About The champion newspaper. (Decatur, GA) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 26, 2019)
EDUCATION THE CHAMPION, THURSDAY, DEC. 26, 2019 - JAN. 1, 2020 • PAGE 10 Participants in ULC's 10th Annual International Mission Trip to Hopewell, Jamaica Community leaders provide educational support on 10th annual mission trip to Hopewell, Jamaica Carolyn Glenn and Dr. Earl Glenn, along with 31 other educators and pro fessionals from the metro Atlanta area recently partici pated in the 10th Annual In ternational Mission Trip to Hopewell, Jamaica to sup port students, parents and staff of Watford Hill Prima ry School. The mission trip was organized and hosted by Unconditional Love for Children (ULC), Inc., a non profit organization based in DeKalb County. ULC and volunteers have provided educational support programs to the students at Watford Hill Pri mary School (WHPS) and other schools throughout Ja maica for the past 10 years. Due to efforts and contribu tions by ULC, partner or ganizations and volunteers, students are provided with breakfast and lunch; shoes and uniforms; literacy and math coaches; a variety of academic and recreational experiences, summer arts camp, chess and music in struction. Parental involve ment, professional develop ment workshops and train ing are also integral parts of ULC programming. Carolyn Glenn, part nership organizer and co-founder of ULC, said, “Since 2014, ULC has part nered with WHPS to create and deliver transformational programming, and we con tinue to be excited and up lifted about the progress of the students. The targeted programs, activities and re sources delivered by ULC and our team of skilled and committed volunteers have propelled the school to new heights.” In 2019, sixth-grade students increased their na tional test scores by 20 per cent from 2018; the chess team has been Hanover Parish’s high school dis trict champions since 2017. WHPS has also been recog nized as having the nation’s most outstanding parental involvement program in the Montego Bay education dis trict, according to Area IV Director of the Ministry of Education Dr. Michele Pin- nock. Pinnock recently rec ognized the Watford-ULC partnership as the school partnerships model for the entire Montego Bay area, according to Carolyn Glenn. This year, ULC and partner Bradenton/Sarasota (FL) Chapter of The Links, Inc., initiated a Junior Chap ter of the Society of Black Engineers to provide more opportunities for students to participate in STEM educa tion activities and achieve academic success. Since partnering with Uncondi tional Love for Children, Watford student enrollment has increased from 38 to 73 students and community interest and parent involve ment are at all-time highs, according to WHPS princi pal Fania Davis. To address anticipated expansion needs based on WHPS’s suc cesses, donors have pledged more than $50,000 to be used for capital improve ments to build two addi tional classrooms and create a pre-school program. Those interested in supporting or volunteering to help ULC in its mission are encouraged to visit ulcinc.org for additional information. Unconditional Love for Children, Inc. is a non profit organization with a mission of providing educational enrichment programs designed to empower children to achieve academic success, build self-esteem and confidence to live a holistic life. CITY OF DECATUR BOARD OF EDUCATION SCHEDULE OF EXPENDITURES OF SPECIAL PURPOSE LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX PROCEEDS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2019 2017 Issue AMOUNT AMOUNT TOTAL ORIGINAL CURRENT EXPENDED EXPENDED AMOUNT ESTIMATED ESTIMATED IN CURRENT IN PRIOR EXPENDED PROJECT PROJECT COST COSTS YEAR YEARS TO DATE STATUS Acquisition of facilities leased by the City Schools of Decatur, $ 9,655,813 $ 9,655,813 $ 1,941,843 $ 1,945,568 $ 3,887,411 6/30/2022 including the College Heights Early Learning Center, the 4-5 Academy at Fifth Avenue, Clairemont Elementary School, Glennwood Elementary School, and Oakhurst Elementary School as now existing and as hereafter improved. To acquire, design, construct, renovate, modify, add to, 2,750,000 2,750,000 234,040 36,517 270,557 6/30/2022 repair, replace, demolish all ora portion of, improve and equip existing and new school buildings and sites and other existing and new buildings and facilities, including greenspace, useful or desirable in connection including therewith, including, but not limited to, Clairemont Elementary School, College Heights Early Childhood Learning Center, Decatur High School, the 4-5 Academy at Fifth Avenue, Glennwood Elementary School, Oakhurst Elementary School, Renfroe Middle School, Westchester Elementary School, Winnona Park Elementary School and a Central Office. To acquire, including but not limited to, through lease-purchase, construct and equip new school buildings, early learning center buildings and other buildings or facilities useful or desirable in connection therewith, including acquiring real estate for new school buildings. 1,250,000 1,250,000 516,540 516,540 6/30/2022 To acquire and install system-wide technology and information systems, hardware, and infrastructure at all schools and other school system facilities. 1,550,000 1,550,000 109,712 117,026 226,738 6/30/2022 To acquire computers or similar technology for the use of students and staff in and outside of the classroom. 3,200,000 3,200,000 646,406 411,917 1,058,323 6/30/2022 To acquire school buses, school-related vehicles and other transportation equipment. 562,500 562,500 45,013 87,400 132,413 6/30/2022 School improvement and maintenance projects throughout the City Schools of Decatur, including but not limited to, HVAC renovations, repairs and replacements; roofing repairs and replacements; electrical repairs, renovations and upgrades, including but not limited to cost-saving energy efficiency capital projects; boiler renovations, repairs and upgrades; and other similar capital improvements. 2,500,000 2,500,000 143,465 143,465 6/30/2022 To acquire, including, but not limited to, through lease-purchase, design, construct and equip a new Central Office for the City Schools of Decatur, including parking. 1,996,550 1,996,550 398,125 400,400 798,525 6/30/2022 $ 23,464,863 $ 23,464,863 $ 4,035,144 $ 2,998,828 $ 7,033,972
