Hembree Highlights
August 2, 2024

August 28, 2026
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Message from Ms. Lahey
Greetings Hembree Families!
I can’t believe August is almost over. We have been busy making sure our instructional schedule is running smoothly and that students are engaged in meaningful learning experiences at high levels. We are incredibly fortunate that our enrollment has increased this year, allowing us to maintain all of our homeroom teachers. In fact, we have added a kindergarten class, which will provide smaller class sizes and a lower teacher-to-student ratio for our youngest learners.
Last week, we had a community board meeting where our District One Board member shared that there will be many changes coming to our zone. I do not have a timeline or specific details at this point, but there is a possibility that rezoning discussions may occur within the next year, which could impact our schools. I encourage you to stay informed and become involved by attending the meetings where this information will be shared and discussed. As soon as I have more information, I will be sure to share it with our Hembree community. You can find meeting dates, times, and agendas on the Fulton Schools website under the Board tab.
I also want to apologize for the challenges with our buses and the inconsistency of some afternoon routes. There is currently a shortage of bus drivers, and when a driver is absent, it can create a domino effect across multiple routes. Please make sure that an adult is present and visible at the bus stop each afternoon for our students in Pre-K through 1st Grade. The Transportation Department should send notifications when a bus is running late. Unfortunately, we often do not receive updates about delays until the last minute. We appreciate your patience and understanding, and we hope transportation becomes more consistent as the school year continues.
We are so excited to officially announce that we will be opening a new kindergarten class next week! We are thrilled to welcome Ms. Molly Kish and her paraprofessional, Ms. Brett Williams, to the Hawks Nest family.
Students who will be joining this new class will begin their transition to Ms. Kish’s classroom next week. Families whose children will be moving to the new class were notified this morning.
We are excited about this new opportunity for our kindergarten students and look forward to supporting a smooth transition as they begin this next chapter of their learning journey. Welcome, Ms. Kish and Ms. Williams!
The Lego Coding Club is looking to welcome a few more students to join their program! If your child is interested in exploring coding, building creative projects, and developing valuable skills in a fun and engaging environment, this is a great opportunity to sign up. Space is still available, and you can find additional information, including registration details and program specifics, below.
On a personal note, I am looking forward to visiting my daughter this weekend. She graduated from UGA two years ago and decided to stay in Athens to work. I haven’t seen her in two months, and I miss her terribly! Last weekend, I enjoyed spending time with friends where we played the game “Hitster.” It is a fun and competitive game where players guess the years songs were released. It was a great couples’ night filled with laughter and competition. My husband and I came in second place! I highly recommend it if you are looking for a fun game for a party or a get together.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Warm Regards,
Nancy Lahey
Click the Grade Level Below for our Curriculum Videos
Important Dates
9/7 No School- Labor Day
9/8 Annual Title I meeting @ 6:30-7:30pm on TEAMS & Principal Q&A (General PTA meeting to immediately follow)
9/15 Technology Workshop @ 7:40am Media Center
9/15 Spirit Night at Surcheros
How to Request Participate Remote (PR) Days
Will your child be absent for multiple days? Did you know you may be able to request a Participate Remote Day? See the flyer below for details!
¿Su hijo(a) estará ausente durante varios días? ¿Sabía que puede solicitar un Día de Participación Remota? ¡Consulte el volante a continuación para obtener más información!
Annual Title I Meeting - September 8
Join us on Tuesday, September 8th at 6:30pm for our Annual Title I Meeting on TEAMS: https://bit.ly/4wjSW3z
Topics to be covered are:
-Understand what makes our school a Title I school including requirements, funding, and associated programs
-Understand school-provided resources such as curriculum, assessment, parent resources, and staff contact information
-Understand Family Engagement at our school.
We look forward to seeing you there! General PTA meeting immediately following.
📣 PTA General Meeting – September 8
Join us on Tuesday, September 8 at 6:30 p.m., beginning with Hembree Springs' Annual Title I Meeting and a Principal Q&A, followed by our PTA General Meeting.
