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Parent Newsletter
September 17, 2023
A Note from the Principal's Desk
I hope you are enjoying your weekend. It was great seeing grandparents this week and parents at our Pastries for Parents! This week we have two parent meetings--Montessori and ESOL.
We are also celebrating Hispanic Heritage month this Thursday at 6:00pm! There is a PTA meeting for all members from 5:45p-6:00pm. See flyers below.
The PAC elections are open Tuesday, September 19th. You will receive an email from Big Pulse. It may go to your clutter box.
Also, Tuesday is International talk like a pirate day. The media center will have books and fun activities! Students are welcome to wear a bandana, eye patch, hat or bring a stuffed parrot.
Thank you for having your child at school every day. Attendance is a major part of a student's education. We celebrate students each month with perfect attendance. Check out the grade level percentages last month! Congratulations to our 5th graders with a 97.6% attendance rate and 1st grade with 96.6%!!! The goal each month is 96%.
Below are a few upcoming important dates:
- Montessori Education Parent meeting-September 20-8:30am-Montessori and traditional parents are welcome to attend! Come & learn about our DCSD School Choice Montessori program
- ESOL Program Parent meeting-September 20 at 10:30am-Parents of students receiving ESOL services are invited to learn more about the program and ACCESS testing.
- Hispanic Heritage Night-September 21 at 6:00pm-Parents dress in their culture's attire and bring in a favorite dish
Check out our pictures to see what's been happening at the Hills!
Don't forget we have our biggest fall fundraiser in October! Run for the Hills and Fall Festival October 28, 2023. The funds go directly to the school to support students and teachers!
Have an amazing work and school week!
Proud to Serve,
Mia Bradshaw, Principal
#AimingHigh
#WeRunAsOne
Principal Advisory Council (PAC) Elections
Elections start Tuesday!
Bibiana Essienumoh
Connie Dunn
Jessica Hoot
I am excited to be a member of Huntley Hills Principal's Advisory Council, where I hope to bring our families and community together to build a better educational environment for our region.
I have two students that currently attend HHES. In my free time, I love to volunteer at the school for Run Club and within the classrooms. I also enjoy spending time with friends and family, traveling and running.
Holly Yarbrough
Tiffany Butler
Khrysten Claiborne
Run for the Hills!
Hi Tiger Families!
It's time to mark your calendars for our annual Run for The Hills event!!! This event is a huge opportunity for our school and city community to come together for fun and fundraising!
RUN FOR THE HILLS
Saturday, October 28
8:30 AM: Races Begin
9 AM - Noon: Festival
Located at Huntley Hills Elementary
Invite your family, friends, and neighbors! It's going to be a spooky good time!
- Read more: https://hhespta.square.site/october-2023-run-for-the-hills
- Register for the race: https://hhespta.square.site/october-2023-run-for-the-hills
- Donate/Sponsor the event: https://hhespta.square.site/sponsor-hhes-pta
- Opportunities to pay via check and cash coming soon in Tiger Folders!
PS: Check out the Ghost Runner opportunity too
-PTA
Cub Scout Meeting Tuesday, Sept, 26; 5:30pm-6:30pm Huntley Hills' Cafeteria
STEM Challenge in the Makerspace
STEM Challenge in the Media Center - available all of September!
Starting on Tuesday, 9/5, there will be a Rosie Revere, Engineer STEM challenge in the Makerspace in the back of the media center. Teachers can send one group of 3-4 students at a time to work on the challenge. Students will work with their group to create a flying machine for Rosie Revere and her Great Aunt Rose that can travel along a zip line and land safely on the ground. Students will have 20 minutes to work on the challenge in the media center and will return to class to complete the final part of the challenge - writing a story about where Rosie Revere and her Great Aunt Rose will go in their new flying machine. Completed stories will be returned to the media center so they can be displayed with their flying machine!
Desafío STEM en el Makerspace
STEM Challenge en el Media Center: ¡disponible durante todo septiembre!
A partir del martes 5 de septiembre, habrá un desafío STEM de Rosie Revere, ingeniera en el Makerspace en la parte trasera del centro de medios. Los profesores pueden enviar un grupo de 3 o 4 estudiantes a la vez para trabajar en el desafío. Los estudiantes trabajarán con su grupo para crear una máquina voladora para Rosie Revere y su tía abuela Rose que pueda viajar a lo largo de una tirolesa y aterrizar de manera segura en el suelo. Los estudiantes tendrán 20 minutos para trabajar en el desafío en el centro multimedia y regresarán a clase para completar la parte final del desafío: escribir una historia sobre adónde irán Rosie Revere y su tía abuela Rose en su nueva máquina voladora. ¡Las historias completadas se devolverán al centro de medios para que puedan exhibirse con su máquina voladora!
