The Tiger Times

Dear PCI Families,

We hope this message finds you well and enjoying the start of a vibrant fall season. As we settle into the semester, we remain focused on our mission to prepare every student for success in college, career, and life. Thank you for your continued partnership and support.

As part of Fulton County Schools’ college and career readiness initiative, the PSAT/SAT serves as a universal diagnostic tool for high school students.

• Grades 9–11: Required to take the PSAT
• Grade 12: Optional but encouraged to take the SAT
• All students will test digitally with their homeroom classes

🔋 Reminder: Students must bring their charged laptops on test day.

🎯 Why These Assessments Matter

The PSAT/NMSQT and SAT are more than just tests—they’re tools to help students:

• Identify academic strengths and areas for growth
• Prepare for Advanced Placement (AP) opportunities
• Qualify for scholarships, including the National Merit Scholarship Program (11th grade)
• Build readiness for college admissions

📅 Key Dates

• Friday, September 26 & October 3 – Device Readiness Checks
• Tuesday, October 7 – PSAT (Grades 9–11) & SAT (Grade 12)

• We encourage you to review the following resources with your student to help them prepare:

• PSAT 8/9 Student Guide (9th grade students)
• PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide (10th & 1th-grade students)
• SAT School Day Student Guide (12th-grade students)
• SAT Suite Benefits for Parents and Students
• https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/practice

Warmly,
Yalanda M. Bell
Principal, The Promise Career Institute

We are excited to announce that Iziah Atkins, a Diesel Technology student in the graduating Class of 2026, has been selected as a Fleet Services Work-Based Learning Intern with Georgia Power in Forest Park.

His internship will begin on October 6th and running through May! In this incredible opportunity, Iziah will step into the fast-paced world of fleet operations—assisting with vehicle inspections, tracking service schedules, learning vital safety and compliance standards, and shadowing skilled technicians who keep Georgia Power moving forward.

Even more exciting, upon completing his internship, Iziah will have the chance to transition into a full-time position with increased pay.

Congratulations, Iziah, on this amazing accomplishment—we are so proud of you and can’t wait to see the bright future ahead!

Bullying Prevention Month October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Bullying Prevention Month is a nationwide call to action around educating communities to their roles in bullying prevention and to educate and raise awareness of bullying prevention. Everyone can share in the efforts to Stop Bullying and Stand Up for Kindness.

Wear ROYAL BLUE on Monday October 6th!

As fall activities begin, it’s easy to let a day or two slip by—but each absence matters. Keep attendance strong to build momentum for the rest of the year. Students who miss 2–4 days in the first quarter are 5 times more likely to be chronically absent by year’s end. The late bell rings at 9:00am. Students should be in their classroom ready to learn at that time.

This month we celebrate our top September readers: Aa'jeighla Borden, Zamiyah Tickles, and Njamatou Sallah.

This year we have logged over 28,000 reading minutes. We are almost to our school year goal of 30,000 minutes!

New Times Bestselling Author Jason Reynolds will be at The Promise Career Institute on Friday, October 24, 2026 for a school visit. Students will get to hear him speak about his experiences and new book from the Track Series: Coach.

Students can participate in the Hallow-Read and Hispanic Heritage Month Challenge (via Classlink) to track their reading and earn prizes all month long. Parents, ask your scholar to show you their reading badges and log!

The College Park Skyhawks are a proud partner of PCI, supporting local business and bringing exciting, community-focused entertainment to the Southside!

The College Park Skyhawks, the NBA G League affiliate of the Atlanta Hawks, are made up of the league’s rising stars—future NBA talent you can see up close and personal, right here on the Southside!

Skyhawks Memberships for the 2025–26 season are on sale now, starting at just $10 per game!

