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Eagle Wings

Week of August 11th

Eagle Wings Week of August 11th

Principal's Message

Greetings Eagle Families,


We hope you and your Eagle(s) have had a fantastic start to the new school year! The first week was filled with excitement and the joyful sounds of students reconnecting with friends and teachers. As we settle into the school routine, we want to ensure everyone is set up for a smooth and successful year. Please review the following reminders and complete any necessary tasks as soon as possible.


Back to School "Checklist" for Parents:


  • Setup/Update Parent Portal Account: Ensure you have access to your child's Infinite Campus account. This is essential for staying informed about your child’s progress and important school updates. Reach out to Ms. Gupta, data clerk if you need assistance (guptap1@fultonschools.org)

  • Set Up MyPaymentsPlus Account for Cafeteria Meals: MyPaymentsPlus is our platform for managing cafeteria payments. Please create or update your account to ensure your child has access to meals and money on their account. Reach out to Ms. Blyther, cafeteria manager if you need assistance (blyther@fultonschools.org)

  • Keep Your Car Rider Number in a Safe Place: If your child is a car rider, make sure to keep your car rider number handy. This helps streamline the pickup process and ensures safety for all students.

  • Parent Volunteers and Lunch Visitors: We are looking forward to welcoming parents and visitors into the building beginning the week of August 26th.


We appreciate your attention to these important tasks and your partnership in creating a supportive and efficient school environment. If you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our front office. Thank you for your cooperation and support.


As always, please don't hesitate to reach out. My email is: crawfordce@fultonschools.org .


Yours in partnership,


Ms. Crawford

Important Dates

August:

20 - Room parent meeting @5pm in media center

20 - PTO General meeting @5:30pm in media center

20 - Cub Scouts meeting @6pm in cafeteria

20 - 5th grade parent meeting @6:30pm in cafeteria

26 - Lunch visitors begin

26 - Alphie’s Nest begins


September:

2 - Labor Day Holiday

3 - Teacher Workday (no students)

4 – Professional Development Day (no students)

6 – Grits for Grandparents (breakfast) @7am in cafeteria

9 - 1st semester clubs begin

11 – Fall Pictures

12 - Academic Partnership Night (formally Curriculum Night)

@5pm--ESOL, TAG, EIP, IRR, Special Areas

@5:30-5:45pm-Welcome Message from Administration & PTO

@5:45-6:15pm--Session 1 (PK-5, AU, ID)

@6-6:15pm- Welcome Message from Administration & PTO

@6:15-6:45pm --Session 2 (PK-5, AU, ID)

13 – STEM Day with Innovation Academy

20 – Coffee & Conversation (newcomers to AES) @9am in Media Center

23 – 30 MAP testing (4th grade only)

26 - Eagle Dash Rally

27 - Family Book Night @6-7pm in Media Center

27 - Movie Night @7:30pm on front field

30 - Fall Book Fair begins

Morning Carpool & Arrival

Due to the population growth of the Alpharetta area, more & more drivers are using Mayfield Road as a means to get to their morning destination. Please take note of the "No left turn from 7:10-7:40am" signs that are now located at the main and bus rider entrances. By adhering to this, the flow of traffic can continue while ensuring that our students who arrive by car are in their class by 7:40am.


Beginning this school year, morning carpool will end at 7:35 am. Ending at this time allows for students to walk to their class and be in their seat by 7:40am, which is the start of our instructional day. If you are arriving after 7:35 am, you will be directed to park and walk your child to the front door. If the bell rings during this time, you will need to sign you child in on our Checkmate system which is located outside the front doors.

ADDITIONAL REMINDERS

Transportation Changes:

Transportation changes should be provided to your child's teacher on the "Notes from Home" pad you received in your red folder during open house. Please keep in mind that changes in transportation must be in writing and EMAILED to the front office (toppint@fultonschools.org).


Early Pick-Up:

When picking up your student early for appointments, you will need to present your driver’s license for safety and security. Early checkout will end at 1:30 pm.


