CSKYWLA

This academic year, Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy (CSKYWLA) introduced its first martial arts classes. Middle and high school students now have the option of taking martial arts in lieu of traditional physical education.

“Our CSKYWLA scholars and their parents are enthused about the opportunity for students to have exposure to the martial arts taught by instructor Jared Holloway, who is just as excited about the opportunity to share his art of Taekwondo in the physical education setting,” Principal Eulonda Washington said. “CSK’s vision is to ensure that all scholars graduate globally conscious and college and career ready. Incorporating martial art into the curriculum is just another way to support our efforts to ensure that our scholars are globally conscious and trained in self-defense.”

According to Washington, all gis (the lightweight two-piece white garments worn in judo and other martial arts) were purchased through a grant written by Vernise Harris-Hill, CSKYWLA’s athletic director and physical education teacher.

APS Students 'Aim Higher' in Celebration of World Space Week & Int'l Day of the Girl

Students from across Atlanta Public Schools recently gathered to commemorate World Space Week and International Day of the Girl. Scholars from Tuskegee Airmen Global Academy, M. Agnes Jones, Boyd, Harper Archer, and Garden Hills elementary schools, Michael R. Hollis Innovation Academy, Coretta Scott King Young Women's Leadership Academy, and B.E.S.T. Academy visited a 4,800-square-foot, eco-friendly grass Earthwork portrait by renowned crop artist Stan Herd featuring active NASA astronaut Stephanie Wilson. The artwork was displayed in downtown Atlanta at Woodruff Park.

Wilson’s 42 days in space and three trips to space represent the most of any female African American astronaut. The Earthwork was intended to inspire women and girls, and especially people of color, to “aim higher” as they pursue their dreams.

The theme for World Space Week 2021, held Oct. 11-22, was “Women in Space.”

As part of the Aim Higher project leading up to the Earthwork unveiling, weeklong activities included a daily World Space Week webinar series hosted by the Georgia Space Grant Consortium and a free, family friendly, outdoor hands-on STEAM event at the Georgia Tech campus.

The Earthwork will be framed by approximately 1,500 tiles of space art created by

students from 14 APS schools and kids from three Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta hospitals. Former NASA astronauts Nicole Stott and Susan Kilrain (the second woman to pilot the Space Shuttle and a Georgia Tech alumna), along with Inspiration 4 Mission Pilot astronaut Dr. Sian Proctor, spoke about the importance of representation to inspire more women and girls and people of color to pursue careers in space and tech fields.

In addition, Stephanie Wilson addressed students virtually, and NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy provided students with a video greeting.

CSKYWLA Students Take Virtual Visits to Paris and College Campuses

Despite COVID-19, students and staff at Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy recently embarked on new adventures by virtually traveling to Paris, France, and participating in college campus tours. Led by travel guides on a walking tour of 'Black Paris' on Oct. 28, students experienced parts of the French culture directly influenced by African Americans like Josephine Baker and other artists and writers. During the tour, students saw the Eifel Tower light up in real time with sparkling lights at the top of each hour, and "visited" the Luxembourg Garden and Luxembourg Palace, Montparnasse Cemetery, and the Jean-Paul Sartre / Simone de Beauvoir tomb, among other sites.

Also, on Nov. 11, students attended virtual tours of several colleges and universities as part of Atlanta Public Schools’ College and Career Motivation Week. The student tours serve as an opportunity to hear from college admission officers and view various institutions of higher learning around the United States.

"Our virtual field trip to Paris was unforgettable, and I even learned a lot," said French teacher and Paris native Madame Sabrina Grund. "Our tour guide, Monique Wells (of Wells International Foundation), took us to places and areas I knew less. She did not focus on the typical very touristy Paris, but chose to share with us "Black Paris,” which was very interesting and I'm sure contributed to our students’ enthusiasm and curiosity. Although I am the French teacher, I had no idea that so many of our girls would get so excited about a 'virtual' trip to Paris! They were very engaged, very curious and eager to learn."

LaTarsha Mills-McKie Ed.S, middle school counselor and social emotional learning liaison, agreed.

“The virtual excursion to Paris was a spectacular opportunity for our girls and will leave a lasting impression, and the college tours were impactful and informative,” she said. “Hopefully, we will see some of our Lady Eagles soar to one or several of those colleges in the fall when they begin their college experience.”