Titan Talk

Dear Titan Families,

We had a great week at The Pointe! From Picture Day and our Community Meeting to Coffee with the Admin, there was a lot happening across campus. We also held soccer tryouts, and I am excited to get the season started.

I’ll keep this message short and sweet since this newsletter is packed with important information.

Current 7th and 8th Grade Parents: Please check your child’s grades from last semester to see if they will be recognized at next week’s Honor Roll Breakfast. Step-by-step instructions, along with visuals from the Parent Portal, are included below.

Carpool and Transportation: I wanted to let you know that I have heard your feedback. We are working on a clear graphic to keep things moving along and SAFE! It will go out next week in an off-cycle communication. We are also working on additional signage to help ensure that our students are safe as we arrive and dismiss daily.

Thank you for your continued support and have a wonderful weekend!

With gratitude,

AJ Smith

Principal of Elkins Pointe

"It takes a village."

P.S. Thank you to the PTSA for helping make the Sara Gillespie Community Meeting a success! We're grateful to have Zone 5 Supt, Ms. Angela Parham (Pictured to the right of Principal Smith at the District 1 Meeting) as part of our village and a strong supporter of our school community. Please join PTSA by clicking here!

Parents and families,

Please join us in celebrating our top scholars. We are hosting our 7th graders on August 25th and our 8th graders on August 26th. We will not send invitations before the event. Please check Infinite Campus for their Spring grades. Please see the specific directions on how to check your child's transcript to know if your child will be recognized.

Please attend with your child on the date listed if your child is on the Honor Roll list. If you can't attend with your child, we still want to give them a special breakfast and their certificate. Please send them to the cafe by 8:30 AM on the morning of their grade-level breakfast.

Step 1: Log into Infinite Campus Parent Portal

Step 2: Select the student whose grades you want to check.

Step 3: Click the 3 bars in the upper left-hand corner. Then click Documents.

Step 4: Click "Official Transcript."

This says school year 2026-2027; however, it will pull the transcript from the previous year. As shown in the next graphic, the transcript lists the school year.

Step 5: This is the full screen of the transcript.

Step 6: Zoom into the 2025-2026 Term 4 grades. If all the grades are 80 and above in Term 4, your child will be recognized at the A/B Honor Roll breakfast next week.

Free & Reduced-Price School Meals: Your family may qualify for free school meals based on household income or participation in certain assistance programs. Eligible students receive both breakfast and lunch at no cost.

IMPORTANT:

You must submit a new Free & Reduced-Price School Meals application for this school year.

Last year's Free & Reduced-Price School Meals application does not carry over. Families must submit a new application each school year. Please do so by September, 15th for your child's meal service to continue.

Who Qualifies? Your child will qualify if...

• Your household income meets federal eligibility guidelines.
• Your family receives SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid benefits.
• Your child is in foster care.
• Your child is identified as homeless, a runaway, or a migrant student.

Not sure if you qualify? We encourage all families to apply.

To Apply:

• Only one application is needed per household, even if you have multiple children enrolled in Fulton County Schools.
• Applications are valid for the current school year and generally for the first 30 days of the next school year.
• A new application must be completed each school year.

To Apply Online:

• Visit: https://nutrition.fultonschools.org/
• Select Free & Reduced from the top menu.
• Choose Apply Online.
• Select Get Started.
• Choose:
  • State: Georgia
  • District: Fulton County Schools
• Select Begin Application Process.
• Follow the prompts to complete the application.
• Most applications take approximately 15 minutes to complete.

To Submit a Paper Application:

• Pick up an application from your child's school front office.

• Applications are available in English and Spanish.

• Complete the application following the included instructions.

• Submit the application:

  • To the School Nutrition Manager at the school of your youngest child, or
  • By mail to:

  Fulton County Schools
  6201 Powers Ferry Road NW
  Atlanta, GA 30339

After You Apply:

• Applications may take up to 10 days to process.
• Families are responsible for meal charges until the application is approved.
• Returning students keep their previous year's meal status for the first 30 days of the new school year.

Need Help? Contact:

• Elkins Pointe Parent Liaisons:
• Mrs. Norma Palacios, Bilingual Community Liaison (BCL), palaciosn@fultonschools.org, 470-254-8380
• Mrs. Veronica Ramirez, Parent Liaison, ramirezv1@fultonschools.org, 470-254-8380
• Mrs. Lisa O’Hanlon Cowles, Parent Liaison, Title I, ohanlon@fultonschools.org, 470-254-8379
• Fulton County Schools Nutrition Program: Phone: 470-254-2220 or email freeandreduced@fultonschools.org.