Come hear what's happening at Hembree and what's ahead this year! We'll share a quick overview of the PTA, ways families can get involved, review and vote on our budget, and give a preview of upcoming events and opportunities. Join us on TEAMS: https://bit.ly/4wjSW3z
💙 All Hembree families are welcome — we'd love to see you there!
From Title I: Technology Workshop
Need help trouble-shooting your Infinite Campus, ClassLink or other school-based technology? Join us for our in-person technology workshop on September 15th at 7:40am in the Media Center.
September Spirit Night at Surcheros
Make easy dinner plans and head to Surcheros Fresh Mex on September 15th for spirit night! 15% of ALL proceeds will benefit our school ( Dine in or carry out)!!
Grab your family and friends and enjoy a Taco Tuesday that is giving back!
Hembree Spirit Wear Deadline
Hembree Springs Back-to-School Sale ends on September 7th! Make sure to purchase before the deadline approaches!
Help rep our school with great gear as we earn fundraising dollars!
Click here to buy: Order Here
Student Reward with our Business Partner: Aurora Cineplex and Area 51
ONE FREE ROUND of Student Mini Golf at THE FRINGE ( with one paying Adult) anytime Aug 25th—Sept 30th, 2026.
Simply show your Digital Mini Golf Coupon when you come. (Not valid on BOGO Thursday, School Breaks, Sept 13th B-Day Bash or with any other discount.)
Area 51: Aurora Cineplex and The Fringe Miniature Golf—5100 Commerce Parkway, Roswell, GA 30076 www.a51fun.com
🏰 STEAM FAIR COMING SOON!
Something BIG is coming to Hembree this fall! ✨
We’re excited to share that our 25th Anniversary STEAM Faire is set for Friday, October 2! This year, we’re going BIG with a super-sized evening of hands-on STEM activities and plenty of extra fun as we look back on 25 years of Hembree Springs. 👑🔬🏰
Experiences like this — along with free family events, teacher mini-grants, student programs, staff appreciation, class parties, field trip support and so much more — are made possible by the support of our Hembree families.
If you haven’t joined PTA yet, there’s still time! Membership is just $10 per person, and joining PTA does not require you to volunteer. Parents, grandparents and other family members can all join and show their support!
Want to make an impact? Consider making a gift to our Annual Fund when you join:
✨ Kingdom Friend — $25
🏰 Royal Supporter — $50
👑 Castle Champion — $100
🌟 Magic Maker — $250
👉 JOIN PTA + SUPPORT THE ANNUAL FUND: https://jointotem.com/ga/roswell/hembree-springs-es-pta
Look for the green "Add a Donation" button. Every membership and every donation helps us create more opportunities and experiences for our students throughout this very special 25th anniversary year.
Already a PTA member for this year? You can still support our budget this year by donating here https://hembreespringselementary.givebacks.com/shop/items/d119b6214d8bdb
Join the Kingdom. Keep the Magic Alive.
201 Members and Counting
We’re getting closer to our 25th Anniversary goal of 250 PTA members! 🏰✨ We’re currently at 194 members — just 56 more to go!
Haven’t joined yet? Membership is only $10 per person for the school year, there’s no volunteer requirement, and parents, grandparents, teachers, staff and other Hembree supporters can all join. This also helps keep our events free for all!
✨ Want to make an even bigger impact? You can also add a donation to our 25 Years of Magic Annual Campaign when you join.
Suggested Giving Levels:
🏰 Kingdom Friend — $25
👑 Royal Supporter — $50
🛡️ Castle Champion — $100
✨ Magic Maker — $250
Your membership builds our community. Your donation helps fund the magic.
👉 JOIN PTA + ADD A DONATION:
Double Your Support for Hembree!
Many employers offer company matching gift programs, meaning a donation you make to Hembree Springs Elementary PTA could potentially be doubled — or even more — at no additional cost to you!
Hembree Springs Elementary PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit and qualifies for many company matching programs.
