Monthly Update #10
Friday, May 1, 2026
Character Traits for May
What is character education? Character Education is a learning process that enables students and adults in a school setting to understand, care about, and act on core ethical values such as honesty, respect, and responsibility for self and others. Below are the weekly character traits for the month.
Week of May 4, 2026 | Respect for the Environment: Understanding and appreciating our responsibility to the environment
Week of May 11, 2026 | Integrity: Adherence to a code of values
Week of May 18, 2026 | Accomplishment: Appreciation for attaining one’s goals, or something that has been achieved successfully
Important Dates to Remember
Georgia Milestones Assessment Dates
Monday, May 4th - GMAS Science Section 1 and 2 - 5th Grade Only
Please ensure your 5th grader is here at school between 7:00-7:30 AM.
Friday, May 1st - All library books are due
Monday, May 4th-Friday, May 8th - Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week
Tuesday, May 5th-Thursday, May 7th - BOGO Book Fair
Thursday, May 7th - Fresh Air Thursday - Jeremiah's Ice will be for sale for $5 (cash or card)
Friday, May 8th - Fifth Grade Day Adventure to Alabama
Tuesday, May 12th - Title I PAC Meeting #3 in Media Center at 5:00 PM
Tuesday, May 12th - Spring Night of the Arts & K-4 Transition Night
Tuesday, May 12th - 5th to 6th Middle School Orientation at respective middle school - 5:30-7:00 PM. Click here to enter your address to see your zoned middle school.
Wednesday, May 13th - Fourth Grade End of the Year Ceremony at 9:00 AM - Cafe
Wednesday, May 13th - Third Grade End of the Year Ceremony at 12:30 PM - Cafe
Wednesday, May 13th - Rising Kindergarten Informational Meeting - Virtual at 5:00 PM (link is here)
Wednesday, May 13th - Jeremiah Ice's Spirit Night @ Jeremiah's Ice -- 4300 Chapel Hill Rd, Ste 1000, Douglasville, GA 30135 - all day
Thursday, May 14th - Second Grade End of the Year Ceremony at 9:00 AM - Cafe
Thursday, May 14th - First Grade End of the Year Ceremony at 12:30 PM - Cafe
Thursday, May 14th - Rising Kindergarten Informational Meeting - In Person - Media Center at 5:00 PM
Friday, May 15th - 5th Grade Awards Ceremony at NMHS at 10:00 AM
Friday, May 15th - Last Day for ASP & Dolphin Club
Friday, May 15th - Last Day for Bookbags
Monday, May 18th - Kindergarten Moving On Ceremony at 8:30 AM - Gym
Monday, May 18th - Last Full Day of School
Tuesday, May 19th - Half-Day - Dismissal at 11:30 AM
Wednesday, May 20th - Half-Day Dismissal at 11:30 AM - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
Georgia Milestones
Our third, fourth, and fifth grade students will be taking the Georgia Milestone Assessment on the following days:
Friday, May 1st - GMAS Mathematics Section 1 and 2
Monday, May 4th - GMAS Science Section 1 and 2 - 5th Grade Only
Students should be on time and in attendance during these scheduled tests. We will be sending home reminders but please ensure that the following occurs:
1. Go to bed early to get a good night's sleep.
2. Eat a healthy breakfast (avoid sugary foods). Breakfast will be provided at school.
3. Encourage your student to do their best. This test will be rigorous but we know they can do it!
iReady Diagnostic #3
Students will take the i-Ready Diagnostic #3 in Reading and Math. This end-of-year assessment helps us measure the growth students have made and celebrate the progress they’ve achieved throughout the year. It also provides valuable information to help teachers plan for continued support and success.
We encourage students to take their time, read each question carefully, and give their very best effort.
We are proud of how hard our Dolphins have worked this year and look forward to seeing their growth shine through on this final diagnostic!
Reading Diagnostic:
K-2: Wednesday, May 6 & Thursday, May 7, 2026
3-5: Thursday, May 7 & Friday, May 8, 2026
Math Diagnostic:
K-5: Tuesday, May 12 & Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Parking at the Front of the Building
During the month of May, we will have many events & activities at the school. We ask that parents/visitors refrain from parking in the front of the building and along the curb. If you are visiting the building, please park in a parking space. Additional parking is available in down the hill on either side - the bus side or car rider side. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
BOGO Book Fair
t’s almost time for the BEST fair of the year- BOGO BOOK FAIR 📚 🥳
Grade level shopping days:
Kindergarten- Thursday, May 7th
1st Grade- Wednesday, May 6th
2nd Grade- Wednesday, May 6th
3rd Grade- Tuesday, May 5th
4th Grade- Tuesday, May 5th
5th Grade- Thursday, May 7th
An easy way for your child to shop is to set up an eWallet. Here’s our book fair website to create your eWallet: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/factoryshoalselemschool
We’d love some parent volunteers too. If you are able to help us any of these 3 days let Mrs.Jiles know (danielle.jiles@dcssga.org).
