Forsyth Herald - January 19, 2023

County seeks $1.5 million grant to widen McGinnis Ferry Road

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners approved an application for funding the widening of McGinnis Ferry Road in a Jan. 10 work session.

The application for funding from the Georgia Department of Transportation Infrastructure Bank Grant would help fund the costs of widening the road. The board approved the item 5-0.

The board also unanimously voted to settle the final amounts in two civil cases regarding the project. Initially approved

Kemp to keep state’s focus on education

By CANDY WAYLOCK candy@appenmedia.com

ATLANTA — In a spirited inaugural address Jan. 12, Gov. Brian Kemp took media and pundits to task and renewed his commitment to make education a priority in his second term.

“We listened to the people of our state…not the cocktail circuit [or] the so-called experts,” Kemp said before the crowd gathered at Georgia State University’s Convocation Center. “We gave Georgians the opportunity to go back to work, get their kids back in the classroom…and protect freedom to live their lives without fear of more government lockdowns, mandates and overreach.”

Kemp followed up on his commitment to education the next day by sending his amended FY 2023 budget to the Georgia Legislature which includes a $2,000 raise for teachers, pre-K teachers and certified kindergarten through 12th grade personnel.

If approved by the Legislature, the starting salary for first-year teachers will rise this year to $40,500 and average more than $62,000 for the state’s 115,000 public school teachers. The increase could place Georgia among the top 20 states for teacher pay, which was a goal Kemp set in his first run for office.

by the board in December 2022, the settlements granted to the landowners total $751,350.

In March 2022 the board approved over $6.3 million in property acquisitions to allow for the widening of McGinnis Ferry Road.

The board also voted 5-0 to request

from the Georgia Department of Transportation traffic signals on the north and southbound ramps at Ga. 369 at Ga. 400. It also applied for a signal at Ga. 369 and Bridgetown/Coal Mountain Parkway.

ARVIN TEMKAR/CAPITOL BEAT NEWS SERVICE

Gov. Brian Kemp is sworn in for his second term by Justice Carla Wong McMillian in an inauguration ceremony at Georgia State Convocation Center in Atlanta on Jan. 12.

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Sheriff’s Office investigates possible murder-suicide

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appen.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office responded to an apparent murder/suicide involving a man and his special needs daughter on Jan. 8.

POLICE BLOTTER

All crime reports published by Appen Media Group are compiled from public records. Neither the law enforcement agencies nor Appen Media Group implies any guilt by publishing these names. None of the persons listed has been convicted of the alleged crimes.

LaGrange woman arrested for stealing vehicle in lot

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office investigators have arrested a 36-year-old LaGrange woman for allegedly stealing a vehicle from a Walmart parking lot in September.

Deputies responded to the Walmart at 5455 Atlanta Highway Sept. 5, after receiving reports an employee’s vehicle had been stolen from the lot. Security camera footage showed a woman entering the parking lot on foot with a small dog and taking the vehicle after wandering from “car to car for approximately 10 minutes.”

After the theft, the suspect allegedly drove to the victim’s home in Forsyth County and pretended to be an employee of “American Family” while speaking to the victim’s daughter, asking to meet with the victim and giving her real name.

Reports said the suspect was asking strange during the incident and they have no idea why she would come to their home after the theft.

Because the suspect gave her real name and was caught on security camera footage, investigators were

The deceased, identified as Jerry and Megan Frix, were discovered by a visiting health aide. Sheriff Ron Freeman said in a Jan. 11 statement that the Major Crimes Unit Detectives believe that the father is the likely actor in the apparent murder/ suicide.

“There can be no justification for the

able to identify the suspect as someone they had encountered during trespassing call just one day before.

The woman was taken into custody by deputies on Jan. 9 for multiple felony theft charges. She is being held in the Forsyth County Jail on $16,000 bond.

Narcotics charges filed following traffic stop

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — An Atlanta couple has been arrested on multiple drug distribution charges after they were found in possession of a large quantity of illegal drugs during a traffic stop, Forsyth County Sheriff’s officials said.

Deputies initiated a traffic stop on Buford Highway Jan. 9, after a suspect’s vehicle sped past a patrol car on the shoulder of the road without giving extra room or slowing down, the incident report said.

As a deputy approached the suspect’s vehicle, reports said the driver began making “furtive movements” under his seat and was sweating profusely, despite the fact that it was 35 degrees outside. When he was asked to step out of the vehicle to submit a field sobriety test, the report said a marijuana “blunt” fell out of his pants leg and onto the road.

When deputies searched the vehicle and the suspect’s person, they located multiple large and small bags containing marijuana, methamphetamine, crack cocaine and MDMA. Deputies

loss of life, and we need to ensure that people know that they can reach out for help by calling 988 and be instantly connected to a crisis counselor,” Freeman said.

The Sheriff’s Office is still investigating the details before making a final ruling on the cause of death and circumstances.

also located a loaded handgun they later learned had been reported as stolen in Atlanta.