NOT A PTA MEMBER YET?Join Hembree Springs PTA through Totem and add a donation to our 25 Years of Magic Annual Campaign during checkout. Then check with your employer to see if they'll match your donation!
Visit https://jointotem.com/ga/roswell/hembree-springs-es-pta
ALREADY A PTA MEMBER, BUT HAVEN'T DONATED?
You don't need to join again! Visit your Totem PTA membership account to make a donation to the 25 Years of Magic Annual Campaign, then submit your donation through your employer's matching gift program.
Visit https://jointotem.com/dashboard
· Go to Memberships to see your existing Hembree Springs PTA membership.
· Go to Payments and click the blue receipt link to view/print receipts for online memberships and donations.
· Go to Memberships → Make a Donation if you're already a member but haven't donated yet.
ALREADY DONATED?
You've already done the hard part! Now see if your employer will match it.
Log into your Totem dashboard https://jointotem.com/dashboard → Payments → click the blue receipt link to view or print your receipt.
NEXT STEP: REQUEST YOUR COMPANY MATCH
Visit your employer's charitable giving or matching gift portal and search for:
🔎 Hembree Springs Elementary PTA
🧾 EIN: 58-2616970
Then follow your employer's instructions to submit your matching gift request.
Not sure whether your company offers matching gifts? Check with your HR department or employee benefits portal.
Company matching is such an easy way to make the support you're already giving Hembree go even further. Those additional dollars help PTA fund classroom grants, student enrichment, free family events, book clubs, teacher and staff appreciation, the Giving Closet, 5th grade activities and so much more!
Questions? We're happy to help at HembreePTA@gmail.com.
TAG Screening Information
Tag Screenings occur twice each year for all KK-5th graders and are based on the data detailed in the document. Reach out to Mrs. Anderson at andersoncm@fultonschools.org for specific questions.
News from the Art Room
Bricks4Kidz
NEW AFTER-SCHOOL LEGO CLUB
Calling all LEGO® lovers: Bricks4Kids is offering a brand-new after-school club right at Hembree Springs this fall.
🏆 LEGO Master Builders Academy: Brick Belt Challenge
Every Master Builder starts with a single brick! In this Bricks 4 Kidz® program, students will work their way through a series of Brick Belt Levels, with a new LEGO challenge each week. Inspired by the achievement system of martial arts, students earn a new Brick Belt as they complete challenges and work their way toward becoming a LEGO Master Builder.
Along the way, students will build increasingly advanced LEGO models while exploring STEM concepts including gears, simple machines, forces, motion and basic physics. They'll also strengthen creativity, teamwork, communication, fine motor skills and early math—all through hands-on LEGO fun!
⭐ Wednesdays | 2:30–3:30 p.m.
📅 September 2–December 9
Ages: 5–10
Cost: $179 for the semester
This program focuses on confidence, perseverance and personal growth—not competition—so students can learn and build at their own pace.
To book, visit https://my.bricks4kidznow.com/profile.php?id=69098&selected_schedule=3488148
LEGO Coding Club is Back at Hembree Springs!
The Coder School is returning for a second year with a fun, hands-on after-school enrichment opportunity right here at Hembree! Students will explore LEGO building, coding, problem-solving, and creativity using LEGO Education SPIKE — all while having fun with others. And for parents, one of the best parts is the convenience: no driving to another location after school!
Tuesdays, 2:30–3:30 PM
Sept. 8–Dec. 8 | 11 sessions
Grades PreK–5
$299
The Coder School is a proud returning business sponsor of Hembree Springs Elementary PTA.
Ready to sign up? Scan the QR code on the flyer or visit: https://www.thecoderschool.com/locations/johnscreek/#events
Scroll down to “Coding Club at Hembree Springs” to register.
Questions or want more information?
Call or text (770) 919-5894
How to Access iReady Inform Reports for Parents
Please see the attachments below for instructions on how to access your student's iReady Inform results. Note: we use Classlink to access iReady. You can log in to your student's Classlink portal using their student ID and their birthdate (mmddyyyy). The link to Classlink is on the Fulton County Schools' webpage. Do not go directly to the iReady website.
