Martin Luther King, Jr.
Happy Friday,
Yes, the blog is about 3 days early! Next week is a short one but upon the students return, we will be off to a full week of instruction. We have successfully finished our first 9 weeks of school. Although we experienced some challenges, we ended our term on a high note. The student led conferences allowed students to take some much needed responsibility for their learning. They are aware of their glows and grows resulting in a burning desire to perform better. As we are moving forward and striving to be better, I am asking that we remain focused on the work that we must do as a school and a community. There are many discussions that are being held on social media, at home, and at school surrounding equity and the work that we must do to perform higher. Although I realize that the conversations must happen, I want to encourage us all not to allow them to impact the relationships that we have all worked hard to build in our community. Collectively, we will continue the work of educating our students for the future. Yes, there are many challenges but there are just as many successes. Let's keep encouraging each other to keep our focus on the progress of the students while closing the identified gaps.
Thank you to PTO for your fundraising efforts as well as your eagerness to offer assistance with our school wide events. As a school we are working to ensure that our communication is provided in a more effective and timely manner. It is our goal to keep our families and community members abreast of all school wide events and activities. If there are ever any questions regarding a school wide event, do not hesitate to email or call the school.
We are in the midst of a much needed Fall Break! I am sure that the students are just as eager as we are to have a few extra hours to simply breath and relax. Enjoy the short break. We will see you all Tuesday.
Principal Tolbert
Announcements
Chess
Coile visited Hilsman Wednesday and their top 10 chess players competed against ours in a tournament. After 6 rounds, Hilsman finished with 32.5 wins and Coile finished with 27.5 wins. Mark Gemao earned a silver medal for overall wins from an individual.
For students that did not make the top 10 from both schools, we had an individual tournament. Tom Martin earned the gold medal.
Want some fruit?
Hilsman Fruit Sale -- October 16 thru November 15
Fruit will be delivered the week of December 11
Please see Team Gora (Dorsey, Gaertig, Picha, Zabetakis) or Ms. Seymour (FACS) for more information!
All money raised will support student community based instruction and classroom activities.
Tutoring
Students of all grades are invited and encouraged to attend after school tutoring and makeup sessions with Ms. Jones each Tuesday in room 112 from 4 until 5. Students must be picked up by 5:00 or have permission to walk home. HOUSE POINTS AWARDED FOR ATTENDANCE! Come help your grade AND your house!
Please consider contributing to helping the victims of the recent natural disasters. A penny drive, supply campaign, and Stop Hunger campaign are all part of the Hilsman Bands Together campaign.
Please be advised that students should not arrive on campus before 7:45 am. There is no one available to supervise the students and this is a safety concern. A 21st Century staff member will be on the premises to receive 21st Century students at 7:00. We also have a staff member that arrives to supervise other students that are not in the program at 7:45. It is important to us that we offer assistance to our parents that must drop our scholars off early. However we are respectfully asking that you do not drop them off before 7:45 to avoid any safety concerns.
Visitors
There is a myth that parents' help is not welcomed in middle school! This is NOT true. We welcome all of our parents in to visit, to volunteer, as well as to observe your child's environment. Upon entering the building to volunteer or to observe, you must be sure to sign in and get a visitor's pass. We also ask that you not interrupt the instructional time or interfere with other students. If you would like to speak to a teacher, feel free to contact them via email or by phone to schedule a conference.
Outside Food
We are noticing an increase in outside food being brought to students during the day. Although we encourage you to have lunch with your child, outside food is not allowed in the cafeteria. The day is long and we realize many of our students are in need of snacks to make it through the day. Please be sure that students have their snacks before arriving to school. Otherwise, snacks brought in throughout the day will be given to students after school.
No Flex Zone
This is a reminder that students are NOT allowed to have their phones during the hours of 8:25 am-3:45 pm. If phones are confiscated they can be retrieved on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the hours of 4:00 pm-5:30 pm. Parents, please remind your child about this rule and help us to help them! I would also encourage you to perform a social media check and remind our scholars about the power of their words. As a reminder, our front office staff will make every effort to get a message to a student. However instructional time will not be interrupted unless there is an emergency. Messages will be conveyed to students during transitional and lunch times. Thank you for understanding.
Monday-No School
Yearbooks are currently on sale for $22. Contact Ms. Hubbard or Mrs. Maxey for details.
Arrival Time
Please be advised that students should not arrive on campus before 7:45 am. There is no one available to supervise the students and this is a safety concern. A 21st Century staff member will be on the premises to receive 21st Century students at 7:00. We also have a staff member that arrives to supervise other students that are not in the program at 7:45. It is important to us that we offer assistance to our parents that must drop our scholars off early. However we are respectfully asking that you do not drop them off before 7:45 to avoid any safety concerns.
Visitors
There is a myth that parents' help is not welcomed in middle school! This is NOT true. We welcome all of our parents in to visit, to volunteer, as well as to observe your child's environment. Upon entering the building to volunteer or to observe, you must be sure to sign in and get a visitor's pass. We also ask that you not interrupt the instructional time or interfere with other students. If you would like to speak to a teacher, feel free to contact them via email or by phone to schedule a conference.
Outside Food
We are noticing an increase in outside food being brought to students during the day. Although we encourage you to have lunch with your child, outside food is not allowed in the cafeteria. The day is long and we realize many of our students are in need of snacks to make it through the day. Please be sure that students have their snacks before arriving to school. Otherwise, snacks brought in throughout the day will be given to students after school.
No Flex Zone
This is a reminder that students are NOT allowed to have their phones during the hours of 8:25 am-3:45 pm. If phones are confiscated they can be retrieved on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the hours of 4:00 pm-5:30 pm. Parents, please remind your child about this rule and help us to help them! I would also encourage you to perform a social media check and remind our scholars about the power of their words. As a reminder, our front office staff will make every effort to get a message to a student. However instructional time will not be interrupted unless there is an emergency. Messages will be conveyed to students during transitional and lunch times. Thank you for understanding.
Building Construction Committee
The next Building Construction meeting will be held on November 8, 2017 at 5:30 in the Media Center. We invite you to join us and to have an input on the building of our new school.
Message from Mrs. Camp
Friday, November 3 is 8th Grade Band night at Cedar Shoals High School. Interested 8th grade band students will rehearse and perform with the Cedar Shoals Marching Band at the Cedar Shoals football game. Email Mrs. Camp campl@clarke.k12.ga.us for more details.
Families, please do not forget about our 2017 Trick or Treat for UNICEF Campaign. Orange boxes are due back on Friday, November 3. Boxes should be given to Ms. Maxey. Click the link below.
Applications for our Pathways to Success Program were sent home Wednesday and Thursday. If your child received an application, please return it to Ms. Ward no later than Wednesday.
Week at a Glance
Monday-No School
Enjoy your break
Tuesday
21st Century
Wednesday
21st Century
FFA Floral Design Work for Team Gora Prom 4:00-6:00. If you would like to help make corsages and boutonnieres please feel free to come!
Thursday
21st Century
FFA Floriculture Practice 4:00-6:00
Friday
SAE Check in class. 1 hour and 1 picture due on Google Classroom. Students should have pictures available (in their Google Drive or email) to put on the document in Google Classroom when they come to class.
