CrossRoadsNews, July 15, 2017

COMMUNITY

INSIDE

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DeKalb County is the first urban county in Georgia to implement drop-off sites to recycle glass bottles and jars. A3

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There will be lots of free information, health screenings and more at the Cross­Roads­News Family & Back-toSchool Expo on July 22.

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Copyright © 2017 CrossRoadsNews, Inc.

July 15, 2017

Volume 23, Number 11

www.crossroadsnews.com

DeKalb Medical investing $2.1M in ED makeover

By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

Marc Mathai, DeKalb Medical’s director of En­ terprise Project Manage­ ment, said the hospital will be providing lots of help to get people where they neeed to be.

“We will be doing everthing possible to min­ Marc Mathai imize the impact on the patients and the public,” he said.

Relocating the Emergency Room en­ trance to Circle Drive will displace patient discharges and courier deliveries to the hos­

Family and friends who take loved ones to the emergency department at DeKalb Medical on North Decatur Road will find a new entrance starting July 17.

The hospital will be admitting patients from its Circle Drive entrance for the next 11 weeks as it embarks on the third and largest phase of a $2.1 million expansion and reno­ vation of its emergency department, which gets 70,000 visits annually.

This phase is renovating the Emergency Department’s entrance, lobby, patient regis­ tration and triage, a total of 15,000 square feet.

Please see DEKALB MEDICAL, page A2

Work crew discuss the progress of construction underway in DeKalb Medical’s Emergency Department.

Jennifer Ffrench Parker / CrossRoadsNews

Officer’s use of excessive force protested GBI called in to investigate woman’s beating

By Tekia Parks

DeKalb Police Officer P.J Larscheid, who was caught on video brutally beating a woman on the floor of a Decatur convenience store, is under investigation for excessive use of force.

DeKalb Police reopened the investiga­ tion after video of the June 4, 2017, incident surfaced on the news and YouTube.

It shows Larscheid striking Katie Mc­ Crary on her arms, legs, and head more than a dozen times with a baton.

As he struck her, he could be heard saying “Stop or I’m going to shoot you.”

The incident took place at a Chevron gas station at 3364 Glenwood Road. The video was shot by an anonymous witness.

The department initially cleared Lar­ scheid but reopened the case on July 11 in the wake of the video.

DeKalb Police spokeswoman Siera Campbell said the release of the video is new evidence and the department has reopened the investigation.

“The investigation will cover all aspects of the use of force incident as well as the origi­ nal investigation conducted by the officer’s immediate supervisors,” she said in a the July 11 statement. “Officer Larscheid has been placed on restricted/administrative duty, pending the outcome of the investigation.”

In his report of the incident dated June 5, Larscheid said he responded to a complaint that McCrary was soliciting customers inside the store.

He said he “deployed his ASP baton and instructed her to lay down on the floor.”

“The suspect refused my command and I then delivered an unknown amount of baton strikes to her left leg,” he wrote.

The officer said that’s when McCrary dropped to the floor and began kicking him.

Tekia Parks / CrossRoadsNews

Operation Lead founder John Evans (red Tee) speaking at a July 13 Justice Rally called by SCLC President Nathan Knight (green shirt) to support Katie McCrary who beaten by DeKalb Police Officer P.J. Larscheid at a Glenwood Road convenience store. The beating was captured on video.

“I continued my baton strikes to her legs and forearms instructing her to lay down with her hands behind her back. One strike inadvertently struck the side of her head as she was moving around.”

After an outcry from the community, DeKalb Police Chief James Conroy said July 13 that the Georgia Bureau of Investiga­ tion has agreed to investigate the incident.

“The request was made following a meeting with DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond, who stressed the importance of a factual, independent investigation based on the new video evidence and other pertinent information,” he said.

McCrary’s husband Antwan told WSBTV News on July 12 that he was shocked at what he saw on the video.

“What I was seeing was wrong,” he said.

“It was a male beating on a woman. He did

not have to use that much force.”

Larscheid said in his incident report that when he transported the injured McCrary to the DeKalb County Jail, personnel there refused to take her “and deferred to Grady Memorial Hospital.” Larscheid said he trans­ ported her to Grady and she was evaluated and later released.

“I observed a 1/2-inch laceration on her left shin and a welt on her left forearm,” he wrote.

Nathan Knight, president of SCLC De­ Kalb, who organized a a justice rally and protest outside the Glenwood Road store on July 13, said they are seeking justice for McCrary.

“We’re asking that the officer that brutally beat Mrs. McCrary be removed permanently from the police department,” Knight said.

He was joined by Operation Lead founder

John Evans, and representatives of the Na­ tional Action Network, Black Lives Matter Greater Atlanta, National Congress of Black Women, the Muslim Dawah community, and veteran rights activist Amos King.

They held “SCLC Demands Justice,” and “Civil and Human Rights Coalition Demand Justice for Katie McCrary” signs.

Motorists driving by the justice rally honked their horns and threw up fists as a sign of support.

DeKalb Pastors Alliance was set to hold a July 14 press conference at Greenforest Baptist Church. Pastor Steven N. Dial Sr., the group’s leader, said they want to demand swift action to ensure Larscheid understands that this type of action will not be tolerated.

“The DeKalb Pastors Alliance is calling all Please see PROTESTS, page A2

A2

Community

CrossRoadsNews

July 15, 2017

“Stonecrest has a great team. With the entire team in place, we’ll be able to get the city running and making revenue.”

Stonecrest identifies first municipal judges Pastors Alliance

By Angelina T. Velasquez

Attorney Michael L. Sheridan is poised to become the city of Stonecrest’s first municipal court judge and former DeKalb Recorders Court Judge Pro Hac Vice Jonathan Weintraub will be judge pro tempore.

Mayor Jason Lary announced to the council at its July 12 work session that he was recommending the two for the posi­ tions. District 5 Councilwoman Diane Adoma seemed surprised.

“I thought we were still going through resumes,” she said.

Lary responded: “I’ve known these men for years and years and they are very smart and very capable men.”

City Attorney Thompson Kurrie Jr. said that he had been inundated with resumes and was happy to send them to Adoma.

“I have never done that before but I can,” he said.

Adoma did not pursue the issue.

Jazzmin Cobble, the District 3 Council member, said that they received a group of resumes a while back but there was no discussion about who would be selected.

“We were all surprised,” she said after

the meeting.

The council is expected to vote on the recommendations on July 17.

Both nominees for the positions attended the session but did not speak.

Sheridan, who has practiced law for 11 years, is a graduate of Howard University and the University of Georgia. He is a partner in the Lithonia law firm Davis & Sheridan LLC, where he represented individuals in Record­ ers Court and in Lithonia municipal court.

Before that he spent four months as staff attorney with King & Spaulding LLP in 2006, after interning with the Western Judicial Cir­ cuit Public Defenders Office and being a law clerk for the Law Office of Jim Smith.

After the meeting, Sheridan said he anticipates some challenges with it being a new city.

“But Stonecrest has a great team,” he said.

“With the entire team in place, we’ll be able to get the city running and making revenue.”

Weintraub has 38 years of experience in government, local and municipal law, and land use and corporate law and formerly worked for DeKalb COunty as deputy chief operating officer of the development group.

He said he was happy to find out he was being considered for the position.

“I believe in public service and thought this would be an excellent service,” he said after the meeting.

He has degrees from Syracuse Univer­ sity, Georgia State University, and a J.D. from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University.

Weintraub said they met for the first time at the July 12 council work session.

“In the coming weeks I know that I will get to know him [Sheridan] much better,” he said.

If approved by the council, both men will be paid hourly and will not be em­ ployees of the city and will be ineligible for benefits.

City manager Michael Harris told the council the city is banking with BB&T, which has a branch at the intersection of Turner Hill Road and Mall Parkway.

“We chose BB&T and money can start coming in as soon as next week,” he told council members. “The decision was made based on proximity from our offices, the option of credit cards, and who has the best rates for us now.”

The city council continues to meet at Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road.

The July 17 meeting will be at 10 a.m.

issues call for zero tolerance

PROTESTS,

from page

A1

pastors, elected officials, community activists and interested parties to join us as we unite to forge an alliance throughout the county and make it be known that there is zero tolerance for this type of treatment of any person,” Dial said.

McCrary, who had been in jail since her arrest, was released July 12 on a $5,000 bond backed by the Black Lives Matter organiza­ tion.

Eric D. Echols, a private investigator who was hired by McCrary’s attorney team at Atlanta-based Broderick and Reed law firm to investigate the case, also attended the protest and rally. Echols said he met with McCrary Wednesday night and that she is mentally un­ comfortable right now.

“When you look at the laws of self-defense, self-defense doesn’t exclude police officers,” Echols said.

“A police officer does have the right to make an arrest, but what they don’t have the right to do is beat you and abuse you.”

Emergency department’s improvements to enchance patient care DEKALB MEDICAL

from page

A1

pital’s Central Registration entrance.

Mathai said new signage will be installed over the weekend to help hospital visitors find their way.

Beth Jansa, the hospital’s public relations manager, said this will be the first time that the public will see the impact of the renova­ tions. She said volunteers and security per­ sonnel will be on hand Monday to help direct patients, family members and other visitors to the hospital.

“The goal is not ever to let anybody feel frustrated because they don’t know where they need to be,” she said.

