Most Atlanta schools start classes this year on Monday, Aug. 8, but Atlanta Public Schools open its doors Weds. Aug 3.
School district staff are will be ready on Day 1, Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Meria Carstarphen said this month, and have fixed problems with student schedules, bus routes and air-conditioning that have plagued the start of school in past years.
Carstarphen offered these five tips for families heading back to school.
1. Show up.
Students should be back in school on Aug. 3, ready to learn, Carstarphen said.
“I know we’re starting earlier but it’s for their own good.”
2. Get your immunizations done.
All kindergarten, sixth and seventh grade students, all students new to Georgia, and all students coming from any private school must have their state immunization record form signed by a licensed healthcare provider or the county health department—unless they have a medical or religious waiver.
Find more information on the Atlanta Public Schools student health website.
3. Take advantage of pre-K programs.
Georgia provides state-funded pre-K for eligible four-year-olds. The pre-K programs usually operate on the regular school system calendar for the length of a typical school day.
Seats are still available in some Georgia programs, Carstarphen said. Find more information on the Atlanta Public Schools early learning website.
4. Get ready for college.
Atlanta seniors should be sure to sign up to take the SAT or ACT and apply for an Achieve Atlanta scholarship worth up to $20,000.
“We have the money; we want to give it away,” Carstarphen said.
5. Volunteer for your school’s GO Team.
GO Teams, or local governance teams, are part of the school district's new "charter system" model, which gives the district some flexibility from state rules in exchange for greater state accountability. The GO Teams provide input on school priorities, principal hires and other areas.
They’re “a new way to be involved with schools,” Carstarphen said.
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