Sagamore Hills ES Principal's Post
September 18, 2026
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES
Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held on September 29, 2026. Conferences are an excellent time to check in with your child's teacher to see the progress your student has made so far this year! Conferences will be 15 minutes in length. Teachers recently sent out a signup genius link for you to schedule a conference. Below are some helpful tips to ensure that that your conference with your child's teacher is a productive exchange of dialogue.
Tips for Parents: Parent/Teacher Conferences
Before the conference:
- Ask your child how they feel about school.
- Ask your child if there is anything that they want you to talk about with their teacher.
- Tell your child that you and the teacher are meeting to help them.
- Make a list of topics that you want to talk about with the teacher.
Prepare a list of questions such as:
1. What are my child's strongest and weakest subjects?
2. Does my child hand homework in on time?
3. Does my child participate in class?
4. Does my child seem happy at school?
5. What can I do at home to help?
During the conference:
- Be on time (or early) for the meeting.
- End the meeting on time. Other parents will probably have a conference after yours.
- Relax and be yourself.
- Stay calm during the conference.
- Ask the most important questions first.
- If your child receives special services such as Special Education, ESOL, and/or Gifted, ask about your child's progress in those classes. You may set up a separate conference with those teachers as well.
- Ask for explanations of anything you don't understand.
- Ask your child's teacher for ways that you can help your child at home.
- Thank the teacher.
After the conference:
- Talk about the conference with your child.
- Talk about the positive points, and be direct about problems or concerns.
- Tell your child about any plans you and the teacher created.
- Keep in touch with the teacher during the school year.
STUDENT ASSIGNMENT PROJECT
Engagement Session 2 of the Student Assignment Project is now underway.
This is an important opportunity for families, staff, students, and community members in the Chamblee, Cross Keys, Druid Hills, Dunwoody, Lakeside, and Tucker clusters.
Lakeside Cluster parents are encouraged to attend the session on 9/22 at Tucker HS.
Watch the Engagement Session 2 presentation, available in multiple languages.
The presentation provides the full picture of where things stand today with the Student Assignment Project, how options are presented, and why.
We strongly encourage you to watch the Engagement Session 2 presentation before providing feedback. https://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/divisions/access-and-opportunity/sap/engagement-series-clone
Attend or Participate in a Public Comment Meeting
Public comment meetings will take place next week on Tuesday, September 22, at Tucker High School and Thursday, September 24, at Cross Keys High School.
If you would like to speak, you must register by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 18.
Register to Speak at a Public Comment Session - https://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/divisions/access-and-opportunity/sap/public-comment-sessions
You do not have to register to attend.
BEANSTACK
Greetings parents,
This year, we will continue using Beanstalk to track our student's reading. They should be reading every day, track their minutes in Beanstalk, and earn badges. This will help to grow their reading habits. The flyer below shares more detailed information about Beanstack! Let's read, Sagamore!
SKEDADDLE FUN RUN FUNDRAISER
Thank you, Sagamore for all of your donations! We did it! 💙💛💙💛
Final Reward: Students get to duct tape Principal Freeman to the wall! Let's do this!
If you plan to attend the Fun Run on September 23rd, please RSVP below.
THANK YOU TO OUR SKEDADDLE SPONSORS!
SEPTEMBER DATES TO REMEMBER
SCHOOL PICTURE DAY
TALENT SHOW TRYOUTS
CUSTODIAN APPRECIATION DAY - OCTOBER 2ND
SHARE WITH NEIGHBORS/FRIENDS: SCHOOL TOURS FOR PROSPECTIVE PARENTS
COME OUT TO SUPPORT OUR TRACK TEAM!
4TH & 5TH GRADERS MAY NOW JOIN OUR COMPETITIVE DANCE TEAM
Registration is now open for elementary competitive season. This is completely FREE!
Dance coaches are: Ms. Haywood and Ms. Moran!
The season begins on November 30 and ends February 6. Click the button below to register your student.
