Housing appears to have stabilized, with both single-family home sales and production activity heading for higher ground, they said, with the multifamily sector trailing behind. The severity of the downturn from which the nation is now emerging, however, has made it more difficult to know exactly what to expect in the period ahead.

As a result, housing could improve faster than is generally expected, or it could hobble along without reaching healthy levels until far into 2011. What happens to housing prices is crucial in determining the strength of industry performance, the analysts said. While prices have shown signs of stabilizing in recent months, they could suffer a relapse in the face of rising unemployment, which in turn is increasing the number of home owners who can no longer afford to make their mortgage payments. (continued)

With five scoreless innings for AAA-Gwinnett last night, Tom Glavine notched his first minor league win since 1987.  Afterwards, he expressed his opinion that he was ready to start again in the Majors as soon as next Tuesday against the Cubs.  Bobby Cox, however, has said that Glavine will make one more minor league start for Class-A Rome on Tuesday before being considered to come back to Atlanta. (Read more from http://www.bravesblast.com/ )

Tags: Atlanta Braves

According to the March 2009 Case-Shiller Index report, home prices are down by nearly 19 percent nationwide.  Or, at least, that’s the story the press is running with.  It makes for good headlines, but the data can be misleading to the average home buyer in Atlanta or elsewhere.

Home buyers shouldn’t really care about annual price appreciation — they should care about monthly price appreciation.  As in, I’ve been looking for a home for the last 30 days — are home prices trending higher while I’m in the process? Read Dan Green’s full report.

The Cobb Board of Education has requested three new calendar options for the 2009-10 school year. The school board instructed Superintendent Fred Sanderson to prepare the new options for review at the March 11 work session. The board specified that the new options should each include a start date of August 17 or later, and at least one of the options should end first semester after the winter holiday break.

The currently approved 2009-2010 school calendar begins school on August 10.

Read the current Cobb Board of Education Newsletter here.

Enrollment and Immunization Requirements

The Cobb County School District shall admit into its schools any individual between the ages of five (5), by September 1, and seventeen (17), who resides with an adult, whether a parent or guardian, within the Cobb County School District (Administrative Rule JF).

To help ensure that the enrollment process for your child goes as smoothly as possible, please read carefully the following guidelines:

What School Will My Child Attend?
You can easily find out what schools serve your home or potential home by using our convenient online Bus Route Finder. Just enter your complete street address to determine the correct elementary, middle and high school. If you have further questions or need more clarification, call the Cobb County School District Transportation Office at (678) 594-8000.

Questions About Cobb Pre-K Program
Information about pre-kindergarten programs offered in Cobb County can be found here.

Enrolling your child in Kindergarten?
Georgia law requires that kindergarten students be five years old on or before Sept. 1 and first grade students be six years old on or before Sept. 1 to be registered.

State of Georgia Immunization requirements: In English En Espanol

What Will The School Need To Enroll My Child?
Georgia law 20-2-690.1, requires any person, whether or not a parent or legal guardian, who has, “control or charge of any child between their sixth and sixteenth birthdays,” to enroll and send the child to a public school, private school, or home study program.

The following is a brief summary of documentation needed by any parent/legal guardian (granted through the court system), or non-parent seeking to enroll a student in the Cobb County School District (District). If the person enrolling the student is not the student’s parent/legal guardian, the school will require the enrolling person to fully complete Form JF-11 (Non-Parental Affidavit), as implemented by the State July 1, 2007, to be considered by the principal for approval.

There are FIVE (5) main documents required of ALL students prior to being enrolled in the District. This includes transfers from one county school to another within the District (Choice receiving schools are an exception). To help ensure that the enrollment process for your child goes as smoothly as possible, please refer to the following items:

1. CERTIFICATE OF IMMUNIZATION as required by Georgia Law 20-2-771:

• Georgia Form 3231 for all kindergarten and sixth grade students, all students new to Georgia and students coming from any private school must have the form signed by a licensed health-care provider or the county health department. To be enrolled in the District, ALL certificates of immunization must be marked “Complete for Attendance” OR have a future expiration date. Expired certificates will not be accepted for enrollment.

Click here for New State of Georgia Immunization requirements
— In English
— En Español

• Form JLC-4 (Waiver of Immunization Requirements Due to Conflict of Religious Beliefs)
• Medical Waivers/Exemptions are a part of Georgia Form 3231 and are reviewed annually.

