Second Week Parent Newsletter

We had an amazing first week back to school! Our tigers did a great job! I met with all grade levels to review expectations, earning tiger bucks, staying safe, and being kind. We are a "NO Place for Hate" School.

Thank you to all the students, teachers and parents for my birthday wishes on the first day of school! 😊

Tiger time after school is in full swing. This year, we will not take drop ins due to the number of full-time students and staff. If there are too many drop ins, this will increase the number of students putting the numbers over teacher: student ratio. We apologize but appreciate your understanding.

The school's MAP testing calendar is below in the newsletter. Please make sure your child has headphones at the school. I know our tigers are ready to show what they know!

There are three events approaching:

• Title I Stakeholder's meeting-Tuesday, August 22 (new date) at 9am and 5pm
• Title I Annual Meeting & Curriculum Night-Thursday, August 24 at 6:00pm-7:30pm
• Chipotle Spirit Night-Tuesday, August 29, 4-8pm

Huntley Hills is a Title I school, and as the parent/guardian of a child attending a Title I school you are an important part of the Title I team. Your input is vital in the planning and implementation of the parental engagement program and activities in our school. The focus of all Title I programs is to help eligible students meet the same high academic achievement standards expected of all children. The survey below is confidential and will be used to assist us with future planning for parental involvement activities and events at our school.

It was a pleasure meeting our new families Friday morning. I look forward to seeing you again at Curriculum night!

Proud to Serve,

Mia Bradshaw, Principal

#AimingHigh

#WeRunAsOne

Twitter

Title I Stakeholder's meeting Thursday, August 22 at 9:00am and 5:00pm in the media center. All parents are invited.

Huntley Hills is a Title I school, and as the parent/guardian of a child attending a Title I school you are an important part of the Title I team. Your input is vital in the planning and implementation of the parental engagement program and activities in our school. The focus of all Title I programs is to help eligible students meet the same high academic achievement standards expected of all children. The following survey is confidential and will be used to assist us with future planning for parental involvement activities and events at our school.

Please accept this as a personal invitation to our Title I Annual Meeting and Back-to-School Curriculum Night, Thursday, August 24th at 6:00pm. Join with us in a supportive role as we assist with the positive growth of your son/daughter and his/her elementary education in communicating the standards and expectations established to make Huntley Hills a great place to learn. This will be an opportunity for you, as parents, to meet your child's teachers and learn expectations.

The schedule for the evening is below:

6:00pm-6:40pm Spanish Annual Title I meeting, School Expectations, & PTA (media center)

6:00-pm-6:40pm-English Annual Title I meeting, School Expectations, & PTA (cafeteria)

6:40-7:30 Classroom visits (grading, behavior, homework, testing, etc.)

*Childcare is available for grades PreK-5

Our school will participate in DCSD's MAP assessments the week of August 21. The first assessment will determine gifted eligibility. Please remind your child to perform their VERY best. Read below.

The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) utilizes the Northwest Evaluation Association Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) as the initial assessment towards gifted identification each school year for students in grades K-10. Students who score > 90% RT (Reading Total) or > 90% MT (Math Total) on the nationally norm-referenced assessment (MAP) will take additional gifted formal evaluations. Although the MAP assessment is administered three times per year, the gifted eligibility window is August–September for currently enrolled K-10 students and December–February for currently enrolled K-2 and new students.

Additional information relative to the assessment window can be found on the District’s website. If you have any questions about the MAP assessment, contact the Research, Assessments and Grants Department at 678-676-0300. For gifted eligibility questions, please contact the Gifted Department at 678-676-0175 or 678-676-0153.

Our building will remain locked during the school day. Visitors should go to the main entrance and press the intercom button located to the right on the wall. A designated staff member will identify the visitor and the purpose of the visit.

As a reminder, the building opens at 7:00am for students. The front office is open from 7:00am-4:00pm

The Purpose of Homework

The purpose of homework is to ensure that each student has the opportunity to practice, reinforce and/or extend the skills and concepts taught during the instructional day. It is a way to extend the learning for children. Homework has value and is given to help your child succeed in school. We also believe it helps teach responsibility, developing long-lasting study habits.

Parent’s Responsibilities:

Ø Establish a daily routine and stick to it.

Ø Provide a quiet place for your child to do homework.

Ø Provide materials/resources needed for your child to be organized at home.

