HAWK TALK

Friday, September 4, 2026

CALENDAR AT A GLANCE

September 7 - Labor Day No School

September 17- Annual Title I Meeting & Family Curriculum Night

September 21-25: Fall Break (No school for students)

C lick here for the FCS School Calendar 2026-27

School Hours and Important Times

Office Hours: 8:15 - 4:15

Instructional Hours: 8:55-4:05

Arrival: Please do not drop off students prior to 8:25 AM. We cannot provide supervision of students prior to 8:25, therefore students may not enter until this time.

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.

Student Fee Notifications

Fulton County Schools introduced SchoolCash Online — a convenient, secure way for families and students to pay online for school fees at the start of the 2026-2027 school year. Unfortunately, we realized that ALL students were being notified about fees, even if the fee does not apply to them.

If you have received a notification about band, chorus, orchestra, HOSA, or athletic fees, and your child does not participate in that activity, please disregard the fee notification. Moving forward, we will have the ability to assign fees to designated students who are required to pay that fee. We apologize for any confusion or inconvenience.

Learn more about setting up the SchoolCash Online accounts at SchoolCash Online (Fees/Purchases) - Fulton County School System

Annual Title 1 Meeting

📚 HBMS families, you’re invited! 📚

Join us for our upcoming Annual Title I Meeting on Wednesday, September 17, 2026, at 5:15 PM in the HBMS Cafeteria!

At this meeting, families will have the opportunity to:
✨ Learn about our Title I program and resources
🤝 Review our Family Engagement Plan
📖 Meet your child’s teachers
🎯 Learn about academic goals and expectations
🌟 Discover ways we can work together to support student success

Dinner will be provided by the PTA while supplies last! 🍽️

📍 Holcomb Bridge Middle School
📅 September 17, 2026
🕔 5:15 PM

Curriculum Night

Following our annual Title 1 meeting and PTA dinner on September 17th, Hawk families are invited to stick around for Curriculum Night from 5:45–7:00 PM to learn more about what your student will be learning this year.

Our PTA will be providing food, while supplies last, so let us help with your dinner plans so you attend curriculum night.

What to Expect:

Curriculum Night is designed to give families flexibility to connect with the teachers and courses that matter most to their child.
Rather than following a set rotation, Curriculum Night will have a drop-in format, allowing families to move freely throughout the building and walk their child’s schedule at their own pace.
Families can spend their time connecting with the teachers they most want to see based on their child’s individual interests and needs.
Each teacher will provide an overview of the course, resources for learning, and how to support learning at home.

For conversations that require more time or a closer look at student performance, families will also have the opportunity to sign up for a future date and time for in-depth conferences with individual teachers.

We look forward to welcoming our families for an evening of connection and learning!

📍 Holcomb Bridge Middle School
📅 September 17, 2026
🕔 5:45 PM

Family Literacy Toolkit

📚 Introducing the HBMS Family Literacy Toolkit!

We’re excited to introduce a new monthly resource designed to help our Hawks and their families read, talk, explore, and grow together. Watch this quick video to learn what the Family Literacy Toolkit is all about and what sorts of resources will be coming your way starting this month.

Note: the language of the captions can be changed to your preferred language.

Our September toolkit will be published soon! Keep an eye on the Hawk Talks this month to learn more about how your family can participate.

Gifted Screening and Referral Process

Talented & Gifted Program Screenings and Referrals are Coming Soon!

Curious about the gifted program, screening, and referral process in Fulton County?

Please read the attached document for details and reach out to the TAG Program Lead if you have further questions.

pdf

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Notification_Screening_Referral_Gifted_Students_2026-27_Accessible.pdf

Notificacion_Seleccion_Referencia_Estudiantes_Superdotados_2026-27_Accesible.pdf

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Mrs. Cherie Walker

6th Grade ELA Teacher

TAG Lead

Holcomb Bridge Middle School

Walkerc10@fultonschools.org

Attendance Awareness Month

Grades 101 - How do I know how my child is performing in class?

Thank you for partnering with us to maintain positive and productive communication between home and school. Parents can keep up with their student's progress by registering for parent accounts for both Infinite Campus and Canvas. Here are the key differences in each system and how to use them. Click the hyperlink to be directed to the FCS website for more information.

Infinite Campus Parent Portal

Official grades, report cards, transcripts, and standardized test scores are housed here.
Other records such as attendance and behavior are kept here.
A weekly "missing assignment" email is sent from Infinite Campus. If an assignment is marked as "missing" (not submitted), the student has a grade of 0% and parents are notified once about that specific assignment.

Canvas Observer Account

This is the "hub" for each course your child takes.
Teachers post weekly lesson plans, resources, the class calendar, and assignments here. Parents can view these items.
Teachers post grades to Canvas first; Canvas then sends the grades to Infinite Campus. Parents can view grades in Canvas.
This is the best resource to understand what your child is learning, what assignments are due upcoming, when tests are scheduled, and what your child should be doing at home for the class (lesson plan and calendar).

Teacher Grading Expectations

Teachers are expected to enter grades within 5 days of the due date of the assignment. Please note that weekend days are not counted.
Assignments will be marked as "Missing" and recorded as a zero if not submitted.
Teachers are expected to communicate at each grading period if your child is failing or in danger of failing the course.