The driver and passenger were arrested and charged with distribution of a controlled substance, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and multiple other felony counts.

Both suspects are being held at the Forsyth County Jail without bond.

Atlanta man suspected of using fake prescription

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office deputies have arrested a 24-year-old Atlanta man who allegedly attempted to obtain prescription drugs from a local Walmart with a fake prescription.

Deputies responded to the store on Atlanta Highway Jan. 10 after receiving reports that a fraud attempt was in progress at the pharmacy.

Upon their arrival, deputies learned a male suspect was attempting to obtain prescription cough medicine using a forged prescription from Morrow Family Medicine.

The prescription allegedly used a fake doctor’s name, and when pharmacy employees called Morrow Family Medicine to confirm the prescription’s details, they were told that it had been forged.

The suspect, who was still in the store during the investigation, was taken into custody and charged with attempting to obtain dangerous drugs by fraud. He was transported to the Forsyth County Jail.

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Floridabased CTO Realty Growth announced it acquired The Collection at Forsyth for $96 million on Dec. 30.

The Collection, a multi-use property at 410 Peachtree Parkway in Forsyth County, features a selection of retail shops and serves as a town center for the area, the company said in a statement.

CTO Realty Senior Vice President Matthew Partridge said The Collection marks the company’s largest acquisition, officially making Atlanta its largest market. The company also owns Ashford Lane in Dunwoody and Madison Yards in Atlanta, as well as The Exchange at Gwinnett in Buford.

In a Jan. 11 email, Partridge stated that The Collection has similar potential for outdoor activity and socializing to the Ashford Lane property. Ashford Lane, like The Collection, is a mixeduse shopping area. Besides the retail

experience it offers, there is a large courtyard called “The Lawn” that cuts through the property. The two CTO properties are 20 miles apart.

“We see a lot of similar opportunities to attract new tenants and bring new energy to The Collection at Forsyth that we hope will benefit the property and the surrounding community,” Partridge stated.

The Collection’s change in ownership comes mere months after the Forsyth County Planning Commission approved the Passport Springs project in July 2022. The future site of the springs on Ronald Reagan Boulevard is located next to The Collection on Peachtree Parkway.

Marketed as recreating “the world’s most celebrated hot springs” referencing locations such as Japan, Costa Rica and Israel, the 10.6-acre Passport Springs is slated to open in 2023. The spa complex is expected to generate $500 million in economic growth in the next 10 years as part of South Forsyth tourism projects approved in 2022.

Water plant tours open for residents 8 and up

By ALEXANDER POPP alex@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County residents curious about how water goes from Lake Lanier to their taps at home, now have the opportunity to learn from a tour of local water treatment plants.

Tours will provide a complete look at how water is treated at Forsyth County facilities, officials said.

“Forsyth County Water and Sewer is excited to be able offer tours of our treatment plants,” Forsyth County Water and Sewer Director Barry Lucas said. “We hope these tours will give our residents

and customers a better understanding of the behind-the-scenes operations that take care of their water needs.”

Lucas said tours will show residents the significant investment the county has made in quality water treatment and infrastructure.

“We are very proud of our facilities and pleased to be able to offer these tours,” he said.

Due to safety concerns, tours will be open for any county residents ages 8 and older.

To sign up for a tour, residents should submit a form on the Water and Sewer Education page at forsythco.com, officials said.

The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners approved an application Jan. 10 for $1.5 million in funding for widening McGinnis Ferry Road. The board also approved the addition of traffic signals on the Ga. 369 at Ga. 400 north and southbound ramps and at Ga. 369 and Bridgetown/Coal Mountain Parkway.

Grant:

In other matters at the work session, commissioners approved $100,000 from the U.S. Treasury’s Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund for general local government improvements. A portion of the funds would go toward cancer screenings for the Forsyth County Fire Department.

Fire Chief Barry Head said the funds would help pay for the department’s next round of screenings.

Commissioners Kerry Hill and Alfred John said they felt the funds package allotment was too broad and would prefer to know more specifically

how the money would be used.

“I mean, I know we’ve got tremendous needs on the greenway. I know we’ve got tremendous needs trying to have our firefighters have their own training complex,” District 4 Commissioner Cindy Jones Mills said. “It’d be nice if when we get these pots of money, we would have something you can look at the end of the day.”

Commissioners also approved a grant to purchase resources for the Department of Recycling and Solid Waste, an application for grant funding for the Buford Trout Hatchery. They also authorized Forsyth County to provide water services to the Pickett subdivision, which extends into the City of Milton in Fulton County.

SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA

Golf cart dealer keys in on Milton’s slow, simple lifestyle

By ALEXANDER POPP alex@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — If you’ve ever been out on the road in any of the dozens of golf cart friendly cities, you might have asked, “Why would anyone chose to drive around in one on the street?”

