HAWK TALK
Holcomb Bridge MS
September 1 - HBMS Spirit Night at Hooligan's 5-10 PM
September 7 - Labor Day No School
September 17- Annual Title I Meeting & Family Curriculum Night
September 21-25: Fall Break (No school for students)
Office Hours: 8:15 - 4:15
Instructional Hours: 8:55-4:05
Breakfast: 8:25 - 8:50 AM
Morning Announcement: 8:50 AM (Students should be in class by this time)
Dismissal is at 4:05 PM.
Checkouts end at 3:45 PM to prepare for dismissal.
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.
Upcoming Adjustments to Student Schedules
This is good news for reducing the number of students in some of our larger classes. However, we recognize that changing schedules after students begin to set into routines and build relationships can cause some anxiety. With this in mind, we will communicate the anticipated start date for schoolwide schedule changes. Please note that our responsibility is to provide each student with the appropriate course placement and academic services. We will not be able to take teacher or peer preferences into consideration as we adjust our master schedule. Your support with helping students with the change is appreciated. There are no anticipated changes to connections (elective) courses.
If I can answer any questions regarding the leveling process for actual versus projected enrollment, feel free to reach out. Next week, I will share more details as they become available.
Have a great weekend!
Fulton County Schools' Student Code of Conduct & Discipline Handbook is available online in PDF format. Once you have read the electronic version and have reviewed the contents with your student(s), please take a moment to complete the Acknowledgment of Receipt Form by using the provided link to access Infinite Campus' Parent Portal. All parents and students (over 10 years old) MUST sign this form found within your INFINITE CAMPUS PARENT/STUDENT PORTAL ACCOUNT. If you would like a paper copy of the Handbook, you or your student can request a copy to pick up in the school's front office.
Updates, Celebrations, and Shout-Outs From Our School Library
Welcome to The Library Lowdown! This section of our newsletter is your go-to source for important updates, upcoming events, celebrations, and all the latest happenings from the HBMS Media Center. Check back each week to stay in the know about what’s happening in our library!
For families who are new to the Bridge, we call our library space The Nest. Our school librarian's name is Ms. Keown, and she is more than happy to hear from you at KeownL@fultonschools.org should you have questions about library-related activities or offerings.
1,000 Book Checkout Challenge
Beanstack Pathfinder Badge Earned
Fulton County Schools uses Beanstack to promote reading and build a strong reading culture. Students can log their books and reading minutes, participate in challenges, and earn recognition and rewards along the way.
Beanstack’s Reading Culture Awards recognize schools at four participation levels: Spark (10%), Igniter (25%), Pathfinder (50%), and Trailblazer (75%).
🎉 HBMS has already earned its Pathfinder badge and is 72% of the way toward Trailblazer status! Keep logging those minutes, Hawks!
Writers Guild
Writers Guild is a creative writing meetup for students who love to write! Join us every Monday during your grade-level recess to explore writing prompts, share your work, get feedback, discover writing competitions, and connect with fellow writers. Our first official meetup is this coming Monday, 8/24!
Chess Club
Chess Club is the perfect place for students who love strategy, problem-solving, and a little friendly competition! Students of all experience levels are welcome to join us every Monday during their grade-level recess to play, practice, and sharpen their chess skills. Our first official meetup will be next Monday, 8/24!
Silent Book Club
Silent Book Club is a chance to slow down and enjoy a good book with fellow readers! Join us Wednesdays during your grade-level recess and lunch and bring whatever you’re currently reading—we don’t all have to read the same book. We’ll read silently together, then spend the last few minutes sharing what we’re reading. Readers are welcome to stay for both recess and lunch! The first official meetup is next Wednesday, 8/26.
Sewing Circles
In Sewing Circles, students learn how to sew, practice new techniques, and build on their existing skills using our library’s sewing machines! We currently offer Sewing Circles during each grade level recess on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with up to 8 spots available each day. Starting next week, we’re also adding a Thursday session led by a Spanish-speaking volunteer!
Checkout Policies
Students can check out up to 3 books at a time and keep them for a 2 week period. If a student needs more time to finish a book, they may bring the book the to the library and have it renewed.
Lost and damaged books are subject to a fine equal to the replacement cost of the book. Books that are overdue for more than 90 days will be marked as lost, and the replacement fee will be assessed.
Young Adult Books
In an effort to provide relevant, high-interest titles for our 8th graders and appropriately complex reading materials for our advanced readers, we maintain a collection of Young Adult (YA) novels in the Nest which are reviewed and labeled YA in professional library journals. This means that they are rated for audiences in grades 9+ because the subject matter (language, topics, and themes) is typically suitable for more mature teenage readers.
Due to the mature content in some YA novels, we ask that students who wish to check out YA books get permission forms signed by their guardian(s).
