East Atlanta Community Association
  Newsletter
March 9, 2009 
In This Issue
LEAP Update - School Board Rep to Attend
Sylvester Cemetery Celebrates Fiddlin' John Carson
Burgess Peterson Updates
Local News & Events
EABA - Business Briefs
Upcoming East Atlanta Area Meetings
EACA Public Safety
EASP News & Information
2009 EACA Membership
Join Our Mailing List!
Quick Links
 
 Greetings!


This week's EACA newsletter was also affected by Daylight Savings Time! In this issue, you'll read about the Beautification Committee's March clean-up and upcoming opportunities, our Week 9 crime report (with no reported burglaries!), and information on a new crime prevention program being launched by the Fulton County DA's Office. Also, read the LEAP update to get details on our APS School Board Representative's upcoming attendance at the LEAP meeting next week and also to learn what LEAP's working on and how you can help.

The monthly EACA meeting is tomorrow evening at Branan Towers and our House Representative Robbin Shipp will be in attendance to discuss what she is working on in the legislature this year.

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Checklist Image

Yesterday, EACA's Beautification Committee cleaned Glenwood Avenue from Flat Shoals down to I-20.

Many thanks to 15 volunteers who came out Checklist Imageand filled approximately 25 large bags with trash and recyclables. Thanks also to Holy Taco for hosting us for post-clean-up brunch.
 
 
Next Sunday, March 15th, SAFE's graffiti team volunteers will be meeting in the village at 3:00 p.m. on Joe's patio to tackle cleaning graffiti in the Village. If you have them, bring gloves, roller frames, poles etc.

Next month -- We'll be doing our Earth Day event on April 18th and will work on the island and sign at the entrance to East Atlanta, collect litter in and around the village, put in some plantings, and conduct the tire round-up throughout the neighborhood. If you see any tires in EAV, e-mail Michelle Rice ([email protected]) to let her know their location.
 
As always, e-mail [email protected] with any questions or for volunteer opportunities. 
LEAP Update - APS School Board Rep Cecily Harsch-Kinnane in Attendance
 

LEAP (Linking Education and the Public) will be welcoming Cecily Harsch-Kinnane, our local elected school board representative and Vice-Chair of the Atlanta Board of Education to our next meeting on Wednesday March 18th at 7:00 at the Burgess-Peterson Academy media center.  The general theme of the discussion will be how to provide a public school education that meets the needs of all families in the East Atlanta community, the very reason that LEAP came into existence.  Due to the changing demographics in our community, the initial target of LEAP's efforts has been on improving the quality and quantity of elementary education options in our neighborhood.

 

To date, the LEAP efforts have focused on improving the educational quality at Burgess-Peterson Academy.  The basis for this decision is that the school has the size and facilities to support the needs of East Atlanta for grades K-5.  More importantly, it is the only elementary school that can guarantee enrollment to all East Atlanta families, a critical issue for LEAP members who felt that NCS was becoming an unlikely option due to enrollment limitations.  Burgess-Peterson currently has an enrollment of about 260 students, but a capacity of over 600. 

 

To date, here are some of the key accomplishments of LEAP's efforts:

  • Direct involvement in the interview and selection process of a new principal at Burgess-Peterson Academy who support LEAP's vision of elementary education for East Atlanta.
  • Direct participation on the Burgess-Peterson School Council, which currently includes two members of LEAP.  The School Council's sole mission is to help define and support the School Achievement Plan.
  • Fundraising and planning to help support the construction of a school playground, a critical missing element at Burgess-Peterson identified by members of LEAP.
  • Identifying the process to transform our local school by meeting with representatives of other school communities that have experienced similar demographic shifts in their neighborhood.
  • Development of a survey to identify what educational needs still need to be met in order for East Atlanta families to commit to enrolling their children at Burgess-Peterson.
  • Ongoing development of both qualitative and quantitative measures of school performance in East Atlanta as compared to other neighboring communities.

One other critical project has been identified and needs volunteer support to make it happen.  We have been offered the opportunity to have a 90 minute discussion with 8-15 parents in the East Atlanta community regarding how APS can improve community participation in our schools.  This event would be moderated and paid for by the Atlanta Education Fund, who will provide direct feedback to APS Superintendent Dr. Hall on what we need to improve educational opportunities in East Atlanta.  Similar events have been held throughout the city of Atlanta, and we need to make our voices heard.

 

One other important topic will be on the agenda on March 18th, which is the potential merger of NCS and ACMS and its anticipated impact for East Atlanta.  In the next 60 days, it is likely that an amendment to the NCS charter will be presented for a vote of the Atlanta Board of Education.  We'll be discussing the ways to participate in the amendment process, as well as providing an opportunity to learn more about the merger so that you may provide your input to our elected board representatives as well as the boards of both schools.

 

If you can't make the next LEAP meeting or would like to participate in its efforts, please contact [email protected].

 Fulton District Attorney's Office Launches Electronics Registry Program
In the wake of skyrocketing residential and commercial burglary rates in the Metro Area, Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. has launched a new program designed to proactively tackle the problem.  The initiative, spearheaded by the DA's Office of Community Prosecution, allows Fulton County residents and business owners to register their electronic equipment with the DA's office-particularly high-end plasma televisions and computers which have become primary targets for criminals.
 
