Titan Talk
August 6, 2017
Welcome Back Titans!
Important Beginning of the 2017-2018 School Year Dates:
- FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
- August 7, 2017
- 8:54 am - Start of First-Period
- 4:05 pm - End of school day
- PLEASE ARRIVE BY 8:35 am if you are a walker or car-rider
IMPORTANT DATE: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2017
CURRICULUM NIGHT - STATE OF THE SCHOOL
ALL PARENTS & FAMILIES ARE INVITED!
- 5:00 PM - TAG Meeting
- 5:30 PM Annual Title I Parent Meeting a.k.a "State of the Schoool" w/Principal Smith
- 6:00 PM PTSA Budget Meeting
- 6:30 PM Classrooms Visits/Curriculum Night w/ Teachers
- 8:30 PM End of Curriculum Night
At the Annual Title I Parent Meeting, Principal Smith will welcome our families and present the "State of the School" address. During the Classroom Visits, parents will be able to "walk their child's schedule,' meet the teachers and learn about the Curriculum in the classroom.
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Welcome Back,
I am so excited because I am looking forward to the first day of school on Monday, August 7th. My goal is for every student to feel SMART, HAPPY & CONNECTED every day! Please know that when your children come to school, I want them to be ready for a great year of learning and to bring A-Game every single day too!
Looking forward to seeing you on Monday, Titans!
Kindra L. Smith, Ed.S
Principal
Elkins Pointe Middle School
Home of the Titans!
Celebrations!
A SPECIAL TITAN THANK YOU TO:
North Point Community Church,
Neighborhood of Eidenwilde for School Supply Drive,
Annonymous Donnor for Zipper-Binders for Every 6th Grader,
and Verizon Amphitheater
We thank you for helping our Titans by providing items from the school supply list!
PTSA Back-to-School Luncheon
Thank you to the PTSA for providing a picnic luncheon for our teachers and staff during pre-planning. Teachers enjoyed sandwiches, chips, watermelon, drinks and cookies from I Canita Cake.
Bandmates!!
Please give a warm welcome to Ms. Kathleen Burkhardt. Ms. Burhardt is a new member of our staff and she will be helping our Band Director, Mr. Wilson. Here they are smiling while rocking a station at Information Day!
SUPPORT PTSA
Join PTSA, click here!
Your membership and donation level entitles you to various rewards and opportunities
- Electronic school directory with contact information for participating families
- PTSA Discount card from participating EPMS business partners
- Plus, all PTA members are eligible for Georgia and National PTA discounts
Together We Can Meet Our Goal!
We ask each family to join us in donating to the Elkins Pointe Enrichment Fund to provide our Titans with rich curriculum connected learning experiences on and off campus. We are looking to raise $30,000 to execute the work we have prioritized with Principal Smith and her team for this school year.
30K+ is Our Goal
If we raise the $30K, our teachers will have the opportunity to increase the number of hands-on activities by bringing students to historical sites/centers and by booking guest speakers, artists, experts, presentations, and performances. If we raise more than $30K, Principal Smith wishes to build a "Ropes Course" like the one at Northwestern MS, a community greenhouse, additional collaboration spaces and much more.
Did You Know?
- Elkins Pointe PTSA is a 501c3 which means all donations are tax deductible
- You can donate to Elkins Pointe PTSA through your company’s annual giving campaign including reoccurring payroll deductions.
- Many companies match contributions to 501c# organizations.
- We can help answer your questions. Email us at membership@elkinspointeptsa.org
Here are THREE easy ways to join PTSA!
- Online PTSA website http://elkinspointe.my-pta.org/
- In person at the PTSA tables during Info Day or Curriculum Night
- Mail a check to:
Elkins Pointe PTSA Treasurer
11290 Elkins Rd
Roswell, GA 30076
The PTSA supports our school in so many ways and one of the ways is through the Back-to-School Guide mailed out to every Titan family. Joining PTSA and donating to PTSA are ways you can show that you appreciate PTSA!
