Hembree Highlights

Greetings Hembree Families!

I am truly overwhelmed by the love and support shown by our community during our 25th Anniversary Celebration. I was so touched by the incredible turnout of current and former staff members, students, and families. The special culture we have at Hembree is the result of a collective effort, and it is the people who make Hembree such an amazing place. Thank you for helping make this milestone event so memorable.

Our next great event is our annual Trunk or Treat on Friday, October 23, at 5:00 PM. This is always a favorite event for both students and staff! We are looking for volunteers and candy donations to help make the evening a success.

Please consider donating candy. Fillmore, our candy "Monster" box, is waiting in the front lobby to collect your donations. We kindly ask that all candy be in unopened bags, as loose candy cannot be accepted. These donations will be used during our Trunk or Treat event.

We would also love for you to consider hosting a trunk. It doesn't have to be elaborate to be fun! Our Pre-K through 5th Grade teams will be sponsoring trunks, but we need additional participants to help make this event extra special for our students. Thank you in advance for your support and generosity.

Our next Community Board Meeting will be held at Northwood Elementary School on October 15 at 9:30 AM. These meetings are open to all community members, and we encourage anyone interested to attend.

Well, this weekend brings the highly anticipated Georgia vs. Alabama game! As I write this, I am not sure what impact the weather may have on the game, but one thing is certain: this matchup always makes me nervous. Georgia has traditionally had some tough battles against Alabama, and this year should be no different. Alabama has been playing very well, and it promises to be an exciting game. I am hoping for good weather, a great game, and of course, a Georgia victory.

Go Dawgs!

As you may have seen in a recent district communication, Fulton County Schools will be considering attendance zone adjustments and evaluating school capacity through a redistricting, consolidation, and closure review process this fall. This process includes Geographic Region A (schools located south of the City of Atlanta) and Geographic Region C (schools located north of the Chattahoochee River). Because our school is located within one of these regions, we encourage parents and community members to stay informed, learn more about the process, and provide feedback as opportunities arise. Information about upcoming community forums can be found at www.fultonschools.org/redistricting and in the attached flyer (below).

I hope you have a wonderful three day weekend, and I look forward to celebrating with you tonight.

Warm Regards,

Nancy Lahey

For Geographic Region C, the redistricting/school closure/consolidation process will focus on elementary and middle school attendance zones as well as identifying solutions that address underused facilities, balance school capacity, and align resources with projected enrollment. The process will evaluate attendance zone adjustments and potential school consolidations and/or closures to better align enrollment with available capacity.

Parents are encouraged to stay informed and participate in upcoming community forums:

Elementary Schools

October 13, November 9 and December 14

6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Roswell High School – Gym

(11595 King Road, Roswell)

Middle Schools

October 7, November 11 and December 15

6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Centennial High School – Gym

(9310 Scott Road, Roswell)

Successful, future-focused school planning involves the community and helps stakeholders understand how and why decisions are made. Fulton County Schools encourages public discussion before new attendance zone maps are developed to ensure there are meaningful opportunities to participate and provide input.

10/9 Village Burger Spirit Night 4-8 pm

10/12 Holiday--no school for staff or students

10/23 Trunk or Treat @ 5:00-6:30pm

10/26-10/30 Red Ribbon Week

10/30 Storybook Character Day (see below)

11/3 Remote Learning for students (Election day)

We’re still reveling in what an amazing evening it was last Friday for our 25th anniversary STEAM Faire! We hope you enjoyed all there was to offer!

Here is a link to the video that Media Center Specialist Jenny Soberanis worked tirelessly on https://tinyurl.com/2cfw6h4n

It was heartwarming to hear the crowd celebrating faces they recognized on the big screen and clapping along to the music.

