Clayton News Daily | Johnny Jackson

Top teacher speaks to retirees about her journey

Pamela Smith’s voice broke as she recovered from the pregnant pause.

Clayton graduation rates increase 2 percent

Lovejoy High School topped the state graduation average for Clayton County’s Class of 2012. More than seven out of 10 students graduated on time from the school.

Three generations of Taylors, dentists

Life has been on the fast track for Dr. Benjamin James Taylor lately.

Mixed-bag for citizens’ budget discussions

About a dozen residents and district employees turnout for the second of four public hearings on the Clayton County Board of Education’s upcoming budget.

Students earn Water Environment Research Awards

SCHOOL NOTEBOOK 5-17-13

The Clayton County Water Authority Board of Directors recognized three students from Clayton County Public Schools for outstanding water-related science fair projects.

Career day presenters reach out to pupils

Lovejoy Middle School hosted its annual Career Day expo Thursday.

Clayton schools offer free meals to law enforcement

Clayton County Public Schools Superintendent Luvenia Jackson is inviting all Clayton County law enforcement personnel, along with mayors and city council members to stop by any Clayton County public school to receive free breakfast and lunch meals.

Foundation seeks multi-faceted park in Lovejoy

Imagine a place where people can go and catch a game of baseball, get a gourmet meal made from community-grown vegetables and take a mile-long hike through the park.

‘Summer Transition’ registration underway

Program helps advance rising kindergartners

Some children will get a head start on kindergarten at Little Ones Learning Center this summer.

Lovejoy approves FY14 budget

City officials will be working with a hefty $3.38 million budget during the next fiscal year.

Clayton below state average in new index

Clayton County Public Schools scored below the state average on the new College and Career Ready Performance Index, according to data from the Georgia Department of Education.

Citizens ignore budget talks

Two show up at public hearing

The Clayton County Board of Education gave residents an opportunity to voice their opinions this week about the upcoming budget year but only two took the offer.

Charity golfing raises $5,000-plus

Defending champs reclaim PSA tourney title

Organizers of the Fourth Annual Promoting Student Achievement Golf Tournament said the charity event raised more than $5,000 to benefit a scholarship fund for Clayton County’s graduating seniors.

Kinship Care opens playground

Where there were just pine trees and shrubs there is now a state-of-the-art playground.

Hall to direct CSU Honors Program

SCHOOL NOTEBOOK 5-10-13

Associate Professor of Philosophy Dr. Alexander Hall was recently named the fourth director of Clayton State University’s Honors Program.

Fractured school board pushes through last-minute measure

The Clayton County Board of Education was split 5-4 Monday on hiring the board attorney and the Georgia School Boards Association to conduct its superintendent search.

Soaked in science

District hosts its first middle grades Science Olympiad

The water activity was canceled...

Clayton State pupils graduate

Governor emphasizes character as key to success

Graduates had few words to describe the latest hallmark in their lives.

BOE to consider employee pay raises

Superintendent Luvenia Jackson has recommended the Clayton County Board of Education grant employees a one-time, 1-percent bonus next school year.

Kindergarten early registration kicks off in Clayton

Clayton County Public Schools is hosting its kindergarten early registration through Friday.

Students save planet, earn green thumbs

Science lab instructor Burt Parker helped students pot colorful flowers at the schoolhouse entrance, while others busily pulled weeds and spread fresh top soil in the courtyard.

‘Community Exit One’ expands its reach, support grows

The girls collected enough non-perishable food items to fill 300 Ziplock bags and did so in support of the area’s hungry and homeless.

Schools tee off to raise scholarship funds

SCHOOL NOTEBOOK 5-3-13

Clayton County Public Schools is inviting golfers to the Fourth Annual Promoting Student Achievement Golf Tournament Friday.

Spectators entertained by colorful cultures

Celebrate multiple cultures, heritages

First-generation Haitian-American Dupond Merilan stood backstage at the Clayton County Performing Arts Center. With his cello in hand, the 17-year-old exuded confidence.

Jackson gets contract extension

Superintendent search process slow-going

The Clayton County Board of Education voted 9-3 Monday to extend the contract of Interim Superintendent Luvenia Jackson until Dec. 31, 2014.

Clayton Relay For Life kicks off Friday

Clayton County residents are asked to help raise awareness in the battle against cancer this weekend.

Superintendent gets contract extension

The Clayton County Board of Education voted Monday, 9-3, to extend the contract of Interim Superintendent Luvenia Jackson until Dec. 31, 2014.

Clayton teacher awaits word on ‘presidential’ honor

Tonya Pugh will find out in June if she is a winner of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

Student-artists recognized in county-wide contest

Kemuel King’s charcoal portrait captured a small boy — his mouth splayed open in a playful moment.

Barge visits Kemp Primary

Members of the student council greeted dignitaries as they walked through the front door. Among them was the state’s chief education official.

Deal to speak at Clayton State’s spring commencement

Gov. Nathan Deal will be guest speaker at Clayton State University’s spring commencement exercises.

Three Clayton schools make national ‘best’ list

Three of Clayton County’s public high schools have been named among the best in the country by U.S. News and World Report.

Clayton’s annual cultural celeberation this weekend

The Seventh Annual Clayton County Cultural Celebration is this weekend.

Lovejoy pursues skate park

Skateboarders only have the concrete sidewalks and asphalt parking lots to show off their skills and test new tricks. And anxiety-ridden business owners must encounter it on an increasingly regular basis.

Noah’s Ark in charity competition

Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary relies on community donations.

Deal signs dual credit incentive

New law aims to boost college completion rate

Gov. Nathan Deal has signed legislation aimed at boosting Georgia’s college completion rate.

Lovejoy hosts third jobs fair

Matthew Dean was one among 62 job seekers to show up during the first 30 minutes of the jobs fair.

Clayton NAACP to host ‘Parent Power’ event

Organizers hope to help improve grad rates

The Clayton County Branch of the NAACP is planning its first Parent Power event April 27.

College tuition to increase 2.5 percent

Rate increase holds from 2012

The average full-time student will pay about $56 more tuition this fall at Clayton State University.

Clayton State hosts Tutoring Blitz

SCHOOL NOTEBOOK 4-19-13

The Center for Academic Success at Clayton State University is gearing up for its spring Tutoring Blitz.

Clayton schools earning district-wide accreditation

After battling accreditation issues for the better part of a decade, Clayton County citizens heard from officials their school system “ranks among the best.”

Riverdale beautifies Veterans Memorial Park

Firefighter Lawrence Ellis joined the others picking up around the quarter-acre Veterans Memorial Park.

Clayton seeks systemwide accreditation through review

The Clayton County School System is attempting to regain systemwide accreditation this week.

Sunshine greets Lovejoy block party

Residents kept the lunch line filled out as they trickled into the outdoor pavilion.

Water authority recognized for financial reporting

The Clayton County Water Authority’s Finance Department has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the nonprofit Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada.