Harlem Middle: Bulldog Business

Dear Students and Families,

Welcome to another exciting year at Harlem Middle School! We are thrilled to begin the 2026-2027 school year and look forward to partnering with you to make this a year filled with learning, growth, achievement, and memorable experiences.

At HMS, we believe every student can succeed when supported by strong relationships, high expectations, and a positive school culture. Our dedicated faculty and staff are committed to providing engaging learning opportunities while creating a safe and supportive environment where all students can thrive academically, socially, and personally.

As we begin the new school year, we encourage every student to embrace our HMS values and live out The Bulldog Promise each day:

• Respectful - in my words and actions.
• Responsible - for my choices and learning.
• Ready - to learn, grow, and welcome opportunity each day.

This promise serves as the foundation of our school community and reflects the expectations we have for all Bulldogs to be inspired both inside and outside the classroom.

We encourage students to get involved, challenge themselves academically, build positive relationships, and take advantage of the many opportunities available at HMS. Families play an essential role in student success, and we appreciate your partnership as we work together to support every child throughout the school year.

Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education. We look forward to an outstanding year of learning, growth, and building the Bulldog Promise. Together, we will make the 2026-2027 school year a success!

Go Bulldogs!

Valery Reed, Principal

Harlem Middle School

Please click on the graphic to link to registration. Each year this assists school based personnel

to have updated contact and emergency information. Thank you.

This is a student only event.

Parents should register students by clicking in the graphic and filling out the Google form.

We are excited to meet you!

https://www.ccboe.net/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1197239&type=d&pREC_ID=1985268

We encourage each family to complete an application for free or reduced fees - it's more than meals! All students in a household can be placed on one application.

*By completing the Free and Reduced Meal application, students deemed eligible for free or reduced meals may also become eligible for a variety of scholarship opportunities as well as waivers and/or reductions in application or exam fees such as the SAT, ACT or AP exams, among others.*

Add money to student accounts through EZPay - https://www.ezschoolpay.com/Login.aspx

The following meal costs will be applied for the 2026-2027 school year:

• Student breakfast $2.00
• Student Lunch $3.75
• Adult Breakfast $3.00
• Adult Lunch $5.00
• Extra milk $0.50

Questions may be directed to the cafeteria manager during Open House.

Bus Tracker App - (to be posted with district update)

Find My Bus Stop / Routes - https://infofinderi.com/ifi/?cid=CCSD4D2ZCGCOI

Transportation personnel will be on site during Open House to answer questions about student routes.

Students are required to be current on all immunizations. https://www.ccboe.net/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1197238&type=d&pREC_ID=1440993

As a reminder, students are not allowed to carry prescribed or over-the-counter medications on them or their belongings. This is outlined in the code of conduct. Please contact the school nurse, Mrs. Pilgrim, if there is a medical need. Proper documentation and storage of medicines should be discussed. This also includes the need for healthcare safety plans to be on file.

https://www.ccboe.net/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1197238&type=d&pREC_ID=1441004

https://4.files.edl.io/85f5/06/15/26/175815-6adfaa26-3be7-4005-8121-f2fe1c3635bf.pdf

Student code of conduct policies will be reviewed in the first ten days of school during PBIS lessons. Students are encouraged to meet PBIS expectations each day at Harlem Middle School.

Our students will hear The Bulldog Promise of HMS faculty and staff and how being Respectful, Responsible, and Ready supports growth academically and personally for all.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qxxk6ZWzDAsR7CxJZNUm5ApSchT8mij7/view

Students and parents should be familiar with expectations and information shared in the student handbook. This will be reviewed with students and published on the school website.

Please utilize the district school year calendar to plan for extended trips, vacations, and personal needs. Personal and medical notes for absences may be submitted to the main office.

We are striving for excellence and improved achievement each year. All periods of instruction count! To receive maximum benefit from academic instruction, students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade, enrolled in the Columbia County School District are expected to attend school each day and arrive to school and to their classes on time unless excused for legitimate reasons. Below is a quick overview of the Columbia County School District attendance protocol. Please be mindful of tardy accumulation as well. The HMS school day begins at 7:30am. Student arrival after that requires front office sign in. Dismissal is at 2:30pm. There are no student checkouts from the front office after 2:15pm daily. Identification is required for student checkout. Please see the student handbook for more detailed information regarding attendance and tardies.

- 3 Unexcused Absences - The school will notify the parent or guardian to make them aware of the attendance concern.

- 5 Unexcused absences - The school will notify the parent or guardian in writing when a student is in jeopardy of becoming truant.

- 8 Unexcused Absences - The school administration will convene a meeting with the parent or guardian and a school social worker to determine whether to begin the process of compiling an official truancy complaint to the Department of Juvenile Justice.

- 10 Unexcused Absences (Truancy) - The school will submit an official complaint to the Department of Juvenile Justice for truancy.

