Tiger Talk: Parent Edition

Dear Families,

We are excited to welcome you and your children to an amazing new school year! Our teachers, staff, and leadership team have been preparing for your arrival, and we cannot wait to meet our new students and reconnect with returning families.

We are proud to share that Stonewall Tell Elementary earned a School Climate Rating of 4.75 out of 5 stars! This outstanding rating reflects our commitment to providing a safe, supportive, and engaging learning environment where all students can thrive.

As we begin the year together, please keep the following important reminders in mind:

📅 Open House

Friday, July 31
12:00 PM – 2:30 PM

This is a wonderful opportunity to meet teachers, visit classrooms, and prepare for a successful start to the school year.

🚶 First Week of School

Parents and guardians are welcome to escort students to their classrooms during the first week of school only. Beginning the following week, students will transition independently as part of our regular Hug& Go procedures.

👕 Student Uniforms

Student uniforms will become required beginning August 17. Additional uniform information is available below.

📱 Electronic Devices

To ensure students remain focused on learning and to protect the privacy of everyone in our school community, smart watches, cell phones, and recording devices are not permitted during the school day.

🌐 Stay Connected

Please visit the Stonewall Tell Elementary website regularly for important announcements, calendars, school events, transportation updates, and other information throughout the year.

Thank you for entrusting us with your children each day. We are honored to partner with you in their education and growth. Together, we will make this school year one filled with learning, achievement, and unforgettable memories.

We look forward to seeing you at Open House and welcoming our students back to Stonewall Tell!

With excitement and appreciation,

Principal Porter

(470) 254-3500

Mrs. Porter-Principal -PorterN@fultonschools.org

Mrs. McDonald-Assistant Principal- McDonaldt2@Fultonschools.org

Mr. Dunn-Counselor- DunnA1@fultonschools.org

Ms. Abercrombie-Instructional Support Teacher- AbercrombieF@fultonschools.org

Ms. Kippins- Literacy Coach- KippinsA@Fultonschools.org

Ms. Oglesby-Literacy Coach- GillardS@Fultonschools.org

Mr. Silver-Social Worker- SilverC1@Fultonschools.org

Ms. Williamson-Data Clerk- WilliamsonJD@Fultonschools.org (email regarding attendance)

Ms. Hooks-IB Coordinator- Hooksk1@fultonschools.org

Upcoming Dates

AUGUST 2026

• July 27th-31st: Preplanning
• July 28th-29th: Professional Development Days
• July 31st: Open House
• Aug. 3rd: First Day of School
• Aug.10th-14th: iReady BOY Testing

• August 25th: Fall Picture Day

• Sept. 7th: Labor Day (School Closed for Students and Staff)
• Sept. 8th: International Literacy Day
• Sept. 8th: Parent University
• Sept. 11th: Grandparents Day Brunch
• Sept. 11th: 4.5 Week Progress Report (Viewable in Parent Portal)
• Sept. 15th: Curriculum Night
• Sept. 15th: PreK Orientation
• Sept. 21st-23rd: Fall Break (School Closed for Students and Staff)
• Sept. 24th-25th: Professional Development (No School for Students)

FCS Calendar

https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1774551618/fultonschoolsorg/wizm1srool7evoyytyr5/2026-27_SchoolCalendar_Approved_12-19-2024.pdf

· School starts promptly at 7:40 AM and ends at 2:20 PM daily.

· Scholars are LATE after 7:40 AM; Early Dismissal/Checkouts End at 1:30 PM

· The breakfast serving line closes at 7:40 AM. Restaurant food is NOT permitted in the school’s cafeteria.

· Excessive late student arrivals, pick-ups, and early check-outs will result in your student being withdrawn from STES until residency may be verified.

· Elementary school students are prohibited from using any form of personal communication device during school hours. (no cell phones)

· Walk-ups for AM or PM carpool are not permitted. All parents must remain in their cars when dropping off and picking up students.

· If you receive a call that your scholar is ill at school, you will need to pick him/her up within 30 minutes of being notified; Refrain from bringing children to school ill (with fever, vomiting/ diarrhea, or cold or flu-like symptoms).

· Treats for birthdays must be ordered from FCS Nutrition. No birthday treats from outside the school will be allowed, this includes edible items as well as goody bags and balloons. Visit https://nutrition.fultonschools.org

· All funds collected for Stonewall Tell ES events/activities are collected online. Cash payments are not accepted. (Visit Online School Payments)

· Volunteers are welcome once the FCS process is completed at https://www.fultonschools.org/volunteer

· All conferences and classroom visits are by appointment only. Please contact the front desk at (470) 254-3500 to schedule a face-to-face meeting appointment.

· School uniforms are worn Mondays-Wednesdays beginning August 17, 2026.

· Classroom celebrations: December 17, 2026 and May 25, 2027.

· Lunch visits with your child are welcome. Friends of your child may NOT join in on your lunch visit. Visitors may sit with their child at designated tables. No restaurant food is permitted. Visitors must sign in.

