October Newsletter
FOR Students
Principal's Corner
As we approach Fall Break and the end of the 1st 9-week grading period, I could not be more proud of the students of the Class of 2026. Since August, our students have made huge progress in their Attendance, Behavior, and Course performance.
Naturally, we have a long way to go before our students are ready to be sophomores next year. But we are a fourth of the way there, and the majority of freshmen have positioned themselves on track to earn all 8 credits this year, including the graduation required credits in Health & P.E., math, science, history, and English.
We will continue to hold our students to high expectations in their Attendance, Behavior, and Course performance and our students are rising to the challenge! If the first 9-weeks is any indication, I'm excited to see where our freshmen will be in May!
FOR STUDENTS,
David Leenman
All proceeds benefit school initiatives!
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Mandatory Study Hall
We currently have many students who are failing one or more academic courses. Research shows that 30% of students who fail one class in 9th grade do not graduate on time. We do not want that for any of our students. In addition, students who do not earn at least five credits their 9th grade year will be retained and not move on to Habersham Central.
In an effort to keep all of our students on track we will be instituting Mandatory Academic Study Hall for any student who is failing one or more academic classes.
If you have questions about your students' grades, please refer to PowerSchool. If you do not have PowerSchool access, please call us at 706-778-0830 or email Ms. Penny at PRineheart@habershamschools.com.
Listed below are specific details regarding Mandatory Academic Study Hall. If you have questions, please reach out to us as soon as possible. We value your support as we work hard to ensure your students complete their freshman year successfully and graduate on time.
HNGA Mandatory Academic Study Hall
Beginning Monday, October 17th, we will begin providing a mandatory opportunity for students to bring up any grades that are below passing (less than 70%) in their academic classes. During all lunches, we will host Mandatory Lunch Study Hall where students will eat their lunch while working on classwork to improve their grades in English, math, science and/or social studies. It is our hope that this mandatory opportunity will help students get caught up and ultimately pass all of their classes. Students will also have an opportunity to serve their mandatory study hall from 7:30 – 7:55 am on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Students who attend a morning study hall will not have to serve Mandatory Study Hall at lunch on those days.
Mandatory Study Hall Facts
- Students who are failing one or more academic class (English, science, math, or history) will be required to attend one session of Mandatory Study Hall every day to improve their grade(s).
- Mandatory Study Hall will be held at the following times: 1) Monday – Friday during each lunch shift (students should go to the front of the line, get their lunch, and report immediately to the study hall location). 2) Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 7:30 – 7:55 am (students must arrive by 7:30 am in order to be counted present for Mandatory Study Hall in the morning)
- Students will be required to attend Mandatory Study Hall until they are passing all academic classes.
- Students who skip their Mandatory Study Hall will receive school consequences.
- All assignments for Mandatory Study Hall will be posted in Google Classroom.
- Students who are assigned Mandatory Study Hall will be assigned and released from it by a teacher or school administrator once the student is passing all academic courses.
We will be having a BIG student incentive on the Friday before Thanksgiving Break, Nov. 18. The criteria to attend is as easy as ABC.
Students who meet the following ABC criteria will be allowed to attend the incentive.
- Attendance: No unexcused absences between Oct. 17 - Nov. 18
- Behavior: No ISS/OSS between Oct. 17 - Nov. 18
- Course Performance: Passing all classes by Nov. 18
Students who are ineligible to attend will be required to attend a study hall. Follow the ABC's and earn the right to celebrate in a MAJOR way!
HNGA Celebrates the BEST Custodians!
HNGA recently celebrated Custodian Appreciation Day, and we've got the best custodian crew there is! Directed by our amazing lead Carolyn Chambers, our team tirelessly keeps HNGA germ-free for students and makes us proud to have visitors in the building with spotless floors. We appreciate our custodians and the hard work they do!
Congratulations to students in Mr. Thomaswick's homeroom for winning August's Attendance Challenge! Each month, homerooms compete against each other to see which homeroom has the highest attendance. The winning homeroom earns major House points and is treated to a sweet treat!
Guest Speaker: Dr. Timothy May (article written by HNGA Yearbook Staff)
Dr. May Explaining the Silk Road
When you do what you love
Dr. May was very enthusiastic about his studies and was willing and excited to answer any quote thrown at him.
“I didn’t expect him to be so interested in his studies.” Brisa Browner said, "I want to know what made him desire to be interested in the mongols, and what made him want to share that with others.”
