Parent Empowerment Night

Dear Parents,

We are so excited to invite you to attend Bolton Academy’s first Parent Empowerment Night to be held on Wednesday, September 13, 2017, from 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.!  The evening will begin with a delicious pizza dinner, served in the cafeteria from 5:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.  Following dinner, parents will be able to attend four of five 30-minute empowerment sessions.  Each session will provide general information and is not intended to be grade specific, so all parents are welcome to attend. 

The information sessions will run concurrently as follows:

• 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. – Session 1
• 6:30 p.m. – 7:00 P.m. – Session 2
• 7:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Session 3
• 7:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.  – Session 4

Before the Parent Empowerment Night, parents are asked to select the four sessions they wish to attend.

The workshop sessions include the following:

• Balanced Literacy (Understanding the Daily 5 Framework): In this workshop, parents will receive an overview of the Daily 5 literacy framework from a literacy expert; learn about Lexile reading levels; discuss the DIBELS universal screener; and review how to interpret STAR reading reports.
• College and Career Readiness Index (CCRPI):  Looking at Performance on State Tests:  A data strategist from the district’s testing and accountability office will present an overview of the CCRPI to help with understanding how school performance is measured in the state of Georgia. 
• Eureka Mathematics (Building Students’ Conceptual Understanding):  This workshop will consist of an overview of the Eureka Math program and will include hands-on activities and real-world problems for parents to solve using the strategies, manipulatives and questioning techniques used in classrooms with students.
• International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IB) and Dual Language Immersion:  This workshop will provide an overview of the IB PYP approach to teaching and learning and a presentation on Dual Language Immersion as a strand bi-literacy program within the school’s curriculum. 
• Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Elementary School Counseling: This workshop will entail a presentation about the school-wide SEL program, its impact on student learning and the ways in which it is included within the structure of an academic day for students.  The discussion will also include ways in which the school counselor, (along with classroom teachers), supports students’ social and emotional well-being through push-in counseling courses. 

Since the information sessions are intended for adults, any children who come to the event with their parent or guardian will be supervised in a separate location.  To accommodate parents, we will host “Movie Night at Bolton” for children in the auditorium from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.  

We are looking forward to a great time of learning and we hope to truly empower all Bolton Academy parents! We hope to see you there!

Educationally yours,
Laura Strickling
Principal

PTA Membership Drive Cookout

Our annual PTA Membership Drive Cookout will be held on Friday, August 25 at 6:30 pm (following the General PTA Meeting) on the Bolton field.  Join us for the food and then stick around to meet teachers and other Bolton families, as well as show your support for Bolton Academy by joining the PTA!  Our goal for PTA membership this year is 100% faculty, staff and family participation.

Speaking of which...save yourself some time (and the ire of "hangry" children) by joining the PTA in advance online!  Dues are $25 per family and you will receive FREE all-beef hot dog meals (hot dog, chips and a drink) for up to 4 family members at the cookout.  Vegetarian hot dogs will be available as well.  Individual memberships (1 adult + 1 child) are $15 and faculty/staff memberships are $10.  You will be able to sign up in person at the cookout as well.

Also, we need your help to make this event a success!  We need volunteers to grill hot dogs, set up, serve, clean up, and man the membership and spirit wear tables. Please sign up here to help out!  

 

PTA General Meeting

We need you!

Our PTA Executive Board has been working hard this year, but we always need more people to help make Bolton Academy the very best it can be. Please plan to attend the General PTA Meeting on Friday, August 25, at 6 pm inside the gym to learn what we have going on this year and how you can become more involved. The meeting will last for about 30 minutes and will culminate with the kick off of the PTA Membership Drive Cookout. We'll plan to see you there!

 

Spirit Wear Orders

If you have ordered spirit wear online or in person but have not yet received your item(s), they will be available for pick up on Friday, August 25, at the PTA Membership Drive Cookout.  Please contact Andrea Middleton to make other pick-up or delivery arrangements.  Thank you for your patience and we are thrilled that our new spirit wear is selling fast!

