February at a Glance

February has been such a busy month in Student Services that my bloggin' has fallen a bit by the wayside.  Here's a view of some things that have been happening since my last post.  Enjoy!

We said goodbye to long time Administrative Assistant Miss Valerie.  She is off to a new job she is very excited about, but their gain is our loss most certainly.   Life is about change.  Thanks for all Valerie! Best of luck in your next steps.

Troy giving info on autism!

We had another meaningful special education advisory meeting earlier in the month as well.  Held at Drew Charter High School (thanks Don and cool space!), Vickie Cleveland presented the January board presentation on the 2009 SPED audit updates and Troy Keller, a special education coordinator, presented on all things autism programming in APS. He is our resident autism spectrum expert and the info was valuable.  Good questions.  Additionally, Carolyn Harris, another special education coordinator, presented on all things transitions for our students and the advisory was very interested in these post-high school opportunities for kids.  Plus gave input on how we can increase those opportunities for our students.  Good work all.

Look at these great pictures Counselor Coordinator Kenya Gilliard sent to me a couple of weeks ago.  She attended a No Place for Hate activity and came away jazzed about bringing this framework for inclusive practices to all schools.  Love it!  This is part of our PBS foundational support plan and it truly sets a tone for what we believe in APS.  Very foundational, very student and school driven, based on data, need, and focus desired.  A win-win.  Thanks to NAHS counselor Dionne Williams, Brandon Primary Counselor Tamila Whitaker, and NAHS 10th Grade Academy Leaders Deidre King. Here's an overview of the day from Kenya I just have to share...

"I just completed an observation with school counselors and the 10th Grade Academy Leader from NAHS and Morris Brandon.  The two schools collaborated to schedule a Read4Respect activity via the Anti-Defamation League.  The school counselor at NAHS  has arranged for a group of 10th graders to come over to read books to elementary students at Brandon.  The Brandon media specialist was also helpful and ordered  books focused on anti-bullying activities from the Anti-Def reading list.  High school students will receive community service hours for their efforts; and both groups gained an opportunity to practice character traits form the IB Learner profile.   The Brandon teachers were excited and request that the high school students come again.  This was an awesome activity!  Counselors are ready to move No Place For Hate district wide next year as part of our Character Ed. curriculum."

Great Kids and Counselors doing Great Work!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, let's remember to give special thanks to our Social Workers next week as we celebrate their presence and support of our schools.  Social Work Awareness week is upon us, our truly fabulous coordinator Denise Revels brings much to the job at hand, and we couldn't provide the level of service we do without her and her team.  Of course, there never seem to be enough people on the ground, but these folks receive calls at all hours of the night for crisis intervention.  And they are at the school house door next morning, with our counselors too, giving assistance and a bit of love to our kids and families who need it.  Appreciate you all! 

 

 

  

 



At the Capital

Two students from Coretta Scott King High School, two students from Grady High School, and two of our on the ground social workers,  joined Georgia Governor Nathan Deal and several others in show of support for HB 198 one day last week.  The Jason Flatt Act, which is a suicide prevention bill, was being introduced on this day; it serves as a suicide prevention tool related to teacher in-service training. 

As we all know from the news we read, suicide is a very real and scary statistic among our youth.  Though there are resources to help support families and children who are struggling, we also know that the more knowledge we have, the greater chance we have of preventing a needless death.  Purposeful and meaningful legislation which can make a true positive difference.

Shout Outs!

A few things that need celebrating this week...



Coach giving pointers on the sideline

First, a shout out to our Adaptive PE department and district staff - including bus drivers! - who came out for Saturday's Wheelchair Basketball Game.  This was the last home game of the season and these kids gave a lot on the court.  Though our Atlanta Wolfpack did not come away with a win, I am ever so glad I was able to catch the game.  Thanks to the Carl Sanders Buckhead YMCA for hosting. Truly, if you have never been to this type of sporting event, you really need to go.  It was fun and it was inspiring.  Lots of action and lots of heart!




Also, big Kudos to our own Dean of Discipline and Student Relations Chantel Mullen for continuing to spearhead the Do the Write Thing contest at our Middle School campuses.  According to the contest flyer from The National Campaign to Stop Violence, which sponsors the writing contest each year for 7th and 8th grade students across the country, this endeavor is "a coordinated, unique effort to give students an opportunity to communicate their thoughts on the impact of youth violence on their lives and make personal commitments to reduce violence".  Local school ambassadors will be chosen and recognized along with their parents, teacher, and principal, their writings will be published and distributed to local policymakers, and local ambassadors will then have a chance at being selected as a National Ambassador.  Cool.  Complete with a summer trip to Washington, D.C and a chance to participate in the national Do the Write Thing Challenge, meet some of our important elected officials, and more.  It is a really big deal and I'm glad our students have the opportunity to participate and let their voices be heard.  On with the writing!

Finally, let's not forget National School Counselor Awareness Week starts on February 2.  Our Counselor Coordinator Kenya Gilliard and her team of campus-based counselors perform a myriad of

Dr. Gilliard

essential duties for kids and families at schools.  Not only do they provide those key counseling lessons and supports to kids who need them, but they also provide much in the way of helping students navigate their choices and selections on the way to college, career, and life.  They are often our unsung heroes on a campus, we never feel there are enough of them to do all that is requested, but this is their week so let's celebrate who they are and what they mean to each of our school communities.  Give a hug, send a kind note, make a banner, bake a special treat.  Counselors Rock!