Author: On Common Ground News

STONECREST, GA–Congratulations to Richard S. Hill, who has been named Support Employee of the Year 2023-2024 at Arabia Mountain High School, located in the City of Stonecrest. Hill, who has been with the DeKalb County School System since 2017, is head custodian at Arabia and part of the support team at the school. Staff members nominate and vote on the person(s) selected to be honored. Arabia Principal Tanya Mason recently honored Hill with an appreciation gift—Atlanta Falcons’ and Georgia Bulldogs gear. “It was nice to be recognized for the hard work that we do to maintain the school building. I feel…

ATLANTA — District 10 Council member Andrea L. Boone invites the public to visit the African American Doll Exhibit at the former Adamsville Recreation Center, 3404 Delmar Lane N.W., Atlanta. Curated by its collector, Jamila Jones, the exhibit is currently on display through the holiday season. It features a worldwide collection of more than 1,000 dolls dating back to the 1800s, including miniatures, life-size dolls, action figures, and the first Black Barbie doll. “The opportunity to visit an exhibit with a collection celebrating Black dolls is significant to the African American cultural heritage. To see, touch, and learn of the history…

  DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced a conviction by jury trial in a 5-year-old case against a Stockbridge man who fatally shot and robbed a Decatur man who was walking near his home.  Jurors returned guilty verdicts on Monday, against Joshua Cortez Ellis, 25, on charges of Malice Murder, three counts of Felony Murder, Armed Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony and Possession of a Firearm by a First Offender Probationer stemming from an incident on June 4, 2019.    According to the investigation, Ronald Peters, 28, was walking near his…

ATLANTA, GA– The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) announced that it has created the Thriving Child Care Business Academy of free online training to help providers enhance their business and financial management skills. Through the Thriving Child Care Business Academy, owners and administrators can receive training in best business management practices,   much like the training they receive in best early childhood education practices on other platforms. “Over the past two years, DECAL has distributed $1.6 billion in federal financial supports to help child care providers mitigate the negative business impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said DECAL Commissioner…

STONECREST, GA—Seniors from throughout metro Atlanta are getting fit at Samson Health and Fitness Center—at no charge to them. The 79,000-square-foot Samson Health & Fitness Center is the health and wellness extension of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, where Dr. Jamal Bryant is senior pastor. “We are blessed to have the largest, seated senior workout class in Atlanta on Tuesdays and Thursdays, instructed by the amazing DaShaun Johnson, The Guru of Abs,” said Melanie R. Render, Samson’s director of athletics. “Over 250 seniors attend each class, and we are continuing to grow. We have also recently added free ballroom and…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) Class of 2023 graduates, like the state and nation, saw a decrease in composite SAT scores over the previous year. The 2023 mean composite score for RCPS is 969, down from 980. The mean composite score for Georgia public schools is 1045, and the mean composite score for U.S. public schools is 1003, both decreasing from 2022. “Despite the fact that an increasing number of colleges and universities are waiving the SAT requirement for admission, RCPS remains committed to ensuring that our students who opt to sit for this test are prepared to…

STONECREST, GA—Grammy award-winning artist Erica Campbell, of Mary Mary, is kicking off a week of women empowerment with a free, live concert this evening, Sept. 26, 7:30 p.m., at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, 6400 Woodrow Rd., Stonecrest. The Reinvigorate women’s series, Sept. 28-30, will culminate with a weekend of inspiring, enlightening and uplifting events featuring Nona Jones, international speaker, preacher and author;  Tasha Cobb Leonard, award-winning gospel artist and actress; and Dr. Heavenly Kimes,  of the Bravo reality series, Married to Medicine.  Register for the Reinvigorate events by visiting newbirth.org and clicking the Reinvigorate Women’s Weekend tab. “Reinvigorate recognizes the universal burden that so many women carry as…

DECATUR, GA—Congressman Hank Johnson, District 4, is hosting a community roundtable to discuss the national housing crisis on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 5:30 to:30 p.m., at the Lou Walker Senior Center, 2538 Panola Road, Decatur. “We’re facing an undeniable affordability crisis in housing, effecting both renters and homeowners nationwide, and notably in Georgia’s Fourth District,” said Johnson, whose district includes parts of DeKalb and Newton counties and all of Rockdale County. “We’ll be discussing solutions for homelessness, escalating rents, home buying challenges, unwarranted foreclosures and more.”     Panelists for the roundtable include State Sen. Tonya Anderson, State Rep. Billy Mitchell,…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) will hold Open House nights during September, October and November 2023 for the 2024-2025 School Specialty and Choice programs. Students and Families interested in applying for one of the programs are strongly encouraged to attend the Open House night. The application window for School Specialty and Choice programs is Nov. 10 through Dec. 15, 2023. The application will be online at www.rockdaleschools.org/specialtyandchoice. Students may apply for specialty programs outside of their assigned neighborhood school zone. Please note: Non-traditional programs such as Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology, Rockdale Career Academy, Rockdale Open Campus…