Hilltop Happenings

February 7, 2014

Summit Hill Website

Dates that Rate

Feb. 11 Community Meeting (Providence at Atlanta National) 11:30-12:30

Feb. 14 Teacher/Student Holiday (Schools Closed)

Feb. 17 Presidents Day (Schools Closed)

Mar. 5 Community Meeting (Brookshade Clubhouse) 7:00 p.m.

Mar. 14 Teacher Workday – Students Off

Apr. 7-11 Spring Break – Schools Closed

Principal’s Passage

Dear Summit Hill families,

We have had some exciting events here at Summit Hill since our last newsletter!

Thank you again for your patience and support as we worked together during our

snow day release to get all students home safely. We have already made some edits in

our emergency dismissal procedures, and will continue to review and refine to make

things better should we need to do something like that again. I have appreciated the

frequent communications from Dr. Avossa and the administrative staff at the central

offices as we avoided wintery weather last night!

On Thursday in the carpool line, we noticed that many parents who arrived close to

the 7:40 bell allowed their children to get out of the car and run through the parking

lot to enter the building. This is not a safe plan and we ask that you comply with

keeping your children in the car until you are adjacent to the sidewalk. Students who

are not in their seats by 7:40 are tardy. Therefore arriving in the carpool line at 7:40

already puts your child at a disadvantage for a calm and prepared start to the school

day.

We also note that our carpool line is very “thin” from 7:10 am until 7:20 am – no

waiting, no delays, and smooth entry into our building. Unfortunately it appears that

many carpooling parents wait until closer to 7:30 to arrive, which then causes the

delays.

Please keep your children in your vehicles until you reach the sidewalk along the front

of the school during carpool coverage from 7:10 – 7:40 am. If your child gets out of

the car after 7:40, you as parent or guardian are asked to come into the school to sign

in your child.

And as always, bus transportation is provided for you and students who arrive on the

bus are never counted as tardy!! Thank you for adhering to these carpool practices.

iPad Academy started this week!! What an exciting event this has been for our

students and teachers. The iTeach Center at Kennesaw State University has provided

staff to co-teach with our teachers at all grade levels in designing lessons and

delivering instruction to students using iPads purchased by our PTO. The activities

that our teachers have planned with the iTeach staff are aligned with standards and

focus on students creating a product to demonstrate their learning using technology.

The energy in the rooms has been fun to watch! When I asked students to tell me

about their experiences in iPad Academy, they enthusiastically tell me how much

more engaging and interesting this work has been. Our goal in this initiative was to

support our teachers and students in using these vibrant tools to heighten student

engagement, differentiate for the needs of all learners, and to raise the level of creative

thinking among us all.

Thanks, PTO, for supporting and funding this wonderful initiative!

It’s a busy weekend starting tonight with Bingo and Baskets. Hope to see you there!

Also our Spelling Bee winner, Christopher Thomas, will be participating in the Fulton

County Spelling Bee tomorrow! Congratulations, Christopher, and thank you for

representing us well!! Also thank you to our Runner-Up, Jack Siegel!

Nancy J. Murphy

iPad Academy Schedule for Next Week

iPad Academy continues next week! The dates when this exciting learning will be

taking place are as follows: February 10, 18. and 19. Listed below are dates and times

for classes.

Volunteers have been recruited to assist in each class. However if you would like to

stop by and see the learning in action, please follow these guidelines:

Sign in at front desk.

Visit only your child's session for iPad Academy.

As a guest, please only enter and stand along the perimeter of the room, to

avoid interence with instruction.

No strollers or younger siblings may visit iPad Academy.

WEEK

2

10-

Feb 10-Feb 18-Feb 18-Feb 19-Feb

A182 A177 A182 A177

7:55 -

8:55

Beaty

- K

Weiermiller

- K Kehres - 2 Bowles - 2

9:10 –

10:10

Cloud

- K

Vanacore -

K

Mason/Schaa

f - PSE Hanley - 1

11:20 –

12:20

Terrell

- 4

Greene/Bar

nes - 4 Smith - 4

Barraclough/

VP - 4

Shunic

k - 4

12:20 – 1:00 – lunch and break for KSU staff

1:00 –

2:00

Dibert

- 5 Huey - 5

Anderson/Ely

- 5 Payne - 5

Estrada

- 4

Dear Summit Hill Families,

Mrs. Murphy will be holding several community meetings for Summit Hill parents

this semester. At these meetings, she will be available for informal conversations

about our school, our school system, or education in our state. There is no formal

agenda; Mrs. Murphy is there to answer any questions you may have.

