Elkins Pointe Middle SchoolAugust 31, 2015

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This Week
Hello Titans!
 
I hope you all had a fun filled Labor Day!  It was nice to have a little extra time with friends and family to unwind and unplug! 
 
Last week ended magically with our students having the opportunity on Friday to experience our first early release day of the year that provided authentic learning opportunities for our students.  The Hembree Run for Food was just about as popular as the visit from the Snake Man!  For the second part of the day, our teachers were able to spend quality time training on how to increase rigor and relevance in the classroom.  Our professional learning coach, Dayna Laur, posed this essential question to guide our work. 
 
"How can we optimize practices of effective instruction to design authentic relevant and complex learning experiences for the students of EPMS?

Over the next few years, we will focus our efforts on responding to this question and allowing it to guide the spirit behind our work.  I am looking forward to students having more opportunities to work like experts, investigators, creators, engineers, artists and inventors who work effectively with their peers to problem solve and creatively think their way through learning.  I am very proud of how our teachers, students and staff are responding to this charge!
 
Believe it or not, Wednesday brings us close to our first 4 ½ weeks of school, with progress reports going out on the 15th of this month.  If you haven't already done so, please stop by the main office to receive your Home Access Code (HAC) in order to keep up with your child's attendance, behavior and academic progress.
 
If you begin to have concerns about your child's progress, don't hesitate to email the teacher to request a conference.   Please know that our teachers and staff will do the same if we see that your child is struggling academically and/or behaviorally.  Our goal is for every student to be successful.  Working together is how we can make that happen. 


Let's Celebrate
 
  • Go PTSA!!! Our PTSA was honored, last night, at the monthly Fulton County board meeting.  Our fabulous PTSA was recognized for their work on increasing family and student engagement to support the overall success of our Titans.
  • Super shout out to these five mighty Titans... Michael Astorga, Joey Newton, Bennett Key, Mason Coleman, and Achin Chugh.  They were also recognized at the monthly Fulton County Board of Education meeting for earning first place in the GA Special Olympics games this past Spring.
  • Last Thursday was the second parent meeting to kick off our school's Robotics club!  Interest, excitement, and enthusiasm are running high and we are looking forward to another great year of competition.  If your child is interested in participating, please contact Ms. Krishna at Krishna@fultonschools.org
  • Go 7th Grade!!!!  The seventh grade won the cleanest hall competition this week.  As a result, all 7th graders will be able to use their technology during lunch.  The cleanest hall competition is a weekly event.  Stay tuned for the winning hall next week.  


Things to Know 

Advisement
Every day, each Titan has a 20 minute advisory period that comes before or after his/her lunch period.  During this time, teachers are charged with finding ways to build relationships with their students and allow students the opportunity to connect with their peers, work on projects, time outside, and complete school or district surveys.   
 
Picture Day
Picture day is fast approaching (9/15).  Lifetouch is the company we are using.    Please be on the lookout for a Parentnotify email from Lifetouch.  Parentnotify will enable you to receive email reminders and pre-order picture packages.  For questions, email Marcie Suckow @ suckow@fultonschools.org
 
6th Grade Junior Achievement Field Trip
The 6th graders will be going to JA BizTown with their Social Studies class on Sept. 14th, 15th, or 16th from 8:00am - 2:30pm. We need you to volunteer.  You will serve as coaches in helping students to learn about business, in the real world.  This event takes place at the World Congress Center and is a great opportunity for parents who work downtown, because you can head to your office after BizTown!  Click on the following link to sign up  http://vhub.at/elkinspointe
 

Please reference your child's teacher for your volunteer date: 
9/14 - Marmiol 
9/15 - Blaine
9/16 - Newman & Fisher 
 
Title One Tips
What is a "Compact? If you are like most people, you might think a "compact" is a small car.  Here at EPMS, a "compact" is a contractual agreement, which was sent home the first week of school (inside First Week packets).  Our goal is to have 100% of Parent-School Compacts returned to school by the end of September.  To date, only half have been returned.  "It's Time to Titan Up"... on these compacts!   Please use the following link http://tinyurl.com/CompactEPMS-2015-English to print out the signature page for both you and your child to sign and return to the front office.  Let's get this done before the end of September!
 If you have any questions, or would like to know if we received your child's compact, please email Title I Parent Liaison (Lisa O'Hanlon Cowles) at ohanlon@fultonschools.org
 
 
 
STAR House
Homework help... is available for your child through the STAR House program.  If interested, please pick up an application at the front office.  Transportation home is provided.  Click here for drop off routes. 
 
