Welcome Back-to-School Parent News

Dear Huntley Hills Families,

Welcome to the 2024-25 school year! I hope you and your family are having a wonderful summer and are looking forward to an exciting new school year. I am delighted to continue serving as the principal of Huntley Hills, a Cognia STEM certified school!

Our school-wide theme this year is "Level Up". We challenge our Tigers to be critical thinkers and problem solvers. Accelerating student learning is our top priority, and we ask for your support by staying connected with your teacher, attending parent/teacher conferences, monitoring homework, ensuring your child is at school and on time, and participating in our school events.

I am happy to announce that HHES is 100% staffed to begin the school year! We have a dynamic group of educators and faculty ready to make our school warm, welcoming, and successful. Click here to learn about our new staff!

This year, we are closely monitoring school uniforms. We highly encourage students to wear their uniforms, and they will receive Tiger Bucks and other incentives throughout the school year. Click here for the uniform policy.

I am excited to announce that our school's cafeteria now has a beautiful new mural, and our K-2 teachers have been trained in Orton-Gillingham.

As a reminder, Open House/Meet the Teacher is on Thursday, August 1, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM. Please follow the last name guide below. Parents can bring school supplies to avoid the first-day drop-off.

Homeroom teachers will send a welcome email Wednesday, July 31st by 4:00pm. You can also find out your child's teacher at open house!

If you are unable to attend the Open House, no worries! The school is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM for registration starting July 22.

Dates to Remember:

• July 29: Teachers return - Welcome back!
• August 1: Open House/Meet the Teacher - 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM (bring proof of residency)
  • Last names beginning M-Z: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
  • Last names beginning A-L: 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM
  • Volunteer sign-up
• August 2: New Parent Orientation and Donut Social from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM - New Tiger Info Session & Student Social: RSVP
• August 3: Back-to-School Beautification Day Volunteer: Sign up
• August 5: First day of school; doors open at 7:00 AM

Our Tigers are ROARING back into another successful school year!

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to many celebrations throughout the year!

Proud to Serve,

Mia Bradshaw, Principal

#WeRunAsOne

Twitter

We are excited to invite you to our 2024 Back-to-School Rally! This event is a fantastic opportunity for families to kick off the new school year with enthusiasm and support.

Saturday, July 27, 2024
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Location has changed to the parking lot of the AIC (Administrative and Instructional Complex) at 1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard, Stone Mountain, GA 30083.

Our Back-to-School Rally includes:

• School Supplies (while supplies last)
• Fun Zone with games and activities
• Resources for Parents
• Health Screenings
• Testing & Vaccinations
• Live Entertainment

Please fill out the registration form using the link below to streamline the entrance process and ensure the efficient distribution of resources and school supplies.

Register here: https://forms.office.com/r/4mLYHAQNUN

We look forward to seeing you there and starting the school year with a strong community spirit!

Families- our PTA survey will close on Monday, June 29. Please take a minute to participate in our survey if you have not done so already! Your feedback is invaluable in helping us understand the needs and priorities of our PTA!

It is shaping up to be a busy week. To ensure our events run smoothly and to foster a strong sense of community, we need volunteer support. Whether you can donate a few hours of your time or contribute resources, your involvement is invaluable! Together, let's start the year off strong, creating memorable experiences and building a supportive environment for our students, HHES teachers and staff. We look forward to seeing you at Open House and other upcoming events!

Let’s make this year the best one yet – it’s time to level up!

• SEE YOU SOON! Open House: Thursday, August 1, 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM
• NEW EVENT! New Tiger Info Session & Student Social: Friday, August 2, 9-10 AM: While your Tigers play there will be a parent information session for any last minute questions you might have!
• UPCOMING EVENT: Back-to-School Beautification Day and Shredding Event: Saturday, August 3, 8 AM - Noon: Please sign up below to help!
• FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! Boo Hoos & Yahoos: Monday, August 5, 7:30 AM - 8 AM Quick parent gathering to mark the first day of school, see details below!
• AUGUST SPIRIT NIGHT: New 3 Day Event: August 15-17, Dine at Pig-N-Chik any time Thursday, Friday or Saturday and raise money for our school! Details below.
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Thank you for serving our school with us!

- HHES PTA

As a member of our PTA, we would like to remind you that you can email ptahhes@gmail.com with any questions, concerns, or ideas. We welcome your participation and are available to assist in any way that we can.