Students may request a YA permission form in the Nest. It is also available to download on our school library website.
Beanstack Reading Challenge
We are currently 40,000 minutes into our August goal of reading and logging 53,888 minutes in Beanstack. Our August challenge is active, and students can log their reading from any device through Classlink or download and access the Beanstack app on their mobile devices and tablets. We are well on our way to winning the Top Middle School trophy for the month-- hold strong, readers!
Parents and guardians, setting a daily reading goal of 20 minutes or more and working together to reach it can help foster a love of reading and build a lifelong reading routine. Encourage your students to read and log those minutes each night to earn rewards and recognition at school!
Family Tips
Discussion Activity
Every Friday, your family pup is invited to join the morning drop-off fun! Pull up with your four-legged co-pilot, and we'll have a tail-wagging treat waiting just for them. Warning: your dog may start insisting on attending school every day!
Mental health support is here for Holcomb Bridge Middle School’s students and families this year.
Holcomb Bridge Middle School partners with Cartwheel to connect students and families to mental health support when they need it. This year, Cartwheel offers individual therapy for students, parent and caregiver guidance, and new expanded Care Programs for specific challenges including school avoidance, screens and social media use, and intense emotions and behavior challenges.
Appointments are virtual and flexible, including evenings and weekends. Care is free with Medicaid, and most private insurances are accepted. Care is available in multiple languages, including Spanish.
Think your child or family could benefit from support? Complete this simple interest form to get started.
Click here to join the PTA for just $15. You will need to create an account with Totem, if you are a first-time user. You can also use this site to get information about being a volunteer, donate the Hawk Fund, and become a community partner.
Donate to the Hawk Fund!
Make a TAX-DEDUCTIBLE donation to Holcomb Bridge MS PTA
100% of your Hawk Fund donation sponsors supplemental programs for the teachers and students at Holcomb Bridge Middle School such as:
Teacher and Staff Support
- Volunteer support
- Classroom start-up supply funds
- Academic program grants
- Teacher appreciation and hospitality events monthly
- Technology and Media Center Support
- Building & Grounds Upkeep
Student Programs and Activities
- Academic clubs
- On and off-site field trips
- Seminars and activities
- Support for students and families facing economic challenges
- Multi-Cultural Community Engagement Events
Hawk Fund Donation Levels
Diamond -$225
- Two reserved seats at one HBMS event (ex: awards day, band/chorus/orchestra concerts)
- Student birthday shout out on the digital sign facing Holcomb Bridge Rd
Platinum $175
- Student birthday shout out on the digital sign facing Holcomb Bridge Rd
Gold $125
Silver $75
Bronze $25
Students will be issued a laptop for academic use during the school year. Students are expected to abide by the device user agreement while the laptop is issued to them. Please take time to read the FCS Student & Parent Device Handbook for important information. For Spanish, please see the attached PDF.
The parent/guardian is responsible for the cost of repair or replacement if a device or its accessories are damaged, not returned, lost, or stolen. The district provides parents/guardians the opportunity to purchase the optional device protection plan to limit the out-of-pocket cost to repair or replace damaged devices. The details of this can be found in the Optional Device Protection Plan portion of the FCS Student & Parent Device Handbook (pg. 10). Please visit Optional Device Protection - Fulton County School System for more information.
Parents can add the optional device protection plan in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal until September 25. The optional device protection plan is not active until the premium is paid.
A new Free/Reduced meal 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 https://www2.myschoolapps.com/
to begin the online application process.
Students who qualified for Free/Reduced meals last school year will continue eligibility through September 14. After this date, parents must pay for meals until a new application is submitted and approved for the current school year.
Menus and additional meal service information available on the FCS Nutrition Website.
Per FCS policy, parents/guardians of ALL students entering 6th and 7th grade must provide two proofs of residency at the beginning of the school year.
Families who have not submitted the required documents by August 3 (first day of school) will be given a 30-day provisional enrollment waiver. Failure to submit residency verification could result in withdrawal from school.
Requirements for residency verification documents:
- Both proofs provided must be current within the past 30 days and have the name and address of the parent/guardian.
- Proof #1 must be either an electric bill or water bill.
- NOTE: Gas bills are not accepted.
- The Proof #2 can be any one of the following:
- Home Mortgage Bill;
- Home Sale Contract;
- Current Apartment/House Lease;
- Section Eight/HUD Housing Document;
- Current HOA Bill; or
- A current year tax bill or assessment
Holcomb Bridge Middle School
Website: https://www.fultonschools.org/holcombbridgems
Location: 2700 Holcomb Bridge Road, Alpharetta, GA, USA
Phone: 470-254-5280
Twitter: @HolcombBridgeMS
Instagram: holcombbridgems