Hembree Highlights

Greetings, Hembree Families,

Thank you to all the families who joined us for Trunk or Treat last Friday! It was a fantastic evening filled with fun, laughter, and community spirit. It’s always heartwarming to see our Hembree Springs family come together to celebrate our students.

This week has been a busy one at Hembree! Today, we had a blast celebrating our favorite book characters. The parade across the stage was a highlight, and it’s always a joy to see our students’ creativity shine. We also recognized our “Best of the Nest” winners—students who consistently demonstrate our HAWKS expectations. Their hard work and positive behavior make us proud every day.

Yesterday, I had the honor of attending the Legacy of Excellence Awards, where our very own Teacher of the Year, Emma Charlton, and Professional of the Year, Linda Hill, were celebrated by the district. These two outstanding educators truly represent the best of Hembree Springs. Linda Hill has also received additional district recognition—please see the information below. Congratulations, Linda!

It’s hard to believe October is already behind us—this semester is flying by! A quick reminder: Tuesday, November 4th is a teacher workday, so there will be no school for students. We encourage students to use this time to work on their homework packets and spend some time on iReady. Instructions for accessing iReady are outlined below. Be sure to check those backpacks on Monday for the homework packets.

Looking ahead, we’re excited for Literacy Night on Thursday, November 6th from 5:30–7:30 PM. Join us for free pizza, brand-new books, Star Night, engaging literacy activities, mystery readers, and more! Your presence makes these events truly special, and we hope to see you there.

Please also mark your calendars for Wednesday, November 19th—we’ll be hosting our annual Thanksgiving Feast, along with the Art Show and Book Fair. More details will be shared in the next edition of Hembree Highlights.

On a personal note, I’m looking forward to the Georgia vs. Florida game tomorrow. While I never take a win for granted, I’m hopeful for a great outcome! I’ve also been craving pot roast lately, so I’ll be trying out a new recipe during the game—fingers crossed it turns out delicious!

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Halloween! If you’re celebrating, enjoy the festivities and the time with your family. Our teachers are especially glad it falls on a Friday this year!

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

Warm Regards,
Nancy Lahey

Linda Hill is a Breast Cancer Awareness Champion. She is the beloved nutrition manager at Hembree Springs Elementary and has been a dedicated employee of Fulton County Schools (FCS) since 2010. While she spent years nourishing the bodies of her students, her most profound impact came in 2024, when she faced her personal battle with breast cancer and became a beacon for Breast Cancer Awareness.
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Linda was diagnosed with cancer in April 2024. The journey moved swiftly, and she underwent surgery in July of that same year. Despite the whirlwind of rapid diagnosis and operation, her greatest concern was returning to her students.

Between her diagnosis and operation, Linda was only away from school for about seven weeks. For her, that time felt too long. Linda’s dedication to returning to her students highlights the deep bond she shares with the Hembree Springs community. Her colleagues and students showered her with love and support. In a touching moment of celebration, students and staff rang a bell to mark her victory over cancer.

Linda’s inspiring resilience is rooted in her faith, emphasizing that her positive outlook and grace are a testament to that faith. She uses her journey to encourage her colleagues to prioritize their health and get annual mammograms.

Linda’s faith story doesn’t end with her own recovery; her sisters, also diagnosed with breast cancer, share the message of healing and hope.

Linda’s enduring positive outlook has inspired the entire FCS community. While she continues to undergo radiation treatments, as of July 24th, 2025, one year after surgery, Linda is cancer free.

Linda Hill is a true champion whose journey reminds us that life’s biggest challenge can reveal our greatest strength. Linda may have nourished students’ bodies; her unwavering spirit nourished our hearts.