Many hands went into putting on an event of this scale and we want to extend our thanks: Ms. Soberanis for her video, Ms. Jennifer Slay for her work with the choir who sang the Hembree School Song and sourcing yearbooks, Ms. Adina Mondan for researching as well, Ms. Laura Foss for decorations, parent liaison Lucy Gilbert for steering the entire event and logistics planning, art teacher Ms. Laura Stowers, and parents Katelyn Foley, Alison Pottlitzer, Crystal Coy Johnson, Krista Krish and Janet Pelletier for their work on the anniversary committee. Thank you also to our many parent volunteers helping us get surveys for our School of Excellence, including Michelle Dusombre, Emily Tretinik, Linette Garcia, Fabiana Kolenyak, Adetutu Sowunmi, Milica Jeremic and Jen Manahan.

Our PTA funded all the expenses for this wonderful event!

We also appreciate our many teachers and staff who dedicated their time to help run all the STEAM stations and TAG showcase.

Special thanks also goes to Carpet Depot for lending the red carpet and making it feel very royal, Aurora Cineplex and Area 51 Miniature Golf, city of Roswell for the Earth Balloon, The Coder School, Code Ninjas, Mathnasium, Pigtails & Crewcuts of Roswell, Party ‘til You POP for their balloon twisters, Mr. Javier Tavel, Georgia First Robotics, Oscar Robotics and numerous Milton High school student volunteers.

EXTENDED ONE MORE WEEK! We are collecting new and gently used children’s winter coats. Our drop box will be available at the school Monday 9/28-Friday 10/16. We will also be doing collections during morning carpool on Thursday 10/1 and Thursday 10/8. Please help us keep our fellow Hawks warm this winter!

¡EXTENDIDO UNA SEMANA MÁS! Estamos recolectando abrigos de invierno nuevos o usados en buen estado, en tallas infantiles. Nuestro buzón de donaciones estará disponible en la escuela del lunes 28 de septiembre al viernes 16 de octubre. También tendremos recolección durante el carpool de la mañana el jueves 1 de octubre y el jueves 8 de octubre. ¡Ayúdanos a mantener abrigados a nuestros compañeros Hawks este invierno!

HSES PTA Trunk-or-Treat Event

Friday, October 23 from 5 PM- 6:30 PM

Please join us for Hembee's annual Trunk-or-Treat event! Hosted by the PTA, this family-friendly event offers trunk-or-treating, playground time, and free coat shopping. Wear your costume, be on the lookout for your teachers, and vote on your favorite trunk! Stay until the end, where we will wrap up the evening with our annual costume parade. We can't wait to see you all for this fun event!

Are you interested in hosting a trunk for our Hembree students? We would love to see your creativity and ideas! Sign Up to Host a Trunk Here

Would you be willing to donate 45 minutes of your time to help this event run smoothly? Volunteer Here

Trunk-or-Treat Q&A:

1. How should I enter? The front entrance to the upper parking lot will close at 4:00pm. Please use the Elkins Road entrance.
2. Where do I park? You may park in the upper lot or lower lot. You must enter through the Elkins Road entrance (unless you are a participating trunk)
3. How do I enter the event once I have parked? The event will take place in the carpool lane and playground. The front doors to the school will be closed- but the playground gate entrance will be open.
4. I get hungry. Is there food? Unfortunately, no. But there’s no judgment if you turn candy into a meal.
5. Should I wear my Halloween costume? Absolutely! Join us for the parade! (No costumes with full face masks or anything too scary so as not to alarm our youngest Hawks)

***Don’t forget to bring water bottles and a bag to collect candy!

Questions? Contact PTA at hembreepta@gmail.com

Our pre-K students had a farm-tastic day out, and it’s all thanks to you! Thanks to your generous contributions, the Hembree PTA covered admissions for the pre-K field trip to Cagle’s Family Farm!

Seeing their smiles grow is exactly why we love what we do! Our PTA is proud to keep the fun, learning, and happiness growing here at Hembree. Thank you for partnering with us to make magic happen for our kids.

Happy Fall! 🍁🍂

Over the past few weeks, we have been focusing on Digital Citizenship in the Media Center. We've had great conversations about what it means to be a good digital citizen. Good digital citizens are safe, responsible, and respectful when using technology and going online.