Parent Volunteers Directions (Updated 9/15/23)
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.
Directions for Level 3 Volunteers!
DeKalb County School District’s Volunteer Training By signing on as a volunteer, you become a member of our team of professionals that proudly provides educational services to more than 93,000 students in our DeKalb County School District. This webpage is designed to assist you in registering to be a volunteer with the DeKalb County School District. Please complete the following steps to become a DCSD Volunteer.
1. Complete the Volunteer Application And Release Form (see qr code below, #1)
2. Complete the DCSD Volunteer Code of Conduct (see qr code below, #2)
3. Complete the Mandated Reporter Video & Quiz (see qr code below, #3)
Create an account (no cost)
Choose State: GA
Click Child Abuse and Neglect Course: Mandated Reporter
Click Start Course
Complete Quiz Save or print your certificate.
4. Send a Copy of your certificate to DCSDvolunteer@dekalbschoolsga.org
5. Attend Volunteer Training (either in-person or via Zoom) Weekly Face-to-Face Volunteer Training is available at the IMPACT HUB every Thursday at 1:00 PM. 1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard Stone Mountain, GA 30083 OR Zoom meeting of your choice https://dekalbschoolsga-org.zoom.us/j/85757845773
Time: August 30, 2023, 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM
September 13, 2023, 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM
September 20, 2023, 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM
September 27, 2023, 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM
October 4, 2023, 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM
October 11, 2023, 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM
October 18, 2023, 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM
October 25, 2023, 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM
6. Background Check -Once you have completed the Volunteer Training (either face-to-face or zoom) you will be emailed a link that will direct you to get your background check (offered Tuesdays & Thursdays at NO COST). You will be given a picture ID badge that is to be worn when you volunteer.
Please contact Demone Gunter via email @ DCSDvolunteer@dekalbschoolsga.org if you have any questions
You may view Board Policy IFCD: School Volunteers by clicking below.
What's Happening @ the Hills?
Pre-K and K Granndparents Luncheon
Dot Day
Pre-K and K Fernbank In House Field Trip
Pastries with Parents
Book Fair
5th Grade's Chicks Hatch!
Save the dates
September 20-Montessori Parent meeting at 8:30-9:30 AM and ESOL Parent meeting at 10:00am-11:00am
September 19-26-PAC elections begin
September 21-Hispanic Heritage Night at 6pm; 5:30 PM: PTA All Member Meeting before Hispanic Heritage Night; Montessori celebrates Peace Day
October 2-Individual Picture Day
October 6 and 9-No School
October 11 & 18-Parent Conferences
October 26-Literacy Night @6pm
October 28-Run for the Hills/Fall Festival
October 30-Red Ribbon week!
Join PTA!
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:
- Join our PTA by making a donation here
- Volunteer for a Leadership Role here
- Sign up for Tiger Talk emails here
- 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!
PTA President, Amanda Hall
Clubs
Calling ALL GIRLS! Sci Girls Club is here!
SciGirls is a club that encourages girls to consider a career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics or STEM. Each month we will learn about a particular scientist and will experiment with materials related to their profession.
This year we will be meeting on Wednesday mornings from 7:00 until 7:45. We will begin in September and the club will go through February. Students will come once a month, during their grade level week. The schedule is as follows:
Sept. 6: K
Sept. 13: 1st
Sept. 20: 2nd and 3rd
Sept. 27: 4th and 5th
Oct. 4: K
Oct. 11: 1st
Oct. 18: 2nd and 3rd
Oct. 25: 4th and 5th
Nov. 8: K Nov. 15: 1st
Nov.: 22: 2nd and 3rd
Nov. 29: 4th and 5th
Dec. 6: K-2
Dec. 13: 3-5
Jan. 10: K
an. 17: 1st
Jan. 24: 2nd and 3rd
Jan. 31: 4th and 5th
Feb. 7: K
Feb. 14: 1st
Feb. 21: 2nd and 3rd
Feb. 28: 4th and 5th
I look forward to working with your girls!
Amy Chandler
Afterschool/Tiger Time-REPEAT
To register submit your application to the front office M-F; 7:30am-3:00pm.
Communication: Stay Connected!
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)
DCSD School Messenger
Medication
School Uniforms
Free & Reduced Lunch
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.
2023-2024 Title I Parent Right to Know
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
DeKalb County District Announcements
Security Enhancements
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.
September Lunch Menu
Important Contacts
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