Latest news with #AnthonyW.Smith
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New Forest Park middle school won't be open in time for the school year
Clayton County Public Schools announced that the opening of the new Forest Park Middle School in August would be delayed as a result of 'unforeseen global supply chain disruptions.' Due to 'delays in the delivery of essential construction materials and equipment,' the Clayton County school district said it would not be able to finish construction on time for the start of the 2025-2026 school year. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] 'The district hopes to relocate these students to their new home on Finley Drive in Forest Park during the week of Fall Break, October 13-17, 2025,' officials said in a statement. Instead, students who are enrolled at FPMS will stay at their current, temporary school location, which the district said was Morrow High School on Old Rex Morrow Road. For students who were supposed to move to a swing space at the former Morrow High School, they will instead remain in classes at Fountain Elementary School until further notice. TRENDING STORIES: 'Suspect fled the scene': Police say cicada caused rollover crash Asian needle ants crawling across US, now found in 20 states, stings cause life-threatening reaction Man found guilty of killing Gwinnett County father at baby shower learns his fate 'We understand the inconvenience this delay may cause and are deeply grateful to our community for its continued trust and investment in our schools,' Dr. Anthony W. Smith, Superintendent/CEO of Schools, said in a statement. 'We are confident that the finished school will be worth the wait and will serve as a valuable asset to the Forest Park community for years to come.' Officials also apologized for the delay, with Ronick Joseph, Chief of Construction and SPLOST Management saying 'Delays in the delivery of key construction materials are, unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control. We are working diligently with our contractors and partners to complete Forest Park Middle School during the first semester of the 2025-2026 school year.' More updates will be shared by the school district as progress continues, officials said. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
Metro Atlanta schools alarmed over dangerous viral 'Chromebook Challenge'
The Brief Metro Atlanta school officials are warning students and parents about the danger and possible consequences of the new viral "Chromebook Challenge" spreading on TikTok. The challenge involves students jamming metal objects into their school-issued laptops and can cause fires. School officials say the challenge could lead to possible suspension and could wind up costing families hundreds of dollars. GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. - Multiple metro Atlanta school districts are speaking out over a new social media trend that could wind up costing families hundreds of dollars. One county says it has seen dozens of incidents that have led to possible suspensions over the "Chromebook Challenge." What we know The challenge, which has spread on TikTok, involves students purposefully damaging their school-issued Chromebooks by jamming metal objects like paper clips into the charging port. The act can cause the device to short-circuit, which can in some cases lead to a fire. Metro Atlanta school officials say that the challenge damages laptops to the point where they either have to undergo extensive repairs or be completely replaced. Dig deeper While Gwinnett County schools say there have been limited reports of the dangerous challenge among its students, they say the students involved in the 31 incidents are facing disciplinary action, including suspension. The students' families are also required to pay $200 to replace the damaged device. Officials have not said if any students around Georgia have been injured while doing the challenge. What they're saying On Thursday, Clayton County Public School officials sent a warning to parents about the challenge, warning about the repercussions of the activity. "We are asking our staff and our parents to partner with us in controlling this senseless act of vandalism by sharing the message that participation could create adverse situations that could have serious consequences," Superintendent Dr. Anthony W. Smith wrote. "This warning also extends beyond the Chromebook computers issued by the school district. Parents or guardians should monitor potential damage to household computers and other electronic equipment. The attempt could damage the device involved, spark a fire in the living space and/or cause personal injury." The other side In a response to comment from ABC News, TikTok said that it removes any content that violates its policy against "Dangerous Activities and Challenges" and has put a safety message on searches for "Chromebook Challenge" on the app. The company is asking anyone who sees one of the posts on TikTok to report it through its support page. The Source Information for this story was taken from statements by the Gwinnett County and Cobb County school districts as well as a statement provided by TikTok to ABC News.
