HAWK TALK

August 18, 2023

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CALENDAR AT A GLANCE

September 4 - Labor Day No School

September 5 & 6 - Teacher Workdays - students off

September 14 Annual Title I Meeting & Curriculum 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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Student Laptop Distribution

We have been working to get a laptop assigned to each student. In order to support learning, Fulton County Schools is providing devices to students. Like a textbook, the device is a resource to support learning. Students with devices are required to follow the guidelines within this document, as well as all school, classroom, and School District policies and procedures regarding behavior and technology use.

Receiving the Device: Parents and students must agree to this document. Students must also complete the digital citizenship curriculum that the school requires. The complete device user agreement can be found at https://www.fultonschools.org/deviceagreement

Returning the Device: Devices will be returned to the school at the end of the school year, unless otherwise communicated by the school. The use of devices provided by Fulton County Schools is not transferable to anyone and terminates when a student is no longer enrolled at the issuing school. Students who transfer, withdraw, are expelled, or terminate enrollment at the school for any reason must return their device on the date of withdrawal/termination. A student who fails to return the device will be subject to paying up to the full replacement cost of the device and any accessories, and may also have grade cards, transcripts, diplomas or certificates of progress withheld until restitution is made.

Damage and Loss: All district-issued devices are the property of the Fulton County School District. If a device is damaged, lost, or stolen during the time that it is issued to the student, whether intentionally or due to negligence, the student and the student’s parent/guardian will be responsible for paying the fines outlined in this document.

• Lost/stolen $250

• Damaged $100

• Accessories – Lost or damaged $30 for each accessory

While off school grounds parents/guardians are solely responsible for monitoring the student's use of the device. Students may not exhibit inappropriate behaviors, or access prohibited materials with the device, at any time, at any location. Students will be subject to disciplinary and/or legal action if they use the device for inappropriate activities, whether on or off school grounds.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact your school administration.

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New Math Standards for 2023-24

The state of Georgia has adopted new math standards for this school year. While the overall topics of study are mostly unchanged, students will learn how to solve problems in context, with less of a focus on memorizing procedures. If you would like more information on what the new standards will look like for your student, please visit https://lor2.gadoe.org/gadoe/file/3dfde657-6f29-4617-9ce2-e5694b39afbf/1/Mathematics-Parent-Letters-GaDOE.pdf and select your student’s math level for additional information and resources to help your child at home.

Also, you can visit the FCS Curriculum Hub for additional resources. The Curriculum Hub provides a variety of resources to assist parents in supporting their student's learning in the areas of English Language Arts/Reading, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies including:

A year-at-a-glance for each course with the standards taught in each unit
Unit plans detailing the specific learning targets to be mastered
Parent resources to preview or review concepts and skills taught in each unit

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Student-Athlete Registration

If you 7th or 8th grade student is interested in trying out for an extramural sport this year, a physical is required. Fulton County Schools Athletics has a new student-athlete

registration platform. Rank One is the new platform for athletics registration. This is an easy-to-use electronic registration platform that all high schools and middle schools

will utilize going forward.

Middle school offers the following teams for 7th and 8th grade students: Soccer, Tennis, Volleyball, Basketball, Gymnastics, Track and Field. The following steps will need to be completed prior to student-athlete participation:

RANK ONE: NEW ATHLETE REGISTRATION

RANK ONE – CLICK HERE

PREPARTICIPATION PHYSICAL FORMS – CLICK HERE

STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE - CLICK HERE

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Soccer Team Tryouts Monday, August 21

7th and 8th grade students are invited to try out for the soccer team. Interested players should meet Coach Bass at the front of the school at 7:30 AM. The physical must be completed prior to trying out (see above information). Please contact Coach Will Bass at bass@fultonschools.org or Athletic Director Lisa Kanter at kanterll@fultonschools.org with any questions.

National PTA has recognized Holcomb Bridge Middle School PTA as a 2022-2024 School of Excellence for their accomplishments in building a strong, effective family-school partnership that is enriching the educational experience and overall well-being for all students. Holcomb Bridge PTA is one of a select group of PTAs and schools nationwide to be recognized with the designation.

We are very thankful for the support of our parent leaders through the PTA. We encourage every family and staff member to join the PTA each year. Your membership supports additional student and staff programs including student and staff celebrations, field trips, classroom supplies and innovations, landscaping our campus, and much more. Supporting the PTA does not take as much time as you think!

Welcome back families! Please click on the link below and join PTA for $10.

https://jointotem.com/ga/alpharetta/holcomb-bridge-ms-pta

HBMS Hawk Fund

Please click on the link below to donate to the HBMS Hawk Fund. 100% of your Hawk Fund donation sponsors supplemental programs for the teachers and students at HBMS. This is a TAX-DEDUCTIBLE donation. Thank you in advance for the support!

https://app.memberhub.gives/hbmshawkfund

Please reach out to Martie Taylor at Martieorton@hotmail.com or Klarysa Riepe at klarysariepe@gmail.co m with any questions.

Join Atlanta Workshop Players at HBMS!

The Atlanta Workshop Players are thrilled to bring creative fun to Holcomb Bridge Middle School. Classes will be offered onsite after school on Mondays beginning September 11. Please see flyer below for registration details or visit www.awp.corsizio.com .

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Show off your Hawk Pride with Spirit Wear!

The HBMS Spirit Wear Flash Sale has been extended through Saturday 8/19!

It's your last chance to get flash sale pricing and FREE shipping!

2023-24 SPIRIT WEAR MERCH – ORDER TODAY. EASY ONLINE ORDERING WITH LOTS OF DIFFERENT OPTIONS AVAILABLE.

Pajama pants, sweatshirts, long sleeve shirts, and more! Click on the flier attached for a QR code and more information on how to order!

https://spirithero.com/collections/holcomb

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HOSA Healthcare Club

Is your student interested in a future career in health care? HOSA is a global student-led organization whose mission is to empower HOSA-Future Health Professionals to become leaders in the global health community, through education, collaboration, and experience. HOSA actively promotes career opportunities in the health industry and to enhance the delivery of quality health care to all people. HOSA provides a unique program of leadership development, motivation, and recognition exclusively for students who have interests in pursuing careers in health professions. HOSA is 100% health care!

Interested Students may see Ms. Balabubramanian in room 615 to inquire about joining HOSA. See flyer for additional information.

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Please complete your Free/Reduced Meal Applications

A new application must be completed every school year. Only one application is required per family, even if your children attend different schools. If there is an interruption in benefits or the household does not reapply, the household is responsible for payment of meals until the Free and Reduced Application is approved. Visit www.fulton.schoollunchapp.com to begin the online application process. Free and Reduced meal applications are now available online. Parents who need access to a computer are free to use our Parent Resource Room during school hours.

Students who qualified for Free/Reduced meals last school year will continue eligibility through September 20. After this date, parents must pay for meals unless a new application is submitted and approved for the current school year.

2023-24 Meal Prices

Middle School Student Breakfast = $1.25

Middle School Student Lunch = $2.70

Extra Milk = $0.75

Menus and additional meal service information available on the FCS Nutrition Website.

Additional items are available for sale at additional cost. If you would like your child to have money on his/her account for additional purchases (such as snacks and drinks), visit https://nutrition.fultonschools.org/MyPaymentsPlusFaq .

Save the Date: Annual Title I Meeting and Curriclum Night Sep. 14

All families are invited to join us on Thursday, September 14 at 5:30 PM for our Annual Title I Parent Meeting. This meeting will inform parents of the school's participation in the Title I Program and explain the requirements, as well as and their rights to be involved in their child's education. Spanish interpreter services will be available.

Following the Annual Title I Parent Meeting, we will host Curriculum Night. Come meet your child's teachers and hear about what your child will be learning this year, as well as resources to support learning at home.

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2023-2024 FCS Student Code of Conduct

Fulton County Schools is making its Student Code of Conduct & Discipline Handbook available online in PDF format (click the link below). Once you have read the electronic version and have reviewed the contents with your student(s), please take a moment to complete the Acknowledgement of Receipt Form by using the provided link below.

All parents and student (over 10 years old) MUST sign this form found within your INFINTE CAMPUS PARENT/STUDENT PORTAL ACCOUNT. If you would like a paper copy of the Handbook, you or your student can request one in your school's front office.
How to sign the Code of Conduct (full directions)

Parent & Student Code of Conduct Receipt Acknowledgement

Step 1: Log into the Parent Portal – Click “Documents”

Step 2: Select Needs Attention then scroll to the Signature Page

Step 3: Select the red signature box to complete the form

Step 4: Select with SIGN to agree or DECLINE to disagree

Step 5: Select SUBMIT

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Residence Verification - ALL 6th and 7th grade students

Per FCS policy, parents/guardians of ALL rising 6th and 7th graders must provide two proofs of residency at the beginning of the school year.

Families who have not submitted the required documents by August 7 (first day of school) will be given a 30-day provisional enrollment waiver. Documentation must be submitted by September 6 or your student will be withdrawn from school. You may continue to send your documents to the front office if you have not already submitted.

Requirements for residency verification documents: