News You Can Use
Paul Duke STEM High School student wins The Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition
Paul Duke STEM High School senior, Sasha Tarassenko, is one of only three students to win this year’s 2022-23 concerto competition with The Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra (ASYO), and will have the opportunity to perform a solo flute concerto next season. Tarassenko is a member of the 114 students that make up the Symphony’s youth ensemble. “Besides being an awesome student, Sasha is probably one of the best high school flute players in the country.” said Mr. Gary Garvin, Sasha’s band teacher. The Atlanta Youth Symphony Orchestra is under the direction of Resident Conductor and Music Director, Jerry Hou.
Since its creation in 1974, ASYO features Atlanta's young instrumentalists. Each May, about 300 middle to high school students go through one or more auditions for places in the ASYO.
Honorable Mention: Anh Ho, percussion, Collins Hill High School
All students are encouraged to take part in ASYO's 50th anniversary! Applications for the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra's 2023-24 season are now open. Applications and auditions are open to rising 8th to 12th grade musicians who play orchestral string, woodwind, brass, and percussion, including piano and harp.
Hopkins Elementary School students are Gwinnett’s newest weather reporters
Hopkins Elementary School and the Weather Channel Español have joined forces to film a children's weather series that covers science topics related to conservation, weather, ecology, recycling, and much more. Beginning in February, real Weather Channel Español meteorologists will film with the students and then play the series on their network.
Save the Date: GCPS Transition Fair 2023 on Saturday, March 18
Save the date, Saturday, March 18, for the 2023 Transition Fair. The event will be in-person! The Transition Fair is an opportunity for families and educators of students with disabilities of all ages (elementary, middle, and high) to connect with resources to support the journey to adulthood. The fair will feature local agencies that specialize in the areas following: Vocational Training & Employment Services, Day Programs & Community Living, Recreation & Leisure, Funding & Community Resources. It is never too early to start planning for the future! No registration is required. Questions? Email Transition.Fair@gcpsk12.org.
Link: 2023 Transition Fair Flyers - Translated
Who: For Educators & Parents of Students with Disabilities
When: Saturday, March 18, 2023, 9:00a.m. - 12:00p.m.
Where: Peachtree Ridge High School (1555 Old Peachtree Road)
GCPS invites parents, community members to apply for the Instructional Resource review committee
Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) is inviting parents and community members to apply for the district’s Instructional Resources Review Committee (IRRC), a group charged with evaluating print and digital instructional resources. Feedback from the IRRC and teacher reviews will be considered in the selection of resources to pilot in the district. This year’s IRRC will convene on Friday, March 3, at the J. Alvin Wilbanks Instructional Support Center, located at 437 Old Peachtree Road, NW, in Suwanee. Instructional resources will be reviewed for courses in the areas of Physical Education (grades K-12), Mathematics (grades 6-12), World Languages (select courses in grades 8-12), Social Studies (select elective courses in grades 9-12), English as a Second Language (6-12), Special Education support classes (K-12), and Language Arts (6th grade Reading). Learn more about the IRRC and complete the application online. The deadline to submit completed applications is Monday, February 17.
Gwinnett County Public School's Portrait of a Graduate
Graduation is an important milestone in the lives of our students that acknowledges the successful completion of 13 years of education. However, we know that the demands on students and teachers, fast-paced technology, and the changing population, particularly in GCPS, warrant a fresh look at what it means to graduate school successfully, and be prepared for college and career. In the winter of 2022, Gwinnett County Public Schools joined forces with Battelle for Kids to make 21st century learning a reality for all students. To learn more about our Portrait of a Graduate competencies, click here.
