Panther Press

Hello Panther Parents,

Happy New Year! I hope you had a great break! We did! On Saturday December 27th....we went out on my parents boat...went to Margaritaville and had dinner...it was 70 degrees (see picture of Beau and I above)! Craziness!

As we welcome 2026, I want to begin by saying thank you. Thank you for your partnership, your trust, and for the incredible ways you support your children every single day. A new year always brings a sense of hope and possibility, and I’m excited for what’s ahead for our New Prospect community!

As we step back into routines, I want to remind us of our schoolwide theme: Strong Body, Strong Mind. This isn’t just a message for students during the school day—it’s a mindset for all of us. We cannot be our best selves academically, emotionally, or socially unless we care for ourselves both physically and mentally. Even more importantly, our children learn how to do this by watching us.

As parents and caregivers, we are our children’s first teachers. They observe how we handle stress, how we make time for our health, how we connect with others, and how we show up when life feels busy. When they see us valuing our well-being, setting healthy boundaries, and practicing balance, they learn that taking care of themselves matters too.

That’s why I want to encourage each of you—yes, this is part of my job as a principal and a partner to families—to consider making a New Year’s resolution as a parent. Not something perfect or overwhelming, but something intentional. Something that strengthens your body, your mind, and your connection with your family.

I want to share mine with you.

This year, I am committing to putting my phone away from 5:00–8:00 p.m. each evening so I can be fully present with my son, Beau, and my husband. Those hours are precious—playtime, dinner conversations, laughter, bedtime routines—and I realized that even small distractions-like emails and social media were pulling me away from being truly engaged.

I know this choice will:

Make me a more patient and present parent (still figuring out if this will do this lol)
Strengthen my relationship as a wife (again...we will see)
Improve my mental well-being by giving my mind a daily break
Model for my son what healthy boundaries and balance look like

Am I going to be perfect at this resolution...no....but I'm going to try and that's what matters!

This simple change directly supports a Strong Mind—by reducing stress and increasing presence—and a Strong Body—by prioritizing connection, rest, and intentional time together.

When we set goals like this, we are doing powerful work:

We show our children that growth never stops
We demonstrate the courage to reflect and improve
We normalize self-care as a strength, not a luxury

Our kids don’t need perfect parents. They need parents who are willing to grow, adapt, and take care of themselves so they can take care of others.

As we begin this new year, I encourage you to think about one small change you might make as a family. It could be:

More time outdoors
More shared meals
Better sleep routines
Less screen time
More kindness toward yourself

Thank you again for everything you do to support your children and our school.

Wishing you and your family a very happy, healthy New Year!

Amy Lemons

Principal

Upcoming Events:

Friday January 9th- Pep Rally-Wear House Colors

Friday January 16th-Club Picture Day

Monday January 19th- No School-MLK Jr. Day

Friday January 23rd-NPE Production of Finding Nemo @ Innovation Academy- 7:30pm *Tickets go on Sale this Friday January 9th

Saturday January 24th-NPE Production of Finding Nemo @ Innovation Academy- 6:00pm *Tickets go on Sale this Friday January 9th

Monday February 23rd- Parent Workshop by APD 5:30-7:00 pm *info below

Friday January 30th- NPE Spirit Night at iCode 5-8 *info below

Friday February 6th-STEAM Day-Wear House Colors

Friday February 13th- 2nd Grade Musical 8:00am

Daddy/Daughter Dance 5:00pm @ Phase Family Center *save the date below

Spring STEAM Night at Innovation Academy *info below

Monday & Tuesday February 15th & 16th-No School For Students

YOUNG GEORGIA AUTHORS WRITING COMPETITION

It’s time for the annual Young Georgia Authors Writing Competition sponsored by the Georgia Department of Education. The purpose of this competition is to encourage our K-12 students to develop enthusiasm for and expertise in their writing, provide a context to celebrate their writing success, and recognize student achievement in the arts and academics. We are inviting our New Prospect Panthers to participate in this amazing opportunity and showcase their writing talents across our district and throughout the state!

Please see the attached document that includes competition rules and entry form. All students have already received a hard copy of this in their Thursday Folder.

Questions? Please contact Heather Alterman, Literacy Coach (alterman@fultonschools.org)

Entry Form

Click Here

ALL IN ON ATTENDANCE – New Year, Fresh Start

A new semester is a chance to recommit to excellent attendance. Every school day is an opportunity to learn, grow, and prepare for success.

Attending school regularly in January sets a pattern—students who attend 90% or more this month are more likely to meet year-end goals.

The late bell rings at 7:40am. Students should be in their classroom ready to learn at that time.

Please email your child’s teacher and copy npfrontdesk@fultonschools.org when your child is absent.

COSA Accepting Schools for 2026-2027

Application window closes January 9, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

Fulton County Schools has identified the following schools that can accept transfer students for the 2026-2027 school year under the Change of School Assignment process. Only schools with available space, defined as 95% enrollment or below stated capacity over a 3-year projection, are COSA-eligible.

The application deadline is Friday, January 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Acceptance or denial decisions for COSA applications are expected to be emailed in mid/late January. If the application is approved, parents must respond by the stated deadline to have their child enrolled at the new school in 2026-2027. Transportation is the responsibility of the parent, and students must meet attendance, academic and behavioral requirements to maintain enrollment.

Does your family need a little help?

We recognize that some families in our school community rely on SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) to help meet monthly food needs. The Georgia Department of Human Services has announced that November SNAP benefits may be delayed due to a pause in federal funding.

We understand this news may bring stress and uncertainty for some families. Please know you are not alone — our school and Fulton County Schools are here to support you.

To help families during this time, we are launching the ConnectFulton Food Initiative. We are partnering with food banks, churches, and community organizations across the county to ensure families have access to groceries and meals. A full list of nearby food resources is available HERE.

If your family has a critical need for food, clothing or shelter, please reach out to Mrs. Christina McLeod at mcleodcr@fultonschools.org (will be confidential).

We are committed to ensuring our students and families have access to the necessary resources to promote the learning and well-being of our students. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need assistance or have questions.