An upbeat website for a downtown school

the Southerner Online
An upbeat website for a downtown school

the Southerner Online
An upbeat website for a downtown school

the Southerner Online
Zelda Lerner

Zelda Lerner, News Associate Managing Editor

Zelda Lerner is a junior and this is her second year writing for the Southerner. She served as one of ten 2024-25 GSPA Student Ambassadors acting as a liaison between Midtown’s publications and GSPA. Apart from the Southerner, she is a member of the Orator yearbook staff, member of Midtown’s moot court team and avid Atlanta History Center volunteer.

All content by Zelda Lerner
RADIANT WRITER: Junior Reed Lancaster reads her award-winning book, “The Forgotten Few.” Lancaster said her book is deeply personal and connects to her heritage and passion for writing.

[Photo] Midtown Students receive recognition in annual APS Bookmaking Competition

Mariam Darb
June 2, 2025
PUTTING IT AWAY: Student Support Specialist Dr. Cheryl Nahmias unlocks a student's Yondr pouch. 2024-25 was Midtown's first year using this system.

Midtown reflects on one year of Yondr

Zelda Lerner and Brennan Fritts
May 23, 2025
CAPITOL STEPS: Midtown principal Dr. Betsy Bockman, gives a speech on the steps outside of the Georgia State Capital to advocate for foster care rights. CREDIT: Dr. Betsy Bockman

Principal takes foster care fight to Capitol

Zelda Lerner
May 6, 2025
AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES: Next year Midtown will be offering AP African American studies to all students, the class will be taught by Noel Erskine.

Midtown announces AP African American Studies for upcoming year

Zelda Lerner and Brennan Fritts
April 4, 2025
DEI: The United States Department of Education sent a memo to American colleges and universities threatening to cut their federal funding if they don't remove their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion programs under threat, community reacts

Brennan Fritts, Mariam Darb, and Zelda Lerner
March 28, 2025
NEW METHOD: Atlanta Public School's implementation of the "'science of reading" method has caused growth in elementary literacy scores.

District’s fourth-grade reading scores top nation with new approach

Zelda Lerner
March 25, 2025
MEDIA TRAINING: A required course for students to learn to spot misinformation and media bias in the news.

[Photo] Schools should add courses to help students identify media bias and propaganda

Leo Powell
February 5, 2025
Murals around Atlanta showcase the impact the Israel-Hamas conflict had on a local scale. Refaat Alareer was a Palestinian writer, poet and activist from the Gaza Strip. Alareer was killed on Dec. 7, 2023 and prior to his death published the poem "If I Must Die."

Israel, Hamas agree on ceasefire, community hopes for peace

Brennan Fritts, Mariam Darb, Zelda Lerner, and Henry Moye
January 27, 2025
ADDRESSING THE CROWD: Juniors Audrey Lyons and Kate Krugman give a speech at the March For Our Lives rally.

Rates of school-related gun violence increase since pandemic, intensifying fears

Zelda Lerner
January 24, 2025
Due to new math standards introduced by the Georgia Department of Education, the 2023-24 math Milestones increased.

New math standards lead to higher test scores, officials said

Zelda Lerner
November 16, 2024
Following the impacts of Hurricane Helene, the creek that travels under Lenox road was flooded during the storm, along with other areas around Metro Atlanta. The flooding impacted resident's ability to travel due to excess water uprooting trees.

Two hurricanes in October damage Southeast, raise climate change concerns

Brennan Fritts, Zelda Lerner, Henry Moye, and Julia Barton
October 29, 2024
March For Our Lives leaders juniors Kate Krugman and Audrey Lyons speak on Sept. 20 at the Midtown High School walk out in support of gun control.

Midtown’s March for Our Lives club leads walkout against gun violence

Brennan Fritts and Zelda Lerner
September 22, 2024
On his visit to Midtown, Dr. Bryan Johnson visited several classroom and met with administrators. He expressed interest in continuing Dr. Battle's focus of literacy and school support.

Superintendent Johnson assumes position, promises continued goals

Zelda Lerner and Hannah Silver
September 2, 2024
Maynard Jackson AP African American studies teacher Rashad Brown teaches his class. Maynard Jackson was one of the first Atlanta Public Schools to offer the course.

AP African American Studies under question after State Superintendent statements

Zelda Lerner
August 29, 2024
Contract: The Atlanta Public School Board of Education announced the contract extension of interim superintendent, Dr. Danielle Battle.

Interim superintendent Dr. Battle’s contract extended, search continues

Zelda Lerner
May 21, 2024
PROPOSED LAW: A new proposed Georgia Law seeks to limit the use of social media in schools.

Proposed social media legislation set to impose new regulations for schools

Zelda Lerner
March 4, 2024
Erin Aube teaches in her AP Seminar class.

[Photo] English teacher Aube sparks creative learning

Mariam Darb
January 11, 2024
The Georgia Match program, which launched in 2023, provides a list of Georgia colleges the student will be accepted to if they apply.

Georgia Match provides help during college admissions

Zelda Lerner
January 18, 2024
Math teacher Tre’nee Uzoka tutors a student over Zoom. Georgia Tutor, a new tutoring program run through Georgia Virtual Learning, offers one-on-one learning to students.

Georgia virtual learning to offer free tutoring over Zoom

Zelda Lerner
December 6, 2023
Math teacher Tre’nee Uzoka tutors a student over Zoom. The new tutoring service run by Georgia Virtual offers students one-on-one learning.

PTSO grants play a significant role in funding teachers

Zelda Lerner
November 20, 2023
NEW SKILLS: Students work hard to learn what to do if a friend overdoses or drinks too much. Midtown's new mental health first aid training taught students how to help their peers.

Sophomores learn mental health first aid to assist peers

Zelda Lerner
November 4, 2023
U.S. History teacher, James Sullivan teaches his class. Georgia's Divisive Concepts Law can limit what teachers can teach in their classrooms.

Georgia’s Divisive Concept Law creates potential problems for teachers

Zelda Lerner
September 20, 2023
Emmie Snead smiles in the library.

Emmie Snead, junior

Zelda Lerner
September 18, 2023
Due to an influx of damaged and lost computers, the district has enforced a new computer agreement.

Students, teachers adapt to new computer policy

Zelda Lerner
September 5, 2023
Load More Stories
Menu
Activate Search
Home
Zelda Lerner