HMES NEWSLETTER

HAPPY SUNDAY, HAWK FAMILY! IT'S SMORE DAY! WEEK 11 STARTS THIS WEEK — LET'S KEEP SOARING!

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! We have so much to celebrate and be thankful for at Henderson Mill! A special thank you to our amazing families who continue to volunteer, support, and pour into our school community. YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

LAST WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS!

• Georgia Pre-K Week was AMAZING! Thank you to everyone who helped make it special!

• PTO Meeting: Thank you to all our families who joined us!

• PBIS Day: What an AWESOME day celebrating positive behavior and our incredible Hawks!

• Walk & Roll Day: A HUGE thank you to Mrs. Parsons and our wonderful PTO for organizing and facilitating such a successful event!

• Hawk Soccer: A HUGE thank you to our student-athletes, coaches, and the students and families who came out Saturday to play, support, and CHEER ON OUR HAWKS!

Be sure to explore this week's SMORE Newsletter for upcoming events, important announcements, family resources, reminders, and opportunities to get involved! Use the Table of Contents to find what matters most to your family! Don't forget to check out the video this week, it is super long but there was a lot going in this week.

HAWK FAMILY, LET'S MAKE WEEK 11 ANOTHER GREAT ONE!

Thank you for your continued partnership, positivity, and HAWK PRIDE!

TO STEAM AND BEYOND — FORWARD TOGETHER!

-Dr. Blanton

At Henderson Mill Elementary, we are committed to growing, improving, and providing the very best experience for every student and family. Your voice matters!

Your feedback will help us celebrate what is working well and identify opportunities for growth that are within our control at the school level.

Thank you for partnering with us as we continue to grow, improve, and make Henderson Mill the best it can be!

A HUGE Hawk Thank You to our amazing parent volunteers and talented students who helped transform our classroom doors into festive fall and spooky masterpieces! Your creativity, teamwork, and school spirit have truly brought our hallways to life!

NOW IT'S TIME TO VOTE!

Henderson Mill families, we need YOUR help! Please take a moment to vote for your FAVORITE decorated door using the link below.

Let's celebrate creativity!

All students can participate! Scan the QR code on the flyer for more information. Spread some spooky kindness and surprise a friend with a BOO-GRAM while supporting our 5th Grade PTO Fundraiser!

• $1 per BOO-GRAM | $20 per classroom
• October 19–28, 2026
• 7:00–7:45 AM in the front lobby

Let's spread kindness, smiles, and a little Halloween magic throughout Henderson Mill!

This October, our Hawks are coming together for a special cause! Every Wednesday in October, students, staff, and families are encouraged to WEAR PINK as we raise awareness for breast cancer, honor survivors, remember those we have lost, and support continued research.

Whether it’s a pink shirt, socks, bow, tie, or accessory PINK it out with us!

Together, we are promoting wellness, compassion, and community, one Wednesday at a time!

October Goal: Be Here. Be On Time. Be Ready to SOAR! Each week, classes will compete for the Golden Hawk Attendance Award.

A class earns points for:

• 🍁 1 point — 95%+ classroom daily attendance
• ⏰ 1 bonus point — No classroom tardies for the day
• 💯 2 bonus points — 100% classroom attendance for the day

🏆 Weekly Winning Class: Golden Hawk recognition + Friday class shout-out on morning announcements.
🎉 October Grand Prize: The class with the most points on October 30th earns 20 DOJO Points each!

See poster of winning class, let's keep the competition exciting.

Henderson Mill Elementary families, join us for a special Spirit Night on October 23rd! We want this to be more than just a night out, we hope it will be a wonderful opportunity for our families to come together, connect, bond, and enjoy quality time as one HMES community. Thank you to all the parents and staff that came to last month's Spirit Night! See flyer for details. Bring the family, invite a friend, and let’s make it a night of fun, food, fellowship, and Hawk pride!

October is National Bullying Prevention Month, and Henderson Mill is joining DeKalb County School District in spreading a powerful message: BULLYING STOPS HERE!

At Henderson Mill, EVERY Hawk deserves to feel SAFE, RESPECTED, INCLUDED, and VALUED! We encourage all students, families, and staff to stand together against bullying, harassment, and unkind behavior. Kindness starts with YOU!

IMPORTANT DATES:

• October 19–23: Bullying Awareness Week

• Wednesday, October 21: National Unity Day — WEAR ORANGE to show that we stand together against bullying!