Parent Questions and Concerns

To ensure concerns are addressed promptly and by the person closest to the situation, we ask families to follow the communication process outlined below:

Contact the Teacher First

If you have a question or concern regarding a classroom experience, assignment, grade, behavior issue, or other teacher-related matter, please begin by contacting your child's teacher directly. In most cases, teachers can provide clarification, additional information, or a resolution because they work most closely with students on a daily basis. You can email the teacher directly or call the school office to leave a phone message and request a call back.

Contact the Grade-Level Administrator

If the concern remains unresolved after communicating with the teacher, the next step is to contact the appropriate grade-level administrator. The administrator will review the situation, gather any necessary information, and work collaboratively with all parties to help address the concern. See the bottom of the email for assistance with who to contact for help.

Soccer Season is here!

Home Soccer Schedule

Our soccer team will kick off the season on Wednesday, September 2nd with a home game vs. Webb Bridge Middle School. All students who wish to attend and cheer on the Hawks must be accompanied by the adult who is driving them home. We do not allow drop-offs to any sporting events. There is no charge for admissions to the game.

Game start time is 5:30 PM for each home game.

September 16 vs. River Trail

October 7 vs. Crabapple

Volleyball tryouts for both 7th & 8th grade Girls will be held Mon, Sept 14th and 16th at 7:45am.

7th & 8th grade Boys will be held Sept 15th and 17th at 7:30am.

All forms must be uploaded in Rank One (Rankone.com) and have Coach Kanter's approval prior to tryouts.

Mental Health Support

Mental health support is here for Holcomb Bridge Middle School’s students and families this year.

Holcomb Bridge Middle School partners with Cartwheel to connect students and families to mental health support when they need it. This year, Cartwheel offers individual therapy for students, parent and caregiver guidance, and new expanded Care Programs for specific challenges including school avoidance, screens and social media use, and intense emotions and behavior challenges.

Appointments are virtual and flexible, including evenings and weekends. Care is free with Medicaid, and most private insurances are accepted. Care is available in multiple languages, including Spanish.

Think your child or family could benefit from support? Complete this simple interest form to get started.

Reminder: Free meal waiver period ends September 14

A new Free/Reduced meal application must be completed every school year. Only one application is required per family, even if your children attend different schools. If there is an interruption in benefits or the household does not reapply, the household is responsible for payment of meals until the Free and Reduced Application is approved. Visit https://www2.myschoolapps.com/

to begin the online application process.

Students who qualified for Free/Reduced meals last school year will continue eligibility through September 14. After this date, parents must pay for meals until a new application is submitted and approved for the current school year.

Menus and additional meal service information available on the FCS Nutrition Website.

Need Help with Food Assistance?

The Library Lowdown 📚

What happened in the Media Center in August? 📖

From books checked out to classes taught and clubs launched, here’s a look at our August library highlights!

Back to School Beanstack Challenge Results 📊

Our Back-to-School Beanstack Reading Challenge was a HUGE success! HBMS finished up in FIRST PLACE for Fulton County Schools for the highest student participation rate for all middle schools 👏

We are excited to reward our students for engaging with their reading and building a strong reading culture from month one! Thank you to our school library's community Literacy Partners: Aurora Cineplex and Whit's Frozen Custard.

53 students earned a sweet treat from Whit's Frozen Custard. These students read and logged at least 250 minutes of reading throughout the month of August and will receive a coupon for a free kids' scoop at Whit's.

6 students earned grand prizes from their raffle ticket selections of the following options:

Braves Bobblehead Figurines
Posters
Free Books
A VIP Movie Theater and Mini-Golf Free Ticket & Concessions Package from Aurora Cineplex and The Fringe Mini-Golf

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: @holcombbridgems

Community Offerings & Events

Aurora Cineplex: Free Student Round of Mini-Golf

Show the ticket below to enjoy a free student round of mini-golf (with one paying adult) at The Fringe Miniature Golf at Area 51 and Aurora Cineplex. Thank you to Aurora Cineplex for their continued support of Holcomb Bridge Middle School!

Aurora Cineplex’s 16th Annual Birthday Bash

You are All Invited!

Aurora Cineplex’s 16th Annual Birthday Bash

FREE Carnival and BOGO Day!

📆 Sunday, September 13th from 12-4pm

Join the Free Carnival with Games, Inflatable Obstacle Courses, Food Trucks, Sno Cones, Costumed Characters, Live Music, Balloon Artist and Face Painters, Vendor Market and more! Plus BOGO –Buy One, Get One Free Movies, Mini Golf, Popcorn, and Soda! “ All Ages Welcome!

Area 51: Aurora Cineplex and the Fringe Miniature Golf

5100 Commerce Parkway, Roswell, GA 30076

Ph: 770-518-0977

Follow us at: https://linktr.ee/auroracineplex

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.

Reading to Win... Free Tickets!

Call your local Fulton County Public Library to learn how your student's reading can turn into free tickets to exciting events like Disney on Ice and Monster Jam!

September Program Calendar

View the programs available throughout the month of September, and click the image of the calendar to view it online.

Teen Program Offerings at East Roswell

View the flyers below to learn more about programs to get your students involved at the library! Library programs require registration before attendance. Parents, click the images to register your students for programs they're interested in attending.