TCE TIGER TALK Newsletter

Congratulations to TCE for being named a PBIS Distinguished School!

Welcome to October, Tiger Creek families!

It's been a wonderful start to the school year, and we are loving all the great teaching and learning happening in our building. Your students are amazing, and it's a joy to have them here each day!

As we look at our school-wide data, we want to team up with you on one key area: attendance. We all know that consistent attendance helps every student reach their full potential. The state has specific guidelines, and when a student reaches six unexcused absences, it can affect our school's state reporting. We want to do everything we can to support our students and partner with you!

Here's how you can help us, help your student:

• Please remember to bring in a doctor's note for any medical appointments.
• If you haven't yet signed a Catoosa Attendance Review Team (CART) contract, you can provide up to five parent/guardian notes per semester to excuse absences.

Should a student reach six unexcused absences, we'll invite parents or guardians to a CART meeting to discuss ways we can help and provide support for any special circumstances.

We love having your students here at Tiger Creek! Our teachers are bringing lively, interesting, and fun ways for our students to learn and grow, and we can't wait to see all they accomplish this year.

Mr. David Beard,

TCE Principal

"The time is always right to do what is right." - Martin Luther King Jr.

As we approach the end of the first nine weeks, I am incredibly proud of the hard work our students and staff have put in. My desk is overflowing with Positive Office Referrals, a testament to our students' commitment to our PBIS expectations: Be Ready, Be Respectful, and Be Safe. We are displaying our positive office referrals in the hallway so that students can celebrate their peers as well! Please ask your child to share the Tigerriffic cheer with you and celebrate their great work!

Mrs. Jayme Dills,

TCE Assistant Principal

CCPS and the Georgia Department of Education are excited to provide you with resources to help protect your family online with Parent ProTech's on-demand platform at no charge!

Click here to Sign Up Your Parent ProTech access includes:

• A library of videos and guides to help parents make confident, informed choices about technology
• A complete K-12 digital citizenship curriculum for classroom use, meeting SB 351 requirements
• Tools that help families and educators make smart tech decisions to keep kids safe online

You can adopt a duck for the Duck Derby and have a chance to win a prize! Last year, Our own Mrs. Chastain won the grand prize! The proceeds of the Duck Derby benefit Communities in Schools and our school system families that they serve!

You may do the QR Code to register early and receive a discount.

Please Note:

The Preregistration QR Code provided on the online notice will expire two days prior to picture day in order to get your files ready. So this QR Code will expire on October 12th. However, once parents receive their picture proof from the school, they will be able to use a New QR Code from the proof to go online to view and order pictures.

ESPLOST is a voter-approved 1% sales tax dedicated specifically to funding capital improvements in local public schools. It cannot be used for salaries or daily operations — only for facilities, safety, technology, and transportation. The previous ESPLOSTs have helped fund both infrastructure of schools as well as fund curriculum and technology throughout our county.

Previous ESPLOST FUNDS were used here at TIGER CREEK:

Purchasing:

MAP Reading and Math Software

Benchmark Advance Grades K-5 (Reading & Language Arts Curriculum)

I-Ready Toolbox Grades K-5 (Math Software)

Lexia/I-Ready Intervention Seats (Reading Software)

Amria Learning Grades 4-5 (Reading Screener)

Pear Math Assessment

Playground Equipment

Upgrading:

TCE Auditorium Renovation

Phone Conversion

Sielox Safety Software

New Intercom System

Seal and Restripe Parking Lot

The School Board of Education is seeking community input to ensure that ESPLOST VII projects reflect the priorities of Catoosa County citizens. Citizens may provide input about ESPLOST VII projects by sending an email to esplostviiinput@catoosa.k12.ga.us

Early Voting October 14th - October 31st

Election Day - November 4th

You can check your voter status and more at: www.mvp.sos.ga.gov

This month we are showcasing our Office Staff! They are all very important and are a major reason why our school keeps running. From school safety, sick students, keeping our admins on schedule, and helping parents & visitors with everything the office staff keeps us running smoothly!

