Titan Talk - News from

Elkins Pointe Middle School
 May 3, 2014

Hello, Titans!

I hope that all of you are enjoying this lovely weekend. We had a busy week this week, wrapping up CRCT, administering EOCT for our students taking high school courses, and preparing for field trips as well. In all of the excitement, I just did not have time to get this done yesterday, so please pardon the lack of format and late hour. J

Let's Celebrate: (Note that our website will be updated this week with several photos from our celebrations, so be sure to check it out!)

• I thoroughly enjoyed yesterday's North Fulton Council of PTAs Luncheon, with our co-presidents for next year: Tunieka Brown and Lily Pabian. A special congratulations to Ms. Brown, who was also elected to serve as co-president of membership for the North Fulton Council. All of our parents do such an amazing job to support our school. It is nice to see one of our own taking a leadership role beyond the school as well.
• Congratulations to teacher Ms. Okiyama who was selected to attend the GA Rivers to Reefs workshop this summer! She is so excited about the opportunity.
• We are quite proud of Armaan Lala, Bhavik Singh, George Ye, Kedarnath Malapati, and Vishal Vijay who were team members for Elkins Pointe's first Robotics Team this year. Though a small team, the "Cyber Winds" did quite well at their competition this year. Thank you parent Lakshmi Malapati for taking the lead this year, and we cannot wait to see this become a school-wide club in the future.  (Parents who have emailed me about next year's club? Stay tuned.)
• On POINTE PROGRAM CELEBRATIONS:
• I am pleased to announce that On Pointe teachers Ms. Jones, Ms. Pugh, and I will be presenting this year at the National Conference for the Association of Middle Level Education in Nashville. Our presentation out of On Pointe was selected out of over 1300 applications as one of the 250 presentations that will be offered at this conference. This is such an honor, and we are so excited to share our achievements with educators from across the country.
• Two weeks ago I was personally honored to receive an award from Georgia State University: The Outstanding Performance-Based Educational Leadership Program Student Award. This award is based on the ability to connect theoretical concepts with practical application in schools and was a direct result of our work with The On Pointe Program. Though my name may be on the award, I certainly feel that this is a recognition for the school as well as Ms. Jones, Ms. Pugh, and all of the other staff members who have worked to support the On Pointe Program.
• Yesterday we met with the students who are invited to join the On Pointe Program for next year, 2014-2015. What a difference a year makes! The students who were invited knew exactly what a great opportunity this is and walked in to the meeting smiling, some even hugging each other in congratulations. We are so excited to see next year's group live up to the high expectation that the 20013-2014 cohort has set as the standards.
• Note: Not all students were present due to field trips, and I will meet with those other students this coming week. Quite a few parents and students have asked why their child was not selected. Remember that there are two qualifications: 1) The student must be "over-age," meaning they will turn 15 prior to the start of high school. 2) The student must have demonstrated the academic proficiency to work in this fast-paced program where students complete two years of curriculum in just one calendar year.
• And last but certainly not least ... Did you hear the news this week? Adventure Quest teacher Mr. James Tongue was both surprised and honored to receive the FACE OF FULTON AWARD on Thursday. Jennifer Clark from FCS Communications made a surprise visit where he was presented with his trophy and gift. We are so pleased to have Mr. Tongue represent us as the Fulton County Schools Employee of the Month! When I nominated Mr. Tongue over a month ago, I selected him as an exemplary representation of the staff and community of Elkins Pointe Middle School. His heart for students, passion for life, and desire to support those around him are evident in every action he takes on a daily basis. This is such an honor, and we are so proud to have him as part of our team.

Informational Items:

• We are excited to celebrate our first STEM days this year on May 7th and 8th. All Science and Math teachers in the building will be engaged in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics lessons and activities on these days. We cannot wait to see the innovative lessons!
• From Milton HS: On May 15th at 6:30 pm in the Milton High School Cafeteria, the TAG department will be holding a Q&A for all parents of rising 9th grade TAG students.  We will be discussing the TAG model for high school, the opportunities afforded to TAG students, and addressing any other questions or concerns.  We hope to see everyone there!
• Students should have brought home their report cards this week, and those who failed a class first semester or are failing now should have had their summer school information attached as well. It is attached to this email - just in case it did not make it home to you. I have also attached a brochure that explains how the program will have a heavy emphasis on technology this summer - including an opportunity for students to "test out" of summer school during the first two days! Be sure to look over this information and stay tuned for more to come.
• Don't forget that we moved the date of our first Annual Community Cares Event. It will be May 13 - 6:00pm! Come on out and give input on our School-Wide Plan for both Title I and Governance Council purposes. Learn more about our recent CCRPI score and participate in conversation about the future of Elkins Pointe.
• THIS SUMMER: 2014 Title I Camp HB3 that is offered FREE to K-8th Title I students. June 10 - 20, breakfast and lunch provided. Location will be Mimosa Elementary on the north end. Applications are due by Friday, May 2, 2014. Interested? Click here for the flyer in English and Spanish and go to this link to submit an application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1OQPbZB39nVO80O-pe_osAgHWH4LEDWM1hoZaBZ7lFxc/viewform
• On May 8th, both Roswell HS and Milton HS will be here at EPMS to meet with the 8th grade TAG students during 1st period. This meeting is open to both student and parents and will be an opportunity to learn about how TAG works in high school.
• Don't forget! Beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, children entering 7th grade who were born on or after January 1, 2002 and for new students entering into a Georgia school grades 8th through 12th must show proof of receiving the following prior to entering school: 
• One dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine; and
• One dose of Meningococcal conjugate vaccine
• Click here for more specific detail in: English   Spanish

END OF YEAR SPECIAL EVENTS:

• It's time for the 8th grade dance! The students are so excited, and tickets go on sale next week! Click here for the permission form in English and Spanish with all of the details. Be sure to read it carefully as it includes lots of detail including the dress code.  But here are the basics:
• A Night in Paris
  Ticket price: $15.00 (CASH only)
  Ticket sales: April 30, May 1-2, May 5-9
  (Sales in the atrium before school and during 8th grade lunch)
  Permission slip must be returned at time of ticket purchase.
  Students must attend school until at least 12:00pm on May 9 and must have note to be released early.
• Final Exams will be May 20th - 22nd for all three grades. 6th grade will take their final assessment of the year, while 7th and 8th grade will have cumulative exams. Look for study guides to come home on or before Friday May 16th.
• May 23rd, the last day of school will be full of celebrations and award ceremonies. This is a great day for our students to celebrate all of their hard work and for parents to join in the celebration. Students are expected to dress nicely for the ceremonies, though their attire should meet school dress code (no strapless or backless dresses). Times for the Award Ceremonies are as follows: 8th grade at 9:00am, 6th grade at 12:15pm, and 7th grade at 2:15. While each and every 8th grader will be recognized, the 7th and 6th grade ceremonies will be for specific recognition of certain students, not the entire grade level. Parents are welcome to check their child out at the close of the ceremonies, in the front office.

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN:

• May 6 - Orchestra Concert at 7:00pm
• May 7 - EOCT for High School Phys Science (On Pointe)
• May 8th
• 8th GR TAG meetings 1st period
• Chorus Madrigal Dinner at 6:30pm
• May 9th
• Battle of the TITANS! All day event
• 8th Grade Dance
• May 10th - Acceleration Math Test (optional)
• May 12th - Band Concert at 6:30pm
• May 12 - 14 - Elementary Schools visit EPMS for tours
• May 14 - Linda Schultz Community Meeting @ EPMS, 9:30am
• May 20 - 22 - Final Exams
• May 21-22 - CRCT Retakes for 8th graders who did not pass Reading or Math
• May 23rd - Last Day of School, Award Ceremonies:
• 8th grade at 9:00am
• 6th grade at 12:15pm
• 7th grade at 2:15pm
• June 2nd - Report Cards Mailed Home, CRCT included if available
• June - July
• Office open for registration and walk-ins:
• Tuesday - Thursday from 9:00 - 3:00
• Monday and Friday by appointment
• CRCT reports available for pick up (if not available by June 2 mailing)
• Affidavits of Residency and Immunizations may be submitted early
• NEW: Receive "Golden Ticket" to bypass lines on Information Day

Have a great weekend, Titans!