Register today: https://survey.sogolytics.com/survey/form?k=SsRPUXRPsYVYsPsPsP&lang=0
4TH & 5TH GRADERS MAY NOW JOIN OUR BASKETBALL TEAM
Registration for our Basketball Team is now open! This is free for 4th & 5th Graders! Boys and girls are welcome to play!
Our coaches are: Coach E and Ms. Davenport.
Click here to register your child: https://survey.sogolytics.com/survey/form?k=SsRPUXRPsYYRsPsPsP&lang=0
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED DURING LUNCH
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN THE FRONT OFFICE
CLASS DUES
Dear Sagamore Hills Families,
As we prepare for another exciting school year, we are always looking for ways to make things easier for our families while ensuring our students continue to have meaningful learning experiences.
One piece of feedback we received many times from parents last school year was the desire to reduce the number of requests for money throughout the school year. We listened!
New this year, each grade level will have one Class Dues payment that will cover many of the activities and events students participate in throughout the year. Rather than sending home multiple payment requests, families will make one payment that covers the items listed below.
PreK – 4th Grade: $75
Your child's class dues will cover:
- Two field trips
- Field Day T-shirt
- Classroom activities and special projects throughout the year
5th Grade: $250
Your child's class dues will cover:
- Overnight trip to the Fortson 4-H Center
- Yearbook
- Field Day T-shirt
- 5th Grade Week activities
We strongly encourage families to pay online through MySchoolBucks, which provides a safe, secure, and convenient way to submit payments.
We appreciate your partnership and support as we continue working to simplify processes for our families while providing enriching experiences for every Wildcat. Thank you for helping us make this school year a wonderful one!
With gratitude,
Ms. Freeman
CLASS DUES DIRECT LINKS
Parents - you have the option of paying class dues in full or making 2 separate payments. We would like all dues to be paid by end of September.
Exceptional Education Class Dues (Roberts, Smith, Hargrove, Cooper)
https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZI5ZPFYE60476N_ZZ6BD2KUXHMSLS9
Pre-K Full Payment
https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZI5ZPFYE60476N_ZZ6BDH74OBEHET5
Pre-K Half payment
https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZI5ZPFYE60476N_ZZ6BTRO172HIS7S
Kindergarten Full Payment
https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZI5ZPFYE60476N_ZZ6BD2NOJF1GT38
Kindergarten Half payment
https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZI5ZPFYE60476N_ZZ6BTQFWEQ5VBEE
1st Grade Full Payment
https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZI5ZPFYE60476N_ZZ6BD2PFNJYVDQ4
1st Grade Half payment
https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZI5ZPFYE60476N_ZZ6BTQ9E1H9P7L8
2nd Grade Full payment
https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZI5ZPFYE60476N_ZZ6BD2QZX8IP1LY
2nd grade Half payment
https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZI5ZPFYE60476N_ZZ6BTQBG2ZJJ6IP
3rd Grade Full payment
https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZI5ZPFYE60476N_ZZ6BD2RC9ALRKB5
3rd grade Half payment
https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZI5ZPFYE60476N_ZZ6BTQBVI5ZMT1D
4th Grade Full Payment
https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZI5ZPFYE60476N_ZZ6BD2SSXEHHNUP
4th grade Half payment
https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZI5ZPFYE60476N_ZZ6BTQCKGZAGQXO
5th Grade Full payment
https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZI5ZPFYE60476N_ZZ6BD2TBONDJE0Q
5th grade Half payment
https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZI5ZPFYE60476N_ZZ6BTQDH17NPZLF
2026-2027 PARENT/STUDENT HANDBOOK
***Please download the handbook using the attachment below and save it to refer to throughout the school year.
Thank you for continuing to partner with us in ensuring our school year runs smoothly!
2026-2027 SCHOOL CALENDAR
TEACHER AMAZON WISHLISTS
Thank you for supporting our teachers! Please consider purchasing an item off of their wishlist to support teaching and learning this school year!
