Schools

Langston Hughes High's Madison Webb has become the first Black girl to win the prestigious Harvard Diversity Project’s International Debate Competition. This marks the third consecutive win for her team, fondly known as Atlanta's Great Debaters. Last year, Banneker High School’s Xavier Shankle and Westlake’s Keith Harris were part of the same team, and took the top prize at the prestigious summer debate tournament. The South Fulton students were thrust into the national spotlight for their incredible performance against debaters from 15 countries. This year, Webb, along with partner Christian Flournoy of the Westminster School, secured the win with a perfect 5-0 winning ballot. Flournoy also made history as the youngest Black boy to win the tournament. The students receive thei...

In a press conference earlier today, Superintendent Dr. Mike Looney announced that Fulton County Schools will begin the 2020-2021 school year using the Universal Remote Learning model. The first day of instruction will be Aug. 17.  “The data and information from our health partners is overwhelming. This virus is spreading and not slowing down,” said Superintendent Mike Looney. “I was hopeful the direction would change, but it is clear that we must pivot from the Face-to-Face model to the Universal Remote Learning model in order to keep our students, their families, and our staff members safe.”    In May, Superintendent Looney announced three models the district was developing while monitoring the spread of COVID-19: (1) Face-to-Face instruction with enhanced cleaning and social dist...

On the heels of being named principal at Global Impact Academy in Fairburn, Dr. Anthony Newbold is taking the lead on critical conversations in education. The administrator will participate in a panel discussion on race and culture as part of a Global EdTech Academy series later today. The event, titled “Connecting the Community,” will kick off at 6 p.m. ET online. It’s presented in partnership with Microsoft and CUE, free to attend and available to the public. Dr. Newbold is a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert and Northwest Council for Computer Education Learning Specialist. As principal of Fulton County Schools Global Impact Academy, set to open in 2021, he'll oversee a new STEM-focused model offering high-tech, high-demand college and career-focused courses that incorporate ...

Even though schools are closed for the summer, students in Fulton County will be offered breakfast and lunch. Starting Wednesday, June 3, the Fulton County School Nutrition Program will begin operating the Summer FoodStop meal distribution at 22 sites throughout the district. Sites in South Fulton include Banneker High, Creekside High, Langston Hughes, High, Liberty Point Elementary, McNair Middle and Westlake High. A full list of sites is available online. The FCS Summer FoodStops provide an opportunity for families to drive through and pick up meals for the children in their family. Families can pick up meals for all children under the age of 18, or under the age of 21 for youth with special needs. To maximize social distancing, drivers are not to leave their vehicles, however w...

The Principals Center at Georgia State University recently announced that Banneker High School Principal Jason Stamper is the recipient of the 2020 Joe Richardson Award for Exemplary Leadership. He's the third Fulton County Schools principal to receive the honor since 1995. The annual award is named in honor of the founder of Georgia State’s Principals Center, Dr. Joe Richardson, who was inspired by Dr. Roland Barth, formerly of Harvard and the founder of the Principals Center movement. The award is presented to an educational leader who is considered highly competent and successful within the school district and among their professional peers. Recipients represent the mix of leadership attributes that cultivate a school environment where both students and staff excel and exemplify...

Kelsey Drews, 2nd-grade teacher and grade level chair at Heritage Elementary School, has been named 2020-2021 Teacher of the Year (TOTY) for Fulton County Schools (FCS).   She was surprised by Principal Cheree Turner, FCS staff and school board members on Monday afternoon at her home. The announcement came with confetti and loud cheers of support. Drews has been in the public school system for seven years, five of which have been with FCS. She was named TOTY for Heritage Elementary earlier this year. "I see my role in the classroom as a facilitator, nurturer, and coach," said Drews in her TOTY application. "I do not consider the room that I work in to be my classroom. It is the students that make the room a classroom, and it is theirs. They guide everything I do." Dr...

As we close out our Super Senior profile series, we're excited to announce our Super Senior of the Year, Banneker High School's Xavier Shankle. He has been not only a tremendous asset to his school and community, but also to The Observer in helping us to cover school news. We were delighted to present Xavier with a $100 gift card to celebrate his accomplishments and to thank him for his hard work. Xavier's is a model student. He is graduating third in his class having maintained a 4.0 GPA all four years, and has been named by Fulton County Schools as Banneker's Star Student. He's served as both president of his senior class and Banneker's DECA Chapter where he placed Top 7 twice this year at the state competition. The gifted orator is also an alumnus of the nationally acclaimed Harvard...