They’re slower than a car and are almost always open to the breeze. Worse, your range while using one is about 50 miles before they’ll need another charge or fill up.

But according to Robert Copenhaver, a partner with Low Speed Vehicles of Alpharetta, those are all the reasons you should consider a leisurely open-air ride in the Milton community.

Copenhaver opened LSV of Alpharetta as a licensed golf cart dealership with three partners in May 2022, out of a building off Mayfield Road in downtown Milton. The 24-year-old entrepreneur recalls that the idea goes back to his parents’ garage and a side hustle during college.

Growing up in Roswell, Copenhaver started and ran a successful landscaping company for several years until his business was acquired by a larger company in 2019.

“But while I was doing that, I was kind of hustling on the side and selling golf carts out of my parents’ garage,” he said. “It was like super random, I would buy one and then fix it up, make it look nice and then sell it.”

Copenhaver graduated from Kennesaw State University at about the same time his landscaping company sold, and he was left with a big question, ‘What would he do next?’

For about a year and a half he worked for a developer in Florida, and

while there he made a connection with his initial partner, John Gaston, who owned a building in downtown Milton. Before long, he was introduced to two other partners with existing connections

to the golf cart manufacturer EZ-GO, who saw a viable business in him that could thrive in Milton

“It was three local partners in the Milton area,” he said. “They said, ‘We’ve

got a connection to EZ-GO, you know how to sell the carts … and here we are today.”

ALEX POPP/APPEN MEDIA

Robert Copenhaver, a partner with Low Speed Vehicles of Alpharetta, sits at the wheel of a brand-new golf cart at the company headquarters in downtown Milton Dec. 9. Copenhaver started the business with a group of partners in May 2022.

“It sounds super cheesy, but you’re selling a lifestyle.”

ROBERT COPENHAVER, co-founder of Low Speed Vehicles of Alpharetta

Cart:

With those opportunities and connections, they quickly set up shop in Gaston’s Milton building. Copenhaver said Milton is one of the most golf cart friendly cities they could have picked for the business.

When they opened, Copenhaver said it was like the floodgates had opened and demand went off the charts. He thinks that’s due mostly to the golf cart ordinance Milton city officials passed in 2020 and the fact that there really isn’t another golf cart dealer nearby.

“It just made sense to kind of make our home base here,” he said. “Milton’s golf cart friendly, they passed the ordinance about a year before we got here. So, we jumped into that.”

Word has spread about LSV mostly through word of mouth and social media, he said. But it also doesn’t hurt that they’re located on Mayfield Road where traffic backs up near the roundabout at Heritage Walk in the afternoon, providing them a valuable place to advertise their vehicles.

“We put golf carts out front, and everybody sees them,” he said. “It’s funny because when they come out of the roundabout, they’re going like 5 miles an hour, so everybody slows down and they’ll look at our carts.”

To handle local demand for carts and the price of real estate space in the community, he said they opened with a “Tesla model” — putting their show room at a prominent location in Milton and opening a 5,000 square foot off-site service department on McFarland Parkway in Alpharetta.

Copenhaver said that if you asked him 10 years ago, he would have never expected to go into this line of business, but he has been continuously surprised at how fun and interesting the golf cart business has been.

“It sounds super cheesy, but you’re

selling a lifestyle,” he said. “It’s a high-ticket item, but there’s so much you can do with it, and you can go anywhere.”

That lifestyle is one of LSV’s main selling points to those interested in buying a golf cart, but for Copenhaver, the draw of low-speed vehicles boils down to having a simple, convenient

method of getting around town that doesn’t require maintenance or attention.

“Our whole society, I feel like, is moving towards the live-work-play model,” he said. “Everybody wants to live where they work and play … a lot of people don’t want to take their cars out, they don’t want to struggle

with parking, they don’t want to drive around a parking deck at Avalon, they don’t want to fight traffic.”

To see LSV of Alpharetta’s inventory and learn more about street-legal golf carts, visit them at their headquarters in Milton at 850 Mayfield Road or online at lsvofalpharetta.com.

Read Now at AppenMedia.com

ALEX POPP/APPEN MEDIA

At Low Speed Vehicles of Alpharetta, located off Mayfield Road, people can buy a method of transportation that’s simple, flexible and perfect for trips in the community, business co-founder Robert Copenhaver says.

Providing an exceptional college preparatory program since 1976

Brought to you by - Saint Francis School

Saint Francis School is a SACS/SAIS accredited, independent, non-profit, nonsectarian college preparatory school founded in 1976. The mission of Saint Francis School is to provide a college preparatory program to students with diverse academic ability in a structured environment that is challenging and supportive. Kindergarten – 8th grades are located on the 24-acre Roswell Campus while the High School is located on the 47-acre Alpharetta campus. The school’s commitment to small class sizes, low pupil-to-teacher ratio, and a strong emphasis on structure and organization allows students to enjoy success in academic areas and develop the self-confidence necessary to be successful in college. Curriculum offerings include AP, Honors, Traditional and Support classes.

