Good evening,

This week, we kicked off our volleyball season. Friday was a fun away game with lots of success on the court. It got me thinking about how, as parents, we support our kids.

On Saturday, my youngest son came off the football field in tears. The loss in overtime was crushing. As he walked my way, I could see he was choking back tears. He buried his sweat-filled head into my chest and just let it out. My heart broke for him because he was so disappointed. However, I know from experience that there will be other games with big wins in the future. There are many more football seasons to come, and they will be filled with growth, victory/loss, maturity, improvement, etc.

In the car, as I consoled him, we talked about all he had learned and focused on the fun of the season. He surprised me with his words of self-reflection. My son expressed that he needed a hard-fought game ending in defeat to appreciate all the wins of the season. By the time the conversation was over, he was asking for food, so it goes...

All this to say, as parents, we run around to get our children to practices, games, training sessions, and team-building activities, and it is important to have a deep understanding of “The Why.” The purpose is for our children to learn teamwork, perseverance, grit, and leadership. We do this to help prepare them for the next season. Each consecutive season brings more challenges: the competition gets harder, athleticism increases, and expectations grow. I am not just referring to sports. This is how life works, and it’s our mission to prepare our kids for life’s challenges. The next stage after middle school is high school, college, career, family life, etc. We are preparing our children for the world of adulthood.

No football team has only one coach. Instead, they have many coaches to ensure the team can play offense and defense and ultimately pull out the win. School, athletics, family, and community engagement all help to prepare our kids for the seasons yet to come.

Together, we will prepare our kids to take on the challenges in the next season, one season at a time. We are in it together.

Thank you for letting me be part of your team!

Your principal,

AJ Smith

Monday, October 28, 2024

• Red Ribbon Week - Dress in Glam like a Hollywood Star! Think feather boas, sunglasses, and glitz.⭐🎥👗
• Volleyball Practice – Gym after school
  

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

• Red Ribbon Week - DC vs. Marvel - Wear your best Superhero T-shirt or costume (No masks) 🦸🦸🏾‍♂️
• Academic Bowl @ 8:20 AM in F-112 (Young) at 8:25 AM
  
• Volleyball Practice – Outside after school
• Orchestra Fall Concert EPMS @ 7:00 PM

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

• Red Ribbon Week - Twinning is Winning! Find a faculty friend and dress alike! 👨🏼‍⚕️👩🏻‍⚕️
• Yearbook Club @ 8:20 AM in room E115 (Vicente) at 8:25 AM
• Titan Tumbling Team Meeting
• Volleyball Practice – Gym after school

Thursday, October 31, 2024

• Red Ribbon Week - 6th grade = Red 📕 / 7th grade = Green 📗 / 8th grade & Connections Teachers = Blue 📘 (Staff pick your favorite color!)
• Book Fair Set-up in Media Center
  
• Volleyball Practice – Gym after school

Friday, November 01, 2024

• Red Ribbon Week - College Jersey Day! Come dressed in your college colors.🏈
• Reading Bowl Club in F-101 (Carter) on Fridays at 8:25 AM
• Book Fair in the Media Center opens during 3rd period
  
• Interact Club for 7th & 8th Grades during Advisement in D-117 from 12:10 PM - 12:35 PM
• EPMS Volleyball HOME vs Crabapple (GYM) from 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Saturday, November 02, 2024

• Orchestra Solo & Ensemble @ Webb Bridge MS
• Chorus All-State Chorus Auditions @ Luella HS

OCOTBER 28 TO NOVEMBER 1

RED RIBBON WEEK * DRESS FOR PBIS POINTS!

Monday: Dress in Glam like a Hollywood Star! ⭐🎥👗

Tuesday: DC vs. Marvel - Wear your best Superhero swag - No masks 🦸🦸🏾‍♂️

Wednesday: Twinning is Winning! Find a friend and dress alike! 👨🏼‍⚕️👩🏻‍⚕️

Thursday: Show Your True Colors!