A strong will and a good idea
Congratulations to Zarriah Williams for winning Raider Salute, sponsored by Rotary!
HNGA September Raider Pride Awards
HNGA would like to recognize students and faculty members with outstanding character traits for the month of September. Students and faculty are nominated based on the following criteria: helping others, school pride, hard work in the classroom, determination, showing respect, working hard on after-school programs and projects, and positive attitude toward others. Receiving the Raider Pride Awards were: Tonajha Payton, Adam Moore, Zachary Baker, Teacher Maddie Ash, Jada Dixon, Kenzielynn Bodiford. The HNGA faculty and staff extend congratulations to all these fine recipients of the Raider Pride award for September 2022.
Congratulations Mrs. Irvin!
At the monthly meeting of the Habersham Board of Education, Doug Westmoreland presented the Peach State Federal Credit Union Extra Mile Award to Jessica Irvin, Teacher at the Habersham Ninth Grade Academy.
After School Math Tutoring
HNGA is pleased to announce that we offer after-school Math tutoring program on Mondays and Thursdays from 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm for the remainder of the school year.
We hope that your child will take advantage of this opportunity. During tutoring hours, students can receive additional help on difficult concepts or homework assignments. There is no cost for this service and transportation can be provided.
We are excited to be able to offer this program to our students and want to assist in making this school year the best ever! Good behavior is vital to the success of our program. Students will be required to follow the same behavioral policy and guidelines of the regular school day. Misbehavior will not be tolerated and may result in removal from the program.
Students can sign up for after school tutoring and transportation with their math teacher.
HCHS Alumni Share Their Stories of Success!
Officer Alex Rivera - Guest Speaker for Freshmen Seminar
Successful Businessman Luis Otero
Officer Rivera - A Role Model for HNGA Students!
The Academy Award of Awesomeness
Homecoming!
HNGA students are eligible to attend HCHS' Homecoming dance on Oct. 29. Guests must complete a guest form, located in the front office. Please note no middle schoolers are allowed to attend.
Click below for the Homecoming dress code and ticket information
HNGA's Homecoming Top 15
Congratulations to HNGA's Homecoming Top 15! Front: Maddox Carroll, Megan LaBarbera, Kelsie Campbell, Rainlan Hobson, Ashley Jones, Evie Carswell, Emma-Grace Wright. Back: Jazlyn Burke, Daijah Carter, McKenzie King, Emyrie Combs, Tonajha Payton, Perla Barroso Rivera, Kahle Adams. Not Pictured: Melissa Orozco Urbina.
Dress Code Reminders - HNGA
Parents and guardians, we have begun enforcing the student dress code.
A few issues that we have observed during the first few weeks of school have been shorts, skirts, and dresses not meeting the length requirement. According to the dress code all shorts (male and female), skirts, and dresses can be no shorter than three inches above the knee. In addition, there should be no holes in pants higher than three inches above the knee, and pajama pants are not appropriate for school. Please take the time to read the dress code in its entirety.
Also, shirts must be long enough to extend beyond the top of the pants, shorts, or skirt. No cleavage or undergarments should be exposed.
Students not adhering to the dress code will be asked to change clothes if they have another option with them, or a parent will be contacted to bring a change of clothes to the school. Thank you in advance for your support as we endeavor to create a wholesome environment focused on student learning.
Electronic Devices/Cell Phones
Students are to have their electronic communication devices and other electronic media turned off and put away upon entering the school, throughout the school day, and until they leave the school each day. A student using a cell phone outside of instructional purposes (including, but not limited to use in common areas, cafeteria, restrooms, locker rooms, and hallways) will result in the following consequences:
• First Offense: Cell phone will be confiscated and returned to the student at the end of the school day.
• Second Offense: Cell phone will be confiscated and returned to a parent at the end of the school day.
• Third or additional Offenses: Cell phone will be confiscated and returned to a parent at the end of the school day. The student will also serve one day in In School Suspension (ISS).
Students who repeatedly violate the cell phone policy may be required to leave their cell phone in the office at the beginning of each school day.
Students are not permitted to video, take pictures of, or audio record other students violating any section of the Code of Conduct.
Yearbooks For Sale
About Us
Email: Dleenman@habershamschools.com
Website: https://hnga.habershamschools.com/
Location: 171 Raider Circle, Mount Airy, GA, USA
Phone: 706-778-0830
Facebook: facebook.com/HabershamNinthGradeAcademy