HMES NEWSLETTER

HAPPY SMORE DAY!!

WOW!! There was SO MUCH to be excited about last week at Henderson Mill! Our Hawks were learning, creating, competing, and celebrating!

• Our Track Team represented HMES with determination, sportsmanship, and pride. Thank you to our coaches and families for your support!
• Multicultural Night was AMAZING! Thank you to our PTO, staff, and families for celebrating the cultures that make HMES so special.
• Thank you, Mrs. Corrales, for an AWESOME Coding Week.
• Thank you to Mrs. Keefer, our PTO, and families for continuing to support literacy, our book fair was a HUGE success and it is because of all of you.
• Thank you to our teachers that made Dot Day special by giving students opportunities to create and make their mark.
• Thank you all for the birthday wishes!!

Reminder that attendance matters! We are still pushing toward our 95% schoolwide goal. Our Georgia Milestones data took a hit last year, particularly in Math and Science. This year, we are being intentional about using student data to provide morning targeted (SOAR TIME) interventions for every students who need additional support and every student that needs enrichment. One of the most important things parents can do is get your child to school EVERY DAY and ON TIME. When students miss school or arrive late, they miss valuable SOAR TIME and instructional time that we cannot fully replace. Please help us with our goal to increase attendance so that we can reach our academic goals.

More updates about staffing coming soon regarding our 1st grade added classroom due to large enrollment and 3rd grade new teacher. Thank you for your patience as I wait for HR for next steps.

And about that mystery of who took over Dr. Blanton’s computer... HERE’S THE EVIDENCE! Apparently, the SMORE took over my computer! LOL!

But here’s the real clue: The SMORE is packed with important reminders, dates, events, opportunities, and everything you need to know about what’s happening at HMES. So there really should NEVER be a mystery...

READ THE SMORE = MYSTERY SOLVED!

Don’t forget that we have FALL Parent Conferences this week, stay informed, and stay connected!

Let’s keep moving FORWARD TOGETHER!

-Dr. Blanton

At Henderson Mill Elementary, we are committed to growing, improving, and providing the very best experience for every student and family. Your voice matters!

Your feedback will help us celebrate what is working well and identify opportunities for growth that are within our control at the school level.

I have a new suggestion, and it is an AWESOME one!! We are going to have our new SAC representatives obtain 1 question from each grade level to share during our upcoming meeting this week.

Thank you for partnering with us as we continue to grow, improve, and make Henderson Mill the best it can be!

Good Afternoon, I hope all is well! Reminder.

Please take a moment to revisit the SMORE newsletter and review the HMES Compact, HMES Policy, and DCSD PFE Plan. I have also attached all three documents for your convenience.

After reviewing the documents, please click the link below to confirm that you have accessed and reviewed all three resources.

Thank you for your partnership and for helping us ensure that we are all informed and aligned in supporting our students and families!

Thank you!

Engagement Session 2 of the Student Assignment Project is underway. This is an important opportunity for families, staff, students, and community members in the Chamblee, Cross Keys, Druid Hills, Dunwoody, Lakeside, and Tucker clusters. In Engagement Session 2, you will see three proposed options for Elementary School Attendance Zone changes (use the new Interactive Options Locator to see how each option could impact your attendance zone), as well as two concepts for addressing overcrowding at Middle and High Schools.

Take the Survey before it closes on Monday, October 5

We invite you to take the Engagement Session 2 survey so we can capture your feedback for the next engagement session launching in October. You are also invited to sign up for a focus group upon completing the survey. We strongly encourage you to watch the Engagement Session 2 presentation before providing feedback.

The survey closes at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, October 5. Take the Survey Here.

REMINDER! Public Comment Meetings this Tuesday and Thursday

Public comment meetings will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22, at Tucker High School and Thursday, September 24, at Cross Keys High School. Registration is not required to attend.

Stay Connected

This process is about listening, learning, and working together to develop School Attendance Zones that support students, families, and schools. To view the timeline, watch the latest videos, participate in engagement opportunities, and follow the process, visit the Student Assignment Project website: Student Assignment Project Website.

Your voice matters. We encourage you to start by watching the Engagement Session 2 video, then take the survey and participate in the opportunities that work best for you.

Say CHEESE, Hawks! 📸 Our Fall School Picture Day is coming up!

