ATLANTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Office of Communications and Public Engagement
130 Trinity Avenue SW | Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Seth Coleman, Director of Media
404-802-2891, office
404-345-8630, cell
seth.coleman@atlanta.k12.ga.us
Jasmine Mosley, Interim Media Relations Manager
404-802-2888, office
404-937-0473, cell
jasmine.mosley@atlanta.k12.ga.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 19, 2022
Atlanta Public Schools Weekly News Tip Sheet
(December 19-24, 2022)
Editors/Producers/Reporters: The following is a list of events, programs, accomplishments, and/or initiatives occurring in Atlanta Public Schools (APS) this week. Please use it as a guide as you develop your coverage plans.
Members of the media are invited to attend all events on the Weekly APS News Tip Sheet. If you have an interest in these stories, please contact Seth Coleman, Director, Media, or Jasmine Mosley, Interim Media Relations Manager.
Thank you for your interest in Atlanta Public Schools!
Tekeshia Hollis Named Principal of Howard Middle School
Tekeshia Hollis has been named as the new principal of David T. Howard Middle School. She is currently serving as an administrator at Sylvan Middle School and will assume her new role as principal at Howard Middle on January 17, 2023.
Hollis brings to Howard Middle more than 18 years of experience as an educator, including seven years serving in the Midtown Cluster of schools. She has served in various roles, including teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal, and interim principal. Hollis is a dedicated leader who is focused on maximizing the potential of all students and educators. She firmly believes high expectations, coupled with effective and quality instruction, will change students’ lives.
Howard Middle interim co-principals Dr. Paula Snowden and Barbara Shea, as well as interim program manager Jennifer Cappelli, will support Hollis at the school through the end of the school year. Meetings will be scheduled in January 2023 to introduce Hollis to the school community.
Ten APS Music Teachers Nominated for Prestigious Manilow Music Teacher Award
Ten Atlanta Public Schools high school music teachers have been nominated for the Manilow Music Teacher Award, which recognizes an outstanding music teacher who helps to bring music to life for his/her students.
The award, presented by the Manilow Music Project, is a program of the Manilow Fund, which was established by the world-famous singer/entertainer, Barry Manilow. It is awarded in select cities where Manilow has a scheduled performance.
The grand prize is $10,000 ($5,000 for the teacher and $5,000 for the school’s music program), which will be awarded at Manilow’s concert at State Farm Arena on January 19, 2023, in a backstage presentation. The other nine teachers will receive $1,000 for their programs through the APS arts office.
The 10 APS nominees are:
- Jason Flakes, band director (BEST Academy, Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy)
- Warren Williams, band director (Carver Early College)
- Jason Heath, musical theatre teacher (Douglass)
- Sergio Rodriguez, orchestra director (Jackson)
- Dr. Chainey Cherry, orchestra director (Mays)
- Kevin Hill, choir director (Midtown)
- Adam Brooks, band director (North Atlanta)
- Jamont Lane, band director (South Atlanta)
- Renise Allen, choir director (Therrell)
- Wallace Barner, band director (Washington)
Students, parents, fellow APS employees and community members may cast their votes here through December 28.
APS to Close for Holiday Break, December 19-30
Atlanta Public Schools will be closed for the Holiday Break, December 19 – 30, 2022. Monday, January 2, 2023, will be a professional development day for teachers, and students will return to class on Tuesday, January 3, 2023.
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About Atlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Public Schools is one of the largest school districts in the state of Georgia, serving approximately 50,000 students across 87 schools and five programs. The District is organized into nine K-12 clusters with 64 traditional schools, 19 charter schools, six partner schools, two alternative schools and five alternative programs. To learn more about Atlanta Public Schools, follow us on social media – Twitter (@apsupdate), Facebook (Atlanta Public Schools), and Instagram (apsupdate) – or visit us online at www.atlantapublicschools.us.