Lunch Visitors & Volunteers:

Lunch visitors & volunteers will be welcome in the nest beginning the week of August 26th. This allows for our students and staff to establish routines and relationships.

CLASS PLACEMENT

All schedules and teacher assignments are tentative and may change until after the 10th day of school as that is when teacher allotments will be finalized based on student enrollment at that time. We are not accepting requests for teacher changes until after the 10th day of school and change requests will be accepted based on the instructional needs of the student.

Student Success Skills

This week our Eagles will begin their weekly Student Success Skills lessons. The purpose of this curriculum is to build a foundation for managing emotions, healthy relationships and empathizing with others. Please click here to read more about it.


If you have any questions, please reach out to our counselor, Turquisha Lasker-Smith at laskersmitht@fultonschools.org

Code of Conduct

The new 2024-2025 Student Code of Conduct is available on the Fulton County Schools website. Click Here for quick access. Ensure that you and your Eagle review this important document.


Instructions for parents to acknowledge the Code of Conduct electronically through Infinite Campus will be coming soon.

From Our Counselor

From the Cafeteria

Chick-Fil-A Reading Program

From the PTO

Join Our PTO

Get involved with the AES PTO. New membership levels are available this year. Help support our school HERE!

Thank you to all (big & small) who came out to spruce up the grounds. It looks beautiful!

Alpharetta Elementary School 2024-2025 Partners in Education Program

Please consider supporting the AES Community with a business partnership that is a 100% tax deductible donation! With the help of our Partners In Education (PIEs), the AES PTO is able to help supplement the needs of teachers, students and school administration throughout the school year. This year we’re focusing on raising money to replace playground equipment and we need your support!


What’s new this year:

● Addition of shout-outs in the newly designed PTO Newsletter which will be sent out bi-weekly throughout the calendar year!

● Our Comms team will collaborate with ALL partners to make social media posts POP!

● We have added another diamond membership opportunity!

● MORE Social Media Shout-outs to maximize your footprint and outreach online!

● Addition of a free spirit wear t-shirt for AES Parents that participate in the program!


Diamond Partnership -- $2000

● Exclusive sponsorship of our Movie Night, Bingo Night, Fall Fundraiser, or School Carnival

● Includes all Platinum partnership incentives as well


Platinum Partnership -- $1000

● Premier logo/ad placement on Friday Folders sent home weekly with each student

● Premier logo placement on business partner signage inside/outside of the school

● Logo placement on AES PTO website homepage

● Promotion on AES PTO Social Media sites (twitter, FB, Insta), PTO newsletter and Principal’s newsletter

4x/school year

● Ability to send fliers home with students promoting business quarterly during the school year (partner

must provide copies)

● Ability to have a booth/table at AES PTO Outdoor events


Gold Partnership -- $500

● Logo/Ad on Friday Folders sent home weekly with each student

● Logo placement on business partner signage inside of the school

● Logo placement on AES PTO website business partners page

● Promotion on AES PTO Social Media, PTO newsletter, and Principal’s newsletter (EagleWings) 2x/year

● Ability to send fliers home with students promoting business 3x during the school year (partner must

provide copies)


Silver Partnership -- $250

● Logo/Ad on Friday Folders sent home weekly with each student

● Logo placement on business partner signage inside of the school

● Logo placement on AES PTO website business partners page

● Promotion on AES PTO Social Media, PTO newsletter, and Principal’s Newsletter (EagleWings) 2x/year.


Sign-up by August 15th, 2024 on our PTO website at:

https://alpharettaelementarypto.membershiptoolkit.com/business-partners

Questions? Email Jessie Jennings (jessica.raymes1@yahoo.com) Esther Weathers (estherweathers@gmail.com) or Mils Ware (mils.ware@yahoo.com)


*For All AES Parents who participate in the PIEs program, the PTO will give you a free spirit wear T-shirt of your choice! (from available supply)

Class Shirt Information

Clear the Lists!

Teacher wish lists are now available. Please consider helping to fulfill these lists and donate classroom supplies. Thank you in advance for your generosity!