FAMILIES, WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT! Talk with your children about kindness, respect, speaking up, and standing up for others. Together, we can create a school where EVERY Hawk feels they belong!

LET’S PACK THE SIDELINES AND CHEER ON OUR HAWKS!

A huge THANK YOU to all our families, students, and staff who came out to cheer on our Hawks at their first soccer game! Your energy, encouragement, and school spirit made a difference!

Our next game is this upcoming Saturday, October 24th! We are calling on our entire Hawk family to show up and show out!

A huge thank you to Mr. Garcia and Mr. Bonner for leading our student-athletes this season. Our players have been working hard, and now it’s time for the HMES community to SHOW UP and SHOW OUT! Wear your HMES spirit wear, rock your BLUE & GREEN, and come ready to cheer LOUD for our Hawks!

Please see the soccer flyers for game schedules, locations, and additional details. There has been an update.

Let’s make this a great season filled with teamwork, sportsmanship, school spirit, and HAWK PRIDE! GO HAWKS! TO STEAM AND BEYOND: FORWARD TOGETHER!

As mentioned previously on ClassDojo, HMES had a Fire Drill scheduled for last Wednesday, and we are pleased to share that we had a successful drill.

Fire drills are necessary safety practices that help ensure our students and staff know what to do in the event of an actual fire or smoke emergency. Practice drills, and our goal is always to help everyone know what to do while maintaining a safe, calm, and supportive environment for our students.

Thank you, HMES families, for partnering with us as we continue to make student and staff safety a top priority!

Hello, DCSD Community! Click the link below for The DCSD Weekly Digest – October 19, 2026 Newsletter.

Stay Connected and Stay Informed: https://bit.ly/4mGG6Wm.

• Student Assignment Project Engagement Session #3 Dates
• Holiday Gift Program
• School Choice Open Enrollment
• New E-SPLOST Webpage
• Weekly and Monthly Recognitions
• Octoberfest 2026
• Community Tech Café
• Gifted Education Information Night
• Elementary Basketball
• Fall Into Literacy
• Exceptional Education Parent Engagement Fair
• International Parent Engagement Series
• Elementary Competitive Dance
• Newsletter Highlights Spanish Video
• Photos & Videos of the Week

Let's continue moving forward together because the strength of our community lies in unity and continuous communication.

DeKalb County School District is continuing its Student Assignment Project (SAP) to strengthen educational opportunities and address school overcrowding. The Lakeside Cluster is among the areas being reviewed as the district prepares for new and expanded schools opening beginning in Fall 2027.

Your Voice Matters! Families are encouraged to participate in the upcoming engagement opportunities:

• Updated Dates & Opportunities to Participate

  📋 Online Survey

  • Opens: October 27 at 9:00 a.m.

  • Closes: November 10 at 11:59 p.m.

  🗣️ Public Comment Session – Lakeside Cluster

  • November 4 | 6:00–8:00 p.m.

  • Location: Druid Hills Middle School (Druid Hills Middle School)

  🏫 Community Advisory Team Meeting – Lakeside Cluster

  • November 10 | 6:00–7:30 p.m.

  • Location: Lakeside High School

  💻 Online Focus Groups

  • October 30–November 11

  • Complete the online survey to be considered for participation. Selected participants will receive confirmation.

Hawks, stay informed and get involved! Your feedback is important as DCSD plans for the future of our schools and students.

DeKalb County School District is moving toward cashless payments. When families are asked to pay for field trips, activities, events, and other school-related expenses, you will receive a QR code or payment link to pay securely online through "MY SCHOOL BUCKS".

Going cashless provides families with instant payment confirmation, an electronic record/receipt, easier tracking of payments, and less risk of money being lost or misplaced.

Scan. Pay. Confirm. Done!

Please be on the lookout for payment links and QR codes.

Please be sure to view your 1st grade—5th grade child's 1st Semester 9 Week Progress Report on Infinite Campus soon. A hard copy of the progress report will not be sent home however, you can ask your child's teacher to print you want.

Please see the video to support how to see your child's grades in Infinite Campus.

If you have questions or concerns about grades, please contact your child's teacher to schedule a parent-teacher conference to support.

Thank you.

Mark your calendars for a new date! November Conference Week will be November 16th - 20th. More details and sign-up information will be coming soon from your child’s classroom teacher.

