SCHOOL REWARDS PROGRAM FROM PUBLIX

Of course we want to shop local since part of the sales tax goes to the town of Elkmont and we love our hometown businesses.  We have Dollar General and Piggly Wiggly within a mile of downtown Elkmont.  However, sometimes you can't find what you want or you love using coupons and buy one, get one free (BOGO) deals.  Publix not only has this but also has a school rewards program that supports Elkmont High School.

How to participate in the Publix Partner Program:
There are small swipe cards for each school. Ask for yours at the customer service desk.  

Details of program: Please support our school through the Publix Partners Program. Present a Publix Partners card from EHS to your cashier whenever you make a purchase at Publix. (Be sure to show the card before the sale is totaled.)  At the end of each quarter, Publix will award our school with $250 for every $37, 500 spent.

This is also a great way to participate in the Full Tummy Program.  Use those coupons to buy supplies to help the little ones in need who live in the Elkmont School District.

SUPPLY LIST FOR ELKMONT SCHOOL

School starts August 8 but the back to school sales have already started.  To help you know what to buy, check out the supply list for Elkmont School 

*K-5  Grade: Supply List Link
*6-12 Grade: Supply List Link <

NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN SIX YEARS?

Superintendent Thomas Sisk said Tuesday in his State of the Schools speech that Limestone County Schools has made great progress in his first three years, but more is yet to come. He highlighted plans to change grade configurations in at least three schools, build new schools, add alternative and virtual schools, and continue expansion of the computer initiative.

The school board has approved plans to expand Creekside Elementary and divide it into two schools on one campus. It has also approved expanding the Limestone County Career Technical School and building a new West Limestone elementary school that could merge West Limestone and Owens elementary schools. 

Sisk said he would like to open an Alternative Center for Excellence in Education at the Owens building. A Twilight Academy, or “night school,” a virtual school, or online guided education, and possibly a Center for Early Childhood Education pre-kindergarten, would open at Owens. West Limestone Elementary’s building would become part of West Limestone High School.

After the new western Limestone County elementary school is built, Sisk said, he wants to build $15 million elementary schools in Tanner and Elkmont in 2018 and 2020 so he can split the nearby high schools, which currently have K-12 configurations, into separate K-5 and 6-12 schools. After those schools are built, he said, the board should then look at improvements at the county’s other six high schools.

The Digital Passport Initiative, the school board’s plan to provide laptops for every student, will continue its expansion. After starting with grades 3-4 this year, another 1,400 laptops will be needed next year for fifth- and sixth-graders. The school system will continue to add 1,400 to 1,600 laptops a year by grade. The goal is that every student in grades 3-12 have a computer by the 2018-19 school year, Sisk said.

Sisk said the system upgraded security on buses and at schools, including adding school resource officers in partnership with the Limestone County Commission.
“We’ve been able to do everything we’ve done without asking for a tax increase,” Sisk said.

For Complete Article: DECATUR DAILY

HILL SPIRIT'S THOUGHTS:

Elkmont has been on the list for a new elementary school for twenty years.  It never is built, always mentioned and occasionally thrown in with rainbows and sunbeams. Don't put much stock in this newest bone thrown to the Elkmont community. Believe it when you see it.

LITTLE ONES NEED SNACKS

If you would like to make a financial contribution to the snack cabinet, please send the donation to Haley James. Checks should be made payable to Elkmont Elementary. If you are considering a monetary donation, please check with your employer (or spouse's employer) to see if they will match your donation to the school. Please make a note on the check that indicates it is for the snack fund.

Based on teacher feedback, Elkmont Elementary has about 80-90 students each day who do not have a snack. We do have left over breakfast items that are being used as snacks, and we will continue saving the extras for this purpose. The refrigerator will allow us to also save the fruit, milk and juice too! 

This link below is a document of "healthy snacks" that we must follow at school to be compliant with state and federal regulations. While these guidelines may be frustrating, it is the reality of the situation and we have to comply since the snacks are served during the school day.  Here are some examples:

Individually wrapped is best. Baked chips, trail mix, crackers, goldfish, popcorn,  and pudding cups. We can have some yogurt but be careful of expiration We frequently get applesauce and fruit cups with our breakfast program, so these are items we usually have plenty of on hand.

The kids seem to love the string cheese and muffins when they are offered as extras from breakfast. These items usually go fast and there is never enough to go around for extras. I hope all of this information helps! We are so appreciative of the help on getting this started!! Thank you all for contributing! 

