Titan Talk Newsletter
Jan. 11, 2019
2019 TIME TO "TITAN UP" ON CHECK-OUT PROCEDURES
Students being checked out from the front office require:
- "Signed Note" presented to the front office in the morning by the student.
- Student to come to the front office at the time stated in the note, on their own accord (without being called from the classroom) between class periods. The "Signed Note" will act as the student's reminder and pass out of class.
- Checkout prior to 3:30 pm - No checkouts permitted after 3:30 pm
Following procedures means less interruption in the classroom.
Upcoming Dates
- 1/11 - Report Cards sent home with the student
- 1/12 - Titan Advantage from 9 am - 12 noon
- 1/14 - Girls Basketball Practice @ 4:30 - 5:30 PM (Gym)
- 1/15 - Parent Resource Center Open House in Media Center @ 12:30p to 1:00p
- 1/14 - Boys Basketball Practice @ 4:30 - 5:30 PM (Gym)
- 1/16 - Drama Club @ 4:15 – 5:15 pm (E-111) @ 4:15p to 5:15p
- 1/17 - FCA in Media Center @ 7:45a to 8:30a
- 1/17 - Spelling Bee at 9:00 am in the Media Center
- 1/17 - Student Council in E-106 @ 8:00a to 8:30a
- 1/17 - Hampton Film Academy in Media Center @ 4:05p to 5:30p
- 1/17 - Boy's Basketball Practice in GYM @ 4:30p to 5:30p
- 1/17 - Running Club @ 4:15 - 5:15 pm
- 1.17 - Student-Led Data Talks - Parent & Student Night @ 6:00 pm
- 1/18 - R.I.S.E. UP Pep Rally
- 1/18 - Running Club @ 4:15 - 5:15 pm (Newman) Except when raining
- 1/19 - NO Titan Advantage due to the Holiday Weekend
- 1/20 - Happy Birthday Principal Smith
- 1/21 - MLK HOLIDAY: NO SCHOOL FOR STAFF/STUDENTS
Dates to Note:
Principal Kindra L. Smith cordially invites
All Parents and Students to...
STUDENT-LED DATA TALKS FOR PARENTS & STUDENTS
Jan. 17th @ 6:00 PM in the Cafeteria
* Dinner served on a first come first serve basis
* Check-in is from 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM
*Presentation starts at 6:30 PM
ALL PARENTS INVITED TO LEARN ABOUT HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD WITH ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS (ELA), READING (LEXILE LEVELS), MATHEMATICS, AND STATE TESTING (FASTBIRDGE, GEORGIA MILESTONES EOG, EOC).
* * *
SCOLIOSIS SCREENING VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Jan. 30 - Scoliosis Screening Training
@ North Learning Center @ 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
* 20 Screeners Needed - LOTS of Screeners Needed!
Feb. 20 - Screening of 6th-grade/8th-grade
@ Elkins Pointe MS @ 12-4 PM
To sign up to be trained and to screen:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0548a4a822a64-scoliosis5
* * *
BREAKFASTS OF EXCELLENCE - HONOR STUDENTS
Jan 29, Jan 30 & Jan 31 @ 7:30 AM
* Cafeteria Doors Open at 7:15 AM
Sign Up Link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0548a4a822a64-breakfast1
LOTS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
*Parents invited to attend Breakfasts with their child
** Invitations will be sent home via WINN Class
* * *
* NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
SCHOOL CLOSED - MLK Jr. DAY - 1/21
SCHOOL CLOSED - FCS HOLIDAY - 2/15
SCHOOL CLOSED - PRESIDENT’S DAY - 2/18
NO SCHOOL - ELKINS POINTE FULL RELEASE DAY - 2/19
SCHOOL DAY REINSTATED - IMPORTANT DATE CHANGE - 3/8
FRIDAY, MARCH 8th, 2019 IS A SCHOOL DAY
STUDENTS REPORT TO SCHOOL - FCS CALENDAR CHANGE
* ALL STUDENTS & TEACHERS REPORT TO SCHOOL *
Note: ALL Elkins Pointe students will now have school
on the day above to make up for school closing in the fall for Election Day.
Message From the Principal
Happy 2019 Titans!
I was so glad to see all of our Titans buzzing about the building again! I missed you all. I am excited to jump into the new year and ready for all the great things to come in 2019!