Reminder you never have to wait for Conference Week to connect with your child’s teacher! If you have a concern, question, or simply want to check in about your child’s progress, please reach out and schedule a conference at any time.

We all believe in partnering with our families all year long!

Congratulations to our 5th Grade Team, Ms. Pappas, Grade Chair, Ms. Gray, Ms. Raines, and Ms. Reaves!

This team demonstrates what it means to be stronger together through collaboration, consistency, flexibility, and a shared commitment to student success.

Thank you for supporting one another and continuing to move our Hawks To STEAM and Beyond: Forward Together!

Henderson Mill is proud to celebrate Red Ribbon Week, a national campaign that encourages students to make healthy, safe, and positive choices and remain drug-free.

Throughout the week, our Hawks will participate in fun activities that promote healthy decision-making, confidence, and positive choices!

See details about Red Ribbon Spirit Week on the flyer above! Also share the video below with your child to support their understanding.

Get ready for a spooky, funny, and SWEET night at Henderson Mill! Join us Thursday, October 29 from 6:00–7:30 PM in the HMES parking lot.

🚗 Decorate Your Trunk Contest
👻 Costume Contest
🍬 Hand Out Candy
🏚️ Haunted House, tickets will be sold
🍔 Food available for purchase

We need our HMES parent volunteers to help make the magic happen! Sign up using the link below to decorate a trunk, pass out candy, or lend a helping hand.

Families attending the event should park on the field.

Come dressed, come hungry, and come ready for a SPOOK-TACULAR night with our Hawks!

Get ready for a SPOOKTACULAR day of literacy, creativity, and learning at Henderson Mill!

Friday, October 30th
Book Character Parade: 7:45–8:00 AM
Spooky Subject Day: All day

Students are invited to dress as a character from a favorite book AND bring the book with them as we parade through HMES celebrating our love of reading!

Parents, we want YOU to join the fun! Come cheer on our Hawks during the parade, or spend some time in a classroom by reading a spooky/fall story or leading a fun STEAM activity.

Please contact your child’s teacher to sign up for a time to participate.

Costumes + Books + Literacy + STEAM + Families = A SPOOKTACULAR Day of Learning!

Let’s make reading come ALIVE at HMES!

Tuesday, November 3, 2026 – Independent Learner/Professional Development Day

Please remember that there will be NO IN-PERSON SCHOOL on Tuesday, November 3rd!

Students will learn virtually from home and are expected to complete the independent learning assignments provided by their teachers. Please ensure your child reviews and completes all assigned activities to stay on track with learning. Our teachers will participate in professional development while our Hawks continue learning from home!

Thank you for your continued partnership and support!

TO STEAM AND BEYOND — FORWARD TOGETHER!

Picture Day Retakes are Friday, November 6, 2026!

Did your child miss the original Picture Day or need a retake? This is their chance to capture that perfect school smile! Visit www.mylifetouch.com to create an account or log in. Picture Day ID: EVT24FTXB

We can't wait to see those beautiful Hawk smiles!

As we continue To STEAM and Beyond: Forward Together, Henderson Mill will be planning a STEM WEEK!

Teachers, will challenge your children to think critically, create, collaborate, problem-solve, and INNOVATE daily. Whether it's building towers, designing bridges, conducting experiments, coding, or integrating art into learning, every classroom is a STEAM classroom! We invite parents to come during STEM week to help celebrate as students will be involved in their PBL and a STEAM challenge! Please scroll down the newsletter to the volunteer opportunities to sign up below.

Michael Green the Science Machine ASSEMBLY — NOVEMBER 4TH!

• Session 1: 8:30–9:15 AM: Prek - 2nd Grade
• Session 2: 9:30–10:15 AM: 3rd - 5th Grade

Henderson Mill where Our Hawks Learn, Create, Innovate, and SOAR!

Henderson Mill is excited to kick off the American Heart Association's Kids Heart Challenge! Our Hawks will learn heart-healthy habits, lifesaving skills, and how to help children with special hearts live longer, healthier lives!

KICKOFF ASSEMBLY — NOVEMBER 4TH!

• Session 1: 8:30–9:00 AM: 3rd - 5th Grade
• Session 2: 9:30–10:00 AM: Prek - 2nd Grade

OUR SCHOOLWIDE GOAL: JUST $10 PER STUDENT!

