Titan Talk Newsletter
Sept 14, 2018
Upcoming Dates...
- 9/15 & 9/16 - Japan Fest
- 9/15 - The start of National Hispanic Heritage Month
- 9/16 - Spirit Dining @ Peach & the Porkchop ﴾12040 Etris Rd Ste D100, Roswell, GA). Dine at, order Doordash, or take-out the Peach and the Porkchop and they will give a percentage back to EPMS! The Peach & the Porkchop features Southern comfort food & "Northern-style" sandwiches.
Peach & the Porkchop Menu: peachandtheporkchop.com
Phone: (770) 6965409 / Reservations: opentable.com
Order: doordash.com, seamless.com, grubhub.com
- 9/17 - "Don't Stop Achieving" Family Night @ 6 -7:30 pm (starts in the cafeteria)
- 9/18 - Fall Picture Day (Fall Picture Day Retakes on 10/30)
- 9/18 - Design Thinking Robot Finger in Ms. Lindesay’s room from after-school to 5:30 pm
- 9/18 - Hampton Flim Academy @ 4:05 - 5:30 pm (Media Center)
- 9/19 - Jr. Beta Meeting in the Media Center @ 8 am
- 9/19 - Last day of Orchestra Cookie Dough Fundraiser
- 9/19 - Katha Stuart Mtg @ 9:30 am ‐ MES
- 9/19 - Soccer Game: Crabapple vs. EPMS @ 5:30 pm (Location: 10700 Crabapple Rd, Roswell﴿
- 9/20 - FCA @ 7:45 am in the Media Center
- 9/20 - Student Council Club @ 8 am (E‐106)
- 9/20 - Hampton Flim Academy @ 4:05 - 5:30 pm (Media Center)
- 9/20 - 6th Grade Tailgate Party from after-school to 5:30 pm (EPMS in the cafeteria). Tickets are $5
- 9/21 - Spirit Friday! Wear COLLEGE/EPMS Spiritwear...Order Spiritwear HERE!
- 9/21 - Soccer Game: EPMS vs. Taylor Road – HOME game @ 5:30 pm
- 9/21 - Reflections ENTRIES DUE ‐ PTA CONTEST
Message From the Principal
Happy Friday Titans!
It is the night of the big Milton vs. Roswell game and excitement is everywhere as our feeder schools get ready to RISE UP under the Friday night lights. Next week is going to be filled with exciting events that our Titans will not wish to miss! Get ready to join us as we champion for our Smart, Happy, and Connected Titans!
"Don't Stop Achieving" Family Night is on Monday, September 17th from 6:00 to 7:30 pm. I invite your family to come and join us at 6 pm in the cafeteria where we will start out. We will have several choices of seminars for parents and students. We have invited high school students to be part of a Q&A panel and a speaker from Odyssey Personal Financial Advisors. This is a night for our families to champion for student success in middle school, high school, and college!
It was so nice to see all the 6th-grade parents who came to "Bring Your Parent to School Day." On Thursday, September 20th is the 6th-grade Tailgate party. This tradition is a great way for our 6th graders to connect with each other. The Elkins Pointe PTSA sponsors this fun-filled event. This event happens only once a year and I assure you the $5 ticket price is a bargain! Parents, I cannot encourage you enough to have your child attend the Tailgate party! Also, this is a wonderful opportunity to sign up to volunteer and see our 6th-grade students and teachers having a blast!
Thank you to the parents who championed for our 8th-grade students in need of scholarships. Due to the generosity of your donations, all students will be able to go on the Georgia trip. This victory for our 8th-graders truly touches my heart and makes me so thankful to be on team Titan!
Sincerely,
Kindra L. Smith, Ed.S
Principal
Elkins Pointe Middle School
Home of the Titans!
SMART, HAPPY, CONNECTED
We have our ROBOT FINGER on "Design Thinking!"
Students divided into teams and some of our teams finished the finger and want to create even more fingers next week! The Robot Fingers and HANDS will be on display on Get Connected Night. We would like to give a BIG ROBOT HAND to the students who came to Ms. Lindesay's Robot Finger Microsoft Workshop!!