The lessons used to teach Digital Citizenship across Fulton County come from Common Sense Media and are taught in an age-appropriate manner. Our lessons focus on finding balance, being kind and responsible online, standing up for others, being mindful of our digital footprints, and thinking critically about the information we see online rather than believing everything we encounter.

Common Sense Media offers excellent resources for both parents and educators. Below, you will find links to Common Sense Media, where you can access articles, tools, and other helpful resources. You will also find a link to the Hembree Springs Media Center webpage, which includes additional information about Digital Citizenship and the work we do in the Media Center.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mrs. Soberanis at soberanis@fultonschools.org. We will continue our Digital Citizenship lessons over the course of the year and look forward to helping students become safe, responsible, and thoughtful digital citizens.

Common Sense Media

Hembree Springs Media Center Page

Hembree Springs Elementary is very excited to announce that on Friday, October 30, 2026, we will be hosting a Story Book Character Day! On this day the staff and students may dress up as their favorite storybook character. We are asking that the character comes from a book that your child reads and loves (not just from a movie or cartoon.)

Please work with your child to plan a fun and simple homemade costume. We are asking that you work together to be creative with items around the house versus spending money on a store-bought costume. Your child may bring a copy of the book to class that day so that we can take part in several character study activities!

To help ensure students’ feelings of safety and security, violent or frightening costumes are not acceptable. No props, dangerous-looking items, or costume masks covering the face. See below for examples of acceptable costume choices.

Thank you for helping to make this day possible for your student(s).

Acceptable Examples:

• Fancy Nancy Characters

• Cinderella, Snow White, etc.

• The Wimpy Kid Series

• Ramona the Brave

• Nate the Great

• Harry Potter and crew

Unacceptable Examples:

• Characters from Goosebumps

• Vampires

• Ghosts

• Horror Movie Characters

• Clowns

• Characters with guns or weapons

National School Lunch Week: Step Right Up to the Greatest Lunch on Earth!

Join Fulton County Schools as we celebrate National School Lunch Week, October 13-16, with a fun-filled circus theme, " Cafeteria Circus: Where Nutrition Takes Center Stage!" Students can look forward to exciting new menu items, special prizes, surprise activities, and guest celebrity servers throughout the week.

Featured highlights include NEW Pepperoni Bites, Churro Bites with Chicken Drumsticks, Dole Whip, and Sidewinder Fries with Texas BBQ (Turkey). Students will also have opportunities to win prizes through our Lucky Tray promotion and a Grand Prize Circus Grab Bag giveaway. On Friday, special celebrity servers, including school leaders and staff members, will help serve lunch as we wrap up the celebration.

We invite all students to join us in the cafeteria for a week of delicious meals, fun surprises, and circus-themed excitement under the big top!

3rd - 5th graders are invited to compete in the FCS Technology Competition taking place on Saturday, January 9, 2027, at North Springs High School. Interested students can select from the categories listed on the flyer and may only enter one project for the competition. Students can enter individually or with a partner.

By November 1st, please contact our school's Technology Competition Liaison Amanda Lee via the following email: leea8@fultonschools.org to sign up.

Survey Link: https://bit.ly/4zNhq85

I’m excited to invite you to be a part of our School Counseling Advisory Council!

The Advisory Council will be a small group of staff, families, and community members who are interested in helping strengthen and support our school counseling program. As educators, you have such valuable insight into our students—their strengths, needs, challenges, and successes—and your voice would be incredibly meaningful in this work.

The Advisory Council is an opportunity to share ideas, provide feedback, identify areas where our students and families may need additional support, and help shape counseling initiatives that are meaningful and responsive to our school community. This is not a group that counsels individual students. Instead, we will focus on the bigger picture and work together to help our counseling program continue to grow.

We will have two meetings during the school year—one in the Fall and one in the Spring. My hope is that these meetings will be a relaxed and collaborative space where we can listen, share ideas, and work together to support our students.