The Touch-a-Truck PreK-2nd grade Career Day featured Ringgold Telephone Company, Guy Yates Towing, Catoosa Utility District, Lowery Tree Service, and Puckett EMS. Students enjoyed learning about these companies' jobs and their vehicles. They also enjoyed climbing on the trucks, blowing the horns, and watching all that these specialty trucks can do. A special thank you to Sara Bridges, TCE Parent Engagement Coordinator, for bringing all these companies together for this event!

Helping Hands food bags and other resources will be starting this fall. Give me a call at (706) 935-0722 or email at chaynes.tce@catoosa.k12.ga.us if you would like to access that program or have questions about any resources offered by the Counseling Office.

Knowledge is our October character word encouraging us to learn something new to become better at what we do. Zig Ziglar said, "If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you." Tiger Creek students increase knowledge by being at school every day. A 2025 study showed that attendance is one of the best predictors of high student grades and overall student success.

If you need extra support at school or home, reach out to the counseling office. Mrs. Haynes and Rex are here for you every day. Let's learn together!

For the Canned Food Drive, TCE families gave 2,629 items to the Christ's Chapel Food Bank, beating last year's total of 2,484! Builtwell Bank awarded the $100 prize to Mrs. Helton's 5th grade, Keith Baptist sponsored a pizza party for Mrs. Pursley's 1st grade, and the Ruth Class at Ringgold First Baptist Church sponsored a surprise party for Mrs. Gray's 5th grade. Rob Nabors of Builtwell Bank congratulates all the classes on a job well done!

Mrs. Helton's 5th Grade Class came in 1st place with 555 cans!

Mrs. Pursley's 1st Grade Class came in 2nd place with 551 cans!

Ms. Gray's 5th Grade Class came in 3rd place with 500 cans!

If you or your business would like to donate to the Children's Fund, please contact:

Danielle Pettyjohn. Her email is dpettyjohn@catoosa.k12.ga.us

Good communication between parents and teachers makes a big difference in student success. We want to keep the lines of communication open and working both ways so we can best support your child.

You can reach teachers in several ways: ClassDojo, email, calling the school, reading newsletters that come home, or through school-wide text messages. If you ever have a question, concern, or would like to set up a meeting, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Staying connected helps your child thrive!

Jill Bishop

TCE Academic Coach

Things are kicking off for fall, and we are so excited for our Annual Fall Festival! This will be on Friday the 24th from 5:00-7:00 PM. We are asking for items from businesses for our silent auction. If you have any connections or your business or workplace would like to donate, please reach out to us. You can email us, PTO.TCE@catoosa.k12.ga.us

We had a great time celebrating our grandparents at our annual Grandparents Night!! We served yummy Krispy Kreme donuts to our families before the awesome 1st and 2nd grade Disney musical performance. These kids did a FANTASTIC job, and so did Mrs. Clinton who put on the show. Way to go guys!!

This past month, on Thursday, September 18th, it was National Rice Krispie Treat Day! We got to celebrate this neat holiday handing out Rice Krispie treats to our entire student body and staff. We hope you all enjoyed them.

We want to remind everyone to come to our Fall Festival! This is our biggest event for the year. We need as many PTO parent volunteers and teachers as possible to help make this event successful. Please come to our PTO meeting on September 29th at 6PM to learn more about volunteering for the Fall Festival. If you have any questions, please reach out to us by email PTO.TCE@catoosa.k12.ga.us.

Our October PTO Meeting will be on Monday, October 20th at 6pm!

We will meet in the TCE Auditorium and will be finalizing last minute Fall Festival items.

All parents are welcome to join us.

