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Britt ES wins first Family-Friendly Partnership School Award

Britt ES wins first Family-Friendly Partnership School Award

SNELLVILLE, Ga. -- Three Georgia schools have been selected as the first-ever recipients of the Georgia Department of Education's Family-Friendly Partnership School Award.

W.C. Britt Elementary School in Snellville is the only metro Atlanta school to win the honor. The other two schools -- Morningside Elementary and Miller Elementary -- are in Houston County, south of Macon.

The Family-Friendly Partnership School Award is awarded to schools that offer exceptional customer service for Georgia families. They have easy-to-navigate websites, welcoming staff members, comfortable waiting areas, clear signage and engaging student work throughout their buildings.

Path2College scholarship coloring contest ends Sept. 30

Path2College scholarship coloring contest ends Sept. 30

ATLANTA -- Georgia children in Pre-K through 5th grade can now color their way to a college scholarship from the Path2College 529 Plan.

In honor of College Savings Month, the statewide college savings program is hosting a coloring contest with a $1,529 scholarship at stake.

To win the money, children must color a picture of Hootie the Wise Old Owl and complete a sentence: When I graduate, I'm going to be a ________.

Download the picture of Hootie here.

Entries must be postmarked by Sept. 30 and must be received no later than Oct. 5. More information about the contest can be found at path2college529.com.

A winner will be randomly chosen in mid-October.

Tips for Kindergarten Parents

Tips for Kindergarten Parents

Where did the time go? Wasn't it yesterday that you brought the baby home from the hospital? It's back to school time again and for those sending a child to kindergarten, it can be quite emotional... for parents anyway. Kindergarten is a special time and you'll begin seeing pay off on your hard work over the past 5 years. For most this will be the first full school day, the first year to ride the school bus, the first year to have homework, and the first year when peer influences begin to play a role.

Tools 4 School

Tools 4 School

ATLANTA -- Can you believe it’s just a few short weeks before the school bus will be rounding the block again?

Act Together Ministries needs your help to collect school supplies for children in need in five north metro counties: Forsyth, N Fulton, Cobb, Cherokee, and Gwinnett. With your help, we will set up our 4th annual school supply “store” that allows children the opportunity to shop for their own school supplies. The children love picking out their favorite color backpack, selecting pencils with a preferred cartoon character, and getting the exact items listed on their school supply list. Parents in our program contribute $5 toward the event so that they have the honor of taking ownership. No one wants to wait in a hand out line and be labeled “Needy.” In addition to receiving school supplies, the children get haircuts, medical/dental screening, lunch, and enjoy crafts, games and other fun activities.

Protect Your Kids and Pets from Summer Heat

Protect Your Kids and Pets from Summer Heat

Summer in the south is officially here! With rising temperatures, it is important to take steps to protect those around us who might be vulnerable to the heat, like our children and pets.

Did you know that we lose heat by sweating? Water literally evaporates into the atmosphere and sucks the heat out of our bodies. Children produce even more heat than adults. This is because they have more body surface for their height. Children are also closer to the ground – and to hot pavement. They can easily become dehydrated or overheated.

Here are some tips to keep your children and pets safe in the heat.

Ga. Connections Academy gets high marks from parents

Ga. Connections Academy gets high marks from parents

ATLANTA -- Georgia Connections Academy has made the grade.

The state's first free virtual charter school received very positive feedback from the parents of its students during the 2011-12 school year.

Almost 90 percent of the parents who responded to a survey gave the school a grade of either A or B, and 92 percent they would recommend GACA to other parents. Eighty-five percent of parents said they were more satisfied with GACA than with their children's previous schools.

About 52 percent of the school's 610 families responded to the survey, according to GACA officials.

"Our parent satisfaction survey really illustrates our commitment to accountability," principal Heather Robinson said in a statement. "We value this parent feedback and use it to help make our virtual school program better. I am very pleased with the results, in particular the positive feedback about our teachers and the curriculum."

10 Ways to Prepare for an Emergency

10 Ways to Prepare for an Emergency

The official start of the hurricane season is Friday. Whether it's severe weather, fire, a lengthy power outage, evacuation, would you know what to do in any type of emergency?

To stay safe in an emergency, it is crucial to have a solid communication plan in place for you and your family. Read more from HealthWatchMD, powered by Piedmont, for our top tips for communicating in an emergency.