The renovations, which are reconfigur­ ing internal space at the medical center, have been underway since January. When

completed in November, they will expedite patient traffic, reduce Emergency Depart­ ment wait time, and create a more modern environment for care.

The improvements include: n Creating an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) intake area that will allow the hos­ pital’s EMS partners to get in and out of the Emergency Department more efficiently. n Adding an upgraded nurse call system and a redesigned central workstation creat­ ing an open format and better visualization of patients. n Modernizing the hospital’s Clinical Stabili­ zation Unit to provide a secure environment for behavoral health patients. n Adding a radiology room with X-ray for the exclusive use of emergency department patients; six new patient care rooms and

expanded triage area with reclining chairs for patient comfort.

Bob Wilson, CEO of DeKalb Regional Health System, which operates the nonprofit DeKalb Medical, said they are grateful to donors for making the renovations possible, and proud to continue the nonprofit’s com­ mitment to serve their patients with compas­ sion and innovation.

“Our redesigned Emergency Department will ensure our reputation for clinical excel­ lence will be matched by the convenience we offer to our patients,” he said.

DeKalb Medical also operates campuses on Hillandale Drive in the city of Stonecrest, and in downtown Decatur. The renovations on its North Decatur campus are being done in four phases to minimize impact on hospi­ tal operations and on patients.

The redesigned open central workstation, completed in phase two, opened July 13.

Dr. Sofia Khan Iqbal, systems medical di­ rector, said the open plan design eliminated cubicles in the Emergency Department and placed nurses facing patient rooms.

“Now the patient is right in front of us and we can tell if they are having problems because we can see them,” she said. “We have eliminated the physical barriers between us and the patients. It’s going to be awesome.”

The renovations are made possible through donations to the DeKalb Medical Foundation’s Building the Future Emergency Medicine Campaign, including $100,000 from the hospital’s emergency department doctors. Commercial real estate firm S.J. Collins Enterprises, which is developing the mixed-use North Decatur Square across from the hospital, also donated $60,000 to the renovations.

Eric Dennin, the hos­ pital’s director of Emer­ gency Services, said the improvements to the Emergency Department will enhance patient care.

“This project demon­ strates our commitment Eric Dennin to be with every patient all the way during their time of need,” he said.

July 15, 2017

Community

CrossRoadsNews

A3

“Georgia is blessed to have really strong markets that want more recycled glass.”

Glass recycling now available at 16 locations around DeKalb

By Angelina T. Velasquez

After years of dumping glass bottles and jars in the county landfill, DeKalb County is now recycling glass – but not from curb­ side.

Effective July 17, residents who recycle will have to take their clear, green, blue and brown glass containers to 16 locations – eight parks and recreation centers, five libraries, one fire station, one store and the Seminole Landfill – around the county.

DeKalb Sanitation spokeswoman Pauline Andrea said each of the DeKalb Board of Commissioners districts has two locations.

Andrea said that because the county has never separated glass from its trash, it has no idea how much glass may be recycled in the program’s first year.

DeKalb will sell up to 30,000 tons of glass to Strategic Materials Inc., at $30 per ton, in the first year.

Andrea said DeKalb, which is Georgia’s first urban county to offer an official glass recycling drop-off program, will transport the glass to the company’s College Park lo­ cation. At the program’s July 13 kickoff, the county said all recycled glass from DeKalb locations will be used to manufacture new glass containers and fiberglass.

Curt Bucey, Strategic Materials executive vice president, said they are thrilled to be a part of the county’s recycled glass initiative.

“Georgia is blessed to have really strong markets that want more recycled glass,” said Bucey, who described his company as the largest recycling company in the country.

He said Georgia’s recycling rate is a little bit behind that of the rest of the country but that DeKalb’s entry is “a step in the right direction.”

Nationally, the container and fiberglass

DeKalb and other officials practice recycling glass bottles and jars at the July 13 kick-off of the county’s glass recycling program.

Angelina T. Velasquez / CrossRoadsNews

The last day for residential curbside pick up of glass was July 13.

Of the 16 locations, four are in Parks & Recreation Centers n Dunwoody, Dunwoody Decatur, three in Dunwoody, and two n Blackburn Park, Brookhaven n Stonecrest, Stonecrest in Lithonia and Stone Mountain, and n Mason Mill Park, Decatur n Flat Shoals, Decatur one each in Atlanta, Brookhaven, El­ n Brook Run Park, Dunwoody n Salem-Panola, Lithonia lenwood, Stonecrest and Tucker. n Wade Walker Park, Stone Mountain n Hairston Crossing, Stone Mountain Eligible glass containers are those n Redan Recreation Center, Lithonia use for food and beverages. n Tucker Recreation Center, Tucker Fire Station 12 Pane glass, mirrors, light bulbs, n Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center, n 5323 Roberts Dr., Dunwoody ceramic glass or non-beverage and nonDecatur food containers are excluded. n Exchange Park Recreation Center, Decatur Seminole Road Landfill Glass containers should be rinsed n Ellenwood Atlanta Edgewood Target and free of food and liquids when they n 1275 Caroline St NE, Atlanta are dropped off.

DeKalb Library branches The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says 34 percent of all glass con­ industries purchase three million tons of sourcing development manager, said the program tainers were recycled in 2013.

The Sanitation Division is at 3720 recycled glass annually. The items are re- wil contribute to the creation of more jobs and melted and repurposed into new containers that diverting glass from the the county landfill Leroy Scott Drive, Decatur. will help preserve capacity.

For more information, visit www. and fiberglass products.

“Nobody wants another landfill,” Clark said. dekalbsanitation.com.

Bill Clark, Strategic Materials regional

DeKalb residents can recycle glass at 16 locations across the county.

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Forum

2346 Candler Rd. Decatur, GA 30032 404-284-1888 Fax: 404-284-5007 www.crossroadsnews.com editor@crossroadsnews.com

Editor / Publisher Jennifer Parker Staff Writers Jennifer Ffrench Parker Angelina T. Velasquez Editorial Intern Tekia Parks Front Office Manager Catherine Guy Multimedia Editor Sharif Williams CrossRoadsNews is published every Saturday by CrossRoads­News, Inc. We welcome articles on neighborhood issues and news of local happenings.

The opinions expressed by writers and contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher, nor those of any advertisers.

The concept, design and content of CrossRoads­News are copyrighted and may not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without the written permission of the publisher.

Advertisements are published upon the representation that the advertiser is authorized to publish the submitted material.

The advertiser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless from and against any loss or expenses resulting from any disputes or legal claims based upon the contents or subject matter of such advertisements, including claims of suits for libel, violation of privacy, plagiarism and copyright infringement.

We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement.

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July 15, 2017

Now, in this headwind of injustice, it is time for the tribunes of justice to move forward.

We must fight to defend our country’s core values

By Jesse Jackson

The Trump administration has launched an unprecedented rollback of civil rights and vot­ ing rights. Those who care about building a more perfect union face harsh headwinds. We’ve gone from an administration seeking to fulfill these rights to one seeking to repeal these rights.

Instead of a reconstruction, we are faced with a retrenchment, an effort to radically reverse the gains that have been made by women, people of color and the LGBTQ community. Instead of understand­ ing that expanding civil rights is a vital therapy to heal this nation, the Trump administration views it as a threat to its rule.

The rollback is government wide. The Labor Department has announced plans to disband the division that polices discrimination among federal contractors as a “cost cutting measure.”

The Environmental Protection Agency plans to eliminate the envi­ ronmental justice program that fo­ cuses on the environmental threats to minority communities.

The Education Department is decimating staffing of its Office of Civil Rights. The Department of Housing and Urban Development

Attorney General Jeff Sessions has announced that he would review consent decrees that the Obama Justice Department made to reform police departments. Sessions has ordered U.S. prosecutors to seek the maximum sentences, while moving to revive private prisons.

has revoked guidance on a rule that allows transgender people to stay in sex-segregated shelters matching their gender identity.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions, formerly a senator representing Alabama, has led the rollback. The DOJ has reversed its opposition to a Texas discriminatory voter ID law.

Sessions has announced that he would review consent decrees that the Obama Justice Department made to reform police depart­ ments. Sessions has ordered U.S. prosecutors to seek the maximum sentences, while moving to revive private prisons.

The administration is gearing up for a national assault on voting rights, pushing measures that will make voting more difficult.

Women, people of color, the poor and the LGBTQ are the tar­ gets and the direct victims of this assault. But the entire country will suffer, as basic rights are denied, prisons are expanded, and hopes and dreams are stuffed out.

In Chicago this week, lead­ ers from across the country will gather for the annual Rainbow Push National Summit. We will use this time to map out our response to this assault on all that we have fought for. Now is the time for citi­ zens of conscience to join together to defend and expand basic civil rights.

We will work to defend voting rights, building the movement to add the federal right to vote to the U.S. Constitution. As some move to constrict voting, we will move to expand it.

Illinois is about to become the ninth state to pass automatic voter registration, with the potential ad­ dition of an estimated 1 million vot­ ers to the voting rolls. We will push

to pass automatic voter registration in states across the union. If suc­ cessful, we will add a stunning 51 million new voters to the rolls.

We will demand that President Trump fulfill his promise to invest $1 trillion in rebuilding America, helping to generate real jobs doing vital things that need to be done.

We will defend sanctuary cities pro­ viding some support for undocu­ mented workers with children.