During a Fire

1. Two Ways Out: Have and practice a home escape plan with at least two ways out of every room and a designated meeting place outside.
2. Stay Low: If you see smoke or hear the smoke alarm, get low to the ground and crawl to your exit, as it's easier to breathe below the smoke.
3. Check Doors: Before opening a door, use the back of your hand to feel if it's hot. If it is, use your other exit.
4. "Stop, Drop, and Roll": If your clothes catch fire, stop moving, drop to the ground, cover your face, and roll until the flames are out.
5. Get Out and Stay Out: Once you are outside, stay outside and never go back inside for any reason.
6. Meeting Spot: Go to your family's pre-arranged meeting place outside and wait for everyone to gather.
7. Call for Help: After you are safely outside, call 911 or your local emergency number.

General Fire Safety

1. No Playing with Fire: Never play with matches, lighters, or candles. If you find them, tell a grown-up right away.
2. Keep a Safe Distance: Stay away from hot things like stoves, candles, and space heaters.
3. Test Smoke Alarms: Ask a grown-up to test the smoke alarms every month to make sure they are working.
4. Practice Drills: Practice your fire escape plan with your family at least twice a year.

Click above to explore the Fire Safety Virtual Room!

PLEASE REMEMBER:

You must have your ID to enter the building.

1st Quarter Celebration

Groovin' at the Disco Dance Party!

Friday, October 3rd

60 tickets/points to attend & NO Major writeups

Duct Tape Fundraiser

November 3rd-7th

More information to come after Fall Break

We are Ready!

We are Respectful!

We are Safe!

We help make our school TIGERRIFIC!

Every year, the third week in October is designated as Digital Citizenship Week. This month, during Media Center connections, our students will engage in lessons focused on becoming responsible Digital Citizens.

The lessons will vary by grade level, covering important topics such as personal privacy online and managing screen time effectively. We believe these skills are essential for our students' growth in today's digital world.

To prevent injury of themselves and others: EACH STUDENT MUST WEAR TENNIS SHOES TO PARTICIPATE IN PE!

NO crocs, hey dudes, boots, flip flops, sandals or slides allowed!

Please see that your student is dressed appropriately for PE on their designated days. Students who do not have proper footwear will walk laps in the gym instead of participating in games.

PE Schedule by Homeroom Teacher for this 9 weeks:

Monday & Tuesday: Schmidt, Thomas, Vess, Helton, Cothern, McClure

Wednesday: McNair, Medina, Cross, Gray, Eberhart, Stoner

Thursday & Friday: Montoya, Collins, Kominczak, Saylor, Eaton, Pursley

Due to the recent increase in student illnesses county-wide, I wanted to take a moment to remind everyone of the CCPS guidelines regarding sickness and returning to school.

If your student has vomiting, diarrhea, or a fever of 100.4 or higher please keep your student home. Students with any of these symptoms should remain out of school until they are symptom-free for 24 hours WITHOUT medication to stop the symptom. (Example: Tylenol for a fever, Imodium for diarrhea, Zofran/Tums for Vomiting, etc.)

Additionally, I do not have throat spray, nasal saline spray, eye drops, or allergy medicine (aside from Benadryl for emergencies). If your child requires any of these over-the-counter medications they can be student-supplied, they must be brought in by an adult, and will be kept in the clinic, and a consent must be signed by the parent/guardian.

*This is also the standard practice for Prescription medications too.)*

***Please note students are NOT ALLOWED to bring medications to school in their bookbags!

This is a major safety measure and please help us by abiding by it!***

October 8th @8:30AM - 3:00PM

Tri-Med Family Care - 6120 Alabama Hwy

Open to Veterans, current military, family members & caregivers.

Title 1 Fall Parent Survey

Thank you to all who took the time to fill out the Fall Title 1 Survey. I have compiled all the results and I am working on when & how I will deliver some of the workshops chosen. I will try and hold as many as possible this school year. I will focus on the top choices first. Online was the top choice for the delivery method, so I will do several that way but some will work better in-house and some I will attempt to hold both ways.

I have also compiled all the responders who requested information on several topics. I will be getting those resources together and sending out to those that requested it as soon as possible.

