Atlanta Speech School presents free lecture

The Atlanta Speech School and its Rollins Center for Language & Learning will present the 10th Annual Montag Family Community Lecture Series for parents and education professionals on Thursday, Feb. 28th from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the school.

The featured speaker is Dr. Paula Denton, author of The Power of Our Words. Dr. Denton’s interactive presentation will show parents and teachers how language can be used skillfully to help strengthen parent-child relationships and to help students learn in school. The sensible approach Dr. Denton advocates is backed by research and proven through decades of successful practice in elementary classrooms nationwide. Dr. Denton has more than twenty years of experience teaching children and educators and has authored or co-authored three books.

The Montag Family Community Lecture Series is funded by a grant from the Montag family, who are faithful supporters of the Atlanta Speech School. Tony Montag is a past Chairman of the School’s Board of Directors and continues to serve on the board.

The Atlanta Speech School, established in 1938, is one of the Southeast’s oldest therapeutic educational centers for children and adults with speech, hearing, or learning disabilities. The Rollins Center for Language & Learning is a professional development program of the Atlanta Speech School.

There is no charge to attend the lecture. For reservations or more information, contact Kim Allocca at (404) 233-5332.

Valentine flowers available from Heart of Hope Academy

Heart of Hope Academy for Children with Special Needs will sell flower arrangements in bouquets and vases to raise funds for the non profit school.

“We are opening our own flower shop for Valentines Week,” says Angela Matthiessen, founder and Board Chair of the school. “The students will be putting together an assortment of roses and balloons. The focus is on what the students can do in an every day life experience.”

The students will create the arrangements with the help of volunteers and floral designers. Arrangements will range in price from $19.95 to $56.95 and may be purchased online or at the school, 3715 Wieuca Road on Wednesday, Feb. 13 from 4:30 to 8 p.m. and Thursday, Feb. 14 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Delivery will be available for corporate orders over $200.00

Proceeds will benefit the Make Hope Happen Scholarship Partner Program.

For more information visit www.heartofhopeacademy.org or call (404) 816-3967.

Lovett, Southface partner for sustainability plan

The Lovett School has partnered with Southface to develop a comprehensive sustainability plan. Southface is a nonprofit organization that promotes sustainable homes, workplaces and communities through education, research, advocacy and technical assistance. The partnership is a result of Lovett being awarded a grant from the Kendeda Fund through Southface’s Sustainable Non-Profits Project.

Southface is collecting data to establish baselines and determine Lovett’s progress relative to energy use, transportation, water use, solid waste recycling and disposal, and paper procurement. Based on data collected, Southface will offer recommendations for improving the baselines and filling gaps. Afterward, Southface will conduct a sustainability planning workshop at Lovett to gather information to create a comprehensive sustainability plan for Lovett to be presented at a later date.

The partnership is an effort by Lovett to become a local leader in sustainability. As is the school’s philosophy, “Lovett values and encourages environmental awareness.” This commitment is seen in initiatives across the campus such as creating biodiesel from waste cooking oil to power grounds vehicles and developing an organic garden.

Ridgeview Charter receives arts, music grant

Ridgeview Charter School has been selected as one of ten schools in the U.S. to receive “Disney’s High School Musical: The Music In You Grant” from the NAMM Foundation and Disney Channel and comes with the support of Music Theatre International and Disney Theatrical Productions.

This $5,000 grant will help fulfill the music and arts-related educational costs of Ridgeview’s upcoming school stage production of Disney’s “High School Musical.” Ridgeview was the only School in Georgia selected for this Award.

Choral Director Susan Messer, Ph.D, will oversee the production. This will be the 10th show she has produced for Ridgeview. Play dates are March 27, 28 and 29 at the school.

Atlanta Girls’ School robotics teams advance

The Atlanta Girls’ School (AGS) Middle School robotics teams made a strong showing at the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Regional Qualifier and will compete in the FLL State Tournament on Saturday, Feb. 9 at Georgia Tech.

In only its second year of FLL competition, two of the three Atlanta Girls’ School teams – coached by Lee Turner, Mitch Strickland and John McLeod – made an impressive showing by taking first and second place respectively in the Research Project/Presentation category. Both teams finished in the top seven overall to qualify for the state tournament.

Advancing to state finals is Team No. 3518, the QUESTIONmarks, consisting of five AGS eighth-graders and one seventh-grader. The QUESTIONmarks took top honors and the FLL trophy for its first place finish in the Research Project/Presentation category and finished fourth overall in the tournament. Team members include Sophia Fried, Devin Gooden, Jordan Ockleberry, Ferra Pinnock, Kierston Smith and Emily Strickland. Their robot is Moxie.

Also advancing is Team No. 3513, the Women in Black, consisting of three AGS eighth-graders and one seventh-grader. The Women in Black placed second in the Research Project/Presentation category and finished seventh overall in the tournament. Team members include Izzy Betances, Victoria Hill, Megan Schwitters and Patrice White. Their robot is Jeebs.

One team from the state tournament will compete at the FLL World Festival scheduled in Atlanta April 17 – 19 at the Georgia World Congress Center and Georgia Dome.

Taste of Trinity: An Evening of Harmony

The Trinity School community joined together Tuesday, January 15 to celebrate its Taste of Trinity: An Evening of Harmony. Booths were set up from countries around the globe as students, parents, faculty and staff journeyed to far-off lands and sampled international dishes, studied traditional customs and were entertained by tango dancers, Chinese yo-yo performers and a children’s ensemble of singers and dancers.

Upon arrival, guests checked in at the customs/immigration booth to receive their “Passport to Fun,” which was stamped at each country. Taste of Trinity was a great opportunity to educate the community about different ethnicities and cultures that cultivate the world. An amazing group of volunteers gave of their time, talent and treasure to make the event a great success. As one Pre-K child said to her father at the end of the evening, “I’ve never been to such a fun party!”