As the Department of Justice re­ treats from the enforcement of civil rights, we will expand the pressure on corporations and governments to adhere to equal employment op­ portunity from the boardroom to the basement, from their contracts to philanthropy.

Dr. Martin Luther King taught us that “human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable . . . Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering and struggle — the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedi­ cated individuals.”

Now, in this headwind of injus­ tice, it is time for the tribunes of justice to move forward. Now is the time for citizens of conscience to come to the aid of their country.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson is the founder of the Rainbow Push Coalition.

Official silence on Flat Shoals/I-285 speaks volumes

By Ed Williams

I share the frustration of many South DeKalb residents over the delayed completion date of the Flat Shoals Parkway/I-285 bridge project, outlined in the June 24 CrossRoadsNews front page story.

With all of the political leaders we have in DeKalb and we get 2019 completion date for the Flat Shoals Bridge project. I call this ineffective leadership and management.

While the city of Atlanta gets I-85 completed in six weeks.

The silence speaks volumes.

The I-285 Flat Shoals Parkway bridge project started February 2015.

It was amazing how Gov. Na­ than Deal and GDOT Commis­ sioners worked so seamlessly together to get the I-85 bridge re­ paired. The state was able to change an estimated eight-month project into a six-week project.

This was amazing. The I-85 overpass collapse was completed within six weeks. The bid require­ ments were waived and there were rules and regulations waived.

The workers were paid over­ time, and a $1 million bonus was given to the contractor as an incen­ tive. The workers worked around the clock to complete the work.

Now contrast that with the Flat Shoals bridge project. It was started in February 2015 and was supposed to be complete in September 2017.

Now it is being projected to be completed sometime in 2019. We should all be concerned.

No one at GDOT was held re­ sponsible for storing the flammable materials under the I-85 bridge, and the GDOT commissioner and the contract workers were praised for the rapid completion.

It remains to be seen whether the GDOT was in violation of fed­

The Flatshoals/I-285 Interchange project has been underway since February 2015. It is now scheduled for completion in 2019. The delay is a source of frustration for motorists who use the area.

I do not advocate or condone this as a tactic, but maybe if a crackhead or terrorist attacks the Flatshoals bridge project we might get some GDOT attention and a faster response to getting the project completed.

eral and/or state laws.

At the very least, GDOT was negligent and endangered the public by storing those materials under the highway. It should be responsible, if not criminally, at the

very least civilly.

Just because the GDOT is a big state agency does not make it less culpable.

There should be some GDOT members held accountable for storing the materials under the I-85 highway overpass. Instead, the blame is being focused on the homeless. The interstate is a major transportation infrastructure route that should have never been used as a storage facility.

The I-85 bridge financial costs

rival any theft that the FBI may be currently investigating.

Don’t get me wrong, I do believe those who set the fire should be held accountable. However, they are certainly not the only culprits in this major fiasco.

I support a review of ordinances as it relates to warehouse storage of flammable materials stored near major infrastructure.

I do not advocate or condone this as a tactic, but maybe if a crack­ head or terrorist attacks the Flat Shoals bridge project we might get some GDOT attention and a faster response to getting the project completed.

Ed Williams is chairman of Concerned Citizens for Effective Government. He lives in Decatur.

July 15, 2017

Youth

CrossRoadsNews

A5

“I encourage all schools in my district to learn more about this opportunity so that other students can have access to this unique experience.”

Feds roll back Obama-era healthy school lunch initiatives Schools lunches are headed back to being loaded with salt, fat and sugar with new edicts from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue.

Perdue said he is removing restrictions imposed during President Obama so that schools can opt for tastier options.

“If kids aren’t eating the food, and it’s ending up in the trash, they aren’t getting any nutrition—thus undermining the intent of the program,” he said.

Former First Lady Michelle Obama had

Girl Scout badge promotes storm water awareness

Girl Scouts who help keep DeKalb County streams and rivers clean can earn the new stkhrm water badge, created in partnership with DeKalb County and the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta.

The round green “This Girl is Storm Wa t e r S m a r t ” badge will help engage girls in learning about keeping natural water supplies healthy and clean. To earn the badge, Girl Scouts must participate in activities about storm water, watersheds, pollution, science, and share new information.

DeKalb County Roads and Drainage Department hopes that the patch will be used by Girl Scouts across the region to help educate them about their storm water systems.

For more information, visit www. girlscouts.org.

pushed for more healthy food options to help fight the national epedemic of childhood obesity.

Perdue, a former Georgia governor, signed a May 1 proclamation which begins the process of restoring local control Sonny Perdue of guidelines on whole grains, sodium, and milk to school districts.

He said he is providing greater flexibility in

nutrition requirements for school meal programs “in order to make food choices both healthful and appealing to students” Rolling back some of the healthy school lunch standards is part of the “Make Lunch Great Again Act,” one of Perdue’s first regulatory acts since taking office Jan. 18, 2017.

He says that students, schools, and food service experts have complained for years about challenges meeting President Obama’s regulations for school meals.

The 2010 Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act

required that sodium levels in school levels does not exceed 1,100 milligrams, that all grains were to be whole grain, and portion sizes were reduced. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said school districts and states were spending an additional $1.22 billion in 2015 to meet school food requirements.

With the changes, states can get exemptions from serving 100 percent whole-grain foods, sodium levels can be up to 1,420 milligrams, and schools must serve one percent flavored milk.

4th District students to spend school year in Germany Decatur High School rising junior Sonia Karkare and Emily Lent, a rising senior at Providence Classical Christian School in Oxford, Ga., will spend their 20172018 school year in Germany as part of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) Program.

The two from the 4th District, are among 50 students from the Southeast and Puerto Rico participating in the fully funded scholarship program.

U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson Johnson said the study abroad program can give the students a new perspective on global current affairs and German social, economic and political life.

Hank Johnson “As CBYX scholars, these students will spend the next school year in Germany gaining a rare opportunity to better understand the German language, culture and their everyday way of life,” he said. “The students will also have

Sonia Karkare

Emily Lent

the chance to visit the German Parliament (Bundestag), meet with German government officials, and explore the country through numerous excursions.”

Sonia and Emily will live with a host family, attend a German high school and participate in a four-week language and cultural immersion camp, and attend intercultural seminars.

The CBYX program, inaugurated in 1983 through a bilateral agreement between the U.S. Congress and the German Bundestag, celebrates German-American relations and fosters a mutual understanding between the people of the U.S. and Germany.

Since its inception, more than 24,000

American and German students have participated. It is jointly funded by the U.S. and German governments, and is overseen in the United States by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

The students were selected for the program by the Council on International Educational Exchange, which serves as the country’s oldest and largest nonprofit study abroad intercultural exchange organization.

Johnson will send the two students official proclamations to congratulate them on this accomplishment. He wants more students in the 4th District to get involved with the program.

“I encourage all schools in my district to learn more about this opportunity so that other students from a diverse array of communities can have access to this unique experience,” he said. “This is a program that remains instrumental in promoting public diplomacy and strengthens transatlantic relations.”

For more information, visit www.ciee. org/cbyx or call 1-800-448-9944.

CrossRoadsNews

A6

Wellness

July 15, 2017

“Every time we use a new class of antibiotics to treat the infection, the bacteria evolve to resist them.”

New drug-resistant strain of gonorrhea proving difficult to treat The gonorrhea infection has become stronger, smarter, and almost impossible to treat with the best available antibiotics, the World Heath Organization says.

In a warning issued July 7, the WHO says its researchers found the drug-resistance infection in 77 countries including the United States, and that unsafe oral sex is making the infection particularly dangerous.

Dr. Teodora Wi, World Health Organization medical officer for reproductive health, said now is the time to be very vigilant of the infection and individual status.

“Every time we use a new class of antibiotics to treat the infection, the bacteria evolve to resist them,” she said.

It is estimated an average of 78 million Teodora Wi people are annually infected with gonorrhea, and the WHO says that high-income countries, with the best surveillance of the infection, are showing cases of the infection with resistance to all known antibiotics.

Gonorrhea impacts the genitals, rectum, and throat.

Complications disproportionally affect women by causing pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility, and increased risk of HIV. Its spread is linked to decreased condom use, increased travel and poor infection detection.

New drug development This year gonorrhea was among 11 bacteria believed to pose the greatest threats to human health because of the lack of new antibiotics.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it has shown resistance to penicillin, tetracycline and flouroquinolones. In 2016 the CDC advised doctors to treat infected patients with a two-drug combination of ceftriaxone and azithromycin.

Manica Balasegaram, the CDC’s Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership director, said health workers and pharmaceutical companies need to accelerate the development and introduction of a new treatment.

“Any new treatment developed should be accessible to everyone who needs it, while ensuring it’s used appropriately, so that drug resistance is slowed as much as possible,” she said.

Prevention Doctors and other health care experts say the best treatment for gonorrhea is prevention of the infection. Safe sexual behavior, consistent and correct condom use, and education are key components to keep sexually active persons free of the infection.

Dr. Marc Sprenger, WHO’s director of Antimicrobial Resistance, said rapid, accurate, point-of-care diagnostic tests that can predict which antibiotics will work on that particular infection would assist in turning things around.

“To control gonorrhea we need new tools and systems for better prevention, treatment, earlier diagnosis, and more complete tracking and reporting of new infections,” he said.

For more information, visit www.who.int/en/.