Important Safety Guidelines
2016-2017 SAFTEY GUIDELINES FOR DISMISSAL
For the safety of ALL students and to expedite carpool and bus departure, parents and students are asked to abide by the following guidelines:
SAFETY GUIDELINES
- Parents, please stay in your cars (i.e. parents, friends, siblings & pets).
- Please refrain from waiting on the front median and the sidewalk with young children and pets
- Please, NO PARKING in the Employee Lot and Bus Parking Lot. These lots will be closed from 3:30-4:30 every day to keep our students safe.
- Please, NO CROSSING traffic lanes with students. This presents a major safety hazard.
- Please help expedite carpool, by limiting the use of the Carpool Parking Lot to emergencies and appointments from 3:30-4:30.
To read the complete list of the Safety Guidelines, click here or click on the box (below).
If you Missed Information Day...
If you missed Information Day on August 2nd, please do not fret. We know that life happens and we are prepared to meet you where needed. Here is what to expect and send/bring if you missed Information Day.
On Monday send with your child or bring:
❒ $15 cash/check for the Locker & Agenda Fee
❒ SIXTH (6th) GRADE ONLY - Two proofs of residency
- Copy of Drivers License, Mortgage, Lease, HOA Agreement or Bank Statement
- A copy or print-out of a Utility Bill (Gas, Electric or Water). Bill must be current and address must match the proof above.
Here is where your child should go if they missed Information Day:
- 6th graders should go to the Cafeteria to start
- 7th graders go to the Gym and
- 8th graders go to the E Hall.
FIrst Period Classes will be Posted:
The hallways will have posters up with every student's 1st-period class and students will be reissued a schedule in 1st-period class.Have a Question? Title I Parent Liaison, Lisa O'Hanlon Cowles, I will be stationed in the Atrium by Cafe´ Elan, little seating area, adjacent to the boy's bathroom. If you missed Information Day, parents are welcome to park and come into the school with your child. The school doors open 8 am. Please park and escort your child across the carpool parking lot.
Things to Know...
A new schedule will be issued to every student on the First Day of School. First-Period teachers will have a newly printed, color coded schedule for every student. The halls will be lined with posters with every student's name and their corresponding first-period teacher. If your child has some missing classes or errors in scheduling and you have already let Dr. Bearden know, they should be resolved by Monday morning. Thank you for patience while we connect every child with their class verifications.
On Friday, August 11th all Titans are invited to wear their favorite college T-shirt! Teacher & staff will proudly wear the T-shirt from their Alma Mater or the T-shirt from where their child is attending or attended college. Students are invited to wear a college T-shirt from their favorite college. Students might want to wear a shirt from where their mom graduated, where they might wish to go themselves or from their favorite GA School! Go Dawgs or Go Tech!
To find our your child's BUS info, click on the link:
http://edulogweb.fultonschools.org/edulog/webquery/
* Please expect delays during the first two weeks of school. The middle school is last in the bus queue, and the buses often run late because of the elementary school newest Kindergartener students. Please be patient and try to remember when your 6th, 7th or 8th grader was just getting to learn the ins and out of bus transportation.
NOTE: Some parents are having difficulty with this website. If having difficulty, please try a different web browser, i.e. try using "Google Chrome." Also, this is a two-step process. If you don't see the bus information immediately, you may not have completed the 2nd step. You will need to click on the School Name: ELKINS POINTE MSN - 700 and then the bus info will appear.
If you did not sign up for ZippSlip at Information Day, please take a moment to do so now.
Elkins Pointe Middle School is using an online electronic forms system this year called ZippSlip. We expect to eliminate paper forms for student permission forms and other communications through the year with ZippSlip. You will be able to access ZippSlip from your browser on your PC/Mac/smartphones/tablet.
