MUSTANG NEWS

It's already Friday! I hope that you enjoyed your extended weekend with your family! Here are a few important things for the upcoming week:

• FALL FUNDRAISER: We’re so excited to kickoff our schoolwide product sales fundraiser which will run September 14th - October 2nd. Your child will be came home with a fundraising packet that has all of the details, including how they can earn fun rewards for their efforts!
  Check your students’ backpack for your fundraising packet. Then take these three easy steps to help our school:
  1: Register your student at www.fundshoppe.com to get your own personal shopping link.
  2: Share your link with family and friends via email, text and social media using the share wizard tools on www.fundshoppe.com.
  3: Shop for yourself and your family. Consider any upcoming holidays or birthdays you might need a gift for and make it a double bonus! There are hundreds of high-quality items to choose from, so there’s truly something for everyone!
  
  Thank you for helping your students reach our fundraising goals!

• Sept.15th-Oct. 15th is National Hispanic Heritage Month. NHHM celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
  
  

• FREE & REDUCED PRICE MEALS: To continue free or reduced-price meal benefits for students each household must complete a new application every year. Free and Reduced Meal Benefits will end on September 20, 2023, if the household has not reapplied for SY 2023-2024. 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. To help assure continuation of benefits, the household must complete an online application by September 19nd 2023 at www.fulton.schoollunchapp.com or have a paper application turned in to the school cafeteria manager before September 16th, 2023 or. Be sure to list all the students in the household on the application. Keep in mind, the application may take up to 10-days to process. If you have any questions, please call the Fulton County School Nutrition Program – Meal Eligibility Desk at (470)254-2220.

  
  

• 4.5 WEEK PROGRESS REPORTS: Did you know our first 4.5 week progress report will posted to the Parent Portal in Infinite Campus on Wednesday, September 13th? Progress reports will be accessible via the Parent and Student Portal in Infinite Campus. Progress reports are posted every 4.5 this school year. If you have questions pertaining your child's grades or academic progress, please contact your child's teacher. If you haven't already done so, please take some time to review FCS Grades Reporting Policy:
  
  GRADES & REPORTING
  ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GRADING
  FCS RECOVERY POLICY
  
  Haven't registered for your account yet? REGISTER TODAY! Everything you need as a parent is contained in the parent portal. You can monitor your student's grades throughout the school year, review your child's schedule, download progress reports and report cards, update your contact information, register other students within your household, withdrawal your student and so much more! If you already have an account, you do not need to register again. New users should contact our Data Clerk, Ms. Allen at allenk3@fultonschools.org
  
  

• ATTENDANCE NOTICES: Everyday Labs first check-in communication will went out via text message to all FCS families on September 13th. The message was sent to the primary number on the family’s IC account. Only 1 check-in message per family will be sent. The check-in message will offer families the opportunity to participate in a brief 5 question survey about their student’s attendance. Results from the survey will help the district to determine any barriers to attendance families may be experiencing to target outreach to families in need. This check-in message also offers families the option to connect to the chatbot and/or family resource center for support and the option to opt out of future text message communications.

  
  1st Attendance Intervention Text 9/19/23

  EveryDay Labs will send out the first intervention text message on 9/19/23 to all students with an absenteeism rate higher than 5% (all students with 2 or more absences). The text message is personalized to the student and is designed to increase family engagement in promoting positive attendance.
  
  

• HERE COMES THE BUS - TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT MESSAGE: Please see the important message provided to parents/guardians on behalf of the Transportation Department:
  “As a result of a recent hardware installation at Fulton County Schools, there have been intermittent reports of challenges related to the Here Comes the Bus app. CalAmp recognizes the impact this has on your district’s parents and is working diligently with Fulton County Schools to resolve this issue.”
  
  

• GRANDPARENTS' DAY 2023: THANK YOU Mustang family for making our 2023 Grandparents' Day successful! It was beautiful! Please enjoy the video presentation that was shared with our grandparents.
  
  

• FULTON COUNTY SCHOOLS - LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE: Today we celebrated our Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Karissa Reid-Charles and Professional of the Year, Mrs. Megan Kalista at FCS's Legacy of Excellence's Awards.
  
  Have a great weekend!

A. Nicole Canty

Principal
Cliftondale Elementary School

At Fulton County Schools, we prioritize student safety. Emergencies happen. When they do, preparedness is the key to handling them well. We ask that all parents or guardians who have not listed an emergency contact to update their emergency contact list to include one person who is not the parent/guardian. If the parent or guardian is not accessible due to an emergency, it is important that the school has an approved person to contact regarding your student.

Thank you for updating your emergency contacts at your earliest convenience.

