ELKMONT STAFF CHANGES

Most of the staff changes at Elkmont have wrapped up for the beginning of the 2018/2019 school year but there were a few more during the August 2 Limestone County School Board meeting.

RESIGNATIONS:
*Melissa Aldridge, sixth grade English/language arts teacher, Elkmont High School, resigned, retroactive to July 16, 2018

*Rebecca Turner, instructional assistant, Elkmont Elementary School, resigned, retroactive July 18, 2018

*Tamara Holt, sixth grade teacher, Elkmont High School, resigning, retroactive to July 27, 2018. She will be teaching at East Lawrence Middle School.

TRANSFERS: 
*Penny Vincent, Title I teacher, Elkmont Elementary School, transferring to State Funded Unit, Elkmont Elementary School, replacing Regina Clem, retroactive Aug. 1, 2018

HIRES: 
*Stephanie Owens, Title I teacher, Elkmont Elementary School, replacing Penny Vincent, one year only.

*Katlyn Pressnell, English/language arts, Elkmont High School, replacing Melissa Aldridge.

*Whitney Reece, sixth grade science teacher, Elkmont High School, replacing Tamara Holt. 

*Mitzi Woodfin, special education instructional assistant, Elkmont Elementary School, replacing Rebecca Turner

SUPPLEMENTS:
*Zachary Lyman, non-employee assistant football coach, Elkmont High School 

SCHOOL STARTS AUGUST 8

It always takes a few days to get the "back in" school routines running smoothly.  We all need to be careful in the early mornings and between 3 and 4 pm this week. Buses run a bit slower as the drivers learn their routes and kids can be careless as they catch the bus.   Leave early so you aren't in a hurry and can be patient as everyone transitions into the school mode.  The traffic situation around the school is always a mess the first week and the buses may be running late getting the little ones home but it's amazing how all the chaos gets worked out by the second week of school.

New Elementary Office
*We now have our own Front Office and Secretary (Mrs. Kim Wales) for Elkmont Elementary. ALL student check-ins, check-outs, and drop off items will need to come through the elementary office. 

This new entry way is in close proximity to all of the elementary classrooms and it will speed up the process for checking students in and out. Soon, there will be signs designating some of the current handicap parking as Elementary Visitor parking during school hours.  All elementary parents and students being checked in or out must go through the elementary office.  The old front office (high school) is just for high school/middle school business.

Pickup/Dropoff Procedures

Morning Drop Off
*The K-5 car rider line will be located along Highland Avenue, and parents can turn for drop off at the intersection close to the Kindergarten building. Drop off for ALL K-5 students will be at the entrance of the old gym. No students will be dropped off at the Kindergarten building. When cars leave car line, they will go left. This will allow traffic to flow in one directions around the school. Students should NEVER exit the car until Coach Pugh gives the "GREEN" signal from the front of the line. This will ensure that all students are safe from moving cars. Parents, please do not move you cars until Coach Pugh motions for you to do so.

*If you are dropping off K-5 students and 6-12,   students, they need to get off at the old gym drop off area.  You may drop your middle and high school students off when you drop off your elementary students. When cars leave car line, they will go left. This will allow traffic to flow in one directions around the school. Older students may wait in the break area until the middle/high school building opens. Or you may drive around to the back of the school and let them out when the building opens.

*If older siblings are driving K-5 students to school, those younger kiddos still have to be dropped of in the old gym car line before the older students drive around the school to park. When cars leave car line, they will go left. This will allow traffic to flow in one directions around the school.

*If parents drop off 6-12 students, they should be dropped off at the NEW GYM. Please DO NOT park and drop students off. When cars leave car line, they will go left. This will allow traffic to flow in one directions around the school. Parking spaces are strictly for driving students and our teachers.

AFTERNOON PICK UP
*Pick up will be located in the same area during the afternoon. Students will exit to cars from Old Gym.

*All students who are picked up from the car line must have an assigned number and parents must display that number using the tag provided by the school. Car Rider numbers will be given out at Parent Orientation (Open House).

• Car Rider Numbers: If you need a Car Line Number, we will have a table at Open House on Monday August 6. If you are unable to attend, you will have an opportunity to get a car line number while in car line during the 1st week of school.

All PreK-5 students must be picked up from the old gym. If older siblings who drive are picking up younger students, they will be required to pick them up from the back door of the old gym while walking to the parking lot.

*If you are picking up students, please pick up elementary in the car line first, then drive around the school to the New Gym to pick up the older ones.When cars leave car line, they will go left. This will allow traffic to flow in one directions around the school.

Elementary Parents:
School will BEGIN at 7:35am for all elementary students (PreK-5). Dismissal for elementary students is at 2:40pm.  Please be patient the first few days as we teach student the procedure for car line.
 
Morning Car Line will begin at 7:05 until 7:30 in front of the Old Gym.  Student must be through carline by 7:30 to be in class by 7:35.When cars leave car line, they will go left. This will allow traffic to flow in one direction around the school. 

Afternoon Car Line will begin at 2:45 in front of the Old Gym. When cars leave car line, they will go left. This will allow traffic to flow in one directions around the school.  

Please come to our Back to School Open House on Monday, August 6. 

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

The best way to communicate your questions and/or concerns are to message us directly through Facebook or send an email to Mrs. James (haley.james@lcsk12.org). 

Buses will run approximately 15 minutes earlier on the morning routes than last year's morning bus routes to accommodate the time change. However, afternoon routes will remain the same as last year, as buses will leave campus at the same time. 

 

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.

BARRY'S CORNER - LIVING IN ELKMONT

First day back at school; My career is winding down, one of the last more than likely. In my mailbox, I found my old personnel folder. Back before computers, every workshop certificate we attended had to be put in that folder. Mr. Pettus would then tally all your hours at the end of the year. It seems there was a minimum for the year back then. If you know me at all, I have a lot of trouble getting paperwork from point A to point B. I always stop and talk (know that’s hard to believe) and lay it down somewhere. I was looking through the file and an old sticky note in Mr. Pettus's handwriting was in there that said Ethics training and it had a date and the number of hours. He had also signed it. I’ll never forget the day he called me in. For 15 minutes, I heard the importance of keeping up with paperwork and that throughout my career I wouldn’t have someone looking out for me. He said the only reason he was counting them was because he sat beside me in the training. I remember leaving there a little mad and embarrassed. You know though, today as I start year twenty-seven by myself again, I sure was proud to see a hand written note from Steve Pettus. And he was wrong....someone is looking out for me. Have a good one!

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 <

GETTING READY FOR SCHOOL STARTS NOW

This week there are Kindergarten Camp, football picture day and "Spruce Up the Boss" events. Open Houses and School starts are the week of August 6.  The craziness has begun.

HIGH SCHOOL IMPORTANT DATES

Welcome to the start of another exciting year at Elkmont High School. The administration, faculty, and staff look forward to meeting you at Elkmont Red Devil Days. This is an opportunity to take care of some important items pertaining to the upcoming school year.

HIGH SCHOOL/MIDDLE SCHOOL

The days set aside for schedules, lockers and fees are gone but you can still take care of these things for your Senior - 6th grader. Schedule changes can be submitted beginning on Monday, July 30 at 8am
** Students will ONLY be allowed to pick up their own schedule. Also, schedules will not be sent through email, remind, or any other electronic means. Schedules must be picked up in person. If you owe any fines from last year all fines must be paid before you can pick up your schedule. Our goal is for all schedule changes to be completed before school begins. Once school begins there will be no schedule changes. 

OPEN HOUSE 
EHS Open House Info:
August, 7th from 5:00pm to 6:30pm-- Students and parents will be able to visit classrooms and meet teachers. Mr. Tribble will host a question and answer session in the cafeteria.

The following tables will be set up in the main office

Table 1. Schedules

Students pick up their here. Schedule change request forms will be located at this table.
Table 2. INOW: 
Students and parents can get access to INOW. Access to Inow will allow for both students and parents to view grades throughout the school year.

Table 3. Lockers and Parking Decals: 
Locker rental fees are $6.00
Parking Decals are $25.00

Parking Decal Information: 
*Completed Automobile Parking Permit Application http://images.pcmac.org/SiSFiles/Schools/AL/LimestoneCounty/ElkmontHigh/Uploads/Forms/Parking_Decal_Form.pdf
*Drug test consent form signed 

*$25 payment of cash or check

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 

July 17 - Pre-K Orientation

July 30 - Kindergarten Camp

July 31 - Kindergarten Camp

*Kindergarten Camp will be from 8:30-11:30. : This is for all 2018-2019 Kindergartners at Elkmont Elementary. Please register your child for Kindergarten Camp at: https://goo.gl/forms/dE6jbyNi1YLHktUV2

August 1 
*Class Lists will be posted on the front doors of the school at 5:00 PM. 

August 6

August 8 - School Starts 

Important Announcements

Get Connected and Follow Us on Social Media:

• Twitter: www.twitter.com/ElkmontElem
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/ElkmontElem
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/ElkmontElem
• Website: www.ElkmontElem.org
• Remind 101: Test @ees-parent to 80101

Car Riders:

• Car Rider Numbers: If you need a Car Line Number, we will have a table at Open House on Monday August 6. If you are unable to attend, you will have an opportunity to get a car line number while in car line during the 1st week of school.
• Morning: Students should NEVER exit the car until Coach Pugh gives the "GREEN" signal from the front of the line. This will ensure that all students are safe from moving cars. Parents, please do not move you cars until Coach Pugh motions for you to do so.
• Afternoon: Please place your car rider number in a visible place in your windshield.

WHAT IS THIS ONLINE SCHOOL I'M HEARING ABOUT?

 
Many of us are interested in the virtual school that is now available to children in Limestone County.  We have a few of them here in Elkmont who tried it last year.

