SPECIAL SECTION | SEPTEMBER 16-29, 2016
Fall 2016
EDUCATION GUIDE Theater offers a part in ‘the ultimate group project’
HIL MOSIER
Sam Reed, left, a student at The Galloway School in Sandy Springs, rehearses for “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged,” in the school’s Chaddick Theater on Sept. 8. PHIL MOSIER
For some local high schoolers, plays really are the thing
Farm-to-cafeteria: Schools provide fresh local produce for lunch
BY DONNA WILLIAMS LEWIS
BY LESLIE JOHNSON
It says something about a high school class when a fire alarm goes off and nobody races gleefully for the door. Pace Academy theater teacher Sean Bryan said his “entire class moaned in great frustration” when a fire drill sounded during a recent acting class. His students were
doing their daily warmup — mimicking the leader of the moment in interpreting music through movement. “They were frustrated because they were having a blast,” Bryan said. On top of that, darn it, they had to put their shoes back on. See FOR on page 2
Here’s some food for thought: For thousands of metro Atlanta schoolchildren, the proverbial apple-a-day may come from just around the corner, thanks to a national farm-to-school initiative. In fact, healthy produce on the school lunch menu could be sprouting from as
close as a school garden that students help maintain and harvest, within a few hours’ drive on a Georgia farm or a stone’s throw regionally, in Florida or North Carolina. Since 2011, the school nutrition programs in the DeKalb and Fulton systems have participated in the National Farm to See FARM on page 14
TURNAROUND STRATEGIES Challenges for public schools
FAILING SCHOOLS Gov. Deal proposes state takeover
BACK-TO-SCHOOL COSTS Expect to pay more
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2 | Education Guide
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Curious. Caring. Collaborative. in five languages.
For some local high schoolers, plays really are the thing
A Continued from page 1
Open House December 3, 2016 • Full immersion preschool and dual immersion primary programs in French, German and Spanish • International Baccalaureate curriculum, 3-year-olds—grade 12 • Innovative design technology core classes • A community of local families and families from over 90 countries
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Pace began offering Upper School acting classes for the first time with Bryan’s arrival last school year. It joins other local high schools in taking theater far beyond the realm of just an after-school activity. Theater programs are growing at some area schools, despite education’s love affair with STEM, a curriculum that focuses on science, technology, engineering and math. Schools such as North Springs Charter High School have jumped on the “Picking Up STEAM (STEM+ A for Arts)” train, with Travis Chapman working as their full-time coordinator on the trending national initiative. STEAM recognizes that technical success requires creativity and critical thinking skills best developed through exposure to the arts, Chapman said. Theater, for example, is the ultimate group project. “There are so many tasks to be done to get to the final product, which is opening night,” Bryan said. “We have technical students, musicians, actors, assistant directors ... Everyone can’t be Dorothy [in the “Wizard of Oz”], but we still need to find a crystal ball for the Wicked Witch of the West.” Megan Cramer, the new Upper Learning theater teacher at The Galloway
School, has worked as associate artistic director of New York City’s 52nd Street Project, a nonprofit that connects inner-city kids with theater professionals. She said students have told her theater enhanced their presentation skills and taught them a lot about themselves and others. “The students can come together to work on a project and be able to present it to human beings in a space and in a moment that they share together,” Cramer said, “That’s so rare right now.” And it’s valued. Upper Learning students can earn class credit for working on school shows, she said. David Gay, a 25-year teacher in his second year at Dunwoody High School, said his theater classes prepare students who want to become professionals, but offer something for everyone. “You can act, build a set, work on a light board or a sound board,” Gay said. “For some people, this is an outlet where they find acceptance, community and family.” Raina Williams was feeling her way as a new freshman at Pace last year when a friend talked her into auditioning for the musical “Legally Blonde.” “I froze and I freaked out,” Williams said. “I didn’t even go back the next day for
Myron Parker, North Springs Charter High School
Celine Lagrange, Riverwood International Charter School
“Honestly, I never intended to join my school theater department because I didn’t think it would benefit me in my film career. But after getting involved in the classes, I’ve learned that theater is the foundation of any form of acting. Through three years of active participation in the productions, I’ve obtained many skills I would never have been able to develop on my own, and have learned how to appreciate the craft on a much deeper level.”
“I enjoy taking part in theater for more than the fact that I love acting. In the beginning of my high school career, I was too scared to perform in front of others. Thanks to my experiences in theater my freshmen year, I grew more confident. Now I keep returning to perform at my high school because of all the friends I’ve made. Returning for a new production is like attending a family reunion.”
Education Guide | 3
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Curriculum developed for the individual child LEFT AND ABOVE PHOTOS, JAMES BARKER PHOTOGRAPHY; RIGHT, PHIL MOSIER
Passionate and nurturing teachers
A: Riverwood International Charter School Theater members pose with the “Lend Me a Tenor” script.