Minority Health Awareness Month focusing on mental health issues The spotlight is on minorities who are battling mental health issues as the country marks the ninth National Minority Health Awareness Month.

During July, health care professionals are highlighting the unique struggles of underrepresented groups like African Americans with mental illness.

Nationally, one in five adults and one in 10 children are likely to experience mental illness. Those figures are even higher for Af-

rican Americans, who are 20 percent more likely to suffer from serious mental health problems than the general population.

Dr. Joseph Bona, DeKalb Community Service Board CEO, said 80 percent of the clients served in the county are part of a marginalized group racially or ethnically.

“DeKalb CSB is dedicated to integrating mental health with overall health and fighting the stigma associated with mental health illnesses,” he said. “During the month of July,

and throughout the year, we are committed to improving not just access to care but the quality of mental health services for our clients.”

Minorities are more reluctant to access mental health services due to distrust and misdiagnosis, socio-economic factors, and a heavy reliance on faith and spirituality.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness said only a quarter of African Americans seeks assistance compared to 40 percent of

whites.

Mental illness is also the leading cause of disability, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration finds.

The U.S. House of Representatives first proclaimed July as the National Minority Health Awareness Month in 2008, to improve access to mental health treatment and services while increasing public awareness.

For more information follow #MinorityMentalHealth and visit www.dekcsb.org.

file objections within 30 days after the Petition was filed.

Dated: Jun. 13, 2017 07/01, 07/08, 07/15, 07/22

Notice of Petition to CHANGE Name of ADULT

Legal Notices 06/24, 07/01, 07/08, 07/15

Notice of Petition to CHANGE Name of ADULT in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: 17FM6285 Rhakesha Monique Hunter filed a petition on May 15, 2017 in the DeKalb County Superior Court to change name from: Rhakesha Monique Hunter to Rhakesha Monique Grayson. Any interested party has the right to appear In this case and file objections within 30 days after the Petition was filed.

Dated: May 25, 2017 06/24, 07/01, 07/08, 07/15

Notice of Petition to CHANGE Name of ADULT in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: 17FM6524-2 Nivea Darlene Burkett filed a petition on Jun. 01, 2017 in the DeKalb County Superior Court to change name from: Nivea Darlene Burkett to A’vea Sky Ellis. Any interested party has the right to appear In this case and file objections within 30 days after the Petition was filed.

Dated: Jun. 01, 2017 06/24, 07/01, 07/08, 07/15

Notice of PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: 17FM6291-3 Michelle L. Chaney Smith PLAINTIFF VS Johnny W. Smith, Jr. DEFENDANT To: Johnny W. Smith, Jr. Sumter S.C. Jail; 1250 Winkles Rd. Sumter, SC 29153

By ORDER of the Court service for

service by publication dated Jun. 12, 2017. You are hereby notified that on Jun. 07, 2017, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce without minor children. You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Pro Se, Michelle L Chaney Smith, 622 South Hairston Rd., Stone Mountain, GA 30088. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of Jun. 12, 2017.

Witness the Honorable Clarence F. Seeliger, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court.

This the 12th day of Jun., 2017 06/24, 07/01, 07/08, 07/15

Notice of PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: 17FM11467-10 Japheth Garrett PLAINTIFF VS Myed Robinson DEFENDANT To: Myed Robinson 112 Lester Woods Court Lawrenceville, GA 30044

By ORDER of the Court service for service by publication dated Apr. 11, 2017. You are hereby notified that on Oct. 28, 2016, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Legitimation and Custody. You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Donald M. Coleman, Attorney at Law, 246 Sycamore Street, Suite 120, Decatur, GA 30030.

Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of Jun. 12, 2017.

Witness the Honorable Tangela M. Barrie, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court.

This the 12th day of Jun., 2017 06/24, 07/01, 07/08, 07/15

Notice of PUBLICATION in the Superior Court

of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: 17FM5923-3 Ernesto Mendoza PLAINTIFF VS Diana de la Cruz DEFENDANT To: Diana de la Cruz 3415 Clairview Dr., Apt. A Chamblee, GA 30341

By ORDER of the Court service for service by publication dated Apr. 11, 2017.

You are hereby notified that on Oct. 28, 2016, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for: modification of Custody/ Custody Change. You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Ernesto Mendoza, 2889 Shallowford Rd., Atlanta, GA 30341. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of Jun. 12, 2017.

Witness the Honorable Clarence F. Seeliger, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court.

This the 12th day of Jun., 2017 06/24, 07/01, 07/08, 07/15

Notice of PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: 17FM2742-1 Jennie Shantiloo PLAINTIFF VS Albert G. Jones DEFENDANT To: Albert G. Jones 2837 Pebble Drive Decatur, GA 30034

By ORDER of the Court service for service by publication dated 5th day of Jun., 2017. You are hereby notified that on Feb. 28, 2017, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for: Abandonment. You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name

in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

and address is: Jennie Shantiloo – Pro Se an Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of first date of publication.

Witness the Honorable Courtney L. Johnson, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court.

This the 13th day of Jun., 2017

Civil Action Case Number: 17FM6629-8 Celeste Shonte Grady filed a petition on Mar. 30, 2017 in the DeKalb County Superior Court to change name from: Celeste Shonte Grady to Celeste Shonte Duggan`. Any interested party has the right to appear In this case and file objections within 30 days after the Petition was filed.

Dated: Mar. 30, 2017

06/24, 07/01, 07/08, 07/15

07/15, 07/22, 07/29, 08/05

Notice of PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: 17FM5909-7 Jamikka Wood-Rosser PLAINTIFF VS Moreo Rosser, Sr. DEFENDANT To: 2704 Eastwood Dr. Decatur, GA 30032

By ORDER of the Court service for service by publication dated Jun. 07, 2017. You are hereby notified that on May 26, 2017, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: 3823 Radcliffe Blvd., Decatur, GA 30034. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of Jun. 07, 2017.

Witness the Honorable Daniel M. Coursey, Jr., Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court.

This the 07th day of Jun., 2017 07/01, 07/08, 07/15, 07/22

Notice of Petition to CHANGE Name of ADULT in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: 17FM6756-8 Tapha Lynetha Jefferson filed a petition on Jun. 01, 2017 in the DeKalb County Superior Court to change name from: Tapha Lynetha Jefferson to Tabitha Lynette Jefferson. Any interested party has the right to appear In this case and

27, 2017 in the DeKalb County Superior Court to change name from: Marrie Nee Faust to Marion Juanita Faust`. Any interested party has the right to appear In this case and file objections within 30 days after the Petition was filed.

Dated: May 18, 2017 07/15, 07/22, 07/29, 08/05

Notice of PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: 17FM7054-7 Wray Tucker filed a petition on Mar. 30, 2017 in the DeKalb County Superior Court to change name from: Wray Tucker to Raymond Frank Tucker`. Any interested party has the right to appear In this case and file objections within 30 days after the Petition was filed.

Dated: Jun. 20, 2017

Civil Action Case Number: 17FM6678 Bryant K. Daniel PLAINTIFF VS Carol Ann Daniel DEFENDANT To: Carol Ann Daniel 630 Rufus Henderson Dr. Scottdale, GA 30079

By ORDER of the Court service for service by publication dated Jun. 26, 2017. You are hereby notified that on Jun. 19, 2017, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce without minor children. You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Bryant K. Daniel, 630 Rufus Henderson Dr., Scottdale, GA 30079. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of Jun. 07, 2017.

Witness the Honorable Daniel M. Coursey, Jr., Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court.

This the 28th day of Jun., 2017

07/15, 07/22, 07/29, 08/05

07/15, 07/22, 07/29, 08/05

Notice of Petition to CHANGE Name of ADULT in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Notice of Petition to CHANGE Name of ADULT in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: 17FM7048 Cecil Butler filed a petition on Jun. 27, 2017 in the DeKalb County Superior Court to change name from: Cecil Butler to Lucille Cecile Chambers`. Any interested party has the right to appear In this case and file objections within 30 days after the Petition was filed.

Dated: May 31, 2017 07/15, 07/22, 07/29, 08/05

Notice of Petition to CHANGE Name of ADULT in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: 17FM7077-3 Marrie Nee Faust filed a petition on Jun.

Notice of PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia

Civil Action Case Number: 17FM6542 Ava Willa Brown PLAINTIFF VS Elvis Davis DEFENDANT To:

By ORDER of the Court service for service by publication dated Jun. 26, 2017.

You are hereby notified that on Jun. 01, 2017, the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court, and to serve upon the Plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Ava Willa Brown, 3454 Elgin Drive, Decatu, GA 30032. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of Jun. 26, 2017.

Witness the Honorable Asha F. Jackson, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court.

This the 30th day of Jun., 2017

CrossRoadsNews

July 15, 2017

Scene

A7

The Under My Hood program is providing a safe place for people to speak up.

Romance novel writers discuss creative process Aficionados of romance novels can discuss the work and creative process with Atlanta-based authors Ricki Schultz and Susan Sands at Decatur Library on July 17.

The free, author-led discussion is open to teens and adults 18 and older. It starts at 7:15 p.m.

Critics say Schultz’s debut novel “Mr. Right-Swipe,” which explores the culture of online dating, offers laugh-out-loud moments.

The fiction explores finding love online after enduring heartbreak.

Schultz earned a B.A. in English and M.Ed. in secondary education from John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio. Prior to focusing her energy on romance novels, she taught middle and high school students in Ohio Ricki Schultz and Atlanta.

