HMES NEWSLETTER

Good Afternoon, I hope you all had a great weekend!

We are now entering Week 8, and what an incredible journey it has been so far! You all truly ROCK, and I am so grateful for your partnership and support.

🎉 Birthday Thanks
A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who took the time to wish me a Happy Birthday and for the thoughtful gifts and kind messages. I truly felt the love, and I am so grateful to be part of such a caring school community.

💙 Parent Partnership
Thank you, parents, for staying so engaged in our school community. Your involvement makes a tremendous difference. If you haven’t already, please consider joining our PTO, the link is below.

🏅 Kudos & Celebrations
Our Track and Field Team shined this past Saturday, we are so proud of them! A huge thank-you to the families who came out to cheer and support our students.

📌 Attendance Awareness Month
September is Attendance Awareness Month. Daily attendance and arriving on time are essential for student success. Please help us by ensuring your child is present every day and only misses school when absolutely necessary. To make it fun, each Friday in September students are invited to dress up as their favorite Avenger or Superhero. Remember: every day counts!

🔎 Enrollment & Staffing Update
I also want to share some important information regarding our current enrollment and staffing. As you may know, our student enrollment is lower than projected this year, short by about 75 students. Because staffing is directly tied to enrollment, this creates challenges in maintaining all teaching positions and we are going to have to collapse 2 classrooms. Please know that we are exploring every option to minimize disruption for both our students and teachers, and I will continue to keep you informed as directed by the District. More information will be sent home very soon.

✨ Looking Ahead
We are proud to keep moving forward in partnership with you focused on academic excellence, student well-being, and the strong family-school connection that makes our community so special.

Be sure to check out the full SMORE for more details, and don’t forget to watch our weekly STEAM video, you may just spot your child in action!

Here’s to another wonderful week of teaching, learning, and growing together!

Go Hawks! 🦅

Dr. Blanton

As we kicked off Multicultural Night, we are excited to continue the celebration by honoring Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15th to October 15th. This is a time dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the rich history, culture, and countless contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States.

Unlike many observances, this celebration begins in the middle of September and concludes in the middle of October, reflecting the independence anniversaries of several Latin American countries.

This month-long recognition provides us the opportunity to learn, reflect, and honor the traditions and achievements that have shaped our communities and continue to inspire generations.

👉 Please click on the video above to share with your children to learn more about this month.

September is Attendance Awareness Month, and this year our theme is “Attendance Avengers!” We are excited to celebrate students who show up to school every day and on time.

As part of the celebration, every Friday in September, students are invited to dress up as their favorite Superhero Avenger! This is a fun way to recognize consistent attendance and remind our students that showing up is a superpower.

📌 Reminder: At the end of the semester, we will host our NBA (Never Been Absent) Party to celebrate students who have maintained perfect attendance.

Let’s work together to build strong attendance habits and make this month a success. We can’t wait to see our students in their superhero attire!

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

A big shoutout to our track coaches and team for an outstanding performance at today’s first track meet, your hard work and dedication truly showed! Our next game is Saturday, September 27th at 9am. Come out in HMES attire to cheer on our student athletes. Adams Stadium (2415 N Druid Hills Rd, Atlanta, GA 30329) 9:00am.

STEM ATL is a dynamic partnership between the Georgia Tech College of Engineering and STEM Global Action with a mission to bring interactive, hands-on STEM experiences to youth in Atlanta and surrounding areas.

We are excited to invite you and your family to the upcoming STEM FEST—a FREE event designed to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, creators, and innovators!

👩‍🔬 Students will explore more than 60+ interactive STEM activities and demonstrations, discovering opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math while having fun with family and friends.

📅 Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Location: Georgia Tech McCamish Pavilion, 965 Fowler St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
💲 Cost: FREE
👨‍👩‍👧 Who Can Attend: K–12 students and their families

✨ Don’t miss this incredible opportunity for family fun and STEM learning

Dot Day: Leave Your Mark!

Inspired by The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds, students learned the importance of creativity and leaving their mark. Each child decorated a circle, and together, we’ll create a giant mural that will be displayed in the hallway!

Coding Week: Robots and Coding

During Coding Week, students explored how robots and computers are controlled by humans through coding. We started with unplugged coding, using arrows on paper, and then moved on to Scratch Jr., where they created their own stories and games. They learned about sequencing, logic, and problem-solving while having fun with technology!

We’re excited for more hands-on learning in the coming weeks!

Thank you for your continued support.

Make sure you follow hmes_steam on instagram for all the STEAM happening and excitement!

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!

