Crabapple MS Staff-Update
March 23
March 25-Band LGPE at Tri-Cities HS
March 25-Talent Show 5:30-7:00 in the gym
March 27-30- Band, Chorus, Orchestra Florida Trip
March 31- 5th Grade Visits
April 1-PBIS Spring Popsicle Party
April 2-AVID Field Trip to UGA
April 6-10-Spring Break!
April 14 and 16-Rising 6th Grade Parent Tours 9:30am
I hope this message finds you well. My name is Amanda Desjardin, and I am a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern at Mindful Life Services. In collaboration with our practice, I am facilitating a wellness-focused support group designed specifically for educators who may be experiencing burnout. The goal of this group is to provide a supportive space where teachers can rest, recharge, and reconnect—both with themselves and with the parts of teaching that first brought them to the profession.
As you know, the emotional demands placed on educators are significant, and teacher attrition continues to be a growing concern, with burnout playing a major role. Recent data indicates that nearly half of K–12 teachers in the United States report feeling burned out at work (Wu et al., 2024). This group was created to support educators before burnout leads to disengagement or departure from the field.
As a former educator who worked in several counties throughout Georgia, I understand firsthand how overwhelming the demands of teaching can become. I remember what it felt like to sit in a season of burnout—wondering how much longer I could continue in a field I truly loved. Teaching is often more than a profession; it is a calling to care for and guide children who may not always show it in the moment, but who will remember the impact of a teacher’s presence for years to come. Because of that experience, I feel deeply passionate about supporting educators and helping them rediscover balance, resilience, and connection to the purpose that first brought them into the field.
I have attached a flyer with additional details and would be grateful if you would consider sharing it with your teachers. If it would be helpful, I would also be happy to connect with you or your staff—either in person (for schools within Georgia) or virtually via Zoom—to briefly share more about the group and offer a grounding strategy educators can begin using right away.
Thank you for the continued care and leadership you provide for both your staff and students. Please feel free to reach out if you would like additional information or are interested in learning more about this opportunity for your educators.
The cost for all 8 weeks is $100, that is about $12.50 per group session. If you have any other questions, please reach out.
Amanda Desjardin, MFT Intern
Phone: 404-857-9355 Ext 705
March Staff Meeting Date Change
We are going to move the March 18 staff meeting to March 25 at 7:45am in the cafe. 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.
Thank You to everyone for representing the 3B's during the last week's district walkthrough. Keep it up all the way to spring break-especially on April 1st during our next PBIS Celebration Day (See King's email for more information).
Safety Update:
For March 2026, school safety focuses on empowering students as active partners in safety, particularly during "Say Something Week" (March 23–27), which encourages reporting threats to trusted adults. Key themes include building trust between students and staff, practicing situational awareness, and promoting mental health, aiming for a proactive, supportive environment.
Key March 2026 Safety Messages:
• "Say Something" Week (March 23-27): Empower students to recognize warning signs and report concerns to trusted adults to prevent crises.
• Trust and Communication: Focus on building a culture where students feel safe, heard, and supported by staff.
• Situational Awareness: Encourage students and staff to stay aware of their surroundings, especially in parking lots, during transitions, and in emergency situations.
Daily Reminders
- Ensure that all exterior slide locks remain closed/down
- Ensure that all exterior doors and classroom doors remain locked
- Never prop open any exterior door
- Always wear your FCS issued ID and Centegix Badge while on campus (see picture below)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 🎉
Cole – 26th
M. Corson – 26th
Jonsson – 28th
MARCH MADNESS
We’ve got 18 staff members battling it out in our Men’s Tournament Challenge! As of March 22 at 7:00 PM, the leaderboard is heating up:
Mindy Wilson (450 pts)
Jenn Priddy (440 pts)
Mark Corson (420 pts)
Lizz Grant (420 pts)
Information shared in previous staff newsletters.
Dear Fulton County Schools Zone 5 principals,
The Georgia Theta Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa, an international educational organization, is pleased to offer scholarships to educators who are pursuing advanced degrees again this year.. Our members include many current and retired Fulton County educators and we are excited to contribute to the continuing education of deserving individuals employed by Fulton County Schools.
We are again accepting applications from all North Fulton Schools and would like to enlist your help in sharing this opportunity and distributing the attached application in your buildings.
Our application deadline is Wednesday, April 15, 2026; we appreciate your assistance in supporting other educators to advance excellence in education!
https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:f9e99235-ca59-437d-a316-dc4e88fd414e
Remaining AVID field trips of the year
4/2- 8th grade trip to UGA-leaving around 9:00 AM and returning during 8th period.
5/12- 7th grade trip to Georgia State leaving around 9:00 AM and returning during 8th period.
Full-Time Teacher Allowance: $150 & Perfect Attendance Certificates
$150 - If you haven’t spent your allowance yet, now is the time! I originally sent out communication to spend by February. There are still a few that haven’t used it – we can allow an extension but need to get these orders processed asap!
Perfect Attendance Certificates – please consider spending your certificate soon!
- Both types of order require a yellow requisition form be filled out for Haga to review/sign. I have completed examples hanging outside my office. Please check the example to ensure the form is completed properly.
- Submit the Amazon order as normal online, type your name in the deliver to field and select the credit card ending in 0010. Once I process the order, Amazon will send you an automated email with an estimated delivery.
Please submit your orders asap! I will have to reallocate these funds very soon and want to ensure everyone gets what they need.
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!
Talent Show
Later in March, we will host our Huskies Got Talent Show. Auditions must be submitted by Monday, March 2 and emailed to crabappletalent@gmail.com. Please join us for this live event on Wednesday, March 25.
Please contact Ms. Priddy for more information or if you have any questions.
Orchestra Morning Practice Studio
Is before school on Wednesday and Thursday mornings: 8:15am to 9:10am. Open to all Orchestra students for practice, mentoring and tutoring.
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.
Staff Swag
In researching about the staff jackets, I learned that our PTA does have a swag store. I think this is news to many. We are currently working with PTA to see if we can offer a 1 item discount for staff members. More info. to come. In the meantime, take a look and see if there is anything you like.
March is Youth Art Month! We’re celebrating with spirit days each Friday!
March 27th is dress in your favorite color.
Thank you for supporting the Arts! I can’t wait to see what you come up with!
2nd Semester
March 16- Bookkeeper and PBIS District Walkthrough Update
March 9- Course Verification and Grades Update
March 2-Interact Club Update and PBIS Update
Feb 23- Music in Our Schools Month and Staff Swag Update
Feb 16-After School Detention and GMAS Staff Training Update
Feb 9- Grades (Progress Reports) and March Staff Meeting Update
Feb 2- Progress Report Grading Reminder and MTSS Position Update
Jan 26-TKES Mid Year & Student Leadership Update
Jan 19- Five-Step AVID Note Taking Process and School Social Worker Update
Jan 12- Bookkeeper and Mandated Reporter Update
Jan 5- AVID and Dismissal Update
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