Pirate Parent Newsletter

It is important we have accurate address and contact information. This assists all parents by allowing us to provide you important information concerning your scholars. Additionally, for students with attendance problems, the lack of a current annual verification is a red flag that the student may not live in our attendance zone. We will ask for proof of residence in these cases and failure to provide that proof of residence will result in the student being withdrawn. Thank you to those families who have verified their contact information. We need all parents to update your address and contact information in Infinite Campus. If you currently have the Parent Portal, you can do that by clicking Annual Verification. If you do not have Parent Portal, you can contact Shenita Seidu at 678 676 6326. Please see instructions in English and Spanish below.

Fall 2024 PAC Elections Candidate Declaration Window

Fall 2024 Principal Advisory Council Elections

The candidate declaration window for 2024-2025 Principal Advisory Council elections will be open through Friday, September 6, 2024.

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

• Parent/Guardian Candidate Declaration Form (English/Spanish)
• Parent/Guardian Candidate Declaration Form (Additional Languages)
• Teacher Candidate Declaration Form

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.

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

Additional Resources for Council Elections

• Campaigning Guidance
• Voting FAQ

For assistance with the electronic voting system or general information about the elections process, please contact Alia Summers, Coordinator III, School Governance, at schoolgovernance@dekalbschoolsga.org or (678) 656-6997.

As you prepare for Back to School shopping, please be reminded that we are a clear bookbag school. Students will not be allowed to bring in bags that are not clear. As an incentive to join our Parent Teacher Association, we will provide a clear bookbag to the first 100 parents that join this year. This giveaway will occur during our Open House on August 1.

We are in need or parents to volunteer as officers for the Principal Advisory Council and the Parent Teacher Association. We need volunteers to get both afloat. Please complete the form below if interested so we can contact you. This is your school. Without you we cannot do the things that your students deserve.

As you are aware, we have had struggles with having enough bus drivers in our district. I wanted to make you aware, if you are not, that we have an app that assists with bus times and route information. Please see the QR code below or enter the download information. There are also step-by-step instructions on how to set the app up attached below.

As we strive to improve our student attendance, please note we will be utilizing new protocols this upcoming school year. Please see those changes below:

• Any student arriving after 8:30 MUST be signed in by a parent/guardian. If a student arrives late with no parent/guardian, we will attempt to call the parent. We will do this only two times. After the second time the student arrives late after 8:30, we will ask the parent for proof of residence. The parent will have one week to submit the proof of residence. Failure to submit the proof of residence will result in withdrawal.
• We will do a tardy table for every period. Once students accumulate 7 tardies, they will be assigned In School Suspension or Saturday School (parent's choice).
• All students who have 6 or more absences will receive a 6-Day Notification letter and a referral to the school social worker.
• No student will be allowed to leave campus with anyone not on the contact list within Infinite Campus. This is why annual verification is important to complete. Please update your emergency contacts with Infinite Campus by completing Annual Verification.

Volume 3: Issue 19

Email: michael_costa@dekalbschoolsga.org
Website: http://www.stonemountainhs.dekalb.k12.ga.us/
Location: 4555 Central Drive, Stone Mountain, GA, USA
Phone: 678.676.6303
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070311425418
Twitter: @principal_costa