Titan Talk
November 17, 2017
Upcoming Dates...
November is Family Engagement Month!
What are the ways you will engage with your family?
- 11/20 to 11/25 - NO SCHOOL - THANKSGIVING BREAK
Coming Up the Week After the Fall Break...
- 11/27 - Academic Bowl in Media Center @ 4:05 pm
- 11/29 - Jr. Beta Mtg in media center (8:00-8:30)
- 11/29 - Academic Bowl @ 8 am (cafeteria)
- 11/30 - FCA @ 7:45 am (Media Center)
- 11/30 - Student Council Mtg @ 8:00 E-106 (NOTE: This has been changed from Tuesday to Thursday)
- 11/30 - No Thursday Clubs
- 11/30 - Parent University Workshop - Math Night Webinar (Note: Math Night Webinar/FB Live has been rescheduled for a later date.)
- 12/1 - Wear College Swag
Dates to Note:
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY - FALL BREAK
Nov. 20 to Nov. 25
SCHOOL CLOSED
ROBOTICS MOVIE NIGHT @ EPMS
Dec. 7th @ 6 PM
ALL INVITED TO THIS FUNDRAISER!!
MHS RISING 9th GRADE PARENT NIGHT
Dec. 12th @ 6 PM
at NORTHWESTERN MIDDLE SCHOOL
(Note: Change in location - NOT @ the high school)
DISMISSAL W/THE DADS
Dec. 15th @ 3:45 PM
Sign Up HERE!
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Happy Thanksgiving Break Titans!
This week Elkins Pointe Middle School was named a "Common Sense School" and today our teachers participated in Professional Development with a focus on Personalized Learning, TAG, Mathematics, and STEM.
Elkins Pointe is honored to be recognized as a "Common Sense School." We have been identified as a school committed to creating a culture of digital teaching and citizenship because we prepare our students to use technology safely and responsibly. In doing so, we are providing our students unlimited opportunities to maximize their Personalized Learning. To learn more about "Common Sense School" status, please click here.
Today's Full Release Day was granted to us by Fulton County Schools so we could provide opportunities for our teachers to collaborate and learn the newest teaching innovations. Thank you to the Elkins Pointe School Governance Council (SGC) for submitting a Request For Flexibility (RFF) to make today possible. It was an awesome day and a great way to end our week before heading out for Fall Break,
Thank you to our Professional Development Committee, our Personalized Learning Team, our special presenter, Ms. Kelsey Bednar from Defined STEM, and all of the folks who presented today. I am so very thankful for all of our teachers and staff for their commitment to our students learning. Our teachers learned more today so they can teach more when their students return from the Fall Break.
Have a great Thanksgiving!
Kindra L. Smith, Ed.S
Principal
Elkins Pointe Middle School
Home of the Titans!
IMPACTFUL LEARNING EXPERIENCE AT EPMS
8th Grade Visit from Son of a Holocaust Survivor
Mr. Tomas Lefkovits, son of a Holocaust survivor, visited Elkins Pointe Middle School to share the story of his mother's experiences in Auschwitz concentration camp. Mr. Lefkovits recanted the story of his mother's survival and the story of the 80+ family members who did not survive. This impactful learning experience was arranged by our Media Specialist, Ms. Jennifer Newman. Mr. Lefkovits's mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Ungar Lefkovits, is 94 years old. Please click on the link below to see the story of Mr. Lefkovits' mother. It is with our deepest gratitude that we thank Mr. Lefkovits for coming to Elkins Pointe and speaking with our 8th graders.
(Top) Mr. Leftkovits presenting to the 8th grade (Bottom Left) Mrs. Newman, Mr. Leftkovits, Mrs. Smith (Bottom Right) "Thank you" letters written by out 8th graders to Mr. Leftkovits.
Mr. Tomas Lefkovits lives in the Atlanta area and is the founder of the Lefko Group (http://www.lefkogroup.com).
ATTITUDE OF GRATTITUDE
The Jr. Beta Club would like to thank each and everyone who participated in the canned food drive. Jr. Beta collected 200 cans, which were donated to NFCC! Congratulations to Mrs. Okiyama's WeINN for winning the pizza party!