Bright Horizons at Buckhead 3565 Piedmont Road NE, Building 3, Suite T-100 Atlanta, GA 30305 404.467.9628 | www.brighthorizons.com/buckheadrep
B: Riverwood’s Chip Carter, left, and Joe Virgin rehearse for the show.
2015 Bright Horizons Family Solutions, LLC
©
C: Theater instructor Megan Cramer, center, directs Ellie Kaufman during “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged” rehearsal at The Galloway School on Sept. 8.
the second part of the audition.” Somehow, Bryan saw potential behind the panic and cast Williams in non-speaking roles in that musical and others. She’s also worked props. “I just fell in love with the singing, dancing and the whole backstage thing of being in musicals,” Williams said. “There are costume changes, props that need to be distributed, managers keeping you on task. It’s like magic. I don’t know how it happens.” Williams has landed her first speaking role in the play “A Piece of My Heart,” the production to be staged at Pace this fall, and said theater has helped her manage stress. “Anyone can do theater and everyone should,” she said. “It has made me a happier person because it’s kind of an alternative way to express how I feel. It’s really like, for
Raina Williams, Pace Academy “I do theater because I simply can’t stop doing theater. When I decided to become involved in theater last year, I pictured us running around the stage as wild animals or meditating to get into to character. But theater is not that abstract concept I had in my mind; it’s about portraying human emotions in the most realistic way possible. Once I realized the simplicity of it, theater became the avenue for my emotions. Having that release has made me a happier person and that — and the fact that it’s fun — is why I do theater.
potential. realized.
C me, uplifting.” Bryan said theater also forces students to develop empathy as they step into another character’s perspective. Jon Tyler Owens, who teaches theater at North Springs Charter High School, reflected on the intimacy of live theater. “When you’re in a room with a good actor of a good company of actors, it can be a transcending
watch your child do good things • Beginners (3-year-olds)
Continued on page 4
through 8th grade
Lawrence Nieves, The Galloway School
• Extended-day program available
“I’ve never seen a group of kids so singlehandedly devoted to helping create a show. From costuming, to stagecraft, lighting, directing, choreography and more, students all want to help, and Galloway provides the ability to try whatever we want.”
• Preparation for Atlanta’s top high schools
• Respectful, collaborative learning environment
• Welcoming Christian atmosphere
Sarah Packman, Lovett School “By the end of a production, you are like a family with the other performers and you get to share that with the audience.”
open house November 5, 2016 9:30 a.m.- noon
404.228.0709 stmartinschool.org 3110-A Ashford Dunwoody Rd. Brookhaven, GA 30319
4 | Education Guide
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For some local high schoolers, plays really are the thing
D Continued from page 3
In July, students explored Glacier National Park during an Isdell Center for Global Leadership (ICGL) study tour. Photograph by Pace teacher Gus Whyte
big
We think Connecting learning to life at every level.
paceacademy.org/admissions
experience,” Owens said. “It can be kind of a game changer about how you view experiences, without the filter of a lens, which adds a separation.” Theater changed the game big-time for Galloway senior Isabella Swaak, who said she used to be “super shy.” “I felt like an outcast. I was taller than everyone, not as skinny as everyone,” she said. But after playing a sassy role in “The Little Mermaid” years ago, Isabella worked to take on some of the traits she admired about her character. She learned to love her body and became more self-confident, she said, stepping away from a recent rehearsal for “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged).” At Dunwoody, Gay almost can’t talk about theater without bringing up DHS’ competitive speech team, which he started. “I tell students (speech) will change you,” said Gay, a “Triple-Diamond coach” in the
Reed Stewart, Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School “I started out in theater because I wasn’t very competitive in sports and I wanted to be involved in a community that included people from other grades. I fell in love with theater from the first rehearsal because it was an environment that I could truly be myself. I wasn’t afraid to act silly and let go because I was and still continue to be surrounded by people that accept me for who I am. I have never been an outspoken person or a public speaker, but on stage I am able to overcome my fear of public speaking and step into a character for hours at a time. “
E PHOTOS BY PHIL MOSIER; F, JAMES BARKER PHOTOGRAPHY
D: Dunwoody High School Music Director Mark Lamback, at piano, leads the school’s theater group through rehearsal of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” on Sept. 8. E: From left, Steff Rinzler, Isabella Swaak, top, Derrick Bass, and Cole Smith, right, practice during “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged” at The Galloway School on Sept. 8. F: Natalie Peek and Carlos Obregon get into character for Riverwood’s upcoming “Lend Me a Tenor” production. G: Chloe Kahn sings during rehearsal for Dunwoody High School’s play opening Oct. 20. H: Abby Vogelsang gives it her all in front of other Galloway theater students.
Blake Rosen, The Weber School “There is nothing as cathartic as live theatre. Engaging in an ensemble in every show makes me feel accepted for who I am, and working with the cast and crew at my high school provides unforgettable memories and learning experiences I will keep with me for the rest of my life.”
