Dr. Nicole Evans Jones, Toomer principal, children and families planting elm tree donated by Trees Atlanta.
Transition and bonding events are taking place throughout APS to welcome new families redistricted recently following the 2011-2012 Demographic and Capacity Study. Particular attention was given recently by the parents and staff at Fred Armon Toomer Elementary to new students from East Lake and Whitefoord Elementary.
Ebony Henry, mother of Braelen Dory, rising 2nd grader from East Lake said, “Happiness is about loving what you have and three communities coming together will result in an awesome school.” The Open House and Family Fun Day on May 17th hosted by Toomer Elementary for new families from East Lake and Whitefoord was well organized and exciting for all. Toomer’s principal, Dr. Nicole Evans Jones and East Lake’s interim principal, Mary Benton, began the Open House welcoming the children and their families. Toomer’s teachers guided the famileis on a school tour, followed by visiting the classroom of their upcoming grade level.
Ellen Buettner, mother of Sophia Buettner, rising Toomer 3rd grader said, “The open house was so well organized. I think the students liked being able to go off to visit the classrooms by themselves. They were a little shy at first with the teachers, but most warmed up pretty quickly. It’s going to be a great school year at Toomer with all these great families!”
Engaging, hands-on activities facilitated by Toomer’s teachers allowed the children to get a sneak peek into the grade level curriculum of their upcoming school year. Make-and-take projects were created to provide the children with souvenirs from their inaugural visit to Toomer Elementary.
Highlighting the conclusion of the event was a tree planting ceremony to commemorate the new family of Toomer Elementary, which combines Toomer Elementary, East Lake, and a portion of Whitefoord Elemetary school families. Trees Atlanta donated an elm tree planted on the playground by the children and Toomer’s principal. “It will grow to over 30 feet tall and provide shade as kids play and learn, which symbolizes the growing family we are beginning,” said Jones. The children were so enthusiastic to help Toomer’s principal plant the tree and play in the dirt!
Via Smith, mother of Kelvin Simmons, rising 4th grader from East Lake Elementary said, “Transition is defined as the process of changing from one state to another. After tonight, I feel the transition from East Lake to Toomer will be a smooth one.”
To further the bond and strengthen the new school community of Toomer Elementary School, the open house was followed by two weekend events. The students and families from all schools were invited on Saturday to attend the annual Kirkwood Spring Fling, sponsored by the Kirkwood Neighborhood Organization, and on Sunday, the East Lake Schools Coalition hosted an ice cream social at the East Lake Community Learning Garden.
New to Toomer Elementary? Returning student?
View the 2012-2013 School Supply List posted on the school’s website.
