HMES NEWSLETTER

I hope you all had a great weekend!

We are now entering Week 7 of the 2025–2026 school year, and what an incredible journey it has been so far! Last week was nothing short of amazing, and the level of parent support we received was truly unmatched. You all ROCK!

Thank you, parents, for your unwavering partnership and active involvement. I would love to see this level of energy and commitment every single week.

💞A huge shout-out to our PTO for being AWESOME as always!

🎉Thank you to all the grandparents who came out to be celebrated—we loved honoring you.

👏Special thanks to PTO and Administration for sponsoring the food, and to Ms. Bailey for her beautiful preparation and decorations. Our PTO also hosted a highly successful Book Fair.

🫶 We are also grateful to the Lakeside football players and cheerleaders who brought such joy by helping with car duty and reading to our students.

🪅And of course, Multicultural Night was one to remember. Thank you to our parent volunteers, PTO, staff, and Mr. Alvez for making it so special.

🏅 KUDOS to our Track and Field Team for doing an outstanding job on Saturday we are so proud of you! Thank you to all that came to help us cheer them on.

🌿 A big thank you as well to Taylor for his excellent work on our outdoor classroom. We truly appreciate his hard work and dedication in making this space so special for our students.

🫶 A huge thank you to the Johvi, Meaders, Lopzez, and Kostopolous families for showing up and supporting our school during Campus Beautification Day!! Your time, energy, and commitment made a big difference. We take great pride in our school community, and it’s important that the outside of our building reflects the excellence happening inside.

👀 Looking ahead, we have even more exciting things happening this week. This Monday, please have your child wear their dots as we join in celebrating DOT DAY!

📌 Reminder: September is Attendance Awareness Month. Being at school every day and on time is one of the most important factors in student success. Please support us by ensuring your child is present daily, arrives on time, and only misses school when absolutely necessary. To celebrate, every Friday in September, students are invited to dress up as their favorite Avenger or Superhero. Remember, every day counts!

We are proud to continue moving forward in partnership with you as we stay focused on academic excellence, student well-being, and strong school-family connections.

Be sure to read the full SMORE for details and don’t forget to watch our weekly STEAM video, you may catch a picture of your child!

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!

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 20th 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.

We are excited to announce that International Dot Day 2025 will be celebrated on Monday, September 15! This annual event encourages creativity, courage, and collaboration, inspired by the beloved children’s book The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds. The story highlights the journey of a girl who “makes her mark” with a single dot, showing that even small efforts can lead to big accomplishments.

Millions of people around the world—including students, teachers, and families—participate by creating their own marks and sharing them with others.

Here’s how your family can participate:

1. Learn – Read The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds to discover the story behind the celebration.

2. Register – Visit the official International Dot Day website to access free resources and a downloadable educator’s handbook.

3. Create – Make your own mark! Share your creations online using #InternationalDotDay and #MakeYourMark.

4. Join – Become part of a global community celebrating creativity and positivity.

We hope your child will join us in celebrating International Dot Day and making their mark on the world!

Good Afternoon, you’re invited to join us for Coffee & Conversation! This is a wonderful opportunity to connect, share, and engage with our school community.

📌 Please see the flyer for full details.

☕ We look forward to seeing you there!

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!

Opportunities include:

• EIM Dance (Various grade levels)

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

Dear Henderson Mill Parents, our COACH JOE will be running a club this year for fourth and fifth grade students. This club will be dedicated to sports training, team building, conditioning and mentorship. Students will be provided with an opportunity to grow as individuals and build lifelong qualities. Hawks Elite club is a special organization and will look to provide t-shirts along with other fun rewards to all members included. Spaces are limited so secure your child's spot in the club. Misconduct may be subject to removal from continued participation in the Program.

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 17 – 12:00 PM & 6:00 PM

• 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!

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

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!

As a Title I, Part A school, Henderson Mill Elementary—together with our students and families—shares a commitment to student success. The School Parent and Family Engagement Policy, School-Parent Compact, and the DeKalb County School District’s Parent and Family Engagement Plan outline how parents, students, and school staff will work in partnership to support and strengthen student learning. These documents also highlight how we will continue building meaningful family-school relationships that help every child meet and exceed Georgia’s challenging academic standards.

We ask that you please take time to carefully review the attached documents for this school year. A copy of the School-Parent Compact will also be provided tonight at Curriculum Night, and all documents will be available in the next SMORE for your reference.

To acknowledge that you have received, reviewed, and agree to the School Parent and Family Engagement Policy, School-Parent Compact, and the District’s Parent and Family Engagement Plan, please sign and date below. This commitment serves as a reminder of the vital role we each play in your child’s education. We will revisit this agreement together during school-family events throughout the year as we work to ensure your child’s success.

Attached below:
-Henderson Mill School-Parent Compact (hard copy at Curriculum Night)
-Family Engagement Plan for the current school year

-DeKalb County School District’s Parent and Family Engagement Plan:
District Parent & Family Engagement Plan-https://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/parent-family-engagement/

Please be sure to view your 1st grade—5th grade child's 1st Semester 4.5 Week Progress Report on Friday, September 12th , after 3 p.m. on Infinite Campus. A hard copy of the progress report will not be sent home. Kindergarten Teachers will send home GKIDS Reports and report cards.
Please click on the website below for Infinite Campus support:
https://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/virtual-learning-support/#tab-dba9077bf96d1254ec9
Please see the video to support how to see your child's grades in Infinite Campus: https://youtu.be/CFPCORjNazY
If you have questions or concerns about grades, please contact your child's teacher to schedule a parent-teacher conference.

📌 Conference Day Information

Date: Tuesday, September 23rd
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