11/4 No School- Teacher workday

11/5-11/7 Grades 3-5 Classroom Spelling Bees

11/5 2nd grade to Chattahoochee Nature Center

11/6 @ 5:30-7:30pm Reading Takes You Places! Literacy & Star Night

11/13 Kindergarten Play "No Turkey for Perky" @9:00 am cafeteria

11/18 @ 7:40-8:40am Pastries & Parent Resource and Engagement Program for Pre-K and K Parents

11/19 Thanksgiving Feast (times vary)

11/24-11/28 No School- Thanksgiving Break

12/5 Hembree Springs Spelling Bee grades 3-5 @ 8:30 am

12/9 Conversational English and Math Resource Coffee @ 7:40am

Dear Hembree Springs Families,

We’re thrilled to invite you to our Student Art Show on Wednesday, November 19th from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM in the Hembree Springs Elementary Gymnasium!

This special event coincides with our Thanksgiving Feast, making it a wonderful day to celebrate both creativity and community. Every student will have a unique piece of artwork proudly displayed, showcasing their imagination and artistic growth.

🎁 Fundraiser Opportunity – Take Home a Masterpiece!
Each student’s artwork will be professionally framed and available for purchase for \$30. Proceeds will support our school’s art program and future creative projects.

🛒 Purchase Options:

· Online Pre-Purchase: A QR code and link will be shared soon so you can conveniently buy your child’s framed art ahead of time.

· In-Person Purchase: You can also purchase the framed artwork during the event on November 19th.

If you choose not to purchase the framed version, your child will still receive their artwork—just without the frame.

We can’t wait to see you there and celebrate the incredible talent of our young artists!

Warmly,
Laura Stowers
Art Teacher, Hembree Springs Elementary

Queridas familias de Hembree Springs,

¡Nos complace invitarlos a nuestra Exposición de Arte Estudiantil el miércoles 19 de noviembre de 10:00 a.m. a 12:00 p.m. en el gimnasio de la escuela primaria Hembree Springs!

Este evento especial coincide con nuestro Banquete de Acción de Gracias, lo que lo convierte en un día perfecto para celebrar la creatividad y la comunidad. Cada estudiante tendrá una obra de arte única exhibida, mostrando su imaginación y crecimiento artístico.

🎁 Oportunidad de recaudación de fondos – ¡Llévate a casa una obra maestra!
Cada obra de arte estará enmarcada profesionalmente y disponible para su compra por \$30. Los fondos recaudados apoyarán el programa de arte de nuestra escuela y futuros proyectos creativos.

🛒 Opciones de compra:

· Compra anticipada en línea: Pronto compartiremos un código QR y un enlace para que puedan comprar la obra de arte enmarcada de su hijo/a con anticipación.

· Compra en persona: También podrán adquirir la obra enmarcada durante el evento el 19 de noviembre.

Si deciden no comprar la obra enmarcada, su hijo/a recibirá su arte de todas formas, aunque sin el marco.

¡Esperamos verlos allí para celebrar el increíble talento de nuestros jóvenes artistas!

Con cariño,
Laura Stowers
Profesora de Arte, Escuela Primaria Hembree Springs

As a Title I school, many of our students will be affected by the pause in in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. Our community is committed to supporting our families during this time. The flyer below highlights several local food pantry resources available to our families. Beginning November 1, our Free Little Library will also transform into a Free Little Pantry. Families are welcome to stop by the front of the school and take non-perishable items as needed. If you are able, we’d love your help keeping the pantry stocked by dropping off items to share. Don't have time to shop? Our PTA can also accept donations to support this effort. To contribute, please visit:

https://hembreespringselementary.givebacks.com/products/c836954f10e9.

Additionally, we are sending home weekend backpacks with non-perishable food items. Please let us know if your student would benefit from this support. You may reach out to Lucy Gilbert, Title I Parent Liaison. gilbertl2@fultonschools.org or at 470-254-9460 with any questions.

