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Peachtree Ridge students do well above national SAT scores
By Steve Flynt
Principal
Special to GwinnettForum.com

DULUTH, Ga., Oct. 23, 2007 -- Peachtree Ridge High School has a vision to be the standard of excellence as a learning community, committed to effective instruction that prepares students for success in a dynamic global environment.

Using the 4x4 block scheduling method, students are able to receive up to eight units per year. In addition to a very strong academic core, the school maintains many of the strongest elective and fine art programs in the state. The mission of Peachtree Ridge High School is to build a community of learners through engaging, relevant, challenging instruction that fosters collaboration and a respect for diversity.

Peachtree Ridge High School uses data to help make informed instructional decisions on methods and interventions available to students. The Class of 2007 was the second to take the new version of the SAT.

The new SAT features a writing section on which those at the school taking it averaged a score of 497. Students are asked to take a position on an issue and use reasoning and examples taken from their previous class experiences to support the position.

The critical reading test actually is more than a name change from the previous verbal section. Reading passages are longer and require a deeper understanding of both vocabulary and contextual understanding. Last year PRHS students averaged 508 on critical reading.

The mathematics section of the SAT includes questions testing students' knowledge of Algebra II, an area not assessed in the previous version of the SAT. Last year the students taking the test at the school averaged a score on the math section of 539.

Altogether, Peachtree Ridge High School reported an average student total score of 1544, showing a three point increase from the previous year and coming in 20 points over the system average, 72 points above the state average, and 33 points over the national average. (See accompanying table.)

At Peachtree Ridge, Advanced Placement courses provide students with an opportunity to participate in the most challenging and rigorous international curriculum choice, giving them college level work and textbooks in preparation for the national AP exams. In May, students all over the world participate in AP examinations in 36 different subjects. Satisfactory scores on an AP exam allow many students the opportunity to earn college credit for AP class work.

Over 90 percent of colleges and universities, including many foreign universities, grant credit for AP scores. Most of them require a minimum score of three for one course credit, and a five for two course credit. To encourage students to take these more rigorous courses, the Gwinnett County Board of Education awards a ten-point bonus to AP report card grades.

This past year Peachtree Ridge High School students took 817 AP exams with 76 percent of those students earning three or higher. The increase in AP participation was a large factor in Newsweek naming Peachtree Ridge High School as one of the top schools in the nation.

Congratulations to the school and community on these excellent academic achievements. Peachtree Ridge High School is fortunate to have students, parents, teachers and other community members who take such an active role in educational initiatives aimed directly at increased student academic achievement.

Carl Sanders instrumental in Gwinnett getting an airport
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com

OCT. 23, 2007 -- If you had to pick the one person in Georgia who had the most to do with establishment of the Gwinnett County Airport, it wouldn't be someone from Gwinnett County. It would be a former Augustan…..former Gov. Carl Sanders.

When Sanders was campaigning for governor in 1961, he flew around the state in a single-engine Comanche 250 airplane. Sanders, who had been a B-17 pilot in World War II, remembers having to land in cow pastures or sometimes on air strips 600-800 feet long.

He said last week: "Most of the air strips we had then were former World War II auxiliary fields left over from pilot training. We only had about 30 airports when I got elected."

Sanders had an idea that establishing more airports in Georgia would benefit the state. He also wanted to have air strips within sight of any airplane flying at 10,000 feet, that is, within a 17 mile radius of the glide path should the engine fail.

"So I went to the meeting of the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia, and asked if they would support me to build airports. I got an answer. It wasn't no. It was 'Hell, no.' They wanted more money for roads, and told me in no uncertain words." Sanders easily remembers.

Yet Sanders went to work. He learned that the Federal Government would put up 50 percent of the money for development of community airports. So Sanders went back the next year to the county commissioners, suggesting that the state and national government would pay for 100 percent of the airport construction, if the county commissioners would buy land for their airports. This time the county commissioners were more agreeable.

