2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR!
Good Afternoon Team, and welcome to Week 36, Aviation Week has officially taken flight!
As we enter another fast-paced week filled with important deadlines, celebrations, and end-of-year events, I want to pause and thank each of you for the energy, teamwork, and dedication you continue to bring each day.
Last week was truly one to remember! A huge thank you to Mrs. Corrales and Ms. Vela for creating such an engaging and meaningful STEAM Day experience for our students. Thank you as well to our Sunshine Committee for helping spotlight the incredible talents of our Hawks during Henderson Mill’s Got Talent. We also ended the week on a high note with an amazing Field Day celebration. Special thanks to Coach Conner, Dr. O’D, our support staff, and every team member who helped make the day such a success for our students.
As we soar into this week, please continue checking all shared links, deadlines, and updates in the SMORE carefully to ensure we stay aligned and informed during these final weeks of school. Communication, flexibility, and teamwork will remain key as we navigate a very busy season together.
Be sure to check out this week’s STEAM Video of the Week as we continue celebrating the incredible innovation, creativity, and learning happening across our building.
Team, we are almost at the finish line. Let’s continue lifting one another up, leading with positivity, and maintaining the high expectations and care that make Henderson Mill such a special place. I am incredibly thankful for each of you and proud of all we continue to accomplish together.
Let’s make it another strong week, Hawks!
Together, we are #MissionPossible!
-Dr. Blanton
ASPIRE Week - Angel Flight Soars
Monday, May 18th (WEAR YOUR PURPLE AND GOLD)
- Take attendance in Infinite Campus
- Speech Pathologist Day
- Complete PRE TEST and ASPIRE Lessons
- Lakeside High School Final Walk- 7:45am
- Plan to meet with your grade chair and work on EIP Checklist. Send home your EOY party times, see the date below.
- Work on End of Year Checklist (see link below)
- Extended Planning 2:20-3:00pm- Review the Tier 1 lesson Plans.
Tuesday, May 19th
- Take attendance in Infinite Campus
- Complete ASPIRE Lessons
- DeKalb County Voters will be on the property to vote. Please park on the field to support.
Special Education Team will need to meet with Mr. Rowan
Ms. Potteiger plans to have meetings this week. If you do not have a meeting, please use your time to plan and work on EIP Checklist.
- Teacher Tutorials with Admin this week
- Work on End of Year Checklist (see link below)
- SPIRIT NIGHT!! See flyer below.
- Sunshine also has an outing on the same night
- Extended Planning 2:20-3:00pm- Review the Tier 1 lesson Plans.
- Take attendance in Infinite Campus
- No Planning meeting with Terry- Boyd this week due to testing please use your time to plan and work on EIP Checklist.
- Complete ASPIRE Lessons
- Milestone Retest Date (see schedule from Ms. Vela)
- Work on End of Year Checklist (see link below)
- Committee meetings will be at Los Hermanos, chips and salsa on me (you have to purchase your own other food and drink), LOL. See you there after 3pm. Address: 4418 Hugh Howell Rd B3, Tucker, GA 30084
- Extended Planning 2:20-3:00pm- Review the Tier 1 lesson Plans.
- STEAM Collab time with connections teachers 4th and 5th grade plan to meet in STEAM lab at 2:30pm.
- Take attendance in Infinite Campus
- Milestone Retest Date
- Complete ASPIRE Lessons
- ESOL will be facilitating meetings. If you do not have meetings, please use this time discuss your PBLs with your team and work on tasks. Work on EIP checklist.
- Work on End of Year Checklist (see link below)
- 18 Week Grade period ends start posting grades
- Extended Planning 2:20-3:00pm- please use your time to plan and work on tasks. Review the Tier 1 lesson Plans.
Friday, May 22nd (CRITICAL DAY)
- Take attendance in Infinite Campus
- Complete ASPIRE Lessons and POST test due today.