SIGNING UP
The sign up process was very easy. I called and talked to one of their representatives and they walked me through the whole application process, step by step.  Once you are accepted, they send you all the materials needed for the school year. If you meet, income requirements, they will send you a loaner laptop to use and a printer. It is all shipped to your doorstep. I was afraid the process would be very long and confusing but it was so easy. We had our approval with two weeks.

Ashley Mcelyea

MORE INFO:
It isn’t a traditional school but a statewide public virtual school for grades K-12 that’s partnering with the Limestone County school district. The school, called Alabama Connections Academy, will offer a “high-quality, rigorous curriculum that is a great fit for many families who are looking for an alternative.

The Limestone County Board of Education in May 2017 agreed to a contract with Connections Education LLC to provide online education services and authorized the opening of Alabama Connections Academy . Though it’s a statewide school, the offices will be at Owens Elementary. 

The program provides the basics, such as language arts, social studies, math, science and languages; electives; honors and advanced placement courses; and reading and math remediation, among other offerings. Alabama-certified teachers are hired for the program, and a state-approved curriculum is used. Students are required to take the same state tests as traditional public school students.  As part of the program, a student must have an identified "learning coach," a parent or other adult, to help monitor student attendance, verify classwork and communicate with teachers. Administrators and teachers communicate with students through phone calls, webmail and person-to-person and live classroom sessions.

“There will always be a need for traditional bricks-and-mortar schools,” Limestone County Schools Superintendent Tom Sisk said. “But this partnership with Connections allows us to move a step closer to personalized learning. We get the opportunity to be transformational and be a state leader in virtual learning.”

Decatur Daily Article Link

A REMINDER FROM CHIEF DONNIE - SCHOOL STARTS NEXT WEEK

Be sure to check your speed as you come into downtown Elkmont. Slow down or your wallet could pay the price.   There is too much going on in the middle of town these days to allow us to speed through Elkmont.  Be sure to watch for tractors, lawnmowers, walkers, horses, critters, runners, bikers, cheese lovers as well as "what was that?".  

 

 These can all be found on or crossing the road.

 

CHIEF DONNIE SAYS.....

A TRAFFIC STUDY BY ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION LAST YEAR ADVISED THAT 3000 VEHICLES TRAVEL THROUGH THE TOWN OF ELKMONT PER DAY DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR.
 
OUR SMALL TOWN HAS BECOME EVEN MORE CONGESTIVE IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.  OVER THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS, I HAVE MADE AN ATTEMPT TO SLOW TRAFFIC DOWN IN THE TOWN AREA BY PRESENCE AND WARNINGS. STARTING IN AUGUST, LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, COUNTY AND STATE WILL BE RUNNING RADAR AND ISSUING CITATIONS......SLOW DOWN IN TOWN......

JUMPIN' CATFISH, FISH FRY COMING SOON

Fish Fry Fundraiser with Elkmont Volunteer Fire Department at the Station (19667 Sandlin Road in Elkmont August 11, starting at 11:00AM until it's gone. Plates will include catfish filet, fries, hush puppies,slaw, drink and dessert for dinner. Carry out plates will be available for pick up beginning at 11:00 a.m. Price is $10.00 per plate. A hot dog plate includes hot dog, french fries, drink, and dessert for $6.00.

BARTON EARL "BIG DADDY" PUGH - OBITUARY

Barton Earl Pugh “Big Daddy” age 70 of Athens, passed away Wednesday, August 1, 2018 at Huntsville Hospital. Mr. Pugh was born November 1, 1947 in Limestone County, AL to Earlie Lee Pugh and Ivis McLemore Pugh.  He loved hunting, fishing, family and his grandchildren was his pride and joy.
 
Services will be Saturday, August 4, 2018 10:00 a.m., at Limestone Chapel Funeral Home with Will Beutjer, Johnny Grisham, Shane Rice and Grant Stackhouse officiating. Visitation will be Friday, August 3, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery in Good Springs, AL.

Preceded in death by his parents, Earlie Lee Pugh and Ivis McLemore Pugh; brothers, Jack Wayne Pugh and Jimmie M. Pugh.

Survived by his wife of 28 years, Pat “Nana” Pugh of Athens; four sons, Jerome Pugh and wife, Dana of Elkmont, David Pugh, Justin Harris and wife, Ashley and Damian Pugh all of Athens; four daughters, Samantha Owens and husband, Chad of Ardmore, AL, Jennifer Harris of Tallahassee, Fl, Jacqueline Shaver of LaGrange, GA and Kimberly Ferrell Harris of Athens; nine grandchildren, Morgan Pugh, Jobey Pugh, Braden Owens, Cooper Owens, Kristin Cohn, Hailee Shaver, Jenzleigh Dickerson, Lexie Harris and Sadie Jo Harris; six great-grandchildren; one sister, Charlotte Delarorsa; several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Jackie Looney, Jeremy White, Dewayne white, Phillip Steele, Johnny Grisham and Patrick Chitam. Honorary pallbearers will be Tim Dawes and Shane Rice.

In lieu of flowers make memorials to Wisher for Warriors, Online: wishes for warriors.org or 2881 South Teddy Ave. Meridian, ID 83642.