Education

Gwinnett Schools May Transition to In-Person Instruction, over several weeks

Published

5 years ago

August 4, 2020

Peachtree Corners Magazine staff

Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) announced August 4 that they will be transitioning into in-person instruction sooner than previously thought. Below is the transcript of the “Open Letter to the Community and Employees of Gwinnett County Public Schools”.

In March 2020 our world, our lives, and our work were turned upside down by a new coronavirus that had spread across our nation. Like school districts everywhere, Gwinnett County Public Schools responded quickly to keep students learning, while keeping them and their teachers safe. Amid tremendous uncertainty and constantly changing conditions, we did our best to finish the school year strong, always hoping the COVID-19 situation would improve dramatically before time to begin the new school year in August.

Today, just eight days before school starts, there is still much uncertainty surrounding this virus, and more challenges have emerged as we wrestle with determining the best plan for opening school. That decision is made harder because there is easy access to a lot of conflicting information about COVID-19 from multiple sources, while the airwaves are filled with reports about increasing cases in Gwinnett County. We must balance that information against the concerns of parents who fear for their children’s educational progress, as well as their own employment, and need for us to bring their children back to school. At the same time, we must care for our people, many of whom have understandable concerns about returning to work when they feel the virus risk remains high for them and their families.

The Gwinnett County Board of Education and I know that the decisions we make carry high stakes for our families, students, employees, and community members. That is why we have listened to you, read your emails, and reached out to you for input as we developed possible plans for the start of school. Those plans, out of necessity, have changed from time to time, but our steadfast goal has not. We have stated from the beginning of the COVID crisis that in-person instruction for every student is what we prefer and would work to achieve. That remains our primary objective, and is the focus of this letter.

We will begin to implement in-person instruction for students whose parents desire it, and do so as soon and as safely as possible. Here is what you need to know about our plans.

We announced on July 20 that, due to the increasing spread of COVID-19 in the county, our schools would open with 100% digital instruction for all students. Teachers would deliver that instruction from their school sites beginning August 12. That plan remains in effect. Simultaneously, we will take steps to gradually transition to a blend of in-person and digital learning for students, based on their parents’ choices. Our hope is that shortly after the school year starts, we can begin to honor the choices parents made in July for either in-person or digital instruction for their children. A letter confirming the parent’s choice for each child will be sent by mid-August.

Student and staff safety will be the paramount factor in determining the pace at which we will move. We plan to begin small, bringing in a limited number of grade levels at first, then adding more grades on a staggered basis. As we have done throughout the past months, we will rely on guidance from health experts, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Georgia Department of Public Health, and the Gwinnett County Department of Public Health, as well as the Georgia Department of Education, in making that determination.

How might this plan work? The table below represents a “best-case scenario” for beginning the transition for families who want us to provide in-person instruction. Adjustments to the dates and the grade levels listed may be necessary based on the still-fluid COVID-19 situation in Gwinnett County. Regardless of the timeline, we will monitor the local conditions on a regular basis, and with guidance from our health partners, will either slow down the return to school or continue with the plan accordingly. Updates to the plan will be communicated promptly and as far in advance as possible so families and employees have time to prepare. At all times, extensive protective measures will be in place to sanitize our facilities, maintain social distance to the fullest extent possible, and make the return to school safe for children and adults. (A list of these protective measures is posted on the GCPS website.)

Our starting point for providing in-person instruction is outlined in this chart. Actual Starting Dates will be influenced by guidance from the health and educational organizations listed above.

Starting Date	Elementary School Grades	Middle School Grades	High School Grades	Special Education
August 12	All grades digital	All grades digital	All grades digital	All classes digital
August 26*	K and 1^st grade in person	6^th grade in person	9^th grade in person	All self-contained classes in person**
September 2*	K, 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd grades in person	6^th and 7^th grades in person	9^th and 10^th grades in person	All self-contained classes in person**
September 9*	All grades in person	All grades in person	All grades in person	All self-contained classes in person**

** Includes students who spend the majority of the day in a small-group setting: Severe/Moderate & Mild Autism; Severe/Profound, Moderate & Mild Intellectual Disabilities; Emotional-Behavioral Disabilities; ADAPT; GNETS; Visual Impairment; Moderate Visual Impairment; Orthopedic Impairment; Significant Developmentally Delayed; Specific Learning Disabilities (self-contained); Deaf/Hard of Hearing; Early Childhood Program (special needs pre-school).

School district leaders continue to hold discussions about how best to address the needs, as well as the concerns, of our students’ families and our employees. We understand that no plan will be universally popular with all stakeholders. But we are committed to doing what we believe is best for students in terms of their health, safety, and education. We ask for your patience, understanding, and cooperation in helping us achieve a positive, safe start to the new school year for Gwinnett’s children.