- 6th Grade: Makayla Chang, Matthew Freeman, Myles Murphy, J. Maddox Tinker
- 7th Grade: Carter Blair, Jahaan Lalwani, Alexandria McCoy, Kaitlin Ros, Kayla Ros, Mitzy Soledad-Garcia
- 8th Grade: Marziah Islam, Mariam Kerzazi, Sireen Mohammed, Ellie Sexton, Isabella Szabo, Emely Vargas-Gallardo, Kate Wishert
VOICE OF INTERACT CLUB!
APPLE OF OUR AVALON - Field Trip
Sometimes you just have to get out of your classroom and visit another classroom. Ms. Lindesay's 7th-grade Business & Computer Science students had the opportunity to attend a Swift Playground class at Apple Avalon on Friday, September 14, 2018. Students were able to challenge themselves on various levels of coding and make the connection with how coding has affected so many of the items in our homes, school/work, cars, and even our wearable devices. Their problem solving and team building skills were tested, as well as their reading skills when their voices were heard on the microphone for all in the store to hear. Hopefully, they will see how important these skills are not only inside of the classroom but throughout their lives, as well. Thank you, Apple Avalon! Special thank you to our bus driver, J. Ripley, who made sure to provide us with our safety procedures and to our parent chaperone, Mrs. Michelle Leatherman, who was a perfect fit to help students with their coding. We would also like to thank all who helped support us with planning this trip: Mrs. Kindra Smith, Mr. Rawlings Johnson, and Susan Foertsch.
Something to Tweet About!
THINGS TO KNOW...
Get YOUR VOTE on EPMS!
PLEASE VOTE FOR BOTH Mrs. Meredith Tongue & Mr. Todd Wilson. Both of our amazing teachers are nominated and both have a chance of winning! Please GO VOTE and SHARE on your wall!
Click on the Link:
https://www.facebook.com/odysseypfa/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2401000966581178
Spirit Dining @ PEACH AND PORKCHOP - 9/16...ALL DAY!!
Spirit Dining this Sunday 9/16 @ PEACH & THE PORKCHOP from 11am-10pm!!! Let your server know you are with EPMS and they will donate a percentage of sales back to the school!
You can Dine-In, Take-Out or order with DoorDash!!! Peach and Porkchop is known for their awesome brunch, served from 11am-2: 30 pm!
- No reservation required, but if you want a specific time please make your Reservations directly with P&P @ 770.696.5409 or online @ opentable.com
- The Peach & the Porkchop features Southern comfort food & "Northern-style" sandwiches.
- Peach & the Porkchop Menu: peachandtheporkchop.com
LIVE TITAN ENTERTAINMENT: We will have entertainment! Our very own EPMS 7th grader Jayson Fapel will be on the patio at P&P from 6-7:30 with his alt-rock teen band called NO TIM3 TO 3XPLAIN is alt-rock teen band performing popular songs you know by Foo Fighters, The Killers, REM and more! This is a first for Spirit Dining!
"Don't Stop Achieving" Student Success Family Night - 9/17
How to Succeed in Middle School and Beyond!
Who? All Families...parents and students.
When? Monday, September 17th @ 6 pm
Where? Elkins Pointe Connections Hallway and adjoining classrooms
Why? To give students and parents a variety of tools, tips, and options for student success.
What? A rotation of workshops for families to learn more about HAC, college planning, AVID in high school, and Apps & Hacks for Students! A pannel of high school students have been invited in to give our students and family members talks, tips, and tidbits on things in high school.
Here Comes the Bus App - 9/17
Beginning September 17, Fulton County Schools will offer a free app called “Here Comes The Bus” that allows parents to track their student’s school bus. The app uses GPS technology to locate and track a school bus. Similar to ride-sharing apps, buses will show up as an icon on a map, and parents can follow its progress at the bus moves toward their child’s stop.
To sign up, parents need their child’s student ID number and the Fulton County Schools’ code – 87428. After completing a brief user profile, the app is ready to use. Multiple students in the same household can be put on the same account, and using their Launchpad login, students can download the app to their cell phones or other personal devices to view their bus status.