With a 100% acceptance rate to college and with the majority of graduates qualifying for the Hope Scholarship, Saint Francis alumni attend a wide variety of programs ranging from Ivy League schools, to small private colleges to prestigious Art Institutes. Saint Francis is a Google Apps for Education Classroom, utilizing laptops in grades 4 – 12. Specialized reading programs offered include Fundations®, Wilson Reading System®, Just Words® and supplemental support from Cars® and Stars® Reading Comprehension. Sports are offered at both the middle and high school (GHSA) including football, soccer, baseball, track, swimming, wrestling, softball, volleyball and equestrian.

For more information call 770.641.8257 Ext. 56 (Grades 1– 8) and 678.339.9989 Ext. 33 (Grades 9 – 12) or visit our website: www. saintfrancisschools.com.

Upper school counseling services – an intentional balancing act

At times students can become singleminded, focusing only on academics. While good grades are certainly an important goal for every student and a key to college admissions, grade point averages should not define students nor consume every waking hour. A life filled only with textbooks, essays, and standardized tests is not spiritually meaningful, socially purposeful, or physically healthy. As a college preparatory school, King’s Ridge Christian School strives to provide students with rigorous academic preparation as well as social, spiritual, and physical fulfillment, which are all necessary for college and life beyond.

Research supports this call for students to live a balanced life. According to the Johns Hopkins Student Assistance Program, “Students often prioritize academics at the expense of personal factors, including relationships and exercise. This can lead to a decline in academic performance, as general health and well-being are critical to optimal academic functioning.” (2020). Perhaps most surprising is that college admissions depart -

ments tell counselors that a high school resume filled only with academic accolades is not what they seek in applicants.

The Upper School counseling department at KRCS intentionally focuses on developing the whole child; one who successfully balances academics, extra-curricular interests, the arts, athletic pursuits, and a spiritual relationship with Christ. Through one-onone meetings, small group advisement lessons, large group presentations, family conferences, and daily informal settings, counselors seek to know each of the students as individuals through their unique talents, aspirations, struggles, and strengths. Counselors act as guides, encouraging students to build resiliency, self-confidence, and independence - qualities that are crucial for success in college and beyond.

The KRCS counseling team truly believes that the well-balanced student is best prepared to live out the King’s Ridge mission: “equipping students to know, to serve, and to believe”.

Brought to you by - King’s Ridge Christian School

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Sowing the seeds of organic learning

Maria Montessori, Italy’s first woman doctor, invented a system of early childhood education based on her scientific observations of how the child constructs himself through interaction with his environment.

Her emphasis on the importance of the “prepared” environment created by the teacher offers the child the freedom to choose his work. This freedom - which is given when the child demonstrates the responsibility to use it wisely - allows him to remain with an activity until its purpose is accomplished. Working without artificial timelines allows him to engage in the spontaneous repetition of a skill so that it is refined; this freedom also creates in him the ability to concentrate for long periods of time and to feel the satisfaction of mastery.

In a Montessori environment, the teacher serves as a guide rather than as a traditional instructor. She continually observes the child, using these observations to give the next lesson so that he steadily progresses.

The multi-aged classroom gives every child regular opportunities to be the

learner as well as the leader in the security of a home-like environment which is cared for by everyone in it, teacher and student alike. The Montessori classroom is ordered and beautiful, filled with materials that

are aesthetically pleasing, materials which capture the imagination and assist in physical, academic and social development. Montessori develops children who are responsible, creative, innovative, respectful

and kind. Montessori children are truly the citizens of the future, equipped to face challenges with confidence and competence.

Located near the intersection of 141 and McGinnis Ferry Road in Johns Creek, Johns Creek Montessori School of Georgia provides excellence in Montessori education for infants, toddlers and children to six years old. JCMSOG provides an authentic Montessori environment, where each individual’s needs are respected, and everyone works together for the good of the community. The focus is always on helping the children to develop themselves in a caring, peaceful environment. By helping children to develop independence, we assist them in their physical and emotional development. As their sense of security in their ability to care for themselves and their environment grows, their brains have more energy or "bandwidth" for increased academic learning. Additionally, this focus on development of muscular control is a first step in developing self-discipline. The JCMSOG Difference is best experienced in person. Please schedule a visit with your child to observe our “Montessori Magic”www.JCMSOG.org 770-814-8001

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A letter to students

you by - Woodward Academy

1. You are awesome. Be confident in who you are. I promise you’ll meet peoplewho are smarter than you, and that’s OK. You don’t have to be the smartestperson—oddly enough, sometimes being the smartest person is difficult. I alsopromise that you will be smarter than most. Enjoy that; while being smart isn’teverything, it is definitely something. Be confident in your intelligence, but notarrogant. I’ve found that, most of the time, being arrogant backfires on you. That leads into point two…

2. Sometimes it takes more courage and intelligence to be silent than to speak. It took me a long time to understand and respect silence. I’m still learning that it’s a mark of maturity and, most of the time, intelligence. Also, respect everyone’s differences and challenge yourself to learn about them.

