Elkins Pointe Middle SchoolAugust 19, 2015

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This Week
 
Dear Parents,
 
I am happy to share that week one was amazing at EPMS! Aside from the technical issues with our student information system, the week was smooth sailing.  It was so nice to meet the new and returning students to our school. I want to share a special thanks to our awesome 8th grade WEB leaders. I'm simply in awe of the genuine care and concern they have for our school and their younger classmates. Their support, guidance and leadership has made all the difference with helping our 6th graders become familiar with our school and more comfortable with routines such as lockers, lunch, and navigating around our school building. 

In this Titan Talk I'd like to communicate a few updates in regard to dress code and cell phones.
 
Dress code:
Beginning the 2015-16 school year, students will be allowed to wear leggings as long as their shirt/top is fingertip length long. Students can still wear 2-back pocket jeans and jeggings with any shirt that doesn't reveal body parts.
Please refrain from wearing running shorts or any pants that have cuts or frills above the knee.
All tank top straps (for guys and gals) should be 3 fingers wide. 
Students not appropriately dressed for school will be sent to the office to receive a change of clothing. The remaining dress code expectations outlined in the student's agenda will continue.
 
Cellphones:
Earbuds or cellphones should be out of sight after 8:43 am unless directed otherwise by the classroom teacher or administration. 
 
"Titan Up" expectations:
Be Responsible, Be Respectful and Be Safe. 
Please review the above "Titan up" expectations with your child periodically to help us maintain a high quality learning environment that supports academic success for all of our students. 
 
Each week you will receive the Titan Talk newsletter. This newsletter is our primary form of communication with the community.  It is important that you keep your email up to date with the school so you can Titan Up with Titan Talk! 

Let's Celebrate

 

  • Our students for being so respectful and responsible.
  • Our awesome PTSA for their continued support of students and staff.
  • Our teachers for getting students ready to learn on their first day back.
  • Congratulations to students Sally Blumberg, Owen Carney, and Thomas Penhallegon.  They were accepted into the Atlanta Opera Children's Chorus for the upcoming production of Puccini's "La Boheme" on October 3,6, 9, and 11 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center.  Go to atlantaopera.org for more information.
  • Congrats to Mr. Baugh who is entering his 14th season singing with the Atlanta Opera Chorus and was named Chorus Master for the company's Children's Chorus.

Things to Know

School Visitation
In an effort to ensure school safety and protect instructional time, visitors are required to sign in with the front office, obtain a visitor badge, and wait for an escort to the classroom or area you're visiting. 

If you would like to schedule a time to observe your student during a particular class period, please contact the counseling team to schedule an appointment.  The counselors, along with the assigned administrator, will work with you and the classroom teacher to accommodate your request.
 

Carpool Tips
Remember that our carpool line is one of the fastest and safest around! From start to finish, our carpool line takes approximately 12 minutes. In order to keep it that way, please remember:
  • If you are in a rush to pick up your child, please arrive early enough to park your car and walk up to the sidewalk so that you can escort them through the moving buses and cars to keep them safe.
  • Please refrain from driving against the traffic in the carpool lot; follow traffic patterns.
  • Please pull as far forward as possible before picking up your child to allow for more cars to fit.
  • Exception: If you are the first car in line when the bell rings at 4:05, remember to park far enough back to leave room for our special needs buses.
 
Interested in Volunteering?
Are you interested in volunteering at Elkins Pointe Middle School on a regular basis? Be sure to stay tuned to the PTSA newsletter for opportunities, and don't forget to complete your mandatory training by visiting this link or go to http://www.fultoncountyschoolssafetysecurity.org/. Remember that you should print your page upon completion of the online course to bring with you the first time that you volunteer.
 

Textbooks
Remember that we are going GREEN this year by assigning textbooks online. Visit this link for access to all textbooks or go to http://www.fultonschools.org/en/divisions/acd/learnteach/Pages/Middle-School-Electronic-Textbook-Codes.aspx. This link is also permanently located in one of the gray boxes on our school's website. However, please remember that you can request a set of textbooks for home if you do not have access to the internet or would prefer a hard copy. We have accepted requests through advisement for this last week, and you can also email Ida Ward directly at wardi@fultonschools.org to make a request.
 
 
Curriculum Night
Don't miss out! This year's Curriculum Night will contain lots of information that is critical for parents.  A special Q&A TAG/Advanced classes session will be held for parents from 5:30-6:00 in the Media Center, and 6:00pm will begin our Title I Parent Meeting in the gym to be followed by our State of the School by Principal Smith. Class visits will begin promptly at 7:00pm. Please mark your calendars and remember to arrange for childcare if possible. 

Informational Items

Orange Fundraiser
Order forms were included on the first day packets and students will need to turn in their forms thru their advisement teachers.  The deadline to place the order is on October 21st for a target delivery during the week of November 16th.  
 
Early Release Days
Students will report to school at their regular time and be dismissed from school at 12:55.  Lunch will be served on these days.  Set forth below are our ERDs:
September 4th
October 8th
November 20th
February 11th
March 9th
April 1st
For the remainder of the school day, Teachers and staff will be in professional development trainings to support project-based learning and differentiation.
 
Clubs
Beginning Thursday Sept 17, we will host "Club hour" where students are able to participate in an interest-based experience with peers who have similar interest. Every Thursday, we will run a modified schedule.  Click here to see schedule. 
 
Class Schedules
Students received final schedules at the beginning of this week. Please contact Dr. Bearden at BeardenL@fultonschools.org if you have any additional questions.
 
Gifted Screening & Referral
The Fulton County School System screens all students for eligibility for gifted services twice a year. Fulton County uses a systematic approach to identify highly capable students who may qualify for gifted services.  Please click here for additional information. 
 
Title I Tips

All Elkins Pointe parents and guardians are invited to attend the "Title I District Parent Input Meeting" on Thursday, August 20th at 6 pm.  The meeting will take place at Esther Jackson Elementary School, 1201 Alpharetta St., Roswell GA 30075, (470) 254-5290.  Your input is very important, and we hope to see you there. 
 
Please return all "Parent-School Compacts" to your child's advisement teacher.  Elkins Pointe participates in title I school-wide, which means 100% of compacts are to be signed by every student, teacher and parent/guardian. If you have any questions, please contact Parent Liaison, Lisa O'Hanlon Cowles, ohanlon@fultonschools.org or (770) 678-2892 ext. 150.
 
Upcoming Dates
  • 8/19 - Community Board Meeting
  • 8/26 - Curriculum Night
  • 8/26 - Annual Title 1 Meeting
  • 9/4 - Early Release Day 

Sincerely,

Kindra L. Smith
  
Kindra L. Smith, Ed.S
Principal
Elkins Pointe Middle
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