Hembree Highlights
September 24, 2021
Letter from Ms. Smith
Dear Hawk Family,
Another great week in the books! Our School Governance Council has had their first meeting. Please join us as an observer on October 4th for our next meeting. We will be discussing our year and what needs Hembree Springs as they related our current strategic plan. Please reach out to Ashley Russ, RussA1@fultonschools.org , if you want to know more about SGC. We will be sharing some basic information in the coming weeks in the Hembree Highlights.
I want to highlight Hispanic Heritage Month. We have been doing some great things throughout the month and throughout the building. Be sure to check out some of that great learning about Hispanic Heritage. We have a large Hispanic population, and I am very proud to serve this population. The mixing of all the cultures, backgrounds, languages, and more make this school truly a special place to learn and grow!
We do have ONE (1) MAJOR CHANGE that all parents need to be aware of:
Toys that are larger than an Rubik's cube are NO LONGER allowed at school. The standard Rubik's cube is 3 inches by 3 inches by 3 inches, and any toy/fidget item should be that size or smaller. We recognize that we can have long stretches of rain that forces us inside for recess. However, distractions and more have been caused by pop-its, stuffed animals, and other items. Teachers will reserve the right to take away toys if they are keeping others from learning or out when they are not supposed to be. This is entirely teacher discretion.
We have one other issue: Pokemon Cards. They are also a common item brought to school. However, trading cards, losing cards, and possible theft have created an issue with allowing them to be brought to school. NO POKEMON CARDS are allowed at school starting Monday, September 27, 2021. Students should not have them out at any point during the school day. As an administrator, trying to investigate who traded who is a losing battle. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns around this issue.
I am sure that it sounds like I want to end all fun at Hembree Springs. I want school to be 1) Safe, 2) Welcoming, and 3) Conducive for Learning! Fun should be a common thread through all that we do. Our teachers work hard to make learning fun because they understand that elementary is where we plant the seeds to grow life long learners.
If you want to talk further about these decisions, please let me know. I am happy to do that.
Enjoy your weekend!
Stay Strong! Stay Positive! Stay Well!
Sincerely,
AJ Smith
Principal
Hembree Springs ES
470-254-2905 - office
678-525-7704 - cell
Important Dates
9/29 Chess Club
1st meeting of the Chess Club. Participating students can look forward to the challenge of Championship Chess after school Wednesdays 2:30pm-3:30pm from now through the week of December 10th.
9/29 Katha Stuart Community Meeting 9:30 am
Meeting is Virtual- see logon information below.
9/30 TITLE I Technology Workshop 5:30pm
The Annual Title I Parent Technology Workshop will be presented via
TEAMS.
9/30 FCBOE Board Meeting 6pm
at FCS South Learning Center, 4025 Flat Shoals Road Union City, GA 30291.
UPCOMING-OCTOBER
10/5 Walk to School Day
Participating students should Walk to School under the supervision of a parent.
10/5 Individual Picture Day
GCI Portraits will be at Hembree Springs taking individual pictures of all students and staff
Dress your best for picture day.
10/11 Columbus Day
No School.
10/12 Teacher Work Day
No School for Students.
10/16 Star Night
International Observe the Moon Night!
10/19 ASK PTA! 7pm
Second in the series related to Literacy via TEAMS.
10/19 3rd Grade Book Club
Parent volunteers will meet, at lunchtime, with third grade students who signed up, read and prepared for discussion of the book West Meadows Detectives-The Case of the Snack Snatcher.
10/20 4th Grade Book Club
Parent volunteers will meet, at lunchtime, with fourth grade students who signed up, read and prepared for discussion of the book A Picture is Worth a Thousand Clues.
10/21 5th Grade Book Club
Parent volunteers will meet, at lunchtime, with fifth grade students who signed up, read and prepared for discussion of the book City Spies or the sequel.
10/29 Book Character Dress Up Day
More information to come about this event.
National Hispanic Heritage Month has begun!
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated each year from September 15 to October 15, and is a great time to recognize, honor, and celebrate the colorful cultures, rich histories, and many contributions that members of the Hispanic and Latinx communities have made in America.
Fun Facts - Differences between Hispanic and Latinx
Hispanic - Based on language
- People from Spain or a Spanish-speaking country.
- Venezuelans are considered both Latinx and Hispanic because they live in Latin America and speak Spanish.
Latinx - Based on geography
- People from countries in Latin America who speak Spanish, Portuguese, or another language.
- Brazilians are considered Latinx because they live in Latin America, but they are not Hispanic because they speak Portuguese.
HEMBREE SPRINGS TRANSPORTATION CHANGES POLICY
If there is a change from the regular manner in which your child is to leave school:
- Parents should email both the homeroom teacher and hsestransportation@fultonschools.org explaining the transportation change.
- Emails must be received by 12:00PM the day of the transportation change.
- Alternatively parents may submit a written note no later than 12:00PM the day of the transportation change.
- If transportation change requests are not received by 12:00PM parents may still check out students from the front office before 2:00PM.
- Students cannot ride a different bus for play dates or after school activities.
Excuse Note Policy for Student Absences, Late Arrivals and Early Checkouts
We get a lot of questions from parents on how to submit excuse notes for student absences, late arrivals and early checkouts. Here are tips on how to submit excuse notes.
Absences, late arrivals and early checkouts are considered unexcused until we receive an excuse note from parents, guardians or healthcare providers. Excuse notes must be submitted within 5 days of the absence.
