News From the Nest
Evansdale Weekly Newsletter - January 4th Edition
Welcome Back Letter from the Principal
Dear Evansdale Families,
Happy New Year! I hope you all had a fun and family filled holiday break. As we start the new calendar year and beginning of second semester, I challenge everyone to work on the same goals - to re-focus, re-energize, and have a renewed enthusiasm for student success. I want to see all students ready to soar and and plan to excel throughout this semester.
Our plan of action will begin with the second administration of the MAP tests. From these, both teachers and administrators can chart the growth of each student and plan instruction accordingly. For 3rd-5th grade students, the preparation will begin for the Georgia Milestones. We have just purchased a web based program, iStation, that teachers will use to differentiate instruction to meet the individual needs of students. You can look forward to receiving information soon on how you can use this resource, along with your Discovery Education, at home as well. Finally, look for a different "Parent Tool" in each newsletter this month designed to help your eagle be successful in school.
We are also excited about our upcoming events such as the Black History Program, Family Math Night, Celebration of Cultures, and more. Continue to read NFTN for more details on all of the events taking place this semester.
We will be celebrating first semester academic success at Honors Day on Thursday, January 18th. Details and schedule can be found below. As you will also see in this newsletter, January is a busy month with many dates to add to your new 2017 calendars. I look forward to sharing a great second semester with you all.
Sincerely,
Luci Chattman
Principal
First Semester Honors Day Awards Schedule & Criteria
SCHEDULE
8-8:45: 1st grade
9-9:45: 2nd grade
10-10:45: 5th grade
12-12:45: 3rd grade
1-1:45: 4th grade
AWARD CRITERIA
PRINCIPAL’S HONOR ROLL: ALL A’s, P’s, E’s and/or S’s in Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Art, Music, Physical Education, Health, and French. Students must have at least ALL S’s in conduct summary (No suspensions- ISS or OSS)
CITIZENSHIP AWARD: All S’s in Final Conduct Evaluation Criteria section. This includes P.E. Art, Music, French, and Health. This award is also based on criteria such as helpful, courteous, hardworking etc. Students receiving Principal’s Honor Roll may also be eligible. If a student receives Evansdale Academic Recognition, he/she must meet all of the criteria listed above to receive a Citizenship Award. The student can not have any N’s on their report card.
EVANSDALE ACADEMIC RECOGNITION: Students that have a combination of A’s, B’s, P’s, S’s, and/or E’s in all academic/conduct areas. There can not be any N’s or U’s for this award. ***This honor should not include students on the Principal’s Honor Roll.
RISING SCHOLAR AWARD (optional): Student is putting forth tremendous effort but has not met the requirements of Principal’s Honor Roll or Evansdale Academic Recognition
***Please note that all awards are based on the REPORT CARD markings.
Parent Tool #1 - Tips for Helping Your Child With Homework
1) Create an afterschool schedule with your child and be sure to set aside time for school assignments. Place the schedule in a common location so that everyone can see it. This is also great for time management skills!
2) Ask your child to show you their agenda each day. Homework should be written in the agenda.
3) Make sure that your child is working in a well-lit, quiet location.
4) Remove potential distractions (cell phone, turn off the TV, etc.). Let them know that they can earn those things back when they have completed their work.
5) Check in with your child while they are working on homework to make sure that they stay on task
6) Go over their homework with them and ask them to explain what they are working on.
7) Be sure that you are NOT completing the homework for the child. This could possibly hurt your child’s confidence in their abilities.
8) If your child is not able to complete their homework, write a note to the teacher explaining why.
9) Encourage your child to develop good study/homework habits and let them know that they are developing good lifestyle habits.
10) Reach out to your child’s teacher if you have questions about a homework assignment and/or the homework policy.
DCSD Severe Weather Conditions Procedures & Communications
During times of severe weather conditions, the safety of students, personnel, and volunteers is paramount to both Evansdale teachers and staff. Emergency protocols have been established by DCSD (DeKalb County School District) and distributed throughout all schools within the county.
Parents: Steps to take so you are informed during such emergencies:
- Tune to local news broadcasts to receive the most current information about changing weather conditions and school closings.
- Sign up for the Remind text alerts from Dr. Chattman if you have not already done so. Do it before a weather emergency hits.
- Download the DeKalb County School District Mobile App from your smart phone. This will give you updated information from the County in an expedient manner. Be sure to go into the app and follow Evansdale Elementary School.
- Monitor the DCSD website - www.dekalbschoolsga.org for the latest information about weather conditions, school closings, early or late dismissal times, extra-curricular activities, and any other timely information.