📅 Friday, September 25th
📸 Individual Fall Pictures

It’s time to capture those beautiful smiles and school-year memories! We can’t wait to see our Hawks looking their best for their fall portraits. More information from PTO is coming soon! Stay tuned for details about picture packages, ordering, and everything you need to know to make picture day a success. Order now for Picture Day Pricing- my.lifetouch.com: EVT4XMNHH

Get ready to smile, Hawks!

Fall Conference Week will be September 21st - September 25th.

HMES Families, Parent-Teacher Conference Week is this week! This is an important opportunity to connect with your child’s teacher, celebrate progress, ask questions, and create a plan for continued growth. Please use the conference links in the PDF below to schedule your conference.

If your teacher’s conference schedule is already full, don’t worry! Reach out directly to your child’s teacher to schedule a conference for the following week. And remember, you never have to wait for Conference Week to meet with your child’s teacher. We want our families connected and informed all year long!

Here are 5 Questions to Ask at Your Conference

1. Is my child currently performing on grade level in reading and math?

2. What is my child’s current Reading Lexile level?

3. What specific skills or learning deficits does my child need additional support with right now?

4. What are my child’s greatest academic strengths, and how are you providing enrichment or additional challenges at school?

5. What specific activities, resources, or strategies can I use at home to support and accelerate my child’s growth?

Parents + Teachers = A Powerful Partnership for Student Success

On September 26, we proudly celebrate our amazing Henderson Mill Elementary PTO Board and Members!

Our PTO works hard behind the scenes to support our STEAM initiatives, students, teachers, families, and the many experiences that make Henderson Mill a better place to learn and grow.

Want to know one way you can REALLY make them smile? JOIN THE PTO!

Our goal is to increase our PTO membership and have at least 200 MEMBERS! Every membership strengthens our school community and helps our PTO continue creating amazing opportunities for our Hawks.

Let’s celebrate National PTO Appreciation Day by showing our PTO that we can make it to 200 MEMBERS! JOIN TODAY! Click the link below to become a PTO member.

Thank you, PTO, for everything you do to help Henderson Mill SOAR!

Henderson Mill Elementary School proudly celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 through October 15, honoring the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. Throughout the month, our Instructional Advisory Committee will provide engaging instructional activities and fun experiences for our students. Next week is Hispanic Heritage Spirit Week! ¡Juntos celebramos nuestra cultura y comunidad!

Every Day Matters. Stay Connected. Keep Learning.

Did you know?

Missing just 2 days a month can make it harder for students to stay on track with learning and reading. Even 1–2 absences every few weeks can add up and impact academic success.

Tardiness also affects learning and can lead to poor attendance habits. Regular attendance helps students build confidence, develop friendships, and succeed in school. At Henderson Mill Elementary, we encourage every Hawk to be present, on time, and ready to learn each day.

Join us for Every Tuesday will be an attendance challenge. This Tuesday is a Selfie Day at HMES. In addition, back by popular demand is the 100 students on time challenge. Only the first 100 students that enter through the front door at 7am will earn a prize. See flyers for details. Together, we can build strong attendance habits that lead to lifelong success!

Every Day Counts... Every Hawk Matters!

As a STEAM School, we want our Hawks doing more than learning, we want them thinking, questioning, creating, collaborating, and problem-solving!

Through Project-Based Learning (PBL), our students will tackle real-world challenges and ask an important question:

“How can WE use what we are learning to improve our school, our community, and our WORLD?”

Get ready to see our Hawks THINK BIG, CREATE, INNOVATE, and make an IMPACT!

🎉 A Great Start to the School Year!

Students have been busy visiting the Media Center, learning library routines, checking out books, and getting to know the different sections of the library.

📖 What We’ve Been Learning

Our beginning-of-year lessons have focused on book care and responsibility, library procedures, and how to be successful library users.

🔜 Coming in September

Next month, students will learn more about Beanstack and how to choose “just right” books that fit their interests and reading needs. We’ll also be rolling out student library cards soon!

Thank you for helping us build a strong reading community at school and at home!

-Ms. Pitts & Mr. Barreto

Hello, DCSD Community! Click the link below for The DCSD Weekly Digest – September 21, 2026 Newsletter.

Stay Connected and Stay Informed: https://bit.ly/4yMRNmx.