3. Never stop learning. I don’t mean that in a teacher way, I mean it in a learning life sort of way. You are constantly growing, maturing, and developing, so enjoy it. Life is a condition to which no one is immune. We learn something every day. Our taste in music, food, TV, and the people we surround ourselves with evolves. It’s natural for these preferences to change. I wasted a lot of time trying to be someone I wasn’t because I thought I was supposed to be someone else. To complete number three, you need to invest in number four…

4. Spend time with yourself. Since you’ve been in my class, I’ve learned how amazing you are each in your own way. If you sit and spend time with you, I think you’ll feel the same way. I’m such a people person, but sometimes the best thing is time alone with great music, a book, TV, or whatever. As cheesy as this sounds, be your own best friend. The sooner you learn that all of your faults and idiosyncrasies are what make you awesome, the sooner you will be a better person and enjoy life so much more. That leads to number five…

5. Everyone has faults. With the advent of social media, I sometimes find myself comparing my faults with everyone else’s highlights. Scrolling through

your Twitter feed (or Snapchat or TikTok), you see people lauding their accomplishments, great times, and great friends. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this, as long as you understand that what you see on social media is an incomplete picture. If you compare all of your faults to those highlights, you may feel a bit inadequate. Everyone has faults, so embrace yours. Grow from them and know that they add to what makes you, you. And remember, you’re awesome.

6. Surround yourself with people who love you and think you’re great (but also who know and accept your faults). You need this. If someone won’t accept you for who you are, ask yourself if you really need that relationship (be it friends or more).

7. Smile. Every day. I’m not getting into the psychology of it all, but it could possibly make you happier and healthier. It works. Trust me.

8. Don’t trust people just because they say, “trust me.” Still...

9. Trust people. It’s endearing. I know this is very contradictory, but it’s true. Even though “trust me” should raise flags, trusting people means you are human and we all need people we can trust.

10. I’ve saved one of the most important tips for last: Be happy. Genuinely happy. Choose a profession that pays the bills and makes you want to go to work most days. You won’t be happy every day. You will have bad days, weeks and maybe even months, but you’ll be generally happy. Money will not, in the end, make you happy.

One of the greatest pieces of advice my dad ever gave me was to make great memories. Good and bad, and all kinds in between, they are all part of our life.

So, make them good ones and remember that you are part of other’s memories so make sure they are positive, too.

I have to end this the way my mother ended most of our conversations when I was in high school and college. Make good choices. (I repeat this often to my own kids.)

Lori Fenzl, Upper School social studies teacher

Brought to

Education solutions for every mind, every age

Eaton Academy offers multiple programs, both in person and online, since a “one size fits all” approach to education is not effective in today’s world.

Academic Programs

The full-day K-12 school, with its 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio, allows instructors to address students’ individual learning styles, while maintaining social distancing. Students achieve significant academic and personal success resulting from STEAMrelated activities and multisensory instruction. The challenging collegeprep curriculum is delivered in a safe, nurturing environment.

For students with more significant academic and social needs, the Pace Program helps students develop life skills and independent living strategies. Pace students follow the traditional school day and work to develop greater self-sufficiency and independence, on their way to earning a high school diploma.

The Independent Study Program (ISP), tailored to students’ schedules and academic needs, permits individuals to work at their own pace. The tutorial setting enables aspiring athletes and

performers to work toward graduation while following their dreams. Some students enroll in ISP to accelerate their scholastic work; others seek academic remediation. ISP arranges the oneto-one sessions on a schedule that accommodates the students’ needs for flexibility.

Post-Graduate Programs

LEAP is designed to help individuals strengthen their life skills in order to achieve greater independence. Participants benefit from job readiness training, life skill development, and scholastic support.

The LIFE program places young adults into their own apartments.

Participants meet with a LIFE coach several times each week for support with topics such as budgeting, hygiene, roommate relations, and housekeeping.

Supported Employment prepares young adults for the workplace.

Assistance is given with resume writing, applying for positions, and keeping a job.

College Exploratory offers individuals college level, non-credit courses so they can gauge their readiness for university life.

Eaton Academy is the ideal place for families to discover education options and independent living solutions.

EATON ACADEMY

NOW ENROLLING

Brought to you by - Eaton Academy

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High Meadows School –Inspiring future global citizens and innovative leaders

Brought to you by - High Meadows School

There is no place like High Meadows School. Since 1973, High Meadows students in Pre-K through 8th grade have learned through experiential, immersive educational opportunities offered both in the school’s spacious, lightfilled classrooms and across 42 acres of grassy fields and scenic woodlands. High Meadows School’s progressive curriculum is focused on developing future global citizens and innovative leaders who embrace challenge and think for themselves.