Creating an account is free and provides an easy way to manage your student's breakfast and lunch account throughout the school year. It also means that if your child forgets to bring their lunchbox, they will be able to purchase a meal in the cafeteria.

MySchoolBucks is the online payment system used to add money to your student's cafeteria meal account. Parents can securely deposit funds, check meal account balances, and view cafeteria purchases through the website or mobile app. You can use MySchoolBucks from the cafeteria to the classroom, pay for your student's fees from your phone or computer

To Set-Up: https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/getmain#mainPageFamilies

AVID Binder Tip for Families from Mrs. Okiyama. Watch Mrs. Okiyama's AVID binder organization video with your child, then spend a few minutes organizing their binder together. An organized binder helps students stay prepared, keep track of assignments, and build strong study habits. It is a best practice to complete a quick binder check once a week (pick a consistent evening, i.e. Sunday night) to file papers, remove clutter, and restock supplies. A deeper cleanout can be done monthly. Just 10 to 15 minutes each week can help your child stay organized, reduce stress, and be ready for success in every class. 📚✨

On Thursday, August 20, Mrs. Okiyama and her AVID Ambassadors transformed Mrs. Matthews' Connections Math classroom into a Binder Building Hub for all students. Connections teachers escorted students to the hub, where parent volunteers and AVID Ambassadors helped them collect supplies and assemble their AVID binders. Through teamwork and support, students left organized and prepared for a successful school year.

A special thank you to Mrs. Okiyama, the AVID Ambassadors, Mrs. Matthews, our Connections teachers, and the parent volunteers who generously donated their time and talents to make the event a success. We also extend our sincere appreciation to the community partners whose donations provided the supplies needed to ensure every student was equipped for a strong start to the school year.

Mr. Clayton Bradley, 8th-grade Science teacher is at it again. He traded his teacher attire for a Starbucks barista apron to make learning about solutions and solvents unforgettable. Using popular drinks as examples, he showed students how a solute dissolves in a solvent to create a solution and making a real-world connection. Mr. Bradley’s creative approach turned a science lesson into an exciting coffee shop experience, proving that science can be both fun and relatable!

Elkins Pointe Middle School students showcased hands-on learning during the Sara Gillespie District 1 Meeting hosted at Elkins Pointe Middle School under the leadership of Principal Ms. AJ Smith.

Recipe for Success: Mrs. Chelsea Thomas, Family and Consumer Science (FACS) Teacher & Connections Department Chair, featured last year's winning team from the Great Elkins Bake-Off. Eighth-grade students Hailey Immel, Hana Zeco, Sophia Fiser, and Isabella Ruiz shared how they contributed to the championship team and treated attendees to their award-winning Lemon-Thyme Scones with Lavender Whipped Cream.

Building Future Careers: CTAE Instructor Mr. Daniel Moffit's eighth-grade construction students Katy Wiles and Brennan Wallace, highlighted skills they've developed in woodworking, electrical wiring, and wall framing through the Construction pathway. On display in the media center were student-created projects, including a wooden holiday tree, Adirondack chair, garden chair, and bench, offering guests a firsthand look at the craftsmanship and technical skills being developed at Elkins Pointe.

As community members gathered at the Sara Gillespie Community Meeting, Elkins Pointe demonstrated that FCS students are being well prepared in career-ready skills from culinary arts to construction trades, proving that “It takes a village” to build a successful school community.

A special THANK YOU to PTSA for providing a delightful Continental breakfast buffet for the Sara Gillespie Community Meeting in the media center. We appreciate Starbucks for the donation of hot coffee. Our PTSA is pictures below with Ms. Angela Parham, FCS Zone 5 Supt.

The BEST way to THANK our PTSA is JOIN & DONATE!

They make all GOOD things possible for our school!

Please read the notice regarding TAG.

🏡 It takes a village, and good things happen with PTSA! Join today and be part of the team that supports students, teachers, and our school community.

Membership is just $10 per person. Upgrade to a donation-level membership for special perks, including reserved seating and exclusive event invitations. 💙💛

Be part of our village. Make an impact.