J. Alvin Wilbanks, CEO/Superintendent

Related Topics:education Featured gwinnett county public schools

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Education

Greater Atlanta Christian School Announces $30M Campus Investment

Published

2 days ago

February 21, 2025

Peachtree Corners Magazine staff

Rendered image of a seating area with high ceilings, white side chairs, an arched glass and metal framed entrance and art on the walls.

The investment will transform the campus and elevate student experiences

Greater Atlanta Christian School (GAC) has announced an investment of over $30 million in facilities and program improvements at GAC, made possible through the Light the Way Campaign, a visionary initiative designed to elevate the educational experience for generations of students.

This transformative campaign will fund a dozen renovation and building projects that reflect GAC’s commitment to preparing students for success in an ever-changing world while deepening the school’s strong Christian foundation. The school recently shared details about some of the program’s key projects.

The Tidwell Commons

At the heart of the campaign is the Jim & Julie Tidwell Commons, a dynamic hub for middle and high school students to gather, collaborate and innovate.

A rendering of a high school hang out space. It's modern with round white tables and sleek brown chairs, a coffee shop and rows of lighting on the ceiling. — Tidwell Commons; image courtesy of Greater Atlanta Christian School

The Tidwell Commons will feature a new student-run coffee shop and bistro, the new Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program, a creative media production studio and modern academic spaces, including an enhanced library and academic support areas. The space will also be home to Christian Life and Missions, providing a cornerstone for nurturing faith and spiritual growth within the GAC community.

“The Tidwell Commons will be more than a facility; it will serve as a hub where ideas come to life, equipping students with real-world skills in business, innovation and creativity,” said Dr. Paul Cable, GAC’s high school principal.

The Combee Elementary Complex

The Jim & Becky Combee Elementary Complex will undergo a complete redesign to better support the needs of today’s students. Renovations will include flexible, modern classrooms, enhanced STEM and outdoor learning spaces and a state-of-the-art engineering, science and design lab.

Rendered image of a sleek, state-of-the art school science lab with work stations, tables and stools to sit on. — Combee Elementary science lab; image courtesy of Greater Atlanta Christian School

“This renovation will not only modernize the Combee Elementary Complex but will also create an inspiring and secure environment where our younger learners can thrive and grow, reflecting our commitment to excellence in education and student well-being,” said Rhonda Helms, lower school principal.

Athletic improvements

The campaign also includes a new Athletic Field House to support GAC’s soccer, tennis, baseball, softball and girls flag football programs. Featuring locker rooms, training and meeting spaces and upgraded amenities, it will serve as a modern space for game-day operations and practices.

“This is a premier facility that will allow our athletes to compete at the highest level,” shared Athletic Director Tim Hardy.

Rendered aerial image of the exterior of a school athletic building, surrounding fields and tennis courts and walkways. — New athletic field house; image courtesy of Greater Atlanta Christian School

In addition to the Field House, GAC is renovating and doubling the space in the Naik Athletic Training Center, further strengthening one of the top performance training programs in the state.

“Our performance training program is among the best in Georgia, and these upgrades will align our facilities with the excellence of our programming,” Hardy said.

The expanded training center will feature state-of-the-art performance training equipment, a dedicated speed and agility area and a new recovery suite.

“This space will give our athletes the tools they need to recover efficiently and perform at their peak,” he added.

Wood Family Treehouse

Additionally, the new Wood Family Treehouse and Canopy Walk, which was completed last month, will inspire and elevate students’ outdoor learning experiences for years to come.

Wooden treehouse and walkway, just elevated off the ground, in a wooded area in fall. The treehouse is surrounded by leaf-less trees. Brown leaves cover the ground. — Wood Family Treehouse; photo courtesy of Greater Atlanta Christian School

Designed as a versatile hub for group learning, hands-on activities and after-school programs, the Treehouse is an exciting space for educational growth, exploration and team-building. It’s a place where students can connect with nature, develop new skills and deepen their love for the outdoors.

An investment in the future

This investment campaign is about more than just buildings though; each project focuses on today’s students as well as future generations, ensuring that GAC remains a beacon of excellence with a foundation of faith for years to come.

Rendered image of a hallway in an elementary school. White walls with natural brown wood beams and tree shaped pillars lead to an open hangout space with comfortable seating. — Elementary complex; image courtesy of Greater Atlanta Christian School

Through the Light the Way Campaign, students will benefit from improvements in academics, athletics, the arts, community and Christian faith.

About Greater Atlanta Christian School

Greater Atlanta Christian (GAC) is one of Atlanta’s largest Christian schools, serving over 1,800 PK-12 students. The walkable 90-acre campus is located in Norcross, just off of I-85 and Indian Trail Road.

GAC provides an array of in-person, online and hybrid options with over 65 STEM courses, 30 Advanced Placement (AP) courses, dual college credit courses and personalized and project-based learning.

In addition to forward thinking innovation, GAC students benefit from caring, responsive teaching and small class sizes.

GAC is a faith-infused, academically rich community, ranking at the top of the state for teaching quality, arts and athletics.