School Day Extended for Solar Eclipse

Bolton Academy, along with all APS schools, will have delayed dismissal (3 pm) on Monday, August 21, so our students, teachers, administration and staff can witness the the solar eclipse together.  Superintendent Carstarphen said that all students will be equipped with what they need to view the eclipse safely.  We are excited to be able to experience this unique event together!

Please notify your child's teacher if you would like for your child NOT to participate in any eclipse-related activities.  You will be able to pick up your child early if you choose; however, buses will run 30 minutes past their regular times.

DLI Town Hall Meetings

We are inviting all new and returning DLI parents and guardians to join us on Wednesday, August 30, at 8:30 am or 6 pm, as we discuss a day in the life of DLI students. We will review schedules, curriculum, and address any questions or concerns about DLI.

Summer Readers Rock!

Thanks to all of our students who turned in their summer reading logs. Since your kids worked so hard this summer, we will reward them with a cool treat on Friday, August 18, from 1 to 2 pm. Plus, our reader who read the most number of minutes this summer will receive a special prize! Thanks again for always encouraging your children to read!
 

Title I Meeting

You are invited to the Title I informational meeting on Friday, August 25 at 5 pm in the Media Center. We'll discuss Title I programs, activities, and curriculum, and how Title I funds will be used during the 2017-2018 school year.

Save the Date - PTA Membership Drive Cookout - 8/25

Please save the date for our annual PTA Membership Drive Cookout on Friday, August 25 at 6:30 pm on the Bolton field.  Join us for the food and then stick around to meet teachers and other Bolton families, as well as show your support for Bolton Academy by joining the PTA!  Our goal for PTA membership this year is 100% faculty, staff and family participation.

Speaking of which...you can join the PTA (in person or online) for $25 per family and receive FREE all-beef hot dog meals (hot dog, chips and a drink) for up to 4 family members at the cookout. Vegetarian hot dogs will be available as well.  Individual memberships (1 adult + 1 child) are $15 and faculty/staff memberships are $10.  

Also, we need your help to make this event a success!  We need volunteers to grill hot dogs, set up, serve, clean up, and man the membership and spirit wear tables. Please sign up here to help out!  

Have You Donated to Hooty's Nest Egg?

Participation = Popsicle Party!

The Soaring Owls Foundation, Inc. (SOFi), the foundation that supports Bolton Academy, has set a goal of raising $40,000 through 100% participation from our families, faculty, and administrators through our Hooty's Nest Egg annual fund campaign.  (Check out SOFi's latest update on the field and playground here.)

As a reward for our classrooms who achieve 100% participation by August 31, SOFi will give them a popsicle party!  

In addition, to help us reach our goal of 100% faculty and administrator participation, each faculty member or administrator who donates $20 will receive a $100 grant from the Soaring Owls Foundation to fund the purchase of classroom material. 

For more details about Hooty's Nest Egg annual fund, including donor levels, incentives and how to give, please visit us online or send us an email.  

Preferred School Care After School Enrichment Classes

We are excited to announce that After School Enrichment Classes at Bolton Academy will begin Tuesday, September 5!  Check out the course offerings, schedule, registration form and more information here. If you have any questions, please contact Barbara Denton via email or at 404-436-4337.

A Note from Principal Strickling

Greetings Bolton Academy Partners and Friends,
 
School is back in session for Bolton Academy and we are so excited about the 2017-18 school year.  We were thrilled to kick off our first day with visits from Superintendent Meria Carstarphen and other special guests.
 
Check out the feature story on Bolton Academy and other #APSFirstDay activities in Dr. Carstarphen’s "Dispatches From the District” blog at www.atlsuper.com.
 
Thank you for ongoing support and we look forward to a great school year.
 
Sincerely,
Laura Strickling, Principal

Please Sign Up for Remind

We all have a lot going on so we want to make sure our friends and families of Bolton Academy are receiving important PTA notices throughout the year.  Please take a minute to sign up for the Remind app which will help us keep you informed on upcoming events.  If you have a smart phone, open your web browser and go to the following link: rmd.at/boltonacad.  Follow the instructions to sign up for Remind, download the mobile app and when prompted selected Bolton Academy each time.  If you don't have a smart phone, you can still receive text notifications.  Text the message @boltonacad to the number 81010.  If you're having trouble with 81010, try texting @boltonacad to (678) 712-5762

PTA Meet and Greet - Friday, August 4

Bolton's Executive PTA team can't wait to meet you!  Please join us for our annual PTA Meet and Greet on Friday, August 4, at Johnny's Pizza (Chattahoochee Avenue) from 6 to 8 pm.  Come and chat with our PTA Executive team and find out about all of the exciting volunteer opportunities for the upcoming school year.  The PTA needs your help to support our school, teachers and students.  See you there!

