PCMS Announcements - Welcome Back!!

Welcome back! I hope everyone had an enjoyable summer break and rejuvenated your spirits for what will be an exciting school year. I look forward to working closely with all of you as we strive to assist our students in achieving their academic goals.

Our goals for this year include renewal of the charter, increasing student success in all content areas and developing a reading program for all grade levels.

I would like to welcome our newest staff members:

Dr. Angelique Conner - 7th grade Assistant Principal

Ms. Christie Wilkerson - 6th grade ELA

Mr. Tony Szezneack - 6th grade Special Education

Mr. James Ruehman - 7th grade math

Ms. Jasmine Parker - 7th grade science

Ms. Jessica Gazzola - 8th grade ELA

Ms. Kelechi Crowe - 8th grade math

Ms. Laura Sauter - 8th grade Special Education

Ms. Andrea Liburd - Discipline Secretary

Ms. Mary Gay - Admin Assistant

We look forward to seeing everyone on Monday, August 12, 2013.

Sincerely,

Scott Heptinstall and the PCMS Administrative Team

School Starts Tomorrow - Do You Know Your Homeroom Teacher?

New for this school year, the 5th period teacher on your student's schedule is their homeroom teacher. This applies to all grades - 6, 7 and 8.

PCMS Supply List Information

Please check the PCMS website for updated information
on supply lists.

2013-2014 PCMS

Student Directory

To be included in this year's Student Directory, please click here. There also will be computers available during registration.

Thank you for your help in ensuring the accuracy of our data. As in the past, a hard copy of the directory will be sent home during the first semester to those families who ordered the directory at PCMS registration.

QUICK LINKS

School Calendar 2013-14

OUR PARTNERS

IN EDUCATION

Bank of North Georgia
Cartridge World
Chick-Fil-A
Domino's
Dunwoody Rotary Club
Guthrie's
Huntington Learning Center
Jersey Mike's
Kaplan Orthodontics
Kroger
Nokia Siemens Networks
Northside Hospital
Pearle Vision
Plantation South
of Dunwoody
Rita's Italian Ice
Shane's Rib Shack
Subway

Want to contribute something to the PCMS eNews?

All submissions should be sent by Thursday noon for inclusion in the Sunday edition.
Please e-mail requests to: pcmsnewsletter@gmail.com

Want to Share this E-News?

Click on this link:

Students and Responsibility

Responsibility is a very important skill for middle school students to accept and to practice. To help our students learn responsibility we do not allow items such as projects, homework, clothes, shoes, book bags, pencil cases, books or uniforms to be dropped off for delivery to the students. This will help keep interruptions in the classroom to a minimum. Please keep in mind when a classroom is interrupted it not only takes your

child off task but all classmates as well.

The items that we will accept for delivery are; eye glasses, medications and lunches. However, fast food items or other commercial items for lunch is not allowed.

Thank you for your support.

Scott Heptinstall and the PCMS Administrative Staff

Student Drop-off and Pick-up Procedures

General Information

If you have business inside the school, please park your car in the parking lot, and do not park at the curb. "No Parking" signs are posted around the circle. If you leave your car unattended, you will be ticketed.
Never block the handicap ramp, as Peachtree has both students and parents who utilize the ramp.
Students are only allowed in the school from 8:15 am to 4:35 pm, unless they have made arrangements with a specific teacher or for an approved activity. Please enroll your student in the YMCA Extended Day Program if you need them to be at the school for additional time in the morning or afternoon. More information about this program is available in the Front Office or on the PCMS website under Parent Resources and then YMCA.
The Barclay Road entrance is reserved for buses only. Do not use the circle off of Barclay Road during bus hours (morning drop off and afternoon dismissal).
Please do not use your cell phone while driving your car in the carpool. Please focus on our students' safety.

Morning Drop-Off - Carpool

Enter the School From North Peachtree Road, follow the traffic circle staying right, and drop off students in front of the gym doors.
Students must exit cars directly onto the sidewalk. Exiting cars from the inside of the circle (left lane) and crossing in front of traffic is dangerous and not allowed.
Between 8:15 and 8:40 am, 6th graders report to the cafeteria, while 7th -8th graders report to the gym.

Afternoon Dismissal - Carpool

No student checkouts will be allowed after 3:15 pm from the attendance office.
Students who are car riders should be picked up in front of the gym lobby.
Cars will form a single line on the outside circle (next to the sidewalk) for the safest loading of students. If your child is not at the curb, you will have to circle back around to the end of the line.
Encourage your student to come out of the school when dismissed and to keep a lookout for your vehicle.
If you arrive on campus before dismissal, please turn off your vehicle until the announcements begin. Please do not leave your vehicle unattended.

For more information on carpool procedures, visit our website.

Online Math Textbook Access Information

We are excited to begin the use of the Carnegie Learning textbook series as we continue our exploration of the common core mathematics curriculum. While the book is consumable, it also comes with online access to all the materials for those students who sometimes forget to bring the book home! Information regarding how to register for an account will come home with your student during the first few days of school. If you have not seen this information by Wednesday, please contact your child's math teacher and ask that an addtional copy be sent home.

Log Your Volunteer Hours

Did you register your child for PCMS?

Did you donate to the PCMS Annual Fund?

Did you attend the 6th grade Q&A?

Did you wait in line for spirit wear, gym clothes or checkout?

The answer is probably YES! If so, then you've already earned at least an hour of volunteer time. As part of our Charter requirements, each family is required to complete and document 10 hours each school year. Don't forget that every $10 donated (monetarily or supplies) equals 1 volunteer hour!