Ø Encourage your child to show you his/her completed work.

Ø Follow your child’s progress regularly

Helpful Tips:

Ø Support, clarify and motivate, but do NOT do the homework for your child.

Ø Investigate if your child NEVER has homework.

Ø Help with memory work, such as math facts and multiplication facts

Ø Focus on the things your child does well.

Ø Let your child take a homework break, if needed.

Happy Summer from your HHES PTA!

We are excited to let you know that our PTA Leadership Teams are already working hard to plan initiatives that will enhance your student's experience at Huntley Hills Elementary & Montessori School! We'd LOVE your help!

Here are 4 ways you can support our school over the summer:

1. Join our PTA by making a donation here
2. Volunteer for a Leadership Role here
3. Sign up for Tiger Talk emails here
4. Explore our *updated* PTA website here

*NEW* Join our private Facebook GROUPS designed to unify and support our families! Choose your group(s) based on the grade your student(s) will be starting in August. Find your groups here.

We welcome your support and look forward to serving our school together!

ptahhes@gmail.com

PTA President, Amanda Hall

Our first STEM Day will be on Friday, September 1st.

Student will begin the day with a school-wide assembly focusing on the EDP (Engineering Design Process). The steps in the EDP are Ask--Imagine--Plan--Create--Improve.

Our Principal’s Book of the Month is Rosie Revere Engineer. In this book, Rosie tries to create an invention for her uncle, and it fails, so she gives up. The lesson is NEVER give up! The final stage of the EDP is Improve, and that is what we encourage our students to do.

Teachers will create their own STEM challenges, but we will also have challenges on motion: cars, roller coasters, rickets, boats, etc.

I know the STEMstatic students are looking forward to it!

Spirit Night at Chipotle

Tuesday, August 29
4 - 8 PM
Chipotle at Peachtree Station (Whole Foods Center)

RSVPs are not necessary, but are considered very helpful to our Event Team.
+ Enjoy the "Add to Calendar" feature of Sign-Up Genius when you rsvp!

Must mention Huntley Hills Elementary when you order for our school to get a donation.

School safety continues to be a priority. Our school participates in safety drills:

• Fire and Tornado drills
• Level 1, 2, and 3 Intruder Lockdown drills

During the school day, we ensure the following safety measures are taken:

• All classroom doors remain closed and locked at all times.
• Exterior doors remain locked at all times and are not propped open for any reason.
• Exterior doors will not be opened for visitors.
• All visitors must come to the front of the school to receive assistance.
• All visitors must press the entry button outside the front door. The front office staff will assist all visitors from this point.
• If a visitor does not have an appointment with staff, is not checking out a student, or is not receiving assistance from the front office, they will not be allowed inside the school.
• Parents must drop off students at the front door for morning carpool and walkers. Please give hugs and kisses before your tiger enters the school.
• If parents would like to drop off items for their child, they can drop off in the front office
• Students are monitored by staff members in all areas of the building and on the recess field.
• Outside of traveling with their class to other parts of the building, students must have a HALL PASS to leave the classroom to their designation (nurse, restroom, media center, etc.)
• For afternoon dismissal, students are only dismissed from class when their name appears on the silent dismissal board and/or their bus is called.

• Staff are strategically stationed all around our building and campus to ensure students arrive and depart safely from school.
• NEW THIS YEAR: every staff member will have a crisis alert badge that they wear daily. In the event of an emergency, staff will press a button on this badge to alert administration that they are in need of help.

In the event of an emergency, I will communicate with all parents via Class Dojo. Please ensure you are connected and signed up on your mobile phone. It is important that parents read all text messages from the school thoroughly and follow next steps as outlined.

We appreciate your support in helping keep our tigers and staff safe!

August 2-Open House/Meet the Teacher

August 3-New Parent Orientation and donut social at 8:30am-9:15am

August 5 -School Beautification Day

August 7-1st day of school

August 22 (date change)-Title I Stakeholder's meeting at 9am and 5pm in the media center

August 24-Annual Title I meeting at 6:00pm and Back to School night at 6:30pm

August 31- Maria Montessori's birthday-Montessori students activities

September 1-PAC elections begin

September 4-Labor Day--No school

September 13-Montessori Parent meeting at 8:30-9:30 AM and ESOL Parent meeting at 10:00am-11:00am

September 21-Hispanic Heritage Night at 6pm; 5:30 PM: PTA All Member Meeting before Hispanic Heritage Night

Afterschool Program "Tiger-Time"- Tiger time will have a table in the Cafeteria to register your child for after school care. After care is 2:45-6:00, M-F. The registration fee is $25.00 and $60.00 each week. Tiger time begins the first day of school, August 7th. Please bring cash, money order, or check for registration fee and first week of payment. Ms. Camille Harvey is the After School Director. Her email address is camille_harvey@dekalbschoolsga.org.

