J. C. Young Middle School

Ms. Perry is proudly serving her 1st year as principal of Jean Childs Young Middle School in Atlanta, Georgia. Selected for this role in 2026, she brought with her a wealth of experience from L. P. Miles where she lead the school for 12 years. Previously she worked in Clayton County Public Schools, where she served as an assistant principal, instructional coach, and teacher.

Ms. Perry is deeply committed to cultivating a school environment rooted in the motto: We Inspire, We Motivate, We Care, and We Teach. She believes that when educators fully embody these values, students are empowered to feel valued, encouraged, and open to a world of opportunities.

Throughout her tenure as an educational leader, Ms. Perry has led transformative efforts across the district, including her successful leadership as principal of Miles Elementary. During her time there, she merged the primary and intermediate schools to strengthen academic alignment and improve student achievement. Under her leadership, the school built strong community partnerships, earning her recognition as an impactful "Turnaround Principal." Now as the principal of Young Middle School, her instructional priorities continue to center on strengthening literacy and numeracy while equipping teachers to deliver rigorous, high-quality instruction.

Ms. Perry earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Georgia Southern University and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Argosy University. She later completed her Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership at Mercer University.

It’s time to study! All students will begin their journey toward the JCYMS Schoolwide Spelling Bee this month.

• Oct 23: Study word lists distributed in ALL ELA classes.

• Nov 12: All students take the written Spelling Bee Test in ELA.

• Nov 13: Top 5 scorers per class advance to the Verbal Classroom Round.

• Dec 11: The top 2 students per ELA class compete in the Schoolwide Spelling Bee at 11:15 AM in the JCY Auditorium!

From October 19 through November 2, students across Jean Childs Young Middle School participated in the YOUth Vote 2026 Georgia Mock Election during their Social Studies classes. Using online ballots provided by ENGAGE Youth in Government, students cast their votes for federal and statewide offices.

Not only did our students practice active citizenship—their votes directly aligned with the actual statewide election results from November 3!

Key Takeaways:

• U.S. Senate: Jon Ossoff (D) won the vote with 85.91%.

• Georgia Governor: Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) led with 72.11%.

• State Superintendent of Schools: Lydia Powell (D) captured 67.11% of student votes.

Great job to all of our student voters for taking part in civic action!

Big goals start with new opportunities! Our Young Middle School students recently had the incredible honor of standing alongside Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens to celebrate the launch of StationSoccer at the H.E. Holmes MARTA Station.

As the program marks its 10th anniversary and opens its seventh location, Atlanta’s soccer legacy continues to expand right in our community. Through this innovative partnership between MARTA, Atlanta United FC, and Soccer in the Streets, our YMS scholars are getting expanded access to safe, accessible spaces where they can build strong friendships, develop athletic and leadership skills, and connect through the power of sport.

We are tremendously proud of our students for representing Young Middle School at this milestone event, and we extend our sincere gratitude to community leaders for investing in the next generation—one goal at a time!

Our Media Team students recently enjoyed an unforgettable experience at the Atlanta United FC vs. Toronto FC match. While cheering Atlanta United on to victory was certainly exciting, the true highlight of the day was the exclusive behind-the-scenes access that connected directly to their learning as aspiring media creators and technology leaders. Students received a VIP tour of the stadium's control room and had the opportunity to meet game engineers, production staff, and members of the video and graphics teams. Through these conversations, they gained valuable insight into how technology, creativity, communication, and teamwork come together to deliver a professional sporting event. The experience reinforced the ISTE Standards for Students, particularly Creative Communicator (1.6) and Innovative Designer (1.4), as students explored the digital tools, planning, and problem-solving processes behind live event production. Adding to the excitement, students were invited onto the field to participate in the center-circle banner presentation before kickoff. Standing on the pitch in front of thousands of fans was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that created memories they will cherish for years to come. The day concluded with students enjoying the match from the AMG Lounge, making the experience both educational and rewarding. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Atlanta Hawks and Novelis for making this incredible opportunity possible. Their support provided students with meaningful exposure to careers in technology, engineering, media production, and sports entertainment while inspiring them to imagine new possibilities for their futures. Experiences like this help our students see the real-world applications of the skills they are developing in the classroom and encourage them to dream bigger about the paths they can pursue.

Young Middle School is hosting a Coat Drive from October 26 through November 30, 2026 (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM), hosted by Communities in Schools of Atlanta, Mr. Taylor (School Social Worker), and Ms. Gilliard.

We are accepting new and gently washed coats, hoodies, and sweaters (no holes or odors, please). As a thank you for your generosity, every coat donated earns you one raffle entry for a chance to win a $50 or $30 gift card! Two winners will be announced on December 4, 2026.

