HAWK TALK

Hawk Talk

January 19, 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)

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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.

Changes to Student Code of Conduct: Confiscated Items

Fulton County School campuses are a place of learning and safety for all students. As such, we have a zero-tolerance policy for any personal items that cause a distraction or disruption to the learning process.

This includes vapes, e-cigarettes, tobacco products, illegal substances, and any other personal items that are not conducive to a safe and orderly learning environment. While this guidance is not new, I would like to draw your attention to a minor revision that has been made to the current 2023-2024 Student Code of Conduct. This revision explains the actions school administration will take when the confiscation and/or destruction of these items is necessary to maintain a safe and orderly learning environment for all students. In short, no vape cartridges, e-cigarettes that don’t have a separate battery, etc. will be returned to any student or parent/guardian. These will be destroyed. Cartridges containing illegal substances may lead to criminal charges.

More detailed information on these actions can be found on pages 9 and 10 of our 2023-2024 Student Code of Conduct which is located here.

I urge you to discuss this matter with your student and ensure that they are aware of the school's policy. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you for your partnership in keeping Holcomb Bridge Middle School safe and conducive to learning for all our students.

The Importance of Community Involvement in Schools | Edutopia

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!

Roswell Roots Exhibit Participants

Three of our talented Hawks: Giselle Johnson 6th grade, Logan Samuels 8th Grade and Suz Meredith Silney 8th grade created a beautiful canvas artwork that will be displayed at Roswell City Hall February 1-March 29th for the Roswell Roots Exhibit. More info on the way for the reception time is below. Congratulations to these three talented students for creating an artwork honoring poet and activist Audre Lorde.

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L: Suz Meredith Silney, R: Logan Samuels

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Giselle Johnson

School Library Sewing Circle Learning Project

Our school library sewing circles, led by our amazing community volunteers, are kicking off a service learning project soon, and they need your help!

Do you have old fabric scraps, socks, towels, rags, or clothing items you’re looking to get rid of? We’ll take them off your hands and use them to sew & stuff cat and dog beds for our local animal shelters!

We’ll also gladly accept full fabric pieces (1/2 yard+ sizes, any patterns or materials) to sew the outer shells of the pet beds.

Please drop off any donations in the front office or send them in to the HBMS library with your student.

Thank you for helping us support creativity & build compassion in our student community!

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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 .