6th grade = Red ❤️

7th grade = Green 💚

8th grade = Blue 💙

Friday: College or High School Football Jersey Day! 🏈

OCTOBER 30

TITAN TUMBLING TEAM INTEREST MEETING

After school

NOVEMBER 1

Elkins Pointe Middle School vs Crabapple Middle

Volleyball - Boys MS & Girls MS at 5:30 PM (Home)

Register for tickets on GoFan: https://gofan.co/event/1981164?schoolId=GA74078

Parent or guardian must be present with student. Clear bag policy in effect.

NOVEMBER 1 - 8

SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR

Come shop the Elkins Pointe Book Fair

SIGNS-UP GENIUS LINK:

NOVEMBER 5

ELECTION DAY - REMOTE LEARNING DAY

NOVEMBER 3

LIBBY DAY PHOTO SESSIONS

from 3-5pm at the Roswell Town Square.

To book your session:

https://my.cheddarup.com/c/photo-mini-sessions-copy/forms?cart

NOVEMBER 6

Elkins Pointe Middle School vs Northwestern Wildcats

Volleyball - Boys MS & Girls MS at 5:30 PM (Home)

Register for tickets on GoFan: https://gofan.co/event/1981163?schoolId=GA74078

Parent or guardian must be present with student. Clear bag policy in effect.

NOVEMBER 7

AVID - WICOR PARENT NIGHT

at 6:30 PM on Microsoft TEAMS

Come to learn about the AVID School-wide WICOR Program

WRITING- INQUIRY - COLLABORATION - ORGANIZATION - READING

* All Parents and Families are welcome to join!

Join the meeting on Microsoft TEAMS,

Link: https://tinyurl.com/AVID-WICOR-NIGHT-FY25 or

Dial in by phone +1 470-705-1712 ID: 967 236 92#

NOVEMBER 8

Elkins Pointe Middle School vs River Trail Middle School

Volleyball - Boys MS & Girls MS at 5:30 PM (Home)

Register for tickets on GoFan: https://gofan.co/event/1981162?schoolId=GA74078

Parent or guardian must be present with student. Clear bag policy in effect.

NOVEMBER 8 - 17

ELKINS POINTE SILENT AUCTION

ELEVATE ELKINS FUNDRAISER

BID ONLINE! LINKS COMING SOON

NOVEMBER 11

FCCLA FALL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

NOVEMBER 13

FAMILY MATTERS @ MIMOSA ELEMENTARY

4:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Registration Link:

https://www.eventeny.com/events/familymatters2024-13256/

NOVEMBER 20

Elkins Pointe Middle School vs Webb Bridge Middle School

Volleyball - Boys MS & Girls MS at 5:30 PM (Home)

Register for tickets on GoFan: https://gofan.co/event/1981161?schoolId=GA74078

Parent or guardian must be present with student. Clear bag policy in effect.

Do you enjoy tumbling? Please sign up for EPMS's Tumbling Team!

• Complete the INTEREST FORM: https://forms.office.com/r/SSLXFgwizi
• There is an interest meeting, on 10/30 with Coach Burcham for anyone that has any questions .
  

• You MUST fill this form out and upload FCS Athletics required documents onto RankONE. Instructions are on the website. This MUST be completed by Friday, November 1.

The PTSA needs parent volunteers to help run the Scholastic Book Fair in the Media Center. Please review the available slots below and click the button to sign up. No experience necessary! We will go over everything. Many hands make light work. Thank you!

VOLUNTEER LINKS:

• SIGN UP VOLUNTEER FOR THE BOOK FAIR! Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0548A4A822A64-52483650-2024#/

• FCS VOLUNTEER LINK: https://www.fultonschools.org/all-departments/human-resources/badging/register-as-a-supervised-volunteer/volunteer-application-form

VOLUNTEER DAYS:

• Thursday, October 31 - Set up the Book Fair.

• Friday, November 1st

• Monday, November 4th

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5 - ELECTION DAY REMOTE LEARNING

No volunteers needed.