- PREK- Award's Day (Cafeteria)
- Fifth Grade Dance at 1:20pm (NEW DATE)
- Work on End of Year Checklist (see link below EIP CHECKLIST DUE)
- Data Talk forms for K-2nd due: DATA TALK FORMS
- Data Talk forms due for 3rd-5th grade upload here: DATA TALK FORMS
- Magnificent Mill, includes Fine Arts/PTA General Meeting- 6pm (Please have all cars moved from the front parking lot by 4pm.
- Extended Planning 2:20-3:00pm- Review the Tier 1 lesson Plans
Upcoming Events
MAY
May 25th - Memorial Day (NO SCHOOL)
May 26th- (CRITICAL DAY)
May 26th -EOY Parties- Tuesday, times will vary
May 26th - Awards Day (Spring Semester)/EOY Parties- Friday/Sports Banquet/5th Grade Bridging Ceremony (at Lakeside High School's cafeteria)
May 27th- (CRITICAL DAY)
May 27th -5th Grade Fun Day- Wednesday, all day/Attendance Party in cafeteria
May 27th- Last School Staff Meeting/Celebration/Retirement- Wednesday 3pm in cafeteria
May 28th- (CRITICAL DAY)
May 28th - 5th Grade final walk through- Thursday
May 28th -Last Day of School- Thursday
May 29th- (CRITICAL DAY)
May 29th-Post Planning, Friday grades and final check out (EOY checklist) due before you depart
Just in....
We invite all Henderson Mill families and staff to join us this Wednesday at 3:00 PM in our cafeteria as DeKalb Board of Education Member Allyson Gevertz visits Henderson Mill to discuss SAP. Ms. Gevertz is a longtime advocate for DeKalb students and families, and this is a great opportunity to hear directly from a board member.
We hope you will plan to attend!
Georgia Milestones Retest Information
5th Grade Math Retests will take place on May 20th–21st. Letters identifying students who will need to retest were sent home on Monday, May 11th. See retest information below.
Henderson Mill University Summer Bootcamp
Mark your calendars! Henderson Mill University Summer Bootcamp will take place on Tuesday, July 14th and Wednesday, July 15th. Please sign up to be a presenter!
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
We are excited to share the THRIVE Wellness District Newsletter, a new resource focused on supporting employee health, well-being, and work-life balance. The newsletter includes wellness initiatives, webinar opportunities (registration begins tomorrow), upcoming events, and tools to support your physical, mental, financial, social, and nutritional wellness.
Please also remember that the district offers a free Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for full-time employees and their families through UNUM. Services include mental health counseling, childcare and eldercare referrals, legal consultations, financial planning support, and more. All services are completely confidential.
UNUM Support:
📞 1-800-854-1446
🌐 unum.com/lifebalance
I’ve included additional DCSD wellness events and the T.H.R.I.V.E. website below. Please take advantage of these resources, your wellness and well-being are important to me.
T.H.R.I.V.E. Wellness Center
The T.H.R.I.V.E. Wellness Center is open Monday–Thursday, 4:00–6:00 PM, offering free exercise equipment and fitness classes exclusively for employees to support the PHYSICAL component of our program.
Location: DECA Gymnasium, 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd. (enter through the rear of the building).
Classes include:
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Stretching – Flexibility, strength, and stress relief. Coach Isaac
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Yoga 101 – Introductory movement, breathing, and meditation. Lois (GlamourVerse Yogi)
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Boxercise – High-energy, non-contact boxing workout. Coach Chris Isaac
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Line Dancing – Fun, choreographed group dance. Dr. Pinky Miller
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Chair Fitness – Accessible stretching, cardio, and strength workout. Renee Burwell-Billie
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Pound & Soca – High-energy drumming and dance cardio. Renee Burwell-Billie
Note: The schedule will adjust slightly after Spring Break. An updated announcement will be shared.
For questions, email sharell_jones@dekalbschoolsga.org
TAKE FIVE: Emotional Wellness Break (5 Minutes or Less)
Please take a moment for yourself during your planning time or at 2:20 PM when you do not have students.
- Step away and connect with nature (real or virtual) for five minutes to reset before returning to your tasks.
- Practice positive self-talk to manage challenging emotions, remind yourself that you are in control of how you respond, regardless of others’ actions.