Tuesday, February 11th 11:30am-12:30pm at Providence at Atlanta National (14115

New Providence Road)

Wednesday, March 5th 7:00-8:00pm at the Brookshade Clubhouse (701 Brookshade

Parkway)

Georgia Parent Survey 2013-2014 Deadline Extended

Georgia Parent Survey 2013-2014, used to calculate the School Climate Star Rating within the College and Career Ready Performance Index, is available now and extended through Friday,

February 28, 2014.

The Georgia Parent Survey will be administered electronically using personal computers, smartphones or iPads. Designated computers in our media center are available during school hours for parent use if needed as well. The Georgia Parent Survey has 20 questions and it should take no more than 5 - 10 minutes to complete it. Survey responses are anonymous and will be submitted directly to the Georgia Department of Education for analysis. Data results from the Georgia Parent Survey will not be available to the public and will not be posted online.

I urge all parents to participate in the Georgia Parent Survey and would so appreciate your taking time to complete this for our school. Survey results are part of our school's rating on the state's new evaluation system for all schools, the College and Career Ready Preparedness Index (CCRPI).

After you click on the link below, a drop-down menu will appear and the parent will use the drop-down menu to select our district (Fulton) and school (Summit Hill).

Georgia Parent Survey: http://admin.doe.k12.ga.us/gadoe/sla/gaparents.nsf/Survey.xsp

Thank you for participating in the Georgia Parent Survey. If you have questions or need technical assistance with the Georgia Parents’ Survey, please contact our technology specialist, Jane Sonnenfeldt at sonnenfeldtj@fultonschools.org.

School Closing Information

When our area gets hit by snow and ice, please be sure to watch Action News

(Channel 2) wsbtv.com or listen to 95.5 FM/750 AM WSB News Talk Radio

wsbradio.com for local closings.

Student Absences

Fulton County School policy states that parents must send a hard copy or email to

your child’s teacher within five days of the child’s return stating the reason for the

absence. If you send a handwritten note, you may want to follow up with an email to

the teacher to ensure that the teacher received your note. Notes from a doctor may be

accepted at any time. Notes explaining reasons for absences received after that 5-day

window may not be accepted to edit your child’s attendance record.

Absences not exceeding a cumulative total of six (6) days per school year for the following reasons, but only if the absence has been pre-approved by the principal or designee:

a. scholarship interviews/college visitations,

b. travel opportunity with educational benefits,

c. graduation or wedding of an immediate family member,

d. specialized, supplemental or extracurricular experience,

e. other circumstances that are mutually agreeable to the parent and principal

No More Tardy!

January is a fresh start to a new year and a great time to review the morning schedule at Summit Hill

Elementary. The doors to our school open at 7:10 a.m. for students to arrive. When the bell rings at 7:40

a.m., all students are to be in their classroom seated and ready to learn. A student who is tardy is starting

the academic day at a disadvantage. Please adjust your alarm clocks to support and on-time arrival and

take into consideration the traffic in the area. Remember that bus riders are never marked as tardy, even

when there may be a traffic challenge along the route. Buses are usually here and unloaded by 7:30 a.m.

This gives students ample time to walk down the halls to class.

To encourage students to arrive promptly at school, Summit Hill will be starting a new initiative. One

classroom in each grade level with the least amount of unexcused tardies earns an ice cream treat. Please

help us to help your child start the school morning prepared and ready to learn. We are excited about the

possibility of ALL students arriving to school on time. Thank you for your help!

Deadline is Feb. 17 for hardship transfer applications

Applications are available beginning January 1 for parents who wish to apply for a

2014-2015 hardship transfer or to renew a current hardship to another Fulton

elementary, middle or high school.

Parents will use an online form, which will be available through the school system’s

website, to enter and submit their information. Hard copy applications are not required

this year, with the exception of medical transfers which require appropriate medical

provider’s signatures and documentation.

