Hall said. “Through their talent and passion, these teachers have left an indelible mark on their students’ lives – and for that, again, we thank them.”
During the week of Jan. 25-29, eight Georgia Power volunteers have been at Booker T. Washington High School delivering the CHOICES program. Volunteers are scheduled to implement the CHOICES program through the ninth-grade English/Language Arts classes in the Schools of Banking, Finance and Investment; Early College; Senior Academy; and Health Science and Nutrition. They brought their experiences and expertise to take students through real-world exercises on academic self-discipline, time and money management, and goal setting. As a result, teens discover that they can take charge of their lives.
CHOICES is an interactive, decision-making workshop that empowers teens to achieve academic success in pursuit of their career and life aspirations. The CHOICES workshop is typically presented at the eighth- or ninth-grade level because these students are old enough to envision the future yet young enough to develop positive skills and habits for success in high school and beyond.
Hat tip to Arlena M. Shaw, graduation coach through Communities In Schools of Atlanta!