Haley James, Principal

ELEMENTARY "AB" HONOR ROLL - FIRST QUARTER

FOURTH

Adams, Christian Michael

Bailey, Gabriel Sean

Bishop, James Connor

Brown, Olivia Reese

Clem, Breanna Rene

Gardner, Gabriel Amyiah

Grams, Deacon Laine

Hawkins, Cade Isaac

Hill, Hayden Christopher

Ivey, Aubrey Marie

Layfield, Ethan Zackery

Martinez, Harley Mercedes

McChristian, Marissa Cadence

Morris, Hayden Michael

Morris, Jalynn Michelle

Munson, Elijah Nathaniel

Nash, Ethan Thomas

Payne, Brandon Austin Laine

Phillips, Maddox Lee

Pride, Torre' Jamere

Staggs, Andrew Channing

Thomas, Cadee Elizabeth

Tucker, Peggy Jane

Underwood, Emma Kate

Varnes, Paislee Rayne

Wales, Landon Hunter

Wallace, Thomas Bradley

Wilson, Jordan Lucas

Wray, Taylor Rose

 
FIFTH

Anderson, Lanique Monae

Bailey, Ty Dawson

Batrum, Mercedes Lynn

Brock, Nicholas Andrew

Campbell, Logan Dwayne

Cornelison, Zachary Adam

Ferrell, Kaleb James

Flannagan, Levi Ty

Forsyth, Haven Elise

Gatlin, Peyton Blaine

Hickman, Chloe Natalie

Johnson, Mallory Jane

King, Jayce Houston

Malley, Benjamin Owen

May, Elvin Paul

Patterson, Evan James

Pendergrass, Jacob Ryan Thomas

Stewart, Brittany Ann

Teeples, Benjamin Maddox

Usery, Barry Dale

Wallace, Keaton Lane

ELKMONT LOVES OUR GRANDPARENTS

THANK YOU SO MUCH for all of the muffins today! Grandparents Day was a huge success, and it couldn't have been done without your help! Also, thank you to Holly Saravia, Shelly Welsh Stanford, Shannon Barber Michie, and Trinette Davis for serving food and volunteering their time this morning!

Haley James

Elkmont Elementary Principal

Loved Muffins and Memories today with Grandparents of 5th grade and below. Enjoyed talking to and listening to stories about other grandparents and the schools they went to.

Susan Pylant 

 

OPEN HOUSE IS SUNDAY

*School Starts August 8

IMPORTANT CHANGES TO ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL PROCEDURES FOR Elementary & High School 

These changes will be reviewed at the Back to School Open House on Sunday, August 6th at 1:30 in the New Gym. VIDEO LINK

NOTE: 
These changes go into effect on the 1st day of school, August 8th. We know many of you enjoy walking your child in on the 1st day of school. If you want to walk your child in on the 1st day of school, we encourage you to do so! However, we ask that you please use the back gravel parking. 

The parking lot located by the new gym is reserved for our teachers and driving students, so please do not use these spaces. You are welcome to bring your child's school supplies to the Open House on Sunday, August 6th to make things easier for you on Tuesday, August 8th.

Elementary Parents:
School will BEGIN at 7:35am for all elementary students (PreK-5). Dismissal for elementary students is at 2:40pm.
Morning Car Line will begin at 7:10 in front of the Old Gym (see previous posts for changes to car line). 

Afternoon Car Line will begin at 2:40 in front of the Old Gym.
Please come to our Back to School Open House on Sunday at 1:30 for more information. 

**Start and end times are not changing for Middle or High School students.**

Open house for the Elementary School and High School has been scheduled for Sunday. The Elementary school is first up at 1:30 pm followed by the High School/Middle School at 2:30. 

Stop by the PTO information table and meet our PTO leaders.  They would love to meet you. Link to their facebook page

School Supply Bundle pick up will be before the Elementary open house Sunday beginning at 12:45 outside of the New Gym.

ELKMONT ELEMENTARY IN THE NEWS

The Athens News Courier recently ran an article about our new "old" elementary school.  The physical location and buildings haven't changed but what is new is separating its mission statement and administration from the middle school/high school. Having its own administrators, will put the focus solely on the K-5 students, elementary curriculum and instruction.

ARTICLE LINK

HIGHLIGHTS
Haley James has served as an assistant principal at Elkmont while it was considered a K-12 school.  She was selected as the principal when the elementary school became its own entity.  James is excited about the opportunity to build something special as the first elementary principal at Elkmont.   “Our whole theme or motto is 'explore, engage and succeed,'” she said. “We're going to focus on engaging students in the learning process and teaching them how to be critical thinkers in all subject areas.”

