Greetings!

Well, the last few moments of summer are upon us. School begins in (gulp!) just two weeks. There is much to look forward to in the months ahead—new routines, new classes, new teachers, and, most importantly, new opportunities. A new school year offers every student a fresh start to learn, grow, discover new interests, and build meaningful relationships.

Whether you are trying to squeeze in one last vacation or simply slow down the pace of summer, here are a few updates to get you ready for the new year:

• Monday, August 10, at 2:30 pm. Staff will provide an overview of summer activities and what parents and families can expect to see when school begins. Plus, there will be a review of preliminary data from last year's Milestones testing. The agenda will be posted here a few days before the meeting and you can stream the meeting live here.
• Technology Use Policy proposed: APS is eager to ensure digital tools enhance learning rather than replace effective teaching and hands-on instruction. The Board is considering this draft policy to guide the district's use of screen time.
• Teacher staffing is approaching 100%: As of today, the district has just seven teacher vacancies remaining out of more than 4,100 teaching positions. I suspect those will be resolved in the next few weeks. APS is also fully staffed with bus drivers.

DAY One is Coming: Get Ready

The 2026-27 calendar includes key dates for the year ahead. Here are a couple of items to keep in mind as you figure out if last year's clothes still fit:

1. Open House: Open Houses will take place on July 31^st. Check your school's website for specific times and details.
2. Nutrition: Check out MealViewer where you can view menus, ingredients, and get general cafeteria updates and load up that MySchoolBucks account. Families can apply for free and reduced-price meals beginning July 20 to determine eligibility, while à la carte snack and beverage options return September 8.
3. Transportation: Bus routes are now available for your school or use the WebQuery tool to quickly find your student's bus route. A few reminders:

• Place a name tag on your student's backpack to help drivers during the first few weeks of school.
• A parent or guardian must be present to receive students under age 9 each afternoon.
• Download the Here Comes the Bus app to receive real-time transportation updates on your smartphone.
• For additional assistance, contact APS Transportation at (404) 802-5500.

TAD Review Committee Begins Its Work

The Board created the Tax Allocation District Independent Review Committee (TAD-IRC) to study the issue, gather community input, and inform Board decision-making.

Back to School Bash

Kick off the new school year on August 1. Enjoy activities for students and families, connect with school leaders and partners, and receive resources for the new year.

Update Your Info

As we prepare for the 2026–27 school year, please take a few minutes to make sure your student's information is up to date to ensure a smooth start to the new school year.

Hello, New Mobile App

Everything families need to stay informed—announcements, teacher messages, real-time alerts, class rosters—will be available in a single app, replacing Remind.

Ken.Zeff@atlanta.k12.ga.us

Sign up to receive this newsletter directly.

(404) 889-6553 Cell

(404) 802-2292 Office