• Meet the Finalist: Virtual Meeting with Dr. Norman C. Sauce III
• Student Assignment Project Engagement Session 2
• Weekly and Monthly Recognitions
• Middle and High School Gemini AI Course
• Community Tech Café
• Unity Fest - Hispanic Heritage Fiesta
• Elementary Competitive Dance
• Newsletter Highlights Spanish Video
• Photos & Videos of the Week

Let's continue moving forward together because the strength of our community lies in unity and continuous communication.

NOAA Ocean Guardian School Grant

We are excited to announce that Henderson Mill Elementary School has been awarded a $2,500 NOAA Ocean Guardian School Grant for our 5th grade PLB to participate in the 6 R’s Project thanks to Ms. Gray!

Through the NOAA Ocean Guardian School Program, our 5th grade students will participate in hands-on learning and conservation activities focused on protecting local watersheds, our oceans, and the environment. The 6 R’s Project will surround their PBL and will give students opportunities to practice sustainability, make environmentally responsible choices, and see how actions right here at Henderson Mill can make a difference beyond our school community.

Thank you Ms. Gray!! This grant will further strengthen our commitment to STEAM, environmental education, and real-world learning.

Our 5th grade Hawks are ready to make a difference as Ocean Guardians!

We are excited to share that 4-H officially began yesterday at Henderson Mill Elementary School Aftercare for our 4th and 5th grade led by our very own Ms. H. Frazier!

4-H is a youth development program that provides hands-on learning experiences designed to help students build leadership, responsibility, confidence, teamwork, and life skills. Through engaging activities and projects, students have opportunities to explore areas such as science, agriculture, health, citizenship, and community service.

We are excited to offer our students another opportunity to learn, lead, grow, and have fun right here at HMES Aftercare!

As DeKalb continues to evolve, enrollment patterns have shifted across our district. Some schools are serving more students than they were designed for. We strongly encourage all families to click on the links below. Your participation matters. This process can help shape decisions that impact our students, families, schools, and communities.

Engagement Session 2: Consider Multiple Options

• Meeting of Community Advisory Teams - September 29 and October 1
• Public Comment Sessions - September 22 (Tucker High School) and September 24 (Cross Keys High School)

• Would you like to register to speak at an Engagement Session 2 Public Comment Meeting? If so, click here!

• Online Public Survey - Opens September 21, Closes October 5
• Online Focus Groups Available - Stakeholders will be able to sign up for focus groups once they have completed the survey.

Click here to view the pdf version of the Engagement Session 2 presentation. (Spanish)

Explore the presentation materials below.

• ES Options Comparison
• Elementary Option 1 Map
• Elementary Option 2 Map
• Elementary Option 3 Map
• Unit Map (Geographic student data used to develop the options)

Click here to access the Interactive Options Locator. Enter your address to see which school your student is assigned to under each option.

Please take the time to learn, engage, and make your voice count!

DCSD stakeholders will have the opportunity to meet virtually with Superintendent Finalist, Interim Superintendent of Schools Dr. Norman C. Sauce III on Monday, September 28, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Click the button below to join the meeting via Microsoft Teams.

As we prepare for our upcoming elementary track meets at Adams Stadium, we would like to share a few important reminders to help ensure a safe, organized, and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Clear Bag Policy-

Please remind all coaches, athletes, parents, and spectators that Adams Stadium follows a clear bag policy. Guests should plan accordingly before arriving at the venue to avoid delays at entry.

Food and Snacks

Any food, drinks, or snacks intended for student-athletes must enter the stadium with the team and be brought in by a coach or designated school representative. Parents and spectators will not be permitted to bring food, drinks, or snacks into the venue for athletes. Please communicate this expectation to your families prior to the meet.

Stadium Etiquette

We ask for your assistance in promoting positive sportsmanship and proper stadium behavior throughout the event.

• Student-athletes should remain with their coaches at all times.

• Athletes should stay in designated team areas and only report to event staging areas when called.

• Parents and spectators should remain in the stands and avoid entering the competition areas.

• Please help us maintain a clean facility by disposing of trash in designated receptacles.

• Respect for officials, event staff, athletes, coaches, spectators, and other schools is non-negotiable. Disrespectful behavior, including inappropriate language, gestures, or conduct toward officials, staff, or opposing schools, will not be tolerated.

  
  

Thank you for your partnership and support in helping us provide a positive experience for all student-athletes. We appreciate your assistance in communicating these expectations to your coaches, athletes, and families prior to the meet.