• Wednesday, November 6

• Thursday, November 7

• Friday, November 8 @ 1:00 - Pack up Book Fair for pick up * Closes after the 3 lunch periods. Breakdown of Book Fair.

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Family Members,

October is Common Sense Digital Citizen Month. To help parents navigate the wide-world of technology for their school-age children, we are providing resources for parents.

Resources:

• Article on how to help your child with "Cyberbullying, Digital Drama, & Hate Speech" English | Spanish | More Languages
• Family Tech Planner you can use the to spark conversations with teens about their digital lives (Download below).
• "Parenting in a Digital Age." (Click on the YouTube link)
  

If you have any questions or would like some more Common Sense Media Resources, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you,

Patricia Hutchison

Media and Educational Tech Instructor (METI)

hutchisonp@fultonschools.org

Do you enjoy tumbling? Please sign up for EPMS's Tumbling Team! You MUST fill this form out and upload FCS Athletics required documents onto RANKONE. Instructions are on the website or in the Titan Talk. This MUST be completed by Friday, November 1. Practices will be in the mornings on Wednesdays from 8:10 to 8:45, starting November 6th. Our event is Friday , December 6th at Ridgeview Charter Middle School. Transportation will be provided from Elkins Pointe, and then back to the school once the event is completed.

There is an interest meeting, on 10/30 with Coach Burcham for anyone that has any questions .

Please see Coach Burcham or Mr. Pickering with any questions.

https://forms.office.com/r/SSLXFgwizi

The inaugural Elevate Elkins Silent Auction is coming Nov. 8-17, put on by the Elkins Pointe Middle School PTSA.

We've got some really great items, including escape games, golf course foursomes, facials, massages, wine and whiskey tasting, stock the bar, arcade, trampoline park, Atlanta area attractions and LOTS of restaurants. Bidding will be all online from the comfort of your phone or computer. More details to come, so stay tuned. We're hoping to raise a lot for this deserving school!

Elkins community members: Would you be willing to contribute a service or product to our auction? We welcome a variety of items, such as football tickets, vacation home stays, tutoring sessions, cleaning services, photography sessions, home painting services, and more. Your generous donation would make a significant impact!

Please let us know if you can help by contacting Michelle Strum at msturm@scholastic.com.

Thank you!

Dear Elkins Pointe Families,

Thank you so much for Elkins Pointe Middle School’s previous support of NFCC’s Families. I am reaching out to you today to let you know about opportunities to support local families in need this fall.

NFCC has unfortunately seen an increase in the number of families we serve each day at the food pantry. Last month we hit an all-time high of 346 families served in one day. The rising costs of food, housing and other essentials is driving this trend. Our food pantry is in dire need of many essential items for our families. We expect this need to increase as we get closer to the holiday season. Here is a list of the most needed items at the food pantry which is located here: https://nfcchelp.org/food-bank/

NFCC also offers seasonal assistance programs to help ease the burden of seasonal purchases for families and allow them to celebrate the holidays with joy. From November 11-16 we are organizing a CoatsGiving event at St. David’s Episcopal Church which will provide over 525 local families with warm coats, winter accessories and everything they will need to cook a Thanksgiving meal at home. More information about the CoatsGiving program can be found on the attached flyer, and at our CoatsGiving webpage here: https://nfcchelp.org/coatsgiving/

Thank you so much for your consideration.

Janet Dahlstrom

Community Engagement Manager

11275 Elkins Road, Roswell 30076

678-387-4474

Advancement Via Individual Determination, AVID, is a sixth through twelfth grade program that prepares students in the academic middle to be college and career ready. Students take an AVID elective course throughout middle school and high school that provides them with the skills needed to be successful in advancing academically with the ultimate goal of attending college. For more than 25 years AVID has been instrumental in preparing students for success in higher education.