Excuse notes can be submitted in two ways.
1. Email the Hembree Springs attendance mailbox and homeroom teacher. Parents should email both the homeroom teacher and hsesattendance@fultonschools.org. Emails received by 2:00pm will be processed the same day.
OR
2. Submit a handwritten note. Submit the note to the front desk or to the homeroom teacher. Paper notes will be processed within 48 hours.
For more details about the FCS Attendance Policy and Attendance FAQs link below.
2021-2022 FCS STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT
Fulton County Schools is making its Student Code of Conduct & Discipline Handbook available online in PDF format (click the link below). Once you have read the electronic version and have reviewed the contents with your student(s), please take a moment to complete the Acknowledgement of Receipt Form by using the provided link below. All parents and student (over 10 years old) MUST sign this form found within your INFINTE CAMPUS PARENT/STUDENT PORTAL ACCOUNT. This form will be available AFTER Aug 2, 2021. If you would like a paper copy of the Handbook, you or your student can pick one up in your school's front office.
Katha Stuart District 1 Community Meeting
Katha Stuart, District 1 Board Member, is having her September Community Meeting on Wednesday September 29 at 9:30 am.
She will answer questions and update you on what is happening in our District.
You can participate virtually using the link below.
FULTON COUNTY BOARD MEETING
Board of Education Meeting, September 30th, 6 pm
Each month the Fulton County Board of Education schedules several public meetings to discuss educational issues and act on items requiring Board approval. Workshops give the Board and public an opportunity to focus in-depth on topics of interest. The work session serves primarily to present information about agenda items requiring Board approval. The Board meeting is held the following week for the items to be approved.
All meetings are advertised in advance and publicized through local media and the school system web site. They are open to the public.
The Board Meeting will be held at the South Learning Center located at 4025 Flat Shoals Road Union City, GA 30291.
For Spanish Speaking Parents:
Padres
Estamos tratando de trabajar para satisfacer sus necesidades. Si tiene alguna pregunta sobre cualquiera de los temas enumerados a continuación, comuníquese con Ana María Jiménez al Jimenez@fultonschools.org o al 470-254-9462.
Gracias
AJ Smith
FROM THE PTA
Volunteers
Hembree Springs needs YOU! We have a number of volunteer committees where we can use your skills and talents: Communications, Public Relations, Morale and Character, School Connections, Staff Support, Student Experience, and Business Partners. You can sign up and find out what each committee is about through the link below:
PTA Board member Leanne Miller will be doing a volunteer info/training Zoom session on Tuesday, September 28th at 7pm. If interested email her at leanneomiller@gmail.com
Remember to register and complete the volunteer training at Fulton County Schools- link below. This must be completed before you come to the school to volunteer.The first time you come to the school the Front Desk Secretary will scan your ID into the check-in system. After the first time, your ID is not required. Anyone entering the school must also complete a wellness check (via QR code on front door) every time. Approval, on your phone, must be shown to the Front Desk Secretary in the camera before you can enter the building.
Thank you for considering volunteering for our school.
We hope to see you soon!
PTA Membership
Help us reach our PTA Membership goal for the month of September! We need only 6 new members to hit out goal of 200 by the end of this month!
Memberships start at $10 and you can join here:
https://hembreespringselementary.memberhub.com/store/items/51875.
Being a part of PTA means that you are part of a powerful association and action plan that is focused on programs and initiatives that strengthen your child's education. $6.25 of these dues go to support essential school resources and curriculum needs at Hembree Springs. $3.75 of these dues go to support advocacy at the local, state and national level.
PTA dues support our work to strengthen connections between your family, your child's classmates and their families, and teachers to build a thriving and inclusive community for everyone.
We count on your support!
Notes from The Backpack is a podcast from the National PTA aiming to empower us, as parents, to help our children succeed in school and life.
Two board members of the National PTA, invite superstar educators, researchers, authors, artists, CEO’s, other PTA leaders, and parents to honest, genuine conversations on current topics that are relevant to all of us. The speakers cover a wide range of questions that we often ask ourselves and need help with:
- How do I raise a confident child?
- What’s going on in my kid’s brain?
- What should I know about middle school?
You will find episodes that tackle difficult, sensitive issues and how to talk to your kids about these issues. You will also learn about the importance of practicing parent self-care. You will benefit from all the experience and strategies shared.
Check out Notes from The Backpack!
You may find yourself binge-listening to the whole season. It's that good!
Explore the Arts and Express Yourself
The National PTA's "Reflections" (Reflections) program provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts which boost student confidence and success in the arts and in life.
The local HSES Reflections program gives our students the chance to express themselves for fun, recognition, and to compete not only against students at our school but at the regional level through the North Fulton Council as well as at the state and national level.
This year's Reflections theme is I Will Change the World By....
Students in all grades and abilities are called to submit works in the following categories:
Literature
Film Production
Music Composition
Dance Choreography
Visual Arts
Photography
We can't wait to see what our Hembree Hawks create! The submission deadline is October 29th. Submit your entries to the Front Desk.
Questions: Contact Tracy Shealy
Hembree Springs Elementary School
Email: hembreesprings@fultonschools.org
Website: https://www.fultonschools.org/hembreespringses
Location: 815 Hembree Road, Roswell, GA, USA
Phone: 470-254-2902
Facebook: facebook.com/hembreesprings
Twitter: @HembreeSprings