New and Promoted Personnel

Fulton County Schools has been busy over the summer recruiting the most qualified teachers and staff, bringing the total workforce to 10,900 for the 2024-25 school year. Retirements and promotions also have led to the following changes in school and district leadership:

The Promise Career Institute

Fulton's newest high school, The Promise Career Institute (PCI), is excited to welcome approximately 350 students this fall. Students will experience a transformative educational journey that goes beyond traditional high school education. Students will take nine core academic courses while focusing their remaining coursework training in high-wage, high-skill, in-demand career fields. Students will obtain up to 30 college course credits tuition-free that leads to least 2 technical certifications of credit.

Students also will complete college coursework that leads to certification in the areas of Automotive Technology, Avionics Technology, Computer Networking, Cybersecurity, Design and Media Production, Diesel Technology, Early Childhood Care and Education, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, and Welding. Certifications. More than 17 companies have partnered with PCI to provide relevant and meaningful experiences for students.

Safety & Security

Schools will add a new protocol – “Hold” – to their emergency preparedness plan. Holds are called when students need to stay in their classroom temporarily while a non-threat situation, like a medical emergency or an administrative reason, is managed.

Information Technology

Classwize, a classroom management tool, helps teachers monitor and guide students’ online activities in real-time. This tool ensures students stay focused on their lessons and provides a safe digital learning environment.

School Nutrition

The School Nutrition Program will have all 96 commercial kitchens operating on the first day of school so students can receive breakfast, lunch, and snacks. Approximately 71,000 meals will be served every day this school year. FCS offers healthy meals daily at a reasonable price. At elementary schools, the price for breakfast is $1.20 and lunch is $2.60. For middle and high schools, the price for breakfast is $1.35 and lunch is $2.85. Students may qualify for free meals or for reduced-price meals. For families that qualify for reduced meals during SY24-25, households will not be required to pay the reduced price of $0.30 for breakfast and $0.40 for lunch due to Georgia Department of Education funding used to cover these costs.

Households are encouraged to prepay for student meals and extra sales using MyPaymentsPlus. Visit www.mypaymentsplus.com to sign up and get started. Cash or check payments can also be made at your student’s school in the cafeteria.

The Free & Reduced Meal Benefits Program is a part of the National Child Nutrition Program and is available to qualifying households. A NEW application must be completed for the 2024-2025 school year. Applications are available online at www.nlappscloud.com and in paper from any school cafeteria.

Transportation

Due to a bus driver shortage, transportation challenges are expected to affect bus routes and on-time arrivals at schools this year. Parents and students are encouraged to sign up for our free "Here Comes the Bus" app which allows students and parents to track their bus in real-time. Alerts notify when the bus is just a few blocks away from the bus stop, offering safety for students and peace of mind for parents.

Services for Exceptional Children

Fulton County Schools has expanded and renamed its therapeutic behavioral program for students experiencing significant emotional and behavioral challenges. The program – PATHS (Partnership for Academics and Therapeutics between Home and School) – aligns closely with district policies and procedures, provides partnership between home and school, and creates better outcomes for students through specialized instruction and behavioral interventions.

PATHS promotes social, emotional, and academic growth through a positive and inclusive learning environment while also teaching students how to better regulate their emotions. Program supports include individualized behavior plans, tiered therapeutic supports (which include small group and individual counseling services), social skills training, and collaboration with families and community resources. Feldwood ES, Sweet Apple ES, Haynes Bridge MS, McNair MS, Paul D. West MS, Langston Hughes HS, Tri-Cities HS and Centennial HS will house the PATHS program.

Communication Tools

Timely and important information families need to know is available through the FCS News website, The Messenger monthly e-newsletter, and our news program, "Let's Talk Schools!" Be sure to follow us on all social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and Threads.

Student Password Reset

For security purposes, all students are encouraged to reset their student passwords from the standard password set by FCS when their device was issued.