Don't delay -- do it today! It's quick and easy.

Click on the link to get started. If you're new to PCMS, you'll need to need to register (directions on the website via the link). If you're already registered, you can log in and track your hours directly within the PCMS website.

http://www.peachtreechartermiddleschool.org/log-your-volunteer-hours.html

PCMS Volunteer Opportunities for this School Year

Please let us know what volunteer opportunities you are interested in for the upcoming school year by filling out our short online form at http://tinyurl.com/pcmsvolunteer . This online form replaces last year's paper volunteer forms at registration. Your name and email will be sent to the committee chairs, for them to contact you to volunteer for the events you indicate interest.

Volunteers Needed for Front Office

Any parents interested in volunteering in the PCMS Front Office can contact Cathy Abram at abramfamily@comcast.net. Volunteers help answer phones, direct inquiries, distribute mail, answer questions and perform light office duties. It's a great place to volunteer and get to know Peachtree!

ANNOUNCING PCMS ANNUAL FUND

CAN YOU IMAGINE?

Can you imagine a school with access to world-class technology?

Can you imagine a school which provides enhanced educational experiences?

Can you imagine a school where 100% of teachers are gifted certified and 50% of teachers are ESOL certified?

Can you imagine taking part in making these goals reality?

Join us as we kick off the 2013-2014 PCMS Annual Fund.

Why donate?

Your 100% *tax deductible contribution to the PCMS Annual Fund pays for programs and activities that are not covered by your tax dollars. Below is a sampling of programs and initiatives your donation will go to support:

Parent Teacher Charter Council Budget:

General Administrative / Operating Expenses
Student Character Education
Patriot Games
Student Showcase
Cultural Arts
Teacher and Staff Appreciation
School Beautification

PCMS Foundation Initiatives:

Academic Teams including learning materials, travel and competition expenses
Technology to support iStation, a web-based Reading Program
Implementation of web-based Math Program
Purchase of supplemental books, study guides and classroom materials
Staff Development to achieve goal of 100% Gifted and 50% ESOL endorsed teachers
Contribution to PCMS outdoor learning garden
Long term goal to provide laptop/tablet for each PCMS student

How do I donate?

We encourage 100% participation among PCMS families. While any monetary donation amount is appreciated, a donation of $125 per family is suggested. We need the support of every family!

Donation will be accepted at:

6th Grade Registration (Thursday, August 1st)
7th/8th Grade Registration (Wednesday, August 7th)
Anytime throughout the school year

Your donation may be paid by cash, check (payable to PCMS Foundation) or online at the following link:

http://pcmsfoundation.org/index.php/ways-to-give/

Don't forget matching funds!

Many corporations have matching gift programs for their employees, retirees, and board members that will double and in some cases triple the portion of your gift that is tax deductible. Contact your employer to determine if they will match your financial gift and to find out the guidelines for obtaining matching funds.

Visit the Foundation website at http://pcmsfoundation.org/ to learn more!

*The PCMS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

It's the Start of Something New

Drama Club Meeting

WHAT: Drama Club 2013 Information and Parent Booster Meeting

WHEN and WHERE: Tuesday, August 27 at 6:00 p.m. in PCMS Cafeteria

WHO: Any PCMS parent wanting to register a student and obtain information

BRING: Drama Club Contract and Dues. Contract is on pcmsboosterclub.com

We have already had a fantastic showing from registration and are excited about our new program. Come check it out and be part of Something New!

Cross Country

Is your eighth grader interested in running cross country? If so, practice starts Monday after school at Dunnwoody high school. The students will need to be shuttled over to the high school to practice. I am looking for people to form a carpool to bring them to the high

school to practice. If interested, please contact Sherie Green at (404) 797-2866 or ssgeorgia@gmail.com.

Dunwoody Junior Wildcats Fall Camp

The Dunwoody Junior Wildcats is now registering girls for its fall volleyball program.

The three-week program will run Oct. 7-28 at the gymnasium at St. Luke's Presbyterian Church from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The sessions are open to current fourth- through eighth-graders and will help players develop their skills on the court through group drills and competitive play.

Sessions are designed to teach proper volleyball mechanics in a fun, safe, and learning environment that will challenge players to do their best in every drill and skill. Our coaches also provides a lot of individual attention for overall skill improvement.

The cost is $95 per player. Each player will receive a Junior Wildcats T-shirt.

For more information, contact Junior Wildcats director Steve Goldin at 770-330-5532 or by email at sgoldin106@aol.com. You can also call Lead Instructor Brent Bridger at 678-687-1898 or email totalathletesports@gmail.com.

PCMS Volleyball

All rising 6th-8th grade girls are invited to try out for
the NEW PCMS VOLLEYBALL TEAM!!

Tryouts will take place in the gym at PCMS:

August 10, 9:00-11:00am

August 11, 2:00- 4:00pm

Practice will start on the first day of school, 4:15-6:15pm.

You must have a current Dekalb County Physical form in order to try out.

NO EXCEPTIONS!! Please bring a copy on the first day if tryouts.

Spirit Wear Update

It was a successful spirit wear sale during registration! We sold as many shirts and hoodies as were sold all year last year!

We are placing an order for new inventory and will notify parents via the PCMS Newsletter when the spirit wear has arrived.

Click the chalkboard to find out about our dress code!

Sent By:
The Parent Teacher Charter Council at Peachtree Charter Middle School

.If you wish to submit an announcement for the next newsletter, please submit it to pcmsnewsletter@gmail.com before August 8th.

GO PATRIOTS!