The Title I Family Resource Center is a dedicated space in our school for families. Located in room 100, is a place to check out items to use with your children, work on school volunteer projects and also to obtain helpful info. Title I documents, community events and Parent Resources are all located here. We have books and materials that can be checked out by parents to use at home to help improve their student(s) reading and math skills. Contact Mrs. Bridges to check something out.

If you or someone you know needs help getting their GED, please email me, I have information and contacts to help.

You may have a teacher-parent conference at any time during the school year. If you have any concerns, please let the teacher/school know as soon as possible. If you have updated medical info, or want more information on the way your child learns or learning standards contact your child’s teacher by emailing the teacher, calling the school at 706-935-9890 and leaving the teacher a voice message or by sending in a written request to the teacher. Your child's teacher will get back to you as quickly as possible.

We value your input on TCE Title 1 Components such as the Policy, Budget, School Improvement Plan, etc... Parents are welcome to contribute comments at any time. If you have any questions/concerns, please see Mrs. Sara Bridges, Parent Involvement Coordinator, or our Administrators: Mr. Beard, or Mrs. Dills.

Additional Title 1 Information & Resources:

2025-2026 TCE Title 1 Annual Meeting

Testing in Georgia

Components of a Title I Schoolwide Plan

Georgia Standards of Excellence

How to Communicate with Your Child’s Teacher

2025-2026 TCE Parent & Family Engagement Policy

2025-2026 CCPS Parent & Family Engagement Policy

Title 1 Input Card

Mrs. Sara L. Bridges

TCE's Parent Involvement Coordinator

Email: sbridges.tce@catoosa.k12.ga.us

Click above to learn all about Good Manners and making Good Choices

Click the above virtual room to learn all about Apples!

Area Apple Orchards :

Click each one to learn more.

Apple Valley Orchards (Cleveland, TN)

Hillcrest Orchards (Ellijay, GA)

Red Apple Barn (Ellijay, GA)

Mercier Orchards (Blue Ridge, GA)

Wheeler's Orchard & Vineyard (Dunlap, TN)

Fairmount Orchard, Inc (Signal Mountain)

Oren Wooden's Apple House (Pikeville, TN)

Click above to learn all about Pumpkins & Jack O'Lanterns

Here is a list of the area Pumpkin Patches:

Most have hayrides, fun activities, corn mazes and more!

Click each one to learn more!

Cooper Creek Farms (Calhoun, GA)

Burt's Pumpkin Farm (Dawsonville, GA)

Smith-Perry Berries (Ooltewah, TN)

Grandaddy's Farm (Estill Springs, TN)

Ocoee Valley Farms (Benton, TN)

Mayfield Farm Park (Athens, TN)

Guthrie Pumpkin Farm (Riceville, TN)

Tate Farm (Meridianville, AL)

The Library at Catoosa offers a variety of services, such as monthly activities for all ages, an outstanding Genealogy collection, and over 100,000 items in print and audiovisual formats to check out. At the library, they provide free Internet, access to Microsoft Office programs, GALILEO, GADD, and so much more! Our Catoosa County Library is a member of PINES, a public library lending network of more than 300 libraries throughout Georgia. Click the link to see more of what is happening at your local Library!

https://www.catoosacountylibrary.org/

“See Something, Send Something” provides a platform to capture a photo of suspicious activity or send information with written text. Info received is sent directly to the Georgia Information Sharing and Analysis Center (GISAC) where tips are evaluated and provided to law enforcement across the state as needed. The application is available at no cost for iPhone and Android phone users, as well as iPad users.

The service, provided by My Mobile Witness, Inc., uses privacy protection software to safeguard users’ personal information and the integrity of tips. The system allows citizens to engage with GISAC without tracking locations or storing any personal information. Submitted tips are immediately removed from the mobile device and purged from the My Mobile Witness system following delivery to GISAC.

NOTE: This system is NOT intended for emergency situations. For situations requiring an immediate response, call 911 or your local law enforcement directly.

To download “See Something, Send Something,” click the correct phone type below: