News from Elkins Pointe Middle School Edition 2013-2014 Issue 30

May 16, 2014

Hello, Titans!

Hard to believe that we only have one week left! As we get closer to our final day full of celebrations and good-byes, our teachers are preparing students for final exams and maximizing every single moment ... including actual rocket launches in 8th grade today!

This week at EPMS

Lots to Celebrate!

Last night I had the pleasure of attending our FCS School Board meeting, where students Charles Fiske and Ramtin Mahmoudkhani received recognition for their first place award at the State Science Fair this year. Such a proud moment!
Congratulations to Jackson Jacobs who made the Atlanta U-16 YCC (All Star) Ultimate Frisbee team. The team will compete in the National Tournament in Minnesota at the end of the summer. We are very proud of him!
Kudos to all of our students who were recognized by Duke Tip this year! Shannon Carney, Will Bentley, and Morgan Pickett attended the Awards Ceremony on May 14th at University of West Georgia and will be pictured soon on our website. Way to go!
Our very own Mrs. AJ Smith was recognized by Fulton County Schools as a "Difference Maker" recently. We are so pleased to see her passion recognized: http://vimeo.com/channels/738255/94252824.
On Tuesday, May 13th, Ms. Johnson's 6th and 7th grade Japanese classes and Ms. Lightcap's 7th grade Social Studies welcomed guest speakers from Kanazawa, Japan. Dr. Ushijima, a Japanese businessman and Ms. Kondo, a calligraphy artist, talked about Japanese culture and history with students, and demonstrated some of their skills of Karate and Shodo, the art of writing.
Congrats to Ms. Susan Grigsby who will be joining teacher Ana Hale on Fulton County's Vanguard Team next year! This team serves as technology experts in the building, providing staff development and support to our teachers. We are so pleased to have TWO staff members on this special team
It is with great pleasure that I introduce our new Administrative Assistant for the 2014-2015 school year ... Rodney Jones! Mr. Jones will come to us from Holcomb Bridge Middle School, where he is currently a teacher while simultaneously serving in a variety of administrative roles to support their school. I have had the pleasure of working with Mr. Jones in the past and believe that he will be a welcome addition to our team. With his passion for students, belief in teacher support, ability to counsel student behavior, and dynamic personality ... he will fit right in around here! Next year, he will serve as a fifth administrator, supporting many administrative responsibilities, including but not limited to student discipline, testing, and supervision.
We had a great turn-out for our Community Cares Event on Tuesday evening this week and were able to gather lots of parent, staff, and even student input for our plan next year. The discussions were wonderful, pictured here is one group dreaming big for Elkins Pointe!

Important Notice:

VISITOR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: The second phase of security is being added to Fulton County Schools, in addition to the buzz-in front door access. Starting May 19th, we will activate "Raptor" for Monday - Thursday of the last week of school. All guests to our building - including parents, volunteers and first-time visitors - will be required to complete an initial registration process. We value your time and will try to make this as quick and simple as possible. Volunteers will now have the ability to register online and only once. The Raptor system will keep track of your information which will enable you to volunteer at multiple schools. First-time visitors will be required to present our front desk receptionist with their driver's license or another form of government photo identification. We respectfully ask for your patience and cooperation in presenting your valid state identification when checking in at the school. We feel certain this will be another proactive step in keeping our schools safe. Please note that, during this short trial-run, we will only require visitors to the school to check in (not parents coming to check out their child or to drop off something in the office). Please be sure to arrive ten minutes early so that you have plenty of time. Click here for more details.

Informational Items:

The Atlanta SILVERBACKS SOCCER TEAM is hosting an ELKINS POINTE NIGHT where they are offering discounted tickets AND A FUNDRAISER for our school! We are so excited about this opportunity. The game will be on Saturday May 31st. Please click here for the flyer!
Yearbooks will be distributed during lunch on May 21st, Wednesday. Yearbooks will also be available for sale, at a cost of $60 cash only as well. Remember, if your child cannot afford a yearbook, please encourage them to bring a composition book to collect signatures - we don't want our students to miss out on this tradition!
Our Lost and Found is overflowing. Be sure to have your child check for any lost belongings. Any items left on the last day of school will be donated to North Fulton Charities.
Stay engaged this summer! Click here for the state's recent Parent Involvement Newsletter.
Locker clean outs will be on Thursday May 22nd. Be sure to help your child check their rooms for any library books or textbooks to have them returned to the school before this day. No need to pay fines if the books are tucked away in a corner at home.
Don't forget to pick up your child's medications from the clinic before the last day of school, including daily medications and Epipens. They will be destroyed and discarded if not picked up by 4:15 on Friday, May 23.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The State of Georgia is now providing additional student information to parents as a result of their CRCT testing. Parents will now receive information regarding their child's Student Growth Percentile. This information will come along with a complete report to explain this in detail. A simple explanation is that it compares your child's score to students who had the exact same score the year before. This gives parents a more accurate point of comparison - valuable information. The reports from last school year (2013 results) will be mailed home with report cards this year. Please note that it may be confusing since the 2013 SGP report will come with a 2014 report card and (hopefully) the 2014 CRCT results. Click here to learn more about an SGP and what you will be receiving.
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
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

SUMMER SCHOOL INFORMATION:

On the last day of school, students will receive a final notice letter about whether or not they need to attend. Please do not wait until that day to register your child if you believe that your child will need summer school. Click here for information about this year's program, including registration forms, Q&A, and an explanation of the technology component.

NOTES for the LAST DAY OF SCHOOL:

We do not allow any backpacks, bags, or changes of clothing on the last day of school. Please make sure your child comes to school only with their yearbook in addition to being dressed nicely for the award ceremonies.
Parents are welcome to check their children out of school early during the last day. We are encouraging all parents to have a hand written note that includes the time of check out, their student's name, and their signature. This will prevent parents from standing in a long line to sign their child out, as they will simply need to hand in the form rather than wait their turn. Please note that you may not take home a student other than your own child unless you are listed as an emergency contact. These cases will need to follow an official check-out procedure in the front office.
8th graders will have their ceremony first thing in the morning, with a nice luncheon from 11:45 until 1:00, provided by our PTSA. All 8th graders will walk the stage and be recognized, in addition to individual awards. Parents are welcome to check their children out with a note after the ceremony or after the luncheon, but parents may not attend the luncheon.
6th graders will have their award ceremony at 12:15, and 7th grade at 2:15.
Remember that 6th and 7th grade will only recognize students receiving honors, while 8th grade recognizes everyone. Attached here are the lists of attendance and honor roll for 6th, 7th, and 8th grades for the last day of school. For 6th and 7th grade, if your child is listed, they will be recognized at the ceremony, and you are (of course) invited to attend. SPECIAL NOTE:
- The honor roll is calculated based on the most recent progress report, since grades for the semester will not be calculated in time for the last day of school. This allows us to celebrate students for academic achievement, even if we do not have our final grades yet.
- The attendance list is calculated as of May 16. Any student who misses school after this date will be removed from the perfect attendance list.

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL SCHEDULE CLICK HERE

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

May 20 - 22 - Final Exams (see schedule above)
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 graduation at 9:00am
6th grade at 12:15pm
7th grade at 2:15pm

June 2nd - Report Cards Mailed Home, SGP Report and 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

Business Partner Spotlight

Mathnasium is now offering Elkins Pointe Middle School families a special discount by providing free registration ($50 value) when you enroll by May 31, 2014. Mathnasium is located in the Roswell Corners Shopping Center (Super Target) at 1165 Woodstock Rd., Suite 800, Schedule an assessment by calling 770-518-3333. To learn more and view testimonials, check out www.mathnasium.com. Mathnasium's "Summer Workouts" are the perfect solution to Catch Up, Keep Up and Get Ahead this summer!

Reviewing and Reinforcing math concepts and skills
Providing individualized instruction
Boosting confidence
Helping your child develop a love of math

Where do you grocery shop? Remember that there are simple ways to earn money for the school by simply participating when you go to the grocery store.

If you shop at Publix, remember to pick up your scan card from the front office (or ask your child to do so).
NEW PROCESS: If you shop at Kroger, click here for details.

Need to take your pet to the vet? Even if it's just a simple check up, visit Crossville Veterinary Hospital and earn money for the school! Click here for details.
Interested in Martial Arts? Check out the Crabapple Martial Arts Academy and earn money for EPMS! Click here for details.

Community News and Summer Opportunities:

As we plan to grow our EPMS robotics team next year, a local summer camp has agreed to provide a discount to EPMS students who are interested in joining our team next year. This is a significant discount, so if your child enjoys robotics, take advantage! Please note that participation in this camp is not a requirement for joining next year's team, just a discounted opportunity that we wanted to share. Click here for details.
Milton Jr Lady Eagles Feeder Fastpitch Softball Tryouts Coming Up!!! May 18th, 19th, 20th (Sunday - Tuesday) at MHS Softball Field from 6;00-8:00pm. Open to rising 6th, 7th, 8th graders. Visit our website for more information and handouts http://www.eteamz.com/miltonladyeaglesfeedersoftball
Calling all Future Lady Hornet Soccer Players! Roswell High School Girls Summer Soccer Camp 2014 June 9th - June 12th , 12:30 - 3pm at Mountain Park Elementary School. Click here for details.
Don't forget that the Roswell Soccer Club is hosting their try-outs starting the last week of May. Click here for details.
Calling all Equestrians!!! The Milton HS IEA Equestrian Team is looking for new members for the 2014-2015 season! Whether you are a seasoned show competitor or a beginner, any rider, at any experience level, is welcome on our team. If you are a rising 9th grader attending Milton HS next year, and are interested in joining our team, please contact: Tracy Brunetto,MiltonHSIEA@gmail.com, website: mhsiea.com
8th Annual "It's Just Hair" Cut-a-thon. Do you have long hair? Please consider donating your locks for the 8th Annual "It's Just Hair" Cut-a-thon to benefit Locks of Love and children with long-term medical hair loss. Most of the children who benefit have lost their hair due to an autoimmune disease called Alopecia Areata, a highly unpredictable disease that can cause hair loss in patches or total hair loss including eyebrows and eyelashes. The cut-a-thon will take place on Monday, May 19, 2014 in Alpharetta. Hair must be at least ten inches and cuts and styles are complimentary. Please contact Diane Cooley to register or for more information at itsjusthair@gmail.com or 678.521.5639.
GA Tech would like to invite our middle school girls who are currently in 6th and 7th grade to our upcoming TEC (Technology, Engineering & Computer) Camp, which will be held from June 9 - 13, 2014 on the Georgia Tech campus. This fun and interactive camp is hosted by the Georgia Tech Women in Engineering Program and is designed to give girls an early introduction to the exciting world of engineering with the hope of inspiring them to eventually consider college majors and careers as engineers. More information on the camp can be found in the attached flyer. Unfortunately, this is short notice, as applications are due today, so take a look now.
The Milton Tip-Off Club will sponsor a camp for youth basketball skills. 2014 Summer "Camp of Champions" Basketball Skills for rising 3rd Graders thru 8th Graders will be May 27th thru May 30th, at the Milton High Gymnasium, Full Day Campers (9am to 3pm) and Half Day Campers (9 am to 12pm). See flyer for cost and details or contact the Milton Tip-Off Club, Melanie.Felton@Rocketmail.com. Please see attachment with flyer and registration form.