After School Achievement Program (ASAP)
Does your child need additional help with reading in math?  If so, this after school program is for you!  If interested, please stop by the front office to pick up an application.  Start date is October 7th.
 
College & Career for Latino Students
This is a great opportunity to learn about practical tips for college.  There will be motivational speakers, workshops, and a college and career fair.  Click here for more information. Click here for permission forms.  Don't miss out!
 
Titan Pride
Every Friday is spirit day!  Titan spirit wear order forms were sent home on 8/28. Students can return completed forms and payment to the front office in the box marked "spirit wear".  Orders can also be placed on-line at http://elkinspointe.deco-apparel.com.  Shirts, designs and colors are interchangeable, so you can customize how you show your Titan pride.  Pick your design, shirt style, and color.  For questions, contact Laura Calvert and Jenny Burge  lcalvert@bellsouth.net and jennyembroiders@gmail.com
 
Bring your parent to school (6th grade only)
Sixth grade parents, you are invited to join your child for the first two periods of his/her school day!  On Tuesday, September 22nd, you will get an idea of what your child experiences every day as a Titan.   Check in will be at the media center (8:30), where you will be welcomed by the administration and receive your child's schedule.  At the conclusion of second period, all parents will exit the building through the rotunda. 
 
Milton High
Parents of MHS students, don't forget about Milton High School's Open House tonight, starting at 7:00 PM. Prior to the Open House, they will have a meeting for parents of students in their TAG and ESOL programs. The TAG meeting will start at 6:15 PM in the auditorium. The ESOL meeting will start at 6:15 PM in the media center. Copies of student schedules will be available for pick up in the cafeteria starting at 6:00 PM. To avoid lines during schedule pick up, ask your student to provide you with his/her schedule and room numbers if possible.  Student schedules are also available on Home Access Center.
 
End of the Day Dismissal
Parking in the parking lot on the bus side poses a safety concern with parents and students walking between the buses to get to their cars.  I ask that you park on the carpool loading side during dismissal.  The safest way to pick up your child every day is to pull into the carpool line and pick up your student curbside.   If you choose to walk up to the building to wait for your child at dismissal, please stand on the carpool side of the building so we can free up the space on the bus side for students to safely and quickly board their buses.  Thank you for your support and cooperation.
 
School Volunteers
The School Store is looking for help.  A parent volunteer is needed in the morning.  No experience is necessary, just a one-time training by Christie Peterson.  You can even bring your child to help and keep you company!  If you have questions, email Christie aecjzpet@bellsouth.net and/or sign up using this linkThe media center can also you your help.  Please follow this link to sign up.

Informational Items

Clubs
Students will soon have an opportunity to sign up for their Thursday club that will meet from 10:39-11:27.   Mr. Jones is working to assemble a menu of offerings for the students to make their top choices.  Mr. Jones and his team will work to ensure that students are scheduled into one of their top three choices.  We are very excited about having dedicated 45 minutes each Thursday for students to have time to nurture their interest or passion.  This block of time was made possible by our SGC requesting and receiving a seat time waiver from the district in order to have permission to adjust the weekly academic schedule to allow for a Thursday "flex day" schedule to be implemented  Click here to see schedule. 

EPMS Student Handbook
Finishing touches are being made to a 2015-16 Parent-Student Handbook that I will share with all by Monday of next week.  The purpose of the handbook is to provide answers to questions that may arise throughout the year. There are very few changes made to "How we do business" at EPMS.  However, the few changes that have been made will be expressed in this handbook along with important unchanged expectations for various aspects of our school.

Roswell Will Never Forget... 9/11
The Roswell Rotary Club and City will be hosting the annual September 11th ceremony at Roswell Area Park.  If interested, follow this link www.senatoralbers.com for more details.   
 
Orange Fundraiser
Order forms were included on the first day packets and students will need to turn return forms to their Advisement teacher.  The deadline to place an order is October 21st for delivery during the week of November 16th.  
 

Upcoming Dates
  • 9/11 - Chorus Trip
  • 9/12 - Band Jumpstart Clinic
  • 9/14 - Junior Achievement 6th Grade Trip
  • 9/15 - Fall Pictures
  • 9/15 - Report Cards
  • 9/16 - Community Board Meeting
  • 9/22 - 6th Grade Bring Parent to School (1st and 2nd period)

Sincerely,

Kindra L. Smith
  
Kindra L. Smith, Ed.S
Principal
Elkins Pointe Middle
Home of the Titans!