The deadline for submitting a transfer application is February 17, 2014, 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 through the online application.

The February 17 deadline applies to students and parents seeking a hardship transfer

for medical reasons, curriculum differences, and child care situations. The same

deadline applies for transfers applications 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 404-763-5550 or

visit www.fultonschools.org/studentassignment.

Summit Hill Student Council - Talent Show

The Summit Hill Talent Show will be held on February 27th at 6:00 PM. Admission will be one bottle of

shampoo OR conditioner OR tube of toothpaste per person (no travel sizes please). The donations will be

given to North Fulton Community Charities. Please join us for a talent-filled evening! (sponsored by

student council)

AS A REMINDER – Due to Bingo preparations, the Cafeteria Stage will be closed on Thursday,

February 6th and Friday, February 7

th. Please make a note that there will no lunches on the stage for those

days.

Message from the 5th grade Husky Hut:

The fifth grade is hoping to see many of our students on Tuesday mornings at the

Husky Hut school store. Date: Jan 28th, Feb 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th! Items range in

price from $0.25 to $2.50 with all proceeds benefiting the 5th grade end of year

activities. The school store is operated by fifth grade students and is open for business

on Tuesdays from 7:10 a.m. - 7:35 a.m. We hope to see you at THE HUT!

Thank you for your support!

Nikki and Cindy

Cindy King

972-523-1967

Art Ed/Discovery Lab Volunteers!

Please know how much you are appreciated and that we thank you for taking the time to be here for our

Summit Hill students! Please remember that if you are interested in taking your child (children) out for

dismissal after either of these programs you need to fill out your intention on the white form at the front

desk. Please fill out the form before you walk down the hallway. When the class is finished and you

return to the foyer, the front desk will use the white form to call down for each individual student. Thank

you!

Clinic Notes

It’s that time of year when the weather turns cooler and we are wearing coats, hats and

scarves. Head Lice can be a problem that wreaks havoc in a household. Head lice do

not carry disease but ridding your child of the itchy bugs can be a monumental

task. Please take a moment to check your child for head lice. Below are some

websites that may provide insight into treatments and help identifying lice.

http://www.dpd.cdc.gov/dpdx/html/HeadLice.htm

http://www.choa.org/Child-Health-Glossary/H/HE/Head-Lice

Kindness Week will be held on February 10th – 13th!

The theme this year is “Kindness Counts.” Students will work on activities inside the

classrooms that promote kind behaviors, acceptance, and being a friend to

others. Monday, students will make a card to show they care. Tuesday, students will

take a pledge to be kind. Wednesday, students will wear pink or red to show

warmth. Thursday, students will take home a kindness token.

Alpharetta Father/Daughter Valentine’s Dance

Fathers and daughters are invited to put on their dancing shoes and step out together for a fun event at this

year's annual Father/Daughter Valentine’s Dance sponsored by the City of Alpharetta Recreation and

Parks Department. This year’s dance theme is Hollywood’s “Night of the Stars!” A special time full of

super-star memories awaits participants along with dancing, refreshments, desserts, a keepsake photo and

the always dazzling DJ light show.

Dads and their daughters can attend this event on Friday, February 7th from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at the

Alpharetta Community Center, 175 Roswell Street, Alpharetta. Semi-formal/dressy casual attire is

recommended.

Registration is currently being taken. This event fills up fast, so don’t miss this special opportunity to

enjoy an evening with the precious little girl(s) in your life. The last day to register is Wednesday,

February 5th, or when space is full. Pre-registration is required - walk-ins will not be accepted. Ticket

prices are $20 for residents (Alpharetta and Milton) and $30 for non-residents. Both fathers and

daughters require registration to attend.

For more information about this annual Father/Daughter Valentine’s Dance call 678-

297-6100 or email at accprograms@alpharetta.ga.us. Registration can be completed

online at www.alpharetta.ga.us/recreation or at any of the City of Alpharetta’s

Recreation Facilities

WE’VE TAKEN THE “HOME” OUT OF HOMEWORK.