*PTA LinkTree always contains the links you need!* Visit: https://linktr.ee/hhespta

Sports Offered Include:

Fall Sports:

• Track and Field: August 5th to September 21st(Four Track Meets)
• Soccer: September 16th to November 16th (Maximum seven games)

Winter Sports:

• Competitive Dance: December 2nd to February 1st (Four Competitions)
• Basketball: January 27th to March 29th (Maximum seven games)

Spring Sports:

• Flag Football: March 31st to May 3rd (Maximum eight games

Thursday, August 1, 2024

9:00 AM - 1:30 PM

Registration & Meet the Teacher

• Last names beginning M-Z: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
• Last names beginning A-L: 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM

Proof of Residency: Returning students: Please complete the Infinite Campus annual verification link.

New students (PreK-5)-Complete Online Registration

Affidavit (Proof of Residency): If you live with someone else, you will need to provide proof of residency with a completed and notarized affidavit. You can pick up an affidavit from the front office the week of July 22 from 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM.

PTA: The PTA will be selling spirit wear t-shirts and other HHES items. You can join the PTA, donate to fund projects that help students and teachers, and sign up to volunteer. Please bring cash, credit cards, or checks. Note that credit card services are available for your convenience, but an additional fee will be charged.

Email Communication: Sign up for our Tiger Talk emails from the PTA to stay informed about upcoming events and important information. Sign-up here.

Afterschool (Tiger-Time): HHES provides after-school care. Tiger Time will have a table in the cafeteria to register your child. After care is available from 2:45 PM to 6:00 PM, Monday to Friday. The registration fee is $25.00, and the weekly fee is $60.00 per child. Please bring cash, a money order, or a check for the registration fee and the first week's payment.

Volunteers Needed! If you can help during Open House on August 1 between 8:30 AM and 2:00 PM, we need assistance with t-shirt sales, greeting, cashiering, and helping parents sign up to volunteer throughout the year. Any amount of time you can offer is appreciated! Sign-Up

Beautification Day: Join us for a back-to-school beautification and sidewalk chalk decorating on August 3. The PTA will provide chalk for decorating, as well as supplies for raking and general clean-up. This is a great opportunity to get to know our school community! Volunteer here!

Dojo: Your teacher will help you sign up for ClassDojo to receive important information throughout the year!

Gently Used Uniforms: If your tiger has outgrown their school uniform but it's still in good condition, please bring with you to Open House. We will have a table setup for donated uniforms.

___________Station 1: Welcome and show your email for annual verification/Find out your child's teacher

**if your child is returning and you have not completed the annual verification, bring your proof of residency and proceed to room 102**.

New students/Transfer from another DeKalb School or out of state report to the Media Center.

PreK and Area 1 Special Needs there will be a check-in table just for you inside the cafeteria!

___________Station 2: Free & Reduced Lunch registration (all new and returning students unless parents know you are ‘exempt')

___________Station 3: Transportation: Bus Routes/Car Riders/Walkers/Tiger Time

*pick up your transportation card-your entry ticket to meet the teacher*

___________Station 4: PTA Table – see how to sign up for PTA Membership and find out about great events coming up this year, and purchase spirit wear! Our school is only as good as our volunteers!

__________Station 5: Principal Advisory Council (PAC)

__________Station 6: Meet the Teacher--Now, proceed to your child’s classroom to meet the teacher, drop off supplies, sign-up to be a room parent and complete final registration paperwork.

The first day of school is August 5th. Doors open at 7:00am

Support the Uniform Exchange at Open House!

To Donate: Place clean, gently used uniform and spirit wear items on the Exchange Table (in the Cafeteria) at Open House

To "Shop": Visit the Exchange Table (in the Cafeteria) at Open House. Items are available first come, first served. And free!

Volunteers NEEDED: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4FAFA923A0FDC52-50369757-open

Parents of returning students should complete DCSD's annual verification registration in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Complete by 11:59pm Monday, July 29th.

Log into Infinite Campus Parent Portal to complete DCSD Annual Verification Registration.

Directions on how to complete the annual verification, click here!

Parents/Guardians must have an Infinite Campus Parent Portal account to verify/update their student(s) information.

Parents/guardians who do not already have a portal account should visit here for instructions.

Parents/guardians who have forgotten their portal username and/or password should click on the Forgot username? or Forgot password? link as appropriate on the portal login page

New Tiger Social

Friday, August 2, 2024
9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
HHES Playground

Hosted by HHES PTA

All new PreK, Kindergarten, and new families to Huntley Hills are invited to a new Tiger social on the playground. This event is a great way for students to get to know each other before the first day of school!