STAY CONNECTED WITH US ON FACEBOOK!
Don’t miss a moment of the magic happening at Sagamore Hills! Follow us on Facebook to see highlights of student learning, school events, and the incredible things our Wildcats are doing every day. 💙💛
Like and follow us: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AmVi4se2G/?mibextid=wwXIfr
1ST SEMESTER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
SPIRIT NIGHTS
OUR AMAZING SPONSORS
KROGER COMMUNITY AWARDS
KEN RADA FAMILY PORTRAITS
2026-2027 CALENDAR AT A GLANCE
TEACHER/STAFF FAVORITE THINGS LIST
WHO TO CONTACT WHEN QUESTIONS ARISE
Please review and save the list below so you are aware who to contact when questions arise.
Please keep in mind that we have a communication protocol at Sagamore Hills for concerns.
- If you have a concern about your student/class, you should email your child's teacher directly first!
- If the concern/issue continues, you should email the Assistant Principal: Ms. Fassinger.
- If you continue having concerns, please reach out directly to Ms. Freeman, Principal.
Skipping a step above will actually slow down the process of getting help for
your child, as the person you contact will have to back-track and gather additional information.
By starting with the person who spends the most time with your child – the teacher – you are
most likely to get the information you need and reach a solution more quickly.
If you have questions regarding any of the following items below - please contact the person listed.
- Membership Toolkit - Mr. David Lomba: website@sagamorehillsfoundation.org
- Spiritwear - Ms. Cristina Fundora: spiritwear@sagamorehillsfoundation.org
- Foundation Volunteer opportunities - Ms. Allison Porter: president@sagamorehillsfoundation.org
- Reporting your child's absence from school - email your child's homeroom teacher AND our school registrar, Ms. Jamila Stewart: jamila_stewart@dekalbschoolsga.org
- Changes in transportation - email your child's homeroom teacher AND our school secretary, Ms. Jamila Stewart: jamila_stewart@dekalbschoolsga.org. This must be done by 10am!
- Questions for the school nurse - contact Nurse Mency Theodore: mency_theodore@dekalbschoolsga.org.
- Questions about school lunch - contact our Assistant cafeteria manager, Ms. Sade Agbara: morenike_okanlawon@dekalbschoolsga.org.
- General questions pertaining to your child's class - email your child's homeroom teacher
- Questions related to school counseling and/or 504s - email one of our school counselors: Ms. Ashley Witeczek (PreK-4th): ashley_m_witeczek@dekalbschoolsga.org or Mr. Sean Patrick (5th grade and all 504 plans): sean_patrick@dekalbschoolsga.org.
- Questions related to Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and requesting additional interventions for academic support, contact Adrienne Toliver: adrienne_toliver@dekalbschoolsga.org.
- Questions pertaining to our Special Education program: contact Ms. Jericka Harden: Jericka_K_Harden@dekalbschoolsga.org
- Questions about gifted eligibility - please contact Dr. Kristy Shackelford: kristy_shackelford@dekalbschoolsga.org.
- Questions pertaining to After School Academy (ASA) - please contact the co-directors: Ms. Cherri Latimer: and Ms. Unique Hankins: saghiles-asacademy@dekalbschoolsga.org.
- Questions pertaining to class schedules, progress reports, assessments, and report cards - email our Assistant Principal, Ms. Jennifer Fassinger: jennifer_fassinger@dekalbschoolsga.org
- Questions pertaining to schoolwide operations - email Principal, Ms. Freeman: tonya_edwards@dekalbschoolsga.org
OPT-IN TO SCHOOL MESSENGER
Stay Connected
Email: tonya_edwards@dekalbschoolsga.org
Website: https://www.sagamorehillses.dekalb.k12.ga.us/
Location: 1865 Alderbrook Road, NE Atlanta, GA 30345
Phone: (678) 874-7502
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AmVi4se2G/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Twitter: @Sagamore_Hills