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Education Guide | 5
SEPTEMBER. 16 - 29, 2016 ■ www.ReporterNewspapers.net
F
G
H National Speech & Debate Association. Senior Patrick Clinch joined the team last year and became a national qualifier in the finals for humorous interpretation. Clinch is one of the leaders of Dunwoody’s improv troupe, which performs monthly. He said theater has been a great way to burn off some of his pent-up energy, and it has made him feel confident about his ability to present and perform before audiences. “It can be difficult to be in high school, where there are a lot of social stratifications,” Clinch added. “Theater brings people together in a very unique way.” At North Springs, which has magnet programs in math/sciences and visual/ performing arts, Owens teaches an acting track and Joel King teaches a technical theater track. They stage three main productions a year. Their program’s motto: “We don’t do high school shows. We do professional shows with high school students.” They always do understudy shows of their productions, exposing more students to audiences. One of these shows became a defining moment for North Springs senior Myron Parker, who plays a slave named “Miles” in the PBS series “Mercy Street.”
Emily Brothman, North Springs Charter High School “The theater program offers me an opportunity for self-expression that I am not otherwise provided in school. The performing arts are truly amazing because they not only allow people to challenge their creativity and become open to new ideas, but also have fun while doing so.”
Parker said he started high school as a cocky film actor who didn’t think theater could do much for him. He signed up after he heard other actors talking about its benefits. By junior year he was getting lead roles in school plays “and not thinking about it hard,” Parker said. So he was stunned after he auditioned for a part in Henrik Ibsen’s play “Hedda Gabler” to find that not only was he cast as an understudy, it wasn’t even for a lead part. “I was very much devastated,” Parker said. “It was a really humbling experience.” But Parker said he “sucked it up,” and plunged into his character, “decoding” Ellert Lovborg until he understood him completely. In the end, the understudy show was “one of the most powerful performances that I’ve ever seen,” Parker said. “People in the audience were crying. That’s an experience I think I’ll take throughout my entire life.” His theater teacher, who studied Shakespeare in the United Kingdom as a Fulbright scholar, had always said he never wanted to teach high school students. But Owens’ need for a job coincided with an opening at North Springs five years ago. After a “horrible” first year, Owens said he has grown to appreciate a job he doesn’t plan to leave anytime soon. “There’s something really special about watching these kids develop,” he said. “Sometimes they make me so mad, but sometimes they make me so proud I’ve got tears in my eyes.”
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Natalie Peek, Riverwood International Charter School “Theater is the art of catharsis. To be submerged in a character allows one to learn about the human experience. Riverwood’s theater has always been a safe space at our school, with the actors, tech and our director. At the end of the day, it’s incredibly fun.”
love of learning starts here
6 | Education Guide
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Celebrating the Present, Preparing for the Future At Trinity, students get to savor their childhood while also acquiring a deep academic foundation and developing responsibility, leadership, and a strong sense of self. Everything we do is designed to help children ages three through Sixth Grade flourish.
Local High School Theater Fall Playlist Pace Academy
The Westminster Schools
Trinity School is a magical place. Come see for yourself. Trinity School Open House Dates: 2016 October 26 | 9:30 AM November 15 | 9:30 AM December 8 | 9:30 AM
Sept. 29-30 and Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. and Sept. 23 at 4 p.m. in the Pace Academy Fine Arts Center, 966 W. Paces Ferry Road NW.
in Kellett Theatre at the Broyles Arts Center on the Westminster campus Tickets: Free
Tickets: Free
2017 January 18 | 9:30 AM Reserve your spot today: 404-231-8118 trinityatl.org
Oct. 28-29 at 7 p.m. in Kellett Theatre at the Broyles Arts Center on the Westminster campus Tickets: Free
Nov. 10-12 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 13 at 2:30 p.m.
Riverwood International Charter School
in the Pace Academy Fine Arts Center, 966 W. Paces Ferry Road NW. Tickets: $20 adults; $10 students
North Springs Charter High School
dyslexia
Oct. 6, 7 and 8 at 7 p.m. and Oct. 9 at 3 p.m. in the school auditorium, 5900 Raider Drive NW Tickets: $15 adults; $10 students
Galloway School Sept. 29, 30, Oct 1, 6, 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 8 at 3 p.m. (understudy show) on the North Springs Main Stage Theatre, 7447 Roswell Road
Workshops
Parent Education Series, 2016-17 Swift School welcomes parents and community members to engage with top experts and school staff to become proactive and informed - as we educate our students to realize their full potential. Workshops are free, but registration is required. theswiftschool.org/parent-series
A holistic education for students with dyslexia
Tickets: $15 adults; $8 students Oct. 14 and Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. and Oct. 16 at 2 p.m.
Cyber Safety Tues., Oct. 4, 2016; 8:30 a.m.
in the Chaddick Center for the Arts on campus
21st Century Skills/ Competencies Tues., Nov. 1, 2016; 8:30 a.m.