- 1st Place - Mrs. Okiyama's WINN class with 126 cans - WOW!!
- 2nd Place - Johnson Sensei's WINN class
- 3rd Place - Mrs. Toner's Winn Class
Thank you to our dads who came out to help with dismissal on the last day before the Thanksgiving Break on Thursday, Nov. 16th. At Elkins Pointe, we really like seeing our dads at school, because we think our Titan dads are "Rock Stars!" Thank you to our counselor, Mr. Will Jones, for arranging for our dads to come and rock out dismissal.
Our students enjoyed having the dads usher them out to the break so much, we are calling for our dads to come do it again in December. Dads! To sign up to help with dismissal on Friday, December 15th from 3:45 pm - 4:30 pm, click HERE!
Congratulations to the Red Ribbon Week Winners! We are thankful to our students and their parents for being RRW role models and sharing "Your-Selfies!" We appreciate all of our Titan families for "your-selfie" commitment to keeping the discussions open about making good choices and for engaging in Elkins Pointe. Family Engagement is the most important thing parents can do to support student success. It looks different for every family! At EPMS, we recognize that Family Engagement might include staying connected through our FB page with supportive posts (I.e. RRW Selfies), attending RRW speaker Jerome Huff's "Real Talk," volunteering in the school (i.e. Media Center), or having a Dad who is a Professional Basketball Player who shares "his-selfie!" Our parents engage in the most beautiful and meaningful ways, and we thank you! Thank you to the RRW Chairs for providing the beautifully wrapped parcels.
Thank you to our SGC and FCS for allowing our teachers the flexibility to have a day of professional development. Thank you to Mrs. Abbey Ansley for being the lead on the professional development day! Thanks to Kelsey Bednar from Defined STEM for sharing how to make learning come alive in the classroom! @DefinedSTEM
Holiday Cheer From Mr. Baugh
Thank you to Mr. Charles Baugh for sharing your family recipe. Mr. Baugh, our Chorus teacher, is part of a professional Caroling Ensemble. Here is a family recipe that will accompany your Thanksgiving turkey or be perfect to serve in December to holiday carolers!!
"Apple Cranberry Bake" Recipe
Ingredients:
- 3 Cups Chopped apples (I use Granny Smith)
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 cup oats
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup flour
- 1/3 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup melted butter
Directions: Layer mixed fruit in pan. Mix all dry ingredients, then pour melted butter into it and mix. Spread this on top of the fruit. Bake at 350 for one hour or until brown and bubbly. Enjoy!
Things to Know
- November 29th in media center (8:00-8:30) Note: Jr. Beta - Read at Hembree POSTPONED TILL AFTER THANKSGIVING BREAK. More information will be given at the Nov. 29th meeting.
- Dec 13th – Jr. Beta meeting in media center (8:00-8:30)
Question: When does Jr. Beta meet?
Answer: Jr. Beta meets every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month. Jr. Beta will have only one meeting in December but will start back up in January 2018.
High School Level Art Offered @ EPMS
Elkins Pointe Middle School is excited to offer Intro to Art for high school credit to our 8th graders. This course is designed for 8th graders who are interested in pursuing art at the high school level. Throughout the course, students will be introduced to many aspects of visual art, including but not limited to: art as personal communication, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, design, aesthetics, careers, art criticism, and art history. At the conclusion of Intro to Art, students will have acquired the foundation to continue into any visual art pathway at the high school level as they will earn .5 of a high school credit. We have a few spots open for Intro to Art next semester (5th Period), 8th-grade students only.
If your 8th-grade child would like take high school Intro to Art, please email Mrs. Suckow at Suckow@fultonschools.org.
FCA "Hope Ministry" Donation Drive for the Homeless @ EPMS
FCA Huddle is participating in another outreach this holiday season called “The Hope Ministry”. We will be collecting supplies and making care packages for the homeless in Atlanta. We will assemble the care packages during FCA on 11/30. On December 9th, for those of you that are available and interested in joining us, we will go as a group to distribute these care packages!We are excited to watch our students serve and be the hands and feet of Jesus!