Join us on Wednesday, October 8th, from 6:30 AM – 7:45 AM for Walk/Bike to School Day! Let’s celebrate healthy habits, reduce traffic, and start the day with energy and fun.

A big thank you to Mrs. Meader for spearheading this wonderful initiative for our school community! 💜

We look forward to seeing our students and families walking or biking together!

Cub Scouts is an exciting program for children (both boys and girls) in kindergarten through fifth grade—and their families—that promotes learning, friendship, and most of all, fun!

Each child will join a “den” with other students in the same grade, guided by parent leaders, and receive a handbook of age-appropriate adventures. All dens come together to form the “pack,” also led by parents.

With a focus on outdoor activities, small gatherings, and family events, Cub Scouts provides a wonderful opportunity for kids to socialize, explore new interests, and grow through hands-on experiences.

We encourage you to get your child involved in this enriching program! See flyer for details.

Do you have a 4th- or 5th-grade student who loves to dance? Don’t miss the chance to be part of our Elementary Competitive Dance Team!

📝 Registration is open now through November 18.
💃 Season kicks off December 1.

This is a great opportunity for students to showcase their talent, build teamwork skills, and represent our school with pride.

Key Dates:

• December 1st - First Day of Practice
• January 17th - First Match
• January 24th - Second Match
• January 31st - Area Championship
• February 7th - County Championship

Opportunities include:

• EIM Dance (Various grade levels)

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

Action Required: Complete Student Information Form

If you have not yet completed this form in the link below, please do so as soon as possible. Having this information on file is essential for your child’s safety and participation it ensures we are prepared for field trips, medical needs, and other important school activities.

👉 Your timely response helps us take the best care of your child. Thank you for your cooperation!

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.

Steps to Complete the Volunteer Process:

1. Complete the Volunteer Application and Release Form:

• English Application
• Spanish Application

2. Review and Complete the DCSD Volunteer Code of Conduct:

• English Code of Conduct
• Spanish Code of Conduct

3. Complete the Mandated Reporter Training:

• Watch the Mandated Reporter Video and complete the quiz before attending a training session.
• Steps to complete the training:
• Create a free account
• Select State: GA
• Click on Child Abuse and Neglect Course: Mandated Reporter
• Start the course and complete the quiz
• Save or print your certificate and email a copy to DCSDvolunteer@dekalbschoolsga.org
• Training link: Mandated Reporter Course

Upcoming DCSD Volunteer Training (via Zoom):

Join a Zoom Session That Fits Your Schedule

Fall 2025 Volunteer Training Dates

Please select the Zoom session that works best for you from the options below:

• September 24 – 12:00 PM

• October 1 – 12:00 PM

• October 8 – 12:00 PM & 6:00 PM

• October 22 – 12:00 PM

• October 29 – 12:00 PM

• November 5 – 12:00 PM

• November 12 – 12:00 PM & 6:00 PM

• December 3 – 12:00 PM

• December 10 – 12:00 PM

Join the DCSD Volunteer Training Zoom Meeting:

🔗 Join Zoom Meeting
📌 Meeting ID: 857 5784 5773
🔑 Passcode: 598219

Thank you for your dedication to supporting our schools! We look forward to your participation!

School Calendar Input

DCSD’s Calendar Committee is convening this fall to develop the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 school calendars. We want to hear from you. Click link below.

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!

📌 Conference Day Information

Date: Thursday, September 25th
Format: Conferences will be held during the school day by grade level. Each conference will last approximately 10–15 minutes please be on time. Check with your child's teacher to sign up.

Grade-Level Conference Times:

• 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
  Kindergarten
  First Grade

• 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  Second Grade
  Third Grade

• 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
  Fourth Grade
  Fifth Grade

👉 Additional Conference Opportunities:
If you are unable to attend during the scheduled day hours, teachers are also available to meet after school beginning at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Please reach out to your child’s teacher directly to schedule one of these times.

💡 Suggested Questions to Ask During Your Conference:

• What is my child’s current Lexile level and reading progress?

• How is my child performing in math fluency and problem-solving?

• What are my child’s strengths in the classroom?

• What are specific skills or areas for growth that I can support at home?

• How is my child adjusting to classroom routines and expectations?

• How can I provide my child with enrichment opportunities outside of school?

• What assessments or data are used to measure my child’s progress?

• How can I help reinforce what is being taught at school on a daily basis?

• (For Georgia Milestones grades): What strategies can I use at home to help prepare my child for the Georgia Milestones assessment?

Conferences are a valuable opportunity to partner with your child’s teacher, gain insight into their progress, and set goals for continued growth. We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, September 23rd as we work together to support every child’s success!

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