First, I would like to personally extend an invitation to our families to attend the Student-Led Data Talk Parent Night on Thursday, January 17th at 6:00 pm. Students will present a comprehensive analysis of their academic progress to their parent with the help of teachers and the administration. To fuel us through the talks, we will have pasta bowls from Ippolito's and snacks during this evening meeting.
Secondly, I would like to talk about the Elkins Pointe School Governance Council (SGC). The SGC is responsible for making decisions regarding the strategic direction of the school by serving in an advisory capacity. The SGC assists in making programmatic and operational changes to improve student achievement, school culture, fiscal spending (SEED funds), and community collaboration.
Our SGC is doing some pretty amazing things to make the students at Elkins Pointe "Smart, Happy and Connected." The SGC has voted to allocate our SEED fund money to support professional training for teachers, money to be spent on additional collaborative workspaces, and funds to bring more morning/afternoon clubs to our students. Some of the exciting new clubs to be on the lookout for will include Flag Club, Spirit Squad, Multicultural Club, and Coding Club. Thanks to SGC initiatives, we will be able to acquire equipment, furniture, and even a Coding Specialist from the Coder School of Roswell to assist with Coding Club for the first 20 applicants. Click here to learn more specifics about our clubs.
In addition to the expansion of clubs, SGC has a pending "Flexible Seat Time for Personalized Learning" Request for Flexibility Waiver up for public comment. This waiver is to increase the flexibility in the amount of time for teachers to provide remedial interventions, extensions, and enrichment for all students. SGC is also working with our feeder schools to align the RFF Full Release Days for the 2019-2020 school year. RFF Full Release Days are days set aside for teachers to use for professional development. Our last Full Release Day for this school year will be on February 19th. Students will have the day off, and teachers will have a teacher workday.
Lastly, parents, report cards went home with your students today. I hope to see you and your child on Thursday, January 17th at our Student-Led Data Talks! I am excited for you to learn all about your child's academic progress and growth!
Sincerely,
Kindra L. Smith, Ed.S
Principal
Elkins Pointe Middle School
Home of the Titans!
IMPORTANT DATE CHANGES ON GA MILESTONES TESTING
The Georgia Milestones dates have been adjusted by the Fulton County Schools District. 6th grade and 7th grade students will now be tested in May. This decision from the district gives our students more time to work toward proficiency, to show their best work, and to feel the confident in their abilities. Also, the new schedule will maximize our technology capabilities and is designed to reduce testing fatigue of our students by testing only one section per day for ELA and Math.
Please click HERE to print out the Georgia Milestone Testing Calendar for Spring 2019.
CELEBRATIONS!
Japanese New Year’s Card Contest Winners...1st, 2nd, 3rd Places!
Three Elkins Pointe Students won 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the Nengajo Japanese New Year’s Card contest in GA, sponsored by the Georgia Association of Teachers of Japanese. All three of these very talented students are 8th graders in Johnson Sensei's class! We have very talented students!
Year of the Pig - Middle School Winners:
- 1st: Jackson Greene (Elkins Pointe MS)
- 2nd: Jessica Scislowicz (Elkins Pointe MS)
- 3rd: Gabrielle Chilton (Elkins Pointe MS)
Hampton Film Club Made the Front Page!
Special Visitor
Japanese New Year Traditions
Japanese Calligraphy
THINGS TO KNOW
The Next Titan Advantage -1/12
The Titan Advantage program will serve as an academic workshop open to all students regardless of level. Teachers have issued permission slips to students directly through their WINN classes. If you would like for your child to participate, please contact your child's WINN teacher or bring them to the workshop and complete a permission slip.
Titan Advantage is from 9 am to 12 noon. Here are the dates for 2019:
- Jan 12th & 26th
- Feb 2nd, 9th, 23rd
- Mar 2nd, 9th, 16th 23rd
This enrichment opportunity offered on Saturdays, free of charge. All students are invited to maximize or remediate in the content mastery areas which are assessed on GA Milestones (ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies). To fuel students through two, one-hour blocks of uninterrupted instruction, students are treated to a hot breakfast, snack, and pizza. National Honor Society, high school students, are brought in to help tutor students 1-on-1. The academic sessions are taught by dedicated expert staff members committed to student success for all Titans!
Student-Led Data Talks Parent Night - 1/17
Student-Led Data Talks are a way that students can take ownership of their learning. Elkins Pointe students are taught to interpret their progress, growth, grades, and even their attendance. The purpose of the Parent Night is for students to share this data with their parent with the support teachers and principals. To help you understand this novel way of holding a Student-Led conference, please read on...here is what to expect at the Student-Led Data Talks for Parents.