High Meadows lower years classrooms offer low student-teacher ratios in which instruction emphasizes academic excellence, love of learning, critical thinking, and environmental and social responsibility. As a nationally recognized and award-winning leader in progressive education, High Meadows is an

accredited International Baccalaureate (IB) World School offering its renowned Primary Years Program for students in preschool through fifth grade.

High Meadows School’s accomplished and experienced faculty lead each student on this journey. Through interactive, inquiry-based instruction, supported by of-the-moment technology and our nature-based campus, High Meadows teachers are unequaled in their intellect, passion, and compassion for these kids. Every day they inspire authentic learning opportunities that are engaging and sticky (literally and figuratively!).

When children graduate from High Meadows, they are empowered with a deep respect for international perspectives, an intuitive understanding of life’s interconnectedness, and an exceedingly strong sense of self. Education is an expedition that starts from the moment we are born. When we teach children to be curious and inquiring at an early age,

we create within them a love of learning that lasts an entire lifetime. What is more important than that?

Come see how all this comes to life. Join us for our Winter Open House,

Sunday, January 22nd from 2:004:00pm. Please visit our website at highmeadows.org or call 770-993-2940 to learn more about High Meadows School.

Those are the words of Mill Springs Academy’s founder, Tweetie L. Moore, and the words that Mill Springs administration, faculty, and staff continue to live by today. Founded in 1981, Mill Springs provides a valuesbased college preparatory program for students with ADHD and learning differences. Mill Springs’ school-wide Community Structure encourages students to participate in their own education by teaching self-advocacy, social problem-solving skills, and how to forge their own path. Our small class sizes allow teachers to provide each student with individualized instruction. Our highly skilled faculty and counselors provide academic rigor on all levels, from kindergarten through 12, in a supportive, nurturing environment.

Mill Springs Academy also offers students a wide variety of opportunities outside the core curriculum. Mill Springs’ fine arts program encourages students to explore their creativity through painting, sculpture, set design, music, performance, and more. Our robust athletic programs allow students to play

at a competitive level while building teamwork and confidence.

Mill Springs’ 85-acre Alpharetta campus includes indoor and outdoor classroom space, athletic facilities, and visual and performing arts facilities. We serve students from over 50 different zip codes in the Metro Atlanta area and provide four bus routes with ten stops in the morning and afternoon. To learn more about Mill Springs Academy, visit us at www.millsprings.org/visit.

Forming Christian leaders who will transform society

Pinecrest Academy is an independent PreK3-12 college preparatory Catholic school, located in North Atlanta, GA. We provide an atmosphere of academic rigor and critical thinking in a Christcentered environment, implementing the educational philosophy of Integral Formation. Rooted in Catholic tradition and inspired by the goodness, beauty, and truth of the Christian worldview, our whole-person educational method helps children discover their God-given gifts so they can fulfill their potential in academics and all areas of life.

Pinecrest has been a Cardinal Newman Society Catholic School of Excellence since 2007 and was ranked #1 Catholic High School in Georgia for the third consecutive year by Niche.com The high school maintains a one hundred percent high school graduation rate, with graduates gaining acceptance into top colleges across the globe. The average class size is 15 students, allowing for more teacher-child interaction. Lower, Middle and High School students give of their time each year to service projects, as part of Pinecrest’s mission to form Christian leaders who will transform society.

Pinecrest is located at 955 Peachtree Parkway in Cumming, serving Forsyth County, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Milton, Suwanee, Duluth, and other North Atlanta areas. To learn more, visit www.pinecrestacademy.org or call (770) 888-4477.

Brought to you by - Mill Springs Academy

“If a student can’t learn the way we teach… we should teach the way a student can learn.”

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Brought to you by - Pinecrest Academy

JOHN HUYNH/PROVIDED

Mount Pisgah Christian School is educating with intention

School

Mount Pisgah Christian School is a top-rated independent Preschool-12th grade school located in north Atlanta. Known for providing an outstanding college preparatory education grounded in Christian faith and values, 100% of students are accepted into a four-year college or university.

MPCS is educating with intention through personalized, studentcentered learning with small class sizes brought to life in academics, athletics and spiritual life. A purposeful education prepares students to be critical thinkers, ready to succeed in an increasingly competitive world.

Mount Pisgah fosters innovation by valuing the opportunities students have to create, explore, and ask questions.

MPCS is a place where students encounter foundational truth in the Word of God and experience God’s love and grace in the classroom, on the field, and beyond.

Extracurricular offerings include 46 competitive athletic programs, music and visual arts programs,

as well as the Mount Pisgah Arts Academy. The after-school Arts Academy classes and lessons including drama, art, music and dance are available to all students in the community.

New Preschool Facility

The new, state-of-the-art Stuart

and Eulene Murray Academy is set to open at the start of the 2023 school year. The Academy will be home to the Mount Pisgah Christian School Preschool program for PK3 and PK4 students, and will be located on South Campus in the same building as the Lower School.