Participants can download an "Electronic Registration" form located on the DA's website at www.fultonda.org (or directly - HERE) and register up to four electronic items including make, model and serial numbers for each.  The information will be entered into a computerized database maintained by the DA's office and in return, specialized bar-coded stickers will be mailed to registrants to affix to their equipment. Owners will also receive a window decal which reads "The Electronic Equipment Herein is registered with the Fulton County District Attorney's Office."
 Sylvester Cemetery - Fiddlin' John Carson Tribute Concert -- Save the Date!
Sylvester CemeteryIn celebration of the 141st Birthday of Fiddlin' John Carson, the first Country Music recording star in the U.S., there will be a free Country/Blue Grass/Western/Gospel Concert on Saturday, March 21, 2009 from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. at his gravesite in Historic Sylvester Cemetery in East Atlanta. 

Local Country & Blue Grass Musicians are welcome to join in the fun. Maps will be available for self-guided tours of the cemetery grounds. To see the event flier, click HERE.

 Burgess-Peterson Academy Updates
Burgess-Peterson Academy has partnered with the East Lake YMCA.  One of the many benefits of this partnership is the use of the HopSports program which utilizes innovative technology programming for sports activities to help young people get fit. HopSports also provides a way for parents and students to workout together and have fun.

The East Lake YMCA provides HopSports to the after school program on Tuesdays from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. and from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m., teachers, staff and parents will have an opportunity to workout with the many programs available on the system.  The HopSports program will also be used as incentives for the class with the most Big Paw Bucks for the month, as a treat for the Citizens of the Month and any other special activities in lieu of sugary sweets.   For more information on joining us on Tuesdays and Wednesday for HopSports, please contact Coach Betty Jackson at 404-802-3416. 

Burgess-Peterson has also partnered with East Atlanta Kids Club!
 
The garden building was a great success!  Thank you to all the community members that came out to show there support and for the donation of the seeds.  We are also happy to announce that next year we will be implementing the First Move Chess Program.
 
We are currently still seeking tutors for our tutorial program.  Tutors are needed Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to come and assist students with Reading and Math in grades K-5.  If you are able to assist us in anyway, please contact community liaison Azia  Alexander at 404-802-3400 or via email at [email protected].

Also, you can always visit our website HERE.
 
 
 Upcoming East Atlanta Area Meetings
EACA Monthly Meeting
Tuesday, March 10th - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Branan Towers
For more information, contact EACA President Jelena Crawford at [email protected]

NPU-W Land Use & Zoning Committee Meeting
Wednesday, March 11th - 7:30 p.m.
Location: Zoo Atlanta ARC Building
For more information, contact NPU Chair Ed Gilgor at [email protected]

BATL Event Planning Meeting
Thursday, March 12th - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Joe's Coffee
For more information and to volunteer, contact Henry Bryant at [email protected]
 
LEAP (Linking Education and the Public) Meeting
Wednesday, March 18th - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Burgess-Peterson Academy
For more information, contact [email protected]

NPU-W Transportation Committee Meeting
Thursday, March 19th - 7:30 p.m.
Location: Martha Brown United Methodist Church

  Local News & Events
Local News

 

  EABA - Business Briefs
                       
Dance411 Offers More $5 Classes to the Local CommunityDance411 Logo


Dance411 is offering $5 and $10 classes to the community in yoga, hiphop, belly dancing and more. For details, click HERE.


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Tan n' More Celebrates 5th Year
"WHERE THE SUN ALWAYS SHINES"

Checklist ImageYouʼre invited to attend our 5th year anniversary on Saturday March 21st, 11:00 a.m. til 7:00 p.m. We will be selling all lotions for 20% off and we will be giving away lotions for you to try.

Also, there will be drawings for free lotions & free visits all day. 490 Flat Shoals Avenue / 404.526.1144.


 EACA Public Safety - Week 9 Crime Report

The weekly detailed crime report for February 22nd - 28th, 2009:
 East Atlanta Security Patrol News & Information
EASP Logo
To learn more about the East Atlanta Security Patrol or to enroll, visit the EASP website (http://patrol.eaca.net). The cost to join the patrol is $50 per quarter, with a 50% discount for longtime residents and those 65+. To qualify, you must have lived at the same address for 20 years or be over age 65.  We also have a 20% discount for members of an APD-sanctioned Neighborhood Watch.  Please contact us if you're interested in setting up a Neighborhood Watch on your street.
 
If you have additional questions, please direct them to [email protected], or call EACA Public Safety Chair Myron Polster at 404-429-8815.

  2009 EACA Membership

Join or renew your EACA membership today! Annual dues are $10 per household. As an EACA member, you can vote at EACA meetings on topics of interest within our community. Additionally, there are numerous local businesses who offer discounts to EACA members. See the official list of EACA member discounts and take advantage of them by showing your 2009 membership card throughout the Village.

You can sign up for your 2009 EACA membership and order EACA Yard Signs on-line! Pay electronically through your online banking site or via Paypal HERE.
 
Contact Information:
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://eaca.net

Submissions:
If you're interested in submitting an article to the EACA weekly newsletter, send it to [email protected] by the end of the day on Friday. Include relevant dates, times, locations and contact information, as well as details of the event or announcement.