Parent Walkthroughs with our Admin Team are scheduled, brief visits that allow families to see teaching and learning in action during the school day.

These are not formal observations or conferences. We give parents the opportunity to observe instructional practices, student engagement, and classroom routines, while gaining a better understanding of curriculum and school initiatives.

Feedback will be collected to support school improvement. Based on your feedback, we are excited to welcome parents to participate in Parent Walkthroughs on the dates and times listed below.

Exciting News, Hawk Families!

We are thrilled to announce that Henderson Mill Elementary has been selected to participate in the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Strong4Life Challenge Program! Led by our Safety & Wellness Committee, this exciting schoolwide program will help our students, staff, and families build healthy habits that support strong bodies AND strong minds!

Our Hawks will learn simple ways to make healthy choices, including staying active, drinking more water, eating well, and taking care of their overall well-being.

📅 Mark Your Calendars!

🎉 Strong4Life Fall Pep Rally: Thursday, October 1, 2026 | 1:00–2:00 PM
🌱 Strong4Life Spring Follow-Up Visit: Friday, March 26, 2027

This is more than a one-day event! Throughout the year, we will work together to encourage our Hawks to develop healthy habits that can last a lifetime.

Be sure to watch the video below to learn more about the Strong4Life Challenge!

Get ready, Hawks, the Strong4Life Challenge is coming to Henderson Mill this October!

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Your child’s 2026–2027 Fall MAP Growth Report was sent home today! MAP Growth helps us understand what your child knows, identify areas for continued growth, and plan instruction to meet their individual needs. The report includes your child’s RIT score, achievement, and growth information.

Please review the report and bring any questions to your child’s upcoming parent-teacher conference. You may also contact Ms. Alexandra Vela at alexandra_c_vela@dekalbschoolsga.org.

Need help understanding your child’s MAP results? Use the videos above as NWEA family resources.

Thank you for partnering with us as we continue helping every Hawk grow!

The DeKalb County School District partners with Cartwheel to provide virtual mental health and wellness support to families, and all school staff.

Cartwheel is here to help if you notice changes in your child, student, or yourself, such as changes in mood, energy, or behavior; struggles with anxiety or frequent worries; difficulty with sleep or eating routines; challenges keeping up with schoolwork or staying motivated; pulling away from friends or activities you or they typically enjoy; talking about feeling down or discouraged; navigating a major change at home, at school, or with friends; or struggling with self-harm or having difficulty coping.

Just 5 minutes a day of logging your child’s reading on Beanstack can help us climb even higher on the county-wide leaderboard!

📖 What Is Beanstack?

Beanstack is our school’s reading-tracking program. Students can access Beanstack from their school computers and log the minutes they spend reading. Families may also download the Beanstack app so students can continue logging their reading at home. Students will learn more about Beanstack during library lessons in August and September. Our monthly class challenges will begin in September, when classes will compete to see who can log the most reading minutes!

Please encourage your child to log reading minutes regularly and honestly. See the attached flyer for directions and additional information.

Together, we can build a powerful culture of reading at HMES, one page at a time!

Free Online Tutoring with Brainfuse: DeKalb County Public Library offers free live online tutoring through Brainfuse HelpNow for students in grades 3–12. Tutoring is available daily from 2:00–11:00 p.m. and includes help in a variety of subjects. Spanish-speaking tutors are also available. Brainfuse is chat-based, not video-based, and is free with a DeKalb County Public Library card. Please see the attached flyer for more information.

Please review the 2026–2027 DeKalb County School District Code of Student Conduct, which outlines students' responsibilities in helping to maintain a safe, respectful, and orderly learning environment.

• The Code of Student Conduct is available here:
  https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1784819613/dekalbschoolsgaorg/texavyab7ldnwczh6trp/2026-2027StudentCodeofConduct.pdf

The handbook includes important information regarding student records, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), reporting concerns such as bullying and harassment, the rights of students with disabilities, and other student rights and responsibilities.

• After reviewing the Code of Student Conduct, please sign, date, and return the
  2026–2027 Parent/Guardian Signature Page, available here:
  https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1784039413/dekalbschoolsgaorg/judxxd374x0gowgodgse/2026-2027SCOCConfirmationofReceipt.pdf

• https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1785780722/dekalbschoolsgaorg/xp5mgmiv6fjmukigwi1v/Spanish_2026-2027Parent-GuardianSignaturePage.pdf

Greetings DCSD Families,

You’re invited to join the 2026-2027 Community Tech Café, a free monthly webinar series hosted by the DCSD Instructional Technology Department.