While your Tigers play there will be a parent information session for any last minute questions you might have!

*The parent information session will be the same presentation that was shared at our Spring New Tiger Event.

Back to School Beautification Day!

Saturday, August 3, 2024
8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
HHES Campus

Hosted by HHES PTA

Please help us get our school "Back to School" ready!

There will be opportunities to help both indoors and outdoors, if you can stay for 5 minutes, an hour, or all day any help is greatly appreciated.

Shred and Support Event!

Saturday, August 3, 2024
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
HHES Front Parking Lot

Hosted by HHES PTA

We are hosting a paper shredding event for the local community! Bring all those papers you've been meaning to clean out down to HHES for a good cause!

Suggested donation is $5 per box

Box sizes should be "copy paper size" - 15" x 12" x 10" or smaller.

Happy Summer from your HHES PTA!

We are excited to let you know that our PTA Leadership Teams are already working hard to plan initiatives that will enhance your student's experience at Huntley Hills Elementary & Montessori School! We'd LOVE your help!

Here are 4 ways you can support our school over the summer:

1. Join our PTA by making a donation here
2. Volunteer for a Leadership Role here
3. Sign up for Tiger Talk emails here
4. Explore our *updated* PTA website here

*NEW* Join our private Facebook GROUPS designed to unify and support our families! Choose your group(s) based on the grade your student(s) will be starting in August. Find your groups here.

We welcome your support and look forward to serving our school together!

ptahhes@gmail.com

PTA President, Amanda Hall

Sign up for weekly emails from the school/PTA!

https://hhespta.square.site/#ZEQvWw

School Dojo: The school code is here to receive message from the school (text messages from Dr. Bradshaw)

Weekly Tiger Talk: https://hhespta.square.site/#ZEQvWw) emails from PTA/school

School Messenger-See flyer below to opt-in to receive text messages/emails from DCSD (text messages/emails from DCSD)

Optional:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/huntleyhills?lang=en (follow me)

PTA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/huntleyhillselementary/ (follow PTA)

School safety continues to be a priority. Our school participates in safety drills:

• Fire and Tornado drills
• Level 1, 2, and 3 Intruder Lockdown drills

During the school day, we ensure the following safety measures are taken:

• All classroom doors remain closed and locked at all times.
• Exterior doors remain locked at all times and are not propped open for any reason.
• Exterior doors will not be opened for visitors.
• All visitors must come to the front of the school to receive assistance.
• All visitors must press the entry button outside the front door. The front office staff will assist all visitors from this point.
• If a visitor does not have an appointment with staff, is not checking out a student, or is not receiving assistance from the front office, they will not be allowed inside the school.
• Parents must drop off students at the front door for morning carpool and walkers. Please give hugs and kisses before your tiger enters the school.
• If parents would like to drop off items for their child, they can drop off in the front office
• Students are monitored by staff members in all areas of the building and on the recess field.
• Outside of traveling with their class to other parts of the building, students must have a HALL PASS to leave the classroom to their designation (nurse, restroom, media center, etc.)
• For afternoon dismissal, students are only dismissed from class when their name appears on the silent dismissal board and/or their bus is called.

• Staff are strategically stationed all around our building and campus to ensure students arrive and depart safely from school.
• Every staff member will have a crisis alert badge that they wear daily. In the event of an emergency, staff will press a button on this badge to alert administration that they are in need of help.

In the event of an emergency, I will communicate with all parents via Class Dojo. Please ensure you are connected and signed up on your mobile phone. It is important that parents read all text messages from the school thoroughly and follow next steps as outlined.

We appreciate your support in helping keep our tigers and staff safe!

We will have another Summer Reading Challenge for students this summer. Students can complete activities on a BINGO card to win prizes when they return to school in August.

- Click here for suggested reading lists by grade level.

- It's not too late to join the Dekalb County Public Library Summer Reading Challenge! Stop by your local branch to learn more.

August 1-Open House/Meet the Teacher

August 2-New Parent Orientation and donut social 9:00am-10:00am

August 3 -School Beautification Day 8am-noon & Shredding Event 9am-noon

August 5-1st day of school

August 9 -Popsicles on the playground at 1:30pm ALL students staggered by grade level (students only)

August 16-Meet the Principal, Dr. Bradshaw

August 22-Annual Title I meeting at 6:00pm and Back to School night at 6:30pm

August 310- Maria Montessori's birthday students activities

September 6-Last day to declare PAC candidate

September 2-Labor Day--No school

September 4-Walk to School Day; Coffee w/Bradshaw

September 19-Hispanic Heritage Night at 6pm

September 24-Chipotle Spirit Night!

