News

Students in Atlanta, Gwinnett Head Back to Class

August 6th, 2012

Students in the Gwinnett County Schools and the Atlanta Public Schools are headed back to class today. Parents, students, and teachers all convened at John Wesley Dobbs Elementary School in Atlanta for their “Back to School” Open House last week. The front hallway inside Dobbs Elementary school was bustling. Parents registered their children. Students met their teachers. Some students, like fourth grader Mikaya Copeland-Jackson, were excited to go back.

“…to learn more things and to learn how to get smarter so I can be prepared for college,” she said.

But third grader John Stewart, a new student, was more cautious.

“It makes me nervous when I first come to school because I don’t know any of these people here,” he explained.

And the teachers? Principal Pete Suttlemyre says his staff has been busy preparing.

“We have to get them out of the building at night,” Suttlemyre said, “So, they want to stay until 8 or 9 at night. So, you really have to encourage them to go home and live a life outside of school.”

Some APS schools are making extra preparations due to redistricting, which shifted many students to different schools. Seven schools were closed.