If you are interested in being part of the School Counseling Advisory Council, I would love to have you join us! No special experience is needed—just a willingness to share your perspective and a heart for supporting our students.

If you would like to participate, please complete the interest form here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/28nbLJ6Lqe?origin=lprLink

Thank you for all that you do for our students each day. I truly value your partnership and would be so grateful to have your voice at the table!

Warmly,

Ms. Tamia Adams

Dear Families,

We’re excited to invite our wonderful parent community to participate in Career Day! This is a special opportunity for our students to learn about the many different careers. If you’re interested in being a Career Day guest, please take a moment to sign up using the link/form provided. No presentation experience is necessary—we’ll provide any details and guidance you need!

Thank you for helping us make Career Day a meaningful and memorable experience for our students. We’re so grateful for the support and talents of our school community!

Here is the link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/LSSK12ejH5?origin=lprLink

The flyer is below.

Thank you,

Tamia Adams, counselor

Will your child be absent for multiple days? Did you know you may be able to request a Participate Remote Day? See the flyer below for details!

¿Su hijo(a) estará ausente durante varios días? ¿Sabía que puede solicitar un Día de Participación Remota? ¡Consulte el volante a continuación para obtener más información!

We’re looking for parent volunteers to lead our Hembree Springs Book Club discussions in November! It takes less than 45 minutes and is a fun way to connect with students in your child's class. Sign up here.

Dates & Books

• 3rd Grade: Tues, Nov 10, 10:35–11:10 am // The Case of the Snack Snatcher
• 4th Grade: Wed, Nov 11, 10:40–11:15 am // A Picture’s Worth a Thousand Clues
• 5th Grade: Thurs, Nov 12, 11:10–11:45 am // City Spies

• Meet with about 10 students in their classroom during lunch. We’ll send discussion questions ahead of time—reading the book is optional! Afterward, collect books and you're done!

Thanks for your help -- sign up here!

¡Estamos buscando padres voluntarios para dirigir las conversaciones de nuestro Club de Lectura de Hembree Springs en noviembre! La actividad dura menos de 45 minutos y es una manera divertida de compartir un rato con los estudiantes de la clase de su hijo/a. Regístrese aquí.

Fechas y libros

• 3.er grado: martes 10 de noviembre, 10:35–11:10 a. m. // The Case of the Snack Snatcher
• 4.º grado: miércoles 11 de noviembre, 10:40–11:15 a. m. // A Picture’s Worth a Thousand Clues
• 5.º grado: jueves 12 de noviembre, 11:10–11:45 a. m. // City Spies

¿Qué puede esperar?

• Se reunirá con aproximadamente 10 estudiantes en su salón durante el almuerzo. Le enviaremos las preguntas para la conversación con anticipación; ¡leer el libro es opcional! Después, simplemente recogerá los libros y ¡listo!

¡Gracias por su ayuda! — ¡Regístrese aquí!

We’re getting closer to our 25th Anniversary goal of 250 PTA members! 🏰✨ We’re currently at 210 members — just 40 more to go!

Haven’t joined yet? Membership is only $10 per person for the school year, there’s no volunteer requirement, and parents, grandparents, teachers, staff and other Hembree supporters can all join. This also helps keep our events free for all!

✨ Want to make an even bigger impact? You can also add a donation to our 25 Years of Magic Annual Campaign when you join.

Suggested Giving Levels:
🏰 Kingdom Friend — $25
👑 Royal Supporter — $50
🛡️ Castle Champion — $100
✨ Magic Maker — $250

Your membership builds our community. Your donation helps fund the magic.

👉 JOIN PTA + ADD A DONATION:

https://jointotem.com/ga/roswell/hembree-springs-es-pta

Tag Screenings occur twice each year for all KK-5th graders and are based on the data detailed in the document. Reach out to Mrs. Anderson at andersoncm@fultonschools.org for specific questions.