AVID Application Packet

Application packets may also be picked up in the Media Center, Front Office, or from Mrs. Okiyama in Room A151

Application process includes:

• Parent questions with signature
• Student questions with signature
• 3 Teacher recommendations (Language Arts, Math, and one other subject)
• Individual interviews (Nov. 6-12)

Students should return the completed application to Mrs. Okiyama, Room A151, by November 1, 2024. Application process:

• October 23 – Information Meeting for Parents online.

• November 1 - Students turn in completed family information form and short answer form
• November 1 - Teachers submit recommendation form
• November 6-12 - Students participate student interviews

PARENT WORKSHOP FOR ALL PARENTS AND FAMILIES ON THE AVID SCHOOL-WIDE PROGRAM ON NOVEMBER 7TH. This AVID WICOR Parent Workshop will teach parents how their children can use AVID strategies at school and at home to increase their writing and study skills.

Information: In order to attend an event, a parent or guardian must be present during the entirety of the event.

Students and parent/guardians will need to register for a ticket using GoFan.

• Crabapple: https://gofan.co/event/1981164?schoolId=GA74078
• Northwestern: https://gofan.co/event/1981163?schoolId=GA74078
• River Trail: https://gofan.co/event/1981162?schoolId=GA74078
• Webb Bridge: https://gofan.co/event/1981161?schoolId=GA74078
• Elkins Pointe Middle School GoFan Page: Elkins Pointe Middle School Events and Tickets by GoFan

Clear bag policy – See below

All Elkins Pointe students who wish to come to the volleyball games must:

• Student and a parent must "buy" a "FREE" ticket using GoFan.
• A parent must come with the student to the game and stay at the game with their child.
• Parents and students must adhere to the clear bag policy (see above).

To buy the YEARBOOK Link to purchase: https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1277758/Elkins-Pointe-Middle-School/

All Parents and Families are welcome to join "AVID - WICOR PARENT NIGHT" on November 7th

at 6:30 PM on Microsoft TEAMS. Come to learn about the AVID School-wide WICOR Program

WRITING- INQUIRY - COLLABORATION - ORGANIZATION - READING.

JOIN US ON TEAMS:

• Join the meeting on Microsoft TEAMS or use the link: https://tinyurl.com/AVID-WICOR-NIGHT-FY25
• Dial in by phone +1 470-705-1712 ID: 967 236 92#
  

Questions: Ms. Lisa O’Hanlon Cowles, ohanlon@fultonschools.org or 470-254-8379

Preguntas: Sra. María Shuford, shufordm@fultonschools.org o 470-254-8380

November is National Family Engagement Month, and we are thrilled to invite you to Family Matters, a hands-on learning celebration of all FCS families!

Click the link for a quick recap of Family Matters last year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvRqAbYy3zM

This year’s events will take place at two locations:

• Mimosa Elementary: November 13, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Gullatt Elementary: November 14, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

At Family Matters, you'll have the opportunity to engage in 20-30 exciting learning sessions, including:

• Real-life Math: Fun activities that connect math to everyday experiences
• Real Time Cooking: Have fun cooking together as a family with a bonafide Chef
• Lots of Literacy: Make reading come alive with interactive storytelling
• Spoken Word & Music: Celebrate the power of words and rhythms
• Cultural Dance: Explore and enjoy different cultural traditions through dance
• Sensory Room: A calming space to support all students' sensory needs
• Free College Application Month Room: On-site assistance to complete FREE college applications and FAFSA assistance
• College Essay writing: Learn how to write impressive college essays
• Robotics and Coding: Learn easy techniques to control robots and drones

Join us for an evening filled with games, prizes, vendors, and FUN learning! We’ll provide dinner for every guest as we come together to honor the rich diversity and strength of ALL Fulton County families.

If you have any questions, or would like help from your parent liaisons, please contact.

• Ms. Lisa O'Hanlon Cowles, Title I, ohanlon@fultonschools.org or 470-254-8379
• Sra. Maria Shuford, BCL, shufordm@fultonschools.org o 470-254-8380