Dress Code for Students (Code #31) - States: It is essential that students respect the learning environment by being appropriately dressed for school. The purpose of the student dress code is not to inhibit any person’s taste in attire, but rather to better facilitate the process of education through reasonable guidelines of dress which instill excellence and pride. The guidelines below have been created to help students make informed decisions when deciding what to wear to school. If a student is dressed in a style that does not follow the guidelines below or the style is considered extreme or excessive, the student will be asked to correct the situation and change, as well as be assigned the appropriate disposition. Clothing that does NOT promote an image of excellence is an outfit that:

● Is immodest and may disrupt the learning environment

● Shows undergarments

● Covers the head, ears, and/or face such as hoodies, and hats, and/or is oversized to include long coats and bulky jackets

● Includes inappropriate pictures or text

● Promotes sorority/fraternity or any participation in a secret organization

● Promotes gang or criminal activity

● Includes clothing that is considered sleepwear (pajama pants), or costume jewelry (and accessories should not pose a danger to self or others such as spiked rings, collars, bracelets,

extreme piercings, safety pins, and bulky chains.)

● Sun glasses should not be worn inside the school building.

● Health and safety regulations require that shoes be worn at all times at school and are

appropriate for the designated activity.

Please help us provide the best distraction free learning environment for your students at HMS while they are engaged with instruction. Electronic devices should not be out, on, or in use at any time during the school day - during class, in transition in the hallways/restrooms, or during breakfast/lunch. Examples include, but are not limited to, cellphones, tablets, headphones, ear buds, smart glasses, smart watches, and/or other similar electronic devices. Electronic devices can be kept in bookbags but should not be anywhere on a student’s person. Electronic device ringers, alerts, and alarms should be turned off.

At times there may be a circumstance for urgent communication. If students need to call their parents, they should report to the main office to use the school phone. Likewise, if parents need to reach students with messages or emergencies, they should call the main office. A message will be delivered to your student to contact you.

More information will be shared with students during PBIS lessons regarding expectations as outlined in the Code of Conduct.

As we begin the school year, we ask for your partnership in helping students leave non-school items at home. From time to time, students bring items to school that are not permitted on campus, often because they were left in backpacks after weekend activities or overnight trips.

We also encourage families to remind students not to bring items such as small toys, 3D-printed objects, stuffed animals, unauthorized fidgets, squishies, putty, and similar distractions to school. While these items may seem harmless, they can interfere with learning, disrupt the classroom environment, and create unnecessary messes that take away from valuable instructional time.

Thank you for your support in helping us maintain a focused, productive learning environment for all students. If you have any questions, please contact your child's homeroom teacher.

Harlem Middle School faculty and staff are committed to continuous improvement and student success. Our school improvement goals provide a roadmap for enhancing instructional practices, increasing student achievement, and fostering an equitable learning environment where all students can grow. These goals guide our decisions and collective efforts as we work toward a shared vision of excellence.

During the 2026-2027 school year, we are focused on increasing student proficiency in reading and mathematics as measured by the Georgia Milestones Assessment. In addition, students and staff will work together to strengthen our positive school culture by living out the Bulldog Promise through being Respectful, Responsible, and Ready each day. By embracing these values, we will create a safe, supportive, and productive learning environment where every student has the opportunity to achieve.

https://sites.google.com/ccboe.net/hms-athletics/home

Please visit the HMS Athletics homepage for more information about sports at HMS. Athletic forms/packets must be on file for each student before tryouts begins for any season. HMS supports student-athletes and believes students should excel in the classroom as much as they do on the field. We appreciate teacher, parent, and community support through our Booster Clubs and schoolwide events. Questions may be directed to Athletic Director Brian Adams at Open House.

All home football and basketball games will have only electronic ticket payments for entry via GoFan. There will be no cash tickets purchased at the gate.

HMS Faculty and staff members do sponsor after school clubs. The current list on the website with sponsor information is under development and more are being added. A more comprehensive list of clubs will be available for student interest soon.

https://www.ccboe.net/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1197233&type=d&pREC_ID=1440024

Parent Portal access is to check grades, attendance, records, report cards, and personal contacts. Use the attached link to create an account, login, reset, and access the portal. Call the school office with questions.

https://ccboe.revtrak.net/Middle-Schools/Harlem-MS/#/list

RevTrak accounts can be used to pay athletic fees, join PTO, club fees, schoolwide events, field trips, and PBIS rewards.

The more platforms you are on, the more connected you will be!

Principal - Valery Reed

Assistant Principals - Meredith Hinson, Andy Tran

School Counselors - Christy Cosh (8th), Dylan, May (6th), Olivia Sloan (7th)

Guidance Secretary/Registrar - Teresita De La Cruz

Main Office - 706-556-5990

Address - 424 Hawes Branch Pkwy, Harlem, GA 30814

https://harlemms.ccboe.net/

https://facebook.com/harlemmiddleschoolbulldogs