We are up to something good at Hickory Flat!

Happy Sunday!

The Flat Family News this week has important information, including:

• Boosterthon: Our annual school fundraiser kicks off tomorrow! We are raising money to improve common areas for students like the Media Center, Gym, and more!

- Tomorrow: Kickoff Event for students!

- Tuesday: Pajama Day for every student who raises $1.00 or more!

- October 17: Dancing Through the Decades! (Student DanceFit Event)

• Bus Safety: check out our new “Know the Code” campaign and talk to your student about the positive behavior choice options AND the consequences of some of our most common bus referrals.
  
  
• Calendar Updates
  
  
• Cluster Training for Parents: East Lake Elementary, Timber Ridge Elementary, and Hickory Flat Elementary are teaming up with our HCS Technology team to share our newest parent platform with learning tools. See details below and make plans to attend.
  
  
• Deadline Approaching - Free & Reduced Lunch Applications: If you have not already done so this year, we need you to complete Free & Reduced Lunch applications. This is a private process, but is necessary if you have previously qualified or think you might qualify now. The process does not take long, but all who would like to be considered must apply (even if you were previously in the program, pre-pandemic).
  *Applications that have been submitted after April, 2022 are active for this school year.

Let's make this a great week at Hickory Flat!

We were fortunate that we have been able to provide meals at no cost to all students for the past few years; however, that federal waiver has ended. If you have previously qualified for free or reduced status or believe you may be eligible, we encourage you to complete a Free and Reduced Meal application as soon as possible ensure your benefits continue throughout the 2022-2023 school year.

Completing the application only takes a few minutes, yet the possible benefits for you your family are many. Qualifying families may be eligible for discounted fees for standard tests, as well as college scholarship opportunities.

The Free and Reduced Lunch Application can be completed online from the Parent Portal in Infinite Campus.

If you have questions regarding the school meal application process, please contact Erica Banon by email at erica.banon@henry.k12.ga.us.

In addition to teaching in a classroom with your child, teachers are working during their planning time and before/after-school to make sure they are meeting the needs of your student! They literally spend hours each week reviewing resources for upcoming lessons, collaboratively planning with their teams, analyzing data, receiving training / professional development with our instructional coaches, and meeting with school teams for check-in and training on our programs at The Flat. Then, they have paperwork hours (grading, service reports, parent conferences, etc.)

Teachers work really hard for your student. They are happy to do all the things because we all LOVE to see your student succeed. That really is our goal! Teachers want to partner with you to ensure this success! Please recognize what they do and share some encouragement when you see a teacher. We do not have to wait for an official month of gratitude to share a note of kindness in appreciation for ALL that teachers do. If you want to share a staff shout-out with me, you can let me know by filling out this short survey.

• October 10-11: Cluster Training Event at East Lake Elementary - 6:30 pm
• October 12: PTO Meeting
• October 14: Early Release Day
• October 17: Dancing Through the Decades! (Student DanceFit Event with Boosterthon)
• October 27: PTO Trunk or Treat!
• November 8: No School for students
• November 11: Veterans Day program for our military families (more details coming soon)
• November 21 - 25: Thanksgiving Break (No School)
• November 30: Science Fair
• December 21: Early Release Day
• December 22 - January 6: Winter Break (No School)
• January 16: MLK Holiday (No School)
• February 20 - 24: Mid-Winter Break (No School)
• March 10: Early Release Day
• April 3 - 7: Spring Break (No School)
• May 26: Early Release Day (Last Day of School)