The basic itinerary for Parent Night on Jan. 17th (Note: *Student should accompany their parent):
- 6:00 PM - Parents and their child will pick up the student’s data sheet from a few tables stationed in the lobby. Parents and students will proceed to the cafeteria where we will be serving pizza, bottled water, and cookies from 6:00 pm to 6:30 pm.
- 6:30 PM - Principal Smith and the Admin Team will give a brief overview of the purpose of student-led conferences and how they tie to students taking ownership of their learning. Our Admin and core teachers will walk our parents and students through the protocols of student-led conferences.
To help parents understand their child's data sheets, our AA, Mr. Rawlings Johnson will provide detailed instructions on how to read and interpret the data. Mr. Johnson will show a video explaining student growth. Teachers from each grade level and each of the core subjects (ELA, Math, etc.) will be in attendance, walking around and available to lend their support. Students and parents will work as a team to identify three academic goals with the help of teachers, staff, and administrators. There will be an opportunity for students to share-out with the group and exchange ideas with their parents.
The Buzz on the Bee! - 1/17
Sign Up to Help with the Breakfasts of Excellence
We need LOTS of parent volunteers to help with the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade honors breakfasts. Please click on the link below to sign up to help!
Sign Up Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0548a4a822a64-breakfast1
The BREAKFASTS OF EXCELLENCE are on :
- Jan. 29, 2019 - 6th Grade Breakfast of Excellence
- Jan 30, 2019 - 7th Grade Breakfast of Excellence
- Jan 31, 2019 - 8th Grade Breakfast of Excellence
Parents and their honored student(s) are invited to this breakfast to celebrate. Pastries, fruit, juice, and coffee are being provided by the EPMS PTSA and our wonderful business partner, Roswell Town Center Chick-fil-A, is graciously donating chicken biscuits.
We are looking for volunteers to help serve and clean up. Please come and consider volunteering. They do not do this in high school and this is a fun and delicious way to celebrate their academic achievements.
If you have any questions, please contact Veronica O'Brien at Veronica.OBrien@andritz.com
Many thanks in advance and congratulations!
“The Breakfasts of Excellence” - 1/29, 1/30, 1/31
The Honor Roll Breakfast has been expanded and will be now called the “The Breakfast of Excellence.” Elkins Pointe will now recognize students for their "Excellence" by awarding students in these categories:
- "A" Honor Roll: all "A"s on the semester 1 report card
- "A/B" Honor Roll: "A"s and "B"s on their semester 1 report card (There must be at least 1 A on the student report card).
- Excellent in Attendance: No more than 1 absence during the first semester
*Parents are invited to attend the breakfasts; the invitations will be sent home with "Excellent" students via WINN Class.
Scoliosis Training - 1/30...Scoliosis Screening - 2/20
Attention Elkins Pointe Parents: WE NEED VOLUNTEERS for the Scoliosis Screening event on Friday, February 20th, from 12 noon - 3:30 pm. Volunteers must be Scoliosis Screening Trained. FCS will provide training on Jan. 30th and the Screening will be on Feb. 20th.
This is a really important event because between the ages of 11-14 is the prime period of identification for scoliosis of the spine, and early detection and early treatment is the key to reversing scoliosis so it is not a life-long problem. Can we count on you to help Elkins Pointe MS with this event?
- Jan. 30 - Scoliosis Volunteer Training @ North Learning Center @ 10AM - 11:30AM (*20 Screeners Needed)
- Feb. 20 - Scoliosis Screening of 6th-grade & 8th-grade @ Elkins Pointe MS @ 12-4 PM
If you can sign up as a volunteer, we will feed you lunch, snacks, and coffee on the day of the screening. For those that were certified through training last year, you do not have to retake the training course.
For those that are new to scoliosis screening, or have not been re-certified in the last 2 years, you will be required to attend the training session on January 30th from 9 AM - 11 AM at the North Learning Center, in Sandy Springs. Please, direct questions to Jennifer Rodman: jcrodman@yahoo.com.
PTSA Student Meeting - Save the Date! - 2/11
International Night Performers Wanted! -3/21
Our EPMS International Night is fast approaching on Thursday, March 21 from 6-8 PM. This is one of the biggest and most successful event for us and our community. We are in need of performers and talented individuals (teachers, students, parents and professionals) to show and share their talent. We are calling actors, singers, dancers, jugglers, ventriloquists, pianists, drummers, guitarists, cheerleaders, etc. We would love for you to share your abilities with us during the International Night. Please email Monsieur Mendy at mendy@fultonschools.org if you would like to perform.