2. HEARING, DENTAL AND VISION SCREENING CERTIFICATE as required by Georgia Law 20-2-770 (Georgia Form 3300) for all kindergarten and new first grade students, all students new to Georgia and any child enrolling from a private school dated within 12 months prior to the day of enrollment. However, if a student is enrolling from another Georgia public school, a completed 3300 Form will be accepted by any District school.

3. PROOF OF BIRTH DATE for students enrolling in kindergarten (the age of five by Sept. 1) or first grade (the age of six by Sept 1), students new to Georgia or coming from a private school. The school will accept evidence in the order set forth below that show the student’s date of birth. Refer to Section B of Administrative Rule JF (Admissions/Withdrawals) for additional entrance age requirements.

• Birth Certificate
• Military ID
• Driver’s License
• Passport
• Adoption Record
• A religious record authorized by a religious official
• An official school transcript
• Affidavit of age

4. PROOF OF RESIDENCY: Residency as defined by the Georgia Board of Education rule 160-5-1-.28 shall mean the place where the student lives with a parent, guardian, or other person, (refer to Form JF-11) unless the student is an emancipated minor. The student must be an occupant of a dwelling located within the school system boundaries. Proof of residence in the attendance zone in which the school is located shall be required when a student enrolls in a school and whenever a change of residence occurs, unless the student is homeless. Individuals not legally admitted into the country cannot be denied a free public education.

Any Two items from the list below are required by the person(s) enrolling a child in the District.

• home ownership title
• lease or rental agreement
• current utility monthly statement
• current Georgia driver’s license
• Georgia identification card
• current bank, credit union, or other financial institution documentation
• mail delivered by the United States Postal Service
• employer documentation
• a Cobb County property tax statement
• voter registration documentation from Cobb County
• a current motor vehicle registration (tag receipt)
• Form JF-2 (Statement of Legal Residence).

5. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER: According to Georgia Law 20-2-150d; An official copy of the student’s Social Security card/number is required for enrollment. However,  no student may be denied enrollment for failing to provide his/her Social Security number. Any parent/legal guardian who objects to the incorporation of the Social Security number into the child’s school records may have the requirement waived by signing a statement objecting to the requirement Form JF-4 (Statement of Objection to the Use of Social Security Number for Student Identification). However, a Social Security Number will be required by the State for a student applying for the HOPE scholarship.

EXCEPTIONS TO THE ABOVE MENTIONED RULES:

• Homeless children (McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act) Any parent/guardian who may be living in a homeless situation should complete Form JFABD-1 (Student Residency Statement) and contact the Homeless Education Program at 678-503-0173 for information/interview.

• International Students (International Welcome Center) All International Students, grades 6-12, who are planning to enroll in Cobb County School District should contact the IWC at 770-819-2383 for language testing and/or review of transcripts/records for appropriate placement. Elementary International Students are processed at their local schools.
• Choice Receiving Schools (NCLB): Regulations for these transfer students are dictated by Federal guidelines and are different than District rules.

OTHER DOCUMENTS NEEDED FOR ENROLLMENT

6. A valid transcript and a withdrawal form from the student’s previous school is essential for appropriate academic placement. Parents who can not provide a valid transcript and a withdrawal form from the previous school must fill out Form JF-8 (Authorization to Release Records) to enroll their student on a conditional basis. Any student who is enrolling in the District for the first time in grades seven or higher must provide a discipline record from the school previously attended in order to be granted full admission status. Refer to Form JF-9 (Disclosures Required for Conditional Admission). Form JF-9 must be completed at the time of enrollment.

7. For those students enrolling in the Special Education Program, the parent/guardian may provide a copy of the student’s latest IEP.

8. Custodial Documents: The District may request proof of custody in situations involving multiple adults claiming control of the same student.

A complete explanation of enrollment requirements and documentation may be found in District Administrative Rule JF (Admissions/Withdrawals).

Additional Information:

The School May Also:
• request proof of custody or custody documentation; or
• suggest that the adult with whom the student lives obtain legal guardianship.

• request proof of age and name verification; and

• other information the school deems necessary for proper placement.

Provide the names and phone numbers of persons who may pick up your child if you
cannot be reached, and the name and phone number of your child’s doctor.

