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WEBSITE OUTAGE
(Updated On: 11/14/08)

Parents, please be aware that the CCSD data center has scheduled an upgrade for the week of Thanksgiving. This means that  you will not be able to access this site, the Cobb Virtual Library, or iParent. Regular service will be restored as soon as possible.

MATH PARENT NIGHT
(Updated On: 11/12/09)

Parents, come join a panel of CC Educators to learn more
about the rigor of the GA math curricula and options for advanced/or gifted students. This learning opportunity for parents is provided by the Cobb Chapter of the Georgia Association for Gifted Children and the Cobb County School District.

The event will be held at Dodgen Middle School on Monday, November 17th at 6:30 pm.

SCOLIOSIS SCREENING
(Updated On: 11/6/08)

On Thursday and Friday, November 20 & 21, 6th and 8th grade students will participate in the state-wide scoliosis screening program to identify students with signs of a possible abnormal curvature of the spine. More information is available HERE.

CRCT STUDY GUIDES
(Updated On: 10/24/08)

Did you know that CRCT Study Guides 2008 are posted to the GaDOE website on the CRCT home page?

There is a student study guide for each grade level that provides an overview, test-taking strategies, preparation hints, and even practice questions.

And, of particular interest is the section on Reading in each grade level. Click HERE for the guides.

YEARBOOKS
(Updated On: 10/23/08)

Yearbooks are purchased through the Jostens yearbook company.  No sales will be made at school.  The cost of the yearbook is $35.  You may access the site by going to www.jostens.com.

HTMS FOUNDATION HOLIDAY SHOPPE
(Updated On: 10/22/08)

This year's HTMS Foundation Holiday Shoppe will be held on November 15, 2008. It will begin at 10:00 am and last until 3:00 pm. Be sure to check back here for more details as they become available.

RELAY FOR LIFE
(Updated On: 9/11/08)

Hightower students will again be participating in this year's Relay for Life. Their website is up and running with all of the information. Click HERE for details.

CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
(Updated On: 9/11/08)

Hightower would like to congratulate Ms. Bev Sharp, our Food Services Manager, as our Classified Employee of the Year. She works hard to make sure that our students have a delicious, healthy lunch each day. Thank you Ms. Sharp!

HTMS MATHCOUNTS AWARD
(Updated On: 4/1/08)

Hightower's MathCounts club was just awarded Gold Level status based on their performance on the most recent Ultimate Math Challenges (UMC). This is a fantastic achievement, and we are proud of everyone who contributed. Be sure to look for the banner recognizing their accomplishment!

CELL PHONE POLICY
(Updated on: 2/22/08)

Safety and security are basic human needs. In school that means no significant learning takes place if a child does not feel safe and secure. Although both home and school need to provide safety for students, schools now face dealing with the dangers associated with cyberspace. With the popularity of video cell phones, text messaging, and the internet; students often spend more time on electronics than they do on physical activities. Additionally, they seldom comprehend the repercussions that can occur from posting to My Space, Face Book, or revealing personal information about themselves or others on the internet.

Hightower Trail, like other schools, has experienced an increase in discipline related to cyber bullying, the use of the internet or mobile devices for sending hurtful messages or for demeaning others. Although the district’s firewall policy prevents students from accessing My Space and Face Book at school, the results of these activities have carried over from use on home computers. Students bring to school instant messages that they have printed from home and share what they have read about other students. This causes hurt feelings and disruptions to the school day. Students have also used their cell phones to video unaware students. Some student videos have been posted on You Tube. Students are also sharing personal information on the internet, such as photos, birth dates, phone numbers, and identifiable information about themselves and others. It is important that we are proactive in addressing this ever-increasing issue. Therefore, beginning Monday, February 25th, students will be expected to leave all electronic devices in their lockers upon arrival to school. They may retrieve them from the lockers at the end of the school day. Any electronic devices not in lockers will be taken up by teachers and turned in to grade-level administrators. Parents will need to come to school to pick up these. Please assist us by reminding your child of this change in procedure beginning Monday. Please monitor your child’s activity with video cell phones, text messaging, and internet postings; and discuss with your child the importance of refraining from posting personal information or from involvement with any form of cyber bullying.

Let us know if there is any way in which we can help you.

HUSKY FOUNDATION SITE
(Updated on: 2/15/08)

Hightower's new Husky Foundation has announced the launch of their new website. There is plenty of good information, so take a moment to check it out:

http://www.huskyfoundation.org

HTMS HONORED BY DISTRICT
(Updated on: 1/29/08)

Hightower Trail was one of only 10 middle schools to  meet the required criteria for inclusion in Cobb County's Advanced Placement Certified Schools (APCS) program. The APCS program began in 2004 as a means of making challenging honors and AP classes accessible to more students and support high achievement in their course work.

NEW GRADUATION RULES
(Updated on 1/18/08)

Parents, are you up-to-date on the changes to the graduation rules? Cobb County has posted some helpful information HERE. You'll also receive more information at your parent-teacher conference.

SILVER STATE AWARD
(Updated 10/31/07)

Hightower has just been awarded Georgia's Silver Award for Student Achievement. The awards are based on student performance on the 2006-07 CRCT tests (for elementary and middle schools) or the Georgia High School Graduation Tests (for high schools), state assessments that help determine a school’s status under federal No Child Left Behind standards.

Each award has four honor levels – Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze – that correspond to a school’s consistent performance and Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status.

Congratulations also go to: Shallowford Falls and Tritt elementary for the Platinum award, Murdock elementary for the Gold award, Pope for the Silver award and Mountain View for the Bronze award. Additional information is available at The Governor’s Office for Student Achievement Web site at http://www.gaosa.org.

iPARENT ASSISTANCE
(Updated 9/10/07)

Help is still available if you are having iParent login issues. Contact the front office and they will either connect you to Dr. Lombardi (if he's available) or take your contact information so that he can call you back.

If you have not yet set up your account, you will need to bring a signed copy of THIS FORM with you when you come to pick up your access code.