What makes Elkmont Elementary special: 
James said the school is special because most of the teachers are from the Elkmont area and are passionate about teaching the next generation and town's future foundation.
“They know the kids they're educating are the ones who are going to work in the local industry,” she said. “It's very important to them because they know that's the future of Elkmont — what's sitting in our schools.”

Come and meet the teachers and their new principal during open house, August 5 at 1:30 pm. 

ELKMONT ELEMENTARY HAS A NEW PRINCIPAL

The Limestone County School District is splitting off the elementary school at Elkmont into a separate unit next year.  The physical location will not change but the younger grades will have their own administration that will focus on the unique needs of an elementary school.  The school board chose Haley James, current assistant principal at Elkmont High School, to spearhead this change next year. James has been at Elkmont for two years already and has 17 years in education. Her goal for the next school year is to continue the focus the school developed over the last year.

“We've worked intensely on instruction for reading and math and to improve student achievement,” she said. “I'm excited about staying there because we've been putting so much work in this year. I love helping kids and teachers and I love parents. They send us their best every day and it's our job to help their children no matter what background they come from.” she said.

To read complete article: Athens News Courier

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL "A" HONOR ROLL - SECOND QUARTER

It's hard to believe but school is now in the second semester.  That means report cards have been issued and the honor roll for the last nine weeks is here.  We are excited to tell you about all the wonderful students that made the "A " Honor Roll at Elkmont Elementary School for the second quarter.  The "A" Honor roll is made up of straight A students.

FOURTH

Adams, Isabella Elise
Bailey, Ty Dawson
Batrum, Mercedes Lynn
Brown, Gabriela Lashae
Burroughs, Colin Eli
Chambers, McKenzie Avery
Conley, Jade Skye
Crutcher, Meleah Ann
Davis, Darby Carrielene
Guthrie, Jake Heath
Hobbs, James Corder
Hobbs, Jessie Curtis
Horton, LaTanya Carishae
Hosner, Layla Nicole
King, Jayce Houston
Lane, Morgan Turien-Sue
Lide, Jordan Tyler
Monroe, Mallory Grace
Osborne, Olivia Stephanie
Pylant, Benjamin Jackson
Ridgeway, Brooklyn Paige
Smith, Landon Parker
Steelman, Brayden Wayne
Thompson, River Linley
Tippett, Lucas Hunter
Vaughan, Aubrey Elizabeth
Vining, Oakly Blue
Williams, Briley Virginia

 
FIFTH

Altibali, Roba

Beneros, Moises David

Fisher, Taylor Jordan

Fleming, Ryan Nicholas

Fleming, William Grayson

Gilbert, Molly Elise

Hamlin, Thea Angelene

Johnson, Jasmine Claire

Kennedy, Makayla Jade

Liverett, Karlie Grace

McNatt, Lexie Faith

Miller, Bryson Reid

Newton, Brianna Michelle

Smith, Hannah Kaitlyn

Terry, Austin Heath

Thompson, Chase Edward

Vinson, Emily MaKynna

Watkins, Carter Wilson

Wiggins, Ashley Dawn

Wilbourn, Katie Lyn

 

WINTER WONDERLAND FUN

Christmas fun and games were at Elkmont School last night.  The PTO's Winter Wonderland was a SUCCESS! 

Thank you to all of the teachers, parents, and students who volunteered to make the night possible! 

We had many of our 6-12 students volunteering in activities. Ms. Horton's students prepared and served the dinner. 

Our teachers put in free overtime hours to make the night come together. 

Thank you parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and guardians for braving the cold and bringing your kids out for a night of Family Fun! 

We hope you all enjoyed it as much as we did!

FIFTH GRADE ON A FIELD TRIP

Our fifth graders made their fall field trip to Cathedral Caverns, November 7.  

One of the activities was gem mining.  Our Elkmont folk were able to practice their panning skills.

Originally called the Bat Cave, it was under private ownership when it was first opened in the 1950s.  In 2000, it became a state park.

Cathedral Caverns is a short drive from several great north Alabama attractions including: Lake Guntersville, Monte Sano, Desoto and Buck’s Pocket State Parks, Scottsboro, Huntsville, and the Marshall Space Flight Center.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL "A" HONOR ROLL - FIRST QUARTER

It's hard to believe but school is now in the second quarter.  That means report cards have been issued and the honor roll for the last nine weeks is here.  We are excited to tell you about all the wonderful students that made the "A " Honor Roll at Elkmont Elementary School.  The "A" Honor roll is made up of straight A students.  The Middle School "A" Honor roll will be posted tomorrow.

THIRD GRADE 

Bates, Judson Tucker

Billings, Eric Tyrone

Bishop, James Connor

Brown, Olivia Reese

Carrizales Landin, Landon Adrian

Davis, Lillian Bella Lee

Gooch, Taylor James Hynun

Grams, Deacon Laine

Griffis, Harrison Whitson

Guth, Ava Reese

Hargrove, Jacob Grant

Holt, Noah Shane

Jones, Luke Edward

May, Jeremiah Kayne

McDonald, Raelynn Grace

Miller, Ethan Gunner

Morris, Jalynn Michelle

Newman, Alaina Presley

Norman, Paige Savanna

Norwood, Addison Ruby

Payne, Brandon Austin Laine

Roberts, Camden Asher

Staggs, Andrew Channing

Thomas, Cadee Elizabeth

Thomas, Max Granger

Wallace, Christopher Shawn JR

Woodfin, Mary Joyce

FOURTH GRADE 

Bailey, Ty Dawson

Batrum, Mercedes Lynn

Brown, Gabriela Lashae

Cannon, William Tavien

Chambers, McKenzie Avery

Crutcher, Meleah Ann

Davis, Darby Carrielene

Green, Kinsley Victoria

Guthrie, Jake Heath

Hobbs, James Corder

Hobbs, Jessie Curtis

Horton, LaTanya Carishae

Hosner, Layla Nicole

Lane, Morgan Turien-Sue

May, Elvin Paul

Osborne, Olivia Stephanie Renee

Pylant, Benjamin Jackson

Ridgeway, Brooklyn Paige

Smith, Landon Parker

Steelman, Brayden Wayne

Teeples, Benjamin Maddox

Thompson, River Linley

Tippett, Lucas Hunter

Ussery, Laurel Chyanne

Vaughan, Aubrey Elizabeth

Vining, Oakly Blue

Williams, Briley Virginia

FIFTH GRADE  

Fisher, Taylor Jordan

Fleming, Ryan Nicholas

Gilbert, Molly Elise

Green, Hannah Marie

Hamlin, Thea Angelene

Liverett, Karlie Grace

Long, Jackson Bryant

Newton, Brianna Michelle

Smith, Hannah Kaitlyn

Terry, Austin Heath

Thompson, Chase Edward

Vinson, Emily MaKynna

Wiggins, Ashley Dawn

Wilbourn, Katie Lyn

A NEW YEAR WITH PRINCIPAL TRIBBLE

When Garth Garris retired during the winter of 2016 as Elkmont's High School principal, Bill Tribble, was selected to join our Hilltop family.  We met him in an interview (Meet Elkmont's New Principal) when he took over the helm in March.  He said he wanted to observe how the school worked those few months before school was out before anything was changed.  He wanted to improve what was needed and to leave in place what didn't need fixed. 

It is now time to start a new school year and Hill Spirit dropped in to visit Mr Tribble last week to hear what is new for this school year.

The first item on the list is using the data collected to improve instruction.  Many times all this information is gathered, put on an Excel sheet or turned into the state but not used at the school level. Mr. Tribble thinks that these stats can shine a light on what areas need to be changed and what  only needs a little fine tuning to make our school better.

A new department is being rolled out this year, "The Business Academy".  Elkmont hasn't had a business teacher for several years but one has been hired.  She is in charge of developing the programs.  The Academy will be rolled out this year with eighth graders taking the Career Prep course.  Ninth graders will be exposed to Personal Finance. Hopefully, Dave Ramsey principles will be part of that course. Additional courses will be added to include 10-12 grade in the next few years.

Another change will be the check-in/out procedure.  It will be a computerized system and parents will be able to access it at home. Walking in to the office and having Miss Gina take care of visitor passes, and signing kids in or out is gone.  Primary goals are safety and making the process easier for parents.  

The new process will be:
1. Picture id (such as a driver's license) will be scanned to come on campus.
2. Visitor's pass with that picture will be printed out.
3. Unlimited amount of family/friends can be listed as contacts.
4. Changes to your child's information can be done from home 24/7.

Elkmont has been classified as a Title One school and will be given additional funds.  A federal grant will be paying for free breakfast for all students.  Breakfast will be served in the classrooms for Pre K thru 5 grade.

Items of note:
*Mac Books will be provided for grades 3-8.  Parents will need to receive DPI training before laptops are assigned.  One part of Open House, scheduled for August 2, is this DPI  training.

*Morning Drop Off 
Please don't open the car door and drop your child off at the Ag building parking lot or in the road around the school.  With so many cars, safety is an issue. Entry points for car riders (any age student)  is the kindergarten building and the new gym/elementary school entrance.

*Mark your calendar on September 6 @ 6 pm for the first PTO meeting.