Beyond the Front Porch
Beyond the Front Porch's mission is to bring back the experience of educational field trips to school-aged students (K-12) by offering monthly day trips through Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee. Join them every second Saturday of the month to explore and expand the educational experiences of your youth!
May 9: SAM Shortline Scenic Railway
June 13: Helen Tubing
July 11: Majestic Caverns
Register by calling 470.729.3988 or emailing info@beyondthefrontporch.org.
Additional information can be found here: https://beyondthefrontporch.org/
Parent and Family Engagement Announcement
The Douglas County School System Title I Program is currently reviewing and revising our Parent and Family Engagement Plan for the 2026-2027 school year. This important document outlines how we partner with you to support student success through Title I programs and federal requirements.
Your input is required and highly valued. We invite you to review the draft and share your feedback by Friday, May 15, 2026, at 12:00 PM.
Review the Draft Plan:
Provide Your Feedback:
Final Report Cards will come home on May 20th
If your student has paid all fees and returned all library books, their report card will come home on the last day of school. If your child has outstanding fees and library books, you must pay these fees before their report card is released.
Summer Learning Backpacks
We are committed to ensuring that our students continue to learn and grow during the summer months. On Thursday, May 15th, your child will be sent home with a Summer Learning Backpack. The bag contains summer bridge activities in all subjects, math flashcards and reading books. There is also a parent guide on how you can enrich your child's learning during the summer months. Our school made tremendous growth this past year, and we want to continue to 'Level Up'!
Updated Multi-Family Form
If your child is currently enrolled using a multi-family form, you should have a received a letter in the mail on how to update for the upcoming school year. Douglas County School System policy states that multi-family forms are valid for a period of one year. Your child’s multi-family form will expire on May 20, 2026.
New documents may be submitted to the school’s office beginning July 6, 2026. If new documents are not received by July 17, 2026, your child will NOT be placed on a class list or scheduled for classes for the 2026-2027 school year.
The Douglas County School System reserves the right to verify residency and the authenticity of utility bills at any time. False swearing of the multi-family form and any other enrollment documents is a violation of Georgia law and is punishable by a fine or by imprisonment.
If you have any questions, please contact our school registrar, Mrs. Denise Hoyos at 770.651.3901.
Updates from PTA
As we wrap up an incredible school year, we want to take a moment to simply say…THANK YOU.
Thank you to our amazing Factory Shoals teachers and staff for your dedication, hard work, and the love you pour into our students every single day. You are the heart of our school.
Thank you to our parents and families for your continued support, encouragement, and involvement. Your partnership makes everything we do possible.
And thank you to our wonderful students for your energy, enthusiasm, and for making this year so special.
We are truly grateful for the way the Factory Shoals community has welcomed the PTA with open arms. Your support has meant everything to us as we continue to grow and build something special together.
As we look ahead, we are excited about the future of the PTA and all that we can accomplish for our school. We are always looking for more support, more ideas, and more involvement in the years to come.
Whether it’s volunteering, attending meetings, or simply staying connected—there’s a place for everyone in PTA.
Let’s continue to grow, support one another, and make an even bigger impact together!
With gratitude,
Factory Shoals Elementary PTA
Transportation Changes
Please remember all transportation changes must go through the office -- in writing. You may send in a note or send an email to fses-transportation-dcss@dcssga.org before 1:00 PM. Please help us get your child home safely!
Digital Citzenship
The Douglas County Schools System will use the Parent ProTech platform to teach digital citizenship lessons to all students in grades K-12. Every teacher, staff member, student, and guardian in the Douglas County School System has access to the platform. Users can sign up for an account using this unique Douglas County School System link.
Important: Senate Bill 351, “Protecting Georgia’s Children On Social Media Act of 2024”, mandates in section 2.2 that students in grades 6th - 12th receive digital citizenship and online safety instruction, and that districts certify compliance. The four required lessons indicated in the guidance for middle and high schools satisfy the requirements of this portion of the bill.
Elementary, Grades Kindergarten - 5th
The ProTech platform provides four lessons for each grade level. One lesson will be taught every nine weeks. These lessons represent the minimum requirement, but schools can include additional lessons throughout the year. The minimum amount of time required for a mini-lesson is approximately 15 minutes. Lessons contain multiple resources and activities, however, and can be expanded.