The Community Tech Café is designed to help families, students, and community members learn more about the digital tools that support teaching, learning, communication, and online safety across the district.

Upcoming topics include:
• Your Digital DCSD Ecosystem
• Safety, Smarts & Success Online
• Helping Students Get the Most from Their Device
• Staying Connected through Campus Parent Portal
• Effective Digital Communication with Teachers
• AI Awareness

Sessions will continue monthly through May 2027 via Microsoft Teams.

Visit bit.ly/TechCafeDCSD to view the full schedule, meeting links, resources, and recordings.

We look forward to connecting with you at the Community Tech Café!

Families are invited to join the fun with our Famous Hispanics Poster Contest! This project is completely optional, but we encourage families to work together to research, create, and celebrate the amazing contributions of Hispanic leaders and changemakers.

Learn together. Create together. Celebrate together! We can’t wait to see your family’s creativity!

Lakeside High School is bringing back a Homecoming Parade, and this year, our elementary students ARE the parade!

📅 Thursday, October 15 | 5–7 PM
📍 Lakeside Football Field
🏈 Powderpuff Game begins at 5:30 PM
🎉 Feeder School Parade begins around 6:00 PM

There will be a friendly competition to see which elementary feeder school has the MOST students in attendance wearing their SCHOOL COLORS or SPIRIT WEAR—and we want HMES to WIN!

Come decked out in ROYAL BLUE & KELLY GREEN, bring your HMES signs, and represent our HAWKS!

Parking is very limited, so families are strongly encouraged to CARPOOL.

LET’S PACK THE STANDS, HAWKS! We need YOU there!

Your membership directly supports our teachers and school by funding our Alliance Theatre partnership, STEAM programming, teacher appreciation events, afterschool clubs and so much more. Every membership makes a difference!

As we continue a successful school year, please review and follow our arrival and dismissal expectations to ensure a smooth and safe day for all students. Thanks to our survey, it has come to my attention that our late arrival students are a huge parent concern as well. This is a disruption to our classrooms and teaching/learning. Please try your hardest to have your child to arrive to school on time, please see below.:

🌅 Morning Arrival:
🕖 7:00 AM – School doors open and breakfast begins. Please be sure your child has parent supervision if they arrive on campus before 7am.
🍽️ After breakfast – SOAR TIME (Intervention & Enrichment) starts (FREE TUTORING FOR YOUR CHILD). This is a critical time for academic support and acceleration please ensure your child arrives on time.
⏰ 7:40 AM – Breakfast service ends.
📣 7:40 AM – Morning announcements begin. Students should be in their classrooms.
📘 7:45 AM – Instruction begins promptly.
🏁 Afternoon Dismissal:
🕝 2:15 PM – Dismissal begins in this order:
➡️bus riders
➡️ van riders
➡️ walkers
➡️ car riders
➡️ aftercare
Please remember that our buses must be in line first.
🕝 2:20 PM – All students should be fully dismissed from classrooms.
🕒 2:45 PM – Students not picked up by this time will be sent to aftercare, and a drop-in fee will apply. Communication is key!

Your partnership helps us create a safe and focused environment for all learners.

Thank you for your attention and cooperation!

• Free or reduced-price school meals

• Reduced ACT, SAT, and AP exam fees

• Reduced college application fees

• Increased access to scholarship opportunities

Our cafeteria manager would love your support in encouraging all students to go through the lunch line each day, even if they bring lunch from home. This ensures every student has the opportunity to receive a nutritious meal and helps support our school nutrition program.

Please encourage students to participate in the lunch line each day. Thank you for your support!

Beginning this school year, all DCSD schools are phone-free zones. Students must power off and put away all personal devices, including cell phones, smartwatches, earbuds, and headphones, during the school day.

Our Disconnect to Reconnect initiative helps reduce distractions, increase student engagement, strengthen learning, and encourage meaningful connections with teachers and peers.

Thank you for partnering with us to create a focused, distraction-free learning environment for every student!

