HUSKY HEADLINES February 1, 2018

Important Dates

February 1 Kick Off Hearts from Hightower

February 2 CONCERT: Orchestra 5:00 Progress Reports posted on ParentVUE Spirit Day: Super Bowl

February 5 8th Grade Parent Meeting AT POPE

February 5 – 9 National School Counselor Week

February 6 Spirit Night at Jet’s Pizza

February 9 Fresh Fruit Friday

February 13 School Council Meeting 7:45

February 14 Happy Valentine’s Day Spirit Day: Wear Red!

February 16 Spirit Day: High Attendance Day Quarters for a Cause

February 19 - 23 NO SCHOOL – FEBRUARY BREAK

February 27 Kick Off Hoop It Up CONCERT: 7th/8th Chamber Orchestra AT POPE

From the County

KEY FACTS ABOUT INFLUENZA (FLU) https://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm

What is Influenza (also called Flu)? The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year.

Signs and Symptoms of Flu People who have the flu often feel some or all of these signs and symptoms that usually start suddenly, not gradually:

Fever* or feeling feverish/chills Cough Sore throat Runny or stuffy nose Muscle or body aches Headaches Fatigue (very tired) Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in

young children than in adults. *It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

How Flu Spreads Most experts believe that flu viruses spread mainly by tiny droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Less often, a person might also get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.

Period of Contagiousness You may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Although people with the flu are most contagious in the first 3-4 days after their illness begins, some otherwise healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick. Some people, especially young children and people with weakened immune systems, might be able to infect others with flu viruses for an even longer time.

Onset of Symptoms The time from when a person is exposed to flu virus and infected to when symptoms begin is about 1 to 4 days, with an average of about 2 days.

Regardless of Tamiflu students and staff are encouraged to stay home when sick with the flu (5-7 days).

You Can Help Stop the Spread of the Flu Virus http://www.cobbk12.org/centraloffice/studentsupport/schoolhealth/flu.aspx The Flu What to Do if you get sick - https://www.cdc.gov/flu/takingcare.htm SCHOOL CHOICE (HB 251) TRANSFERS- 2018-19 SCHOOL CHOICE The Cobb County School District is again offering School Choice (HB 251) transfers for the 2018-2019 school year. Individual school capacity information and applications will be available beginning February 5, 2018 on the District website. For more information, please see our 2018-19 School Choice webpage. Deadline for applying is Wednesday, February 28, 2018.

The web address for the link is: http://www.cobbk12.org/generalinfo/transfers/schoolchoice.aspx GEORGIA PARENT SURVEY Parents, this survey is part of the State of Georgia evaluation criteria for the climate portion of the CCRPI score. We ask that you STOP AND TAKE A FEW MINUTES RIGHT NOW to complete this survey for Hightower Trail Middle School. The state requires a certain level of participation in the survey for HTMS to receive a satisfactory rating. Thank you for taking the time to complete this. We value your input.

The Georgia Parent Survey is modeled after the student survey and contains 24 questions. Parents may complete the survey using their personal computer, smartphone or tablet. For parents that do not have access to the internet, please contact a school administrator to schedule a date and time to complete the Georgia Parent Survey at HTMS. You are encouraged to participate in the Georgia Parent Survey because the data will be used as part of the calculation of the School Climate Star Rating. Survey responses are anonymous and will be submitted directly to the Georgia Department of Education for analysis. The Georgia Parent Survey is also available in Spanish. Parents may select the Spanish version within the survey. Results from the Georgia Parent Survey will not be available to the public and will not be posted online.

Georgia Parent Survey: http://gshs.gadoe.org/parents

School News

WELCOME TO THE TRAIL OFFICER QUAN Major Jerry Quan, Cobb County Police Department Police Precinct 4 Commander retired on January 26, 2018. He has served Cobb County valiantly for 29 years. During his service, he oversaw 65 police officers, detectives, and administrative staff. Major Quan received the 2016 East Cobb Citizen of the Year Award in front of many of the citizen and business owners he served.

Jerry Quan was born in Jacksonville, Florida. Quan and his family moved to Cobb in the mid-1960s, when he was about 5 years old. After graduating from South Cobb High School, he attended Kennesaw State University before joining the US. Marines Corps. Major Quan joined Cobb Police in 1989. Before becoming head of Precinct Four, he was the Commander of Precinct One for five years. Major Quan lives in East Cobb with his wife, Lydia, and stepson, Ryan. He also has a daughter Jenny.