To create an account, please follow these steps:
Go to this ZippSlip login page with your web browser: https://www.zippslip.com
SELECT Log-in
Select STATE Georgia and District Name: Fulton County Public School (GA)
On the login page, click the "Not a User? Create a Parent Account!" button below the password text box.
Follow the specified steps to create an account. You will need to enter
-your email address
-a password
-mobile number,
-the student IDs and date of birth of your Elkins Pointe student(s).
Once you log in, you will see items on your dashboard which include electronic forms. To start a response, simply click the given link. Make sure to respond to all items on your dashboard. Once a parent is logged in, they can choose their language of delivery in the top right-hand corner.
Order Yearbook Online @ SPECIAL PRICE! - 8/11
Order a yearbook by August 11th to take advantage of the Back-to-School SALE for $40! The price goes up after Aug 11th!
To order online, click here.
- Sale price is valid through August 11th, and after that prices will go up.
- Any Questions? Email: Mrs. Suckow at Suckow@fultonschools.org.
Lunch & Breakfast - FCS Nutrition Program
The Fulton County School Nutrition Program is dedicated to serving all students nutritious, safe and customer acceptable meals in support of academic achievement. Here are some links to help find breakfast menus, lunch menus, meal prices, menu item nutrition facts, meal payment options, free & reduced information and applications, contact information, and nutrition education resources!
It's true! This year EPMS has added an architecture & building class. The instructor is Mr. Daniel Moffit. Because the class is brand new, we are looking for parents, business partners and community donors who might be able to help Mr. Moffit acquire tools. First up on the "Tool List" is a cordless drill for every student to have in hand during the class. Mr. Moffit needs 22 drills. If you would like to help us TOOL UP, please contact Daniel Moffit or our Parent Liaison, Lisa O'Hanlon Cowles.
👕 👢 👖 Dress Code👘 👟 👗
Here is the Dress Code to help your child pick out his or her First Day of School Outfit! Dressing the part is helps keep our kids SMART HAPPY & CONNECTED!!
Schedule Changes
Please Note: The Bell Schedule has changed from the previous year. One of the most important changes to note is that after First Period we have added WINN period. Last year, this period was called Advisement. WINN stands for "What I Need Now," and this period has been revamped to include AVID strategies.
- Don't be Late...Car Riders and Walkers should adjust their travel times accordingly
- Bus transportation will not have any schedule changes.
For the 2017-2018 BELL SCHEDULE, click HERE.
WINN Period & Lunches
What's WINN? What happened to Advisement Class? How is lunch going to work? Many parents and students had these questions on Information Day. WINN is the acronym for "What I Need Now" and this period of the day will replace "Advisement Class. WINN class will take place after the first period.
WINN period will give students dedicated time to enhance strengths by attending seminars, work on group projects OR provide students extra support or enrichment opportunities such as targeted skill instruction, College Prep (i.e. improve vocabulary to help students on the SAT), Tutorology, Organization, etc.
To maximize WINN time it has been moved to the morning and away from lunch-time. Changing the time of day for this academic enhancement period is intentional. Studies show students perform better academically in the morning. Our experience at EPMS tells us that at lunch-time everybody is hungry, ready to eat, socialize with friends, and students are not exactly open to additional academics! Lunches will now deploy directly from an academic or Connections class. Please Note: The grade levels will NOT mix in the lunchroom. Lunches will continue to take place in blocks, one grade at a time and in a similar fashion.
We are anticipating students are going to enjoy sitting with their classmates at lunch and will welcome the change. At this time, it is not known if the students will be seated at the tables according to their class or in zones. The seating arrangements may differ according to grade level (i.e. 8th-grade privilege), be a reward for grades showing exemplary lunchroom behavior or varied by day to suit the needs of the lunchroom staff. At Elkins Pointe, our administration is "Upping Our Game" to make your children SMART, HAPPY & CONNECTED!
