Crabapple MS Staff-Update
Feb. 16
February 16 and 17-No School for Students
February 19-MLK Jr. Awards Assembly and Reception (additional details are forthcoming)
February 19-Rising 6th Grade Parent Night (Tell your friends who have 5th graders)
February 25-School Governance Council Meeting 9am
March 5-Band Pre-LGPE Concert in the gym 6-7pm
March 9-Rising 9th grade tours at Roswell HS
March 16-No School: District PD Day for staff
March 19- 8th Grade Career Day
We would like to begin offering after school detention, but we need a staff member or two to run it. We would offer detention 2-3 afternoons per week. The staff member(s) would know what days students will attend by Friday of the week prior. If there are days you are unavailable, we can accommodate if we know in advance. The hours for students would be 4:10-5:30pm. The pay for teachers is $31 per hour outside of your contract hours. Please email Stephanie if you are interested in serving in this role.
In an effort to best support implementation of focused note-taking schoolwide, please complete this 5 question survey. There are no right or wrong answers. Please be honest and don’t feel pressured to respond how you think you “should.” This is not a gotcha but feedback for support. Thank you! Crabapple Middle School Focused Notetaking Feedback – Fill out form
Admin expectation is that each teacher will use focused note-taking at least once between now and the end of March and then one more time during Q4. Please submit 1 student work sample from Q3 and Q4 to your grade level AVID site team member.
6th: Merritt/Stephenson/Sandreuter/Jennings
7th: Harlow/Merritt/Ashman/Fluet
8th: Mimbs/Plantenys
Connections: Nelms
From February 23rd through April 17th, the Math Department will be using homeroom time to support a select group of students who are on the cusp of reaching the next achievement level on the 2026 Milestones assessment. Students will attend two sessions per week for seven weeks and will check in with their homeroom teacher before heading to their review session. Please take a moment to look over the document below and note any students from your homeroom who will be participating. If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Ess. Thank you!
News from the Media Center and Mrs. Salvatore
- Library Closed during MLK Ceremony: The Media Center will be closed to students during the MLK ceremony on Thursday, 2/19. Tech Hours will be open, but do not send students for other reasons at that time.
- Device Update: We are still waiting on replacement devices right now due to low inventory within the district. We got a few last week and hope for more soon. Thanks for your patience with the situation and support of these students in the meantime.
- February Media Center Programming:
- Contest for Students and Teachers: DesignYourOwnOlympicMedal.pdf
School AI Level 2 Training
- All teachers must complete the Level 2 training course in the School AI Platform. All information will be posted in our Canvas Staff Hub as an assignment to mark completion. Please have this done by EOB 2/20. The remote Teacher Workday is a great day to complete it!
- Ms. Wiggins and Ms. Salvatore will be available on 2/17 to answer questions and help you in any way.
- THE INFORMATION AND REQUIRED SIGN-OFF IS POSTED IN CANVAS UNDER THE SCHOOL AI MODULE IN OUR CANVAS STAFF HUB.
Canvas Information
- See this handout for information on integrating School AI in Canvas:
- See this Flyer on PD options for February 17th:
- Feb. 17 PD Flyer.pdf
- Ms. Mimbs will be teaching 2 items in the first session (One Drive Integration with Rubrics and Best Practices for Modules) 😊.
Here is the Weekly Staff Points Report for February 6th-12th (at 6:00pm). We had 88% Staff Participation this week!!!
A Note About the PBIS Store: Due to some poor choices by some of our students, we have discontinued selling stress balls at the PBIS Store. We still have other fidgets like spinners. Also, the Taki game is still going strong! Students greatly prefer the blue and red Takis over all other chip flavors!
Relationships Best Practices Reminder: Social Norms during Group Work (Be Respectful) Give students of one target behavior to focus on in groups, like taking turns speaking or using kind language. Having only one main focus that encompasses several of our desired behaviors helps students feel successful during the more social community work of group activities.
IS THAT YOUR MATE Contest
Thank you for playing along with our IS THAT YOUR MATE? contest! Turns out we’ve got some true pet‑detectives among us - Salvatore (8 correct), Vargas (7 correct), and Nelms (5 correct). The answer key is attached so you can see how your guesses stacked up. Thanks for paw‑ticipating! 🐾
Milestones information/action items…
Can you believe preparation for Georgia Milestones 2026 has begun!? This year, Georgia Milestones testing will take place April 20th – May 6th (this includes the makeup testing window). There are several requirements we must complete together prior to testing week beginning. In an effort to scaffold the required completions, I have staggered the due dates so that it is not all sent at once and due within a week.
IMPORTANT: The district has informed me that ALL staff, regardless of your position (i.e., paraprofessional, teacher, administration, front office staff, counselors, custodians, etc.), must attend the training. You will receive an invitation this week to the mandatory staff training.
See below for instructions on accessing the End of Grade (EOG) and End of Course (EOC) Test Examiner Training 2026 module in Canvas. Please bookmark this link as you will reference it often throughout testing season and I will be posting everything to this module.
- Visit: Course Modules: CMS Staff Hub 25-26.
- Click on the ACTION ITEMS: End of Grade (EOG) Examiner Training Steps to get started.
PLEASE NOTE: that the first assignment/requirement is to complete the Georgia DOE Milestones Examiner Course Training through Georgia Learns. There are multiple modules that you must complete so please plan accordingly. While it is absolutely possible to complete all three modules in one sitting, if you need to space it out, you can complete at your convenience. But you must complete the entire course and email me a copy of your completion certificate from Georgia Learns. Due Date: 2/27/2026
Information shared in previous staff newsletters.
AVID sweatshirts available for staff to order through 2/16
The class of 25-27 has decided on their shirt design! Check it out 😊 If you’d like to get a crewneck sweatshirt or hoodie for yourself, please order through the links below. The color is a very light grey. The links will be active through 2/16.
25-26 AVID Crewneck Sweatshirt (YL-Adult XL)
https://osp.osmsinc.com/p/EN604-470
25-26 AVID Crewneck Sweatshirt (Adult 2XL-3XL)
https://osp.osmsinc.com/p/EN604-471
25-26 AVID HOODIE Sweatshirt (YL-Adult XL)
https://osp.osmsinc.com/p/EN604-472
25-26 AVID HOODIE Sweatshirt (Adult 2XL-3XL)
https://osp.osmsinc.com/p/EN604-473
AVID Application Window is Open through 2/13
If you know of a student that would be a great fit for AVID next year, please share the application and FAQ document with them and their parents. The applications are due Friday, 2/13.
Application: 2026-2027 AVID Application – Fill out form
FAQ doc: AVID FAQ 25-26.docx
Upcoming AVID field trip dates:
8th grade to AVID Day with the Hawks 3/12
8th grade to UGA 4/2
7th grade to Georgia State April date TBD
We’ve got a few more things for you to know this week.
- Schedule for February 16 and 17 (see the FCSS Communications from 2/2 for specific details about who is required to work)
February 16-Remote workday for all teaching staff and other staff with contracts 185 days or more
-Teachers are expected to work from home but be available via email as well as for any meetings scheduled online.
-We will not be scheduling schoolwide or GL meetings on this date, but you may need to attend IEP, 504, SST or PLC meetings as scheduled.
-Paras and 184-day staff, this is not a scheduled workday. Enjoy your time!
February 17-District PD Day
-There are some district PD offerings on this date, but not for all departments. If you have a PD you are attending, please let me know.
-8:30am Breakfast
-9am Staff Meeting
-10am Department meetings (this will include 5-step notetaking protocol next steps led by our AVID site team members)
-1pm SEC teachers SDI next steps
-Paras and 184-day staff, this is not a scheduled workday. Enjoy your time!
As we begin our second semester, please see below for a reminder regarding mandated reporter responsibilities and DFCS reports. Also, if you are a NEW staff member and did not complete mandated reporter training with Ms. Cairo this year, please contact me via email: cairot1@fultonschools.org.
- All FCS Employees are mandated reporters
- A DFCS report is to be completed within 24 hours
- Completed a DFCS report in good faith you are immune from liability
- DFCS reports are kept confidential by the agency
- When completing the triplicate form:
- White: remains with the reporter
- Yellow and/or Pink: One copy to the principal and one copy to SSW
- Provide to appropriate staff within 24 hours
- When completing via email or portal
- Email the form: CC on the email with the report: principal, assistant principal, school counselor, and SSW
- Portal entry: Please print a copy for the principal and SSW
- DFCS concern:
- Please DO NOT put in writing, contact SSW or a school counselor to follow-up
- Do NOT submit a SWARM
- If there are questions regarding DFCS, feel free to contact SSW, our school counselors, or an administrator
- Triplicate forms are housed with SSW, school counselors, and all administrators
- SSW Request: If the reporter confirms to receive the email stating the status of the case (screened-in or screened-out) please forward to SSW so that I can retain for filing records, follow-up on the status of the case with appropriate partners and admin.
