Epstein Mathletes advance to state finals

The Epstein School’s 2008 Middle School Mathletes Team–led by mathematics educator Abby Suss—took home silver honors for the second year in a row in the Regional MATHCOUNTS competition, enabling Epstein to advance to the state competition. Additionally, Epstein 8th grader Andrew Parmet competed as an individual and had the 4th highest score among all private school students in Atlanta. He was invited to participate in the state tournament as well. MATHCOUNTS challenges students’ math skills, develops their self-confidence and rewards them for their achievements. Pictured left to right are: David Nelwan, Andrew Parmet, Lauren Shapiro, Jake Albert and Josh Baron

Galloway students excel on TV game show

Galloway School’s Academic Team has proven itself a success on High-Q, a question-and-answer game show that appears weekly on WSB-TV Channel 2.

Each week students answer dozens of questions on a wide range of subjects including history, math, literature, science and the arts. Questions include current events making headlines each week. The program, hosted by Channel 2 Action News Sports Director Chuck Dowdle, has been on air since 1986.

Coached by math teacher Stephen Cooper, the Galloway Academic team was victorious in its High-Q match against Dominion Christian Academy in September and won another match in January against AAAAA powerhouse Brookwood High School. With the January win, the team advanced to the “Elite Eight” round of competition.

The Galloway Academic Team also participated in a nationwide computer-based knowledge contest called the Knowledge Master Open. They took first place in the state among schools Galloway’s size and eighth among competing schools of all sizes in the state.

The Elite Eight High-Q show (versus AAA school Lamar County) airs at 7:00 a.m on March 23, on WSB TV. The other three rounds of the Elite Eight air on the three subsequent Sundays.

Atlanta Braves, Publix offer $2,000 scholarships

For the ninth consecutive year the Atlanta Braves and Publix Super Markets have partnered to offer high school scholarships to graduating high school seniors throughout Georgia.

Six $2,000 scholarships will be awarded to students who have demonstrated strong community involvement as well as solid academic performance throughout their high school careers.

Scholarship recipients will be honored during an on-field presentation prior to the Atlanta Braves home game on May 18, 2008. Each winner will be presented with a check for $2,000 by an Atlanta Braves player and a representative from Publix Super Markets. All applicants will receive a Braves logo backpack.

Applications are available at www.Braves.com/community and at public and private high schools throughout Georgia. Students with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 should submit an application along with: one letter of recommendation, a letter of acceptance from a college or university for the fall 2008 semester and an essay describing how the applicant has made an impact in the community.

Applications must be completed and postmarked by April 15, 2008.

First Montessori names King as Head of School

Jerri King has been named head of school at First Montessori School of Atlanta.

King was most recently interim head of school, assistant head of school and director of admission for the school. She is also on the board of the Montessori Institute of Atlanta.

Josh Tolchin, board chair, stated, “After a national search and a diligent review of potential candidates by our search committee, it became clear that the best person to lead First Montessori going forward; is the same person leading it today as our Interim Head of School.”

In making their unanimous decision, the board of trustees recognized the knowledge, experience and energy King brings to First Montessori.

King and her husband, Eric, have two children and are residents of Sandy Springs. She is a graduate of Georgia State University and received a Montessori Primary teaching certificate from the Association Montessori International in 1989. For over a decade, she has taught in Atlanta area Montessori schools and arrived at First Montessori in 1999 as a Primary teacher and later worked as a member of the administrative staff.