Author: On Common Ground News

Today, the DeKalb County School District kicked off its Summer Leadership Conference at Miller Grove High School. More than 600 administrators, teachers and school leaders in the district came together for the event, held annually, to get ready for the new school year. Students return to classes on Aug. 7. Superintendent R. Stephen Green said he came up with this year’s conference theme, “All Rise,” to inspire and reiterate the district’s commitment to push for student achievement in every school in the district. The goal, he said, is to become the nation’s foremost school district to graduate students…

The months-long search for the suspects responsible for the death of 52-year-old Gerald Lovell Tisdale has ended in New Orleans. Joel Williams, 30, and Alvion Robinson, 27, were arrested in New Orleans and are currently awaiting extradition to Georgia to face charges for shooting Tisdale on March 30, DeKalb County police say. Tisdale was shot during an alleged road rage incident on 78 Eastbound near Mountain Industrial Boulevard. Williams, the alleged shooter, fired at Tisdale from a black Nissan Altima, causing him to lose control and crash into the woodline. Tisdale later died at Grady Hospital. Both, Williams and Robison,…

New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, 6400 Woodrow Road, Stonecrest, hosted a back-to-school event on Saturday where over 1,000 book bags and school supplies were distributed for free to the community. The “Summer Lift & Blazing Back to School Festival” was held in partnership with the Savvy Foundation, Nationwide and City of Stonecrest Councilmember Diane Adoma, Walmart and Georgia Home Theater, to name a few. In addition to the book bag giveaway, there were drawings for lap tops, Ipads and games. The festival also featured plenty of family fun and activities including a petting zoo and pony rides, bounce houses, live…

Pampering was the order of the day during a special mentoring program, which was held on Saturday to get high school girls ready for the new school year. Voices of Faith’s Youth Ministry hosted the “Back-to-School Royal Pampering Party” at its Rockdale County campus on Saturday, July 22. Deaconess June Hawkins Jones said the mentoring event for high school girls who are members of the church’s Rockdale location provided sessions on skin care, getting rid of stress and strategies for succeeding in college. In addition to the classes, the girls enjoyed a continental breakfast and luncheon. Pastor Matthew Jenkins is…

Fit For A Queen of Atlanta formal wear welcomed Miss USA 2016, Deshauna Barber, at a red carpet reception on Friday, July 21. Barber and Fit For A Queen owner Aisha S. Danzy collaborated to present a comprehensive pageant preparatory workshop, which was held on Saturday, July 22, at the Buckhead-Atlanta Doubletree Hotel. The “Take the Crown” workshop, conducted by national and international professionals in the beauty and pageant industry, offered participants runway coaching, interview prep, wardrobe consultations, physique and nutrition consultation. Danzy said she was excited and honored to be a part of the workshop and luncheon, which drew…

Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) student registration will temporarily relocate to 1400 Parker Road SE, Conyers during July 24 to Aug. 4 to accommodate the increased number of families registering during the back-to-school season. The registration office will open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., except Aug. 4, when it will close at noon. Student registration will reopen Monday, Aug. 7, 7:30 a.m., at the main office, 1143 West Avenue, Conyers. New students or returning students with new addresses must come to the Student Registration Office. For a list of required documents for new student registration, please visit…

The public is invited to an open house to celebrate the completion of renovations at Johnson Park Recreation Center on Thursday, July 27, 6 – 8 p.m., 1781 Ebenezer Road. Come see the renovated locker rooms, upgrades to gym, new carpet and renovated pool area.

DECATUR—Smart technology is helping the visually-impaired to get around city buildings in Decatur. Foresight Augmented Reality (FAR) has teamed with the city of Decatur to provide smart technology for seven locations within Decatur’s city limits, making Decatur the first official city to implement the technology. The FAR-accessible locations provide directions for the blind and vision-impaired. FAR-accessible buildings include the installation of a Bluetooth beacon, that when paired with the FAR Vision mobile app, provides users with descriptive information such as entrances and exits, restrooms, hazard warnings and more. “This project opens a lot of doors for the visually impaired community…

The Rev. Raphael Warnock, pastor of Atlanta’s historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, was arrested and released in Washington, D.C. on July 18 after peacefully protesting budget cuts proposed by President Trump. Warnock and the Rev. Cynthia L. Hale, senior pastor of Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, were among a group of clergy who called on Congress to reject President Trump’s deep cuts to healthcare, education and other programs, saying the cuts were “immoral” and would negatively impact millions of Americans. Warnock and others in the group were singing and praying in the rotunda Russell Senate Office Building when they…