To register submit your application to the front office M-F; 7:30am-3:00pm.

MUST HAVES:

School Dojo: The school code is here to receive message from the school (text messages from Dr. Ford)

Weekly Tiger Talk: (https://hhespta.square.site/#ZEQvWw) emails from PTA/school)

School Messenger-See flyer below to opt-in to receive text messages/emails from DCSD (text messages/emails from DCSD)

Optional:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/huntleyhills?lang=en (follow me)

PTA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/huntleyhillselementary/ (follow PTA)

If your child needs to take prescription medication at school, please complete the form below, notify your child's teacher and Nurse Faiza Khan at faiza_khan@dekalbschoolsga.org.

Art Club

Run Club

Spanish club

My Brother's Keeper

My Sister's Keeper

First Lego League

Garden Club

Lego Club

SciGirls

Girls Who Game

Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl

Spring Musical Production

Science Olympiad

Technology Club

Student Council

Parents must submit a new application every year to receive meal benefits. The Free & Reduced Meal application can be completed online at www.schoolcafe.com.

The application process is simple and takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. Parents can also download the app to pay on your child's account for breakfast and lunch. You can also visit the DCSD website for more information.

The candidate declaration window for 2023-2024 Principal Advisory Council elections will be open through Friday, September 3rd. Principal Advisory Councils bring parents, school employees, students and community members together to create a better understanding of and mutual respect for each other’s perspectives and share ideas for increasing student achievement and performance.

Voting is September 19 – September 26, 2023

What is the role of the Principal Advisory Council?

• Act as a link between the school and the community
• Encourage the engagement of parents and other stakeholders within the school community
• Work to increase student achievement through transparent operations and shared best practices
• Review the Continuous School Improvement Plan and monitor progress toward goals
• Participate in the selection of the school principal

Complete the form below to run for a position on your school’s Council.

Parent/Guardian Candidate Declaration Form (Spanish Translation Included)

If you declare your name, please email Dr. Bradshaw at mia_ford@dekalbschoolsga.org with your bio and picture. Thank you!

La ventana de declaración de candidatos para las elecciones del Consejo Asesor Principal de 2023-2024 estará abierta hasta el Viernes, 3 de septiembre. Los Consejos Asesores de Directores reúnen a padres, empleados de la escuela, estudiantes y miembros de la comunidad para crear una mejor comprensión y respeto mutuo por las perspectivas de los demás y compartir ideas para aumentar el rendimiento y el rendimiento de los estudiantes.

¿Cuál es el papel del Consejo Asesor Principal?

• Actuar como vínculo entre la escuela y la comunidad.
• Fomentar la participación de los padres y otras partes interesadas dentro de la comunidad escolar
• Trabajar para aumentar el rendimiento de los estudiantes a través de operaciones transparentes y mejores prácticas compartidas
• Revisar el Plan de Mejoramiento Continuo de la Escuela y monitorear el progreso hacia las metas
• Participar en la selección del director de la escuela

Complete el formulario correspondiente a continuación para postularse para un puesto en el Consejo de su escuela.

• Parent/Guardian Candidate Declaration Form (Traducción al Español Incluida)

Si declara su nombre, envíe un correo electrónico al Dr. Bradshaw a mia_ford@dekalbschoolsga.org con su biografía y foto. ¡Gracias!

In accordance with Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015, all LEAs are required to notify parents at the beginning of each school year of their ‘Right to Know’ the professional qualifications of their student’s classroom teachers and paraprofessionals.

Requirements for Content of the Notification: Notifications MUST use the language of the law.

In compliance with the requirements of the Every Student Succeeds Act, parents may request the following information: Whether the student’s teacher—has met State qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction; is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which State qualification or licensing criteria have been waived; and, is teaching in the field of discipline of the certification of the teacher. Whether the child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.

In Georgia, notifications must occur within 30 calendar days from the start of school or upon enrollment.

