Central Learning Community News
The Heart of Fulton County Schools
December 2013
Elementary Schools
Hamilton E. Holmes ES
On Friday, November 22, 2013 Reec of Hot 107.9 and Positive American Youth, (PAYUSA), donated in part and helped distribute Thanksgiving grocery baskets to families at H. E. Holmes Elementary School. This effort was part of an initiative coordinated by Ms. Dedra Cochran, Communities in Schools Senior Site Coordinator. We are very appreciative for their assistance in making Thanksgiving a happy holiday for all the families!
Oak Knoll
Oak Knoll teamed up with Kroger for Math Night. Students practiced real world math tasks with their parents, using food and prices found throughout the grocery store. While the students practiced applying the standards from their grade level, their parents learned ideas for how to support their child's learning during routine shopping trips.
Parklane
MAD MATH MINUTE happens once a week on Thursday. Students are challenged to complete 50 questions based on their grade level math goals in 1 minute 30 seconds (1st grade is given 2 minutes). In order to earn the STAR STUDENT BRACELET students must achieve 86%, which means they cannot get more than 7 wrong. In January the goal will be 90% or better. As teachers are practicing these facts in the classroom, they are selecting students to participate based on readiness, as well as motivation. We have completed our first month of MAD MATH MINUTE and we're happy to say that we were able to give out a lot of bracelets. We hope to give out many more in the coming months.
Ison Springs
On November 22, 2013, Ison Springs Elementary School participated in Junior Achievement Day, facilitated by the cadets from the North Springs High School ROTC program. The students from Ison Springs were engaged in activities to help them increase their understanding of economics. The North Springs cadets not only guided students in lessons, but also joined them for lunch and special area classes. The North Springs students were also able to participate with the Ison Springs students in a pep rally, to conclude a successful JA Day.
Dunwoody Springs ES
Congratulations to the newly named Model Teachers at Dunwoody Springs ES.
Interested teachers completed an application which included videotaped lessons. The school leadership team scored a rubric aligned to TKES standards to rate candidates.
The 6 selected teachers are piloting this new program designed to provide support for continuous improvement in teaching.
As Model Teachers they will :
1. have an "open classroom" for peer classroom observations from teachers within the Central Learning Community
2. be available to model lessons for other teachers at Dunwoody Springs and/or
3. be willing to conduct peer observations solely for diagnostic purposes to support colleagues within our school
These highly effective teachers are demonstrating the Fulton County Leadership Essentials of Leading by Example and Building Capacity.
Congratulations to L-R : Alexandra Goldman (3rd) , Michele Mark (3rd) , Patrick McAvoy (Music) , Margaret Cohen (4th/5th IRR) , Brynn Vergouven (K), Rachel Harris (1st)
Hapeville
On Monday, October 28th, Hapeville Elementary students and families came out to see the stars for the first ever Astronomy Night. Astronomy Night, hosted by Hapeville 4th graders, included fun and games for families while students showcased their research on topics related to the Solar System. In addition to student presentations, Hapeville students, family members, and teachers were able to get a clear view of Venus thanks to members of the Atlanta Astronomy Club, who brought large telescopes.
See what students and parents had to say about Astronomy Night here: http://youtu.be/oAVN_R2PySc
Mount Olive
Students and staff from Mt. Olive Elementary enjoyed an engaging musical performance by the Atlanta Percussion Trio sponsored by the Teaching Museum South. They had opportunities to learn about celebrations and cultures from around the world as they enjoyed a musical journey across the continents. The presentation focused on culture, rhythm, and musical celebrations associated with different regions of the world.
Conley Hills Elementary
Students at Conley Hills Elementary had a blast exploring while learning all about earth science during their Earth Science Curriculum Day.
High Point
The school spelling bee was held on Thursday, December 12th. The following fourth and fifth grade students participated: William Wade, Olivia Novotny, Brayden Carroll, Ameerah Ransom, Diana Meija, Rayhan Quaraishi, Riley Buehner, Benjamin Seidel, Kennedy Schulamn, Rachel Henry, Dayana Sanchez, Hadleigh Whittemore, Chance Walker, Will Schaeffer, Nina Schwelm, Abigail Abdi, Noa Nieves, and Paola Alvarez.
Congratulations to all our spellers! We are very proud of each and every one of them. The 2nd place winner was Paola Alvarez. What a great job she did! Our School representative that is going to the Fulton County Spelling Bee at Harriet Tubman Elementary School on February 8th is Ameerah Ransom! Congratulations to Ameerah for a job well done!
Heards Ferry
In second grade classrooms all over Fulton County students learn about personal narrative as a part of their writing skills. They study Georgia’s first people, Native Americans like the Creek for social studies. It goes without saying that acquiring computer skills is also important. So, it was only natural that Heards Ferry Elementary School Media Specialist, Dianna Locke and the second grade teachers would decide to use collaborative teaching to combine the study of all three of these into one exciting project.
Heards Ferry is proud to have such great teachers and students who came together to teach and learn about writing, history, and using the computer. The sky's the limit for these smart kids! Please go to
http://secondgrandmediaporjects.blogspot.com/ to learn what Heards Ferry Second Graders have to teach about the Georgia Creek.