The app is available through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store or parents can visit www.herecomesthebus.com to sign up. More information, including FAQs and troubleshooting information, also is posted here: https://tinyurl.com/HCTBapp.
Picture Day - 9/18
Attention Parents and Students! Don’t be left out of the yearbook! Pictures will be taken on Tuesday, September 18th. Note: Fall Picture Day Retakes will be on October 10/30th.
- Note: Pictures will be taken with your child's Science class in the Media Center
- Order your pictures ONLINE (no paper forms) at cadystudios.com/portraits
If you have questions, please contact Cady Studios’ Customer Experience Team at 800.547.6237.
6th Grade Tailgate - 9/20
The 6th Grade Tailgate Party is on Thursday, September 20th, after-school from 4:05 pm to 5:30 pm. The cost for the ticker is $5 admission per student. Tickets sales are on sale now in the atrium at 8:00 am before school during 6th-grade lunch. To print out a form, click on the link below:
BUY TICKET ONLINE: http://elkinspointe.my-pta.org
6th Grade Dance 2018 Volunteers
Calling ALL 6th Grade Elkins Pointe Parent Volunteers! The Elkins PTSA would like to invite you to help us with making the 6th Grade Dance a huge success! The dance will be held on Thursday, September 20th after-school from 4:00 -5:30 p.m. We need help with Ticket Sales, Set-Up, Clean-Up, etc. The more people volunteer, the easier it becomes!
Please read through the following slots for availability and don't hesitate sign up!
Sign-Up link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0548a4a822a64-6thgrade5
If you have any questions, please contact Meghan Fox atMegFox225@gmail.com
NOTE: ALL VOLUNTEERS MUST COMPLETE FCS VOLUNTEER TRAINING.
We have our ROBOT FINGER on "Design Thinking!" 9/18
GET CONNECTED WITH THE ROBOT FINGER KIT! The robot finger will be debuted at GET CONNECTED NIGHT on Sept. 25th from 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM. ALL PARENTS & FAMILIES INVITED!
We have a Robot finger ON LOAN until the end of September. This robot finger is part of a grant from Microsoft and National PTA. There will be three opportunities for our students to engage with the Robot finger and learn about "Design Thinking."
Ms. Lindesay is holding after-school sessions until 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, 9/18/18, for students who want to work on the Microsoft Hacking STEM Finger Sensor Kit. This Robot finger is the key to "Design Thinking!" Design thinking is a method for creative and practical problems solving and is a new and emerging field!
Here are the two more chances for the Microsoft ROBOT FINGER to pick your child's brain!
- Sept. 18th - Ms. Lindesay's room from after-school to 5:30 pm
- Sept. 25th at "Get Connected Night" from 6 pm - 7:30 pm - ALL FAMILIES INVITED!!
Get Connected Night - 9/25 @ 6 pm
Get Connected Night is on Tuesday, September 25th from 6 pm - 7:30 pm. All families are invited to come to learn about programs, clubs & activities available for our Titans. You will be able to meet advisors & students involved.
- ALL PARENTS & ALL FAMILIES INVITED!!
- Come see the special Microsoft STEM Activity with Robot finger!
- PTSA is providing dinner from Ippolito's! Dinner is first to come, first to be served!
REFLECTIONS CONTEST - Entries Due on 9/21
The PTA Reflections contest is designed for the creative child that likes to:
- Draw, paint, make sculptures or mosaics
- Write stories, poetry or lyrics
- Compose their and play their own music
- Choreographic a new dance and perform
- Take photographs using a camera or videos on a smartphone or iPad
This year's theme is: "Heroes Around Me." Students are invited to creatively interpret the theme by using one of the methods listed above.
Entry forms were given to WINN Teachers in their mailboxes. Students who are interested may get the form from their WINN, ELA or Connections teachers. Also, parents can download the rules and the forms below:
- Click http://www.georgiapta.org/reflections/ to download entry forms & contest rules
- Entry forms rules can also be picked up at the front desk or in the Media Center
All Reflections entries must be turned into the front office by Sept. 21st! Questions: Email Sarah Baker at sbaker79@gmail.com.