See CCSD Administrative Rule JF (Admissions/Withdrawals) for additional details on Admissions.

TIPS: To expedite enrollment and placement for transfer students:
• Form JF-7: “Student Enrollment Checklist” is available for your convenience.
(Click here to download Form JF-7)
• Parents/guardians should complete Form JF-5: “Student Enrollment Form”  and bring it
with them to the school at the time of enrollment. (Click here to download Form JF-5)
• Parents/guardians should bring progress reports, most recent report card, test information,
and any information on special services your child may have received.

No habla inglés? Necesita ayuda?
Si los padres/tutores no hablan inglés y necesitan ayuda con el proceso de matriculación de sus hijos en la escuela pueden llamar al Centro Internacional de Bienvenida al (770) 819-2383.

Note: Non-English speaking families in need of assistance with registration in the ESOL Program may call the International Welcome Center at (770) 819-2383.

Relocating to Atlanta? Where do you think the Atlanta metro area begins and ends?

If you’ve never been to Atlanta, or if your only trip was changing planes at Hartsfield International Airport, large geographic area can be overwhelming.

Even those of us who live here are confused about the boundaries of Atlanta.

So, when you’re online looking at Atlanta houses for sale…

It’s important to know where you are, where you want to be, and if you can get there from here.

Call or email today for direction. Before you know it, you’ll be the confident owner of the perfect home for your needs – in less time than if you searched on your own.

Relocating to Atlanta?

The best guide to Atlanta relocation is a free bonus to our readers.

Our goal is to provide lots of information, so you can make decisions about relocating to Atlanta.

Find all the information you need in one convenient location:

• Atlanta real estate listings and homes for sale
• Atlanta neighborhoods and communities
• Atlanta public, private and special need schools
• Activities for children and adults
• Medical facilities, shopping, entertainment, and more…

Get a sneak preview of the Atlanta Buyer and Relocation Guide

The Atlanta Braves made me move to Atlanta.

Back in the fall of 1981 we drove up to Atlanta from Tallahassee to see the Braves play. The day was glorious. Crisp fall weather. Brilliant blue sky. We fell in love with the city.

It was a different stadium then. Today we have Turner Field, constructed for the 1996 Olympics.

Photo Credit: FLC

A different team. A losing team. Parking was available in grass lots. All Some of that has changed.

Last night’s loss against the Phillies makes me want to tell you another Atlanta story. A summer story that never let’s me down. A story that leaves me satisfied time after time.

Photo Credit: Perfectance

Peach ice cream in a waffle cone.

Many of our readers are relocating to Atlanta. Looking at houses and researching school statistics is such a small piece of deciding where to live.

Let me tell you a story about living in Atlanta. We want you to see Atlanta the way we see Atlanta – with our hearts, memories, and stories.

The Big Chicken

I moved to the Atlanta area in 1981. My job was in Cobb County, so Marietta seemed the most convenient location to live.

Very quickly I learned the Big Chicken was critical for driving directions. “We’re above the Big Chicken.” “If you get to the chicken, you’ve gone too far.”

My husband loves telling a story about his trip to the Big Chicken with our daughter in 1993.

Over the years, the structure had deteriorated. Public outcry forced Kentucky Fried Chicken to rethink their decision to tear down the infamous landmark.

During final stages of construction, the chicken was shrouded from view.

Rick and Jessica planned for weeks to be on site for the much acclaimed unveiling – and free fried chicken.

Imagine the delight of an 8 year old when yards of canvas fell away to reveal bright yellow beaks, and a black round eye that moved.

What are your stories?

Do you have a favorite story about the Big Chicken? Leave a Comment.

We want to share your stories.

• Why did you move to Atlanta?
  
• Do you remember when an Atlanta Braves baseball game only cost a dollar?
  
• What do you like most about the Georgia Aquarium?
  

Tell us what you like – or don’t like – about living in Atlanta.

A lot of folks contact us when they are thinking of moving to Atlanta. They want to know where the best schools are located, what it costs to buy a 4-bedroom home with a finished basement on a large level lot with a fenced yard, and what is the crime rate in the area.

We are well prepared to answer questions on schools and housing, but are never sure how to address the issue of crime. Now we have an answer – at least in Midtown.

Check out the video here.  (H/T to AtlantaMidtown)