March Staff Meeting Date Change
We are going to move the March 18 staff meeting to March 25. This will be the Georgia Milestones proctor training and all certified staff need to be present unless you are out for the day. The change has been made on the master calendar, but please adjust your personal calendars as well.
Roswell Woman’s Club Applications are open. Deadline to apply is 3/6/2026. https://roswellwomansclub.org/grant-applications-educators-2026-open/
The Roswell Woman’s Club continues its longtime support of education in the community. Professional Educator Grants are awarded based upon a number of criteria including need, purpose, and overall impact of the funding. Professional Educator Grants are awarded to teachers in Fulton County schools north of the Chattahoochee River, at all levels of education, from elementary through high school. In 2025, Roswell Woman’s Club distributed 38 educational grants benefiting teachers and students in 23 Fulton County schools north of the Chattahoochee River.
To aid for ongoing, consistent support for our students and families, SSW will have change of schedule, beginning week of February 1st 😊
New Schedule
- Monday: EPMS
- Tuesday: EPMS
- Wednesday: CMS
- Thursday: CMS
- Friday: EPMS
The Crabapple Middle School Governance Council is offering Impact Grant Opportunities. These grants should support the faculty, students, and staff in achieving EXCELLENCE in all areas of the curriculum. Grant monies are available for qualifying projects, programs, or clubs to help support innovative and creative learning opportunities for the students at our school.
- GRANT APPLICATION: Please complete and return the Grant Application to Amy Schroder. There is NO deadline. The grant window will close in the spring when the funds must be spent or when the funding runs out!
- SGC Funds cannot be used to purchase food or gift cards.
- The SGC will review all applications, and funding will be voted on during our monthly SGC meetings. Funding is determined by the number of students impacted and first come basis. Proposals will be accepted as long as funds are available.
- The amount of student impact should directly correlate to the amount requested.
- All costs must be included in the grant application budget, including those funds which supplement the grant/project from existing funds.
- Include any shipping and handling fees and all taxes in grant monies requested. Grants are awarded for a specific amount, and any costs incurred after the award has been granted will not be covered.
- Applications must be clearly written, detailed, and include specific descriptions.
- Orders must be placed within 30 days.
- Application linked here: 25-26 CMS SGC Grant Application.docx
- If you have any questions, please see Amy Schroder or Emily Mimbs.
January 12 - February 26 Wida ACCESS Testing (Daily Schedules & List of Students participating will be provided).
2nd Semester
Feb 9- Grades (Progress Reports) and March Staff Meeting Update
Feb 2- Progress Report Grading Reminder and MTSS Position
Jan 26-TKES Mid Year & Student Leadership Update
Jan 19- Five-Step AVID Note Taking Process and School Social Worker Schedule Change
Jan 12- Bookkeeper Update and Mandated Reporter Refresher
Jan 5- AVID Update and New Dismissal Process
1st Semester
December 15- Grades and Staff Digital Accessibility
December 8- Holiday Concerts, POTY/TOTY Nominations, MLK Awards Nominations
December 1- Holiday Countdown Calendar and Underground Spirit Week
November 17- Student Attendance Update and Facilities Reminder
November 10- Building Events Procedure and Grading Reminder
November 3- Bookkeeper News and Veterans Day Reminder
October 27-PBIS Halloween Celebration and 504 Need to Know
October 20-Parent and Student Payment Directions and School Pictures
October 6- PBIS Staff Assessment Survey and Canvas Support Update
September 29- Revised Morning Help Session Process and Q1 Grading Update
September 22- TKES Goals and COPPA Update
September 15- Extended Learning and RTI Update
September 8- TKES Reminder and Student Attendance Update
September 1-Clubs and Teacher Mini Grant Update
August 25- Grading and AM/PM Procedure Update
August 18- PBIS, Centegix Badge, and BOY Media Center Update
August 11- Vanguard, Yearbook, Handling Medical Emergencies Follow-up.
July 30 -Important Dates for the Year, PBIS resources, Staff Handbook, Duty Schedules, Master Schedule, and Substitute Information
July 25 - Summer Need to Know Information