FOR 8th GRADE PARENTS
RISING 9TH GRADE PARENT NIGHTS @ ROSWELL HIGH SCHOOL
ROSWELL HIGH SCHOOL
RISING 9TH GRADE EVENTS FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS
LOCATION: Roswell High School Auditorium
11595 King Road, Roswell, GA 30075
ROSWELL HIGH SCHOOL RISING 9TH GRADE INFORMATION NIGHT
Date: Thursday, January 24th, 2019
Time: 6:30 pm in the evening
Place: Roswell High School Auditorium
Who: Parents and rising 9th grade students
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ROSWELL HIGH SCHOOL HONORS, AP, & DUAL ENROLLMENT NIGHT
Date: Thursday, February 21, 2019
Time: 6:30 pm in the evening
Place: Main Gym of Roswell High School
Who: Parents and rising 9th grade students
-----------------
The Organizer is Roswell High School.
Please check the Roswell High School website to make sure there are no changes.
RISING 9th GRADE PARENT NIGHTS @ MILTON HIGH SCHOOL
MILTON HIGH SCHOOL
RISING 9TH GRADE EVENTS FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS
LOCATION: Milton High School School Auditorium
13025 Birmingham Hwy, Milton, GA 30004
MILTON HIGH SCHOOL DUAL ENROLLMENT NIGHT
Date: Thursday, January 31, 2019
Time: 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Place: Milton High School Auditorium
Who: Parents and rising 9th grade students
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MILTON HIGH SCHOOL RISING 9th GRADE PARENT NIGHT
Date: Thursday, February 7, 2019
Time: 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Place: Milton High School Auditorium
Who: Parents and rising 9th grade students
-----------------
The Organizer is Milton High School.
Please check the Milton website to make sure there are no changes.
SPORTS REPORT
Roswell Soccer Winter Camp for Girls
HEALTH CORNER
Save the Date for the Teen Summit - March 2019
Upcoming in January 2019...
- 1/21 - MLK HOLIDAY: NO SCHOOL FOR STAFF/STUDENTS
- 1/22 - Hampton Film Academy in Media Center @ 4:05p to 5:30p
- 1/22 - Boy's Basketball Practice in GYM @ 4:30p to 5:30p
- 1/23 - Drama Club @ 4:15 – 5:15 pm in E-111 @ 4:15p to 5:15p
- 1/23 - 5:30p to 6:00p Basketball: Sandy Springs Vs Elkins Pointe - HOME GAME in Gym @ Elkins Pointe
- 1/24 - Hampton Film Academy in Media Center @ 4:05p to 5:30p
- 1/24 - Boy's Basketball Practice in Gym @ 4:30p to 5:30p
- 1/24 - RHS - Rising 9th Grade Information Night / 6:30pm in the Roswell High School Auditorium @ 6:30p to 7:00p
- 1/25 - Basketball: EPMS vs Ridgeview - AWAY GAME @ Ridgeview @ 5:30p to 6:00p
Ridgeview Charter School (5340 Trimble Rd NE, Atlanta, GA) - 1/28 - Girl's Basketball Practice in GYM @ 4:30p to 5:30p
- 1/29 - Hampton Film Academy in Media Center @ 4:05p to 5:30p
1/29 - Boy's Basketball Practice in Gym @ 4:30p to 5:30p
1/30 - 7TH HONOR ROLL BREAKFAST
1/30 - Scoliosis Training@ North Learning Center, 450 Northridge Parkway, Sandy Springs, GA 30350 @ 9:00a to 11:00a
1/30 -Drama Club @ 4:15 – 5:15 pm in E-111 @ 4:15p to 5:15p
1/30 - Basketball: Hopewell vs Elkins Pointe - HOME in Gym - Elkins Pointe @ 5:30p to 6:00p
1/31 - 8TH HONOR ROLL BREAKFAST
1/31 - FCA in Media Center (Tentative) @ 7:45a to 8:30a
1/31 - Hampton Film Academy in Media Center @ 4:05p to 5:30p
1/31 - Boy's Basketball Practice in GYM @ 4:30p to 5:30p
1/31 - MHS Dual Enrollment Night @ Milton High School (13025 Birmingham Hwy, Alpharetta, GA, United States) @ 6:30p to 8:30p