Our district code is CMVRR3. Reach out to your teacher or to Dr. McAtee, CST, if you have questions.
Join the Hawks Nest!
Looking for the easiest way to stay connected with everything happening at Hembree Springs?
The Hawk's Nest is our private Facebook group exclusively for Hembree Springs families (and staff!). It's your go-to place for school news, PTA updates, event reminders, volunteer opportunities, spirit nights and helpful resources.
Whether you're a brand-new family or a returning Hawk, The Hawk's Nest is one of the best ways to stay informed and connected throughout the school year.
August Family Engagement Thursdays
From Title I
Families! YOU are your child’s first and most influential teacher. As such you have so much to offer your student! To encourage family engagement at home, we are offering family engagement Thursdays. Each week there will be (1) activity to do at home to be completed prior to Friday. We’ll list the activities for the month in Hembree Highlights and offer reminders via social media. Your student will have the opportunity to receive a *bonus* Hawk’s ticket for participating (look out for more details from your teacher) We’ll include tips and tricks to get the conversation started and reinforce learning from the school day. Please spend anywhere from 10-20 minutes with your child engaging with them around their day at school and encouraging their social and emotional skills. We’ll also encourage you to practice additional skills inclusive of Math and ELA. Please feel free to reach out to me Lucy Gilbert, Title I Parent Liaison (gilbertl2@fultonschools.org) with any questions. Please check the box on your child’s homework to receive an additional Hawk’s ticket for your student.
Del Título I
Jueves de Participación familiar
¡Familias! USTED es el primer y más influyente maestro de su hijo. ¡Como tal, tienes mucho que ofrecer a tu estudiante! Para fomentar la participación familiar en el hogar, ofrecemos jueves de participación familiar. Cada semana habrá (1) actividad para hacer en casa que se completará antes del viernes. Enumeraremos las actividades del mes en Hembree Highlights y ofreceremos recordatorios a través de las redes sociales. Su estudiante tendrá la oportunidad de recibir un boleto de Hawk * adicional * por participar (busque más detalles de su maestro) Incluiremos consejos y trucos para iniciar la conversación y reforzar el aprendizaje del día escolar. Pase entre 10 y 20 minutos con su hijo interactuando con él durante su día en la escuela y fomentando sus habilidades sociales y emocionales. También lo alentaremos a practicar habilidades adicionales, incluidas matemáticas y ELA. No dude en comunicarse conmigo Lucy Gilbert, Enlace de Padres del Título I (gilbertl2@fultonschools.org) si tiene alguna pregunta. Por favor, marque la casilla en los deberes de su hijo para recibir una entrada adicional de Hawk's para su alumno.
Beanstack Reading App
Have you heard your child mention anything about an app called Beanstack? It was introduced in the Media Center. Beanstack is a digital reading log that students can use to log the number of minutes they are reading. They can earn badges and rewards along the way. If your child is reading at school, home, daycare, etc. they can log their minutes and help us get closer to our goal. The following is a video explaining how to use Beanstack from home. You can always find your child's lunch number/student number in infinite campus or email Mrs. Soberanis: soberanis@fultonschools.org. Happy Reading!
How To Video: https://go.screenpal.com/watch/cZQTbzVSAkv
All Stars Wanted
Each week the PE department will choose 4 All Star Athletes (2 students & 2 staff members). If your student enjoys hiking, swimming, baseball, softball, football, biking, etc. Please email a picture to marzetti@fultonschools.org.
Thanks,
Ms. Marzetti
Bus Transportation Information
Lunch Visitor Information
We welcome lunch visitors, Monday-Thursday only. Please check in at the front desk before proceeding to the cafeteria.
Previous Newsletters
Hembree Springs Elementary School
Website: https://www.fultonschools.org/hembreespringses
Location: 815 Hembree Road, Roswell, GA, USA
Phone: 470-254-2902