Here are step by step instructions for updating your student’s emergency contacts and a link for doing so in the Parent Portal:

EMERGENCY-RELEASE-STUDENTS.pdf

Link to parent portal:https://www.fultonschools.org/infinitecampus

September 14-October 2, 2023: Fall Fundraiser

September 18, 2023: Community Meeting at Bear Creek Middle School at 6:00 pm

September 20, 2023: Boy Scouts of America Class Visits

September 21, 2023: Boy Scouts of America Parent Interest Meeting at 5:30 pm

September 26, 2023: Annual Title I Meeting at 5:30 pm/
Curriculum Night immediately following the Title I Meeting

October 4, 2023: Moms on the Move 8:00 AM-9:30 AM/Dads on Duty 6:55 AM- 8:00AM

October 4, 2023: Parent Workshop: Literacy

October 6, 2023: Mustang of the Month – 8:30 am

October 9, 2023: Columbus Day Holiday- Schools Closed

October 10, 2023: Teacher Workday- No School for Students

October 11, 2023: Professional Development Day-No School for Students

October 13, 2023: 9-Week Progress Report (viewable in Parent Portal)

October 23-31, 2023: Red Ribbon Week

October 25, 2023: Fall Picture Retake Day

October 30, 2023: Fall Fundraiser Pickup Day

October 30, 2023: Trunk or Treat

November 1, 2023: Moms on the Move 8:00 AM-9:30 AM/Dads on Duty 6:55 AM- 8:00AM

November 1, 2023: Parent Workshop: Technology

November 3, 2023: Mustang of the Month – 8:30 am

November 7, 2023: Election Day/ Remote Learning Day

November 15-17, 2023: Holiday Luncheons

November 15, 2023: 13 ½ Week Progress Report (viewable in Parent Portal)

November 20-24, 2023: Thanksgiving Holidays- Schools Closed

December 1, 2023: Mustang of the Month – 8:30 am

December 6, 2023: Moms on the Move 8:00 AM-9:30 AM/Dads on Duty 6:55 AM- 8:00AM

December 6, 2023: School Spelling Bee

December 6-8, 2023: Winter Concert Series

December 13-14, 2023: Class Holiday Party

December 15, 2023: Last Day of First Semester

December 18-January 1, 2024: Winter Break- Schools Closed

On behalf of our PTA Executive Board, we say THANK YOU to the many parents that attended our first PTA meeting of the school year. Thank you for your feedback and suggestions for the school year!

What better time than now to join our PTA? Use the QR Code or link provided to access our platform for joining. Remember to share our membership information to your family and friends as they can join also.

Have questions or suggestions for PTA? Please email our Executive Board at anytime.

📧Cesmustangspta@gmail.com

Please review Cliftondale's 2023-2024 School-Family Compact, Parent-Family Engagement Plan as well as Fulton County School's Parent-Family Engagement Plan by CLICKING HERE. Parents, school staff, and students partnered together to jointly develop the School-Family Compact and school Parent and Family Engagement Plan (PFEP). This was done through input collected from feedback forms, surveys, and input meetings held annually in the spring. The School-Compact explains how families and teachers will work together to make sure all students reach grade-level standards at Cliftondale Elementary School.

All students above 10 years of age and their parents/guardians are asked to digitally sign the School-Family Compact in the Infinite Campus Parent/Student Portal. Your digital signature acknowledges you have received, read, and agree to the School-Family Compact. read, received and agree to the School-Family Compact. If you have questions about Title I or need assisting with acknowledging receipt of the Title I documents or would like a printed copy of any of the documents, please contact our Parent Liaison, Ms. Hope Render at 470-254-3040 or by email at renderhh@fultonschools.org

In addition to your child's teacher, our curriculum team is here to support you! If you have questions pertaining the curriculum, understanding a specific skill/standard, need additional strategies to support your child at home, please feel free to reach out to one of our curriculum team experts. They are here for you and happy to support you and your Mustang! Each month, we will share resources with parents so that you can support your child at home. Please connect with each of us if you have any questions.

Curriculum Support Teacher: Yazmin Hicks- hicksz@fultonschools.org
-Curriculum Administrator for all curriculum/content areas

Instructional Support Teacher: Dr. Shabo- shabog@fultonschools.org
-Special Needs Administrator

K-2 Literacy Coach: Mrs. Kalista- kalista@fultonschools.org

3rd-5th Grade Literacy Coach: Ms. Johnson- johnsonkr1@fultonschools.org

Math Coach: Mrs. Everett - everettba@fultonschools.org

Parents, family members and friends are not allowed to bring in cakes, balloon bouquets, flowers, goodie bags, gifts, pizza, or any other type of treat to celebrate a student birthday. Teachers are not allowed to celebrate birthdays in the class with a party or a snack either. Rather, parents may purchase a Smart Celebrations Package from the cafeteria. This can be done to student birthdays and/or any other classroom celebrations. Smart Celebration packets should be purchased in the cafeteria at least (2) days in advance. Please contact our Nutrition Manager, Ms. Curry at curryd1@fultonschools.org

Are you registered for your Campus Parent Portal Account? If not, REGISTER TODAY! Everything you need as a parent is contained in the parent portal. You can monitor your student's grades throughout the school year, review your child's schedule, download progress reports and report cards, update your contact information, register other students within your household, withdrawal your student and so much more! If you already have an account, you do not need to register again. New users should click the link provided to register: Parent Portal Registration

*Please note, if you DO NOT have an email address on file, you will be unable to register via the provided link. Please call the school and ask for our Data Clerk, Ms. Allen.