We are honored and delighted to have Officer Quan join the Hightower Trail family!

SPIRIT NIGHT: JET’S PIZZA Join us at Jet’s Pizza on Tuesday, February 6 from 5:00 – 8:00 for our next Spirit Night! Hightower Trail will receive 10% of the sales when you mention HTMS. This is only for take-out and does not include delivery. Jet’s is located at the corner of Shallowford Rd and Johnson Ferry Rd in the Publix shopping center beside MOEs. Pick up pizza for the entire family and don’t forget to mention that it is for Hightower Trail!!!

BOX TOPS CLASSROOM COMPETITION

Collect Box Tops from now until Friday, February 16, the last day before the February break! The winning classroom per grade level will receive a donut breakfast and the teacher will receive a jeans pass! Start clipping today!!!

1 – Make sure the Box Tops have not expired! 2 – Trim neatly and as close as possible. 3 – Count out 50. 4 – Get a snack sized baggie. 5 – Legibly write your name and your homeroom teacher’s name on the baggie. 6 – Turn in to your homeroom teacher by Friday, February 16.

COBB REGIONAL TECHNOLOGY CONTEST Congratulations to the following students who competed this past weekend at the Cobb Regional Technology Contest. We are proud to have them represent HTMS!

Ann R in 6th grade competed in the Digital Photo Production category. Hogan M in 7th grade competed in the Video Production category. Anna M and Allison C in 6th grade competed in the animation category. GET YOUR SMOOOOTHIES!!! Smoothies are sold Thursday mornings in the atrium at 8:45 beginning. The cost is $3.00. Correct change is appreciated. Funds collected are used for student recognition and student instructional materials. Thank you for supporting Hightower Trail Middle School students.

THE CODER SCHOOL is coming to Hightower Trail! Look for details soon!

From the Husky Foundation

HTMS JUNE CAMP SURVEY MONKEY Is your student interested in attending a June Camp at Hightower Trail?!? Morning Camp? Afternoon Camp? All Day?

Dates (All classes are Monday – Thursday) Week 1: June 4 – 7 Week 2: June 11 – 14 Week 3: June 18 – 22 Week 4: June 25 – 28

Hours AM Session: 9:00 – 12:00 PM Session: 1:00 – 4:00

Click https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QN6KYGZ to take a brief survey to determine if there is interest in a summer camp for rising 6th through 9th graders. The survey will also be on the HTMS website, so spread the word to parents of current 5th graders who may be interested! Your feedback is very important!

From the PTSA

PTSA GENERAL MEETING Please join us for the next PTSA general meeting on Thursday, February 15 at 11:00am at school. We will be electing our nominating committee for the 2018-19 school year. All are welcome to attend. We hope to see you there! Click HERE to see the agenda for the meeting. Also, the agenda and minutes from our last general meeting are posted on the PTSA website.

25¢ on the 25th – QUARTERS FOR A CAUSE

We ask our students to bring loose or rolled quarters on Friday, February 16 to donate into the grade level containers in the atrium from 8:45am-9:15am. This is the last day before the February break. The grade level to contribute the most will receive 25 spirit points towards the end of year celebration. All donations made will count toward the total for each grade level.

The 7th grade remains in the lead with $588.38! 6th grade is in 2nd place with $510.88 and 8th grade has contributed $364.75.

WISH YOUR STUDENT A HAPPY BIRTHDAY ON THE SCHOOL SIGN! Want to wish your student a “Happy Birthday” on the HTMS sign? It’s easy and your child will love it! Just click HERE, log in to the PTSA website and complete the online form. You may pay online or bring a check to the school. The deadline is the 25th of the month PRIOR to the birthday month; however, you complete the form earlier than the month before and the message will run when you choose. The message will run all day on the child’s birthday (or other date you select), and makes for a great photo op! HEALTH AND WELLNESS COMMITTEE

Grade Level/Connections News

WANTED: BASKETBALL GOALS & TREADMILLS The Hightower P.E. department is expanding their cardio unit in the gym and would gladly accept any rollaway basketball goals that need a new home or perhaps a gently used treadmill that is collecting dust. Please notify Coach Morris or Coach Z at Hightower Trail MS. 770-578-7225. Thanks!