Pack 007 is a Cub Scout Pack chartered at Embry Hills United Methodist Church. Our pack is open to K-5 boys and girls. The Pack (all age groups) usually meets once a month. The Dens (single grade level) generally meet two or three times a month.

ALWAYS ACCEPTING NEW SCOUTS!

Please email pack007ehumc@gmail.com

See flyer for more details. To learn more about cub scouting, please read the Cub Scout Parent Orientation Guide found below.

Event & Registration Logistics

• Program: DCSD Elementary Competitive Dance
• Who Can Join: All 4th and 5th-grade students
• Cost: FREE for all students
• Registration Deadline: November 17, 2026
• Season Dates: November 30, 2026 – February 6, 2027
• Key Requirements: Valid Sports Physical required to participate

The Pack is a family pack, welcoming boys and girls in grades K - 5th. We meet at Shallowford Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, GA. Pack members cross into Troop 534.

Starting as early as Kindergarten, Pack 534 provide opportunities for the entire family to participate in day trips, overnight camping, and hand-on activities such as archery, civics, crafts, pioneering, and stem activities.

Pack 534 holds Den Meetings most Tuesday nights from 7 - 8pm. One Tuesday each month is the Pack Meeting where Cub Scouts are awarded belt loops, badges, and pins for completing Adventures toward rank.

Students can enroll at any time of year and participate as much or little as their schedules allow.

We typically meet in the Great Hall and classrooms inside Shallowford Presbyterian Church, 2375 Shallowford Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30345

For enrollment information or any questions, please email scoutpack534@gmail.com

The DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management is hosting its 22nd Annual Art Calendar Contest for students in grades K–5!

Theme: “Everyone’s Experience With Water Is Unique – How Are You Inspired By Water?”

Students are encouraged to get creative and participate! 12 winners will be selected, with winning artwork featured in the 2027 calendar and displayed at the Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center.

📅 Deadline: November 6, 2026
📎 Please review the attached contest rules and entry form, as there are changes this year.

Let’s encourage our Hawks to showcase their creativity!

To inspire your students and encourage participation, we’ve included videos of the winning entries from the past few years. Feel free to share these with your students:

• DeKalb Watershed Art Calendar Contest 2026
• DeKalb Watershed Art Calendar Contest 2025
• DeKalb Watershed Art Calendar Contest 2024
• DeKalb Watershed Art Calendar Contest 2023
• DeKalb Watershed Art Calendar Contest 2022
• DeKalb Watershed Art Calendar Contest 2021

Best of luck to all students!

We are incredibly proud to congratulate our 5th Grade National Jr. Beta candidates! These student candidates have demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence, character, leadership, and service.

Candidates must have and maintain a 3.5 GPA or higher and demonstrate strong leadership skills and positive character, as recognized by their teachers. These students have already been identified and selected.

We look forward to celebrating this outstanding accomplishment with our selected students and families at the Jr. Beta Induction Ceremony on September 30 at 9:00 a.m.

Congratulations, Hawks, we are so proud of you!

Students will have the opportunity to build their skills, learn teamwork, and compete with schools across the district throughout the season.

Registration Closes: Thursday, Oct. 29

First Day of Practice: Jan. 25, 2027

County Championship: Apr. 17, 2027

Register today: bit.ly/4gTp8pT

We look forward to another great season of DeKalb elementary athletics!

#DCSDAthletics #TheDeKalbDifference

CLICK LINKS BELOW TO ACCESS THE SCHEDULES FOR EACH SPORT

• 2026 Track Schedule
• 2026 Soccer Schedule
• 2026-27 Competitive Dance Schedule
• 2027 Basketball Schedule
• 2027 Flag Football Schedule

Most Fridays are Spirit Wear Days for our staff, and we would love for our students to join in too! This is a fun way to celebrate our school pride and highlight our amazing school community. 💚

Want to get your student ready for Spirit Wear Fridays? Click the link below to purchase official school spirit wear from our PTO. Let’s make Fridays a sea of blue and green and school pride we can’t wait to see everyone showing their Hawk Pride!

The Hawk Rock is ready to be rented and we already have four sales!

🎨 Make your mark on the Hawk Rock! Henderson Mill families can rent our school spirit rock for three days to celebrate a birthday, milestone, achievement, or other special event.

Rentals are $30, and families are responsible for providing all painting supplies and painting over the previous design. It’s a fun way to celebrate someone special while supporting our amazing school!