CLINIC CORNER
Clinic Forms
NEW FORMS NEED TO BE COMPLETED FOR THE 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR:
- Be sure that medications are in the original container and not expired.
- Keep in mind the clinic only dispenses medication that a parent has provided. If your child needs medication at school, please plan ahead.
EPMS Link for medication forms:
http://www.fultonschools.org/en/divisions/ops/security/Pages/Parent-and-Student-Resources.aspx
Additional Care Plans are required for Diabetes, Asthma, Allergies, and Seizures.
The Elkins Pointe Guidance Department is pleased to announce our new 504 Coordination, Dr. Deitra Duncan. If you have a child who requires a 504 Plan, please email duncand@fultonschools.org. Mr. Will Jones will be helping as Dr. Duncan transitions into the position.
❤️ Volunteer ❤️
Help us to get our Media Center up and running. At the end of last year, the Media Center received new carpeting which meant that everything needed to come up off the floors. Currently, the books are all still boxed up. Please help Ms. Jennifer Newman, but signing up to help!
- Media Center Helpers: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0548a4a822a64-media2
Helpers are needed on a daily basis. Any amount of your time would be greatly appreciated. If you have any questions, please email Jennifer Newman.
Volunteer Registration
- Computer access is available in the Parent Liaison office to complete registration if needed.
- To register at home, use this link: http://www.fultonschools.org/…/Pages/partnersvolunteers.aspx
Select your t-shirt color
Enter your name, payment etc.
Your order will be delivered to school to your advisement teacher
Please make sure you include your students’ name and 1st period teacher.
Things to Do...
Reflections Contest
Does your child like to take photographs or make videos? Does she love to draw or paint? Is writing stories or poetry his thing? Are you always amazed when she composes new music or creates new dances? Then your child needs to enter this year’s Reflections Art Program at Elkins Pointe!
PTA Reflections is a nationally acclaimed student recognition program designed to encourage artistic creativity in the classroom and at home. Students of all grades and abilities may participate and explore the arts based on this year’s theme: WITHIN REACH
Students may choose one or all of the available arts categories:
- Dance Choreography
- Film Production
- Literature
- Music Composition
- Photography
- Visual Arts
The deadline for all student entries is September 29th. Rules, entry forms and more details to follow, but now is the time to get those creative juices flowing!
Box Tops...EARN CASH FOR YOUR CHILD’S SCHOOL!
Title I PARENT & FAMILY ENGAGEMENT
The Elkins Pointe School-Family Compact is a signed agreement between the school (teachers & staff), parents, students and the school (teachers & staff) to share the responsibility of helping students meet or exceed state, district, and school academic goals.
School-Family Compacts were given to every parent and student on Information Day on Aug. 2m 2017. If you were not at Information Day and did not have a chance to read and sign your compact, please click on the link below to download:
If you would like to know more about School-Family Compacts and our Title I School-wide Program, please email Lisa O'Hanlon Cowles @ ohanlon@fultonschools.org. School-Family Compacts will be available in the Parent Resource Cente (in the Media Center), electronically (above), and available in the office of the Parent Liaison.
Thank you to all of our parents for attending our first Parent University Workshop on July 31st. We appreciate you bearing with us through all of the out sound system technical difficulties. Below is the presentation, and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email Lisa O'Hanlon Cowles at ohanlon@fultonschools.org.
Annual Title I Parent Meeting
ALL PARENTS & FAMILIES ARE INVITED!
The meeting will be held in the EPMS Gym.
Come learn about the Elkins Pointe Title I Schoolwide Program, here the State of the School Goals for 2017-2018, District & EPMS Parent and Family Engagement Plans, School-Family Compact, Title I Budget, Curriculum, Volunteer Opportunities and Parent Engagement Opportunities, Parent Resource Center, Parent University Workshops, Joint Decision and Sharing Power Opportunities.
Questions? Please email, Title i Parent Liaison, Lisa O'Hanlon Cowles @ ohanlon@fultonschools.org.
