August 22 Newsletter

August 21, 2025

HNGA Parents and Guardians,

Student Safety is the number one Core Value of HNGA. As part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining a safe and secure learning environment, we have scheduled a safety training session for all students during the school day on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.

This essential training will be conducted by Habersham County School's Safety Director and Chief of Police, Murray Kogod, in partnership with the HNGA administration. The session will provide students with critical information about our comprehensive safety efforts. Topics will include:

• Reporting Safety Concerns: A discussion on the importance of student vigilance and instructions regarding how to report safety concerns through the appropriate channels.

• Threats of Violence: An explanation of how to report threats, school staff and law enforcement response protocols, and the severity of making threats.

• Support Systems: Information on available mental health services and established threat assessment protocols.

• Situational Awareness: Training on situational awareness and how to respond during an active attacker incident.

• Emergency Response: An explanation of the Centegix crisis alert system and the vital role of our School Resource Officers (SROs).

• Foundational Safety Measures: Routine protocols of HNGA faculty and staff to maximize campus safety and security.

A strong partnership between Habersham Ninth Grade Academy and our community is a critical component of school safety. To support this partnership, we invite you to a parent information session on August 26, 2025, at 5:00 PM in the Habersham Ninth Grade Academy Cafeteria. This session will cover the same topics presented to your students, and will serve as an opportunity for you to ask questions and learn more about our safety protocols.

By working together, we can continue to ensure that Habersham Ninth Grade Academy is a safe and secure place for all students to learn and thrive. We look forward to seeing you on August 26th at 5:00 PM.

For Students,

Mrs. Maria Waters

Families, please click the link to offer us input on the use of our Habersham County Schools' Websites. The purpose is to improve our efficiency and your access to information.

HCSS Website Survey Link

HNGA Chromebook CARE (English)

HNGA EL CUIDADO DEL CHROMEBOOK

Parents and guardians, we have begun enforcing the student dress code.

A few issues that we have observed during the first few weeks of school have been shorts, skirts, and dresses not meeting the length requirement. According to the dress code all shorts (male and female), skirts, and dresses can be no shorter than a student's fingertips with their hands by their side. In addition, there should be no holes in pants higher than a student's fingertips with their hands by their side, and pajama pants are not appropriate for school. Please take the time to read the dress code in its entirety.

Also, shirts must be long enough to extend beyond the top of the pants, shorts, or skirt. No cleavage or undergarments should be exposed.

Students not adhering to the dress code will be asked to change clothes if they have another option with them, or a parent will be contacted to bring a change of clothes to the school. Thank you in advance for your support as we endeavor to create a wholesome environment focused on student learning.

Students are to have their electronic communication devices and other electronic media turned off and put away upon entering the school, throughout the school day, and until they leave the school each day. A student using a cell phone outside of instructional purposes (including, but not limited to use in commons’ areas, cafeteria, restrooms, locker rooms, and hallways) will result in the following consequences:

• First Offense: Cell phone will be confiscated and returned to the student at the end of the school day.

• Second Offense: Cell phone will be confiscated and returned to a parent at the end of the school day.

• Third or additional Offenses: Cell phone will be confiscated and returned to a parent at the end of the school day. The student will also serve one day in In School Suspension (ISS).

Students who repeatedly violate the cell phone policy may be required to leave their cell phone in the office at the beginning of each school day.

Students are not permitted to video, take pictures of, or audio record other students violating any section of the Code of Conduct.

Habersham Ninth Grade Academy will provide a positive, safe learning community, equipping and empowering students with skills necessary for graduation and post-secondary pursuits.

Email: mwaters@habershamschools.com
Website: https://hnga.habershamschools.com/
Location: 171 Raider Circle, Mount Airy, GA, USA
Phone: 706-778-0830
Facebook: facebook.com/HabershamNinthGradeAcademy