Our 5th graders are preparing for an exciting annual overnight field trip to the Fortson 4-H Center, where they’ll experience hands-on science, outdoor education, live animals, campfires, and memories that will last a lifetime!

The cost is $125 per student, and we are fundraising to help lower the cost for ALL of our 5th grade students.

Every donation makes a difference, no amount is too small! Whether it’s $5, $10, $25, or more, your support will help make this incredible experience more affordable for our families.

Scan the QR code on the flyer to donate.

Thank you for helping our 5th Grade Hawks SOAR beyond the classroom!

It’s quick, easy, and free to help our school earn rewards! Every time you shop and use your Kroger Plus card, a percentage of your spending is donated to Henderson Mill, at no extra cost to you!

Here’s how:

1. Create a Kroger digital account (if you don’t already have one): https://www.kroger.com/account/communityrewards/

2. Link your Kroger Plus Shopper’s Card.

3. Go to Community Rewards in your account settings.

4. Search for Henderson Mill Elementary and select our school.

💚 Thank you for supporting our students, one grocery trip at a time!

We are happy to share that we will have a small pantry located in our Parent Corner, generously sponsored by our PTO. The pantry will include some food and very basic toiletry items for families who may need a little extra support.

If your family could benefit from these resources, please contact Ms. Vela (678-874-3106) for assistance.

All requests will be handled with care and confidentiality. We are always here to support our Henderson Mill families.

Henderson Mill Families, if you are in need of affordable internet service or a low-cost computer for your household, we encourage you to explore Everyone On.

EveryoneOn provides a free Offer Locator Tool that allows families to enter their ZIP code and search for available low-cost internet and computer options in their area. Families may also find additional digital learning resources and information about programs for eligible households. EveryoneOn – Find Offers

Having reliable technology at home is an important part of keeping our Hawks connected.

Click here👉 Explore Affordable Internet & Computer Options

At Henderson Mill Elementary, we care about our families and our community! Our Jr. Beta Club is excited to offer Spaghetti Meal Kits to HMES families who may need a little extra support.

Each kit will include pasta, pasta sauce, and Italian bread to help provide a family dinner at home.

If your family is in need, we encourage you to complete the link below to reserve a kit. Please remember that quantities are limited, so we kindly ask that this opportunity be reserved for families who truly need the assistance.

A special THANK YOU to our amazing PTO for supporting this initiative and to our Jr. Beta Club members for facilitating this service project and demonstrating what it means to lead by serving others! (REGISTRATION LINK COMING SOON)

Hawks Helping Hawks, because at HMES, we take care of one another!

Henderson Mill families, we need your help bringing our 2026–2027 Haunted House to life! We are accepting donations or loans of Halloween decorations, props, lights, and other spooky supplies. Families who donate or lend decorations can earn FREE Haunted House tickets!

Please see the flyer for donation details and items needed. Donations will be accepted through Monday, October 12th. Thank you for helping us create an unforgettable experience for our Hawks!

Together, we make Hawks SOAR, even in the dark!

We love our volunteers! To volunteer at school or chaperone field trips, you must meet DeKalb County School District (DCSD) volunteer requirements below:

• Level I: Front Office Support, Cafeteria Support, Recess Support, Classroom helpers, Mystery Readers, class parties, Career Day, cafeteria, library, and other supervised school activities.
• Level II: Required for daytime field trip chaperones.
• Level III: Required for overnight field trip chaperones and volunteers who may work with students without direct supervision. Includes fingerprinting and is valid for 5 years (annual badge renewal required).

Please click link below to begin the volunteer registration process. If you need assistance, please send an email to: DCSDvolunteer@dekalbschoolsga.org or Demone_Gunter@dekalbschoolsga.org

We look forward to partnering with you this school year!

Henderson Mill Elementary is looking for parents, guardians, family members, and community members who would be willing to share their knowledge and career experiences with our students and/or teachers.

Many careers are connected to STEAM—Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics—even if “STEAM” is not in the job title! Careers in healthcare, construction, business, finance, agriculture, transportation, public safety, design, communications, skilled trades, culinary arts, and many other fields use STEAM skills every day.

You might speak to a class, demonstrate a skill, help with a hands-on activity, provide feedback on a student project, participate in a career event, connect virtually, or serve as a resource for teachers. Completing this form simply helps us learn about your expertise and interest; it does not commit you to participating.

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