The First Day of School is August 3rd

· Visit our website at https://stonewalltell.fultonschools.org/ regularly for all updates and changes.

Parking lots can be busy and hectic, especially during drop-off and pick-up times. Morning drop-off takes place between 7:10-7:40am. Afternoon car rider pick-up takes place from 2:20pm-2:40pm. It is crucial that we all follow the designated traffic flow and adhere to the speed limits. Please be mindful of pedestrians and other vehicles, and always yield the right of way when necessary.

Additionally, we kindly ask that you refrain from using your mobile phones while driving in the parking lot. Distracted driving poses a significant risk to everyone's safety, and we must all do our part to eliminate this hazard.

By driving safely and responsibly in the parking lot, we can create a secure and efficient environment for everyone. Let us set a positive example for our children and demonstrate the importance of following traffic rules and regulations.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. Together, we can ensure the safety of our school community. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

• Morning car rider drop-off takes place in the front of the school only. Parents must park vehicles and escort students into the building and sign-in after 7:40am.
• Bus rider parents, school busses depart our campus at 2:30pm daily. The FCS Code of Conduct applies to all students transported by school bus.

• Afternoon car riders will be routed to pick up students in front of the cafeteria. Cars will enter through the main entrance to the school from Stonewall Tell Road and will follow directional arrows to the cafeteria/bus loop. This will allow for a smoother process while preventing traffic on Stonewall Tell Road.
• Afternoon car rider parents, please make sure your scholar is picked up by 2:40pm. Parents and guardians must remain in their vehicles.
• If picked up from school after 2:40pm, your scholar will be seated in the front office. Please park and come in to sign your scholar out. The school social worker will be notified of families who violate student pick-up procedures. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. Safety is our priority.
• Early student pick-up ends at 1:30pm daily. Please contact the school at 470-254-3500 if in need of emergency early pick-up.

No Electronic Devices During the School Day Reminder to all parents and students that personal electronic devices are not permitted during the instructional day. This includes, but is not limited to: • Cell phones • Smartwatches • Smart glasses • Other wearable technology These devices can be a distraction to learning and are not necessary for classroom instruction. We ask for your support in ensuring that your child leaves these items at home or keeps them turned off and stored in their backpack during the school day. Thank you

*Uniforms are expected for Stonewall Tell ES students.

• Uniforms may be purchased at any major retailer. Shirts of South Fulton is also an option. https://www.shirtsofsouthfulton.com/

• The standard school uniform consists of a maroon, gold, or white polo-style top and khaki skirts, shorts, or pants. A logo patch is optional, but is not required.

  • Khaki bottoms are preferred with uniform tops; however, jeans are allowed to be worn with uniform tops. *No frayed/ripped jeans or biking shorts are allowed*

• Uniforms are worn on Monday – Wednesday beginning August 17, 2026.
• Thursday is College Day! Students may wear a college shirt!
• Every Friday is Spirit Wear and Free Dress Day. *

Fulton Dress Code-I.13a Improper Dress

Students in the school system are expected to dress and groom themselves in such a way as to reflect neatness, cleanliness and safety. All students shall dress appropriately so as not to disrupt or interfere with the educational program or the orderly operation of the school. Examples of inappropriate dress and grooming include lack of cleanliness in person or dress; shoe lessness; "short-short" clothing; bare midriffs; "tank tops"; "see-through" clothing or apparel which designates gangs or similar organizations or any dress that is disruptive to the educational process. Designated dress involving school activities approved by the principal shall be acceptable. The principal or other duly authorized school official shall determine whether any particular mode of dress or grooming results in a violation of the spirit and/or the intent of this rule.

The School Nutrition Program is excited to announce that all students enrolled at Stonewall Tell Elementary School will be offered a healthy school breakfast and school lunch for FREE in the 2026-2027 school year! This designation is a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to ensure that every student has access to nutritious meals, which are essential for their academic success and overall well-being.

Stonewall Tell ES is getting free meals for all students as part of the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program through a choice for schools called the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).

Most important, CEP results in more students receiving nutritious meals during the school day. In addition, administrative costs and paperwork is reduced for both the school and families, and it eliminates student meal charges.

What does this mean for parents?

• Parents do not have to fill out any meal application forms for their children attending your school.
• Parents do not have to pay any money for their child’s school breakfast or school lunch.
• If parents want their child to buy extra portions or snacks from the school café, they must send money or place money on their child’s meal account.

We are proud to announce that Stonewall Tell Elementary School is officially recognized as a Title 1 Reward School for the state of Georgia. A Title I Reward School is a school designated by the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) that ranks among the top 5% of Title I schools in the state for making significant progress in improving student performance, particularly in English Language Arts and Mathematics, for the "all-students" subgroup based on statewide assessment scores.

Email: PorterN@FultonSchools.org
Website: https://stonewalltell.fultonschools.org/

Location: 3310 Stonewall Tell Road, College Park, GA, USA
Phone: 470-254-3500
Twitter: @StonewallTell