Tickets: $10
Dunwoody High School
Executive Functioning & Working Memory Tues., Jan. 10, 2017; 7 p.m. Understanding Assessments Tues., Feb. 7, 2017; 8:30 a.m.
300 Grimes Bridge Rd. Roswell, Georgia 678.205.4988
Dec. 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10 at 7:30 p.m. on the North Springs Main Stage Theatre, 7447 Roswell Road, and Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. (understudy show) in the Black Box Theatre on campus Tickets: $15 adults; $8 students
Oct. 20, 21 at 7 p.m. in the Dunwoody High School Auditorium
Education Guide | 7
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Marist School
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Before Care Oct. 20 and 22 at 7:30 p.m. in Woodruff Auditorium on campus Tickets: $5
St. Pius X Catholic High School
Nov. 2, 3 and 4 at 7 p.m. Nov. 5 and 6 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the Lademacher Performing Arts Center Tickets: $20 for adults; $15 for students
Atlanta Girls’ School K-12 Admissions Event Information can be found at www.wesleyanschool.org/admissions
Oct. 20, 21, 22 at 7 p.m. Oct. 23 at 2 p.m. in the Msgr. Terry Young Center Auditorium on campus Tickets: $7 Nov. 10, 11 and 12 at 7 p.m. in the Tom King Theater
Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. in the Msgr. Terry Young Center Auditorium on campus Tickets: $7 February 16-18, 24 and 25
The Lovett School
in the Tom King Theater
Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School Oct. 27, 28 and 29 at 7 p.m. in the Woodward Theater on campus Tickets: $10
Nov. 10, 11 and 12 at 7 p.m. Nov. 10, 11 and 12 at 7 p.m. in the Hendrix-Chenault Theater on campus Tickets: $10
Weber School
in the Fine Arts Building on the HIES campus. Tickets: $10
Holy Spirit Preparatory School
My History, My Power, My Legacy Nov. 6 and 7
Nov. 10, 11 and 12 at 6 p.m.
at The Southwest Arts Center, 915 New Hope Road , SW Atlanta
in the Upper School Auditorium at 4449 Northside Drive
Tickets: $10; free for students
Tickets: $10
Sources: Various schools
GAAn B’Ahava One of Ahavath Achim Synagogue’s new weekly Sunday programs as a part of the new religious school, Kesher@AA Two and three year-olds will develop their love for Jewish learning as they are empowered to explore, create, and dream through interactive learning methods. Gan means garden and is a place where our littlest sprouts get to grow their roots and begin their Jewish learning. Ahava means love and is the ethos of our early learning center at AA, guiding everything we do. For information on how to enroll, visit www. aasynagogue.org under Lifelong Learning or contact Robyn Faintich, Director of Education, at rfaintich@ aasynagogue.org
8 | Education Guide
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“The goal of early childhood education should be to activate the child’s own natural desire to learn.” PERKINS+WILL
Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Meria Carstarphen at MLK Jr. Middle School.
Dr. Maria Montessori
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Superintendent Meria Carstarphen outlines challenges to come for Atlanta Public Schools BY COLLIN KELLEY Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Meria Carstarphen said she expects the 2016-17 school year to be one of the system’s most challenging as it continues to rebuild from the cheating scandal and faces some of its facilities being taken over by the state for underperformance. When residents go to the polls in November, they will vote on creating the Opportunity School District (OSD), which would allow the state to take over chronically failing schools. There are more than 20 APS schools that fall into that designation. Carstarphen promised last year that she would make aggressive moves to transform APS, which include shuttering some schools and putting others under the management of charter school groups. She said that pay parity for educators, facility quality, security and working to turn around the overall culture of APS was part of the strategy. One thing is for sure: APS is not going back, but forward. “Perhaps the major problem with APS in the past is that it was not child centered, but adult oriented,” Carstarphen said. “There was so much bureaucracy, so much politics. We lost our core purpose.” Since her arrival two years ago, Carstarphen has spent much of her time on the job “rebuilding and fixing problems that were never addressed,” including a $30 million proposition to arrive at pay parity for teachers. Replacing teachers and administrators with the best and brightest has been a hallmark of Carstarphen’s time at APS. She said it’s all part of rebuilding APS’s integrity. “You can’t talk about the future if you don’t fix the past,” Carstarphen said. Carstarphen said she is hopeful that recent comments by Gov. Nathan Deal will keep APS schools out of state hands if the OSD measure passes. “Gov. Deal said meeting achievement targets is the fastest way to get off the OSD radar, but if a school district is showing progress, that might also prevent a takeover.” However, Carstarphen is also realistic. “We’re not going to hit those targets immediately,” she said. “You can’t make a 30-percentage point gain in test scores without cutting corners, and we’re not going back to those days.” Another significant change for APS is the creation of its own police force. Carstarphen said the police department was another component of shifting the culture at APS. “The idea is to rethink a school model that goes beyond physical safety and adds a component of emotional safety,” Carstarphen commented. “The concept is that the officers are not only enforcing laws, but counseling and mentoring children as well.” The new APS police force has a chief of police and 68 officers, who have been trained specifically by grade level, and will work with students to prevent bad behavior and decisions before they happen. “If we want to break the pampers to prison pipeline for black and brown kids, which is really an issue in APS, we have to have people who do the preventive work so the bad decisions never happen,” Carstarphen said. “I don’t want our kids to fear the police, I want them to respect police. They need to have a school environment where the police are seen as an ally and not an enemy.”
