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Meria Carstarphen Thank you Atlanta

Thank You, Atlanta (especially my beloved APS)!

June 30, 2020
Meria Carstarphen My APS (Best) Life

My APS (Best) Life: Six Years of Schools, Staff, Sports, Selfies & Students First!

June 29, 2020

During my final few weeks and days leading Atlanta Public Schools, the rigors of educating children amid a global pandemic and civic unrest hasn’t afforded me too many opportunities to simply sit and reflect upon the last six years. But upon reflection, I believe that my APS (best) life is the jam, and the source…

Taking a Day for Freedom: Juneteenth Highlights Opportunity for Teaching, Learning, Understanding, and Action

June 17, 2020

Friday, June 19, should be a day of celebration. Yet, 155 years later, we still struggle. It’s an open and raw struggle for our nation about race, systemic racism, and the treatment of Black people in America. Protests fill our streets. Disagreements divide the nation. A global pandemic keeps us apart, at the very moment when we…

A Shared Struggle in the Crisis – Standing Up for Racial Justice and Equity

June 5, 2020

Statement from Dr. Meria CarstarphenSuperintendent of Atlanta Public Schools All of us in Atlanta Public Schools have been left saddened and heartbroken with the civil unrest and challenging times we are facing in our community and across this nation. Amid our efforts to cope with a global pandemic, we now must confront the hurt, pain,…

In Times of Civil Unrest, Lead by Example, Honor the Legacy of Nonviolence

May 31, 2020

To my beloved APS students, families and colleagues, I’m heartbroken, as are you, during these challenging times. This message is especially for our students: We have supported you in silent and peaceful demonstrations against gun violence and climate change during this administration. Our district has stood with you and embraced your leadership and growth in civic…

My Deepest Thanks to APS Colleagues Before a Much Deserved Summer Break!

May 27, 2020

Dear Beloved Colleagues, We made it! Today, Wednesday, May 27, marks the official end of the 2019-2020 school year and the end of one of the most challenging semesters we have ever faced in our careers in education. For many of us, this moment could not have come any sooner as the past few months…

Congratulations, Grad Nation APS Class of 2020! #WorthTheWait

May 23, 2020

As I reflect on the current — albeit unofficial count — of the 2,582 graduates of the Atlanta Public Schools’ Class of 2020 walking across the virtual stage, I cannot stop thinking about the fact that their final year wasn’t supposed to end like this. Without a prom. Without final senior year activities. Without all of the pomp and circumstance. Even though we…

APS Continues Support of Families with Summer Food Distribution Plan

May 18, 2020

When we faced the possibility of closing schools for virtual learning last March, one of our immediate concerns involved feeding thousands of students and families who depended on school meals for nutrition day-in and day-out. Our Nutrition Department led by Dr. Marilyn Hughes, our food vendor SFE, and numerous community partners created a massive new…

Celebrations Continue with Virtual Recognition of Students District-wide

May 11, 2020

Every year at this time, it’s my pleasure to join with the Atlanta Board of Education to honor our outstanding students across the district for all of their achievements this year in academics, arts, athletics, service, and other areas. For five years we have honored those students at the annual Special Called Board Meeting for…

Celebrating our 2020 Valedictorians, Salutatorians, and STAR Students at a time when ‘Everything Changed, Nothing Changed’

May 7, 2020

Despite a global pandemic, we have entered a time of celebration! Kicking off the #WorthTheWait graduation season, Atlanta Public Schools this week held a virtual Val/Sal/STAR breakfast ceremony. In years past, we gathered at the Georgia Power building for a well-appointed breakfast ceremony to honor the best of the best of our beautiful students and…