As a result, counties all over Georgia began buying land for airports. Gwinnett bought the land for the present Briscoe Field in 1966. And by the end of Sanders' four year term as governor, the state then counted 100 airports.

Sanders says: "Creating those airports opened up rural counties for economic development. An industrialist would not fly into the Atlanta Airport, then take an automobile two hours to a site, then have to drive back two more hours. But with the airports, they could fly directly to a site in their King Air, inspect the area, and get back easily.

"When I was governor, we had $1 billion in new industry come to the state, all throughout the state, because we had a program to build airports. In fact, Georgia had the top airport building program in the nation when I was governor. We built 70 airports and provided a new day for aviation in the state in a true sense."

Today Georgia counts 108 airports, including nine commercial airports. And the Gwinnett County Airport has the second most planes parked on its runways…..466. Only Peachtree DeKalb has more planes (565) based at an airport in Georgia.

Thanks, and a tip of the hat to you, Governor Sanders. You helped make Gwinnett great with your airport building program.

The public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com to you at no cost to readers. Today's sponsor is the Aurora Theatre, Gwinnett County's first choice for professional theatrical entertainment. Celebrating their 12th year and inaugural season in Gwinnett's crown jewel for the performing arts located on the square in Downtown Lawrenceville, Aurora Theatre is committed to producing quality, professional theatre for all of North Georgia. The 2007-2008 Season continues with the regional premiere of Bach at Leipzig through October 28. Remaining performances include: Christmas Canteen 2007, Dial M for Murder, The Dinosaur Musical & Noises Off. Aurora Theatre also welcomes from off-Broadway, The Gospel of John on November 8-11. For young children ask about the Saturday Children's Playhouse: 19 unique productions on select Saturday mornings at 10 a.m.. To purchase individual tickets, season tickets or for more information, visit their revamped new website at www.auroratheatre.com or call 678-226-6222.

Our household has taken a few "small steps" back in time to conserve water. Have you ever heard of a Navy shower? You get good and wet then turn off the water while you wash and then turn the water back on to rinse. We use to shower like this while camping.

Also every other day we take what we call a "whore bath." Fill up the sink with water and wash the important parts with a washcloth, starting with your face and working your way down.

Put a bucket under the spigot in the tub while you are waiting for the water to get hot for a shower. We all now use the shower closest to the hot water heater. It takes what seems like forever for the hot water to get to the master bath which is the farthest from the water heater.

We disconnected two down spouts and catch the rain water in a 55 gallon drum. We use this water for flowers and vegetables. We also cut the water off to the toilet in the master bath and use the rain water to flush.

Today we are going to modify our rain water collection to catch the over flow. Next on my list to do is disconnect the drain pipe at the kitchen sink and catch that water in a five gallon bucket. Also we are going to cut a hole in the side of the house to drain the washing machine into a 55 gallon drum. We have a lot of flowers and trees along with a vegetable garden that is still producing bell peppers, hot peppers, egg plants and tomatoes. The winter collards, cabbage, onions and variety of greens are, well, they are all green. I would love to hear more tips on how to conserve and reuse water.

Editor, the Forum,

If one considers that the Army Corps of Engineers is going to flush two billion gallons of water a day out of Lake Lanier no matter what Gwinnett, DeKalb, Fulton, County and City of Atlanta residents do to conserve water, the conclusion one must come to is that this individual water conservation thing is irrelevant and a farce.

Regulating, fining, and cutting off the water supply of those who illicitly water outside is just another example of government exerting power over the people for the sake of power and as part of a big lie.

One does not have to be a rocket scientist to figure out the concept that you can take out more than you put in for only a finite period of time. The brainless waste of our water resource by a federal judge or by the Corps of Engineers is criminal. What will the clams do for water when Lake Lanier is depleted? Does our government do anything well? It is not yet time for violent revolution but surely it is seven minutes till midnight.