HERE'S HOW FAMILIES CAN HELP:

1. Download the AHA Schools app or visit heart.org/schools to register.

2. Complete Finn's Mission, invite 10 family members or friends to support, and learn lifesaving skills, including calling 911 and recognizing stroke warning signs.

CLASSROOM CHALLENGE: The first classes to have EVERY student contribute $10 will earn special RECESS BASKETS filled with playground balls and jump ropes!

Every donation makes a difference, and all students can participate in the learning activities! See flyers above and video below.

BIG HEARTS. HEALTHY HAWKS. ONE AMAZING SCHOOL!

Get ready for our Wednesday Jump Rope Challenge on November 18th during recess! We encourage ALL students to participate in this exciting event promoting fitness, fun, and friendly competition!

• Pre-K: Hopscotch Challenge
• K–5: Jump Rope Challenge
• Prizes for our winning Hawks!
• Parents, please have your child wear comfortable clothing and athletic shoes!

A HUGE THANK YOU to our Wellness Committee for keeping our Hawks active and healthy!

Let's jump, hop, and SOAR together!

Henderson Mill Elementary is excited to partner with the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation Mobile Vision Clinic again during the week of November 16th-20th to provide FREE vision screenings and, when needed, FREE comprehensive eye exams for our students! This wonderful opportunity helps identify vision concerns early and supports our Hawks' academic success and overall well-being.

IMPORTANT PARENT NOTICE: If you DO NOT wish for your child to participate, you MUST send a message to your child's teacher through ClassDojo indicating that you are opting out. See screening packet below, forms will be sent home to complete for every child.

Together, we're helping our Hawks see clearly and SOAR toward success!

Media Center Family Update - Resource Spotlight: Sora - Sora is our digital reading app where students can access eBooks, audiobooks, read-alongs, magazines, and more from school or home.

Students can access Sora in two ways:

• On a computer: Sign in through Clever
• On a phone or tablet: Download the Sora app and log in using the student’s district email (their student number followed by @dekalbschoolsga.org - example: S1234567@dekalbschoolsga.org) and school password

Sora is a great option for reading at home, listening to audiobooks, and finding books even when students are away from the Media Center.

Need help getting started with Sora? Send Ms. Pitts a message on ClassDojo!

-Ms. Pitts & Mr. Barreto

The DeKalb County School District partners with Cartwheel to provide virtual mental health and wellness support to families, and all school staff.

Cartwheel is here to help if you notice changes in your child, student, or yourself, such as changes in mood, energy, or behavior; struggles with anxiety or frequent worries; difficulty with sleep or eating routines; challenges keeping up with schoolwork or staying motivated; pulling away from friends or activities you or they typically enjoy; talking about feeling down or discouraged; navigating a major change at home, at school, or with friends; or struggling with self-harm or having difficulty coping.

This month, our HMES counselors will visit classrooms to provide Social Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons focused to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to make healthy, responsible decisions that positively impact both school and life. Elementary students will focus on Bullying Awareness and Prevention, learning how to recognize bullying behaviors, demonstrate empathy, build positive peer relationships, and take action to help create a safe and inclusive school community. These lessons promote students’ social, emotional, and behavioral growth and contribute to a positive school climate where students feel informed, supported, and empowered to make choices that lead to success.

Family SEL Read-Aloud of the Month: This delightful book by Maria Dismondy, tells the story of a girl named Lucy who has big hair, eats fun foods, and just happens to be teased by a boy at school because of it. She tries to be brave but only wishes the teasing would stop. As the story unfolds, wise words from her Papa Gino guide her in doing the right thing and being kind, even when others are not. Watch below and see what happens that turns the tables on a bully while they are at school. There are many lessons to be learned. Click video to watch the read aloud.

Henderson Mill is planning to be strong 4 life!!!

With the help of the Strong4Life Challenge Team, this program teaches students, teachers, staff and families the importance of practicing healthy habits to help build strong bodies and minds.

As a recipient of this program, we’ve created resources to help you incorporate the Strong4Life healthy habits in your school. This page is your main “hub” for all your Challenge Program resources and communications.

Just 5 minutes a day of logging your child’s reading on Beanstack can help us climb even higher on the county-wide leaderboard! Beanstack is our school’s reading-tracking program.

Students can access Beanstack from their school computers and log the minutes they spend reading. Families may also download the Beanstack app so students can continue logging their reading at home.