Please see the attachments below for instructions on how to access your student's iReady Inform results. Note: we use Classlink to access iReady. You can log in to your student's Classlink portal using their student ID and their birthdate (mmddyyyy). The link to Classlink is on the Fulton County Schools' webpage. Do not go directly to the iReady website.

Our district code is CMVRR3. Reach out to your teacher or to Dr. McAtee, CST, if you have questions.

Looking for the easiest way to stay connected with everything happening at Hembree Springs?

The Hawk's Nest is our private Facebook group exclusively for Hembree Springs families (and staff!). It's your go-to place for school news, PTA updates, event reminders, volunteer opportunities, spirit nights and helpful resources.

Whether you're a brand-new family or a returning Hawk, The Hawk's Nest is one of the best ways to stay informed and connected throughout the school year.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/HSEHawksNest

From Title I

Families! YOU are your child’s first and most influential teacher. As such you have so much to offer your student! To encourage family engagement at home, we are offering family engagement Thursdays. Each week there will be (1) activity to do at home to be completed prior to Friday. We’ll list the activities for the month in Hembree Highlights and offer reminders via social media. Your student will have the opportunity to receive a *bonus* Hawk’s ticket for participating (look out for more details from your teacher) We’ll include tips and tricks to get the conversation started and reinforce learning from the school day. Please spend anywhere from 10-20 minutes with your child engaging with them around their day at school and encouraging their social and emotional skills. We’ll also encourage you to practice additional skills inclusive of Math and ELA. Please feel free to reach out to me Lucy Gilbert, Title I Parent Liaison (gilbertl2@fultonschools.org) with any questions. Please check the box on your child’s homework to receive an additional Hawk’s ticket for your student.

Del Título I

Jueves de Participación familiar

¡Familias! USTED es el primer y más influyente maestro de su hijo. ¡Como tal, tienes mucho que ofrecer a tu estudiante! Para fomentar la participación familiar en el hogar, ofrecemos jueves de participación familiar. Cada semana habrá (1) actividad para hacer en casa que se completará antes del viernes. Enumeraremos las actividades del mes en Hembree Highlights y ofreceremos recordatorios a través de las redes sociales. Su estudiante tendrá la oportunidad de recibir un boleto de Hawk * adicional * por participar (busque más detalles de su maestro) Incluiremos consejos y trucos para iniciar la conversación y reforzar el aprendizaje del día escolar. Pase entre 10 y 20 minutos con su hijo interactuando con él durante su día en la escuela y fomentando sus habilidades sociales y emocionales. También lo alentaremos a practicar habilidades adicionales, incluidas matemáticas y ELA. No dude en comunicarse conmigo Lucy Gilbert, Enlace de Padres del Título I (gilbertl2@fultonschools.org) si tiene alguna pregunta. Por favor, marque la casilla en los deberes de su hijo para recibir una entrada adicional de Hawk's para su alumno.

Have you heard your child mention anything about an app called Beanstack? It was introduced in the Media Center. Beanstack is a digital reading log that students can use to log the number of minutes they are reading. They can earn badges and rewards along the way. If your child is reading at school, home, daycare, etc. they can log their minutes and help us get closer to our goal. The following is a video explaining how to use Beanstack from home. You can always find your child's lunch number/student number in infinite campus or email Mrs. Soberanis: soberanis@fultonschools.org. Happy Reading!

How To Video: https://go.screenpal.com/watch/cZQTbzVSAkv

Each week the PE department will choose 4 All Star Athletes (2 students & 2 staff members). If your student enjoys hiking, swimming, baseball, softball, football, biking, etc. Please email a picture to marzetti@fultonschools.org.

Thanks,

Ms. Marzetti

We welcome lunch visitors, Monday-Thursday only. Please check in at the front desk before proceeding to the cafeteria.

Website: https://www.fultonschools.org/hembreespringses
Location: 815 Hembree Road, Roswell, GA, USA
Phone: 470-254-2902