Check out our next Spirit Night!! Instead of a restaurant outing, this time it's PARENTS NIGHT OUT! Hembree business partner Elite Skillz is offering a chance for the grownups in the family to have an adults-only evening while the kids have a blast. 🥳

Register the kids for this Spirit Night on Nov. 15. The hours are from 5-9 p.m. and cost is $35 ( will show as $45 when you register) with a portion of the proceeds benefiting our school. The fun includes an obstacle course, pizza dinner, active games, time in the kid cave (air hockey, foosball, basketball, action figures, Legos and more) plus a movie and popcorn. 🍿 Register at www.elitekidzevents.com.

🍪 Congrats to our Pre-K Team!

Their adorable Cookie Monster trunk crumbled the competition and took home Best Decorated Trunk at Friday’s Trunk or Treat!

Huge shoutout to all the families who donated candy to Fillmore the Candy Monster and to our amazing teachers and staff who gave their time (and creativity!) to make the night such a fun and festive event for our kids and community.

#TrunkOrTreat #HSESProud #HowWePTA

Congratulations to all our winners for this year's- Reflections! Everyone should be proud of their work and we are excited to see our winners move on to the next stage!

Landon Peters, music composition - 1st Place

Haadiya Anwar, literature - 1st place

Jack Humboldt, visual arts prek-2, 3rd place

Beckett Tobias, visual arts prek-2, 2nd place

Isaac Manahan, visual arts prek-2, 1st place

Mujtaba Anwar, visual arts 3-5, 3rd place

Journey Bryant, visual arts 3-5, 2nd place

Rumaysa Zaynab, visual arts 3-5, 1st place

Mark your calendars for International Family Fun Night! Join us for an evening of celebrating the diversity within our school and community on Thursday, January 15th from 5:30-7:30pm. Grab your family and come explore!

We are looking for volunteers to share what is wonderful about a country and culture. Please sign-up below. Please include your student's name in the sign-up.

If you are experiencing a financial barrier to participation, the PTA is sponsoring a limited number of $100 grants for your family to host a table. Please reach out to PTA President Janet Pelletier, janetr2626@hotmail.com for more information.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054FADAD2FAAFD0-59881888-international

The PE Department wants to keep our students healthy during this candy-filled time of year. Have your child bring in 10-15 pieces of Halloween candy in a bag. We will collect candy from Oct. 27th – Nov. 7th, and they will receive a no jogging pass as a thank you.

This candy will be donated to the men and women in the military.

Thanks!

PE Department

Our Scholastic Book Fair is coming this November! Please stay tuned for more detailed information on volunteer opportunities and general information about the fair. With your support, we're looking forward to hosting another successful Book Fair this year!

🦃Please find the sign-up link below to help Ms. Linda and her team prep for the Thanksgiving Feast on 11/19!! This is a wonderful Hembree tradition but comes with a lot of extra work. Let's give our Thanks and volunteer! 🦃🍽

Link to signup: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054FADAD2FAAFD0-59397385-thanksgiving

We’re excited to announce that our classroom spelling bees for 3rd–5th grade students will take place during the week of November 3, 2025! To help your child prepare, word lists will be sent home to help practice, but are also linked below . We encourage you to support your child in studying these words and practicing regularly.

• 2026 3rd Grade Classroom Bee List With Definitions.pdf
• 2026 4th Grade Classroom Bee List With Definitions.pdf
• 2026 5th Grade Classroom Bee List With Definitions.pdf

The winner of each classroom spelling bee will advance to compete in the Hembree Springs annual school spelling bee on December 5, 2025 (date change). From there, the school champion will go on to represent Hembree Springs at the Fulton County School District Spelling Bee, held on January 10, 2026 at North Springs High School.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Dr. Carrie McAtee, Curriculum Support Teacher, at mcatee@fultonschools.org.

Thank you for your support, and happy spelling!

Warm regards,
Dr. McAtee

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

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

We welcome lunch visitors, Monday-Thursday only. Please check in at the front desk before proceeding to the cafeteria.

Website: https://www.fultonschools.org/hembreespringses
Location: 815 Hembree Road, Roswell, GA, USA
Phone: 470-254-2902