Here are the items needed to make the care packages for the homeless:
- 1-Gallon Ziploc Bag
- Bar of Soap
- Washcloth
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Small Hand Sanitizer
FCA has a collection bin at the front of the school!
Robotics Fundraiser - 12/7 @ 6PM
Elkins Pointe Robotics team, Epic Pi Bots, is hosting the annual Robot and the Movie night for the community on December 7th. Join us for robot demonstrations, pizza, refreshments and a big screen movie, Wall-E.
- When: December 7th, Thursday, 6 PM
- Where: Elkins Pointe Atrium & Cafe
You will get a chance to drive a real robot, learn what's involved in designing and building robots and hear first-hand stories about competitions from our team members. We will have games, food and drink for purchase, throughout the evening. We will be charging a $5 admission: all the proceeds will be used by the robotics team for robot parts and electronics. See you there! Epic Pi Bots the Elkins Pointe Robotics Team
Interact Club - 12/8
The Interact Club is on the move working on a new campaign to serve the community. Interactors are coming in bright and early to share their ideas on how to serve our school community. Stay tuned for more information on “Operation Winter Wrap!" A huge thank you to all the interactors that came out on Friday morning and to our wonderful Interact parents that support us in so many ways! Our next formal meeting is Friday, December 8, 2017.
If you would like to donate a ream of copy paper or a box of copy paper, please sign up below. Thank you to Mrs. Anna Gross, a parent, for offering to organize a copy paper drive.
Sign to Donate Copy Paper by using this link or the box below: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0548a4a822a64-paper
TRANSITION INFORMATION
MHS RISING 9th GRADE PARENT NIGHT - 12/12 @ 6 pm (Northwestern MS)
The Milton High School Counseling Department is hosting a "Rising 9th-grade Parent Middle School Perspective" on Dec. 12th at 6:00 pm at Northwestern Middle School. Please make a note on your calendar if you have an 8th-grade child who will be attending Milton High School next school year. l Parents of future Eagles should sign-up for the Eagle Update to stay current with transition meetings at MHS.
Mark your calendar for these Milton High School Transition dates:
- December 12th: Rising 9th-grade Parent–Middle School Perspective @ 6 pm.
- January 30th: Rising 9th Grade Parent Night
- March 29th: Elkins Point MS tour Milton (for students only)
To sign up for the Milton High School newsletter, click here.
IN THE COMMUNITY
Roswell High School and Roswell Rotary Honor Air Invitational - 11/18
Roswell High School and Roswell Rotary Honor Air are pleased to announce the “Roswell High School and Roswell Rotary Honor Air Invitational” basketball tournament to be held at Roswell High School, Nov. 18th, 20th and 21st, 2017.
Doors open at 8:30 AM and close at 9:00 PM. Fifteen teams from the southeast will be playing. Representing the boys' teams are Roswell High, Blessed Trinity, Westminster, Alpharetta High, West Ashley High (Charleston SC), Gray Collegiate Prep (Columbia SC) and KIPP Collegiate Academy. Girl’s teams include Roswell High, Blessed Trinity, Westminster, Alpharetta High, KIPP Collegiate Academy, Pebblebrook High, Locust Grove High and Chapel Hill High. It is estimated that several hundred students, coaches, and players will be traveling here for the weekend to enjoy the tournament in addition to local restaurants, retailers and area attractions.
This event will honor our military veterans from all branches of service from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War as we raise awareness and support in the metro Atlanta community for the Honor Air Flight. Ticket sales proceeds will be donated to Honor Air, as they plan for their 10th straight flight, April 24th, 2018. According to Gene Beckman, “we are pleased to work with Roswell High School in the first invitational and honored that they have chosen Honor Air as the beneficiary of proceeds. Honor Air flights are 100% funded through local donations. It is amazing to watch the bonds and relationships formed between the veterans who have been on this trip. They are our war heroes and it is our pleasure to honor them.”
