Latest news with #FultonCountySchools
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Spalding Drive Elementary parents build new traditions as school prepares to close
As Spalding Drive Elementary wraps up its final week, parents and students are making the most of the school's last moments by building new traditions aimed at keeping the community intact. Fulton County Schools voted in February to close Spalding Drive Elementary at the end of this school year. The decision also includes the closure of Parklane Elementary in South Fulton. The district plans to repurpose the Sandy Springs campus as the new home for the Fulton County Teaching Museum and Schools Archives. But for families at Spalding Drive, the closure marks more than just a change in address—it's a deep emotional loss. 'This is a very important time in their life to form bonds, long-lasting bonds,' said parent Raymond Grote. 'We wanted to make something positive out of a very negative event.' That positive has taken shape as weekly Friday night gatherings throughout the final month of school. Families have been meeting for themed dinner nights while the children play together. The last Friday of the school year was particularly special—Mediterranean night—with laughter, games, and the unmistakable sounds of summer. TRENDING STORIES: Body found in search for missing kayaker at Lake Lanier Risk of severe storms ahead for early morning Saturday 'He preyed on 5-year-olds': Father demands accountability after teacher arrested 'The emotions are huge,' parent Nora Robb told Channel 2's Eryn Rogers. 'Our kids are all feeling the same things right now. They're all being displaced, they're all having to meet new people and go to new places. I think it's important for kids to have some place to really feel grounded.' Parents previously attempted to keep the school open by proposing to purchase it and convert it into a charter school. Grote said they offered $10 million to the district but received no formal response. Fulton County Schools released the following statement: 'In February 2025, the Fulton County Board of Education voted to close Spalding Drive Elementary School. As required by Georgia law, school districts must consider facility use options, including potential charter school partnerships, when a building is no longer in operation. Following the Board's decision, the Superintendent and Operations Division began evaluating the best long-term use of the site in alignment with district needs. 'A group of parents did reach out shortly after the closure vote to express interest in establishing a charter school at the Spalding site. Their proposal was reviewed and shared with the Board. As part of a broader planning process, district leadership considered that request alongside other options. Ultimately, it was determined that converting the facility into a centralized home for the Fulton County Teaching Museum and Fulton County Schools Archives would best support instructional and operational priorities across the district. 'This move will improve district-wide access to educational programming and historical materials, consolidate staff and resources currently spread across two separate facilities, and allow the district to reduce its overall facility footprint. Once the relocation is complete, the two existing Teaching Museum buildings will be considered for disposition, which is expected to generate further cost savings. 'The transition will take place over the next school year. Instructional programming provided by the Teaching Museum will continue without interruption during this process. Renovation needs at the Spalding site are minimal; the primary expense will be moving staff and materials.' While the district prepares to transition the museum into its new home, parents are looking ahead as well. Many are continuing to work toward establishing a new charter school in the neighborhood, citing strong community interest. A site visit for the potential charter is scheduled for Tuesday. As the school doors prepare to close for good, families say they're determined to ensure the spirit of Spalding Drive lives on one Friday night at a time.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
New GA Special Education PTSA meets in Atlanta
A new parent-teacher-student association is now chartered in the state. This one is focused on special education, and it's the first in Georgia. On Sunday, dozens of parents met at The LOLA on North Avenue in Atlanta to elect the first board of this PTSA. Parents said the support is needed, especially now with a lot of uncertainty surrounding education funding cuts. 'It's just everybody's speculation, but with that speculation comes education and training, comes the mindfulness of if this could be coming, what can we do now outside of panicking. The concrete things we can do, is know the law,' Lola Green PTSA president said. The association began with a group of moms who have students with different abilities in Fulton County Schools. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Forest Park Police say two people are dead in a late Sunday afternoon shootout 24-year-old driver clocked going 130 mph along I-75, deputies say 'Something great we need out here.' New program offers benefits for DoorDash drivers [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Fulton Co. Schools adds more educational resources for students with autism amid parents' concerns
Fulton County Schools students are on spring break this week, but the district is already looking ahead to next year. FCS said the need is growing, so the district is adding more resources in South Fulton County for students with autism. Parents got a letter dated March 31, alerting them to the changes. It said there will be new Autism Self-Contained programs at both Cliftondale and Stonewall Tell. Currently, only Wolf Creek Elementary has the classrooms that are supposed to allow for individualized learning and a lower teacher-to-student ratio. However, the letter told parents they would need to make the decision of where to send their child next school year by April 18. Parents said they should've been given more notice to make such a big decision regarding their child's education. 