The new facility includes many

wonderful and exciting educational opportunities, including new classrooms, theatre, innovation center, interactive play spaces, and an outdoor nature-inspired playscape unlike anything offered by schools in our area.

To learn more, visit mountpisgahschool.org

Brought to you by - Mount Pisgah Christian

H R NG ADVERTISING

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Join Appen Media Group, the largest local print and online publisher covering Alpharetta, Roswell, Milton, Johns Creek, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs and Forsyth County.

The position can be a fit for an experienced Ad Account Executive, or other B to B sales experience.

Full benefits, base salary and an aggressive uncapped commission package and fun team environment!

Alex Popp to lead Perimeter coverage

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — North Georgia journalist Alexander Popp has been selected to spearhead coverage of the Perimeter area for the Dunwoody and Sandy Springs Crier newspapers.

He will report to Carl Appen, director of Content and Development, and will be based in Alpharetta.

"Alex is our most experienced reporter and has proven himself as a great representative of the newsroom.

It just makes sense for him to be our vanguard into a brand-new coverage area," Appen said.

For the last six months, Popp has reported on local government and public safety in Forsyth County and the City of Alpharetta. Recently Popp and his wife Ellen moved to Sandy Springs.

Originally from the Alpharetta area, Popp graduated from the University of North Georgia in

2016 and subsequently spent a 6-month sabbatical Thru-Hiking the Appalachian Trail before starting work as a Forsyth County crime reporter in 2017.

To contact Popp with news tips or story ideas, email alex@appenmedia. com or call (770) 847-7404.

The mantle of Appen Media’s Forsyth County and Alpharetta reporter will be taken up by recent UGA Grad Shelby Israel.

UGA alumna Shelby Israel joins Appen Media staff

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Appen Media Group announced Jan. 19 that Shelby Israel will join its staff as a reporter. Israel will cover local government and public safety in Forsyth County and the City of Alpharetta. She will report to Carl Appen, director of content and development, and will be based in Alpharetta.

“Shelby is a magnificent addition to our newsroom,” Appen said in a statement. “She has sharp news judgement and experience leading a

quick-moving staff. She’ll bring a lot of fuel for the fire of our developing team.”

Israel graduated from the University of Georgia Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication in December 2022 with a minor area of study in English. During her time at UGA, Israel served as a contributor, campus news editor and editor-in-chief at The Red & Black, as well as news intern at Flagpole Magazine.

“I have always wanted to write,” Israel said. “Before, it was a creative

pursuit, but through experimentation with my major at UGA, I found that I could still write while contributing to something important. I love local news and community-driven stories, and I am excited to cover the news scenes of Forsyth and Alpharetta.”

Israel takes the position as Appen reporter Alex Popp moves to cover the Perimeter.

To contact Israel with news tips or story ideas, email shelby@ appenmedia.com.

Kemp:

“We know we need more teachers,” said Kemp, whose daughter is a teacher. “We [also] need to help our kids recover from learning loss, to keep our classrooms safe and [commit] to fully funding our schools once again.”

Educators express support

The Professional Association of Georgia Educators praised the governor’s budget proposal, pointing to the challenges of retaining teachers in the classroom over the past few years. (Statewide study probes deeper into teacher burnout | School News | appenmedia.com)

“We are encouraged by Gov. Kemp’s announcement today of a proposed $2,000 increase to the state salary schedule for Georgia pre-K–12 teachers and certified K-12 personnel,” said PAGE Executive Director Craig Harper. “There is no doubt that a salary increase would assist with recruitment and retention of excellent educators for Georgia’s children.

salary increase for teachers during that term.

If Kemp’s amended FY 2023 budget is approved by the Legislature as expected, teachers on the state salary schedule will have received a $7,000 pay hike in his first five years in office.

Moving into FY 2024, which begins July 1, Kemp’s proposed budget includes over $150 million in one-time grants for school districts to address school security, learning loss and create pathways for paraprofessional staff to become fully certified teachers.

Officials with the Georgia School Boards Association praised the governor’s efforts to continue supporting teachers and students.

“Governor Kemp has been financially supportive of Georgia’s public schools once again this year, [and] we are particularly happy to see funding for items we asked for,” said Justin Pauley, director of communications for the association. “It may not look exactly as we hoped, but the school safety funding and additional counselors is greatly appreciated.

Georgia’s coffers are full

national economy over the past three years.

“As we look ahead to the upcoming fiscal year, we expect the state’s economy to be well positioned to withstand any further national economic slowing,” Kemp wrote in letter to lawmakers that accompanied his budget. “The amended FY 2023 and FY 2024 budgets [will] continue to meet our financial obligations as a state while also investing in the education, health, and safety of our citizens.”

Georgia is coming out of the pandemic in better shape than many states, with a projected surplus of $2.4 billion this year. Kemp noted Georgia has been among the top 10 states for business for the 9th year in a row. If the governor has his way, much of the state’s tax surplus will be returned to taxpayers this year through tax refunds and a one-time homeowner property tax relief grant to help with rising local property taxes.