AES PTO Needs You!

We simply can’t do all the wonderful things at AES without you! We have several different ways for you to get involved. If you are interested in volunteer opportunities, please fill out the volunteer interest form HERE.


Spirit Wear

Order your spirit wear today HERE! We are excited to introduce new items and class shirts.

Grade level class shirts are worn year round for field trips, class performances and Field Day.


Missed Open House?

Details about our school’s PTO and how you can help can be found HERE.

Spirit Night

Our first Spirit Night is coming up on August 21st at ‘Cue BBQ. Details coming soon!

Business Partners of the Week

Get Social with Us!

One of the easiest ways to stay up-to-date with both the PTO and general school happenings is through our social media handles. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

From FCS


August 7, 2024

The Fulton County Board of Education met Tuesday August 6, 2024 for its regularly-scheduled work session at the North Learning Center. The full agenda is available online via BoardDocs. Meetings are streamed live on the FCS homepage, with recordings available within 48 hours.

Superintendent’s Report

Superintendent Mike Looney expressed gratitude to students, staff, and parents for a smooth school year opening. He commended maintenance crews, transportation and nutrition staff, and teachers for their efforts.

Dr. Looney praised high school students for record-breaking 2024 AP Exam results. Highlights of the AP results were presented by Chief Academic Officer Brannon Gaskins and include:

  • Increase in AP exam takers from 8,360 in 2021 to 10,888 in 2024.
  • Total exams administered rose from 16,268 to 22,731.
  • Record-high pass rate of 72.9%, with double-digit gains in seven courses.
  • Seventeen out of 18 high schools (excluding Independence High School and independent charter schools) increased the number of AP exams administered. Fourteen schools improved pass rates, with Riverwood High School notable for a 16.6% increase and 252 additional exams.

Fulton County Schools exceeded the national average pass rates in 31 of 39 courses, including all four math courses. Notably, the Physics C: Mechanics exam had an 88.2% pass rate, over 27% higher than the national average. The most popular exams in 2024 were Precalculus (2,188 students), English Language and Composition (2,123 students), and World History: Modern (1,992 students).

Appointment to Fill District 1 Vacancy

Sara Gillespie, elected by voters to represent District 1 on the Fulton County Board of Education, will complete the remaining term of outgoing Board Member Katha Stuart, who is retiring at the end of August. The School Board appointed Ms. Gillespie effective October 8 to serve the rest of the current term, which ends on December 31, 2024. She will then begin her elected four-year term on January 1, 2025. District 1 covers primarily Roswell and parts of Alpharetta, and includes the Centennial, Roswell and Milton high school clusters.

Ms. Stuart thanked the Board and her community for their support over her nine years serving on the Board. She highlighted accomplishments during her tenure and announced she would be holding her final Community Meeting at Mountain Park Elementary School, where she says her commitment to Fulton County Schools began as a parent volunteer. The Board and attendees expressed their appreciation for Ms. Stuart’s commitment with a standing ovation after her comments.

Ms. Gillespie joins the School Board as a leader with professional experience in both the education and business sectors. With a former career in college admissions, she has initiated and managed budgets, directed community outreach, created communication strategies, managed recruitment and volunteer roles, and supported continuing education for women and children. She and her husband have two children attending Fulton County schools, and she was a co-president of the Mountain Park Elementary School PTA.

Millage Rate Rollback

The Board approved a millage rate of 17.08, a reduction from the tentatively approved rate of 17.13 in June, maintaining Fulton County Schools' position as having one of the lowest school millage rates in the metro Atlanta area. After the final required public hearings for a partial rollback of the FY2025 millage rate, the Board discussed amending Dr. Looney’s new proposal of 17.08 mills. However, they decided the rate was necessary to maintain educational resources within the district. With this approval, the School Board has either lowered or maintained a flat millage rate for the past seven years. Six of those years saw reductions, continuing their commitment to strong financial stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

Back-to-School Update

Divisional leaders provided a Back-to-School Update. Mr. Gaskins discussed expanded curricular programs, including the third year of LETRS training and a new dyslexia screening process for K-3 students. New elementary math and secondary world language textbooks will be introduced, and new English/Language Arts curriculum standards will be implemented next year. The district’s early childhood program is expanding with seven new pre-K classrooms. High schools and middle schools are transitioning to the Canvas Learning Management System.