Hooty's Nest Egg Annual Campaign

Dear Bolton Academy community and supporters,

It's that time again!  The Soaring Owls Foundation, Inc. (SOFi), the foundation that supports Bolton Academy, is officially launching our Hooty's Nest Egg annual fund campaign for the 2017-18 school year.  

Last year's campaign raised over $30,000, and with those funds, SOFi funded many initiatives including teacher grants, Night of the Arts, the Hispanic Heritage month celebration, International Baccalaureate (IB) field trips and learning events, and new for SOFi this year - a 4-week summer enrichment program that served over 75 Bolton Academy students.  We are also finalizing our long-term goal to raise enough funds for a new turf field, and we'll send a separate email detailing the progress of the field and the playground later this week.

This year, we have a lofty goal of raising $40,000 through 100% participation from our families, faculty and administrators, and we will use these funds to enhance and expand the various initiatives that we funded last school year.  

We can't do this without your support!  So, remember, that no gift is too small, and all gifts are tax deductible, graciously appreciated and warmly welcomed.

Also, we are offering up a special reward to our classrooms for their participation!  Each class that has achieved 100% family participation by August 31 will win a popsicle party!  In addition, to help us reach our goal of 100% faculty and administrator participation, each faculty member or administrator who donates $20 will receive a $100 grant from the Soaring Owls Foundation to fund the purchase of classroom material. 

For more details about Hooty's Nest Egg annual fund, including donor levels, incentives and how to give, please visit us online or send us an email.  Also, please look for the SOFi table at the Celebration of Learning this Friday and keep an eye out for more information in upcoming Weekly Hoots and in your student's backpack. 

This year's campaign ends September 30, and with your generous support, we can achieve our goal of raising $40,000 through 100% family, faculty and administrator participation.  

Sincerely,
Wes Finger (President) and the 2017 Hooty's Nest Egg annual fund committee (Leslie Stevens, Kara Williamson, Kristin Woodward and Jeanne Zawacki) 

Are You Reading This Summer?

Returning students, have you been reading and logging your hours in your summer reading log?  Remember the goal is 20 minutes a day, which is a 700 total minutes for the summer.  Please plan to turn your logs into Mr. Emanuel when you return for a special treat.  Even if you don't complete 700 minutes, you can still turn in your log for the chance to win some special prizes.

Get Ready for the First Day

Remember that students are encouraged to wear uniforms daily, but we also show our school spirit every Friday by wearing spirit wear, which you can purchase at the Celebration of Learning!  Updates to the online spirit store are coming later this month.

Also, find out what school supplies your child needs this year here. (Please note that teachers may provide an additional supply list for their classroom.)  Bring your supplies to your teacher at the Celebration of Learning or on the first day of school.
 

School Supply and Uniform Drive

Please bring extra school supplies and gently used uniforms to Bolton Academy beginning at the Celebration of Learning and throughout the first couple of weeks of school.  There will be bins in the school to collect the items.  All school supplies are welcome, but the biggest needs are copy paper, dry erase markers and composition notebooks.  Thanks so much!

Celebration of Learning - Friday, July 28, from 11 am to 1 pm

Please mark your calendars for Bolton Academy's open house - the Celebration of Learning - on Friday, July 28, from 11 am to 1 pm. Join us to meet your teacher, walk around the school, sign up for after school care, join the PTA, donate to the Hooty's Nest Egg annual fund (see more information below), sign up for Bolton communications, buy lots of spirit wear and more.  Also, if you are interested in being a room parent, please be sure to let the PTA know by finding an officer at the Celebration of Learning or emailing them.  Early parental involvement is a major part of starting the year off right!