- Pause for a collective deep breath to reset your mind and body as you continue through your day.
Taking just five minutes can make a meaningful difference.
SAFETY
This is a reminder that all students and staff must wear IDs daily and visibly while on campus. Please reinforce this expectation with students as part of your daily routines.
Have you received your updated Cintegix (life support) badge? Please see Ms. Willis as soon as possible if you have not.
Please also remember to take your walkie anytime you leave your classroom, keep doors locked, and bring your safety bag with you when stepping out. Contact Ms. Carroll if you need a walkie. Assigning a student leader to help remind you of these procedures is encouraged.
For PE, please be sure to walk students to and from their pickup and drop-off location outside.
These procedures are essential to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students and staff. Thank you for your continued attention to safety and for always putting students first.
Thank you for your continued partnership in maintaining a safe school environment.
DeKalb CARES
DeKalb CARES is a districtwide initiative focused on strengthening school climate by equipping staff and students with skills to prevent, de-escalate, and repair conflict. It emphasizes Verbal De-Escalation to reduce crises and power struggles, and Restorative Practices to build relationships, accountability, and repair harm creating classrooms that are safe, calm, and connected.
At a Glance:
Every interaction is an opportunity to restore, not react.
We promote choice, trust, and proactive responses while avoiding power struggles.
We use circles, affective statements, and restorative questions to build community and resolve harm.
There is no MAY SEL FOCUS
Throughout the school year, counselors provided students with Social Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons covering a range of essential topics designed to foster their emotional intelligence and well-being. These lessons included cultivating positive mindsets and goal-setting strategies to promote academic and personal success. Bullying prevention techniques and strategies for managing healthy relationships were explored to create a safe and supportive school environment. Child and teen protection lessons were also included to make students aware of their boundaries and how to seek help. Students further developed their abilities to understand empathy and manage emotions and practiced effective problem-solving skills to navigate social and academic challenges. The lessons also focused on developing a positive sense of self encouraging students to embrace their strengths and build confidence. All SEL lessons were carefully selected and designed to increase students’ emotional intelligence skills and to better equip them to make sound decisions, contributing to their overall success and well-being. It's been a great year, and our students are excited about the upcoming break.
Thank you for your continued support as we work together to promote stress awareness, emotional regulation, and overall wellness for every student.
MEDIA CENTER UPDATE
1. Beanstack December Update
Check out our top homerooms for December! Congratulations to our trophy winners! 🏆
Tips for success
- Give students a minute to log their minutes during quiet reading time
- Send home paper reading logs for families without access to the app (this works great for younger students who aren't logging independently)
- Log read-alouds for your whole class
Our January challenge is already underway, and right now Henderson Mill is ranked 6th in DCSD for participation at 28%. Help us encourage students to get back in the habit and climb to 100%.
2. Overdue Books
I’ve placed overdue notices in your mailboxes to send home with students.
Reminder: Open checkout happens daily at 1:45, so students can stop by to return or swap books.
CRITICAL DAYS REMINDER
This is a reminder regarding district policy as attached in every SMORE below:
The two days before and two days after holidays are designated as Critical Days, and personal leave is not permitted on these days.
If you are absent during a Critical Day and use sick leave or any other type of leave, you are required to submit appropriate documentation (medical or otherwise) in accordance with district guidelines.
Failure to submit documentation will result in the absence being coded as Leave Without Pay, with no exceptions. Thank you for your immediate attention to and compliance with this district requirement.
🌟 TEAM OF THE MONTH: 🌟
We are proud to recognize our 3rd Grade Team as our Team of the Month! 🎉
Like I shared on Wednesday, I realized 2 weeks ago that I completely skipped a month for team of the month this year and somehow thought 3rd grade had already been selected. Each month, I consult with my Administrative Team as part of our team effort in selecting Team of the Month! So while this recognition is overdue, it is certainly well deserved.
Congratulations 3rd grade!!!