'It allows parents time to look at other schools and see if that's the proper placement because there were two other options these parents were given, so give them time to schedule appointments and see if this is a correct placement for their child, to see if it's the right teacher they want to put their child with, but we didn't have time to do that, and it's not fair,' Toysha Thomas, a parent of a student who is in the program at Wolf Creek told Channel 2′s Eryn Rogers. Fulton County Schools released the following statement: 'Fulton County Schools strives to provide high-quality instruction, services, and support to all our students, including our students with disabilities. Opening new classrooms for students, regardless of their disability, is not a new process. We annually assess each student's need for services per their Individual Education Plan (IEP), our student enrollment trends in each school community, available space at each of our schools, and then determine where to offer students the high-quality programming they deserve and are entitled to. We are still finalizing our plans for next school year but look forward to educating all our students in schools and classrooms that best meet their individual and unique needs.' Thomas said another issue parents had with the letter is it said if children in certain grades wanted to stay at their current school, then transportation would be up to parents. The district said, 'In Fulton County Schools, we think it is best for students to be educated in their home school and community if possible. In situations where that is not possible, we will offer the classroom and support at a neighboring school and will provide transportation. If a student is in 5th, 8th, 10, 11th, or 12th grade and the program or class included in his/her IEP is available at the current school, a parent may opt to stay but will need to provide transportation.' However, Thomas said that's the opposite of what the State Department of Education said. 'If they have transportation written into their IEP, the school cannot deny them of transportation regardless of grade,' Thomas said. Thomas filed a complaint against the district earlier this year when her son's transportation to Wolf Creek got taken away. In the ruling, the state Department of Education found Fulton County schools out of compliance because Thomas's son had transportation in his IEP. The DOE required FCS to review and revise its policies around its implementation of IEP, 'specifically special needs transportation and how this applies to administrative transfers.' FCS has until April 11 to report back to the Georgia DOE. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Marijuana, other THC products may pose heart hazard, research shows Disabled vet has VA benefits cut after agency claims he has job at diner he has never been One of 2 men killed by falling tree on Georgia golf course was a police officer [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Yahoo
Fulton County Schools' newest police officers specialize in sniffing out weapons
Fulton County Schools' newest police officers are on the beat. Three Labrador Retrievers have been trained to sniff out firearms. 'We've got Delilah, Ducky, and Ernie. Those are our three dogs, and everybody across the district seems to know the dogs' name now,' Chief Mark Sulborski with Fulton County Schools told Channel 2′s Berndt Petersen. The school system has its own K-9 unit for the first time. This week, one of the new officers did a meet and greet with students at Mimosa Elementary School in Roswell. K-9 Ernie and his new partners are firearms detection dogs, able to sniff out gunpowder or gun oils. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] They'll spend a lot of time in the county's high schools. 'He is constantly wanting to work. That's why he's whining. He wants to go. Gotta go! It's a pretty cool job,' Sulborski said. Ernie's job is serious business, but he remains friendly and open to receiving petting from students. 'Since we introduced the dogs and put them into service, everybody wants them to come in their school and pay a visit. It's kinda funny. They'll know the name of the dogs before they'll know any of our names!' Sulborski said. It takes up to eight months to train a firearm detection dog. TRENDING STORIES: Thousands turn out across Metro Atlanta to protest against presidential policies Dekalb County Police officer hurt, several others injured in serious crash The first 404 Day Parade marches to success on 405 [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Parents file complaint against Fulton County Schools alleging racism, bullying
Parents and civil rights organizations say some kids in the Fulton County School District have dealt with racism and bullying. They filed a federal complaint with the U.S. Department of Education under Title XI of the Civil Rights Act. It includes specific incidents at Creekview Elementary and Findley Oaks Elementary schools. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Channel 2′s Steve Gehlbach was there as representatives from the Council on American-Islamic Relations and Asian Americans Advancing Justice Atlanta held a news conference Wednesday. Parents of an Alpharetta student also stood with them. In the federal complaint, they claim harassment, bullying and discrimination have been aimed at Muslim, Arab and Palestinian-American students since the Hamas attack on Israel in Oct. 2023. They claim the school administrators have failed to take action. 'As a parent, I urge the district to address the incidents outlined in our complaint and implement mandatory cultural sensitivity training, incorporating the Palestinian narrative and perspective,' parent Ghada El Najjar said. 'That hateful ideology must not be allowed to be brought onto our campuses and it is being brought onto our campuses,' parent Nidal Ibrahim said. TRENDING STORIES: Killing of Atlanta teens may have stemmed from earlier violence at Lil Baby music video shoot 57 sets of cremains found in fire-damaged Cobb County funeral home identified Sheriff says despite speculation, he believes missing teacher is still in Lake Oconee Channel 2 Action News reached out to the Fulton County Schools on Wednesday morning. A spokesperson for the district said they have not seen a copy of the complaint yet but said in a statement: 'Fulton County Schools is deeply committed to fostering a safe and respectful learning environment for all students. We take any allegations of discrimination or harassment seriously and investigate all reported incidents thoroughly. While we have not been provided this complaint, we remain steadfast in our responsibility to uphold the rights and protections of every student. Our focus will always be on ensuring a school community where all students feel valued and supported.' CAIR's attorney said the complaint will go to the U.S. Department of Education for an investigation. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
