Midtown School News: Parents for Atlanta's Public Schools Legislative Reception Next Week

In March, the Atlanta Board of Education will take action on the district calendars for the next two school years (2013-24 and 2014-2015). Prior to the board’s consideration, however, the Department of Organizational Advancement has been presenting information about the proposed calendars to the community. The East Region meeting is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 28 at Inman Middle School from 5:30-7:00 pm. All are invited and encouraged to attend.

At the beginning of the current school year, APS began gathering data gathered through a survey that has assisted the APS Calendar Committee in designing a calendar that meets the requirements of state law, that supports student attendance and achievement, and that considers the preferences of families. See here for more information.

The public can now comment on the proposed 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 calendars here.

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All parents and community members in Atlanta who support public education in Atlanta's public schools are invited to attend the "2nd Annual Parents for Atlanta's Public Schools Legislative Reception" on Tuesday, Feb. 5, from 7-8:30 pm. This reception will be held at Atlanta Public Schools, Center for Learning and Leadership, 130 Trinity Avenue.  

The specially invited guests are the state elected officials in the Atlanta-Fulton County Delegation, the city's elected officials and the Atlanta Board of Education members as well as APS' leadership.

This is an opportunity for supporters of Atlanta's public education to meet with state and other elected officials to discuss education issues over dessert and coffee. Those interested in attending should RSVP by Saturday, Feb. 2 to parentsforatlanta@gmail.com.

Free parking is available.  To access parking, please enter the APS Parking Deck from the Garnett Street Entrance. — Abby Martin, for Atlanta's Parents for Public Schools

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Talk Up APS reports that Inman MS Teacher Jatisha Marsh is among twelve teacher leaders from eleven states selected as a 2013 Hope Street Group National Teacher Fellow. The National Teacher Fellowship is a competitive program designed for teacher leaders wanting to share their expertise, experience and ideas in helping to shape education policy nationwide.

Marsh was selected from nearly 100 applicants from 27 states to serve as representatives of Hope Street Group, advocating for education policy changes. She will meet with fellow educators to present to national, state and local policymakers, as well as peers across the country. Read more here. — Atlanta Public Schools

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The Atlanta Public Schools will ask the Georgia Supreme Court to overturn a Fulton County Superior Court judge's ruling that it illegally withheld $2.8 million from 10 charter schools, including four that serve East Atlanta Patch.

APS' joint notice of appeal, filed Jan. 18, doesn't specify the reason or reasons it is appealing Judge Wendy L. Shoob's Dec. 28 order Stephen Alford, an APS spokesman, would only confirm the district's appeal, but declined further comment.

Shoob ruled APS violated state law when it withheld $2.8 million in funding from the charter schools and put it toward its unfunded pension liability obligations. Among the affected schools is Intown Academy ($190,063 financial impact). Read more at East Atlanta Patch.

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Talk Up APS reports that Grady High School was 1 out of 10 high schools in America to receive a $2,000 Custom Culture Grant by VANS to create a street art inspired mural on campus. This street art will be a student-driven project led by John Brandhorst, Department Chair of Fine & Performing Arts at Grady.

Brandhorst will collaborate with local professional artists for their expertise, techniques and consultation. Several of the professional artists include:

• Jessica Caldas, Grady High School Alumni/Artist
• Beth Malone, Director at High Museum/Director of Public Arts for Office of Cultural Affairs
• Jeff Mather, Director of APAL
• Jay Wiggins, Artist

The street art will be politically relevant, colorful, exciting, edgy, and appropriate for a high school campus. The theme, color scheme, and location of the mural are not yet determined. Read more here. — Atlanta Public Schools

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According to the Atlanta Business Chronicle's annual Education Guide, Grady HS was tops among APS high schools in SAT scores last year. The highest possible score is 2,400 and the list is for mean scores for the 2012 graduating class. See more here.

Top five from APS:

1. Henry W. Grady High School -- 1,508
2. North Atlanta High School -- 1,426
3. Maynard Holbrook Jackson High School -- 1,359
4. Carver Early College -- 1,336
5. South Atlanta School of Law and Social Justice -- 1,320

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Talk Up APS reports that on Jan. 12, the Springdale Park Elementary Advanced Chorus performed the Canadian National Anthem “O, Canada” at the Gwinnett Gladiators Game vs. the Kalamazoo Wings. Over 120 Springdale Park fans were present to support the chorus. The Gladiators are the ECHL Affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres and the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League and are members of the ECHL, the Premier “AA” Hockey League.

The event was part of a FUN-raiser with many benefits for Springdale Park Choruses:

• Family and friends of the chorus members were able to buy reduced-price ticket sales for the game
• The Children had an unforgettable experience singing for a huge professional sports team audience
• Because Springdale Park sold more than 100 tickets, their music program will receive a donation back from the Gladiators!

The Springdale Park Choruses have performed the US National Anthem for multiple sporting events around town, including Georgia Tech Women’s Volleyball and Basketball games and Springdale Park’s 5th Grade Basketball Challenge. The performers wanted to try something new for the Gladiators game by singing the Canadian Anthem. They further challenged themselves by learning the bi-lingual version of “O, Canada”, singing it in English and French!

Springdale Park is looking forward to the upcoming events:

• February 9 – The Community Children’s Chorus Festival, featuring choruses from Springdale Park, Mary Lin, The Swift School (private), Henderson Mill (DeKalb), and Atlanta Young Singers (of Callanwolde)
• February 13 – Advanced Chorus performance at LGPE at Mays High School
• April 27 – The Inman Park Festival Parade
• May 13 – Spring Music Concert

See more here. — Atlanta Public Schools