Dunwoody Crier — June 6, 2019

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Adrian Bonser: Leader and preservationist

‘Ain’t Misbehavin’ is a musical powerhouse

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J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 9 | T h e C r i e r. n e t | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | S e r v i n g t h e c o m m u n i t y s i n c e 1 9 7 6

Kingsley Elementary achieves certification Curriculum includes aspects of STEM and fine arts By CANDY WAYLOCK candy@appenmediagroup.com Kingsley Elementary is celebrating the school’s designation as the first AdvancEd STEAM certified school in Dunwoody, which recognizes the school’s commitment to science, technology, engineering, arts and math. The rigorous program through AdvancEd, the accreditation organization for primary and secondary schools, seeks to prepare students for today’s careers in information and technology. While the majority of schools seek only STEM certification, adding the arts component is equally important to others. “When I become a principal three years ago it was my goal to become STEM

certified,” said Kingsley Elementary Principal Melanie Pearch. “Halfway into the process, our music and art teachers wanted to get involved, so we moved to STEAM.” The arts designation allows students to think beyond science and engineering and explore design principles and innovation within the arts. Kingsley teacher Romilia Human said the school took on the challenges required for certification, with an “all hands-on deck” attitude to see the process through to completion. “We hit the ground running,” Human said. “It usually takes two to three years to gain certification, but we received STEAM certification in a year and a half which is an amazing feat to accomplish.” The certification process is a multi-

pronged focus on all aspects of the school which lead to STEM success. Teachers attended numerous sessions to learn everything from the vocabulary used in STEM standards, to best practices in STEM education, to learning how to create evidence-based learners in the classroom. Human noted DeKalb County School System has a great STEM footprint to guide the school through the process which helped along the way. “Teachers learn how to be a STEM educator through numerous professional learning opportunities to increase the rigor and focus for our students,” she explained. Not all learning took place in the bricks and mortar of the classroom. Partnerships created in the Kingsley Elementary community led to learning

See KINGSLEY, Page 4

Tyra Harris-Thompson, assistant principal of Kingsley Elementary

SPECIAL

DeKalb school superintendent will not seek contract extension Erwin, Chair of the STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. — DeKalb CounDeKalb County Board ty School District Superintendent/CEO of Education. “He is a R. Stephen Green intends to continue dynamic leader with a serving in his current role through June strong focus on student 30, 2020, but will not seek to extend his achievement leading to contract. A national search for a replacehigher education, work ment will begin next month, and Green and life-long learnwill remain to help transition the role. ing. During his tenure Green advised the DeKalb County we’ve seen the system’s Board of Education of his decision last GREEN graduation rates inweek, attributing his departure to personal crease as well as student participation in reasons after consideration with his family. Advanced Placement and International “We are grateful to Superintendent Baccalaureate Green for his service to our district for 03-06-19_HAbannerBlue.qxp_Layout 1 3/4/19 11:16 AM Page 1 programs.” During Green’s tenure, the district the last four years,” said Dr. Michael

regained full accreditation and received a five-year renewal in 2017 from AdvancED. His vision to decentralize the district office to place more emphasis on support services in the field for students and their families has led the way for significant academic growth and achievement. DCSD’s College and Career Ready Performance Index scores continue to climb each year as well > as > student progress on the Georgia Milestones End of Course and End of Grade > > > tests. > Schools commu  “The DeKalb County > > nity is truly inspirational,” said Green.

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“I am proud to have the opportunity to help lead our students to achieve educational excellence alongside our exceptional teachers and staff. I’m excited to see what the future holds for our district and our students — both have limitless potential.” Green became district superintendent/CEO in July 2015. Before joining, he was superintendent of the Kansas City Public Schools. Green also served as superintendent of Community School District 28 and as an instructional superintendent for Region 3 for the New York City Board of Education.

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