Happy Friday, Titans!

We've had a week full of academics and celebration here at EPMS. The Orchestra performance Wednesday evening was lovely ... including the performance by Principal Jerome Huff where he sang Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. Such a joy! Additionally, Fulton County Schools released a new commercial about the district, and our school is featured prominently, as well as Hembree Springs ES next door. Take a moment to watch:  Fulton County Schools: A Great Place!  

As our final Titan Talk of this calendar year, it is rather long this week, so please be sure to take the time to read it carefully, as we have quite a few substantial announcements.

• We are so excited to share that the first round of our ITBS results have arrived, and EPMS was one of just a few Fulton County Schools that saw gains in all five subject areas this year. Just another piece of evidence that we are moving in the right direction!
• We are excited to celebrate along with Roswell High School in their recently publicized graduation rate for the 2013 school year. With an increase of over six percent, RHS graduated 86.5% of their students last year.
• We are pleased to report that our teachers held and hosted our very first EdCamp this Wednesday during teacher planning time. Teachers held meetings to discuss self-selected topics of interest with one another. They shared strategies, helped each other troubleshoot, and walked away with some new ideas. With 17 different topics, it ranged from "How do I get kids to think outside the box?" to "Technology Smackdown." On January 6th, the entire Northwest Learning Community will come together to host a similar camp for middle school teachers on the workday.
• During the month of December, the Autism classes at Elkins Pointe have had an excellent experience learning the game of tennis.  Fiona Hatton from the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and her team of volunteers have been joining us in our Adapted PE classes. The students are learning how to rally, hit a forehand, and safe racket practices.  This program is a great boost to the development of these students' eye/hand coordination.  And, Coach Lambert (Adapted PE teacher at Elkins Pointe) is excited that the Autism classes are learning another game that they can be involved in for their entire lives.  We are thankful for the USTA, Fiona, and her super team of volunteers for being so generous in sharing their time and expertise with our students.
• Congratulations to all of our students that participated in the American Mathematics Competition this year. All of our students performed well, and two of our students were in the top 5% of the nation, Rahil Patel and Liam Frank. We are excited to share that Liam Frank earned a PERFECT SCORE on this assessment - quite an achievement!
• Yesterday at Rotary, I had the privilege to celebrate the On Pointe Program, both students and teachers, as part of their monthly recognition program. The students selected Chloe Robinson to represent them, which she did quite well ... including a surprise announcement that we were also celebrating Ms. Jones and Ms. Pugh for all of their hard work with the program.These 30 students are finishing their 8th grade curriculum as we speak and are ready to start their 9th grade classes in January. Way to GO!

  Ms. Jones, Chloe Robinson, Ms. Pugh, Ms. Springman

• Did you know that Fulton Schools are often featured in the North Fulton Magazine? Check out pages 31 and 32 of this recent issue for an article co-written by our Area Superintendent Dr. Vic Shandor as well as an article about our Japanese Exchange program last month.  http://familylifepublications.com/images/NF%20Book%2012-13.pdf   

• In an effort to raise funds for our homeless families in the EPMS community, Monday will be Pajama Day at EPMS. Students who would like to wear (school appropriate) pajamas need to bring a minimum of one dollar on Monday. They will receive a stamp for their donation, have the joy of wearing pajamas, and know that they are helping others in need. So don't forget ... this Monday bring a dollar to wear pajamas for the day.
• The Fulton County Schools Technology Competition is coming up late January, and we need to start preparing. The last day to register is January 10th. Topics range from 3-D Modeling to Digital Video Production to Robotics (and many more). Click here for more details about this year's competition.
• If you'd like to hear some lovely holiday music while you shop this weekend, stop by the Silos Kroger tomorrow between 12:00 and 12:30. Our Chamber Orchestra will be performing for the public. Afterwards they will also put on a private performance for the Arbor Terrace retirement home. Spreading joy in the community.
• We did have several students go home with the flu this week. Please review the importance of hand-washing and refraining from sharing food with your students over the weekend. It's great that all of our Titans love each other and share everything, but it's not helping during flu season. Thank you.
• Is your child interested in the Arts? Or Math and Science? North Springs High School will  host a showcase about its magnet programs on January 12th from 1:00 - 3:00pm. Priority applications will be due January 22nd for interested students. Click here for more info.
• This morning at our LSAC meeting, I announced that EPMS will no longer participate in the Washington DC field trip for our 8th graders. This decision is not taken lightly and comes after three years of discussions, attempts at fundraising, and scholarship offerings. With all of these efforts, we still are only able to send 50% of our students each year. With 42% of our students on free and reduced lunch, this trip has become a dividing event instead of the team-building experience that it should be. Though I know that this will disappoint some of you, after three years of watching students in tears that they cannot go and hearing them say that it is not fair that their family simply cannot afford it, it is time for me to make this hard decision. During second semester, we will start looking at local trip alternatives for the 8th graders that can still be exciting and meaningful while maintaining the team-building concept for all of our students. Thank you in advance for your support and understanding.
• Don't forget that final exams are next week. I have attached the schedule again for you here. 

• I am pleased to report that this morning our Local School Governance Council held its first meeting, where we voted and finalized our council for the 2014-2015 school year. These council members are invited to attend all LSAC meetings between now and then (as you all are, by the way). Thank you for all of your support through the election process. Remember that our LSAC meetings are the first Tuesday of each month at 8:00am. Please join me in welcoming our first Local School Governance Council:
  • Elected Parent Members will be Jennifer Koon and Casey Mellor serving in a two year position, Daryl O'Hare serving in a one year position.
  • Elected Teachers will be Karen Jones serving in the two year position and Kristine Allen serving in the one year position.
  • Appointed Staff members will be AP Todd Willis serving in the two year position and Ida Ward (Data Support Specialist) serving in the one year position.
  • Appointed and Approved Community members will be Ron Jackson (Kiwanis Club member and former FCS School Board member) serving in the two year position and parent Christie Robinson (active in Girl Scouts and Epilepsy Awareness) serving in our one year position.
  • I will serve on the LSGC as well (of course), though principals are not voting members.  
• Also, are you still a bit unclear about what a Charter System really is? Check out this new video that FCS has put together to help: Charter System: What Does it Mean for Fulton County Schools?