Click here to sign up, renew, or donate today!

Elkins Pointe Middle School PTSA is seeking in-kind donations from local businesses for our 2026 Silent Auction, happening November 6-15. Gift cards, services, experiences, and merchandise help raise critical funds that directly support our students, teachers, and school community.

To donate:

• Sara Fuchs, Auction Chair
• sfuchs@gmail.com

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING ELKINS POINTE MIDDLE SCHOOL!

Showcase your business, and make a lasting difference.

Every donation counts!

Let Us Know How You'd Like to Get Involved! Do you want to volunteer at Elkins Pointe? We have a number of new opportunities this year, and we’d love to see you at our school! Complete this quick form to let us know what you’re interested in.

ORDER YOUR YEARBOOK BY AUGUST 28TH FOR ONLY $45! Make one of your first A+ moves of the school year: Order your yearbook today!

The Back-to-School Sale goes through August 28!

Click HERE to order your YEARBOOK for ONLY $45!

To submit photos: Scan the QR code above or use link https://photos.jostens.com/97YQTY

• ✅ Upload your photos directly from your phone or computer.
• ✅ Include names and details when possible to help us identify students and events.

Make your child's final middle school year even more memorable. Create a yearbook ad celebrating your 8th grader’s journey and accomplishments using this link: https://tinyurl.com/EPMS-8th-Grade-YB-Ads

School portraits are now available to order through JostensPIX! Families can conveniently view and purchase their student's school photos online. Whether you're looking for prints, digital images, or photo packages, JostensPIX offers a variety of options to meet your needs.

How to Order Your School Photo:

• Visit JostensPIX at: https://shop.jostenspix.com/
• Click "Find My Student".
• To locate your child's photos, enter the school name: Elkins Pointe, and Event Code: FE366626
• Browse available photo packages and products.
• Add your selections to your cart.
• Complete your purchase securely online.

📸 Picture Make-Up Day is Monday, October 5.

Students who were absent on the original picture day,

or need a retake should plan to have their photo taken on this date.

All parents and families are invited to join us online on Wednesday, September 2nd at 6:00pm via Teams. Mr. Seth Gamba, Canvas Champion will hold a parent training on how to use Canvas, Infinite Campus, AI and other pertinent technology related topics for our Title I: Technology evening. This session will include how to view grades, keep up with assignments, module setup, and how Canvas can help students plan using their calendars. Please plan on attending this critical session to ensure that families are able to access and understand Canvas.

Microsoft TEAMS LINK:

Click HERE for the Link or use https://tinyurl.com/TECH-MTG-EPMS-02SEP2026

To Dial in by phone: +1 470-705-1712,#74026825#

It's official, clubs are starting up. Check out the current club offerings and registration opportunities below.

Encourage your child to explore something new, discover a passion, or connect with friends. From arts and leadership to culture and STEM, there's a club for every interest.

More club information is on the way, so stay tuned! ✨

The Arcane Alliance Club will combine D&D and "Magic the Gathering." Club members will learn fantasy role-playing, deck building, game strategy, card collecting, and more. Thanks to a generous donation of many magic cards, no deck is needed to join! Beginners and experienced players are welcome. Come learn, play, and have fun with us!

• Club Chair: Mr. Meyer
• Meeting day: The 4th Tuesday of the month
• First “Introductory” Meeting will be Tuesday, August 25th
• Time: 4:30 pm Time: 4:30-5:30 PM
• Where: Classroom D-108

Questions? Email, Mr. Meyer at meyerg@fultonschools.org

This club will promote strategic thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, reading comprehension, communication skills, and positive peer interactions through cooperative storytelling and structured gameplay.

Elkins Pointe Middle School Drama Club 🎭 We're thrilled to launch the Elkins Pointe Drama Club — a year-round, beginner-friendly club for students of all grades and skill levels to explore theater, build confidence, and have fun.

INTEREST MEETING

Monday, August 24th at 8:00 AM in room E-112

To Apply:

1. 🎭 Submit a short paragraph telling us why you'd be a great addition to the Drama Club.
2. 📅 Due Friday, September 4th
3. 📍 Turn in to Ms. Porterfield, Room E112

More Meeting Information to Come: The Drama Club hopes to meet 2–3 times a week after school, official dates TBD. We're looking for students who are enthusiastic, eager to learn, dependable, and ready to be part of a team.

Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) is where middle school students gather in "Huddles" to build character, develop leadership skills, and discuss faith through the lens of sports and life. Everyone can participate - you need not be an athlete or Christian. What to expect? Fun icebreakers, peer-led discussions, inspirational messages, small group conversations, and Chick-fil-A chicken biscuits on sale in the morning!

• September 3 - First Meeting - All Welcome!
• September 17
• October 1
• October 15
• October 29
• November 12
• December 3
• December 17

• All meetings will take place from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. in room A-152 (Mrs. Matthews Connections CNR Math classroom).

  
  

Sponsors:

• Faculty Sponsor: Mr. Jean Louis Mendy, mendy@fultonschools.org
  
• Parent Sponsor: Mrs. Lacey Norman at starr_ld@yahoo.com

Parent Helpers Wanted & Welcome: If you would like to help with FCA please contact Mrs. Lacey Norman at starr_ld@yahoo.com.

Do you want to make a difference, meet new people, and have fun? Join the EPMS Interact Club! Interact gives students opportunities to serve our school and community through meaningful service projects, fundraisers, and outreach activities while building leadership and teamwork skills.

🌟 Serve. Lead. Connect. Make an Impact. Come to our first meeting and see how you can get involved!

• Sponsors: Ms. Cooper and Mrs. Mejia | Room E104 |
• Email Addresses: CooperGT@fultonschools.org and Mejia@fultonschools.org
• First Meeting: Monday, August 31st at 8:00 AM

Please complete this form if you're interested in joining. EPMS Interact Club Membership Intake

Junior Beta is more than a club, it’s a place for students to grow into the best version of themselves. It’s about discovering your voice, showing kindness, taking responsibility, building meaningful connections, and realizing that even the smallest acts can make a difference. Throughout the school year, members will have opportunities to celebrate their accomplishments, grow in confidence and character, form new friendships, and turn their ideas into positive actions.

Whether you’re already comfortable being a great team player or leader, there’s a place for you in Junior Beta. Come grow with us, encourage others, make memories, and influence the culture at Elkins Pointe! 💙💛 Your voice matters. Your ideas matter. Your impact matters. See you soon :)

• Junior Beta Club Chair: Ms.Briyona Matheny (Ms. Math), mathenyb@fultonschools.org
• Interest Meeting: Monday September 14th at 8AM in E-109.

Are you a K-pop fan or curious about Korean culture? The K-Pop & Korean Culture Club will explore the exciting world of Korea through music, dance, language, games, and traditions! Whether you're a longtime fan or just getting started, everyone is welcome.

All club members must complete the registration form:

K-POP and Korean Culture CLUB registration – Fill out form

K-Pop Club Information:

• First Meeting: August 25th
• Time: 4:20 p.m. to 5:20 p.m.
  
• Pick-Up: Students must be picked up by 5:25 p.m. in front of the building.
• Meetings will be on Tuesdays after school.
  

Questions for about the K-Pop & Korean Culture Club?

Contact: Sponsor: Maria Mejia at 📧 mejia@fultonschools.org

.No experience needed. Just bring your enthusiasm, curiosity, and love of learning! ✨🎵🇰🇷💜

Learn K-pop dances, discover new artists, explore Korean customs and holidays, practice reading and writing Hangul, and enjoy fun cultural activities with friends who share your interests

Do you love to read? Put your book knowledge to the test with Reading Bowl! Members read 10 exciting books and compete as a team in the district-wide Reading Bowl competition in January. It's a great way to discover new books, sharpen your recall skills, make friends, and have fun with fellow readers!

If you love reading and enjoy a challenge, come see what Reading Bowl is all about!

• 📅 Interest Meeting: September 10 at 8:00 AM in F113
• 📅 Club Meetings: Thursdays after school until 5:15 PM, beginning September 17

Questions? Please contact Reading Bowl Coach: Leighann Carter at 📧 carterl2@fultonschools.org

Explore the world through research and discovery! The Social Studies Fair lets students investigate history, geography, government, economics, and culture through creative research projects. Top entries can advance to local, regional, and state competitions. Interested? Join the information meeting and get started!