Sands is a member of the Georgia Romance Writers and Romance Writers of America.

She has published two books in the Alabama series that journeys through love, loss, Susan Sands forgiveness and second chances.

The library is at 215 Sycamore St. For more information, call 404-3703070.

Program targets profiling of young black men Spoken word fans and social justice supporters can be part of “Under My Hood” on July 15 at the Center for Civil and Human Rights.

During the program of artistic expression about the diminished humanity of black people in today’s society, 10 individuals will share what lies beneath their hood, the place where authentic truth is found.

Since Trayvon Martin’s death in 2012, black communities, social activists and celebrities have worn gray hoodies to support the movement against profiling black men.

Trayvon, 17, was wearing a gray sweatshirt with the hood up as he walked to his father’s home in Sanford, Fla., when George Zimmerman shot him to death on Deb. 26, 2012. He had just stopped at 7-Eleven and bought a bag of Skittles and iced tea. Zimmerman claimed the teen behaved suspi- Trayvon Martin was wearing a gray sweatshirt with the hood up when he was shot to death. ciously and seemed out of place.

The Under My Hood program is provid- in Action which educates and connects young at 100 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd, Atlanta, 30313. ing a safe place for people to speak up. people on human and minority rights.

For more information, visit www.civiIt is co-hosted by the nonprofit Humanity The Center for Civil and Human Rights is landhumanrights.org or call 678-999-8990.

Playing with robots at Decatur library Little Bits Children can experiment with handheld and Ozobots Little Bits and Ozobots robots and explore are miniature technology at the Decatur Library on July robots that 22. can teach The event for 8- to 12-year-olds is open kids about to the first 15 registered participants. technology Little Bits are color-coded electronic and building blocks that are magnetic, interprogramming. changeable, and allow kids to invent alarms, wireless robots, and digital instruments.

Ozobots are pocket-sized toy robots The library is at 215 Sycamore St. that can be programmed to change colors, To register, call 404-370-3070 or visit the move, and make expressive sounds and Children’s Desk. much more.

Computer basics class for novices

Adults who are new to computers can join a “Mouse, Computer and Keyboard Basics” class on July 17 at Clarkston Library.

At the 10 a.m.-11 a.m. class, adults 18 years and older will learn the basic parts of a computer, basic terminology, and how to use a mouse.

The class is open to the first three participants. The ability to type is helpful.

The library is at 951 N. Indian Creek Drive. To register, call 404-508-7175.

MARKETPLACE RATES Place your MarketPlace line ad here – up to 20 words for $25. Additional words are $3 per block of five words (maximum 45 words). Boxed Ads (with up to 3 lines bold headline): $35 plus cost of the classified ad.

Send ad copy with check or credit card information and contact phone number (if different from ad) to MarketPlace, CrossRoadsNews, 2346 Candler Road, Decatur, GA 30032, or e-mail to marketplace@crossroadsnews.com. Our deadlines are at noon on the Friday one week prior to publication, unless otherwise noted.

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A8

CrossRoadsNews

July 15, 2017

CrossRoadsNews

July 15, 2017

B1

Family & Back-to-School Expo Saturday, July 22, 2017

Copyright © 2016 CrossRoadsNews, Inc.

July 15, 2017

www.crossroadsnews.com

One-stop information shop

Thousands of parents and children are expected at the CrossRoadsNews 12th annual Family & Back-to-School Expo, July 22 at the Mall at Stonecrest.

Screenings, resources and more so you’ll be ready for the new school year!

Noon to 5 p.m. • Lower Level • the Mall at Stonecrest ■ Free health screenings

■ Fashion show

■ Entertainment

■ Book Bag giveaways

Section B

CrossRoadsNews

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FBTS Expo

July 15, 2017

Kaiser Permanente’s Educational Theatre will take kids and adults on a fun journey of discovery.

Information is at the core of our annual expos 2346 Candler Road Decatur, GA 30032 404-284-1888 Fax: 404-284-5007

www.CrossRoadsNews.com editor@CrossRoadsNews.com The Family & Back-to-School Expo Special Section is a publication of CrossRoadsNews, Atlanta’s award-winning weekly newspaper.

Editor / Publisher Jennifer Parker Reporters Jennifer Ffrench Parker Angelina T. Velasquez Graphic Designer Sharif Williams Editorial Intern Tekia L. Parks CrossRoadsNews is published every Saturday by CrossRoadsNews, Inc. We welcome articles on neighborhood issues and news of local happenings. The opinions expressed by writers and contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher, nor those of any advertisers.

The concept, design and content of CrossRoadsNews are copyrighted and may not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part in any manner. without the written permission of the publisher. © 2016 CrossRoadsNews, Inc.

The first day of school is just around the corner, and yes, Aug. 7 will be here sooner than we think.

But don’t panic!

CrossRoadsNews’ 12th annual Family & Back-to-School Expo has you covered.

On July 22, our sponsors – Kaiser Perma­ nente of Georgia and WellCare of Georgia, and our partner, the DeKalb County School District, and nearly two dozen exhibitors will help you get excited about the start of the 2017-2018 school year.

Once again our 2017 expo, which takes place on the lower level of the Mall at Stonecrest, will offer information, resources, lots of giveaways and prizes, and perfor­ mances that will entice kids to stay in school, relish the journey, stand tall, and strive for success.

Kaiser Permanente’s Educational Theatre will take kids and adults on a fun journey of discovery about eating healthy and be­ ing active with its “What’s in That Lunch Anyway!?!”

WellCare of Georgia is giving away 3,500 bookbags and school supplies such as pens, pencils, erasers, pencil packs and rulers. It will also have health and Medicaid informa­ tion, and fun games to play at its table.

Exhibitors range from dance schools and private schools to medical centers and DeKalb County Government offices, with lots of useful information to share. The Arabia Mountain Heritage Area will have information about its programs to lure you into the great outdoors.

Parents can get screened for hypertension and diabetes at tables staffed by Oakhurst Medical Centers and Compassionate Nurses, and they and their kids can sample mouthwatering dishes, cooked up by Life Chef Asata Reid.

Parents and their children can gather lots of information about exhibitors’ programs and services.

There will be a fashion show offering fresh ideas for the students who don’t wear uniforms, and everyone can dance along with Rae Rae “the Exercise Motivator” Clark when she kicks off the expo at noon from the Main Stage near Sears.

And anyone who visits 15 of our spon­ sors, partners and exhibitors can enter for a chance to win a Fabulous Back-to-School

Gift Basket compliments of the Mall at Stonecrest.

And don’t miss the huge – 3,500 – book bag giveway!!

The expo takes place noon to 5 p.m.

The mall is at Turner Hill Road and I-20 in the city of Stonecrest.

For more information, call 404-2841888.

.

2017 Family & Back-to-School Expo Exhibitors & Grand Prize Entry Form Visit at least 15 of these exhibitors* at the 2016 Family & Back-to-School Expo and enter to win a Back-to-School Gift Basket from the Mall at Stonecrest. Drawing takes place on July 22, 2017, at 4:40 p.m. at the Main Stage in front of Sears on the lower level of the Mall at Stonecrest. _____ AAA, Auto Club South

_____ DeKalb Clerk of Superior Court

_____ Kaiser Permanente of Georgia

_____ Arabia Mountain Heritage Area

_____ DeKalb County School District

_____ Kilombo Academic & Cultural Institute

_____ Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates

_____ DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office

_____ Oakhurst Medical Centers, Inc.

_____ Candler Dental Associates

_____ DeKalb County Solicitor General’s Office

_____ Ramsey Realty Services

_____ Children’s Healthcare at Hughes Spalding

_____ DeKalb County Tax Commissioner

_____ Tetra Tech, Inc./Environmental Consortium, LLC

_____ Compassionate Nurses, Inc.

_____ First Afrikan CDC Food Pantry

_____ The Academy of Scholars

_____ CrossRoadsNews, Inc.

_____ Georgia Stars Academy of Dance & More

_____ WellCare Health Plans, Inc.

Name ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City _____________________________________________ E-mail_______________________________________________________________________ Home phone _________________________________________________ Cell ___________________________________________________________ * Eligible entries must be validated by at least 12 exhibitors and must include your complete name, address, e-mail address and telephone number. Employees and immediate family members of CrossRoadsNews and the Mall at Stonecrest are not eligible to win. You must be at least 18 years old to enter. You MUST be present to win.

CrossRoadsNews

July 15, 2017

FBTS Expo

B3

2017 Family & Back-to-School Expo Program Highlights July 22, 2017 • Noon to 5 p.m. • The Main Stage in front of Sears Lower Level, The Mall at Stonecrest Noon

Expo kicks off with Rae Rae “The Exercise Motivator”

12:30 p.m.

Georgia Tiny Stars Dance Team

1 p.m.

Back-to-School Fashion Show

1:30 p.m.

Wellcare

1:45 p.m.

Demarquez “Ya Boy Majik” Grissom

2 p.m.

Healthy Food Demo with Chef Asata Reid

2:30 p.m.

Antonio “The Chozen One” Hinton

2:45 p.m.

Georgia Stars Jr. Dance Company

3 p.m.

Kaiser Permanente

3:15 p.m.

Kayla Wyatt, singer

3:30 p.m.

