On Saturday, the McDonough Main Street Program invites all to visit historic downtown McDonough for an entire day of fitness and fun. The day begins with a 5:45 to 6:45 a.m. on-site registration and a 7 a.m. start time for the highly anticipated Quinlan’s 5K Water Run. Hosted in commemoration of the 1900 Camp Creek train wreck and the infamous run for assistance made by the train’s flagman, J.J. Quinlan, this event will start and finish at the Henry County Judicial Center Parking Deck, located behind the Henry County Judicial Center, 44 John Frank Ward Blvd. Runners of all levels are welcome to participate. The 5K run registration cost is $20 and the 1-mile run cost is $15, with group registration for both runs costing $15 per person for groups of 10 or more. Non-runners may register as phantom runners for $20 or as water sprayers for $15, which gives donors the opportunity to soak runners with water guns as they pass. On-site registration increases by $5 for each category on the date of the race. Discounted pre-registration is available online at www.getsetgrow.com. All run proceeds benefit the McDonough Historic Downtown Façade grant program. Later that morning from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the program will welcome the community to T.C. Carter Safety Day. This event also commemorates the Camp Creek incident and is held in honor of Pullman porter T.C. Carter, who was also instrumental in aiding the survivors of the devastating train tragedy. Families will be able to learn more about the Camp Creek incident from local author and historian, Jeff Wells. They can also get first aid, fire, bicycle and skateboard safety tips from Henry County and McDonough first responders. Children in attendance will receive a free identification kit, while supplies last. Child-friendly entertainment and games will be available during the event. Concessions will also be available on site. An added attraction to these events is the Middle Georgia Model Railroad Club model train exhibit. Back by popular demand, this extensive showcase of model trains will be available for viewing from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. inside the Henry County Judicial Center Parking Deck. Club members will be on site to provide detailed information about the trains on display and Georgia railroad history. All of these events are open to the public and, with the exception of Quinlan’s Run, are free. The events are all associated with the annual commemoration of the Camp Creek train wreck that happened just minutes after leaving the McDonough train station heading north to Atlanta. The largest loss of lives resulting from a train wreck in the history of the state of Georgia occurred on that fateful night, a rainy June 23, 1900, when the normally shallow, trickling stream known as Camp Creek awaited its victims as a swollen, roaring current of water, having taken out the railroad tussle that spanned this now-raging abyss. Twenty-three days it had rained in McDonough. A dam somewhere up stream had given way, and old steam engine No. 7, the passengers and crew on that train were headed for disaster. Information: (770) 898-9311 or KHarris-Braggs@McDonough-ga.gov.

The Fulton County School System is one of six U.S. districts highlighted in a new report about success in boosting urban black students’ performance on Advanced Placement tests. The College Board’s AP program is a benchmark for academic rigor and offers high school students the opportunity to earn college credit. The Los Angeles-based Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation recently released its report, “The Road to Equity: Expanding AP Access and Success for African-American Students.” It details how the six school systems, including Cobb County Schools, are increasing the college readiness of black students by improving their AP passing rates quickly enough to gain on their white peers while increasing or keeping participation rates steady. “It’s not enough to just increase our African-American students’ participation. We must also continue providing access and support to make sure our students are successful,” Superintendent Robert Avossa said in a statement. “This report [from the Broad Foundation] is eye-opening in how well our schools are doing, but to reach our strategic goal of increased college preparedness, we have to do more to engage all of our minority student populations.” The other districts are in Texas, Kentucky, Florida and California. Research revealed the districts raised AP test performance without losing ground on participation by:  Offering a rigorous curriculum, beginning in elementary grades  Expanding access to gifted programs  Looking at test results on precursors like the PSAT to identify and encourage potential AP students  Giving extra academic and social support to students  Greatly increasing the number of AP course offerings  Giving teachers more training and professional development  Instilling confidence in students about their college-going potential  Informing potential AP students’ parents about the benefits of AP. “AP is an important predictor of college success when teachers and students use AP’s standards as an inspiration, developing through practice the most important academic skills needed in college,” Trevor Packer, College Board senior vice president for AP and instruction, said in a statement. “Data identify thousands of minority and low-income students who have the academic potential to succeed in Advanced Placement courses, but lack access or encouragement to pursue such opportunities. We celebrate the AP teachers and students of these six urban districts for their extraordinary accomplishments. Their successes show that with the right support systems and best practices, broader access to AP can provide a diversity of students with a stronger foundation for college and career success.”