Student Medication
All medication (prescription and non-prescription) must be brought to the school by the parent or guardian.
No student will be allowed to bring medications to school or on the bus. Students may not have medication in their possession except with a physician's order for emergency situations only. There is zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol in Douglas County Schools.
Medications must be in the original container. Medications brought in Ziploc bags or other unmarked containers will not be given. Prescription medications must be in the pharmacy container labeled with the child's name, date, name of medication, name of prescribing physician, times(s) medication is to be given and name of the pharmacy filling the prescription. We request that you ask the pharmacist to give you two labeled prescription bottles so that you have one bottle at home and one at school.
Do not bring medication to school which needs to be given once daily or two/three times a day unless the physician specifically states a time during the school day for the medication to be given. If the medication can be given at home, please do so.
Parent/guardian must provide specific instructions, including the drugs and related equipment to the school. It will be the responsibility of the parent/guardian to inform the school of any changes in pertinent data.
Parent Pulse Surveys - We Value your Opinion!
As school we want to get better at improving our school culture and get a pulse on the issues that matter to you. We've signed up to a service that will send you regular, short, anonymous surveys making it quick and easy to get your voice heard.
Please click the link below to sign up https://app.satchelpulse.com/parents?country=us
Please use the school ID (code) 735095 when prompted to join the school.
Concentric Educational Solutions
We are excited to announce that Factory Shoals Elementary School has partnered with Concentric Educational Solutions, Inc. (CES) to enhance our support for students, families, and the school community. This partnership aims to strengthen the connection between home and school by providing evidence-based solutions that address academic and social needs.
Through our collaboration with CES, we will enhance existing supports and resources while identifying effective strategies to improve your child’s attendance and academic success.
One of the most exciting aspects of this partnership is the opportunity to learn about the barriers impacting our families so that we better understand and address any needs. For the remainder of the school year, at the recommendation of the School Support Team at Factory Shoals Elementary School, CES representatives will be conducting informational home visits. These visits will help us gather valuable insights from you and your child, allowing us to create an enriching learning experience focused on improving attendance, fostering appropriate social-emotional behaviors, and boosting academic achievement.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Principal Wright. We are looking forward to a productive and engaging partnership with you and your child!
Epic Books
Students love to read using Epic, a reading app that gives 24/7 access to a digital library of over 40,000+ premium books. It’s great for their daily reading and for keeping up the momentum on weekends and during school breaks. Here are the login instructions:
𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗼𝗽𝘀: Open browser and
1. Go to 𝗸𝗶𝗱𝘀.𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗽𝗶𝗰.𝗰𝗼𝗺/𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀
2. Enter class code to log in.
𝗶𝗢𝗦 & 𝗔𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗶𝗱: Download & open Epic for Kids app
1. Tap on “Students”
2. Enter class code to log in.
Here is a link to the class codes for your child's homeroom teacher.
Student Check-Outs & School Attendance Policy
The Georgia Compulsory Attendance Law holds parents responsible for making sure that their children attend school. According to this attendance law, the only legal excuses for absences are
1. Personal illness
2. Death in the immediate family
3. Religious holidays
Although attendance at school is very important, students with a contagious illness or fever should be kept home. Upon returning to school after an absence, a written excuse must be given to the homeroom teacher within three days. Students who are absent miss instruction that is vital to the mastery of the standards. Students are tardy to school after the 7:40 AM bell. Students who are tardy miss valuable instruction and disrupt the class. If a student is late, a parent must escort his/her child to the office for a tardy pass before the student goes to class. Again, students who are repeatedly checked out prior to the end of the instructional day (2:10 PM) miss valuable instructional time.
2025-2026 Student & Family Handbook for FSES & DCSS
Here you will find the FSES Student & Family Handbook
Here you will find the DCSS Elementary Student Handbook
FSES Staff Shout-outs
Complete the FORM here.
Have you joined us on Remind & ClassDojo?
Our school code for Remind is: @fsesga
Join our school on Class Dojo using this link.
We will use Remind for all communication with families. We will use Class Dojo as our school-wide behavior management tool. Please be sure to sign up for both. Our staff is also available via email (first name.last name @ dcssga.org) or via phone at 770-651-3900.
Go Guardian
School Nutrition: Breakfast and Lunch
If your child has a negative lunch balance, they will not be accepted into any FSES extracurricular activities until that balance is cleared.
Infinite Campus Parent Portal
Here Comes the Bus & Bus Expectations
Here Comes the Bus is available for parents and students to download now. To sign up, visit the Apple or Android store, or visit www.herecomesthebus.com.
Students are still encouraged to arrive at their stop five to ten minutes early and to follow any additional instructions given by drivers. Please sign up for Here Comes the Bus. You can use code 79003.