Education Guide | 9
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Voters to decide whether state should take over ‘failing’ schools BY DONNA WILLIAMS LEWIS Voters across Georgia soon will decide whether the state should be allowed to take control of chronically failing public schools. Under a proposed constitutional amendment on November ballots, schools that receive an “F” rating from the state Department of Education for three years in a row could be temporarily assigned to a new “Opportunity School District” (OSD). Already, there is a list of schools eligible for state takeover under Gov. Nathan Deal’s proposed plan. It currently includes 127 Georgia schools from 21 school systems. Two schools along metro Atlanta’s northern arc are on the list — DeKalb County’s Montclair and Woodward elementary schools, both lo-
state the authority to more effectively provide support and to remove barriers to students’ success. A group called Georgia Leads on Education is promoting the measure with a video that says it “preserves quality education for kids in good schools and creates new educational opportunity for less fortunate children who need it most.” But the amendment is vigorously opposed by some major teacher and parent organizations. The Georgia Association of Educators calls it a “serious executive over-reach by the governor,” saying the OSD threatens the stability of local schools and undermines local control of the community. The Georgia PTA sys the amendment is flawed
Montclair Elementary School in Brookhaven, considered a chronically failing school, is on the list for a state takeover.
cated in Brookhaven. Overall, about half of the schools eligible for takeover are in metro Atlanta, with 28 in DeKalb County, 22 in the city of Atlanta and 10 in south Fulton County. Several state charter schools in Atlanta and DeKalb are also on the list. Some schools on have closed or merged with others since the list was published. Deal’s proposal would allow the state to add up to 20 failing schools to the OSD each year, with a cap of no more than 100 schools in a district at a time. The state could share or completely assume management of the schools, convert them to charter schools, or close them. The OSD plan, developed after a study of similar programs in Louisiana and Tennessee, says the district would be led by a superintendent who is appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. The superintendent would report directly to the governor. The OSD or OSD charter school governing board would decide whether school employees would keep their positions. Employees not retained after the takeover would continue as employees of their local boards of education, which would decide whether to keep or release them. Dean’s proposal says it would give the
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PHIL MOSIER
and doesn’t address the core of the problem of low achievement. “It is unclear if this amendment is designed to improve education for Georgia’s children, or designed to convert more schools to charter schools with for-profit management companies,” PTA leaders wrote in a letter to elected officials. “While we firmly believe that the state should provide assistance to our children in struggling schools, the root cause of many issues in education is poverty.” All of the currently takeover-eligible schools have high rates of poverty, according to the state. Brookhaven’s Woodward and Montclair elementary schools have an additional challenge in meeting state guidelines. Most of the children at both of schools are in the system’s ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) program. Schools on the state’s takeover-eligibility list scored below 60 on a 100-point scale for three consecutive years on the qualifying measure, the College and Career Ready Performance Index. OSD schools would stay in the district for no more than 10 years and would be removed if they perform above the failing level for three consecutive years. After leaving the district, the schools would return to local control.
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Education Briefs
A POWERFUL LEARNING COMMUNITY
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Student Visit Days: starting 9·20·16 Family Information Nights: 10·6·16 and 11·8·16 Rise Arkin, Director of Admissions 404-917-2500 ext. 117 · risearkin@weberschool.org
Galloway School Middle Learning Principal and long-time softball coach Sarah Armstrong threw the first pitch at the school’s new baseball and softball facilities.
G A L LO WAY B UY S P R O P ER TY
FELICIA PENZELL WEBER
After The Galloway School abandoned its controversial effort to build a new softball complex in Sandy Springs, the school this summer struck a deal with Pace Academy to buy softball and baseball facilities on Warren Road in north Atlanta. “Our purchase of the Warren Road property fulfills the needs that we have at this time for additional athletics facilities to support softball and baseball,” Galloway spokeswoman Claire Horn said in an email. The complex at 2465 Warren Road includes a field and practice facilities for softball and baseball, and is located near the existing Galloway sports complex on Defoors Ferry Road, the school announced. Galloway opened its new sports complex on August 17 with a win by the varsity softball team, who beat North Atlanta High School 9 to 1. Last year, Galloway proposed building a softball facility on High Point Road in Sandy Springs, but the plan met strong opposition from neighbors. In January, Galloway withdrew the proposal. Pace says it will use the money from the sale to build new, state-of-the-art softball and middle-school baseball facilities at its Riverview Sports Complex, located at 5700 Riverview Road in Cobb County. Construction of the new facilities should be completed by late winter 2016, the school said in a press release.