Wednesday, Aug 23, 2017, 05:45 PM
Elkins Pointe Middle School, Elkins Road, Roswell, GA, United States
Calendar DATES
Please Note: Upcoming dates are subject to change & some dates may not be included.
Dates in August...
- 8/1 - Welcome Back Breakfast
- 8/2 - Information Day (6th Grade: 10-12 / 7th & 8th Grades: 1 -3)
- 8/3 - Staff Welcome Back Staff Lunch
- 8/7 - First Day of School
- 8/11 - Wear Your College Swag
- 8/11 - Order YEARBOOK by today for ONLY $40!
- 8/16 - Katha Stuart Mtg @ Mimosa 9:30 am
- 8/18 - Wear Titan Spirit-Wear every Friday except College Swag days
- 8/18 - First Week Packet comes home
- 8/21 - Solar Eclipse: Delayed ES dismissal
- 8/22 - SGC 4:30 – 5:30 pm Media Ctr.
- 8/23 - Curriculum Night / Principal's State of the School (Gym) 5:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Parent TAG Mtg @ 5:00 -5:30 pm
Annual Title 1 Parent Mtg 5:30 - 6:00 pm - ALL PARENTS INVITED
PTSA General & Budget Mtg 6:00– 6:20 pm
Classroom Visits from 6:30 - 8:30 pm
- 8/25 - Wear Titan Spirit-Wear
- 8/29 - Spirit Night Chipotle/Baskin Robbin
- 8/31 - Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) begins, every Thursday @ 7:45 am (Rm. E109)
- 8/31 - Parent University Workshop - TBA
Upcoming in September...
- 9/1 - Wear College Swag
- 9/1 - PTSA Board Mtg
- 9/4 - NO SCHOOL - Labor Day
- 9/7 - First Thursday Club Day
- 9/7 - Orchestra Fundraiser starts
- 9/8 - Fall Picture Day
- 9/9 - 6th Grade Band Startup Clinic
- 9/13 - Katha Stuart Mtg @ Crabapple 9:30 am
- 9/13 - "Take Your Parent to School" Day - 6th graders ONLY (first two periods)
- 9/14 - NO SCHOOL - EPMS Full Release Day
- 9/15 - Band/Chorus 8th Grade Night @ MHS Football game
- 9/18 thru 9/22 - ITBS Testing - 8th Grade
- 9/19 - AVID Parent Meeting @ 6 pm
- 9/21 - FCA @ 7:45 am (Rm. E-109)
- 9/21 - 8th Grade Parent Mtg @ 7:40 am & 4:30 pm ( Media Center)
- 9/22 - Wear Titan Spirit-Wear
- 9/22 - RHS 8th Grade Night for Band/Chorus @ RHS Football game
- 9/26 - "EPM Get Connected Night" @ 5 pm - 6:45 pm - Come learn about Clubs, Sports, After-school activities and more...
