HAWK TALK
Holcomb Bridge MS
Friday, October 23, 2026
CALENDAR AT A GLANCE
October 23: Centennial HS Homecoming
November 3: Remote Learning Day for Students
November 12: Spirit Night at Zama Mexican Restaurant
November 12: Experience Centennial (details below)
November 13: Picture Make-up Day
November 23-27: Thanksgiving Break
School Hours and Important Times
Office Hours: 8:15 - 4:15
Instructional Hours: 8:55-4:05
Breakfast: 8:25 - 8:50 AM
Morning Announcement: 8:50 AM (Students should be in class by this time)
Dismissal is at 4:05 PM.
Checkouts end at 3:45 PM to prepare for dismissal.
Walkers/Car riders are dismissed first, followed by bus riders.
Bus students are dismissed in the order that buses arrive.
Car line: Students must enter/exit a vehicle at the sidewalk area. Please pull forward as far as possible to keep the car line moving. All students must be picked up by 4:25 PM.
REACH Scholar Celebration
We are thrilled to announce that 8th grade student Carime Gonzalez-Aguliar has been selected as a REACH Georgia Scholar and awarded a $10,000 scholarship!
This is an extraordinary achievement, as only six students from Fulton County Schools are selected each year, with one student chosen from each learning zone. Carime's selection reflects her academic promise, character, and potential for future success.
The REACH Georgia Scholarship Program is a mentoring and scholarship initiative that supports promising students on their path to high school graduation and postsecondary success. As a REACH Scholar, Carime will benefit from:
- Mentoring from a positive role model who will provide guidance and support throughout her educational journey.
- Academic coaching to help monitor progress, develop educational and career plans, and connect with needed academic and social supports.
- A $10,000 scholarship, awarded upon successful graduation from high school, to help support her postsecondary goals. Many Georgia Universities will match the REACH scholarship, giving a potential for up to $20,000 to be awarded.
We are incredibly proud of Carime and all that she has accomplished. Please join us in congratulating her on this outstanding achievement. We look forward to celebrating Carime's success at the district REACH Scholarship Ceremony on November 6!
Congratulations, Carime! Your Holcomb Bridge family is proud of you!
Halloween Costume Guidelines
Students are welcome to participate in our Halloween spirit day on Friday, October 30 by wearing school-appropriate costumes. To ensure a safe and positive environment for all students, please follow these guidelines:
- Costumes must be school appropriate and follow the student dress code.
- Faces must remain clearly visible; no full-face masks or makeup that conceals a student's identity. Light costume makeup may be permitted at the principal's discretion.
- No toy or replica weapons, including guns, knives, swords, axes, grenades, bows and arrows, or any item that could reasonably be mistaken for a weapon.
- No costumes depicting violence, drugs, alcohol, or inappropriate themes.
- Costumes may not interfere with safety, learning, or participation in school activities. Students must be able to sit comfortably at their desk, move safely through hallways, and participate in classroom activities.
- Administration will make final decisions regarding costume appropriateness. Students who arrive in costumes that do not meet these guidelines may be asked to modify the costume or change into regular school clothing.
Reminder: Students should not bring Halloween candy, treats, or other food items to distribute to classmates. This includes homemade treats. Any food-related celebration or distribution requires prior approval from the principal. Items brought to school without approval may be confiscated and discarded. Thank you for helping us maintain a safe environment for all students and staff.
Join the Family Matters Celebration!
We’re excited to invite you to the 5th Annual Family Matters event, a celebration of learning, creativity, and connection for the entire family! Enjoy free food and exciting giveaways! This is a wonderful opportunity to connect as a family, support student learning, and celebrate the vibrant talents across our schools.
Banneker HS | November 7, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Centennial HS | November 14, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Picture Day Retakes & Yearbook Information
If your student missed picture day, retakes will be held on November 13. Photos can be ordered online using our school's event code: FE201626.
While you're thinking about memories, don't forget to order the 2026–2027 yearbook — it's more than a book, it's a collection of the moments that define the year. Order now at jostens.com/esybk.
Want to celebrate your student in print? Yearbook ads are a wonderful way to show them how proud you are! A 1/4-page color ad is $80 and a 1/8-page ad is $50 — the deadline to order is November 2, 2026. Create your ad at jostensadservice.com/student. Proceeds support our yearbook program.
Click the images below to enlarge the flyers and review details. Questions? Reach out to our yearbook advisor, Mrs. de Keyzer, at dekeyzerR@fultonschools.org.
Save the Date: Literacy Night
HBMS Literacy Night: Can You Solve the Puzzle?
Our Student Governance Council students and staff sponsor will be offering read-alouds and creative activities for younger children while upper elementary and middle school students engage in station activities with their families. Younger children are also welcome to tour stations with their families if desired.
Enjoy dinner (while supplies last) and complete literacy stations together as a family, with prizes and fun scattered throughout the evening. Your student will also receive a stamp in their "Passport to Success" for participation in this event!
