Just one month into her new position, Superintendent Cindy Loe, Ph.D., has been visiting schools, meeting staff and parents, and becoming involved in civic and community activities. She tries to balance her time by being out in the schools and community as often as she is in her office at the central administration building.

One of Loe's first tasks was to connect with staff and parents through three community forums focusing on the Continuous Achievement model and the math curriculum. Meetings were held at Milton High School and Camp Creek Middle School, with a third meeting set for 7 p.m., May 5, at Riverwood High School.

Loe is deeply committed to students and their learning and to providing an environment that enables staff to effectively do their jobs. At community meetings and at meetings with staff, she affirms her core beliefs, which are:

Value-added accountibility will become one of the school system's highest priorities. Loe believes in giving more flexibility to those schools getting high value-added results and to providing additional support for those schools that need help.

"I want to spend a lot of time working with principals and schools to provide them what they need to improve," Loe said.

Beginning May 5, an online survey for staff and parents will be posted on the system web site. Superintendent Loe is collecting feedback to help determine the future direction of our school system.

When the survey goes live next Monday, be sure to take a minute to post your comments. The survey asks only three open-ended questions and ends May 15.

Three new leaders for the school district recently were named. They join the superintendent's core leadership team to head three key areas of the school system -- instruction, finances and facilities.

Linda Anderson of Gwinnett County Schools has been named deputy superintendent for instruction, and Theresa McDugald, formerly of Clayton and Gwinnett County school systems, has been appointed chief financial officer. Patrick Burke, the system's current executive director of operational planning, steps up to become chief facilities officer.

The Fulton County School System is home to the brightest and most talented educators in Georgia -- and the nation.

Each month teachers and staff members receive awards or other honors that bring pride and recognition to their schools as well as the school system.

The FY 2009 budget season will end in June, bringing six months of intense work and financial planning to a close. In reality, the budget process is year-round but reaches its highest points during the spring. On May 15, the board will adopt a tentative budget, with final adoption scheduled for June 12.

Rising enrollments, continued state austerity reductions and other factors have made the FY 2009 budgeting process challenging. However, Superintendent Loe and the school board worked hard and collaboratively to create a budget that is aligned with the school system's strategic planning priorities and that supports the district's most pressing funding needs. The FY 2009 budget is centered on students and their continuous achievement.

National Teacher Appreciation Week is observed annually during the first full week in May, falling this year between May 4-10. The weeklong celebration is sponsored by the National PTA as a way of strengthening respect for and support of the teaching profession.

The National Education Association annually designates the Tuesday of that week (May 6) as National Teacher Day.

Confirmation has just been received from Senator Johnny Isakson that the Fulton County School System received $999,953 from the U.S. Department of Education for a Teaching American History grant. Fulton's project is called the "The Fulton County March."

Yes, you heard it right. The Fulton County School System is now vodcasting. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of the district's Communications and Broadcast & Video Technology departments, the new monthly vodcast, "Fulton Schools In Focus," features exciting, up-to-the-date school system news and events. Look for the above logo on the web site's front page.

Fulton County continues its trend of scoring high on state-mandated assessments with 86 percent of fifth grade students "meeting" or "exceeding" standards. The countywide score is nine percentage points higher than the state average and four percentage points higher than the metro Atlanta average.

This announcement comes weeks after eighth graders scored well on their writing assessment. This is further proof that our teachers are hitting the mark when it comes to writing instruction.

Happy 25th birthday to Haynes Bridge Middle School. A celebration/open house is planned for Sept. 20, 2008, and Debbie Reeves, principal, has a call out to all former Haynes Bridge employees.

To make the celebration extra special, she's asking former school employees to send old pictures or provide memorable anecdotes about their time at Haynes Bridge. Even if you don't have any old photographs or good stories to share, she'd still like to get you on the VIP mailing list to ensure you're able to take part in the Sept. 20 celebration. You can contact her directly by email or at 770-740-7030.

If you missed the opportunity last month to fill out the school district's important brand image survey, there's still time. Just click the link below, give us your feedback -- and return.

All schools are reminded to review emergency plans routinely. Make sure to update plans yearly. Remember, too, to meet with school safety teams regularly to discuss drills and future initiatives. It's always, always better to be safe than sorry.

Looking for a discount at one of your favorite restaurants or clothing stores? On your auto, home and life insurance? Maybe on your next car, hotel room or vacation? Who doesn't like to save a little money now and then? Well, here's your chance to save a lot.