Week of August 18th

📷This Week's SPARKle Moments

📅Calendar

    • 8/18-8/29 - MAP Growth Window

    • 8/21 - Curriculum Night 5:30-7pm (Parents Only Please)

    • 8/25-9/5 - Dyslexia Screener Window

    • 9/5 - Grandfriends Luncheon 

    • 9/13 - SPARK Night at Atlanta United

    • 9/25 - Pastries with Parents Grades PK-2: September 25th @ 7:15 - 7:45 AM

    • 9/26 - Pastries with Parents Grades 3-5: September 26th @ 7:15 - 7:45 AM

📣Announcements

  • SPAS Extras

    If you have registered your child for any SPAS Extras, please communicate with your child’s homeroom teacher their updated dismissal schedule.  Remember that SPAS Extras begin the week of September 8th and conclude the week of December 1st.  

    Still have questions? Email Beth Geurin, Extracurricular Programs Director at beth@myafterschoolprogram.com

    SPARK Clubs

    Did you know SPARK Clubs are facilitated by our amazing teachers after their regular workday? These clubs are designed to enrich your child’s learning experience through creative, academic, and leadership opportunities.

    ⚠️ Due to staffing and capacity limits, not all students who apply may be selected. Club sponsors will reach out to confirm acceptance. Please refer to the individual club interest forms for selection criteria.

    🎨 Art Club

    • When: Mondays from 2:30 - 3:30 
    • Who: First semester (August-December) will include students in 3rd-5th grades. The second semester (January-May) will include students in K-2nd grades.
    • Interest Form: CLICK HERE
    • Contact: Ms. Rannals — Madison.Rannals1@apsk12.org

     

    📏 Math Club

     

    📸 Yearbook Committee

     

    🧪 Science Olympiad 

     

    📚 Picture Book Reading Bowl 

     

    ✏️ Writing Club

     

    📚 Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl 

     

    🎵 Advanced Chorus

    • When: Fridays from 2:30 - 4:30 + Evening Events (Ends in May)
    • Grades: 4th & 5th (Motivated 3rd graders welcome!)
    • Interest Form: CLICK HERE 
    • Contact: Mrs. Turgeon — bturgeon@apsk12.org

     

    🕹️ E-Sports Club

    • Who: 3rd - 5th Grade
    • When: Third Thursday of each month from 2:30 - 3:30
    • Start Date: September 18 (Same night as STEAM Night)
    • Interested? Please reach out to Mr. Carter.
    • Contact: Mr. Carter - rlcarter@atlanta.k12.ga.us

     

    🗳️ Student Council

    Dismissal Changes

    For dismissal changes, email your child’s teacher and Ms. Taylor at Odette.Taylor@atlanta.k12.ga.us. All dismissal changes must be requested before 12:00 PM each day. 

    STEAM Advisory Board

    If you are interested in serving on our STEAM Advisory Board this school year, please reach out to Kristin Siembieda at kristin.siembieda@apsk12.org 

    Requirements:

    • Commit to one monthly online meetings
    • Help make decisions and planSTEAM initiatives at SPARK

    STEAM Week Speaker: Do you have a STEAM Career? Would you like to be a STEAM Speaker? Reach out to Kristin Siembieda at kristin.siembieda@apsk12.org

    Curriculum Night

    August 21, 2025

    5:30pm-7:00pm

    We highly encourage only parents/guardians to attend this event.

    Parent of Current Gifted Students - Cafeteria at 5:00pm

    Admin Presentation for all everyone in the Gymnasium at 5:30pm 

    Session 1 @ 6:00pm

    Session 2 @ 6:30pm

    Bus Routes

    As a friendly reminder, bus routes have been updated for the 25-26 school year. Click here to locate your child’s route. Want updates on your child’s school bus? Download the Remind app and join your child’s bus group using the code below: 

    🟢 Route 3010 – @SPARKE3010

    🟢 Route 3012 – @SPARKE3012

    🟢 Route 3013 – @SPARKE3013

    🟢 Route 3015 – @SPARKE3015

    🟢 Route 110 – @SPARKE110

    *There are all NEW Remind codes for this year. If you joined previous years, you will need to join using this year’s code. 

