2.16 Atlanta Public Schools Weekly News Tip Sheet

ATLANTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Office of Communications and Public Engagement
130 Trinity Avenue SW | Atlanta, Georgia 30303

 

Ian Smith, Executive Director
404-802-2855, office
404-603-6934, cell
ian.smith@atlanta.k12.ga.us

 

Seth Coleman, Media Relations Manager
404-802-2891, office
404-406-5570, cell
seth.coleman@atlanta.k12.ga.us

   

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                     

February 16, 2021

Atlanta Public Schools Weekly News Tip Sheet (February 15 - 20)

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, Media Relations Manager.  Thank you for your interest in Atlanta Public Schools!

 

APS to Extend Another Opportunity for Families to Choose an Instructional Model for Final Nine Weeks of the School Year


Atlanta Public Schools will launch a new student Intent-to-Return declaration period on Wednesday, February 17, where families will choose a learning option – site-based virtual, in-person learning, or Atlanta Virtual Academy – through the final nine-week quarter.

 

If this form is not completed by Monday, March 8, students will remain in their current instructional learning models. The form and details will be available on the Declaration Form page beginning February 17.

 

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APS Equity and Social Justice Chief Featured in Annie E. Casey Foundation Blog


Atlanta Public Schools Chief Equity and Social Justice Officer Tauheedah Baker-Jones is featured in the most recent blog of the Annie E. Casey Foundation – one of the nation’s foremost charitable foundations focused on building better futures for disadvantaged children and their families, and improving the lives and well-being of children in America. The blog may be found here: https://www.aecf.org/blog/meet-the-first-chief-equity-and-social-justice-officer-for-atlanta-public-s/

 

Baker-Jones has been tapped to launch the APS Center for Equity and Social Justice, the District’s first office devoted solely to advancing equity in education. The center will examine current policies and practices, work to interrupt and eliminate inequitable practices, and create inclusive and just conditions for all students, in particular ensuring that our most vulnerable and marginalized students receive a quality education, including the necessary social-emotional supports, and enroll in supportive postsecondary institutions.

 

As part of the mission to graduate every child ready for college, career, and life, we must ensure that they experience both meaningful rigor and culturally responsive supports from teachers, support providers and leaders. We envision school communities where students, families, and staff work together to build vibrant school cultures designed to ensure that everyone in our school community thrives. 

 

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Candidates for APS GO Teams May Sign Up Now Through February 28


Did you know that more than 700 parents, educators and community members are actively governing each Atlanta Public School via GO Teams? 

 

In APS, Local School Governance Teams (GO Teams) represent each school and have decision-making authority over the school’s strategic plan, budget approval, school-based solution flexibility requests, and more. Now Atlanta residents have the opportunity to join this group of powerful school leaders by declaring their interest in running for a seat on an APS GO Team for the 2021-2023 term.

 

Candidacy declarations are open now through Feb. 28. Voting will take place in April. No experience is needed. Tools and training will be provided. Learn more and declare your candidacy today at www.apsstrongschools.com.

 

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(Noon, Wednesday, February 17) APS Partners with Mirror Face Picture Book Authors to Celebrate Self-Love

 

 

Self-acceptance and self-love are some of the greater gifts a society can give to its children.

 

During February, the month of “love” anchored around Valentine’s Day, Atlanta Public Schools’ Media Services and Social Emotional Learning departments have partnered with the authors of MIRROR FACE, a picture book that teaches children to love themselves independently of the opinion of others and build their inner confidence.

 

Thanks to this partnership, 30,000 APS students (pre-k through 5th grade) have received free digital copies of the book alongside a robust social emotional learning.

The initiative will culminate with a virtual event at noon on Wednesday, on www.facebook.com/atlantapublicschools, which will feature video messages from  APS Superintendent Dr. Lisa Herring and Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, and will serve as the launch for the #MirrorFaceChallenge on social media to spread the gift of self-love with others.

 

“We’re most grateful for this partnership, which serves the dual purpose of promoting self-worth and overall well-being among the children we serve, while also promoting literacy,” Dr. Herring said. “It comes at a time when children have been isolated from their peers and need it the most.”

 

The Mirror Face initiative has received overwhelming support from elected officials, civic leaders and companies all over metro Atlanta, including Mayor Bottoms, the Woodruff Arts Center, the Atlanta Dream, Centers of Hope, the Center for Civic Innovation, The Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta, and many others.  For more information on Mirror Face visit https://youtu.be/Xoy0sRQbEcc.

 

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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 51,000 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.