Georgia Stars Academy of Dance Dazzling Gems Majorettes

3:45 p.m.

DeKalb County School District

4 p.m.

M.A.D.E. 4 Christ

4:15 p.m.

Conservatory of Dance

4:40 p.m.

Grand Prize Drawing

5 p.m.

Expo Ends

Jan Martin Emcee Rae Rae Clark

Demarquez “Ya Boy Majik” Grissom

Back-to-School Fashion Show

Antonio “The Chozen One” Hinton

M.A.D.E. 4 Christ

Chef Asata Reid

Conservatory of Dance

Kayla Wyatt

CrossRoadsNews

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FBTS Expo

July 15, 2017

“In the past this tax-free period has been one of our most successful weekends as it pertains to sales.”

Loss of tax-free holiday will impact families, retailers’ budgets

By Angelina T. Velasquez

For the first time in half a decade, Georgia parents preparing for the new school year won’t have tax-free shopping days to help stretch their back-to-school budgets for supplies, clothing and computers.

Annually, families spend upwards of $27.3 billion on back-to-school supplies, and the popular annual tax holiday helped them save hundreds a year.

For the first time since 2012, the tax holiday that would have taken place July 29-30 did not make it out of the General Assembly this year.

State Rep. Howard Mosby, who heads the DeKalb Delegation, expressed surprise this week when CrossRoadsNews called to ask why legislators did not support the tax holiday.

“I didn’t know it didn’t pass,” he said. “It is one of the most popular things that we do at the legislature.”

The tax holiday, first approved in 2005, usually exempt clothing, including footwear, priced up to $100; computers, computer components, and software priced up of $1,000; and school supplies up to $20 each.

Teachers also took advantage of the tax holiday to stock their classrooms.

Traditionally, Georgia legislators approved two annual tax-free holiday weekends. The second one took place in the fall, and was good on Energy Star appliances.

Since its launch, the tax-free holiday was forfeited for three years, between 2009 and 2011, during the height of that period’s recession.

Nationally, 19 states, including many of Georgia’s neighbors, participate in the annual tax-free weekend. Massachusetts and Rhode Island also cancelled their tax-free weekend

Tax-free back-to-shool shopping Tennessee

Jul. 28-30

South Carolina

Aug. 4-6

Alabma

Jul. 21-23

Florida Georgia shoppers looking for tax-free shopping this year can shop in Alabama on July 21-23; Tennessee, July 2830; and South Carolina and Florida, Aug. 4-6.

Aug. 4-6

this year.

Georgia lawmakers say eliminating the 2017 tax holiday will save the state tens of millions of dollars.

Wesley Tharpe, Georgia Budget & Policy Group research director, says the tax holiday cost $70 million in lost revenues annually.

He called the lost tax revenues “a sizable chunk of change” to counties and cities struggling to fully fund schools and keep local

The tax holiday usually exempt clothing, including footwear, priced up to $100; computers, computer components, and software priced up of $1,000; and school supplies up to $20 each.

hospitals open.

Georgia shoppers looking for tax-free shopping this year can shop in Alabama on July 21-23; Tennessee, July 28-30; and South Carolina and Florida, Aug. 4-6.

Donald Bieler, director of marketing at the Mall at Stonecrest, said eliminating the holiday will hurt retailers. He is hoping the

the state will reconsider.

“We are very disappointed that the Georgia Legislature did not pass the Tax Free Holiday for 2017,” he said. “In the past this tax-free period has been one of our most successful weekends as it pertains to sales.”

For more information, visit www.dor. georgia.gov.

July 15, 2017

FBTS Expo

CrossRoadsNews

B5

If your child will be taking lunch to school this year, plan and prepare healthy lunches to save time in the mornings.

Back-to–School Survival Guide offers useful tips for parents

By Tekia Parks

The bell will ring in the first day of school on Aug. 7, and parents who want their kids to have a successful year know they must begin making preparations now.

Here’s a list of must-do’s that are sure to help:

Registration If your child is attending a new school this year or joining the district for the first time, you must ensure that they are registered.

The DeKalb County School District has a new, fast, and easy online registration system for new students, saving you a trip to the registration office.

Visit http://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/ online-registration/ to register your child.

Attend open house Attending your child’s school’s open house gives you the chance to meet with his or her teachers, tour the classroom, join the PTA, and receive vital information regarding expectations for the school year.

Children tend to be less nervous and more excited about the first day when they have visited their school beforehand.

Meal prep for school lunch If your child will be taking lunch to school this year, plan and prepare healthy lunches to save time in the mornings.

You can use Sunday to plan, prepare and package lunches for the week and store them in the fridge.

Include fresh fruits and vegetables, and treats to make lunch enticing.

Get all the items on your child’s school supply list to ensure that they are well prepared for activities or special projects the teacher has organized.

able at http://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/ Follow school supplies list bus-routes/.

It’s better to be over prepared than under prepared. Get all the items on your child’s Stay in contact school supplies list to ensure that they are Exchange contact information with your prepared for any activities or special projects child’s teacher. You will get all information the teacher has organized.

Know your child’s bus route All bus routes and bus numbers are avail- quicker and firsthand.

If your child does not use all of the items

by the end of the school year, save them. They will still be good for the next school year.

Don’t stress The school year lasts longer than the preparation and if your child is well prepared everything will run smoothly.

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FBTS Expo

CrossRoadsNews

July 15, 2017

“We prayed together, and we discussed things they couldn’t discuss with their parents.”

Music group helps youth pursue their dreams

By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

artists. They make music, and learn video and music producWhen Willie “Chozen” Oftion. fice was a teen, he was in and By 2013, the M.A.D.E 4 out of jail so many times, he lost Christ group, comprised of himcount. self; his son “Lil G,” who will be “Let’s put it this way,” he said. a junior at Shiloh High School “Between 17 and 22 years, I’d this fall; his 13-year-old daughseen about a year of freedom.” ter Gianna “Small Fry,” who is Office, who was expelled a rising eighth-grader at Shiloh from Forest Park High School Middle School; and fellow in the 10th grade, blamed church members Anthony “AJ “gangbanging” for his revolving Smooth,” Stewart, 22; and Chrisprison door. topher “Big Chris” Williams, 20.

But on his last 45-day stint in Two year’s later, Jaquay “Mrs JJ” jail, 16 years ago, he decided put Menales, 38, joined the group to his wayward life behind him. after Office heard her perform, The turning point came in and wouldn’t let up until she 2001 when his wife, Krystal, agreed to join his group. brought their seven-month son M.A.D.E 4 Christ, led by former gang member Willie “Chozen” Office (red M.A.D.E 4 Christ’s first Geovannni “Lil G” to visit him cap) is a mobile ministry performing for and working with youth. single “All the Way In,” released in jail. in early 2016, was downloaded 6,000 times “He was reaching out to touch me On the streets, Office led gangs. from iTunes. By the end of 2016, the group through the glass,” he recalled July 10. “And In church, kids gravitated to him. released “All the Way Up,” a Falcons anthem.

I saw what I had always said I wouldn’t make He and his brother Franco, a drummer, It was downloaded 100,000. happen. I always said I would be there for dabbled in music, putting a their spin on gosOn June 17, the group released its first my son. I didn’t have my father and I always pel music. By 2006 he had launched M.A.D.E CD, the 18-track “Faithful & Furious,” featursaid I wouldn’t do that to my kids. It woke 4 Christ, which stands for Made And Defi- ing both singles. me up.” nitely Equipped, is a mobile youth and music M.A.D.E 4 Christ, now a mobile ministry, After lashing out at his wife for bringing ministry. Office began first mentoring the is more than about performing for young the toddler to jail to see him, he went back kids who were drawn to him. people across Atlanta and South Georgia. It to his cell and cried like a baby.

“I let them know how important God also hosts food and school supply drives, and “I said to myself that I am not doing this is,” he said. “We prayed together, and we sponsor small home repairs and lawn care no more,” he said. discussed things they couldn’t discuss with services for the elderly and the needy.

Six months after he got out of jail, Office their parents.”

On July 22, 2017 Family & Back-toreturned to the Seventh Day Pentecostal Soon he was was producing singers, School Expo at the Mall at Stonecrest, Church in Scottdale where he grew up, and dancers, rappers, and instrumentalists.

M.A.D.E 4 Christ will be on the Main Stage gave his life to God. Looking back, Office, They performed at events at their church near Sears at 4 p.m. now 38, said that without God in his life, one and at others. By 2010, the ministry included To see M.A.D.E 4 Christ perform, visit of three things would have been his fate.

M.A.D.E Records, a Christian recording www.youtube.com/user/made4ChristMusic.

“I would be dead, jailed or paralyzed,” company helping young people to pursue For more information, visit Made4Christ. he said. their dreams of becoming professional music com.

Up and coming A year after she mesmerized the audience at the 2016 Family and Back-to-School Expo, Kayla Wyatt is a rising 10th-grader at the Academy of Liberal Arts at Newton High School in Covington, and still standing tall.

Kayla, now 15, will return to the Main Stage at the CrossRoadsNews 12th Annual Family and Back-to-School Expo on July 22.

She will sing at 3:15 p.m.

An actor, model, dancer and singer, Kayla continues to use her many talents to stand up

Free health screenings for hypertension, diabetes available for parents Free health screenings for high blood pressure and diabetes will be available at the CrossRoadsNews 12th annual Family and Back-to-School Expo on July 22 at the Mall at Stonecrest.