For more information, visit greateratlantachristian.org.

Education

Japanese Traditions Celebrated at ICAGeorgia

Published

3 weeks ago

February 4, 2025

Shawne Taylor

Young student pounding sticky rice with a large wooden mallet at an outdoor Japanese new year event

Since the opening of the International Charter Academy of Georgia (ICAGeorgia) in 2018, their students have been immersed in Japanese language and culture, including starting each new year (osho-gatsu) — Japan’s most important holiday — with two traditional rituals: Kakizome (New Year Japanese calligraphy) and Mochitsuki (New Year rice pounding).

This year, the students at the K-6 dual-language school in Peachtree Corners, gathered in the gym to practice and demonstrate their growing calligraphy skills and again outdoors a couple of weeks later for the physical fun of mochitsuki.

Kakizome

Literally translated as “first writing,” kakizome is a form of artistic calligraphy of the Japanese language that’s done at the start of each year to express hopes and positive wishes for the year ahead. Using traditional calligraphy brushes and ink, and often expressed through poetry, New Year’s resolutions or an auspicious word, kakizome is a special time to clear your mind and focus on the brush strokes.

Japanese brush and ink calligraphy from students at a dual-language school

Students practicing Japanese calligraphy with brush and ink

According to a press release from the school, for ICAGeorgia’s kakizome event, each student, including the youngest kindergartners, used a traditional brush (ふで) and ink (すみ) to write a Japanese word of their choice — for example, “新年 (new year)” “元日 (New Years Day)” or “もち (mochi).”And, because 2025 is the Year of the Snake in the lunar calendar, 巳 (snake) was included in the word selection.

Mochitsuki

“In Japan, people make ‘mochi’ or pounded rice to celebrate the New Year,” shared Junko Jones, CFO of ICAGeorgia. “Mochi is sticky, so people eat it to help them ‘stick’ with their goals for the year — and they do it with family, friends and people in the community who they would like to ‘stick’ together [with]. Mochi can also be used as a decoration for New Year’s celebrations.”

Pounding the sticky rice into mochi with a wooden mallet is hard work, but the celebration is also one of Japan’s most fun (and popular) traditions.

Man and students at a dual-language school pounding rice with a wooden mallet at Japanese new year event.

Students at a dual-language school pounding rice with a wooden mallet at Japanese new year event.

For the school’s mochitsuki event, each student had an opportunity to pound and taste the mochi rice. All of the ingredients were donated by ICAGeorgia parents, and the mochi rice was cooked by ICAGeorgia parent volunteers on the day of the event — making it true school community celebration.

After pounding the rice, students, staff and volunteers enjoyed delicious rice cakes (omochi) together, welcoming the new year and looking forward to a happy and successful 2025.

About ICAGeorgia

The International Charter Academy of Georgia offers a dual language immersion program in English and Japanese, allowing students to learn both languages through a variety of subjects, including math, science, social studies, art, music and physical education. Japanese instruction is based on the Japanese Ministry of Education curriculum, and teachers collaborate across departments.

The school’s mission is “to broaden the horizons of students in Georgia so that they may become global citizens who promote peace throughout the world.” This is achieved not only through language learning, but also through cultural activities. But the best way to promote peace and understanding is through interactions among the students themselves, who make up an extremely diverse community.

For more information, visit internationalcharteracademy.org.

Photos courtesy of ICAGeorgia.

Education

McBath Slams Proposed Tax on HOPE Scholarship

Published

4 weeks ago

January 28, 2025

Peachtree Corners Magazine staff

Rep. McBath, of Georgia's 6th District, at a podium speaking to an audience. A man and woman stand behind her, along with an American flag.

Tens of thousands of Georgia families could potentially be impacted by a new national Republican proposal to tax state scholarship program.

Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA) of Georgia’s sixth district, is slamming national Republicans for their proposal to increase taxes on students and families in Georgia.

A document circulating from the GOP outlines revenue-generating strategies, among them a new tax on scholarship dollars that would include Georgia’s hallmark HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarship programs.

“National Republicans are attempting to raise taxes on Georgia families,” said McBath. “The HOPE program is a beacon of light for young people who want to go to college and achieve their dreams.

“For decades, students in Georgia have known that if you worked hard in school and got good grades, the state would help you get through college and start a career. This new tax would threaten the financial security of Georgia’s families and undercut the hopes and dreams of thousands of students. I am horrified at this attempt — families in Georgia deserve better.”

About the HOPE Scholarship

During the 2023-2024 academic year, 187,437 students in Georgia received almost a billion dollars in scholarships and grants through the HOPE Program alone.

All of this award money, along with any other scholarships or grants that a student had earned, would now be considered taxable income if this proposal by Republicans were to become law.

The Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally (HOPE) Program launched in 1993 and has since provided more than $15 billion to more than 2.1 million students in financial assistance for educational programs after high school.

For more information, visit mcbath.house.gov.