Calhoun Early Learning Academy

CELA Student/Parent Communicator

Week of August 4th-8th

Welcome to the Calhoun Early Learning Academy

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AM Drop-Off Information

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Use BOTH lanes for drop-off 

(see signage and follow directions from staff)

You're welcome to park and walk your child in on the first day of school to snap a quick photo and share one last big hug 😊.

If you prefer, our car line will also be open from 7:00–7:30 AM on the first day for a smooth and quick drop-off.

  • 7:30-7:45 - Kindergarten Blue Hall

    (Giraffes, Flamingos, Otters, Parrots, Octopus, Bunnies, Pigs, and Geckos)

  • 7:45-8:00 -Kindergarten Red Hall

    (Dogs, Elephants, Crocs, Llamas, Dragonflies, Starfish, and Turtles)

  • 8:00-8:15 -Pre-K Yellow hallway

    (Bears, Bats, Cats, Owls, Ducks, Sloths)

  • 8:15-8:30 - Pre-K Green hallway

    (Lizards, Fish, Tigers, Foxes, Frogs, Cows)

  • 7:45-8:00 -Junior Jacket Academy

    (Koalas, Bees, Pandas)

PM Pick-Up Information

Kindergarten in Front: Use only the right lane

Make sure the CELA tag with Animal and # is visible from the rearview mirror. Once your child is loaded, use the buckle zone (left lane) as needed


PreK in Back: Dismissal will start after buses leave at 2:05

Make sure the CELA tag with Animal and # is visible from the rearview mirror. Once your child is loaded, use the buckle zone (middle bus lanes) as needed

Do you have one in each grade? Utilize pick-up procedures for your oldest child and younger siblings will be with them.

Bus Updates

Calhoun City Schools (CCS) Bus Transportation Guidelines

  • CCS proudly provides bus transportation for students living within Calhoun city limits.

  • At this time, transportation is not available for out-of-district students.

  • Buses will transport students to and from their home address for safety and consistency.

  • To keep all students safe, we are unable to accommodate requests to ride home with friends.

  • Providing accurate information is important—falsified documents may result in loss of transportation privileges for the year.

  • For safety reasons, buses do not stop at places of business.

  • For emergencies, please contact Douglas Hasty at 706-602-6614 or hastyd@calhounschools.org.

Getting Started with the New Bus App

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Click HERE to get step-by-step instructions

EZ A2B is a school bus transportation app that provides families like yours with accurate, real-time information about their students’ buses. The app is integrated with our transportation management system and helps ensure you’re informed about bus schedules, arrival times, and potential delays or changes.

With EZ A2B, families like yours can:

  • View assigned bus stop locations and pickup/drop-off times

  • Track the bus as it approaches your student’s stop

  • Receive push notifications about delays or route changes

  • Access all your linked students in one account

Communication Updates

We are always working to improve communication, both internally with each other, and externally with the families we serve. We know it can be difficult to keep up with communication through multiple different channels like email, social media, and Remind—especially when it comes to communicating with parents. 

That’s what we’re working to solve. This year we’re adding a new feature called Thrillshare to the Calhoun City Schools app! This tool moves all two-way parent-teacher conversations. It also enables teachers to share classroom announcements and updates in a way that’s much simpler for everyone to keep up with.

Since Thrillshare will exist within our district app, it’s also a chance for us to maintain a cohesive online presence and reinforce our district brand.

Here are just a few Thrillshare Rooms features we think you’re going to love:

  • Two-way messaging with parents, guardians, students, and staff in a monitored, secure space

  • Teachers can share classroom announcements, activities, and send reminders about coursework to families

  • Teachers can upload and store their classroom materials

  • Teachers can record and track student behavior

  • Automatic translation

So, what does all of this mean for you? This means that teachers no longer need multiple tools to keep up with families. We will no longer need to use Remind since we are moving to Thrillshare as our main source of parent-teacher communication. Remind is no longer supported.  Classroom updates and parent-teacher communication will all exist within one comprehensive tool containing our app, social media presence, and website. 

thrillshare
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Positive Behavior = Fun Rewards!

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PBIS stands for Positive Behavior Intervention and Support. This is a nationally recognized program and is (typically) supported through state grants. One of the textbook definitions is:

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a way for schools to set expectations for behavior with the focus and accountability on student management.

At the CELA, our students are encouraged to Be Your Best! That means you know how to:

Be Kind

Show Good Listening

Have a Calm Body

SCHOOL NUTRITION UPDATE

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Help Us Keep Our School Clean & Healthy!

To keep our classrooms clean, we kindly ask that students bring only water or flavored water to school each day. Sugary drinks, sodas, and salty snacks are best saved for special occasions or class rewards.

Thank you for helping us create a safe and healthy learning environment for everyone!

We are excited to inform you about an important update to our School Nutrition program. Students at Calhoun City Schools will have access to free meals through the Community Eligibility Program again this year.

The Community Eligibility Program ensures that every student receives a nutritious breakfast and lunch at no cost, removing any financial barriers to access. Families will no longer need to complete an application for school meal benefits, because all students will be eating for free. This program allows us to provide 1 Breakfast and 1 lunch to students at no charge.

Additional meals will still be available for purchase if a student has money in their account or has cash and/or a check at the time of purchase. A no-charge policy will be in place, as all students will have access to meals. This initiative reflects our commitment to promoting health and well-being among our students by providing consistent access to wholesome meals.

We encourage you to review the updated section on meal services in our student handbook. If you have any questions or need further clarification, please do not hesitate to reach out to our School Nutrition Director, Kim Kiker at (706) 602-6613 or by email at kikerk@calhounschools.org.

Thank you for your support as we continue to prioritize the nutritional needs and educational success of every student at Calhoun City Schools.

Go to www.schoolcafe.com to view monthly menus and manage payments.

Attendance Reminders

We’d like to share a few updates and reminders from the attendance office. (Full details can be found in the student handbook.)

When a student is absent, parents should provide an excuse note or email. These can be sent to celaattendance@calhounschools.org.

After School Childcare-KEEP

After school childcare (KEEP) is available through the Community Education Program. This program is available until 6:00pm every day. All registration and payments must be completed in the online platform before your child can attend.

EZChildTrack

Jacket Fab Lab

Fall in the south means football! The Jacket Fab Lab is helping you get ready with new school spirit earrings. Featuring our Yellow Jacket black and gold, but available in other colors/teams. Choice of helmets, footballs, or team names. All items are available in our online school store. https://calhoun-high-school-jackets-nest-store.square.site/s/shop

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Community Information

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August

CONTACT US:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/calhoun.schools

Twitter: @CalhounSchools

Address: 380 Barrett Rd. Calhoun, GA 30701

Phone: 706-629-6563

Website: www.calhounschools.org

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We have an anonymous reporting system that allows students to report things like bullying, safety concerns, or other issues without giving their name. They can use a phone app or a website anytime—24/7.

The app is easy for students to use. When a report is made, school staff (like administrators, counselors, or safety officers) are notified right away so they can look into the situation and help quickly.

To send a report from your phone:

  • Download the Anonymous Alerts® app for free from the Apple Store, Google Play store, or the Chrome store

  • Start the App, enter activation code: calhouncs

  • Send important reports to school officials

  • Add a screenshot, photo or video about the incident

great to be