Music Notes!
Music fundraisers are important to present opportunities for the Band, Orchestra and Chorus. Thank you for supporting the music fundraiser if you have a music student and thank you to all of those who support the music program by purchasing coffee, cookie dough or pizzas!
- Orchestra Cookie Dough Fundraiser, now until 9/19
- Chorus Coffee Fundraiser, now until - 9/27
- Band Pizza Fundraiser begins, 2/26 and ends 10/10
Morning Club Stuff...
- FCA - Every Thursday @ 7:45 am in the Media Center
- Jr. Beta - Wednesday, Sept. 19th @ 8 am in the Media Center
- Student Council - Thursday, Sept. 20th @ 8 am in Mrs. M. William's room (E-106)
- Interact Club - Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, at 7:45 a.m in E114.
ALL students from all grades are invited to participate in our morning clubs. This is a great way for your child to get connected to their school, the community, and other students. #Connected
HEALTH & SAFETY
Catch Up on Vaping, e-cigs & JUUL PREVENTION
Middle School may seem too soon to be thinking about e-cigarettes, vaping, or JUULing, but it is the time to take a deep breath and catch up on what all of this means! Vaping, e-cigarettes and JUULing is steadily becoming a fast growing and disturbing trend in our youth. Because this is a relatively new item to the market and it is largely unregulated, it is up to parents to familiarize and educate themselves and their children. The first very first thing that parents should do is read about the products, and get to know what the items look like. The second thing parents should do is understand the places and ways that their children can acquire the JUULing devices. Did you know that they are easily purchased at gas stations? Did you know that your child can order them online using Amazon Prime? It is scary how adept our young people are ordering things without their parents knowing.
For more information, please click on the resources below:
Schools Respond to the Rise of Student Vaping
June 29, 2018 - Edutopia
"Since e-cigarettes are still relatively new—and one of the great lessons of the anti-tobacco campaigns was that punitive approaches don’t work well—school administrators and health department officials say that giving teens and parents health information about vaping is critical to prevention...
...With talk of vaping on the rise in her district, Valerie Phillips incorporated the four CATCH My Breath vaping lessons directly into PE activities at her middle school."
West Nile Virus Health Alert
Please consider including the following in your next school newsletter:
With the arrival of peak mosquito season, our Student Health Services department is sharing information about the West Nile Virus. The season starts in the summer and continues through fall, bringing with it concerns about the virus and other illnesses spread by mosquitoes. Statewide and across the metro Atlanta area, there has been an increase in reported cases of the West Nile Virus, which is most commonly spread to people by infected mosquito bites.
According to public health officials, heavy rains are a contributing factor. Standing water increases the number of mosquitoes and cause for concern. To learn more about the West Nile Virus and how to reduce your risk, go here.
THINGS FOR STUDENT SUCCESS @ EPMS!
Student-Led Data talks for the Fall - November 8, 2018
- GA Milestones
- Whole Child
- Growth Mindset
- Reading Comprehension
** ALL GRADES - IN THE CAFETERIA
*** Students are prepared in WINN Class to give their parents an update on their progress and growth.
8th Grade Transition Meeting - November 29, 2018 (English)
EPMS Rising 9th Grade Info Night (English)
Date: Thursday, 11/29/2018
Where: EPMS Media Center
Time: 6:30 pm
Who: English PARENTS - EPMS 8th grade parents who have students rising to high school in 2019-2020
Language: This meeting will be conducted in English by Lisa O'H Cowles
Spanish Presentation on Tuesday, November 27th by Koritza Rodriguez
Title I & Title 3 - Transition Meeting
This evening is to give 8th-grade parents information on the verification process which will be coming in January 2019. The meeting will be hosted by Koritza Rodriguez in Spanish with Lisa O'Hanlon Cowles
This evening is to give 8th-grade parents information on the verification process which will be coming in January 2019. The meeting will be hosted by Lisa O'Hanlon Cowles & Koritza Rodriguez.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR!!
