Titan Talk

Dear Titan Families,

August is nearly behind us, and we are in our school groove now! A huge thank you to everyone who made Honor Roll breakfasts a success this week. I am especially proud of our students who earned this award. I look forward to celebrating even more students in January after our first semester.

This week I want to encourage you to join our Canvas Technology Online Workshop. This is a great way to learn about Canvas and ask questions to our resident expert, Mr. Seth Gamba! Please join us on September 2nd at 6:00 PM via Microsoft Teams. Check out additional details below.

Have a wonderful weekend!

With gratitude,

AJ Smith

Principal of Elkins Pointe

"It takes a village."

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#

MONDAY, AUGUST 31

• Interact Club Time: 8:00 AM, Location: Room E-104, Meeting Type: Interest Meeting
  
• Student Council Club: Time: 8:10 AM, Location: Room E-110, Meeting Type: Interest Meeting
• B-Ballers at 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM in the Gym
  

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

• September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
• Open Gym (7th Grade) at 8:25 AM - 8:40 AM
  
• K-Pop & Korean Culture Club at 4:20 PM - 5:20 PM in profe Mejia's class
• B-Ballers at 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM in the Gym

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

• Wear College T-Shirts for AVID Wednesday
• PTSA School of Excellence Feedback Session at 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM in the Media Center
• Titan Tennis Tryouts at 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
• CANVAS Technology Parent Workshop at 6:00 PM on Microsoft TEAMS
  
• B-Ballers at 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM in the Gym

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3

• SGC Meeting at 7:50 AM - 8:45 AM in the Media Center
  
• Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) at 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM in room A-152
  
• Social Studies Fair Interest Meeting at 8:00 AM in room D-125
  
• Titan Tennis Tryouts at 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
• Open Gym (6th Grade) at 8:25 AM - 8:40 AM
  
• B-Ballers at 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM in the Gym

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4

• Open Gym (8th Grade) at 8:25 AM - 8:40 AM

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5

• B-Ballers at 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM in the Gym

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10

• READING BOWL CLUB: Time: 8:00 AM, Location: Room F-113, Meeting Type: Interest Meeting

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

• JUNIOR BETA CLUB: Time: 8:00 AM, Location: Room E-109, Meeting Type: Interest Meeting - Be sure to COMPLETE JR. BETA APPLICATION FORM HERE!

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

• READING BOWL CLUB: Time: After School until 5:15 PM, Location: Room F-113, Meeting Type: First Regular Club Meeting
• FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES (FCA): Time: 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM, Location: Room A-152, Meeting Type: Regular Meeting

🐉 ARCANE ALLIANCE CLUB

• When: 4TH TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH, Time: 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM, Location: Room D-108

🎤 K-POP & KOREAN CULTURE CLUB

• When: EVERY TUESDAY, Time: 4:20 PM to 5:20 PM, Location: profe Mejia's room.

🗳️ STUDENT COUNCIL CLUB

• When: 2ND MONDAY OF EACH MONTH, Time: 8:10 AM, Location: Room E-110 - Please complete the Student Council Membership Form

• 📚 READING BOWL CLUB
• When: EVERY THURSDAY BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 17, Time: After School until 5:15 PM, Location: Mrs. Carter's room.

🏈 FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES (FCA)

• Location: Room A-152, Time: 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM
• Additional Meeting Dates:
  • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
  • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1
  • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15
  • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29
  • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12
  • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3
  • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17

• 🚀 TECHNOLOGY COMPETITION CLUB
• 🤲 INTERACT CLUB (ongoing meetings not yet announced)
• ⭐ JUNIOR BETA CLUB (ongoing meetings not yet announced)
• 🌎 SOCIAL STUDIES FAIR CLUB (ongoing meetings not yet announced)
• 🎭 DRAMA CLUB (regular meeting schedule not yet announced)

Congratulations to our 2026 Spring Honor Roll students! We loved celebrating the hard work and achievements of our students during the Honor Roll Breakfast on August 25th and 26th

A special thank you to our administration, parent volunteers, Mr. Todd Wilson, Mrs. Lisa O’Hanlon Cowles, and Ashley Russ for helping make this celebration possible. We are so proud of our Honor Roll students and all they accomplished!