    SPARK @ ATL United

    Friday, September 13

    7:30 PM

    Join your fellow SPARK families for an unforgettable night of school spirit and soccer excitement as we cheer on Atlanta United — together as a community! Click here to purchase tickets. 

    Grandparents & Grandfriends Day

    September 5, 2025 

    @ Your child’s regularly scheduled lunchtime

    Bring someone who is GRAND to you and join us for some GRAND fun! Bring your lunch to join your student on September 5th during their regular lunch time. Fill out THIS form to RSVP! Questions? Reach out to our school counselor, Mr. Carter! rlcarter@apsk12.org 

    Pastries with Parents 

    Thursday, September 25, 2025 - PK through 2nd 

    7:15am to 7:45am

    Friday, September 26, 2025 - 3rd through 5th

    7:15am to 7:45am

    This is an opportunity for parents and guardians to come to the school between 7:15am-7:45am.  During this time you will have an opportunity to see a work sample that your child is proud of from the first month of the school year, their STEAM journal, and enjoy a special treat with them!  

    SPARK STEAM Week

    Monday, September 15-19

    SPARK STEAM Night 

    5:00pm-7:00pm

    Thursday, September 18, 2025

    Join us for our annual STEAM Night featuring a variety of STEAM events!  Look for more information from PTO regarding purchasing dinner for the evening and volunteer opportunities. 

💚 A Message from Your Principal

  • Dear SPARK Families,

    The first ten days of the school year have been nothing short of magical! Your children have brought joy, curiosity, and energy into our classrooms, and we are so grateful for your partnership in starting the year strong.

    As a reminder, at SPARK, the safety of our students and staff is always our top priority. We hold regularly scheduled drills to practice safety routines, ensuring students are familiar with them should they ever be needed. We know these topics can sometimes feel stressful, so we take great care to present them in a developmentally appropriate way while still reinforcing their importance. For added safety, we do not share the specific dates or procedures for these drills—but please know they are happening regularly and intentionally.

    In addition to drills, we have daily safety measures in place for all visitors. Anyone entering the building during the instructional day must come through the front office and scan a valid, state-issued ID. This system checks all visitors through a secure database, alerting our staff to any potential concerns. Because of this process, we recommend allowing extra time when visiting to meet with a teacher or to join your child for lunch.

    Speaking of lunch, we love welcoming families to share this special time with their child! We have reserved tables at the back of the cafeteria just for these visits. To help us maintain a safe and smooth schedule for all students, please check in at the front office and plan your visit during your child’s regularly scheduled lunchtime. This way, you can enjoy a sweet moment together while also ensuring that instructional time remains uninterrupted.

    We are also excited to see you at Curriculum Night on Thursday, August 21:

    • 5:00 PM – GATE Parent Meeting in the cafeteria (please enter through the cafeteria courtyard)

    • 5:30 PM – Doors open for all families (please enter through the gym side door)

    • 5:30–6:00 PM – Opening presentation in the gym

    • 6:00 PM – Classroom/Team presentations:

      • 3rd Grade will present as a team in the cafeteria

      • 5th Grade will present as a team in the gym

      • All other grades will meet in their classrooms

      • If you have a 5th grader and a student in another grade, please attend the 5th grade presentation first.

    Our PTO will also be on site with SPARK Spirit merchandise for the next Spirit Day and will be happy to help you join PTO. SPARK’s strong tradition of community support exists because of YOU! Whether you can help shelve books in the media center or coordinate a large community event, there’s a place for your time and talents.

    If you’d like to volunteer with students in the building, please complete your Level 3 volunteer clearance request here: SPARK Volunteer Clearance Request. This will start the process, and Mrs. Taylor, our amazing Front Desk Clerk, will follow up with the next steps.

    Thank you again for making the first two weeks of the school year such a resounding success. We deeply value your partnership in ensuring our Dragons have the absolute best in all things!

    With gratitude,
    Dr. Jennifer Toney
    Principal
    Springdale Park Elementary School