Qualified candidates send resume to: mike@appenmedia.com

Four years ago, in his first run at the state’s top office, Kemp won ona platform of public education support. He was able to push through a $5,000

The state is well-positioned financially to support education, Kemp noted, despite the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic and shaky

“Instead of catering to the talk shows or what is [trending] in media, this administration and the leadership in the General Assembly are going to put you and your families first…and spend the next four years focused on growing Georgia,” Kemp said in his inaugural speech. “This old construction guy from Athens has never been more optimistic about the future of our state.”

GARDEN BUZZ

Introducing ‘Garden Buzz’ and North Fulton Master Gardeners

Garden Buzz is a new gardening column coming to the Appen Media Group newspapers and social media. Guest columnists will be certified Master Gardener Extension volunteers and members of the North Fulton Master Gardeners. Master gardeners will write about their diverse areas of expertise, including roses, daylilies, fig trees, fairy gardens, herbs, insects, and plants for water gardens, just to name a few of the many possibilities. Future columns may also address several ways to certify your

garden as a wildlife habitat, how to conduct a proper soil sample, how to create a no-dig garden and other information.

We North Fulton Master Gardeners are very excited to partner with Appen Media group on Garden Buzz, another opportunity for us to provide horticultural education to the North Fulton community and beyond. If you have suggestions for future columns, please email us at northfultonmastergardeners@gmail. com.

So, what is a Master Gardener?

The Georgia Master Gardener Extension Volunteer (MGEV) Program connects the University of Georgia Extension, plant enthusiasts and communities across the state. MGEVs share UGA Extension consumer horticultural programming about selection and care of plants for ornamental value, recreation and home food production. A Master Gardener is a volunteer educator who is trained and supervised by UGA Extension, representing the university in educational events, activities and programs. Master Gardeners teach community members how to use plants and gardening to improve their environment, personal health, and quality of life. More information about how to become a Master Gardener can be found at nfmg.net/becomeMG.html.

We are a small group of people (about 105 or so!) living primarily throughout North Fulton County who enjoy plants and people. North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc (NFMG) is a Georgia nonprofit organization whose purpose is to educate its members and the public in the areas of horticulture and ecology to promote and foster community enrichment.

Over the years, the North Fulton Master Gardeners have provided gardening community education classes in Alpharetta, Roswell, Sandy Springs,

LEE TANENBAUM

and Farm Chastain (now transitioned to a virtual learning format due to the pandemic); gardening education for young children; university and college scholarships for horticulture students; and local demonstration gardens maintained by the North Fulton Master Gardeners and Garden Faire, which will return April 29, 2023, to a new venue at Wills Park in Alpharetta.

In response to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, the North Fulton Master Gardeners went virtual with our pre-recorded Fall 2020 Gardening Lecture Series. The 2021 David Gibby International Master Gardener Search for Excellence (IMGSFE) Awards have recognized the North Fulton Master Gardeners for our efforts in the face of a global pandemic in successfully providing horticultural education to the North Fulton community and beyond through virtual webinar technology. The First Place Award in the Workshops/ Presentations Category was made on September 15, 2021, during the virtual International Master Gardener Conference. View our video at https:// youtu.be/_1hSJfpsFS0.

More than 5,800 people have attended one or more of the 43 free NFMG Garden Lectures live-streamed on Zoom or Facebook since May 2020. An additional 25,000 people have viewed the videos on www.youtube.com/ northfultonmastergardeners. Please check out our YouTube video library.

The North Fulton Master Gardeners in collaboration with the UGA Extension in Fulton County are continuing to provide horticultural education to the North Fulton community and beyond through free virtual gardening

education programming. The Spring 2023 Gardening Lecture Series begins Sunday, March 5, 2023, and will be available through live Zoom webinars and Facebook Live.

Each class emphasizes practical gardening activities at the time of year that is best suited for that activity. You may register for all five classes or just pick specific classes. Please register in advance at https://bit.ly/Spring2023NFMGGardeningLectureSeries to assure your place. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about how to join the webinar. If you cannot attend the live webinar, you can register anyway so you will receive a recorded link to the class. Don’t miss these incredible opportunities to learn more about gardening in metro Atlanta.

We hope you will become a Garden Buzz reader!

Happy New Year 2023 and happy gardening!

North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose purpose is to educate its members and the public in the areas of horticulture and ecology in order to promote and foster community enrichment. Learn more at nfmg.net.

About the Author

The first “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Lee Tanenbaum, a master gardener since 2011. Lee is NFMG’s Communications Co-Chair for Publicity and Marketing as well as the current Interim Chair of the NFMG Gardening Education Team. Lee is a retired speech-language pathologist and public health professional, a mother of three, and a grandmother of nine. Lee loves to garden and travel, especially with her grandchildren.