Please encourage your child to log reading minutes regularly and honestly. See the attached flyer for directions and additional information. Together, we can build a powerful culture of reading at HMES, one page at a time!

Free Online Tutoring with Brainfuse: DeKalb County Public Library offers free live online tutoring through Brainfuse HelpNow for students in grades 3–12. Tutoring is available daily from 2:00–11:00 p.m. and includes help in a variety of subjects. Spanish-speaking tutors are also available. Brainfuse is chat-based, not video-based, and is free with a DeKalb County Public Library card. Please see the attached flyer for more information.

Please review the 2026–2027 DeKalb County School District Code of Student Conduct, which outlines students' responsibilities in helping to maintain a safe, respectful, and orderly learning environment.

• The Code of Student Conduct is available here:
  https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1784819613/dekalbschoolsgaorg/texavyab7ldnwczh6trp/2026-2027StudentCodeofConduct.pdf

The handbook includes important information regarding student records, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), reporting concerns such as bullying and harassment, the rights of students with disabilities, and other student rights and responsibilities.

• After reviewing the Code of Student Conduct, please sign, date, and return the
  2026–2027 Parent/Guardian Signature Page, available here:
  https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1784039413/dekalbschoolsgaorg/judxxd374x0gowgodgse/2026-2027SCOCConfirmationofReceipt.pdf

• https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1785780722/dekalbschoolsgaorg/xp5mgmiv6fjmukigwi1v/Spanish_2026-2027Parent-GuardianSignaturePage.pdf

Our AMIRA and MAP Growth diagnostic assessment window will open soon! These assessments provide valuable information about your child’s current academic strengths and progress thus far.

The results help our educators determine whether students need additional rigor, targeted support to close learning gaps, or enrichment and acceleration. This information allows teachers to personalize instruction in small groups or at SOAR Time, set meaningful learning goals, and ensure every student receives the instruction they need to thrive throughout the school year.

Please help your child do their best by ensuring they arrive at school on time, well-rested, and ready to learn each day during the testing window. Together, we can use this data to support every Hawk’s success!

HMES Parents, we want YOU at the table! Join us for our Parent Power Hour

Where we’ll provide lunch, practical tools, and helpful resources to support your child’s academic success and strong attendance.

We know that getting children to school consistently, on time, and ready to learn takes a partnership between home and school. During this time, we’ll talk about ways to overcome attendance barriers, strengthen routines at home, support learning, and connect families with resources that can help.

Come have lunch on us, connect with the HMES team, and leave with tools you can use right away!

You can't make it but still want to be apart of the session virtually, join the link below.

When families and schools work together, our Hawks SOAR!

Parent Walkthroughs with our Admin Team are scheduled, brief visits that allow families to see teaching and learning in action during the school day.

These are not formal observations or conferences. Instead, they provide parents with an opportunity to observe instructional practices, student engagement, and classroom routines while gaining a better understanding of our curriculum, instructional expectations, and schoolwide initiatives.

A special THANK YOU to the parents and our community sponsor that joined us for our First Semester Parent Walkthrough! We truly appreciate your time, commitment, and willingness to partner with us. Your perspective matters, and your feedback helps us reflect on our practices, celebrate what is working, and identify opportunities to continue improving the learning experience for every Hawk.

We value seeing our school through your lens! Your partnership is an important part of helping Henderson Mill continue to grow and get better together.

Based on your feedback, we are excited to continue welcoming parents to participate in upcoming Parent Walkthroughs on the dates and times listed below.

NEW DATE

The DeKalb County School District Division of Student Services invites families to a virtual Gifted Education Information Night on Thursday, October 29, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM.

Families will learn more about the characteristics of giftedness, how students are identified for gifted services, and practical ways to support gifted students at home and in school.

Event Details:
Date: Thursday, October 29, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Virtual

Register here: bit.ly/GiftedNight2026

We encourage families interested in learning more about gifted education and student support to join us for this virtual session.

Greetings DCSD Families,

You’re invited to join the 2026-2027 Community Tech Café, a free monthly webinar series hosted by the DCSD Instructional Technology Department.

The Community Tech Café is designed to help families, students, and community members learn more about the digital tools that support teaching, learning, communication, and online safety across the district.

Upcoming topics include:
• Your Digital DCSD Ecosystem
• Safety, Smarts & Success Online
• Helping Students Get the Most from Their Device
• Staying Connected through Campus Parent Portal
• Effective Digital Communication with Teachers
• AI Awareness

Sessions will continue monthly through May 2027 via Microsoft Teams.