Many people around the country have discovered that the discarding of cigarette butts is much more of a problem than just the unsightly nature of throwing one's trash on the ground and not properly disposing of the cigarette butt.? What researchers with the Environmental Protection Agency and other organizations have found is the "by-products" of the cigarette butts, including nicotine and arsenic, are now making their way into the water table.? This means that not only is our wildlife ingesting these carcinogens, but as we depend more and more on our local resources during these days of drought, higher and higher levels of these carcinogens are being found in our drinking water.

Most disturbing was the action of Gwinnett County Commission Chairman candidate Lorraine Greene, who sponsored the repeal of Gwinnett County's Clean Indoor Air Ordinance, almost two years ago. What was the result of her actions? Now, smokers no longer have to stand 20 feet from the door in order to smoke. In fact, they can now stand right in the doorway and expose waiting patrons to the hazards of cigarette smoke. Now restaurants can be "adult only," allowing patrons to once again smoke inside a facility and expose all patrons and workers to the dangers of second-hand smoke.

Ms. Greene may think that the 80 percent of the residents of Gwinnett County who do not smoke have forgotten her actions, but as the "candidate forums" begin for the election, she will be asked at every meeting why she should be the Gwinnett County Commission Chairman when she has such a total disregard for the health and welfare of the citizens of Gwinnett County.

Norcross Cooperative Ministries will soon have new books to give to area needy children, thanks to Peachtree Elementary School in Norcross, ReMax Suburban Atlanta and First Book-Atlanta Alpha Xi Delta. These organizations will collect new or gently used books from November 15-December 20 at several drop-off sites around Norcross. Tax deductible contributions will be accepted through www.firstbook.org/atlantaalphaxidelta during the same time period.

Jean Loethen-Payne, principal of Peachtree Elementary, says: "The students of Peachtree Elementary are thrilled to be participating in such a worthwhile cause and to be contributing to the literacy of our community. Every child should have books to help instill a love a learning."

Area drop-off sites include Kroger, two locations of Publix, ReMax Suburban Atlanta, Peachtree Elementary School, Norcross High School, Pinckneyille Middle School, Curves and Gwinnett Fire Station No. 4 on Spalding Drive, all located in Norcross.

Norcross Cooperative Ministries is a faith-based, non-profit, non-political, ecumenical ministry which to provides emergency assistance to families in the city of Norcross and the Gwinnett County portions of Tucker and Doraville.

New Norcross Kiwanis plans art auction on Nov. 10

The Norcross Kiwanis Club will be holding its second annual Bids-4-Kids Art Auction on November 10, 2007, at Regency Fine Art, 6458 Dawson Boulevard in Norcross. The event will include Wine Tasting and a Silent Auction. The art preview begins at 7 p.m.. and the auction starts at 8 p.m. Proceeds will go to the club's service fund. Last year's funds were used to buy Christmas presents for children in DEFACS and provided help to a local school for an Academic Decathlon for Deaf Students.

Tickets for the event are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. To purchase your tickets please call (770) 849-0078. To see the art selection and even request certain items be included in the auction please go to the following site: http://www.thefineartoffundraising.com/featuredartist.cfm?auction_ID=79317

The Norcross Kiwanis Club is a new club, which recently started its second full year. The club meets every second and fourth Tuesdays at Ledo's Pizza in Norcross at Noon. President of the club is Sandy Richardson.

A prospective Georgia Gwinnett College student can now visit, apply, ask questions about financial aid, register and pay for classes, meet with a counselor for disabilities services, find out what social activities and leadership opportunities are available on campus, and connect with future peers and mentors all in one place-the new Student Services Center at Georgia Gwinnett College. No appointment necessary. The new center opened Monday. It is located at 20 Collins Industrial Way in Lawrenceville.

Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Jim Fatzinger says: "Having all the admissions functions and student affairs offices in one easy-to-access facility at the front door of the campus is convenient for visitors and illustrates GGC's integrated approach to higher education."

In December 2006, the GGC Foundation purchased a commercial warehouse building and five acres on Collins Hill Road, formerly occupied by the owners of Plumbing Distributors Inc. The building was in excellent condition, and was remodeled to provide necessary office space for enrollment management and student affairs staff. The purchase price was about $3.8 million.

