Spotlight and Recognitions

Power writing: This month's Spotlight on Achievement featured second grade students from Alpharetta Elementary School demonstrating how they use a program called "power writing" as an approach to writing instruction. The students also shared how the see-plan-do-check model at their school had positively affected student motivation and achievement.

Unsung heroes: Staff development specialist Vickie Scheer and Tri-Cities High student An Nguyen were recognized as recent recipients of Anti-Defamation League Unsung Hero awards. Scheer leads the school system's Peer Diversity Leadership program, while Nguyen is an advocate for diversity both at her school and at the state level.

Excellent school: Mountain Park Elementary was honored for being named a 2001 Georgia School of Excellence. The award, presented by the Georgia Department of Education, commends the school for its leadership, teaching, curriculum, student achievement, parent involvement and community support.

State champs: For the second consecutive year, the Chattahoochee High cheerleading team won the state championship. Chattahoochee competes in the new AAAAA division.

Instructional services

Schedule changes: Tri-Cities High received approval to move to a four-by-four block schedule beginning this fall. After a three-year study, the school staff and parents supported the move to block scheduling as a way to improve academic achievement.

Charter School petitions: A charter school petition submitted by Cosmos Science Academy received approval. The school, to be named Fulton Science Academy, expects to open in north Fulton with 216 students in grades six and seven and expand to a maximum of 432 students in grades six through eight within two years. A charter petition from the E.W. Willheart Foundation was not approved.

Other items: A list of student field trips received approval, along with out-of-system travel for employees.

Board matters

Legislative update: Jim Welsh, director of legislative affairs, updated the board on the activities of the 2001 Georgia General Assembly, including the status of HB 656 that includes funding items and other issues relating the A+ Education Reform Act.

Policies and procedures: The board approved revisions to the policies and procedures governing student activity funds and student health services. Revisions to two policies concerning graduation requirements and local, cluster, and superintendent's advisory councils were presented for first reading, while revisions to the Charter School policy were reviewed and submitted for a second reading. Staff and community are encouraged to review the proposed revisions and give input prior to the board vote in April. The board rescinded the procedure that accompanied the Charter School policy.

2001-02 board calendar: The board meeting calendar for 2001-02 received approval. With the exception of January 2002, the board will continue to meet second Thursdays, with pre-board the preceding Tuesday. Meetings also will continue to alternate between the Administrative Center and Dunwoody Springs Elementary.

Human resources

Personnel actions: The board approved the personnel action report and the superintendent's recommendations for promotion and separation including:

Promotions Beverly Coggin, FTE specialist in student services, to technical support specialist II in transportation. Alyssia Davis, school nutrition food service manager, to school nutrition area administrator. Robert Sumner, transportation services assistant foreman, to foreman in that department

Retiring Carol Cobb, Stonewall Tell Elementary assistant principal. Helen Hall, Bethune Elementary principal. Sadie Etris, Findley Oaks Elementary principal. Linda Sumpter, High Point Elementary principal. Cathi Barlow, Taylor Road Middle principal.

Support services

Power provider: Georgia Power was approved as the electricity provider for the new elementary school planned in Union City.