Visit bit.ly/TechCafeDCSD to view the full schedule, meeting links, resources, and recordings.

We look forward to connecting with you at the Community Tech Café!

Join the DCSD Parent Education Empower Resources & Support Department on Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at DeKalb Early College Academy (DECA) for an Exceptional Education Parent Engagement Fair for connecting families with valuable resources, support, and opportunities to empower students with exceptional needs! We encourage all families to attend!

Join DCSD for a Family Literacy Conference on Saturday, October 31, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Rock Bridge Elementary School for a fun-filled celebration of reading and literacy! Bring the whole family and get ready to fall in love with reading!

Join the DCSD Title I Department for a Stakeholder Parent Engagement Fall Festival on Saturday, October 24, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Redan High School for an exciting Octoberfest celebration! Bring the whole family and enjoy a festive day of fall fun and community togetherness!

Your membership directly supports our teachers and school by funding our Alliance Theatre partnership, STEAM programming, teacher appreciation events, afterschool clubs and so much more. Every membership makes a difference!

As we continue a successful school year, please review and follow our arrival and dismissal expectations to ensure a smooth and safe day for all students. Thanks to our survey, it has come to my attention that our late arrival students are a huge parent concern as well. This is a disruption to our classrooms and teaching/learning. Please try your hardest to have your child to arrive to school on time, please see below.:

🌅 Morning Arrival:
🕖 7:00 AM – School doors open and breakfast begins. Please be sure your child has parent supervision if they arrive on campus before 7am.
🍽️ After breakfast – SOAR TIME (Intervention & Enrichment) starts (FREE TUTORING FOR YOUR CHILD). 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. Students should be in their classrooms.
📘 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.
🕝 2:20 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!

• Free or reduced-price school meals

• Reduced ACT, SAT, and AP exam fees

• Reduced college application fees

• Increased access to scholarship opportunities

Our cafeteria manager would love your support in encouraging all students to go through the lunch line each day, even if they bring lunch from home. This ensures every student has the opportunity to receive a nutritious meal and helps support our school nutrition program.

Please encourage students to participate in the lunch line each day. Thank you for your support!

Beginning this school year, all DCSD schools are phone-free zones. Students must power off and put away all personal devices, including cell phones, smartwatches, earbuds, and headphones, during the school day.

Our Disconnect to Reconnect initiative helps reduce distractions, increase student engagement, strengthen learning, and encourage meaningful connections with teachers and peers.

Thank you for partnering with us to create a focused, distraction-free learning environment for every student!

The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) School Choice Open Enrollment is an annual window that allows parents to apply for their children to attend a public school outside of their designated neighborhood attendance zone or enroll in specialized Magnet and Theme programs.

For the 2027–2028 school year, the primary application window runs from October 1, 2026 – December 11, 2026.

Primary Lottery Results Date: February 5, 2027

Late Application Window

• March 1, 2027 – July 15, 2027

If you want to explore different academic settings or specialized programs for your child, this is the time to apply.

Pack 007 is a Cub Scout Pack chartered at Embry Hills United Methodist Church. Our pack is open to K-5 boys and girls. The Pack (all age groups) usually meets once a month. The Dens (single grade level) generally meet two or three times a month.

ALWAYS ACCEPTING NEW SCOUTS!

Please email pack007ehumc@gmail.com

See flyer for more details. To learn more about cub scouting, please read the Cub Scout Parent Orientation Guide found below.

Event & Registration Logistics

• Program: DCSD Elementary Competitive Dance
• Who Can Join: All 4th and 5th-grade students
• Cost: FREE for all students
• Registration Deadline: November 17, 2026
• Season Dates: November 30, 2026 – February 6, 2027
• Key Requirements: Valid Sports Physical required to participate

The Pack is a family pack, welcoming boys and girls in grades K - 5th. We meet at Shallowford Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, GA. Pack members cross into Troop 534.

Starting as early as Kindergarten, Pack 534 provide opportunities for the entire family to participate in day trips, overnight camping, and hand-on activities such as archery, civics, crafts, pioneering, and stem activities.

Pack 534 holds Den Meetings most Tuesday nights from 7 - 8pm. One Tuesday each month is the Pack Meeting where Cub Scouts are awarded belt loops, badges, and pins for completing Adventures toward rank.