Japan Fest - 9/15 & 9/16
The Annual Japan Fest next weekend (9/15-16) at the Gwinnett Infinite Energy Center! It is the biggest Japan Fest in the Southeast U.S., and there will be food, performances, exhibitions, shopping booths, children's games, etc. throughout the fest. GA has the 3rd most Japanese companies in the states, and you can learn about the companies from cars to the famous high-tech toilet! Admission is $10 (children under 6 is free)
Jr. Hornets Basketball - 9/16
Jr. Hornets Girls and Boys basketball tryouts on September 16.
Latino Students, this message is for you!
The Latin American Association is already registering for its 19th annual Youth leadership conference to take place on the Marietta campus of Kennesaw University on Saturday November 10th. The event is free for students, parents and teacher, but you must register as soon as possible. The LAA will provide a light breakfast and lunch too. Our school will provide transportation from Elkins to the event and back.
Don’t miss this opportunity to attend this event full of energy, inspiration, motivational speakers, and lots of information for information for those interested in attending college and university. For a registration packet, please talk to Profe Mejia in room A-174 asap. The event fills up quickly so don’t wait.
FRENCH MIDDLE SCHOOL CONTEST - 10/26
ATTENTION FRENCH MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS! You are invited to participate in a FRENCH & FRANCOPHONE CULTURE MIDDLE SCHOOL VISUAL ART CONTEST!
- Question: In an era where cafe au lait is at Starbucks and French fashion is at Target, what role does French culture have in our global society?
- Link to Permission Form: https://tinyurl.com/FRENCH-VISUAL-ART-CONTEST-2018
- See Monsieur Mendy for a permission form or more information.
French Contest Entry Deadline: October 26, 2018
Spin with the Eagles - 10/18 & 10/19
Fun Way to Earn Volunteer Hours @ Freaky Friday - 10/26
Middle school students are invited to volunteer at Hembree Springs Freaky Friday on Friday, October 26th. Earn volunteer hours for Junior Beta Club or Interact and "rock out" the concession stands and help make this event fun for all by volunteering your time!
SignUpGenius Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c054fadad2faafd0-freaky2
- Dinner! Cheese pizza/hot dog provided to volunteers for dinner and a snack of cotton candy/popcorn.
- Attire: Volunteers should wear your middle school, high school or club t-shirt!
- Walk over after school or have your parent drop you off!
- Check in to volunteer at the VOLUNTEER CHECK-IN TABLE & we will sign your Beta/Interact form and assign you to work in the cafeteria or where needed.
If you have any questions, contact Lucy Gilbert @ 404-375-5977 or lucymaynegilbert@gmail.com
TITLE I TIDBITS
Parent University...Did You Miss It?
2018-2019 Parent University Events
JULY
- Fireside Chat and Middle School 101 – Orientation & Transition into MS
AUGUST
- 8th Get Ready for the 8th Grade Year (English)
SEPTEMBER
- 8th Get Ready for the 8th Grade Year (Spanish)
- "Don't Stop Achieving" Student Success Family Night - 9/17/2018
- Get Connected Night with STEM Activity
- Rosetta Stone
OCTOBER
- Parent Resource Center Open House...Come have a cup of coffee and chat with your Parent Liaison
- Reading, Writing, and ELA
- Digital Citizenship: Copyright & Piracy Office365, Launchpad Resources
- Parent Resource Center Open House...Come have a cup of coffee and chat with your Parent Liaison
- Student-Led Data Talks - How to interpret State testing (GA Milestones, FastBridge), grades, student growth, SAC/HAC
- 8th Grade Transition to High School
- Parent Resource Center Open House...Come have a cup of coffee and chat with your Parent Liaison
- Math Matters
- Reading Challenge (i-Ready) over the Winter Break
JANUARY
- Parent Resource Center Open House...Come have a cup of coffee and chat with your Parent Liaison
- Get Future Titans Ready for Transition into Middle School - Visits to feeder schools
- Everybody Reads - Reading Comprehension and Lexile Levels
- Parent Resource Center Open House...Come have a cup of coffee and chat with your Parent Liaison
- Math Metrics for the Milestones
MARCH
- Parent Resource Center Open House...Come have a cup of coffee and chat with your Parent Liaison
- 5th grade to 6th-grade Transition Meeting
- Spring Input Meeting for All Stakeholders
APRIL
- No Stress Success on Georgia Milestones
MAY
- Summer Reading Logs & Math Resources
Note: Parent University Workshops may be subject to change. Workshops also may be added when requested by parents, teachers, the community, and students.