HHES Spirit Night

September 24, 2024
4:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Chipotle Chamblee
5001 Peachtree Blvd, Chamblee, GA 30341

Hosted by HHES PTA

Enjoy dinner at Chipotle who has generously agreed to donate a percentage of profits to our school! Be sure to mention HHES when you place your dine in, to go, drive thru order to ensure the fundraiser is added to your check!

How to prepare your child for school the first week of school:

1. Get plenty of rest! Change your schedule for the school year!

2. Breakfast is available from 7:00-7:45. Students will eat breakfast and lunch in the cafeteria.

3. Your child MAY bring a healthy lunch and snack.

4. The school has water bottle water filling stations, so students should bring a water bottle daily.

5. Bring supplies which will be assigned to your child. Please make sure your child has headphones for MAP testing.

6. Wear school uniform daily. Notify Sonya Nelson, school counselor at sonya_nelson@dekalbschoolsga.org if you need assistance with uniforms.

7. Make sure your teacher knows how your child gets home and any medications/allergies.

8. Students will be assigned a Chromebook to use at school.

9. TIGER folders come home on Thursdays with student work, flyers, and important information from the school.

10. Cell phones must stay in bookbags. Students may not text or receive phone calls from family members during the school dal. Students should keep phones in book bags until they arrive at home or after pick-up.

Morning Drop Off & Dismissal:

1. The drop-off times in front of the school are below:

Bus riders-7:00am; Car riders & walkers 7:10am-7:45am; Tardy bell 7:45; Morning announcements begin at 7:45.

Car riders: On the first day of drop off, if not already students will receive a lanyard with a matching parent car rider number.

Walkers: On the first day of drop off, if not already students will receive a lanyard with a matching parent walker number.

Bus riders: Receive a bus lanyard

3. Students will enter the front of building. Students will report to the cafeteria for breakfast or Tiger Tune-up (gym to warm up their bodies).

4. The pick-up times for dismissal are below:

Bus riders-2:20pm-2:25pm; Car riders 2:25-2:45 (front of building after buses) & walkers (Back door) 2:20pm-2:45pm

Please be patient the first few weeks of school. Thank you!

DCSD bus routes can be found on the district website: https://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/bus-routes/. Huntley Hills morning bus routes are below along with the district

Afterschool Program "Tiger-Time"- Tiger time will have a table in the Cafeteria to register your child for after school care. After care is 2:45-6:00, M-F. The registration fee is $25.00 and $60.00 each week. Tiger time begins the first day of school, August 5th. Please bring cash, money order, or check for registration fee and first week of payment. Ms. Camille Harvey is the After School Director. Her email address is camille_harvey@dekalbschoolsga.org.

To register submit your application and payment at Open House (August 1) or August 2 from 8:00am-noon.

If your child needs to take prescription medication at school, please complete the form below, notify your child's teacher and Nurse Faiza Khan at faiza_khan@dekalbschoolsga.org.

Art Club

Run Club

Spanish club

My Brother's Keeper

My Sister's Keeper

First Lego League

Garden Club

Lego Club

SciGirls

Girls Who Game

Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl

Spring Musical Production

Science Olympiad

Technology Club

Student Council

Parents must submit a new application every year to receive meal benefits. The Free & Reduced Meal application can be completed online at www.schoolcafe.com.

The application process is simple and takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. Parents can also download the app to pay on your child's account for breakfast and lunch. You can also visit the DCSD website for more information.

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

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

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

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

Parent/Guardian Candidate Declaration Form (Spanish Translation Included)

If you declare your name, please email Dr. Bradshaw at mia_ford@dekalbschoolsga.org with your bio and picture. Thank you!

La ventana de declaración de candidatos para las elecciones del Consejo Asesor Principal de 2024-2025 estará abierta hasta el Viernes, 3 de septiembre. Los Consejos Asesores de Directores reúnen a padres, empleados de la escuela, estudiantes y miembros de la comunidad para crear una mejor comprensión y respeto mutuo por las perspectivas de los demás y compartir ideas para aumentar el rendimiento y el rendimiento de los estudiantes.

¿Cuál es el papel del Consejo Asesor Principal?