See It. Hear It. And Report It Every Time

If you SEE or HEAR anything about school threats, weapons, violence, bullying, drugs, self-harm, or have other school safety suspicions or concerns, REPORT it EVERY time anonymously using the SHARE TIP LINE.

Subscribe to the receive email updates. Provide us with a mobile number and get text messages on your phone. Fill out the form below and be sure to select any school(s) you wish to follow! You can unfollow or unsubscribe at any time.

Subscribe Now To Receive FCS District Emails

It has become apparent that district employees and guardians are eager to understand the policy process better and stay updated. Therefore, Continuous Improvement will begin hosting a monthly virtual office hour for all stakeholders to attend, where a Strategy & Governance team member can answer questions and provide guidance. Mark your calendar for the first session on August 16, from 8:00 – 9:00 AM. You can find all the dates, times, and Teams links at www.fultonschools.org/policyupdates. If you have any questions, please reach out to Erin Nusnbaum.

Have questions or concerns? Please review our "Contact List" to see who at Cliftondale can provide immediate help to you.

The consideration for gifted services may be reported or automatic as defined by the GaDOE Resource Manual for Gifted Education Services. The Fulton County School System screens all students for eligibility for gifted services twice a year and uses a systematic approach to identify highly capable students who may qualify for gifted services. The gifted teacher routinely reviews available data to refer students for further assessment. Students meeting either the automatic screening OR the classroom screening criteria AND who have supporting data gathered from test history, products, and/or advanced content levels are referred for additional testing to determine gifted eligibility.

TAG TESTING ELEMENTARY PARENT Q&A

TALENTED AND GIFTED (TAG) DISTRICT PAGE

BUS RIDERS/BUS STOP INFORMATION - CLICK HERE to verify your child's assigned bus stop info. All stop times are approximate times. If you have questions pertaining your child’s assigned stop or assigned bus, please contact FCS Transportation Department at 470-254-6060.

"Here Comes The Bus App" is a free, easy-to-use website and app that enables you to see the location of your child’s school bus on a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer. This way, you know when the bus is near your stop, so you can send your child out at just the right time. No more worrying about whether your child has missed the bus! If you have questions or concerns regarding your child's assigned bus or bus stop, please contact FCS Transportation Department at 470-254-6060 OR contact our supervisor:

Cheowana Henderson, Supervisor
Hendersonc1@fultonschools.org

Charisse Weigner, Special Needs Supervisor
weignerc@fultonschools.org

• The app will request a school code, which is 87428
• How do you access your student's student ID number? Parents may access their child's student ID number from the parent portal in Infinite Campus.
  
• If you add your child and the bus number or bus stop is incorrect, please contact our supervisor, Ms. Henderson
• If you add your child and their is no bus route displayed, please contact our supervisor, Ms. Henderson.

Fulton County Schools (FCS) remains committed to communicating updates and/or changes to COVID-related protocols within the district. Maintaining face-to-face instruction is a top priority for our district. Fulton County Schools will conduct case investigations and contact tracing for positive cases only. Parents should report only positive cases to the Parent portal. Do not submit a report if you are waiting on a pending test result or for an exposure/direct contact. Fulton County Board of Health Case Investigators, FCS School Nurses and FCS Case Investigators will response to student and staff cases. Please be safe, and as always: Do not come send your child to school sick. If your child tests positive, please keep he/she home and isolate (follow the guidance provided by the Case Investigators and your provider). Please submit the positive test results via the PARENT PORTAL

Principal: Mrs. Canty- cantya@fultonschools.org

Assistant Principal: Mrs. Long- longt@fultonschools.org

Curriculum Support Teacher: Yazmin Hicks- hicksz@fultonschools.org

School Counselor: Dr. Ford- fordb@fultonschools.org

Instructional Support Teacher: Dr. Shabo- shabog@fultonschools.org

K-2 Literacy Coach: Mrs. Kalista- kalista@fultonschools.org
3rd-5th Grade Literacy Coach: Ms. Johnson- johnsonkr1@fultonschools.org

Math Coach: Mrs. Everett - everettba@fultonschools.org

Parent Liaison: Ms. Render- renderhh@fultonschools.org

School Social Worker: Dr. Carver- carvera@fultonschools.org