Atlanta Public Schools Weekly News Tip Sheet
(March 28 – April 2)
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 Director. Thank you for your interest in Atlanta Public Schools!
Atlanta Virtual Academy Now Accepting Applications for the 2022-2023 School Year
The application window for Atlanta Virtual Academy is now open through April 15.
Atlanta Virtual Academy (AVA) is a fully accredited online learning environment that is available to Atlanta Public Schools elementary, middle and high school students. AVA offers two types of virtual learning:
- AVA Direct permits eligible K-12th grade students to attend AVA through a synchronous learning model with daily live teaching instruction.
- AVA Flex permits eligible 6th -12th grade students to attend AVA through an asynchronous self-paced learning model with teacher facilitation as needed.
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Three South Atlanta Cluster Schools Earn STEM Certification
Three schools in the South Atlanta High School cluster earned Cognia STEM certification recently.
Heritage Academy Elementary School, Humphries Elementary School and South Atlanta High School were officially certified after meeting a set of rigorous standards.
Cognia is a non-profit organization focused on improving educational opportunities for all learners. It provides measurable guides for improvement in the schools. To obtain the Cognia STEM certification, schools are measured in four categories related to STEM: community, learning culture, experiences, and outcomes.
Dr. Brene' E. Bradley, APS Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE)/STEM coordinator said the Cognia evaluation team stated that South Atlanta High School is “an exemplary school with systems that should be modeled by other schools.”
South Atlanta also earned commendations for being STEM-minded and having a true culture of learning. Read more in Talk Up APS, the APS blog featuring good news throughout the district.
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M.A. Jones Elementary School Students Win Award in Battery Powered Race Car Competition
Students from M. Agnes Jones Elementary School (MAJ) made history last week in becoming the very first school in metro Atlanta to establish a Greenpower USA racing team.
In 2021, MAJ was awarded a grant from redefinED Atlanta to help teachers/schools innovate and help with learning during the pandemic. MAJ chose to use part of their grant funds to purchase a Greenpower USA Goblin, a battery-powered race car that reaches speeds of up to 15 mph.
The MAJ “Rapid Racers” competed recently against a field of nationally-ranked teams in the Kia Spring Fever Goblin Rally in LaGrange where they brought home the Spirit of Greenpower Award, given to the team deemed best by the judges for working through adversity, supporting fellow competitors, and all round holding themselves to a high standard in line with the values of the Greenpower project.
In addition to competing against other schools in a series of events such as the slalom, drag, and circuit races, students also engage in standard-based STEAM lessons that enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Lessons on force and motion, circuitry, teamwork and the engineer and design process are infused with information about the car to create authentic, real-world experiences.
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Washington High School Culinary Arts, Hospitality, Healthcare Pathways Win Awards
The Booker T. Washington High School culinary arts, healthcare and hospitality programs won awards during competitions last weekend.
Students in the school’s renowned Culinary Arts pathway, led by chef Larry Alford, had an outstanding performance at the Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) state conference in Athens, winning:
- Second place in Creative Showpiece
- Top 10 in Sports Nutrition
- Top 10 in Baking & Pastry
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Midtown High School Southerner Wins Top Three National School Publication Awards
The Midtown High School Southerner has earned the top three national school publication awards in the same year.
The Southerner earned the Gold Crown Award, which is the top award given by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, the Online Pacemaker Award from the National Scholastic Press Association, and the Gallup Award from Quill & Scroll.
This is the first time the Southerner has received all three national awards since 2014.
Original source can be found here.
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