Ticket costs are Adults $10 per day, students $5 per day or you may purchase an all-tournament pass for $25.00. Tickets may be purchased at the door. Games will be played at the Roswell High School J. Tom Zachary Court in the school’s “Hornet’s Nest”. The Hornet’s Nest has been ranked as one of the 20 best on-campus high school gyms in the nation. Roswell High School is located at 11595 King Road, Roswell, GA. Additional information is available at www.roswellrotary.club/honor-air.
Things for parents
GADOE SURVEY LINKS FOR STUDENTS, PARENTS & TEACHERS/STAFF
The school climate surveys for the 2017-2018 school year officially opened on Monday, October 2, 2017, and will remain open through Friday, March 2, 2018.
- Student Survey (Grades 6-8): http://gshs.gadoe.org/middleschool
- Parent Survey: http://gshs.gadoe.org/parents
- Teacher/Staff Personnel Survey: http://gshs.gadoe.org/personnel
The Georgia Department of Education (GADOE) requires 100% participation from students, teachers, and parents. 100% participation helps our school score points on GADOE's College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI).
SURVEY TAKES ONLY (5) FIVE MINUTES!
If you want to see how we are doing in participation, click here.
For More Info on the GADOE Climate Surveys, click here.
- Box Tops for Education: Clip Box Top labels from participating products. Collect them in a baggie and turn into the front office collection box. Box Tops for our next submission are due by October 18. Each Box Top is worth .10 - schools can earn thousands of dollars through this program! See full list of products here: http://www.boxtops4education.com/participating-products.
- Amazon Smiles: Ordering from Amazon? Go to https://smile.amazon.com and choose to support Elkins Pointe MS PTSA. A portion of all your purchases will be sent to the school!
- Coca-Cola Give: New program! Sign up at https://us.coca-cola.com/give/schools and enter codes from Coca-Cola products to earn school donations.
- Kroger Community Rewards: Link your Kroger Plus card to Elkins Pointe at https://www.kroger.com/communityrewards. Kroger will donate a percent of purchases back to the school. (You must re-enroll your card each year after Aug 1.)
- Publix Partners: Pick up a key ring card in the office, have it scanned at the register each time you check out. Publix will donate a percent of purchases. Give cards to your family and friends too! (Most Publix stores have these at the registers too, if you don't carry one with you - just ask.)
- Office Depot/Office Max Give Back to Schools: Make a purchase of qualifying school supplies, provide our school ID at checkout, and Elkins will receive 5% back in credits for free supplies. Our school code is 70118601 - enter it for online purchases, or ask to look up Elkins Pointe at the register in stores too. You can also submit an order or receipt info after the fact at http://www.officedepot.com/backtoschool/display.do if you forget during purchase!
❤️ Volunteer ❤️
School Store Help Needed!
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0548a4a822a64-school3
- PLEASE NOTE: YOU NEED TO COMPLETE A 10 MINUTE TRAINING PRIOR TO WORKING IN THE STORE! MARYANNE CODELLI CAN BE REACHED AT MACODE@BELLSOUTH.NET FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Calling for Dad’s to join our Dad’s Club. We did receive some signups during "Get Connected Night." Any dad interested and wanting to get more information can contact Mr. Will Jones at jonesw3@fultonschools.org or 470-254-8366.
Sign-Up Here or below to join Dads Club!!
Title I Resources for Family Engagement:
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.
QUICK REFERENCE
Sign-Up for Remind
- Enter this number: 81010
- Text message: @elkinspoi
Order Yearbook!!
- Order online here
- Print a form here
- Questions? Email: Suckow@fultonschools.org.
Volunteer Registration
- Register with FCS here
- Please complete 24 hours before volunteering
Calendar DATES
Please Note: Upcoming dates are subject to change & some dates may not be included.
- 12/5 - EPMS is a polling site for Roswell City Election Run-Off (Gym closed)
- 12/7 - ROBOTICS MOVIE NIGHT @ 6pm
- 12/7 - PTSA Board Mtg @ 8:30 am
- 12/8 - Wear Titan Spirit-Wear
- 12/9 - Robotics
- 12/11 - Band Holiday Concert @ 6:30 pm (Gym) - Please Note Date Change!
- 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