- PTA may also send out information via text and/or social media.
- Parents may call the front office and/or attendance office with questions, however, communication may be limited in order to keep all personnel safe within the building. The telephone number of the front office is (678) 874-2702.
In the event of extreme and sudden weather conditions, students and staff will shelter in place and the school offices will be closed for check-out until an "All Clear" is given by the Central Office of the DeKalb County School District. Once the severe weather alert is over, the principal or designee will send out a text message through the Remind system to inform parents of the "All Clear" and the restoration of normal operating procedures. For the safety and security of students and staff, students may not be dismissed or checked out until we have received the "All Clear".
Dr. Chattman's 2nd Annual Marshmallow Reading Challenge...
Rising Henderson Middle School 6th Grade Parents - Save the Date(s)
The Henderson Middle School PTSA is hosting Parent Tours for new and rising 6th grade parents in January and February. The tour of the school will begin at 9:30am in the lobby of Henderson Middle School and last approximately one hour followed by a question and answer session with Henderson Middle School staff. The tours will be available on the following three dates: January 19th, February 2nd, and February 9th, 2018. There is also an evening orientation to Henderson Middle School with Ms.Patillo, Principal of Henderson Middle School, scheduled for Thursday, February 8th, in the Henderson Middle School Media Center from 6:30-7:30pm.
Resolve to Take the Georgia Parent Climate Survey This Month
The Georgia Parent Survey is modeled after the student survey and contains 24 questions. Parents may complete the survey using their personal computer, smartphone or tablet. All parents are encouraged to participate in the Georgia Parent Survey because the data will be used as part of the calculation of the School Climate Star Rating. Survey responses are anonymous and will be submitted directly to the Georgia Department of Education for analysis.
The Georgia Parent Survey is also available in Spanish. Parents may select the Spanish version within the survey. Results from the Georgia Parent Survey will not be available to the public and will not be posted online. The Georgia Parent Survey link is posted below.
Georgia Parent Survey:
DCSD Illness Policy
Student Check In & Out
Need to Speak/Meet with a Teacher or Administrator?
DCSD 2018-2019 School Choice FAQS
- Open Enrollment: 9:00 a.m., January 8, 2018 – 4:00 p.m. February 9, 2018
- School Choice Website at http://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/school-choice
- ONLINE Application at http://www.yourchoicedekalb.org
- Employee Student Transfer application at http://www.yourchoicedekalb.org
- Parent Support Center is open (BY APPOINTMENT ONLY) during Open Enrollment
- Call-In support is available from 1/8/18 - 4/16/18 at 678-676-0050
- Applications submitted with all required paperwork during the open enrollment window are ON TIME.
- All applications are required to be submitted online ONLY.
Evansdale's 2018-2019 School Choice Tour Dates
- January 19th at 9:30 a.m.
- January 25th at 1:00 p.m.
- January 30th at 9:30 a.m.
No Reservations Required. Please arrive 5-10 minutes prior to actual tour.
Photos Still Needed For Yearbook
The Yearbook Committee invites students and parents to submit photos for the yearbook. If you've got great photos of fall 2017 events (Family Fun Night, Eagle Trek, Fantastic Friday, field trips, class parties, etc.) we want them! Our photographers can't be everywhere. Help us get as many photos as possible to create a terrific, memory-filled yearbook everyone will enjoy. Here's how you can submit photos online:
- Go to https://images.schoolannualonline.com/login
- If it does not automatically log you into the site, enter username: 409883651
- Browse to select the photo(s) you wish to upload
- Enter information about the photo and provide contact information in case the staff needs additional information
- Click “Save Details”
It's that easy. The last day to submit photos is 02/15/2018. Submit yours today! Contact Jennifer Arnberger (jen.arnberger@gmail.com) if you have questions.
Lakeside Cluster Summit Meeting
Second Semester...Here We Go!
01/04 First Day of Second Semester
01/09 School Council, 5:00 p.m.
01/09 PTA Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
01/11 School Spelling Bee, 8:30 a.m.
01/12 First Semester Report Cards Go Home in Couriers
01/13 LEGO First League Super Regionals Tournament, Clarkston HS
01/15 No School, Martin Luther King Day
01/17 Parent - Teacher Conferences
01/18 First Semester Honors Day
01/19 School Choice Tour, 9:30 a.m.
01/19 PTA Teacher Appreciation Luncheon, (2nd Grade Parents Provide Lunch)
01/25 School Choice Tour, 1:00 p.m.
01/25 STEM Night
01/26 Accelerated Reader 55% Cut-Off
01/26 Class Pictures
01/30 School Choice Tour, 9:30 a.m.