Upcoming Dates
Upcoming in September...
- 9/25 - Get Connected Night @ 6 PM... Featuring PTSA STEM Activity, Food, Clubs, Activities and more (Cafeteria & Atrium)
- 9/25 - Hampton Flim Academy @ 4:05 - 5:30 pm (Media Center)
- 9/26 - Band Pizza Fundraiser begins, ends 10/10
- 9/26 - Soccer Game: River Trail vs. EPMS @ 5:30 pm (Location: River Trail Middle School, 10795 Rogers Cir, Duluth, GA ﴿
- 9/27 - FCA @ 7:45 am in the Media Center
- 9/27 - Hampton Flim Academy @ 4:05 - 5:30 pm (Media Center)
- 9/28 - Spirit Friday! Wear College/EPMS Spiritwear...Order Spiritwear HERE!
- 9/28 - Soccer Game: Northwestern vs. EPMS @ 5:30 pm (Location: EPMS)
- 9/29 - AVID Day @ GA Tech 2018
Upcoming in October...
- 10/2 to 10/4 - 8th Grade Georgia Trip
- 10/4 - FCA @ 7:45 am (Media Center)
- 10/4 - Student Council @ 8 am (E‐106)
- 10/4 - PTSA Meeting @ 8:30 am
- 10/5 - FCS STAFF WORK DAY – NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
- 10/8 ﴾All day﴿ COLUMBUS DAY: NO SCHOOL FOR STAFF/STUDENTS
- 10/10 - Jr. Beta Club @ 8 am (Media Center)
- 10/10 - Volleyball: Sandy Springs vs. Elkins Pointe @ 5:30p to 6:00p (Home Game/EPMS Gym)
- 10/11 - FCA @ 7:45 am (Media Center)
- 10/12 - Spirit Friday! Wear College/EPMS Spiritwear...Order Spiritwear HERE!
- 10/12 – Interact Meeting @ 7:45 am (E-114)
- 10/16 - Chorus: Fall Concert @ 6:30 (GYM)
- 10/17 - Katha Stuart Mtg @ 6:30 pm @ RHS
- 10/18 - FCA @ 7:45 am (Media Center)
- 10/18 - Student Council Club @ 8 am (E‐106)
- 10/19 - Spirit Friday! Wear College/EPMS Spiritwear...Order Spiritwear HERE!
- 10/22 to 11/2 IOWA Testing ‐ 8th Grade Only
- 10/22 to 10/26 BUS DRIVER APPRECIATION WEEK
- 10/22 - Principal Chat @ PTSA Roundtable 8 am to 8:30 am Principal Chat @ PTSA Roundtable (Media Center)
- 10/23 - 8th Grade Band Concert with RHS @ 6 pm (Location: EPMS Gym)
10/24 – Band Side-by-Side Concert with RHS Wind Ensemble, 6:30 pm in EPMS gym
10/25 - FCA @ 7:45 am (Media Center)
- 10/26 to 10/27 Chorus: GMEA District V Honor Chorus (Location: TBD) ‐ TENTATIVE
- 10/26 - Spirit Friday! Wear College/EPMS Spiritwear...Order Spiritwear HERE!
- 10/29 to 11/2 Red Ribbon Week
- 10/30 - Fall Picture Day Retakes ﴾All day﴿
- 10/30 - Mr. Huff for Parent Coffee from 8 am to 8:45 am (Media Center)/ Presentation to 6th grade, 7th grade, and 8th grade
- 10/30 - 8th Grade Concert with MHS Band @ 6:30 pm (Location: MHS)
- 10/31 - Reflections Breakfast Celebration @ 7:30 am (Media Center)