Has your dinner table become a homework table? At The Tutor Shop After School Program, we have

degreed teachers who will help your children (1st through 5

th grade) get their homework completed, study

for tests, and support their remedial and enrichment work, in your school, five days a week, from 2:30-

6:30 each day. And at your request, they'll work with your children's homeroom teachers on subjects in

which they need additional support. Snacks and physical activity are included, along with other

components such as art, technology, study skills, "Fun Fridays", and more!

WHAT PARENTS ARE SAYING:

“The Tutor Shop After School Program has really brought the fun back to our dinner table, no more

books in the way. Kayla's grades are improving and she is beginning to enjoy school again, plus the staff

really knows what they are doing and they care.” Gloria E. (3rd

grade)

“The Tutor Shop After School Program has been wonderful for our child and our family. The structure in

the afternoon is great for her, and as working parents, our evenings are free to enjoy dinner and relaxing

activities instead of trying to fit homework in on top of everything else. We are less stressed about trying

to pick her up early, because she does not want to leave when we get there—especially on Fun

Fridays!” Shana D. (5th Grade)

"Kieran loves going to The Tutor Shop After School Program and it has made a difference in his grades,

which has boosted his confidence. He actually looks forward to the end of the school day to go to The

Tutor Shop. Thanks a million!" Deidra A. (4th grade).

And from now until March 1st, 2014, sign up for the entire 2014-2015 year and get 10% off our regular

rate, plus $225 OFF! Or sign up for next Fall Semester and

get 5% off plus $100 OFF! Want to enroll your child right now for the current year? You can save there

as well!

For more information and to sign up, go to: WWW.TUTORSHOPS.COM

Or contact Hal at: hal@tutorshops.com

Kids Kickin Cancer 5K and Kids Fun Run

Saturday, March 22, 2014-- 7:30 a.m.

Northwestern Middle School – 12805 Birmingham Highway

ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO THE CHILDREN’S CANCER CENTER AT CHILDREN’S HEALTHCARE OF ATLANTA

AFTER RACE CELEBRATION at NMS: We will have a Health Fair after the race and our business

partners and race sponsors will be passing out food and promoting their businesses.

REGISTRATION is available on-line at

http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=2123881 or by using this mail-

in form.

Walk-Up Registration will open at 7:00 am on race day.

EACH REGISTRATION INCLUDES A T-SHIRT

RUNNER NAME: ______________________ DOB: ___/___/____ AGE: _______ MALE/FEMALE

(circle one)

CHECK SHIRT SIZE: (CHILD: L__, ADULT: S__ M__ L__ XL__ XXL__)

STREET: _____________________________ CITY ___________ ST _____ ZIP________

E-MAIL: _________________________________ PHONE: (_____)_______________

Registration Fee: Early Registration: $20 (before 3/17/14) Full Registration: $25 (after 3/17/14) Kids

Fun Run $10 10 years old and under. Checks should be made payable to NMS 5K and mailed

to: C/O Darren Hol-zapfel Northwestern Middle School 12805 Birmingham Highway, Milton GA 30004 Email questions to holzap-fel@fultonschools.org

WAIVER: In consideration of acceptance of this entry, I hereby waive any and all claims for myself and my heirs against the organizers, sponsors, officials, the City of Milton, and any other persons associated with the "Kids Kickin Cancer 5K" event. I further state that I am in proper physical condition to participate in this event. I also grant my name and/or picture to be used in any media outlet regarding this event.

Great Tips from our Partner, Strong 4 Life, to stay healthy this winter!

https://www.choa.org/images/email/Wellness/monthly_newsletter/Jan14/Jan14.html

Online Elementary Textbook Codes

You may have noticed recent changes to the Fulton Schools website. Please note how

to find elementary textbook codes. You may use the following sequence to find

textbook codes OR simply click the weblink below.

Navigation sequence: Click Student and Parents > Learning and teaching resources >

Timely topics > you will see a link to textbooks.

Weblink:

http://www.fultonschools.org/en/divisions/acd/learnteach/Pages/ElectronicTextbookC

odes.aspx

Janette Shealy

Curriculum Support Teacher

Summit Hill Elementary

770-667-2830 Ext 131

Equal opportunity employer and service provider.

Reasonable accommodations and modifications made for the disabled.

404-763-4585 TTY 1-800-255-0135

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