TEC H DES I G NATI O N
Fulton County Schools received a new technology designation that recognizes its leadership in student privacy Continued on page 12
Education Guide | 11
SEPTEMBER. 16 - 29, 2016 ■ www.ReporterNewspapers.net
We are proud of our Vision for 21st Century Learning! In Atlanta, AJA is the only Jewish Day School offering preschool - 12th grade. Our Interdisciplinary Dual Curriculum and Learner-Driven Education model actively engages the children to reach their academic goals. We encourage:
Creativity and Innovation Collaboration Communication Critical Thinking & Problem Solving For a personal tour and to learn more about our wonderful school, please contact Erica Gal, Director of Admissions—404.520.9296 / egal@atljewishacademy.org
www.atljewishacademy.org
404.843.9900
spirit, pride, & community
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SAINT FRANCIS SCHOOLS Providing an exceptional college preparatory program
Education Briefs
SAINT FRANCIS SCHOOL OFFERS: S.A.I.S. / S.A.C.S. Accredited No Religious Affiliation SB 10 Eligible Challenging College Preparatory Curriculum AP, Honors, Traditional, and Support Courses Small Class Size and Low Student/ Teacher Ratio Study/Organizational Skills Wilson Reading System®
ROSWELL CAMPUS Grades 1 - 8 (770) 641-8257 x51
Ms. Ellen Brown, Director of Admissions ebrown@sfschools.net
UPCOMING TOURS Grades 1 - 5 Oct. 19 Nov. 9 Dec. 5
Grades 6 - 8 Oct. 18 Nov. 9 Dec. 6
Intensive Writing Approach S.T.E.A.M., Robotics, Broadcasting, and Video Google Apps for Education Laptops Required After School Homework Hour GHSA Sports Program Football and Equestrian Bus Service Available
Continued from page 8 protection and data security. Awarded by CoSN (the Consortium for School Networking), the Trusted Learning Environment Seal identifies school systems that demonstrate a commitment to ensuring the privacy and security of student data. “Fulton County Schools is pleased to be named among the nation’s top leaders in this important area,” said Serena Sacks, the school system’s chief information officer.
NEW H I ES SCHOO L LEAD ER S
MILTON CAMPUS Grades 9 - 12 (678) 339-9989 x33
Mr. Brandon Bryan, Admissions Coordinator bbryan@sfschools.net
UPCOMING TOURS Oct. 13 Dec. 1 Jan. 12
Saint Francis Elementary and Middle Schools | 9375 Willeo Road | Roswell, GA 30075 Saint Francis High School | 13440 Cogburn Road | Milton, GA 30004 www.saintfrancisschools.com
Steven R. Turner Jr. and Rev. Ricardo Bailey, below
Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School has named a new associate head of school and a new head chaplain. Steven R. Turner Jr., the new associate head of school, was formerly associate head of school for curriculum and instruction, and the middle school division head at Notre Dame de
LEARN TO THINK, LEARN TO LEAD...
Sion School in Kansas City. The new head chaplain, the Rev. Ricardo Bailey, comes to Holy Innocents’ from The Westminster Schools, where he taught Sacred Scripture and The Modern Civil Rights Movement. He was previously a Roman Catholic priest in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta, and also served as the chaplain of Blessed Trinity Catholic High School in Roswell. Bailey was formally received as an Episcopalian priest in 2013.
P I EDM O NT S C HO O L M O V ES
The Piedmont School of Atlanta has moved onto Oglethorpe University’s historic Brookhaven campus. The Piedmont School serves high-achieving children with autism and other learning and social challenges.
SPECIAL
Riverwood International Charter School’s Band and Orchestra Boosters received a $6,000 grant from the Sandy Springs Society.
spiritually academically
R I V ERWO O D G ETS G R A NT
technologically
The Sandy Springs Society has awarded a $6,000 grant to the Riverwood International Charter School Band and Orchestra Boosters. The grant provides specialized music instruction for band and orchestra students as well as for the purchase of a wireless microphone system. The grant will provide support to the growing music program.
athletically culturally artistically
FUTUR E B US INES S L EA DER S
Come Feel the Difference at an Upcoming Open House LOWER AND MIDDLE SCHOOL Main Campus (JK-8)
UPPER SCHOOL North Campus (9-12)
November 10, 2016 – 10 a.m. January 11, 2017 – 10 a.m. February 2, 2017 – 10 a.m.
October 16, 2016 – 2 p.m. November 12, 2016 – 9 a.m. January 12, 2017 – 9 a.m.
www.MtBethelChristian.org • 770-971-0245 •
/MBCAEagles
Seven students from North Springs Charter High School won national recognition this summer at the Future Business Leaders of America National Leadership Conference in Atlanta. More than 9,300 high school students from across the U.S. and other countries took part. North Springs students Ohad Rau, Barnett Buchanan, a team of Sophie Frostbaum, Tanaka Chipere-Chitiyo and Morgan Tatje, Jordan Robinson and Vincent Dukes claimed honors.
Education Guide | 13
SEPTEMBER. 16 - 29, 2016 ■ www.ReporterNewspapers.net
Be Amazed. By and Beyond the Education. In a rapidly changing world, The Davis Academy is committed to preparing students for the future. From age 4 through eighth grade, our students grow through project-based learning, entrepreneurship and global experiences. When they discover the fun in learning, it inspires them to explore, share and learn more. The results are powerful.
BEYOND EXPECTATIONS
But don’t take our word for it. Come see for yourself! Schedule a private tour today or join us for
At Galloway, students (age 3-grade 12) are inspired to be fearless learners, to embrace challenges, and to discover more about themselves and the world around them.
an upcoming event or parent information session. Call 678-527-3300 or visit us online at davisacademy.org/events.
Now accepting applications for the 2017-2018 school year. To learn more and register for an admissions tour, visit
GALLOWAYSCHOOL.ORG/ADMISSIONS 8105 Roberts Drive, Atlanta, GA 30350 | 770-671-0085 | davisacademy.org
OPEN HOUSE
Enjoy brunch, tour the campus, learn about admissions and financial aid!
Saturday, October 8 10am - 12noon
4151 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Suite 130 | Atlanta, GA 30319
• Classes meet one night • •
a week or online Tuition includes books Financial Aid is available
• Fully Accredited • Military Friendly • Transcripts are ordered for you • Over 20 different programs
Pre-Register Now! Call 404.425.5590 or email ayoung@belhaven.edu
14 | Education Guide
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Farm-to-cafeteria: Schools provide fresh local produce for school lunches Continued from page 1
Lovett www.lovett.org
Developing young men and women of honor, faith, and wisdom with the character and intellect to thrive in college and in life.
OPEN HOUSE Saturday, Nov. 12 Kindergarten, 1:00 pm Sunday, Nov. 13 Grades 1–5, 1:00 pm Grades 6–8, 3:30 pm Wednesday, Jan. 25 Grades 9–12, 6:30 pm The Lovett School practices a nondiscriminatory admission policy. Financial aid is available.
School Initiative, where students get to experience fruits and vegetables that are grown locally or regionally. Whether featuring regionally grown produce each month, setting up raised garden beds or potted plants on school campuses, or learning about agriculture and the food journey in the classroom, metro Atlanta schoolchildren are getting a better understanding of nearby food sources and healthy eating choices. “‘Farm to School’ is a national initiative that connects school students to local farmers,” said Joyce R. Wimberly, executive director of School Nutrition Services, DeKalb County School System, in an email. “This program supports the department’s mission to promote lifetime wellness to DeKalb County students and staff by serving meals that are high quality, nutritious, enjoyable and economical.” National interest in farm-to-school efforts has been increasing, according to the USDA’s Farm to School Program page. In 2013-2014, school districts responding to the department’s Farm to School Census purchased almost $800 million in local food from farmers, ranchers, fishermen, and food processors and manufactur-
PHIL MOSIER
Cheri Mills, center, teaches students at Woodland Elementary School in Sandy Springs about acquatic gardens on Sept. 5.
ers, a 105 percent increase over the amount of local food bought in the 2011-2012 school year, when the first such census was conducted, the government organization said. Nationally, 42 percent of school districts responding to the 2015 census have farmto-school programs in place (as of the 20142015 school year) with another 16 percent having plans to start in the future, according to the website. In Dunwoody, Austin, Chesnut, Dunwoody, Kingsley and Vanderlyn elementary schools, Peachtree Middle School and Dunwoody High School take part in the Farm to Table program. In Brookhaven, Cross Keys High School and Ashford Park, Montclair, Montgomery, Kittredge and Woodward elementary schools are on board. And in Sandy Springs, all 11 schools in the city are involved in the program, according to the Fulton County school district. “The program has been very well received,” Wimberly said. “Success is measured by the number of students and staff that try the highlighted Farm to School item each month. Students look forward to the monthly items and the opportunity to taste-test different foods.” Students aren’t just learning about where their food comes from. Ruth Taylor, coordinator, School Nutrition Program at Fulton County Schools, said some schools take field trips to local farms so kids can actually see for themselves, or incorporate agricultural lessons into the curriculum. At schools with gardens, students are actually involved in maintaining and harvesting produce, further making a connection between the source of their food and the meals on their plates. DeKalb County purchases produce from a local produce vendor. Wimberly said seven different farms were used in school year 2015-2016 to supply the Farm to School produce — apples from Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge; strawberries from Mathews Farm in Baxley; peaches from Taylor Or-
Education Guide | 15
SEPTEMBER. 16 - 29, 2016 ■ www.ReporterNewspapers.net
SEIGAKUIN ATLANTA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Japanese-English Bilingual School
3 year olds—6th Grade Absolutely no prior knowledge of Japanese needed for children 5 and under Christian Values After School available until 6:00 PM Japanese students are world-renowned for their high test scores, discipline, and level of academic achievement. At Seigakuin, your child will learn more than just a second language. They will be educated according to the curriculum set forth by the Japanese Ministry of Education—the very same curriculum that has led Japan to the top of the world in academic success.
