HAWK TALK
August 12, 2022
CALENDAR AT A GLANCE
August 5 1st Art Club Meeting
September 1 Annual Title I Meeting 5:30 PM & Curriculum Night 6 - 7 PM
September 5 - Labor Day No School
September 6 - Remote Learning Day for Students
September 15 - HBMS Spirit Day at From the Earth
School Hours and Important Times
Office Hours: 8:15 - 4:15
Instructional Hours: 8:50-4:05
Breakfast: 8:20 - 8:45 AM
Students should be in class by 8:50 AM.
Dismissal is at 4:05 PM.
Walkers/Car riders are dismissed first, followed by bus riders.
Buses typically depart by 4:15 PM
Car line: Students must enter/exit a vehicle at the sidewalk area. Please pull forward as far as possible to keep the car line moving. All students must be picked up by 4:20 PM.
Celebrating the First Week of School!
BUSES - we have a driver shortage across Fulton County Schools. Please be patient during these first weeks of the school year as new drivers get acclimated to routes. Several routes are delayed in the morning and afternoon due to double runs. We highly recommend using the "Here Comes the Bus" app. See information below for details. Students can also download the app to track their bus in the morning!
RESTROOMS - We have had inquiries about our new restroom system. We have installed gates on all student restrooms this year in an effort to increase safety measures and supervision of our restrooms. Please be assured that students will ALWAYS have access to a restroom during the day. However, certain restrooms will be closed at specific times throughout the day so that we have the ability to better supervise the restrooms that are in use. For example, when 7th grade students are at connections classes, the 7th grade hallway restroom will be closed, as there are no students assigned to classes on that hallway during that time. Restrooms closest to the connections classrooms will be open and available. We will strategically open/close restrooms based on which classrooms are in use throughout the day. This is a safety measure to cut down on undesired (and unsupervised) activities in our student restrooms so that all students can feel safer.
Track the Bus!
Did you know that all FCS buses have a GPS tracker? "Here Comes the Bus" is a free, easy-to-use website and app that enables you to see the location of your child’s school bus on a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer. This way, you know when the bus is near your stop, so you can send your child out at just the right time. No more worrying about whether your child has missed the bus!
How do I sign up?
- Download the Here Comes The Bus app on Google Play or the Apple App Store or visit www.herecomesthebus.com.
- Click the "Sign Up" button
- Enter school code: 87428
- Click "Next" followed by "Confirm"
- Complete the "User Profile" box
- Under "My Students," click "Add." Enter your child's last name and student ID number ("lunch number")
- Once you confirm you information, you're ready to go!
The "Here Comes the Bus" program was created by Synovia Solutions, and the company has made the website available in Spanish and French. If your computer is already set to display one of these languages, the website will automatically use the same language. Otherwise, you can change the language by clicking the current language (such as English) at the top right of the web page.
Laptop Distribution - Please sign Device Agreement
Laptop distribution schedule:
Friday, August 12 - 8th grade
Monday, August 15 - 6th grade
Tuesday, August 16 - 7th grade
We still want your feedback!
Attention Parents: Vision Screening
If your student is newly enrolled at Holcomb Bridge, they are eligible to receive a free vision screening from Vision to Learn! If it is determined that they need glasses, the organization will provide them free of charge. If you do not want your child to be screened, please complete the form that will be coming home with them from their Reading or Foreign Language teacher or email ames@fultonschools.org.
7th Grade Requirements
Parents of 7th grade students please review the information regarding the 7th grade immunizations requirements:
Beginning with the 2022-23 school year, children entering 7th grade who were born on or after January 1, 2002, and for new students entering a Georgia school grades 8th through 12th must show proof of receiving the following prior to entering school:
One dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine; and
One dose of Meningococcal conjugate vaccine
The Georgia Department of Public Health Certificate of Immunization (Form 3231) is required as proof of the immunizations. This form is available from your healthcare provider or the health department. A list of local health departments and their service hours can be obtained from the school or online at http://www.fultoncountyga.gov/dhw-immunizations/3708-immunization-clinic-locations-and-hours.. The State of Georgia requires up-to-date or completed immunizations for school attendance. All students entering school must be immunized according to the rules and regulations established by Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR), and have an updated Immunization Certificate #3231 on file unless one of the following situations exist:
*Medical Exemption authorized by a medical doctor attached to the 3231 certificates (to be reviewed and renewed annually)
*Religious Exemption – Form 2208 Affidavit of Religious Objection to Immunization
Please contact Ms. Comer to verify your child's status via email at comera@fultonschools.org or 470-254-8428.
Please Support our PTA!
Visit the PTA website at https://hbmspta.memberhub.com/ to purchase your membership, buy a locker, buy spirit wear, and to get involved!
Submit your Free/Reduced Meal Applications!
It is important to note that meals will NOT be free for all students this school year.
A new application must be completed every school year. Only one application is required per family, even if your children attend different schools. If there is an interruption in benefits or the household does not reapply, the household is responsible for payment of meals until the Free and Reduced Application is approved. Free & Reduced Meal Applications are available in the cafeteria and anytime online . Visit www.fulton.schoollunchapp.com to begin the online application process.