Oakhurst Medical Centers will offer both blood pressure and diabetes screenings from its booth.

The nonprofit Compassionate Nurses Inc. will offer blood pressure screenings and tips on natural holistic treatments for stress, diabetes and hypertension.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is often called the silent killer because victims are often unaware that they have it.

Betty Muhammad, Compassionate Nurses’ founder, said she will also share information about their Family Life Center at 3300 Memorial Drive in Decatur, which offers boys-to-men mentoring, a bookstore, food pantry, and resources to combat domestic violence.

The expo takes place between noon and 5 p.m. on the mall’s lower level.

The Mall at Stonecrest is at Turner Hill Road and I-20. For more information about the expo, call 404-284-1888.

Expo goers can get their blood pressure and blood sugar tested and pick up information to help their children have a successful school year.

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“I was young once. I didn’t have a lot support. I didn’t have a lot of people to back me up. I know what it is like.”

Kayla Wyatt, now a 10thgrader, will sing her anti-bullying song “Stand Tall” from the Family & Back-to-School Main Stage at the Mall at Stonecrest.

singer, dancer still standing tall for those who can’t do it for themselves.

In her song and video “Stand Tall,” released last year, she discourages kids from bullying, which is a common problem in many schools locally and nationally.

Kayla was born to be on stage, and she hasn’t looked back since she won the Little Miss Newton County pageant at age 3 with a hip-hop version of the ABCs. She made her film debut as Carlie in the short film “My Hue of Blue” and in November 2015, won a best supporting actress

nomination for her performance.

Now a sought-after speaker in the Newton County School district, Kayla also dances with her school’s marching band.

The Back-to-School Expo takes place noon to 5 p.m. at the Mall at Stonecrest, located at Turner Hill Road and I-20.

Hear Kayla Wyatt sing “Stand Tall” at https://soundcloud.com/user-276549592/ stand-tall-by-kayla-wyatt and at https://youtu. be/pd0jqGR9Ang. Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre’s interactive game teaches and entertains at the same time.

Family food game to dish on lunch

Kids and adults can explore “What’s in That Lunch Anyway!?,” a fun interactive game that encourage healthy eating, active living and dental health.

The game, which is a program of Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre, gets the audience to guess things like the sugar, salt and fat content of the food they eat, and the number of steps a day they should take to stay healthy.

The game will help answer questions like: n If you eat an apple, do you still have to brush your teeth?

n How much sugar is in that granola bar? n Just because a drink is orange, does that mean

it’s orange juice? n Is it Fruit, or False? n How many roads must a man walk down before he reaches 10,000 steps?

These answers and more will be answered during “What’s in that Lunch, Anyway?!” at the July 22 CrossRoadsNews Family & Back-toSchool Expo at the Mall at Stonecrest.

The expo will be on the mall’s lower level, noon to 5 p.m.

The Mall at Stonecrest is at Turner Hill Road and I-20.

Demarquez “Ya Boy Majik” Grissom launched his nonprofit Project GRIND in his junior year at Syracus University. It mentors middle and high schoolers, encouraging then to stay in school.

Majik’s passion is music and kids

By Jennifer Ffrench Parker

Demarquez “Ya Boy Majik” Grissom has been making music since high school but he got really serious about it when he enrolled at Syracuse University in 2013 on full-ride Posse and Gates Millenium scholarships.

Grissom, who is a Grady baby, grew up in Carver Homes and graduated from Carver High School. Now a college senior, set to graduate next May with a bachelor’s degree in education, he is using his music to make a difference in the lives of young people.

“Youth development and music are my passion,” he said July 12. “I love working with youth to explore their passion and creativity, and encouraging them to be themselves.”

A poet, mentor and motivational speaker, Grissom uses his music to inspire middle-schoolers to be themselves, find their voice, and learn to be successful, independent and respectful.

On July 22, he will perform at the CrossRoadsNew 12th annual Family and Back-to-School Expo with the message to young people that “every road is hard, and every journey is long, but every process is worth it.”

He will be on the Main Stage, near Sears, at 1:45 p.m.

Grissom’s recordings include “Majik Trixks/The Esxape,” 11 tracks that tell his story of how he made it one lesson at a time.

During his freshman year at Syracuse, Grissom, who is “Ya Boy Majik” to his fans, founded Project Greatness Resides in

Non-stop Dedication (G.R.I.N.D) to mentor kids in grades six to eight.

“I was young once,” said Grisson, 22. “I didn’t have a lot support. I didn’t have a lot of people to back me up. I know what it is like.”

He currently works with students from three middle and three high schools and five recreation centers in Syracuse. When he graduates, he plans to relocate Project GRIND to Atlanta and continue his mission to help kids stay on the straight and narrow path.

When he was in middle and high schools, Grissom, who also teaches social studies, creative writing and physical education to middle and high school students, said that even though he got good grades in school he was disruptive, rebellious, hard-headed, and disrespectful.

“I wanted to be cool,” he recalled. “I was a kid that was bullied, and I turned from being bullied to being a bully. If you ask any of my teachers from back then, they will tell you I did a 180 degree.”

Grissom said he changed his ways when his coaches, teachers and mentors told him he could do better and be better.

He listened.

Now he is sharing his life’s experience to helping 13- to 15-year-olds who might be doing bad, to do good, stay in school and stay away from the streets.

“I show them a different route,” he said. “I tell them that it’s worth it to stay active and be engaged and do well. I tell them they can be great individuals and good citizens.”

For more information, visit www.instagram.com/yaboymajik/ and https://vimeo. com/168383964.

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With a meal plan in your possession, shopping and packing healthy lunches is a snap.

Good planning yields tasty and nutritious back-to-school meals

By Asata Reid

Chef Asata Reid will have samples of something healthy and tasty.

She will be on the Main Stage, near Sears, at the July 22 Family & Backto-School Expo at 2 p.m.

As summer winds down, and back-toschool looms on the horizon, many parents rejoice because their grocery bill will get a reprieve.

Something about long days, summer camp, trips to the pool and a bunch of sleepovers that creates kids who seem hungry around the clock and prone to endless snacking.

Once that school bell rings, we reclaim our routine of three square meals a day, plus a healthy snack or two, but are you ready?

Fail to plan, plan to fail How prepared are you to maximize your children’s nutrition when their grazing is cut short by the regimen of the school day?

Meal planning is an easy tool to make sure your superstars are loaded with the maximum nutrition to prepare their minds and bodies for the rigors of school.

Meal planning using the MyPlate template designed by the USDA is a simple way to ensure breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks are providing balanced nutrition. And with a meal plan in your possession, shopping and packing healthy lunches is a snap. Let’s take a look.

Include the four food group for a balanced meal If you are able to get all four food groups into a meal, then that meal is fairly balanced.

Here are examples of what we assume to be a balanced meal; let’s find ways to tweak them for better nutrition.

Breakfast Lunch Balanced nutrition The USDA’s MyPlate diagram focuses Blueberry waffle Turkey sandwich on dividing each meal roughly into four Syrup Fruit snacks food groups: vegetables, fruits, grains and Fruit salad Chips protein. The dairy category is placed off to the side, implying milk, but for those who Sausage link Granola bar consume dairy, it’s pretty easy to meet the Apple daily requirements through milk, yogurt, and cheese; for those who don’t eat dairy, the calcium and protein can be fulfilled fat in this meal as well. through other foods.

Lunch is a very carb-heavy meal, with two So for now, let’s focus on the four food slices of bread for the sandwich, sugary fruit groups represented on the plate itself. snacks and granola bars, and chips all adding to the carbohydrate load.

Analysis Lessen the load with a whole-grain tortilla If you look at our chart of a typical meal instead of a sandwich, real fruit instead of fruit day, in the breakfast components almost snacks, and crunchy vegetables with dips like everything but the sausage has a significant hummus or guacamole instead of chips. carbohydrate load. And simply put, carboMake sure granola bars and trail mixes hydrates break down into sugar. Sure, fresh have a decent amount of protein (try to find fruit has fiber, vitamins and minerals, but 4 grams of protein) and that they aren’t just this breakfast could use a tune-up. sugar treats disguised as health foods.

Using whole grains – such as wheat – as In the snack, carbohydrates are again the the base for the waffle mix and stirring in focus. Whole-grain crackers can be paired an egg white for lean protein along with with cheeses and nut butters for protein. Fresh some ground flax or chia seeds for protein, fruits or frozen fruit/vegetable smoothies are fiber and increased omega-3s would make more fulfilling and nutritious choices over a healthier waffle. Subbing a leaner protein plain fruit juice which is, let’s face it, basically for the sausage would decrease the saturated a sugar bomb. Yogurt – provided it doesn’t

Snack

Dinner

Goldfish crackers

Baked chicken

Apple juice

Broccoli Yellow rice Hawaiian rolls

have too much sugar – is another good snack alternative that has protein, calcium and vitamin D as well as probiotics, which are good for digestive health.

Finally, dinner is off to a good start with lean protein and fresh vegetables; however, yellow rice has a lot of sodium and preservatives if it is made from the package, and it’s a refined (simple) carbohydrate that just adds to the carb-load of the day. Brown rice, rice and peas or a cooked bean likeblack-eyed peas or pinto beans would be a good substitute. Also, the Hawaiian rolls are really sweet and soft (more preservatives), and a better choice could be cornbread (corn is a whole grain), or a whole wheat roll.