5505 Winters Chapel Rd, Atlanta, GA 30360 TEL: (770) 730-0045 info@seigakuin.us www.seig.ac.jp/english/atlanta Facebook: www.facebook.com/seigakuin.atlanta
PHIL MOSIER
Aila Courtenay, a second grader at Woodland Elementary School, inspects her Swiss chard that is ready to plant. The school offers a STEM environmental science program, which includes 23 raised garden beds, fruit trees and an acquatic garden containing tilapia.
chards in Reynolds; squash, cucumbers, peppers and cabbage from Moore & Porter in Thomasville, and from Baker Farms and JR Baker Farms, both in Norman Park; and broccoli and kale from Spring Hill Farms in Tifton. Featured produce from Georgia farms in Fulton County schools during 2015-2016 included hydro bibb lettuce from StoneCreek Hydroponics in Hartwell; kale from Herndon Country Farms, Vidalia; cabbage from Southern Valley Fruit & Vegetable, Norman Park; Georgia blueberry juice from Southern Press & Packing in Blackshear; and Georgia cucumbers from Southern Valley in Norman Park. Fulton County schools also get produce from farms in North Carolina and Florida. In the DeKalb system, some Brookhaven/Dunwoody area schools have gardens, including: Chesnut Elementary; Montgomery Elementary; Dunwoody Elementary; Austin Elementary; Peachtree Middle; and Ashford Park Elementary.
Forty Fulton County schools have their own gardens, including Heards Ferry Elementary School and Woodland Charter Elementary School. Taylor said the initiative also includes animal and dairy. On the nutrition program side of the lunch table in Fulton, Taylor said there’s encouragement to work with cafe managers to partner with the school gardens. “In that way we can feature those things and incorporate those in school menus,” she said. “Students can see it from start to finish,” Taylor said. “They’ve held the plant, they grow it, they nurture it, harvest it. They see the cafe at workers prepare it,” Taylor said. “What we know is, when you have that experience as a student, you’re so much more likely to want to try that fresh fruit or vegetable. You see that complete cycle for those students. Anytime we can get that experiential learning, we see that impact on the students.”
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Brookhaven Innovation Academy Now Open!
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BIASCHOOL.ORG
www.biaschool.org
BIA is a new statewide districted public charter school with FREE TUITION, now K — 6th and growing to grades K — 8th by 2018.
NEW CHARTER
Research based instructional learning with emphasis on project based learning, personalized / blended learning, language arts, math & computer coding for all students.
SCHOOL OPENING
ELITE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS COACH Coaching 9th-12th graders exclusively for admissions to: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Brown, Cornell, Dartmouth, Columbia, UPENN, MIT, Stanford, Chicago, West Point, Annapolis, and Air Force Academy Contact: John L. Johnson, Ph.D. (404) 277-2312 -- JLJOHNSON@POST.HARVARD.EDU Initial Consultation: $150
Jed
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Come see Jed speak throughout Atlanta: Dunwoody
Buckhead
Cumberland
Roswell
Alpharetta
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Dr. Jed Applerouth Founder and CEO
An Atlanta native, Jed started Applerouth Tutoring Services in 2001 and has since turned it into a nationallyrecognized leader in the field. Come see Jed speak throughout Atlanta on how to navigate the college admissions process. His seminars will arm you with information and timelines, dispel unhelpful myths, analyze key components of the college application, and explore how test scores and grades factor into the admissions process.
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Applerouth also offers SAT/ACT tutoring, private tutoring, group classes, and subject tutoring. Visit applerouth.com or call us at 404-793-1957 for more information.
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16 | Education Guide
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Back-to-school costs are rising
Source: Huntington and Communities in Schools
R i v e r s i d e M i l i t a r y A c a d e my
T h e B es t i n B o y s E d u c a t i o n f o r 1 0 9 Year s ! Since 1907 Riverside Military Academy has remained one of the nation’s preeminent college preparatory academies educating young men in grades 7-12.
The 2016-17 Corps of Cadets consists of over 500 cadets from 26 countries and 30 states. Call today to schedule your personal tour of our beautiful 206-acre campus.
www.cadet.com
Gainesville, Georgia
Year-round enrollment 15:1 cadet/teacher ratio AP/Honors Programs 14 varsity sports Performing and visual arts programs SACS/SAIS Accredited Worldwide Alumni
770.538.2938