Students can enroll at any time of year and participate as much or little as their schedules allow.

We typically meet in the Great Hall and classrooms inside Shallowford Presbyterian Church, 2375 Shallowford Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30345

For enrollment information or any questions, please email scoutpack534@gmail.com

Hello, here is a great opportunity for sports for all ages!!! The earlier you register, the more they'll save on registration fees. We are now registering for our Winter 2026 sports season. For this season, i9 Sports offers flag football (ages 4-13), soccer (ages 3-8), basketball (ages 4-12) and Girls Only Volleyball Instructional Clinic (ages 9-14). We have locations in Brookhaven, Dunwoody, Chamblee, Tucker & More!

The DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management is hosting its 22nd Annual Art Calendar Contest for students in grades K–5!

Theme: “Everyone’s Experience With Water Is Unique – How Are You Inspired By Water?”

Students are encouraged to get creative and participate! 12 winners will be selected, with winning artwork featured in the 2027 calendar and displayed at the Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center.

📅 Deadline: November 6, 2026
📎 Please review the attached contest rules and entry form, as there are changes this year.

Let’s encourage our Hawks to showcase their creativity!

To inspire your students and encourage participation, we’ve included videos of the winning entries from the past few years. Feel free to share these with your students:

• DeKalb Watershed Art Calendar Contest 2026
• DeKalb Watershed Art Calendar Contest 2025
• DeKalb Watershed Art Calendar Contest 2024
• DeKalb Watershed Art Calendar Contest 2023
• DeKalb Watershed Art Calendar Contest 2022
• DeKalb Watershed Art Calendar Contest 2021

Best of luck to all students!

Let's inspire our students to discover the power of their words! Students in Grades 3–5 have an exciting opportunity to showcase their imagination, creativity, and writing talents by submitting an original poem for a chance to win cash prizes, including a $500 first-place prize!

Entry is FREE, and submissions are due November 17, 2026!

Parents, let's encourage our young Hawks to find their voices, express their ideas, and let their creativity SOAR! Every student has a story worth sharing!

Students will have the opportunity to build their skills, learn teamwork, and compete with schools across the district throughout the season.

Registration Closes: Thursday, Oct. 29

First Day of Practice: Jan. 25, 2027

County Championship: Apr. 17, 2027

We look forward to another great season of DeKalb elementary athletics!

¡Gracias por su interés en el Programa Después de Clases de LaAmistad! Completar este formulario es el primer paso para expresar su interés en el programa.

Thank you for your interest in LaAmistad After School Program! Completing this form is the first step in expressing your interest in the program.

CLICK LINKS BELOW TO ACCESS THE SCHEDULES FOR EACH SPORT

• 2026 Track Schedule
• 2026 Soccer Schedule
• 2026-27 Competitive Dance Schedule
• 2027 Basketball Schedule
• 2027 Flag Football Schedule

Most Fridays are Spirit Wear Days for our staff, and we would love for our students to join in too! This is a fun way to celebrate our school pride and highlight our amazing school community. 💚

Want to get your student ready for Spirit Wear Fridays? Click the link below to purchase official school spirit wear from our PTO. Let’s make Fridays a sea of blue and green and school pride we can’t wait to see everyone showing their Hawk Pride!

The Hawk Rock is ready to be rented and we already have four sales!

🎨 Make your mark on the Hawk Rock! Henderson Mill families can rent our school spirit rock for three days to celebrate a birthday, milestone, achievement, or other special event.

Rentals are $30, and families are responsible for providing all painting supplies and painting over the previous design. It’s a fun way to celebrate someone special while supporting our amazing school!

Our 5th graders are preparing for an exciting annual overnight field trip to the Fortson 4-H Center, where they’ll experience hands-on science, outdoor education, live animals, campfires, and memories that will last a lifetime!

The cost is $125 per student, and we are fundraising to help lower the cost for ALL of our 5th grade students.

Every donation makes a difference, no amount is too small! Whether it’s $5, $10, $25, or more, your support will help make this incredible experience more affordable for our families.

Scan the QR code on the flyer to donate.

Thank you for helping our 5th Grade Hawks SOAR beyond the classroom!

It’s quick, easy, and free to help our school earn rewards! Every time you shop and use your Kroger Plus card, a percentage of your spending is donated to Henderson Mill, at no extra cost to you!