Balance is key When we take a look at the actual foods we use to create menus for the week, it is

important to think about how these foods are interpreted by our bodies.

Will that food count as a carbohydrate, a protein, a fat or something else? What vitamins and minerals does that food provide?

As we do so, we are able to spot things like excess carbohydrates and excess fats, excess salt and excess sugar – all of which contribute to excess calories and other unhealthy effects.

Balancing out our foods throughout the day ensures we get balanced nutrition. And with the long school days ahead, and after school practices and activities, our kids need the best nutrition they can get in order to excel and achieve.

Planning your meals for the week – including school lunches – can give you a snapshot of how balanced your family is eating, and allow you to make adjustments on paper before you spend money at the grocery store.

Take a few minutes each week to plan your meals, create your list, and do your shopping so that you are well-equipped to provide healthy choices for your family while saving time and money.

Have a great school year!

Chef Asata Reid, MS Ed, is the nutritionist at the Healing Community Center in Atlanta.

Through her company, Life Chef, she has taught healthy eating and community wellness for all life stages and ages. She will hold a cooking demonstration at the Back-to-School Expo at 2 p.m.

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“Now is the time for us to make it crystal clear what we’re about – a community that values education, its schools

Two-year ‘I Love DeKalb Schools’ campaign highlights district’s value As students prepare to head back to school on Aug. 7, the DeKalb County School District will be entreating them and their parents to show their love for it.

On July 10, the district unveiled the first pieces of what it is calling “a revolutionary marketing effort” to highlight the community’s investment in the success of its schools.

The three-phase “I Love DeKalb Schools” campaign is designed to remind all stakeholders of the value of DeKalb schools, and to counter mainstream perceptions and attitudes that School Superintendent/CEO Dr. R. Stephen Green says “don’t accurately reflect the work of students and staff.”

“In two years, DCSD has made dramatic progress in student achievement and delivering deep teaching and learning,” Green said. “Now is the Stephen Green time for us to make it crystal clear what we’re about – a community that values education, its schools and its stakeholders.”

Green said the “I Love DeKalb Schools” campaign, which will take place over two school years, 2017 to 2019, will allow the district to better control its narrative and tell its own story.

In the first of the campaign’s three phases,

seven billboards have been posted around I-285 and I-20 and other strategic locations across the county.

District spokesman Andre Riley said the first phase will cost $85,710, which will be spent on billboards, television commercials and print ads.

“This cost is spread out over two budget cycles,” he said. “Phases 2 and 3 are tentatively expected to take place during the next school year.”

The billboards will be located at I-285 North at Covington Highway; I-285 West at New Peachtree Road; I-20 East at Wesley

Chapel; Memorial Drive and Hairston Road; I-20 and East Klondike Road; Peachtree Industrial Blvd; and 556 Buford Hwy/Clairmont Road.

The district has also launched a new webpage, www.dekalbschoolsga.org/ilovedcsd, with “Inspire, Achieve, Excel” messaging that reflects its unity, spirit and diversity.

On the website, the district says it takes a village for a community to thrive and that is why it is celebrating the district’s heartbeat – its staff, students, families, and alumni.

“We’re proud, DCSD Proud,” it says. “Our culture is rich, authentic, strong, and we’re

on the rise.”

Phase 1 of the campaign also includes print ads, television commercials, and an original jingle performed by DCSD students.

There are also promotional materials and social media initiatives.

The district says the campaign will create a strong presence in the metro Atlanta K-12 landscape through media impressions, social engagement and increased website traffic, and that it will be used as a promotional tool to recruit new students and families to the district.

It says the marketing effort, developed by the district’s Division of Communications and Community Relations, is the first wave of a push to re-establish the district’s links with its community.

Other efforts include an external newsletter, a district news magazine, a new flyer management system, the district’s co-branding efforts and a re-dedication to social media.

On its website, families and alumni are encouraged to download the campaign’s logo and add it to T-shirts, posters, buttons and to their own websites and social media sites.

They can also share share their experiences and memories of the district, and inspire others with their testimony about why they love DeKalb Schools, at www. dekalbschoolsga.org/ilovedcsd.

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“What you think school will be like for your child is likely based on what school was like for you.”

Use these tips to limit separation anxiety and first-day jitters

By Angelina T. Velasquez

Parents sending their first child to school – whether pre-school, kindergarten, or college – are likely to experience many emotions, including some separation anxiety.

The 2015 Children’s Mental Health Report found that up to 80 percent of children and teens experience varying degrees of separation anxiety.

Lawrence Cohen, Ph.D., author of “Playful Parenting,” said parents have to remove their fears about children going to school.

“What you think school will be like for your child is likely based on what school was like for you,” he said. “It’s therefore important to recognize that your child may have a very

different experience than you did.”

Parents should keep in mind that while it is a first-time experience for both of them, it is also a necessary part of growing up.

Here are a few tips from educators, parenting experts, and child psychologists to help ease the pangs of separation anxiety.

Plan a school visit Introduce your child to the school and take advantage of open house opportunities. The more familiar your child is with the school, classroom, and teacher the easier it will be to say your “see you later.”

citing event are more likely to have children who are filled with first-day excitement than nerves. Establish a routine of common school activities, such as drawing, storytelling, or play dates with other children in the weeks leading up to the start of school.

Bring a piece of home Whether your child is 4 or 18 years old, there is no better way to ease a transition than packing a piece of home for comfort. For children this may be wearing their favorite t-shirt, finding a note from you in their lunch box, or their favorite snack.

Find ways to reassure children Establish a goodbye routine Parents who make going to school an exExchanging silly faces, a fun handshake,

or even a quirky dance move can make all the difference in your child’s demeanor and create a sense of comfort.

Don’t linger This may be the most difficult task for a parent who wants to watch their child walk through the school doors and into their classroom, but it may the very reason you or your child open the floodgates to tears. Say your farewell and walk away.

Like most things, the first step is the most challenging, but after a few weeks parent and child will fall into a routine and no longer have trouble saying “see you later.”

In fact, sending your child to school may become your favorite part of the day.

Parents who teach children to plan set the stage for long-term success successful beyond the classroom.

With the first day of school a mere Here are a few tips to help you and three weeks away, parents can prepare now your child set goals for the new school to help their children have a successful year. academic year.

Experts say savvy parents can help Discuss your child’s interests their children map out goals and plan to This may include joining school clubs, succeed. earning better grades, or making new Stephanie Donaldson-Pressman, clinifriends. You should be aware of what cal director for New England’s Center for interests your child, and it’s also a good Pediatric Psychology, said goal-setting idea to discuss with your children which builds character and resilience in chilinterests should be priorities or can easily dren. be accomplished.

“If children are going to become academically successful, they need to feel Set SMART goals ownership of their education,” she said.

Help kids set simple goals that are Whether your child is in elementary, specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, middle or high school, the experts say it is never too early or late to get involved in children’s academic and time-bound.

Choosing goals that can be measured allows children to journey and overall development.

They say that the ability to take ownership and follow keep track of the progress they are making and give them a through will build the resiliency that will make children sense of accomplishment.

Know, use your child’s resources It is important for parents to build rapport with their children’s teachers, and to know school resources and extracurricular opportunities that promote growth and success.

The more ways they know, the better they are able to steer their children to satisfying opportunities.

Keep track of progress Parents can also help their children choose a fun calendar to set benchmark dates and keep track, visually, of their progress. Calendars are especially useful when children do not feel they are making progress and need a visual reminder.

Buy them colorful pens and markers, stickers, and Post-It notes to make it fun.

Reward success Rewards help to encourage and reinforce positive behavior, and it is important to acknowledge your children’s efforts and accomplishments. Finally, as your children meet and set new goals, remember this is an opportunity for both of you to develop a closer bond.

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“This is the kickoff for the school year and they don’t want to miss out.”

Open houses offer students, parents a window into new school year

By Tekia Parks

Before DeKalb County Schools open on Aug. 7 for the 2017-2018 school year, students and their parents can visit their classrooms and meet their teachers at open houses being held at all of the schools across the district Aug. 2 and 3.

The district’s 84 elementary schools and 20 middle schools will host open houses on Aug. 2. The elementary schools’ will be 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and the middle schools will be 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The 21 high schools will have their open houses on Aug. 3. Ninth-graders and students who are new to the district will meet from 2 p.m to 4 p.m. All other students will meet 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Open houses offer students the opportunity to take some of the mystery out of the first day of school.

They can meet their new teachers, catch up with the ones they know, find out what will be expected of them, and see who some of their classmates will be.

Chaquita Bradley, a secretary at Redan Elementary in Lithonia, said it’s a great opportunity to get a jump on the school year and that many parents and students take advantage of the opportunity.

“This is the kickoff for the school year and they don’t want to miss out,” she said.

Bradley said her school will be sending a Calling Post notification to registered students. During the open houses, school supply lists will be available, and parents can buy school agendas. Parents and students who are new to the school or new to the district can tour the school.

Middle and high school students can get their class schedules, syllabuses and locker assignments.

To help keep parents and students on track, all 125 schools and centers will be sending out phone messages to inform parents about their school’s open house.

For more information, call 678-676-1200 or visit www.dekalbschoolsga.org/.

School open houses offer parents and students the opportunity to meet staff and teachers, get information, and find out what to expect for the school year.

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