As a member, you’ll save money, enjoy interest-free payment plans, and unlock exclusive perks like:

• Priority access to playoff tickets
• Invites to members-only events
• Discounts on merch & concession items

Come support your hometown team and be part of the action from tip-off to the final buzzer. Click here to learn more!

https://atlantahawks.formstack.com/forms/pci

Learn more about the referral process for gifted students here.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are pleased to offer an Optional Device Protection Plan to help safeguard your student’s school-issued device. Below you will find step-by-step guidance on how to elect and pay for the plan, along with helpful resources tailored to your situation.

Watch the Optional Device Protection Sign-up Walkthrough Video

Choose the Written Guidance That Applies to You:

1. Instructions for Existing Parents with a Parent Portal Account

2. Instructions for Parents New to Fulton County Schools or Adding a New Student

3. Instructions for New Parents Who Already Have a Parent Portal Account

We encourage all families to review these resources and take advantage of the protection plan to ensure peace of mind throughout the school year.

Warm regards,

PCI Administration Team

Reliable Transportation Methods:

• Parent/Guardian Drop-Off: Begins at 8:00 AM
• Parent/Guardian Pick-Up: Between 3:15 PM – 4:30 PM
• Parent/Guardian provides transportation to the zoned school for students to catch the PCI magnet bus.

Bus Transportation:

• PCI provides bus service to and from the zoned school.
• If students elect to use neighborhood buses to reach the zoned school, please know that if the neighborhood buses run late, students may miss the PCI bus departing from the zoned school and/or they may miss the departing bus in the afternoon. We also ask that if PCI students elect to take the neighborhood buses, that they demonstrate excellent behavior that is reflective of a PCI student.

Here at PCI, we have implemented a no cell phone policy in the classrooms and hallways, beginning last year. That will continue this year. If cell phones are confiscated, parents/guardians will have to pick up their device from PCI.

At The Promise Career Institute, we are committed to fostering a positive school culture through STRIPES, our framework for success:

• Self-Discipline – Making responsible choices
• Teamwork – Working together to achieve goals
• Resilience – Overcoming challenges with determination
• Innovation – Thinking creatively and solving problems
• Professionalism – Acting with integrity and respect
• Empowerment – Taking ownership of learning and growth
• Service Leadership – Making a difference in our community

Parents, you play a crucial role in reinforcing these values at home! Here’s how you can help:

• Encourage Responsibility – Help your child set goals and develop self-discipline in academics and extracurriculars.
• Promote Teamwork – Support group projects, team sports, and community involvement.
• Celebrate Perseverance – When challenges arise, remind them that resilience leads to success.
• Foster Creativity – Encourage problem-solving and innovative thinking in daily activities.
• Model Professionalism – Teach respect, accountability, and positive communication.
• Empower Their Voice – Give them opportunities to make decisions and take initiative.
• Support Service Leadership – Get involved in school or community service projects together.

Through STRIPES, we are shaping students into leaders who are ready for success in school and beyond. Stay tuned for upcoming initiatives, student highlights, and ways to get involved.

Fulton County Schools and Rethink Ed have partnered to provide you access to our Student Success Skills lessons and online program. The ReThink Ed platform offers all lesson content, videos, and more. Parents can access this online program by creating their ReThink Ed Student Account via ClassLink. To access your student's account, log into ClassLink using your student's login information and click the ReThink Ed App!

Emergency Mental Health Resources:

The following facilities provide 24-hour assistance and have shared with the district that they will complete emergency assessments at no cost. If your child already receives support from a mental health provider, you may wish to contact that professional first. You may also want to check with your insurance company regarding mental/behavioral health coverage. Please note that the district does not endorse any provider, makes no representations as to the effectiveness of these providers, and makes this information available only as a helpful resource.

We are thrilled to introduce a brand-new feature for all our amazing students, parents, families, and community: a direct link to submit your questions and inquiries about The Promise Career Institute. You can get clarification on or ask questions about programs of study, dual enrollment, school hours, transportation, upcoming events, or anything else. Your questions and input are invaluable to us, and we're here to provide all the information you need to ensure your child's success. So, do you have a question that just came up or one you have been meaning to ask? Just <click this link> to get started, and we will be sure to get your questions answered.