• 📅 September 3
• 🕗 8:00 AM
• 📍 Room D125
• Questions? Contact: Chair: Sally Stone, 📧 stones@fultonschools.org

Turn your curiosity into an award-worthy project! Research a topic you love, create an engaging display, and share your discoveries while building valuable critical thinking skills. 🌎🏆✨

Ready to Make Your Mark?✔️ Join Student Council and help create unforgettable school experiences! From planning events and spirit days to sharing student ideas and building school pride, Student Council members make a real difference. Don't miss your chance to lead, collaborate, and have fun while making our school the best it can be!

Your voice matters. Your ideas matter. Join Student Council! 💙💛

• The Interest meeting will be in Room E110 on Monday, August 31 @8:10 a.m.
• Meetings will be on the 2nd Monday of the month @ 8:10 a.m. in Room E110

Questions? Email: : Ms. Natalie Knight, KnightNR@fultonschools.org

Ready to showcase your tech talents? FCSTC invites all Fulton County students in grades 3-12 to create and submit an original technology project in one of the competition categories. Whether you're passionate about coding, digital design, multimedia, animation, or emerging technologies, this is your chance to shine!

Projects must be designed and created entirely by students and cannot be a whole-class assignment.

Bring your ideas to life, share your creativity, and compete with some of Fulton County's most innovative young minds! 💻🏆✨

FCSTC (Fulton County Student Technology Competition)
Chair: Sally Stone, 📧 stones@fultonschools.org
📅 Date: TBD

Open Gym: Open gym is coming to the mornings on select days starting next week! We will host basketball open gym starting at 8:25 to 8:40 AM on the week listed below.

• Tuesdays – 7th Grade
• Thursdays – 6th Grade
• Fridays – 8th Grade

School-wide expectations should still be followed when open gym is occurring. Please reach out to Coach Pickering with any questions, (pickeringb@fultonschools.org)

Ho to upload all required FCS athletic documents to Rank One.

Students cannot try out unless all forms are completed.

Rank One is an all-inclusive athlete management system. The program allows parents to import their student athletes and keep track of all the necessary forms and paperwork. Fulton County no longer uses DragonFly to house athletics physicals and information.

• Rank One Parent Tutorial
• Rank One Account Set-up
• Physical Forms
• Student Accident Insurance (English)
• Student Accident Insurance (Spanish)

EPMS Tennis Team Tryouts: Interested in joining the EPMS Tennis Team? All 7th and 8th grade students are welcome, and no experience is required! ✅ Complete the Tennis Interest Form and upload all required FCS athletic documents to Rank One by Friday, August 28. Students cannot try out unless all forms are completed.

🔗 Complete the Tennis Interest Form:

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/whmfyFDnAF

Upload all required FCS athletic documents to Rank One as soon as possible.

Students cannot try out unless all forms are completed.

📅 Tryout Dates

• Wednesday, September 2
• Thursday, September 3
• Time: 4:30-5:30 PM
• 🚗 Parents, please pick up students promptly after tryouts.

Schedule:

• Practices: Every Tuesday and Thursday through the final match
• Final Match: November 7 at South Fulton Tennis Center
• Students must provide their own transportation to the match

Questions?

• Coach Porterfield: porterfieldl@fultonschools.org
• Coach Pickering: pickeringb@fultonschools.org

Interested in playing volleyball for EPMS? We will have both a girls team and a boys team this year! Tryouts are open to 7th and 8th grade students.

✅ Complete the appropriate Volleyball Interest Form: a

• 🔗 Girls Volleyball Interest Form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/eXCgUAtgei
• 🔗 Boys Volleyball Interest Form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/kLN5XUezvq

Upload all required FCS athletic documents to Rank One as soon as possible.

Students cannot try out unless all forms are completed.

Schedule:

• Open Gym with Coaches: September 14
• Girls Tryouts: September 15 & 16
• Boys Tryouts: September 17
• Time: 4:30-5:30 PM for all sessions
• 🚗 Parents, please pick up students promptly at 5:30 PM.

Questions? Contact:

• Coach Sneed: sneedll@fultonschools.org
• Coach O'Connor: oconnort@fultonschools.org
• Coach Pickering: pickeringb@fultonschools.org

B•Ballers Hoops Roswell is offering basketball programs for middle school players beginning August 10 right here at Elkins Pointe . Choose from Boys Skills Training or Open Runs (Tuesdays or Wednesdays) or Girls-Only Her Hoops School (Mondays at 7 PM).

Check details and to Register: https://bballershoopsroswell.com/upcoming-programs/