For verification purposes, notifications must contain the month/year of dissemination or, if included in another document, the primary document must contain a date.

For verification purposes, the name of the LEA and/ or school must be included.

In Georgia, districts are required to notify parents in ALL schools or programs.

Responses to requests must be provided in a timely manner.

Maintain records of annual notification(s) from ALL schools or programs.

Best Practices for the Notification:

• ESSA does not prescribe the exact method of dissemination for notifications. In Georgia, the following are considered best practices when notifying parents:
• Develop written procedures for compliance, which include a timeline and person, by position, responsible for verifying notification content, verifying dissemination of notification, and maintaining notification documentation.
• Notify parents in multiple formats in order to ensure that all parents have the opportunity to receive the information. This may include, school handbook, a letter mailed home, a newsletter or brochure, posting on a website, and/or a school-wide email.
• Notify parents, to the extent practicable, in a language that they may understand.
• Ensure the notification includes school/program/LEA name and a point of contact by position.

Sincerely,

Dr. Mia Bradshaw, Principal

The priority of the DeKalb County School District is the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and community partners. As we approach the 2023-24 school year, we want to make sure you know about our recent investments in two safety enhancements that help us provide more secure and nurturing learning environments.

These two cutting-edge safety and security initiatives are the CENTEGIX Crisis-Alert and EVOLV Express® security solutions. These safety systems are designed to empower and protect, to help ensure our educational campuses remain safe havens for learning.

The first system, the CENTEGIX Crisis-Alert, is a safety and security system that will be deployed across all DCSD schools. Crisis-Alert allows staff and security professionals to request assistance and implement emergency protocols from anywhere on campus, allowing for rapid response and resolution to potential threats. The safety of our students and staff is just a "push button" away with this state-of-the-art system.

EVOLV Express is the second system in all DCSD middle and high schools. Unlike traditional metal detectors, EVOLV Express utilizes advanced artificial intelligence and sensor technology to distinguish potential weapons and components of weapons from personal items or harmless objects. This non-invasive system respects students' privacy and allows them to walk through the equipment without slowing down or stopping, removing coats or backpacks, or empty pockets. With image-aided alarms, EVOLV Express pinpoints the location of potential threats on the student or their belongings, thus improving the overall security of our schools.

It is important to note that EVOLV Express does not use facial recognition or collect any personal data, ensuring the privacy of our students is safeguarded. Additionally, the system is designed to focus solely on identifying potential threats rather than individuals, thus reducing possible biases.

The implementation of EVOLV Express will significantly reduce screening times, allowing up to 1,000 students to be screened in about 15 minutes, so that students can move freely while feeling safe and secure on campus.

At DCSD, we are pleased to share these latest security enhancements that will provide real-time information, detection, and alerts to make our schools much safer. Even with these new measures, we still rely on our longstanding, supportive DeKalb County community partners to work with us to provide the best educational experiences.

If you have any questions regarding these security systems, please contact your school administrators or our Department of Public Safety.

Thank you for your trust and continued support.

If you plan to volunteer as a reading buddy, field trip chaperone, help in the media center this school year, you will need to be approved by public safety.

Level III volunteers must be approved by Public Safety AND the local school principal prior to the volunteer participation in activities involving direct, unsupervised interaction with students. Examples of Level III volunteers include chaperones on overnight field trips, chaperones or volunteers for local school events, volunteer tutors, office/media center volunteers, or any other volunteers who will have any unsupervised interaction with students. Level III volunteers shall be fingerprinted by the district and have GBI/FBI criminal background checks on file prior to rendering volunteer services.

You may view Board Policy IFCD: School Volunteers by clicking below.

PTA President -Amanda Hall-ptahhes@gmail.com

Principal Advisory Council Chair-Yane Yoo

School Counselor (504's & SST)-Sonya Nelson sonya_nelson@dekalbschoolsga.org

Registrar (registration & withdrawals)-Brenda Able- brenda_able@dekalbschoolsga.org

Title I Parent Liaison (Spanish)-Rebeca Arbona rebeca_arbona@dekalbschoolsga.org

Nurse-Faiza Khan faiza_khan@dekalbschoolsga.org

Assistant Principal & Testing Coordinator-Amanda Moss amanda_moss@dekalbschoolsga.org

Principal-Mia Bradshaw mia_ford@dekalbschoolsga.org