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!