Clubs and Organizations News

Please ask your student to check the rolling announcements for club information. These announcements can also be found under Quick Links on the HTMS website.

HEARTS FROM HIGHTOWER

Hightower Trail Student Council wants YOU to send “hearts” to the patients at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta!

HTMS will be collecting NEW entertainment, reading, and craft items to donate to CHOA from Thursday, February 1 – Friday, February 16.

Students can drop donations into collection boxes around the school and write a heart message of support on Valentine’s Day cards in the atrium beginning February 1.

All items will be delivered to CHOA before the February school break.

Questions? Contact Mrs. Baillie, Student Council advisor at Kirstin.baillie@cobbk12.org

Counseling Department News

NATIONAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH February marks National Black History Month. During this time we will be recognizing the contributions made and the important presence of African Americans to the United States. We will be highlighting these individuals daily over the morning broadcast and throughout the day on the rolling announcements. Share in this special annual tribute by learning and celebrating the generations of African Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society.

NATIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELORS WEEK – FEBRUARY 5 - 9 Thank you to our fabulous Hightower Trail counselors – Mrs. Salzman, 6th grade; Mrs. Norris, 7th grade; Dr. Schmid, 8th grade; and don’t forget Mrs. Walsh our guidance clerk who helps keep the department running smoothly! Thank you all for helping our students and staff on a daily basis!

Mrs. Lara Salzman – 6th Grade Counselor Mrs. Salzman is our 6th grade counselor. She works closely with our 6th grade teachers to deliver classroom lessons that focus on the American School Counseling Associate (ASCA) national model where the focus will be on academic, career and personal/social development of all students. This is Mrs. Salzman’s third year at Hightower Trail Middle School. Prior to Hightower she worked at Barber Middle School for five years. She has a Master of Counseling Education from the University of West Georgia, a Master of Psychology from Radford University and a Masters of Business Administration from Kennesaw State University.

Mrs. Salzman is also a resident of East Cobb with her husband and two children. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, hiking and watching movies.

Mrs. Autumn Westerman – 7th Grade Counselor Mrs. Westerman has always had a passion to serve others. She finds so much joy in empowering, encouraging, and supporting students. This is Mrs. Westerman’s first year at Hightower Trail Middle School and as a Professional School Counselor. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Campbellsville University in Campbellsville Kentucky. Mrs. Westerman has her M.Ed. in K-12 School Counseling from Liberty University in Lynchburg Virginia. Her education and training are based on the American School Counselor Associations (ASCA) National Model Framework.

In her free time, Mrs. Westerman enjoys adventuring- hiking, kayaking, and traveling. She also enjoys Pinterest DIY crafting, reading, running, and spending time with family.

Dr. Travis Schmid – 8th Grade Counselor Dr. Schmid enjoys helping students with High School readiness and to succeed in all their future endeavors. He teaches respect towards others and striving towards personal goals. Dr. Schmid is in his fourth year at Hightower Trail Middle School. His previous experience includes working at Sprayberry High School, Campbell Middle School and Smitha Middle School. He holds several degrees including a Doctor of Education from Kennesaw State University and a Master of Education from Georgia Southern.

Dr. Schmid resides in Canton with his wife. In their free time, they enjoy hiking and traveling. Dr. Schmid also enjoys mountain biking and riding his new Harley.

From the Nurse

The clinic has a direct line! Please enter 770.578.7235 in your phone contacts so that you will know when your student or the nurse is trying to reach you.

Community News

Spirit Night at The Black Swan Tavern: Enjoy the night off from the kitchen and head to East Cobb’s latest hot spot, The Black Swan Tavern, located at 1401 Johnson Ferry Rd, Suite 128 (in the plaza with the Sprint store and Pier 1 in front of Target) on Monday, February 5th 4 - 11 pm. Let them know you’re there in support of the Pope Band and they’ll donate 10% of the proceeds back to the band program. Spread the word to your friends, families and neighbors. Thank you for your support! Swing-n-Sweets Concert: Join us Tuesday, February 13th at 7:30 pm in the Pope cafeteria for our annual Swing-n-Sweets concert featuring the Dodgen Jazz Ensemble, the Pope Swingphonic Jazz Band, the Pope Jazz Ensemble and Mr. Ravan Durr and friends. Admission is $5/person and includes dessert and coffee. Kick off your Valentine’s celebration early! We hope to see you there!