HAWK TALK

Hawk Talk

February 2, 2024

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CALENDAR AT A GLANCE

February 6 - Ippolitio's Spirit Night

February 19 - School Closed for Presidents' Day Holiday

February 20 - Staff only (students off)

March 20 - Rising 6th Grade Parent Night

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School Hours and Important Times

Office Hours: 8:15 - 4:15

Instructional Hours: 8:55-4:05

Arrival: Please do not drop off students prior to 8:25 AM. We cannot provide supervision of students prior to 8:25, therefore students may not enter until this time.

Breakfast: 8:25 - 8:55 AM

Students should be in class by 8:50 AM.

Dismissal is at 4:05 PM.

Walkers/Car riders are dismissed first, followed by bus riders.

Bus students are dismissed in the order that buses arrive.

Car line: Students must enter/exit a vehicle at the sidewalk area. Please pull forward as far as possible to keep the car line moving. All students must be picked up by 4:25 PM.

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Home Basketball Games

Basketball season has started and if you want to come out to cheer on the Hawks, please be aware of the following:

Students who wish to attend the game must be accompanied by the adult who is driving them home. NO drop-offs, please!
Students will not be admitted without an adult.
Girls play at 5:30, boys follow (approximately 6:30).

Friday, February 2 (boys only at 5:30) vs. FAST

Friday, February 9 vs. Northwestern

Wednesday, February 14 vs. River Trail

Friday, February 16 vs. Taylor Road

Friday, February 23 vs. Webb Bridge

Friday, March 1 vs. Ridgeview

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Congratulations HBMS Reading Bowl Team!

The HBMS Reading Bowl competed in the district competition on Saturday, January 27. The team did an amazing job answering questions about 10 different books that they read in preparation for the contest. Thank you to Ms. Phillips for coaching the team, as well as Ms. Mack and Ms. Keown for volunteering for the event.

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School Governance Council Candidates Needed!

The purpose of the School Governance Council (SGC) is to provide parents, staff, and community members with leadership roles through monitoring and implementing the strategic plan. All SGC members serve two-year terms. We have TWO parent seats up for election this year. SGC is a small time commitment, as the council only meets about 6 times per school year.

Visit the SGC website and click on Elections for a candidate guide and/or declaration. www.fultonschools.org/sgc

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Sharing Kindness

Last week we shared that we hosted Jordyn's Kindness Banner Project to promote being kind to everyone. We signed the banner and delivered it to our friends at Sandy Springs Middle School. Thank you to our PTA for supporting us with sharing kindness!

Attendance Matters ALL DAY, EVERYDAY

If you haven't done so already, now is a great time to check in on your child's school attendance. You can do so via the parent portal. Click HERE to sign up. Daily and on time attendance is crucial to your child's academic success and future! 🙂

WHEN DO ABSENCES BECOME A PROBLEM?

GOOD ATTENDANCE: 5 or fewer absences

WARNING SIGNS: 6 to 10 days

CHRONIC ABSENCE: 10 days or more

Have a planned absence or emergency? Contact the school to request a "participate remotely" day. Students can use up to 5 per semester and the day be considered "present"!

Help Your Child Succeed in School: Build the Habit of Good Attendance! School success goes hand in hand with good attendance!

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Time is Ticking to get your yearbook! Sales ending in February!

Don't miss the opportunity to get your Holcomb Bridge Middle School Yearbook!

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National Charity League Membership Drive

The National Charity League Membership Drive is underway! National Charity League (NCL) is a philanthropic organization of mothers and daughters with multiple chapters in the metro Atlanta area and across the United States. To learn more about the organization, visit:

http://www.nationalcharityleague.org/

The Membership Drive runs from January 15 to March 1. The Roswell-Alpharetta chapter is looking for prospective members for our 2030 Class. If you are interested in joining the organization or would like additional information on the Roswell-Alpharetta Chapter, please visit:

https://www.nationalcharityleague.org/chapter/roswellalpharetta

Each applicant is required to attend one of the following informational meetings to be considered for membership:

• 1/17/24, 6:30-8:00 pm. Online session. Zoom link TBA.

• 1/21/24, 7:00-8:30 pm. Medlock Bridge Subdivision (10150 Groomsbridge Road, Johns Creek)

• 1/23/24, 10:30 am-12:00 pm. Autrey Mill Nature Preserve – Summerour House (9770 Autrey Mill Road, Johns Creek)

Please contact the NCL VP of Membership at bluemaryak@gmail.com with any questions.

Hardship Transfers for 2024-25 School year

Applications for Fulton County Schools (FCS) are available beginning January 1, 2024 for parents who wish to apply for a 2024-25 hardship transfer or to renew a current hardship to another FCS elementary, middle, or high school.

Parents will use an online form, available through the school system’s website, to enter and submit their information. Hard copy applications are not required, except for medical transfers which require a pertinent medical provider’s signature and documentation.

The deadline for submitting a transfer application is Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, by 4:30 p.m., with no exceptions or extensions granted. All requests must be received or postmarked by this date and time. In addition, school system employees who have children receiving an employee hardship transfer must renew their request.

The February 29 deadline applies to students and parents seeking a hardship transfer for medical reasons, curriculum differences, and childcare situations or for employees’ children. Schools participating in open enrollment, a separate transfer process that allows students to move to a school with available space, will be announced in early May.

Parents with questions or who need more information about hardship transfers can contact the Fulton County Schools’ Student Assignment Office at 470-254-5550 or visit the FCS Hardship Transfer webpage.

https://atlantahawks.spinzo.com/hawks-vs-magic-2024-02-25-EDANJ?group=holcomb-bridge-middle-school-7v2t

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ATL Hawks HBMS Ticket Offer!!

ATL Hawks vs. ORL Magic

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25th at 7PM

Join the Atlanta Hawks on February 25th for a special ticket offer for HBMS at State Farm Arena as they take on the Orlando Magic. Each ticket INCLUDES $10 worth of food and beverage credit. A portion from each ticket purchased through this offer will benefit HBMS. Tickets can be purchased through the link below.

https://atlantahawks.spinzo.com/hawks-vs-magic-2024-02-25-EDANJ?group=holcomb-bridge-middle-school-7v2t

Annual Scoliosis Screening February 13 - Grades 6 and 8

Fulton County Schools (District Health Services) will soon conduct the annual state-mandated Scoliosis Screenings for sixth and eighth-grade students. This will occur during February and March in all Fulton County Middle Schools to identify children with suspected curvature of the spine. According to available information, it is known that two to three children out of every 100 may have scoliosis. If this condition is detected early and appropriately treated, progressive spine deformity can usually be prevented. A flyer from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta titled “Fast Facts about Scoliosis” is attached to provide more information about scoliosis. Additionally, the “Scoli What” video that was developed by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta which discusses scoliosis and the screening process. This video is also available for parents to view at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpq2LmIv5UOPCoxhXC9ICVpMnDVWL9uyx

The procedure for screening is a simple procedure in which the trained screener looks at the child’s back in the standing position and in several bending positions. Boys and girls are screened separately. Girls should wear a halter, bra, or bathing suit top underneath their clothing on the day of the screening. Boys are screened with their shirts removed.

If your child has a suspected curvature, you will be notified in writing advising you of the findings and recommendations regarding follow-up.

Parents or guardians can choose to not have their student screened for scoliosis by selecting the opt-out option.

NOTE: If you DO NOT want your child to be screened as outlined above, complete the requested information below with your signature, and return it to the school prior to the screening date. If you do not return this form with your signature indicating you do not want your child screened .