Coalition school contest aimed at getting parents out to vote
The Buckhead Coalition is hoping to local school kids can have an impact on prompting their parents to vote on election day.
The group is sponsoring a contest for Buckhead schools that will award money based on whether or not the parents vote on Nov. 3. The Coalition has budgeted around $20,000 to get out the vote.
The contest will provide up to $1 per student in a school’s activity fund, donated for every parent’s “I Voted” sticker collected at each school.
In addition, a contribution of $2,000 will be given to the public and private schools in Buckhead that presents the most photogenic display of the stickers.
The Coalition calls the election, in which 68 candidates are seeking 26 seats, including mayor, City Council and Board of Education, “a critical time in Atlanta governance.”
“A large turnout of informed electorate can help generate an overall better quality of life in our city,” and school children need to know this, Coalition President Sam Massell said.
Atlanta Board wins 2009 CUBE award
The Atlanta Board of Education was awarded the Council of Urban Boards of Education’s 2009 Award for school excellence.
The Board was singled out for its commitment to creating a strong governance structure, consistent leadership, and dedication to improving student achievement system-wide, according to CUBE.
The annual award honors school boards and school districts demonstrating progress in educating children and serving as role models for excellence in school board governance in large urban districts.
Marist students are national semifinalists
Nine Marist School students are semifinalists for national awards, the school announced.
The semifinalists are for the National merit, Achievement and Hispanic student awards. The semifinalists are:
National Merit: Charles T. Fortin, Pranav D. Mahadevan, Daniel L. Motter and Stephanie L. Word.
National Achievement: Megan L. Brown and Sascha Brown.
National Hispanic: James Grugett, Megan Mavity and Max Mujica.
Charity volleyball match raises $5,000
“Claws for a Cause,” a fundraising volleyball match between Marist and St. Pius played on Oct. 1, raised $5,000 for Visiting Nurse | Hospice Atlanta, a community nonprofit that offers quality home health and end-of-life care to patients and families.
The money was raised from the sales of tickets, T-shirts, barbecue and bake sale items. Hospice Atlanta is an organization close to Marist volleyball coach Anna Bush’s heart as it cared for her mother.
“[Hospice Atlanta] was an indescribable experience,” Bush said. “They provided emotional support for me and my family as well as spiritual support and guidance.”