The more coats you donate, the higher your chances of winning—and the bigger difference we make together! Drop off your donations during drive hours and help us support our students and families this season.

Need a little extra help or guidance navigating housing resources? Check out the Housing Help Center—Atlanta’s official one-stop shop for support with renting, utility assistance, homeownership, legal aid, and eviction prevention.

They offer personalized guidance to help families connect with the exact programs they need.

If you know students or families who could use a hand, please share this link! Supporting one another helps keep our whole community strong.

🔗 Check out the Housing Help Center: housinghelpcenter.com

If your family is currently navigating temporary or unstable housing, your school-age children may qualify for educational support under the federal McKinney-Vento Act.

Who Qualifies? Families living in any of the following situations:

• Shelters or transitional housing

• Motels, hotels, or campgrounds due to a lack of safe, stable alternatives

• Cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, or stations

• Doubled-up with relatives or friends due to loss of housing or financial hardship

Student Rights & Support Services Eligible students have the right to:

• Immediate Enrollment: Enroll and attend classes right away, even without typical paperwork (e.g., birth certificates, proof of residency, or medical records). The school will help obtain these documents.

• School Stability: Continue attending their "school of origin" (where they were enrolled when last stably housed) or enroll in the local school near where they are staying.

• Transportation: Request and receive transportation to and from their school of origin.

• Free Services: Access free school meals, academic support, and standard school programs/activities.

Local Contacts

If you believe your child qualifies, reach out to our district contacts for confidential assistance:

• McKinney-Vento Local Liaison: Shantel Tate | (404) 802-1936 | Shantel.Tate@atlanta.k12.ga.us

• McKinney-Vento State Coordinator: Eric McGhee | (404) 693-2401 | Emcghee@doe.k12.ga.us

• National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) Helpline: 1-305-306-8495 | NCHE.helpline@safalpartners.com

Georgia Power offers dedicated assistance programs to help eligible households manage their energy costs. If your family could use support with utility payments, check out the resources and income-qualified portal below:

• 🔗 Georgia Power Assistance Programs: georgiapower.com/assistance

• 📋 Income-Qualified Assistance Portal: georgiapower.com/portal

I hope these tools are helpful for any families in our community who may need utility support. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need help connecting with resources!

Warmly,

Mr. Amari Taylor

Communities In Schools Site Coordinator

Share Your Thoughts: 2026 APS Family Feedback Survey is Open!

Body: Attention Atlanta Families! Atlanta Public Schools wants to hear from you. The 2026 Family Feedback Survey is officially open, giving you the opportunity to share what is going well at our school and how we can continue to improve.

The survey takes approximately 7 minutes to complete and gathers feedback on key topics including:

• School Culture

• Academics

• Communication & Partnership

• Community & Trust

Your input plays a vital role in shaping our school environment and supporting our students. Please take a few moments to complete the survey online today by visiting tinyurl.com/APSFamilyFeedback or by scanning the QR code on the flyer.

Thank you for your partnership and ongoing support!

Starting in the 2026–2027 school year, Georgia House Bill 340 (Distraction-Free Education Act) requires all public schools to maintain a distraction-free environment for students in grades K–8.

• Bell-to-Bell Policy: Students are prohibited from accessing personal electronic devices at any time during the school day, including classes, transitions, lunch, breaks, assemblies, and school activities.

• Covered Devices: Applies to cell phones/smartphones, smartwatches, personal tablets, headphones/earbuds, and any device capable of communication, internet access, recording, gaming, or transmitting data. School-issued devices are still allowed for instructional use as directed.

• Daily Storage: Upon arrival, students MUST store all personal devices in designated secure boxes, where they will remain locked until the final bell.

• Parent Communication: Parents needing to reach their child during the school day must contact the main office directly. Staff will ensure urgent messages and emergency communications reach students.

• Exceptions: Allowed only if explicitly required by a student's IEP, Section 504 Plan, or medical plan.

• Enforcement:

  • 1st Offense: Device is confiscated and held for parent pick-up.

  • 2nd Offense: Continued confiscation and parent notification.

  • 3rd Offense: Device is retained by administration until the end of the school year.

Hi APS Families! Atlanta Public Schools uses Here Comes the Bus to give students and families the most up-to-date information about their bus route. With the Here Comes the Bus app, you can: Track your student's bus in real time View scheduled and estimated arrival times Receive push and email notifications when the bus is approaching Visit the link below to learn more, view bus routes, and get started with Here Comes the Bus: https://atlantapublicschools.us/about/departments/operations/transportation/bus-routes Stay informed and ready for a great school year!

Email: youngms@apsk12.org
Website: www.atlantapublicschools.us/young
Location: 3116 Benjamin E Mays Dr. NW Atlanta, GA 30311
Facebook: facebook.com/JCYMiddleSchool
Twitter: @apsyoungms