Pirate Parent Newsletter

We are excited about the number of parents who attended Open House and who have joined our PTSA! We want to encourage parent and family engagement all year long. On that note, we really need your assistance in providing feedback on how we should spend our Title I funds. We will discuss what Title I is and how you can provide input at our Title I Stakeholder Meetings on Saturday, September 7 at 11:00 am virtually and on Wednesday, September 11 at 5:30 at Stone Mountain High. You can choose the option that works best for you. We look forward to our continuous partnership!

We invite all parents to Curriculum Night on September 11 at 6:00 PM. Come learn from our teacher leaders about course requirements, expectations, and tools for your students success. Let's make this a great academic year by attending Curriculum Night!

Our PTSA will meet at 5:00 on September 11 here at Stone Mountain High.

Please see the Level 1 Lockdown Letter below. We had less than ten students make poor decisions. We have @1200 students. This one incident does not represent who we are as a school or as a student body. We are so proud of the work our students have done this year!

Studies show that students who use cellphones during class are less successful academically and socially in school. DCSD is promoting the Disconnect to Reconnect policy as a means to support student academic achievement and to build positive classroom and school cultures. Please review the discipline policy in the DCSD Code of Student Conduct and provide your thoughts on the Disconnect to Reconnect initiative by clicking the link below.

Please be reminded that we are a clear bookbag school. Students will not be allowed to bring in bags that are not clear. We communicated this during Rising Ninth Grade Meetings last year and have done so throughout the summer. Students cannot enter DCSD athletic events without a clear bag as well. This is a safe schools initiative as it assists us in deterring vape pens and weapons. If you join the PTSA below and show your membership proof, we will provide your student with a clear bookbag!

Please see the information below concerning MAP assessments. We use this data to provide supports for your students as well as enrichment.

If your student is in need of a Chromebook or Hotspot, please click the link below. You may also print or request a hard copy of the agreement. Device registration will be available during Open House. We would highly recommend buying the insurance, as a $19 payment for the year is better than paying over $300 to replace a device.

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 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.

Our current average daily attendance rate is 89.44%. While that may seem good, it still means we are averaging 99 absences each day! Research shows that if students miss just 2 days in August they will become chronically absent. Please see some attendance reminder 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.
• Please send excuse notes to school if your student is absent.

Volume 4: Issue 4

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