Lake Forest
Publix Family Math Night
Lake Forest hosted their second annual Publix Family Math Night this December with their local Publix grocery store. Students and parents were given a scavenger hunt of math questions using items found in the grocery store as their resources. Teachers were located throughout the store assisting students and parents. Lake Forest is finding creative ways to make real-life connections for students to deepen their mathematical understanding.
Spalding Drive
Spalding Drive has placed a special focus on College and Career Readiness this academic year. In addition to having several strategic plan initiatives to promote this effort, the staff shows off their alma mater collegiate wear once a month. Our holiday photo adopted the theme : Have a “cheerful" holiday season!
Woodland
To enhance the third grade earth science curriculum at Woodland Elementary School, Mrs. Deana King, Media and Educational Technology Instructor, utilized a “Rockin’ Roller” kit from the Tellus Science Museum. The kit contained twenty different examples of minerals. Students had the opportunity to handle and observe the specimens noting the unique colors, luster, streak, and texture. The oohs and aahs from the students indicated that they may have a better appreciation of minerals as a result of the hands-on activity.
Middle Schools
Paul D. West MS
Career Day at Paul D. West Middle attracts local professionals
Paul D. West Middle School recently held its annual Career Day, Friday, December 6, 2013 where the student body welcomed 50 speakers from all walks of life.
Career Day is an opportunity for students to learn from various speakers who can motivate, inspire, and introduce them to a vast number of careers. Radio personalities, armed forces, chiropractors, modeling agents, attorneys, engineers, graphic designers, environmental education, doctors and law enforcement, motivational speakers, sewer workers as well as representatives from colleges and technical schools, entrepreneurs, restaurant owners, airline industry, funeral directors, and clergy visited the school.
The day began with a continental breakfast and introductions of all of the Career Day speakers. Career Day representatives from each homeroom were the guides for all of the speakers. The day ended with a lunch in the media center.
Ridgeview
Ridgeview 6th graders are learning about hunger and poverty around the world in all of their classes, and leading school wide fundraising activities that will support international and local charitable organizations. Sixth grade teachers designed the interdisciplinary unit to help their students develop awareness and perspective, and to help empower them to make a difference globally and locally.
Supporting this year’s school wide IB theme, Perspective, their first goal is to raise and contribute at least $1,000 to Heifer International, allowing the purchase of a young cow (heifer) for two families, enabling them to start to lift themselves out of poverty -- “a hand up, not a handout.” Their second goal is to make a meaningful financial contribution to the Community Assistance Center of Sandy Springs. This organization has helped those in need in the Ridgeview community for over 25 years with food, clothes, youth programs, teacher supplies & more.
We celebrate our learning and leading team of students and teachers!
Woodland MS
November brought huge numbers of people to Woodland Middle including Super Science Saturday, Cheer Camp, author L. Divine, Sudanese refugee Joseph, Chick-Fil-A accountants, Dean of the College of Engineering at Ga. Tech Dr. May, and the surprise visit from actress/singer Keke Palmer. Keke visited privately with the girls’ support group called DREAM and then spoke to the 8th graders about achieving their dreams. Keke brought her music producer, Bangledesh, who also addressed the students about working hard in school and on anything they can imagine themselves to be.
Sandy Springs MS
Sandy Springs Charter Middle making amazing strides!!
1. The Hour Of Code was a huge success for Computer science Education Week! Our kids were a part of 10 million people in the world that participated. The data are very compelling and show why we have to push STEM! Kids were so happy and engaged!
2. Leadership Sandy Springs tour participants were blown away yesterday. Many had not been in schools for a while and were amazed by what they saw in our classrooms with student engagement an dialogue. The kids were engaged and learning!
3. Great job House of Stallion and 7th grade Junior achievement participants. Dr. Avossa and the communications director sent an email praising or students on their exceptional job! Kids were excited and happy while building the brand!
4. GREAT ITBS GAINS!! 4 of 5 areas increased. 2 areas were the highest gain points in all middle schools Reading and math!
5. SSCMS headed to the finals in the Academic Bowl!!
6. PTA Reflections a HUGE SUCCESS! 83 entries!! 23 to county level competition!! 6 to state!! First time state representation!! Go Stallions!!
High Schools
North Springs HS
Congratulations Spartan Science Fair Winners!
15 students/10 projects won first place at North Springs' recent science fair. These winners will represent NSCHS at the Fulton County Science Fair which North Springs is hosting February 7-8, 2014.
McClarin HS
During the month of November, the students at McClarin collected canned goods and dry goods to create nutritious Thanksgiving Baskets to give to the needy in College Park. The school partnered with the Elysium Event Center to donate 20 Thanksgiving baskets complete with turkeys to needy families. The Positive Behavior Intervention Team with students from the Early Childhood Education Program spearheaded the project.
Riverwood
Congratulations to Senior Hannah Nohstadt! Hannah's image earned the most "likes" on the Putney Student Instagram, earning $100 towards the charity of her choice.
Tri-Cities
Students at Tri-Cities continued a community service tradition with the 4th Annual Rake Day. On the Saturday after getting out of school for Thanksgiving Break, 100 gathered to beautify over 60 lawns for the holidays. This show of goodwill continues to build the already strong relationship between the school and immediate community.
The Central Learning Community
Email: griffind1@fultonschools.org
Website: www.fultonschools.org
Location: 786 Cleveland Ave. SW Atlanta, GA
Phone: 404-763-6804