HMES NEWSLETTER

Hello again,

We are now entering our fourth week of the 2025–2026 school year, and our Hawks are continuing to soar!

I truly appreciate the strong parent and family engagement we experienced this week. Your support whether through volunteering, attending events, or staying connected with teachers continues to make a powerful impact on our school community.

📌 Important Reminders:

• PBIS Spirit Week starts this week and next week is PBIS Day!

• Our Annual Stakeholder Meeting will take place on August 27th during Curriculum Night. This is an important opportunity for families to learn more about our goals, programs, and how we can continue working together to ensure student success.

• No School on Monday, September 1st in observance of Labor Day.

• Our next Virtual PTO Meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 2nd. Please join us to stay connected and informed.

Thank you for your continued partnership as we focus on academic excellence, student well-being, and strong school-family connections.

Here’s to another successful week of teaching, learning, and growing together. Go Hawks! 🦅

Dr. Blanton

Reminder that Wednesday, August 27th is our Curriculum Night, an important evening to kick off the school year and set your child up for success.

What is Curriculum Night?

It’s our educational open house, held by grade level, where parents receive essential information that will support their child’s learning all year long.

AGENDA

5:00–5:15 – Introduction of HMES Staff

5:15–5:45 – Annual Title I Meeting

5:45–6:15 – School-Wide PTA Meeting

6:20–6:50 – 1st Classroom Session

7:00–7:30 – 2nd Classroom Session

Times may adjust slightly if our general meeting ends early sessions will begin immediately after.

During Curriculum Night, you can expect:

*Teacher presentations on the DCSD curriculum

*An overview of classroom routines and expectations to help students thrive

*Information about school-wide resources and supports available to your family

*A peek at our NEW STEAM Lab

*Food and drinks for purchase

We look forward to seeing you there and partnering with you to make this an amazing year for your child!

HAPPY PBIS SPIRIT WEEK!!! August 25- August 29 we will kick. PBIS aims to promote positive student behavior and supports a positive school climate. We are encouraging all students to participate in our Spirit Week dress up days. At Henderson Mill we SOAR! Our students have Self Control, are Organized, Accountable and Respectful.

Week 2 in the STEAM Lab was filled with creativity, problem-solving, and hands-on exploration! Pre-K students became engineers as they designed their own “perfect schools” with building materials, while kindergarteners explored rocks and described their unique properties using rich adjectives. First graders were excited to learn how to use Indi the robot, and second graders investigated the three states of matter by inflating a balloon with a baking soda and vinegar reaction. Third graders studied animal adaptations by camouflaging butterflies, fourth graders stretched their creativity skills, and fifth graders focused on refining collaboration and teamwork. It was an exciting week of learning and discovery across all grade levels!

We are excited to announce our annual Multicultural Night will take place on Thursday, September 11th from 6-8 PM! Celebrate our school’s diversity and learn about cultures from around the world through delicious foods, drinks, desserts, and live performances! Please see the link below to sign up to volunteer at the event and to sign up for an exhibitor's table! Show off your favorite traditional foods, drinks, or desserts from your culture!

Get ready to dive into a world of books! Our Book Fair will be at Henderson Mill Elementary School from September 8-12.

Volunteers Needed: We’re seeking volunteers to help make the Book Fair a success. Sign up using link below.

Henderson Mill has the BEST events—hands down! From unforgettable family nights to fun fundraisers, spirit wear, staff appreciation, and more… our PTO is behind it all!

But we can’t do it without YOU.

Whether you can volunteer your time, share your ideas, or simply stay connected, your involvement makes a huge difference in our school community. Every parent and guardian is welcome—and every voice matters!

✨ Why join the PTO?
✔️ Help plan amazing events
✔️ Support teachers and students
✔️ Build community
✔️ Stay in the loop

Let’s work together to make this the best year yet at Henderson Mill!

Afterschool Clubs that still have spots available!!!

Opportunities include:

• EIM Dance (Various grade levels)

Use the links below to explore all options and sign up today, spots may fill quickly!

⚽ Ready to KICK OFF the season? ⚽

Attention #DCSD parents! Registration is OPEN for the 2025 Elementary Soccer season!

All 4th and 5th graders can join this FREE program, perfect for building teamwork, skills, and fun with friends on the field.

🗓️ Season: September 22 – December 13, 2025
✅ Requirements: Sports Physical

📲 Registration is open NOW through September 12, 2025. Don’t miss out! Sign up today below:

By signing on as a volunteer, you become a member of our team of professionals that proudly provides educational services to more than 93,000 students in our DeKalb County School District. Click on link below, this document was created by the District and is designed to assist you in registering to be a volunteer with the DeKalb County School District. Please complete the following steps to become a DCSD Volunteer. The process for volunteering takes about 30 minutes total and includes about 20 minutes of online mandatory child abuse reporting training required by the State of Georgia for all volunteers.

Know someone passionate about education and leadership? Encourage them to declare candidacy for the 2025–2026 Principal Advisory Council (PAC)! We need 1 more parent to join us!

Candidate declaration is open now through Friday, September 5, 2025.

PAC members:

• Promote transparency & shared decision-making

• Review the Continuous School Improvement Plan (CSIP)

• Help shape the school’s vision

• Serve as liaisons between school and community

👉 Declare candidacy here:
Candidate Declaration Form

Questions? Contact schoolgovernance@dekalbschoolsga.org or (678) 676-0718.

Let’s build strong parent and staff leaders across DeKalb!

Save the Date!
The DCSD School Expo is coming up on Saturday, September 27th from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM!

This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase all the amazing things happening at our school. 🌟 Come out, bring your Hawk pride, and help us REP OUR SCHOOL at this exciting district-wide event!

Let’s show the community why our school is the best place for students to learn, grow, and thrive. 💙💛

#DCSDExpo #WeRepOurSchool #TeamHawks

Reminder: As we kick off a successful school year, please review and follow our arrival and dismissal expectations to ensure a smooth and safe day for all students:

🌅 Morning Arrival:
🕖 7:00 AM – School doors open and breakfast begins.
🍽️ After breakfast – Intervention & Enrichment starts. This is a critical time for academic support and acceleration—please ensure your child arrives on time.
⏰ 7:40 AM – Breakfast service ends.
📣 7:40 AM – Morning announcements begin.
📘 7:45 AM – Instruction begins promptly.
🏁 Afternoon Dismissal:
🕝 2:15 PM – Dismissal begins in this order:
➡️bus riders
➡️ van riders
➡️ walkers
➡️ car riders
➡️ aftercare.
Please remember that our buses must be in line first.
🕝 2:30 PM – All students should be fully dismissed from classrooms.
🕒 2:45 PM – Students not picked up by this time will be sent to aftercare, and a drop-in fee will apply. Communication is key!
Your partnership helps us create a safe and focused environment for all learners. Thank you for your attention and cooperation!

At DCSD, we are committed to continuous improvement and value your perspective. Reflecting on the first week of school, what went well for you and what could we improve to better support students, families, and staff?

Email: regina_smiley-blanton@dekalbschoolsga.org
Website: https://www.hendersonmilles.dekalb.k12.ga.us/
Location: 2408 Henderson Mill Road, Atlanta, GA, USA
Phone: 678-874-3102
Twitter: @henderson_mill