Event Details:
📆 Wednesday, November 5
⏰ 5:30 - 7:30 PM
📍 Holcomb Bridge Middle School
Questions? Reach out to Ms. Inegbedion (inegbedion@fultonschools.org), Ms. Keown (KeownL@fultonschools.org), or Mrs. Baron (baronm@fultonschools.org - se habla español).
Every reader holds the key to the mystery — we hope to see you there!
Family Literacy Toolkit
Click the image above to visit the Family Literacy Toolkit website.
Crafters Wanted: Donate Crafts to our Holiday Market
⛄ Calling All Crafters — Holiday Market Coming Soon!
HBMS is hosting a Holiday Market December 2–11 to support HBMS families in need, and we need your handmade goods! We're looking for knitted and crocheted items, jewelry, holiday ornaments and home decor, artwork, cards, woodworking — any handmade creations you'd like to donate. It's a wonderful way to share your talents and support our community this season.
To donate, please email gonzalesd@fultonschools.org by November 20th.
Volleyball Season is Here!
Volleyball season is here! If you want to come cheer on the Hawks, the home game schedule is below. All students who attend the game must be accompanied an adult. We do not allow drop offs for the event, and the adult who driving the student home must also attend the game.
We have both a boys' and a girls' team; the first game is at 5:30 PM and the second game will immediately follow.
Home Games:
Monday, October 26 vs. FAST
Monday, November 9 vs. Crabapple
District Health Services Fall Update: Respiratory Diseases - October 2026
Protect Yourself and Others from Flu, RSV, Pneumonia, and Other Respiratory Illnesses. We know that as the weather cools, viral respiratory diseases such as flu, RSV, pneumonia, and COVID-19 tend to spread more easily. These illnesses can affect people of all ages but pose the greatest risk to young children, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems. The surveillance report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), shows that the 2026-2027 flu season has started unusually early across the United States. In response, as we have done every year, we are sharing the following information and preventive measures to help protect you and those around you. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other public health officials strongly encourage everyone to take steps to reduce the spread of respiratory infections. Taking simple preventive actions such as staying home when sick, washing your hands often, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying up to date on recommended vaccines can help safeguard your health throughout the season. Please click HERE for more info!
Change of School Assignment (COSA) Application Window Open
Under Fulton County School Board Policy JBCC, families of students in kindergarten through 12th grade can apply for a school transfer by submitting a Change of School Assignment (COSA) request.
COSA brings the district’s transfer-related programs together under one process and annual application timeline. For the 2027-2028 school year, the application window runs from October 20 through December 18, 2026.
Top 10 Things to Know
Below is a summary of key points for parents, with full information posted at www.fultonschools.org/COSA.
- The COSA process covers all transfer-related programs, including those due to parent preference (no specific academic, hardship or medical reason needed), children of FCS employees, magnet studies, and options made available through state law, such as the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship and Georgia Public School Choice/Open Enrollment.
- The list of COSA-eligible schools will be published Oct. 20, 2026, to the COSA website. Up to three (3) schools, in priority order, may be selected during the online application.
- Applications will only be accepted for schools on the COSA-eligible list. Schools that are part of current Redistricting/ Consolidation/ Closure planning or at a high enrollment capacity are not COSA-eligible.
- Parents can apply any time during the application window of Oct. 20, 2026, through Dec. 18, 2026.
- Acceptance or denial will be emailed in late January 2027 to parents/guardians.
- If a transfer is approved, parents/guardians/students must provide their own transportation to the accepting school.
- To continue enrollment, students must meet attendance, academic and behavioral requirements.
- If COSA is approved, students are eligible to remain at the school through their terminal year (5th, 8th, 12th) and do not need to reapply annually unless moving on to middle or high school. Students with an IEP or Section 504 plan may stay if their program remains available at the school.
- Students with transfers approved before August 1, 2024, may remain through the school’s highest grade without a new application.
- Transfer requests for children of military families, children experiencing homelessness, and victims of violent criminal offenses are subject to separate requirements under applicable laws. Families should confirm the COSA application steps and deadlines that apply to their situation.
Magnet Programs and Schools Without An Attendance Zone
Students wanting to attend a magnet program at a location outside of their home attendance boundary must first submit a COSA application. If a transfer is granted, students can then apply for admission into the magnet program through the school. COSA acceptance does not guarantee magnet program placement, so parents should contact the school for specific program participation criteria.
Also, schools without an attendance zone do not require a COSA application. These are FCS Innovation Academy, Global Impact Academy, The Promise Career Institute, F.A.V.E. (Fulton Academy of Virtual Excellence) and FCS charter schools. The Accelerated Career Program/FCS Middle College at North Springs High School allows any student, regardless of their attendance zone, to apply and does not require a COSA application; however, admission to North Springs’ STEAM magnet does require COSA.
More Information
For complete COSA requirements and guidelines, visit www.fultonschools.org/COSA. Questions can be emailed to StudentAssignment@fultonschools.org.
Experience Centennial November 12
All families are invited to Experience Centennial on November 12 at 6 PM in the CHS auditorium. This event is for any family who is interested in attending Centennial in the future. See what makes our feeder high school so special in our community - there is something for every student!
Click the graphic below to register for the event.
Before or after the event, stop to have dinner at Zama Mexican Restaurant to support HBMS spirit night!
Need Help with Food Assistance?
Need Help with Food Assistance? We're Here for You!
If you or your family are experiencing food insecurity or need help accessing food resources, please reach out to our school social worker. We can connect families with community food pantries and other available resources. We’re here to help!
Contact: Kasey Vermilya
Phone: 404-791-2238
Email: vermilyak1@fultonschools.org
The Library Lowdown 📚
Join Our Team of Parent Volunteers!
Our amazing parent volunteers help keep the Nest running smoothly and make it possible for us to offer a variety of programs and activities for our Hawks! Volunteers can help with shelving and straightening, MakerSpace projects, printing and laminating for teachers, displays and bulletin boards, special projects, and more.
Here is the link to sign up for one of our available volunteer times.
Interested in joining the team? Contact our school librarian Ms. Keown at KeownL@fultonschools.org or our PTA Library Volunteer Lead, Amanda Wagman, at amandawagman@gmail.com with questions.
Support our Sewing Circle Program!
Our sewing circles run on donations from our community and volunteer leadership. If you'd like to donate supplies to keep our budding tailors creating freely, please see the image below.
If you're interested in volunteering to co-teach or lead our sewing classes (Monday - Friday between 11:15 - 1:15), please reach out to Ms. Keown.
For more information, contact Ms. Keown at KeownL@fultonschools.org.
Follow us on Instagram
Stay up to date with school announcements, celebrations, and events by following us on Instagram at @holcombbridgems.
Community Offerings & Events
🚀 Explore Fulton County’s Innovation Academy!
Is your student curious, creative, and excited to solve real-world problems? Fulton County Schools’ Innovation Academy is a public magnet STEM high school that combines rigorous academics with hands-on, project-based learning, research, and collaboration. Students can explore exciting pathways in Information Technology, Engineering, and Healthcare while building skills for the future. Interested in learning more?
Applications are open! Schedule a tour today and discover what Innovation Academy has to offer: https://fcsinnovationacademy.fultonschools.org/.
Fulton County Public Library Offerings
Did you know that your local public library has so much to offer? The East Roswell branch of the Fulton County Public Library system is right down the road from our school!
📍East Roswell Public Library
2301 Holcomb Bridge Rd, Roswell, GA 30076
☎️ 404-613-4050
In the section below, take a look at the events and resources our Youth Specialist at East Roswell Library has put together for our children and teen populations, and make a weekend visit as a family to sign up for or renew library cards, check out books, and learn more about fun programs for the whole family.
Click the images to be taken to registration pages and sign up for upcoming library events!
Northview High School will host the Northview Experience on November 4 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. This event gives prospective students and families an opportunity to learn about Northview’s academic pathways, AP offerings, and Magnet program. See the attached flyer image for additional details and registration information, or head to https://northview.fultonschools.org/experience.
Centennial Lacrosse Fundraiser
Support the Centennial Knights Lacrosse program through their poinsettia fundraiser! The team is selling locally grown poinsettias in a variety of colors and sizes, with ordering open through November 8. See the flyer below for pricing, color options, and ordering information. Order here: https://www.canvaqr.com/RGT7FyLQtn.
St. Andrew Rowing Club
LOOKING FOR A NEW SPORT? Come try rowing for FREE! A one-day Learn to Row clinic for
middle & high school students will be held on Saturday, November 21st from 12:00-3:00pm. See flyer for more info!
Who can I contact for help?
Kenneth Greene, Assistant Principal, 6th grade administrator
470-254-2423
Hannah Milligan, 6th grade counselor
470-254-8425
7th Grade:
Allyson Segal, Assistant Principal, 7th Grade administrator
470-254-8422
Hannah Milligan, 7th grade counselor - GIRLS
470-254-8425
Glenn Johnson, 7th grade counselor - BOYS
470-254-8424
8th Grade:
Jennifer Cassidy, Principal, 8th grade administrator
470-254-5285
Glenn Johnson, 8th grade counselor
470-254-8424
Student Records/Enrollments/Withdrawals/Immunizations:
Ansel Comer (bilingual - Spanish)
470-254-8428
Bilingual Parent Liaison (Spanish):
Maria Baron
470-254-8427
Front Office - Attendance/Absence Excuses:
Sarah Hyser and Sarah James: HolcombAttendance@fultonschools.org
470-254-5280
Clinic
Deb Dreesman: Dreesman@fultonschools.org
Bre Wagner: wagnera@fultonschools.org
470-254-8438
Special Education Services
Latania Lyles
470-254-8444
SST/504 Accommodation Plans
Kelly Caldwell
470-254-8433
Holcomb Bridge Middle School
Website: https://www.fultonschools.org/holcombbridgems
Location: 2700 Holcomb Bridge Road, Alpharetta, GA, USA
Phone: 470-254-5280
Twitter: @HolcombBridgeMS
Instagram: holcombbridgems