2022-23 Meal Prices
Middle School Student Breakfast = $1.25
Reduced Eligible Breakfast = $0.30
Middle School Student Lunch = $2.70
Reduced Eligible Lunch = $0.40
Extra Milk = $0.75
Menus and additional meal service information available on the FCS Nutrition Website.
Additional items are available for sale at additional cost. If you would like your child to have money on his/her account for additional purchases (such as snacks and drinks), visit https://nutrition.fultonschools.org/MyPaymentsPlusFaq .
2022-2023 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. If you would like a paper copy of the Handbook, you or your student can request one in your school's front office.
How to sign the Code of Conduct (full directions)
Parent & Student Code of Conduct Receipt Acknowledgement
Step 1: Log into the Parent Portal – Click “Documents”
Step 2: Select Needs Attention then scroll to the Signature Page
Step 3: Select the red signature box to complete the form
Step 4: Select with SIGN to agree or DECLINE to disagree
Step 5: Select SUBMIT
Spring 2022 Georgia Milestones Results
Student Cell Phones - NEW FCS Guidelines
One of the biggest distractions from learning that we deal with daily is students using cell phones during the school day. Please review the new district guidelines below and talk to your child about the consequences of misusing a cell phone while at school. We will be strictly enforcing these expectations and may confiscate phones as necessary.
Per the FCS Student Code of Conduct
Rule 18f.II Prohibited Use of Personal Communication Devices (PCD's) During the School Day:
- Possession of Personal Communication Devices (PCD) (e.g., cell phones, tablets, recording devices) by a student at school during school hours is a privilege that will be forfeited if a student fails to abide by the Student Code of Conduct.
- In grades 6 through 12, the use of PCDs is not allowed during instructional time and will only be allowed when explicitly instructed to do so by a teacher or other school staff member.
Rule 18g.III Inappropriate Recording and Distribution Using Personal Communication Devices (PCD):
- The use of cell phones and other PCDs for noneducational purposes, including but not limited to, recording staff and/or students without permission or other inappropriate content is strictly prohibited.
- In addition, using a cell phone or other personal communication device to record a fight, battery, or any other inappropriate content and either sharing with others (e.g., airdrop, nearby share, ShareIT, etc.) and/or uploading the video to any other type of social media/web- based media is also strictly prohibited.
- Consequences for doing so may result in up to a 10 Day suspension and a referral for a discipline hearing with a recommendation for long term suspension.
We strongly recommend that students leave cell phones at home. If it is necessary for your student to bring the phone to school, it is recommended to secure phones in a locker during the school day; if a student does not have a locker the phone should be kept in the backpack/binder during the school day. The school is not responsible for the loss or damage of students' personal devices while at school.
Student Dress Code
All students will be dressed appropriately and ready for instruction for the day. Students are expected to dress to reflect neatness, cleanliness and safety. All students shall dress appropriately so as not to disrupt or interfere with the educational program or the orderly operation of the school. Extremes in dress will not be permitted.
All Clothing
• You may not wear clothing that depicts gangs, alcohol, drugs, profane language, or violence.
Tops
• Undergarments must be covered by tops and tank top straps.
· Stomachs/midriff must be covered. No crop tops.
Bottoms
• Pants and shorts must be worn at or above the hips and may not sag.
· Pants, shorts, and skirts must always cover underwear and backside while standing, sitting, and walking.
The principal or other duly authorized school officials shall determine whether any mode of dress or grooming results in a violation of the spirit and/or the intent of this rule. Parents may be called to bring a change of clothing, if necessary. Students without a change of clothing or whose parent cannot bring a change of clothing may remain in ISS for the remainder of the school day.
Consequences for violating dress code
Consequences for violating the dress code will first be handled through the Holcomb Bridge discipline cycle. Repeat offenders will receive additional consequences for insubordination according to the Fulton County Code of Conduct. The school dress code applies to all school activities unless otherwise noted.
Who can I contact for help?
Kim Kapella, Assistant Principal, 6th Grade administrator
470-254-8422
Hannah Milligan, 6th grade counselor
470-254-8425
7th Grade:
Kenneth Greene, Assistant Principal, 7th grade administrator
470-254-2423
Hannah Milligan, 7th grade counselor - GIRLS
470-254-8425
Glenn Johnson, 7th grade counselor - BOYS
470-254-8424
8th Grade:
Jennifer Cassidy, Principal, 8th grade administrator
470-254-5285
Glenn Johnson, 8th grade counselor
470-254-8424
Student Records/Enrollments/Withdrawals/Immunizations:
Ansel Comer (bilingual - Spanish)
470-254-8428
Bilingual Parent Liaisons (Spanish):
Maria Baron
470-254-8427
Carla Gatti
470-254-5283
Front Office - Attendance/Absence Excuses:
Anita Strish
470-254-5280
Holcomb Bridge Middle School
Website: https://www.fultonschools.org/holcombbridgems
Location: 2700 Holcomb Bridge Road, Alpharetta, GA, USA
Phone: 470-254-5280
Twitter: @HolcombBridgeMS