Here’s how:

1. Create a Kroger digital account (if you don’t already have one): https://www.kroger.com/account/communityrewards/

2. Link your Kroger Plus Shopper’s Card.

3. Go to Community Rewards in your account settings.

4. Search for Henderson Mill Elementary and select our school.

💚 Thank you for supporting our students, one grocery trip at a time!

We are happy to share that we will have a small pantry located in our Parent Corner, generously sponsored by our PTO. The pantry will include some food and very basic toiletry items for families who may need a little extra support.

If your family could benefit from these resources, please contact Ms. Vela (678-874-3106) for assistance.

All requests will be handled with care and confidentiality. We are always here to support our Henderson Mill families.

Henderson Mill Families, if you are in need of affordable internet service or a low-cost computer for your household, we encourage you to explore Everyone On.

EveryoneOn provides a free Offer Locator Tool that allows families to enter their ZIP code and search for available low-cost internet and computer options in their area. Families may also find additional digital learning resources and information about programs for eligible households. EveryoneOn – Find Offers

Having reliable technology at home is an important part of keeping our Hawks connected.

Click here👉 Explore Affordable Internet & Computer Options

At Henderson Mill Elementary, we care about our families and our community! Our Jr. Beta Club is excited to offer Spaghetti Meal Kits to HMES families who may need a little extra support.

Each kit will include pasta, pasta sauce, and Italian bread to help provide a family dinner at home.

If your family is in need, we encourage you to complete the link below to reserve a kit. Please remember that quantities are limited, so we kindly ask that this opportunity be reserved for families who truly need the assistance.

A special THANK YOU to our amazing PTO for supporting this initiative and to our Jr. Beta Club members for facilitating this service project and demonstrating what it means to lead by serving others! (REGISTRATION LINK COMING SOON)

Hawks Helping Hawks, because at HMES, we take care of one another!

The holiday season is approaching, and The Empty Stocking Fund (ESF) is helping families make it special! Through its Holiday Gift Program, the Empty Stocking Fund provides toys and gifts to children, helping bring joy to families during the holiday season.

DCSD families interested in receiving holiday gift assistance are encouraged to register! For questions or additional information, email Family_Engagement@dekalbschoolsga.org with the subject line “ESF Holiday Drive Registration.”

Help our Hawks connect learning to the real world! On Friday, November 6, HMES will celebrate National STEM Day with a full day dedicated to grade level Project-Based Learning. We’re seeking parents, relatives, and community connections who can share their expertise as guest speakers—in person or virtually! Whether you have 15 minutes or an hour, we’ll work with your schedule. Scan the QR code or contact your child’s teacher or STEAM teacher Ashley Corrales to get involved!

Henderson Mill families, we need your help bringing our 2026–2027 Haunted House to life! We are accepting donations or loans of Halloween decorations, props, lights, and other spooky supplies. Families who donate or lend decorations can earn FREE Haunted House tickets!

Please see the flyer for donation details and items needed. Donations will be accepted through Monday, October 12th. Thank you for helping us create an unforgettable experience for our Hawks!

Together, we make Hawks SOAR, even in the dark!

We love our volunteers! To volunteer at school or chaperone field trips, you must meet DeKalb County School District (DCSD) volunteer requirements below:

• Level I: Front Office Support, Cafeteria Support, Recess Support, Classroom helpers, Mystery Readers, class parties, Career Day, cafeteria, library, and other supervised school activities.
• Level II: Required for daytime field trip chaperones.
• Level III: Required for overnight field trip chaperones and volunteers who may work with students without direct supervision. Includes fingerprinting and is valid for 5 years (annual badge renewal required).

Please click link below to begin the volunteer registration process. If you need assistance, please send an email to: DCSDvolunteer@dekalbschoolsga.org or Demone_Gunter@dekalbschoolsga.org

We look forward to partnering with you this school year!

Henderson Mill Elementary is looking for parents, guardians, family members, and community members who would be willing to share their knowledge and career experiences with our students and/or teachers.

Many careers are connected to STEAM—Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics—even if “STEAM” is not in the job title! Careers in healthcare, construction, business, finance, agriculture, transportation, public safety, design, communications, skilled trades, culinary arts, and many other fields use STEAM skills every day.

You might speak to a class, demonstrate a skill, help with a hands-on activity, provide feedback on a student project, participate in a career event, connect virtually, or serve as a resource for teachers. Completing this form simply helps us learn about your expertise and interest; it does not commit you to participating.

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