Week of October 9, 2017
Every day, the schools of the DeKalb County School District are bursting with activities that supports college and career readiness. Twice a month, we’ll share that news in TRUST in the Schoolhouse. Below are some examples of that work. Got an idea? Please share it here.
Austin Elementary School
The faculty and staff members of Austin Elementary, along with other nearby schools, collaborated to raise $2,759 for the victims of Hurricane Harvey. The funds were donated to the American Red Cross.
Avondale Elementary School
In an effort to improve student attendance, Avondale Elementary implemented an initiative called “Attendance Matters,” with the motto “In school, on time, every day, ready to learn.” The school tracks student attendance and highlights classes with perfect attendance daily during the announcements. As a result, Avondale Elementary has experienced a decrease in absenteeism during the month of September.
Cedar Grove High School
Congratulations to Cedar Grove High School Students for increasing their graduation rate to 83.5.
Clarkston High School
Clarkston High achieved double-digit gains with the high school graduation cohort increasing from 59 percent in 2016 to 72 percent in 2017. This rating was the highest gain in the district.
Destiny Achievers Academy of Excellence
Destiny Academy was awarded a $45,000 technology grant from T-Mobile to purchase chrome books for their students. This award will assist in closing the digital divide and supporting students to narrow the homework gap.
Dunwoody High School
This past weekend the Dunwoody High Speech Team competed in their first national competition in Greer, South Carolina. John Spalding was the champion of Dramatic Interpretation, earning him a bid to compete in the 2018 NIETOC National Championship in May. Paris Ruiz won two trophies, finishing fifth in dramatic Interpretation and sixth in humorous Interpretation. Duo Interpretation team of Esha Bahat and Sophia McNamara placed third. In Humorous Interpretation, Molly Cash placed fifth. Galya Fischer placed fourth in Original Oratory. In Novice Dramatic Interpretation, Georgia Jester finished second and Emma Tallent placed fourth. Jacob Rogers was second in Novice Humorous Interpretation.
Fernbank Elementary School
Fernbank Elementary School had an amazing visit from Captain Barrington Irving of The Flying Classroom on Sept. 30. Captain Irving spoke with every grade level and had lunch with parents as well. Fernbank Elementary learned more about being a STEM school and about The Flying Classroom Expeditions that the students will get to take this year.
Rockbridge Elementary School
Congratulations to Rockbridge teacher Tiffany Bunch, who has been selected as one of the top 10 honorees out of 378 submissions for the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s “Celebrating Teachers” Award. Ms. Bunch will be recognized on Wednesday, Oct. 25 at Cox Corporate in Dunwoody, during the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s awards program. She will also be featured in the paper.
Toney Elementary School
Toney Elementary School’s 25 Book Campaign Parade was a huge success. Parents, the community, teachers, staff, and the students celebrated Literacy in character costumes while marching to the sounds of the Columbia High School Drum line.