- 9/26 - Spirit Night @ Chipotle/Baskin Robbins
- 9/28 - FCA @ 7:45 am (Rm. E-109)
- 9/28 - 6th Grade Tailgate Party 4 - 5:30p
- 9/29 - Parent University Workshop
- 9/29 - Wear Titan Spirit-Wear
- 9/29 - Reflections Entries due
October is Parent/Teacher Conference Month
- 10/2 - Band Fundraiser starts
- 10/3 to 10/5: 8th Grade Field Trip to Savannah
- 10/5 - FCA @ 7:45 am (Rm. E-109)
- 10/5 - PTSA Board Mtg
- 10/6 - NO SCHOOL - Teacher Workday
- 10/9 - NO SCHOOL - School Closed (FCS Holiday)
- 10/11 - Fall Music Showcase for Band, Orchestra & Chorus @ 6:30 pm (Gym)
- 10/12 - FCA @ 7:45 am (Rm. E-109)
- 10/12 - Reflections Reception by Invitation (Media Center)
- 10/13 - Box Tops Due
- 10/13 - Wear Titan Spirit-Wear
- 10/14 - Youth Day Parade
- 10/15 - "Be the Voice" Color Run @ EPMS from 1pm - 6 pm
- 10/16 - Reflections Winners Reception
- 10/18 - Katha Stuart Mtg @ RHS 6:30 pm
- 10/18 - Box Tops Deadline
- 10/18 - Fall Picture Retake
- 10/19 - FCA @ 7:45 am (Rm. E-109)
- 10/19 - Fall Orchestra Concert @ 7 pm
- 10/20 - Wear Titan Spirit-Wear
- 10/22 to 10/28 - Bus Driver Appreciation Week
- 10/24 - 7th Grade Dance @ 4 pm – 5:30 pm
- 10/25 & 10/26 - Reading Field Test (6th GR)
- 10/25 - Spirit Night
- 10/26 - FCA @ 7:45 am (Rm. E-109)
- 10/27 - Wear Titan Spirit-Wear
- 10/29 to11/3 - Red Ribbon Week
- 10/30 - PINK OUT & Pinkathon (Gym)
- 10/31 - Parent University Workshop (Media Center)
November is Family Engagement Month
- 11/2 - FCA @ 7:45 am (Rm. E-109)
- 11/2 - MHS Band Cluster Concert (EPMS 8th Grade) @ 6:30 pm (MHS Theatre)
- 11/3 - Wear College Swag
- 11/3 - Titan Tailgate
- 11/5 - Daylight Savings...Fall Back
- 11/7 - ELECTION DAY School OPEN (Gym Closed)
- 11/9 - FCA @ 7:45 am (Rm. E-109)
- 11/9 - 6th & 7th GR Band Concert @ 6:30 pm (Gym)
- 11/10 - Wear Titan Spirit-Wear
- 11/10 - Veteran's Day - EPMS Honors Our Vets!
- 11/14 - College/Career Day
- 11/14 - Katha Stuart Mtg @ MPES @ 9:30 am
- 11/16 - FCA @ 7:45 am (Rm. E-109)
- 11/16 - College & Career Day
- 11/17 - NO SCHOOL - EPMS Full Release Day
- 11/20 to 11/25 - THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY/FALL BREAK
- 11/24 - Wear Titan Spirit-Wear
- 11/10 - Veteran's Day - EPMS Honors Our Vets!
- 11/30 - Parent University Workshop (Media Center)
- 11/30 - FCA @ 7:45 am (Rm. E-109)
- 11/ 30 - Band, Orchestra & Chorus Elementary School Tours
- 12/1 - Wear College Swag
- 12/8 - Wear Titan Spirit-Wear
- 12/12 - Band Holiday Concert @ 6:30 pm (Gym)
- 12/13 - Katha Stuart Mtg @ HSES @ 9:30 am
- 12/15 - Wear Titan Spirit-Wear
- 12/18 to 8/21 - Final Exams for 8th Graders
- 12/23 to 1/4 - WINTER BREAK - School Closed
Stay Updated
Fulton County Schools (FCS) recommends staying tuned in to their website, FCS social media accounts, and local news media for updates.
- FCS Website: http://www.fultonschools.org/en
- FCS Facebook Page (@FultonCounty Schools) https://www.facebook.com/FultonCountySchools/?fref=ts
- FCS Twitter (@FultonCoSchools) http://www.twitter.com/FultonCoSchools
Elkins Pointe Middle School Informational Items
We ♥️ Our Business & Community Partners!
3600 Dallas Hwy #280, Marietta, GA 30064
(770) 627-4885
Proud to sponsor Elkins Pointe Middle School Spirt Wear!
4350 North Point Pkwy, Alpharetta, GA 30022
(678) 892-5000
Thank you for your generous donation for our students.
10516 Alpharetta Hwy, Roswell, GA 30076
(770) 645-1550