Countdown to Day One on August 5th!

This "Back In Action" newsletter is designed to help keep our APS community informed about topics such as Health, Technology, Transportation, and other areas in preparation for Day One - August 5, 2021!

Universal Mask Wearing Protocol in Schools and Buildings

Atlanta Public Schools will implement a Universal Mask Wearing protocol in all schools and buildings as we begin the new school year on Aug. 5.

In reviewing our data, here are a few key considerations:

Approximately 18 percent of our eligible students are fully vaccinated (source: Fulton County Board of Health) and approximately 58% of district employees have indicated that they are fully vaccinated or plan to be (source: Atlanta Public Schools survey data).
Children under 12 years do not have the option of being vaccinated and remain vulnerable to contracting and spreading the disease.
The Delta Variant is now the dominant variant of COVID-19 in the United States and may spread 225% faster than the original virus.
Consistent and correct use of mask wearing has been shown to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all students and school staff, wear masks, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated against COVID-19 and the CDC recommends that all unvaccinated people wear a mask.

For more information, and for the full protocol, please visit: https://www.atlantapublicschools.us/MaskUp2021

Seamless Summer Options

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) waiver throughout the 2021-2022 school year. This will allow APS to offer FREE meals to all schools throughout the District without requiring parents to complete the Household Free and Reduced Meal Eligibility application. APS will provide breakfast and lunch in the classroom to all students attending an APS school for in-person learning.

Additionally, APS will provide FREE 5-day meal kits (5-breakfast meals and 5-lunch meals) for Atlanta Virtual Academy (AVA) learners and children (ages 1-18) that do not attend APS schools.

Beginning Wednesday, Aug. 11, AVA students and non-APS community children (ages 1-18) are welcome to receive FREE 5-day meal kits from one of the four curbside pick-up locations listed below from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Frederick Douglass High School - 225 Hamilton E Holmes Dr. NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School - 545 Hill St SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
Sutton 6th Grade Academy - 4360 Powers Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30327
Sylvan Hills Middle School - 1461 Sylvan Rd SW, Atlanta, GA 30310

Key Info You Need to Know to Prepare for

Day One

1. Ensure that your child’s address has been updated with your school.

2. Postcards for regular riders attending their boundary schools should be in your mailbox by July 29, 2021.

3. Students with disabilities recommended for specialized transportation should expect phone calls with their bus number, stop and times the last week of July (it is important to ensure your phone contact information is correct with your child’s school).

4. The APS Transportation Call Center will open on Monday, July 19, 2021 and remain open throughout the school year. The Call Center is open from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on school days and is staffed with Spanish call center representatives.

5. Masks are still required on the bus.

Join Us for the 2021 Back-to-School Bash Next Weekend!

Atlanta Public Schools is excited to announce the annual Back-to-School Bash (A drive-thru experience) will take place Saturday, July 31, at the Georgia World Congress Center, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Back-to-School Bash will provide school supplies, registration information, helpful resources and much more. In addition to school supplies, the backpack will contain registration bell schedule, Let’s Talk and bus locator information, the Day One Checklist, and COVID-19/vaccination resources. Additionally, families will have an opportunity to drive through and receive PPE and a nutrition kit.

The kit will contain five-day meal kits (5 breakfasts and 5 lunches with milk and juice). Be sure to register via https://bit.ly/BashRegistration in order to receive back to school items. Save the date, and we look forward to seeing you on July 31!

Technology Survey Extended

The technology survey has been extended! As a reminder, Atlanta Public Schools will distribute hotspots to students who need internet connectivity to continue to engage in the learning process from school to home for the 2021-2022 school year. You only need to complete the survey once for all students in your household. Hotspots will be distributed to your child at school.

Click below for the survey links.

English

Spanish

DATE

July 31st

August 5th

EVENT

Back-to-School Bash

Day 1 of 2021-2022 School Year

Key Info You Need to Know to Prepare for

﻿Day One

Technology Survey Extended

Day One