According to GGC's Director of Facilities Maurice Blount, "the initial 20,000 square feet of the facility includes more than 70 offices and a presentation room where visitors can learn about GGC's mission and programs. This is a place where families, future students and other visitors can conveniently learn more about the College," Blount says.

The Snellville Parks and Recreation Department has been selected by Georgia's Nutrition and Physical Activity Initiative to participate in a new program to combat childhood obesity. The program stems from Georgia Recreation and Park Association's (GRPA) adoption of a resolution entitled, "Healthy Food and Beverage Sales at Concession Stands and Vending Machines in Local Park and Recreation Settings." This resolution asks sites to provide the opportunity for individuals to make healthy food and beverage choices. In the upcoming months, Snellville Parks and Recreation will provide customers with more fruit at their concession stand and will test promotional strategies to boost the sales of fruit and bottled water.

Parents and children should look for the "SMART CHOICE" logo at the concession stand when purchasing the foods associated with logo, specifically water and fruit..

Jimmy Gisi, Executive Director, GRPA, says: "With the adoption of the Healthy Food and Beverages Resolution, community members will have the opportunity to purchase nourishing food at our sites. Program participants can select foods and beverages that fuel their activities on the courts, in the fields, or in gyms."

Gwinnett County extended its sewer petition policy to include non-residential properties by action of the Board of Commissioners recently. The policy now lets property owners petition for sewer extensions by agreeing to pay a third of the cost of construction. That cost plus a one-time development charge can now be spread over 10 years.

Commission Chairman Charles Bannister says: "Our goals are to encourage business redevelopment, create new jobs and improve water quality by reducing the number of septic tank systems in operation."

The petition policy, similar to a special improvement district, was previously available only to residential property owners. Before Gwinnett had an extensive sewer system, many properties were developed using septic tanks. Today, old leaky septic tanks are causing environmental problems and the county is encouraging property owners to connect to public sewer. The one-time development charge for all new connections is a way of establishing equity with existing customers.

New officers of the Emory Eastside Medical Center Auxiliary are, from left, Shirley Hayes, membership vice president and outgoing president; Sandy Hamrick, documentation vice president; Wanda Van Tyle, parliamentarian; Frances Harman, president-elect; Joanne Gilbreath, president; and Donna Hunter, recruiting vice president.

Long before Ted Turner and the Atlanta Braves, Earl Mann was known as "Mr. Atlanta Baseball" and the "Baseball Genius in Dixie." Mann rose from humble beginnings as a Georgia farm boy to build a baseball dynasty. Born Otis Earl Mann on October 2, 1904, in Riverdale, Mann was selling peanuts, cushions, and soft drinks at Spiller Field (later known as Ponce de Leon Ballpark) by the time he was 12.

After attending Oglethorpe University for a couple of years, Mann sold tickets for the Atlanta Crackers baseball team. He became assistant team secretary in 1924 and was eventually promoted to team secretary, a position he held until 1929. Over the next four years he managed four different minor league teams throughout the South, each of which won a pennant under his leadership. In 1934 he returned to the Atlanta Crackers as vice president. He was named president the following year at age 30, and bought the Crackers outright in 1949.

Mann was among the first minor league operators to send scouts to other baseball parks to look for talent. After recruiting a player, Mann paid him between $1,000 and $2,500 up front and wrote into his contract a provision that he would be paid a percentage of what Mann made if the contract was sold to the majors.

Mann's Atlanta Crackers would lead the Southern Association in attendance more times than any other city. His teams also won more league championships than any other Southern Association team.

In 1959, after losing money for several consecutive years, Mann turned control of the team's operations over to the league. He continued to remain active in the Atlanta sports scene. He died on January 6, 1990, and his ashes were spread under the magnolia tree on the site of the former Ponce de Leon Ballpark.

"Television is a new medium. It's called a medium because nothing is well-done."

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