As your children board the bus each morning, please help us and remind them of our bus rules. Students should stay seated in assigned seat, there is to be no eating or drinking on the bus and students should use their inside voices. Students should also keep their hands and other objects to themselves while riding the bus.
School bus transportation is a privilege afforded pupils by the Board of Education. It is not a right. To protect the safety and well-being of all involved, pupils must adhere to established bus conduct rules. Bus transportation privilege may be revoked if the pupil does not observe bus conduct expectations.
Late Bus Information
Morning & Afternoon Car Rider Procedures
Morning Arrival to FSES
Car riders may only be dropped off and picked up within the designated car rider zone.
Morning student drop-off begins at 7:00 AM in the car rider lane.
As the car approaches the drop-off location, students should unbuckle themselves, have their bookbag on, and place any materials being carried in their hands.
Please move forward until directed to stop. Once stopped, please remember to unlock doors. In the morning, we typically unload three to four cars at a time.
Students MUST wait until FSES School Staff opens the car door in order to proceed from vehicles. Students should not get out of the car by themselves. This is for the safety of all students.
If possible, all students should be loaded and unloaded through passenger side doors- Curb Side.
Do not drive around or pass cars that are still unloading. Vehicles will wait until all children have exited their vehicle before proceeding to the exit. Like school bus loading and unloading zones, violators will have license plates turned over to the DCSS Police Department.
Vehicles NOT in line when the clock turns 7:40 AM will be directed to sign the child in through the front office.
Students coming in through the front office must be escorted into the building by a parent or guardian.
Afternoon Dismissal from FSES
The afternoon car rider line begins at 1:50 PM.
Afternoon dismissal of car riders begins at 2:10 PM.
Please do not use cell phones once the car pick-up line begins to move.
The school-issued car rider tag is required for pick-up. (Even if we know who you are. You must have a car rider tag to pick up a child.) If you do not have a tag, you will be directed to the front office to get one.
A staff member is responsible for radioing your child's car rider number. Please wait until they have done so before moving on in the line.
Move all the way forward until directed to stop.
Vehicles should be placed in park.
Normally, three students are loaded into cars at a time.
Children will enter the car on the right-hand side.
Parents or Guardians should remain in the vehicle at all times.
Once the child is loaded, you may proceed to the exit.
If a child needs assistance with getting buckled in, your vehicle should move forward towards the exit. Do not assist while in the line.
Vehicles need to be in line by 2:25 PM. After 2:30 PM you will need to pick your child up from the front office.
Students waiting after the car rider line ends will be placed in the After School Program and a fee will be assessed.
If you or the person who is picking up your child in the afternoon does not have the hanging FSES 2025-2026 Car Rider Identification card, they will have to pick up the child from the front office and have their ID available for our front office staff to check. This is for the safety of your child. Thank you for your understanding.
We thank you in advance for adhering to our rules as they all help keep your students safe around moving vehicles.
FSES is a No Cell Phone Zone
We recognize that electronic devices are an important part of our everyday world and are increasingly being used in teaching and learning. However, we want to be sure that any devices at school are being used as an appropriate instructional tool, and their use does not interfere with our students’ learning environment.
Factory Shoals is proud to provide student access to Chrome Books in all of our classrooms. Students should only use electronic devices under the direct supervision of their teacher, so there is absolutely no need for students to bring their own devices from home. This includes cell phones, smart watches, iPads, and tablets. We believe that elementary school students are not equipped to deal with the responsibilities of having unsupervised access to technology, and their brains are not quite ready to handle such distractions at school.
If your child must bring a device to school in order to communicate with you after school hours, then please remind them of the following:
Electronic devices brought from home will be kept in the backpack turned off during the school day and will not ring or cause disruption to the instruction in the classroom. Please see the district policy regarding cell phones in our Family Handbook.
Thank you for helping us to make Factory Shoals an amazing place where students value their education!
Student Birthdays
We do not allow birthday parties during lunch, whole birthday cakes or any birthday treats that are not individually wrapped.
We enjoy honoring our students on their birthday. We announce the birthday child’s name on the morning announcements and allow families to bring in treats within the guidelines below.
Cupcakes/snacks must be store bought AND prepackaged/individually wrapped.
Also, you may want to think about non-food items. The items listed below will still make your child feel special and they will last a lot longer than a food item.
- A game for the classroom
- A classroom book (A nice touch would be having your child pick it out, sign it, and date it.)
- A classroom set of items for each child to keep such as pencils, pens, erasers, markers, etc.
Bilingual Liaison
Phone: 770.651.2223
Email: lizzy.kilgore@dcssga.org