Our 3rd Grade Team continues to demonstrate what it means to be a strong, collaborative, and committed team. Your dedication to students and to one another is evident in all that you do. A special thank you to Ms. Owens for stepping up as grade chair and doing such a wonderful job leading the team with strength and purpose. Thank you to Mrs. Pattillo for volunteering or perhaps being voluntold, to obtain your gifted certification and for your willingness to grow in ways that will continue to benefit our students. Thank you to Ms. Martin for all that you do as a valued member of our Sunshine Committee and choosing to be a co-teacher again.
I truly appreciate each of you for being such a strong team. I have always enjoyed being able to participate in Holidays Around the World each year, and this year your PBL client meeting was absolutely amazing. The level of student engagement, creativity, and intentional planning was clearly evident and reflected the incredible work happening in your classrooms.
Thank you for your teamwork, dedication, and commitment to excellence. Henderson Mill is stronger because of each of you.
Congratulations to our 3rd Grade Team, and thank you for all you do to help our students thrive! 🎉
National Speech-Language Pathologist Day
Today we celebrate Ms. Croft in honor of National Speech-Language Pathologist Day on May 18th.
National Speech-Language Pathologist Day recognizes the incredible professionals who diagnose, evaluate, and support individuals with speech, language, voice, fluency, and swallowing needs across all ages. Their work helps students find their voices, build confidence, and communicate more effectively every day.
We are especially grateful for Ms. Croft’s dedication to our students, her patience, and the care she brings to her work. She makes a meaningful difference in the lives of children by supporting their communication skills and helping them thrive both academically and socially.
Thank you, Ms. Croft, for all that you do!
WEEKLY ACTIVE LEARNING STRATEGY: SIOP Strategy #1 Lesson Preparation
What This Looks Like in the Classroom
Lesson Preparation requires teachers to intentionally plan and communicate both content and language objectives so students clearly understand what they are learning and how they will use language during instruction. Effective teachers ensure objectives are visible, student-friendly, aligned to standards, and revisited throughout the lesson to guide learning and monitor understanding.
Teachers Can Implement This Strategy By:
- Clearly posting and reviewing both content and language objectives at the beginning of each lesson
- Writing objectives in student-friendly language that students can easily understand
- Aligning objectives to grade-level standards and instructional tasks
- Explaining not only what students will learn, but how they will demonstrate learning through speaking, listening, reading, or writing
- Referring back to objectives throughout the lesson to reinforce learning targets
- Providing opportunities for students to restate or explain objectives in their own words
- Using visuals, sentence stems, and modeling to support understanding of objectives
- Connecting lesson activities directly to the stated objectives
- Reviewing objectives at the end of the lesson to reflect on learning and measure success
- Planning meaningful, engaging activities that align with both content and language goals
Why This Matters:
When teachers intentionally implement Lesson Preparation:
- Students have a clear understanding of the purpose and expectations of the lesson
- Instruction becomes more focused, intentional, and standards-aligned
- Students are better able to monitor their own learning and progress
- Language development is embedded naturally within content instruction
- Engagement increases because students know what they are learning and why it matters
- Teachers create stronger alignment between instruction, activities, and assessment
All learners benefit from clear expectations, structured support, and purposeful instruction
Remember:
Post Objectives → Review Objectives → Connect Activities to Objectives → Reinforce Learning Targets → Reflect on Learning
📚Tuesday Teacher Tutorials 📚
This week Teacher Tutorials is back!!! Feel free to contact by, Admin for any instructional support or questions. We know you have one of the hardest jobs, and Teacher Tutorials were created as a dedicated space to provide meaningful support in a relaxed, collaborative environment.
Grow by Level Data (formerly School Mint) is an instructional platform that helps administrators and coaches analyze classroom observations and student performance to provide targeted feedback that supports teacher growth and student learning.
To access your walkthrough data, visit the website below. An account has been created using your district email. Select DeKalb County School District, click Forgot Password, and follow the reset instructions sent to your work email.
Please Note: This data is not used for TKES. It is intended to provide timely feedback, highlight strengths, and identify support opportunities. An administrator will follow up if instructional support is needed.
This platform is designed to support your growth, reflection, and continued high-quality instruction for our HMES Hawks!
Henderson Mill Elementary
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