Fulton County Schools is replacing the state-operated GNETS with the PATHS program for increased social and therapeutic supports. The Student Code of Conduct now clarifies that attending a non-zone school is a privilege that can be revoked for conduct violations. Harassment is redefined to include race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, disability, and physical attributes.

Mr. Gaskins concluded with the opening of The Promise Career Institute, the district’s newest high school. Located on the property that once housed McClarin High School, PCI provides traditional high school classes in addition to career and technical programming that can lead to Atlanta Technical College certifications and an Advanced Career diploma.

Dr. Joe Phillips, the new chief information officer, shared IT preparations, including cleaning and reimaging 76,646 devices and repairing 2,876. A “Safe Device” campaign will educate middle school students on device care.

Dr. Phillips said his team met the goal of ensuring safe and functioning devices that were ready for student distribution at every school. Middle and high school students are issued take-home devices for learning, and in elementary schools, classroom sets called “smart carts” are used. With middle schools experiencing a higher number of devices being damaged or lost, the district has created a “Safe Device” informational campaign to educate sixth- through eighth-graders on proper care. Specialized protective cases also are being installed on middle school devices. Additionally, to improve school support, elementary technology specialists will be deployed to assist middle and high schools throughout the year as needed.

Chief Human Resources Officer Gonzalo La Cava reported a 99% filled teaching vacancy rate and a reduction in onboarding time. Dr. La Cava praised the Human Resources team for meeting Dr. Looney’s challenge to reduce hiring and onboarding times. Three years ago, onboarding took over 37 days, causing candidates to leave for other districts. Today, it takes 10 days or fewer. The district employs approximately 12,362 staff, with a teacher retention rate of 88%. Seven new principals and fourteen new assistant principals were introduced for the new school year.

Chief Operations Officer Noel Maloof discussed construction projects, including renovations at The Promise Career Institute, replacement of Conley Hills Elementary, and site preparation for the new North Springs High School. S.L. Lewis Elementary School, which closed at the end of last school year, will soon be torn down to make way for a replacement school on the site.

In addition to these large construction projects, the Capital Programs Department completed major renovations, roof replacements, safety upgrades, practice turf installations, and freezer/cooler replacements across the district. The Capital Programs Department completed over 140 projects, with 45 new ones beginning in the design phase.

Transportation operations were highlighted, with 935 buses transporting over 78,000 students daily. More than 63% of the fleet uses alternative fuels. Driver shortages persist, but all routes are covered. Mr. Maloof encouraged parents to utilize the "Here Comes the Bus" app, which allows them to track their student’s bus.

Commercial kitchens in each school provide nutritious meals. Meal prices increased slightly, and the Free & Reduced Meal Benefits Program continues for qualifying households. Prepaying for student meals is encouraged via MyPaymentsPlus.

Mr. Maloof credited the district’s annual Back-to-School pep rally – called First Day Fulton – for helping many students get ready for the new year. At the eighth annual event, held concurrently at Banneker High School and Riverwood High School, more than 4,000 families received help with school registration, health screenings, and community organizations giveaways. Over 3,400 backpacks stuffed with school supplies were distributed and 800 families received groceries.

The full Back-to-School presentation is posted online.

Copyright © 2024 Fulton County Schools Communications Department, All Rights Reserved.

FCS District Health Services

FCS is committed to ensuring that all students stay healthy, are safe and are reading to learn. Please click here to read more about health services information.

Bus Information

It is now Board Policy that students must wear seatbelts if they are riding in a bus that offers seatbelts. Please reach out to Erick White (whitee2@fultonschools.org), Transportation Supervisor, if you have any questions.

SCHOOL CALENDAR

Community Info

Cathy Crawford
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