If you would like to share your honor student's picture, please email it to ohanlon@fultonschools.org.

This week, our PTSA Board gathered to start planning another year of opportunities, connections, and memories for our Elkins Pointe family. As we celebrate 25 years, we're reminded just how much heart, time, and love PTSA volunteers pour into our school community.

Some of the GOOD things coming your way:

⭐ Silent Auction
🎨 Reflections Competition kicks off this week
🍕 Pizza with the Principal

These events help bring our village together and make Elkins Pointe an even more special place for our students, staff, and families.

💙 Want to be part of the village? Join the PTSA today and help us continue the tradition of supporting our Titans for the next 25 years! 💙

🏡 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 and donate today!

Elkins Pointe Middle School 2026 PTSA Silent Auction

The EPMS PTSA is hosting its annual Silent Auction, and we’d love your support! We are seeking in-kind donations from local businesses to help raise funds for programs that directly benefit our students, teachers, and school community. A donation could be restaurant gift cards, car washes, cleaning services, event tickets, spa/beauty certificates, gift baskets, vacation stays—big or small, it all helps! If you or your business want to contribute (and get some great community visibility), please contact Auction Chair Sara Fuchs at sfuchs@gmail.com

Every donation counts!

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing awareness, reducing stigma around asking for help, and reminding young people that they do not have to face difficult situations alone.

As part of our commitment to student safety and well-being, our Counseling Department will provide Signs of Suicide (SOS) prevention lessons to students throughout September.

📚 Signs of Suicide (SOS)

Beginning in September, counselors will provide SOS lessons to all students. The program is designed to help students:

• Recognize signs that they or someone they know may be struggling.
• Understand the importance of seeking help.
• Identify trusted adults they can turn to for support.
• Learn how to respond when they are concerned about a friend.

The lessons will be delivered in a developmentally appropriate manner and will emphasize the importance of connecting with a trusted adult when support is needed.

📝 Parent/Guardian Opt-Out

• Opt-out forms will be sent home with students for parents/guardians who do not wish for their child to participate in the SOS lesson.
• Parents/guardians who choose to opt their child out should complete and return the form according to the instructions provided.

🩵💜 Wear Teal & Purple

In recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day on Thursday, September 10, students and staff are encouraged to wear teal and/or purple as a visual reminder of the importance of connection, support, and help-seeking.

We appreciate our families partnering with us to create a school community where students know that asking for help is a strength and that trusted adults are available when they need support.

Free & Reduced-Price School Meals: Families must submit a new application each school year.

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.

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

MySchoolBucks makes it easy to add money to your student's cafeteria account, check balances, and view purchases online or in the app. Plus, funds are available if your child forgets their lunch.

Get started: https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/getmain#mainPageFamilies

Call for Student Entries: Reflections Art Competition! Does your student love to explore the arts and express themselves creatively? Encourage them to participate in the National PTA Reflections Art competition. This year's theme is “What My Culture Means to Me.” Students can participate in several categories, including Music, Dance, Film, Literature, Visual Arts, and Photography. The Reflections program provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts and is a great opportunity for your student to showcase their skills!

Entry forms will be distributed at school and can be found in the Media Center. Click below for entry forms and submission guidelines. Entries are due to the Media Center by Friday, October 16. Submissions then will be judged, and winners in each grade/category will move on to the next level.

Any questions -- please reach out to Ashley Mixon at ptsa.epms@gmail.com.

• GA PTA Student Entry Packet
• GA PTA visual-arts-rules_reflections
• GA PTA special-artist-division-rules_reflections
• GA PTA photography-rules_reflections
• GA PTA music-rules_reflections
• GA PTA literature-rules_reflections
• GA PTA dance-rules_reflections
• GA PTA film-rules_reflections
• Spanish- GA PTA dance-rules_reflections

Please read the notice regarding TAG.

FLASH SALE!Order Elkins Pointe Spirit-wear for 2026-2027. Grab yours Spirit-wear before the Flash Sale ends! Click HERE to order!

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.

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