• Actuar como vínculo entre la escuela y la comunidad.
• Fomentar la participación de los padres y otras partes interesadas dentro de la comunidad escolar
• Trabajar para aumentar el rendimiento de los estudiantes a través de operaciones transparentes y mejores prácticas compartidas
• Revisar el Plan de Mejoramiento Continuo de la Escuela y monitorear el progreso hacia las metas
• Participar en la selección del director de la escuela

Complete el formulario correspondiente a continuación para postularse para un puesto en el Consejo de su escuela.

• Parent/Guardian Candidate Declaration Form (Traducción al Español Incluida)

Si declara su nombre, envíe un correo electrónico al Dr. Bradshaw a mia_ford@dekalbschoolsga.org con su biografía y foto. ¡Gracias!

Our school will participate in DCSD's MAP assessments the week August 19-23. The first assessment will determine gifted eligibility. Please remind your child to perform their VERY best. Read below.

The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) utilizes the Northwest Evaluation Association Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) as the initial assessment towards gifted identification each school year for students in grades K-10. Students who score > 90% RT (Reading Total) or > 90% MT (Math Total) on the nationally norm-referenced assessment (MAP) will take additional gifted formal evaluations. Although the MAP assessment is administered three times per year, the gifted eligibility window is August–September for currently enrolled K-10 students and December–February for currently enrolled K-2 and new students.

Additional information relative to the assessment window can be found on the District’s website. If you have any questions about the MAP assessment, contact the Research, Assessments and Grants Department at 678-676-0300. For gifted eligibility questions, please contact the Gifted Department at 678-676-0175 or 678-676-0153.

Please accept this as a personal invitation to our Title I Annual Meeting and Back-to-School Night, Thursday, August 22nd at 6:00pm. Join with us in a supportive role as we assist with the positive growth of your son/daughter and his/her elementary education in communicating the standards and expectations established to make Huntley Hills a great place to learn. This will be an opportunity for you, as parents, to meet your child's teachers and learn expectations.

The schedule for the evening is below:

6:00pm-6:30pm Spanish Annual Title I meeting (media center)

6:00-pm-6:30pm-English Annual Title I meeting (cafeteria)

6:30-6:45 - School expectations

6:45-7:30 Classroom visits (grading, behavior, homework, testing, etc.)

*Childcare is available for grades PreK-5

Right to Know Professional Qualifications of Teachers and Paraprofessionals

Date: August 5, 2024

Dear Parents,

In compliance with the requirements of the Every Students Succeeds Act, Huntley Hills Elementary would like to inform you that you may request information about the professional qualifications of your student’s teacher(s) and/ or paraprofessional(s). The following information may be requested:

· Whether the student’s teacher—

• has met State qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction;
• is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which State qualification or licensing criteria have been waived; and
• is teaching in the field of discipline of the certification of the teacher.

· Whether the child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.

If you wish to request information concerning your child’s teacher’s and/ or paraprofessional’s qualifications, please contact the Dr. Mia Bradshaw, at 678-676-7402.

Sincerely,

Mia Bradshaw

Principal

If you plan to volunteer as a reading buddy, field trip chaperone, help in the media center this school year, you will need to be approved by public safety.

Level III volunteers must be approved by Public Safety AND the local school principal prior to the volunteer participation in activities involving direct, unsupervised interaction with students. Examples of Level III volunteers include chaperones on overnight field trips, chaperones or volunteers for local school events, volunteer tutors, office/media center volunteers, or any other volunteers who will have any unsupervised interaction with students. Level III volunteers shall be fingerprinted by the district and have GBI/FBI criminal background checks on file prior to rendering volunteer services.

You may view Board Policy IFCD: School Volunteers by clicking below.

PTA President -Amanda Hall-ptahhes@gmail.com

Principal Advisory Council Chair-Yane Yoo huntleyhillses_pacchair@dekalbschoolsga.org

School Counselor (504's & SST)-Sonya Nelson sonya_nelson@dekalbschoolsga.org

Registrar (registration & withdrawals)-Brenda Able- brenda_zendejas@dekalbschoolsga.org

Title I Parent Liaison (Spanish)-Rebeca Arbona rebeca_arbona@dekalbschoolsga.org

Nurse-Faiza Khan faiza_khan@dekalbschoolsga.org

Assistant Principal & Testing Coordinator-Amanda Moss amanda_moss@dekalbschoolsga.org

Principal-Mia Bradshaw mia_ford@dekalbschoolsga.org