MES Leadership Blog
Brian Baron
Happy last 5 and a half weeks of the school year!
GEORGIA MILESTONES (GMAS)
Quick reminder that GMAS End of Grade assessments begin Monday, April 27th. Due to the security of the assessments, we will not have visitors inside of the building from Monday 4/27 through Wednesday 5/13. Thank you for your understanding! 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade families - be on the lookout for a second message that will have a letter regarding GMAS.
POWER UP MIDTOWN CLUSTER SUMMER SCHOOL
Midtown Cluster Power Up Summer School registration is now underway! We will be hosting Summer School for rising 1st-5th grade students as well as APS Rising Kinder Camp! Click here for information and for registration: https://morningside.atlantapublicschools.us/teaching-and-learning/2026-midtown-cluster-power-up
GOTEAM ELECTIONS
Voting is currently OPEN for the 2026 GO Team elections! Please help spread the word to your school community and encourage parents and school staff to CAST THEIR VOTE! You can find resources here.
Each household will receive its voting link through email, text message, and/or mailed flyer; households have one vote for each school where they have at least one student enrolled. Staff members will receive their links at their APS email address. Find more information about the election and candidates at apsstrongschools.com.
If you cannot find your message for voting:
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Search your Inbox for an email from ElectionBuddy. Sometimes emails from the district's vendor are put in another folder (Promotions, Junk, Spam, etc.).
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Search your phone for text messages from APS GO Team. If your cell number is in Infinite Campus, you would have received a link through text.
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Check with any other guardians in the house to see if they received the link. There is only one vote per household; not every guardian will receive a link.
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If you still don’t see your ballot link, you can request it here.
APS BUDGET SURVEY - Open Through TOMORROW (April 17th)
Please take a moment to read this message from APS!
Your voice is needed now. Atlanta Public Schools is making important decisions about how to prioritize funding for our schools, and your input will help guide those choices.
From academic programs and student support to staffing and school operations, the decisions we make today will directly impact our classrooms and our students’ future.
Please take a few minutes to complete the Budget Prioritization Survey:
This survey will close on April 17, 2026 and takes just a few minutes to complete, but your feedback will play a critical role in shaping how we invest in Atlanta Public Schools moving forward. We encourage you to complete the survey as soon as possible to ensure your voice is heard. Thank you for your continued partnership and support of our students.
#DolphinsAllIn
Until Next Time,
Warmly,
Brian Baron
Brian Baron
It's amazing how fast this year is flying by! Spring Break is at our heels...
A few items for today's blog:
1) CLASS PLACEMENT FORM - DEADLINE IS TODAY!!!!!!!
Families have the opportunity to provide some input on the form linked here to help inform teachers on class placements. NOTE: The deadline for this year's form is TODAY, APRIL 3, 2026 at 3:00 PM. No forms will be accepted after that date, no exceptions. THANK YOU!
2) STAFFING UPDATE
- Our new Pre-K classroom
- Congrats to Erin Wicker who has been recommended for hire as our Pre-K teacher!!
- Congrats to Seketha Wilson who has been recommended for hire as our Pre-K para!!
- Breaking News to share: With much reflection toward her decision, Nurse Petty will be retiring at the end of this school year. We will celebrate her together on Tuesday, May 26th!!!!
TEACHER OF THE YEAR AND SUPPORT PERSON OF THE YEAR
Congratulations to 3rd Grade Teacher, Amelia Morel, for earning the honor of our 2026-2027 Teacher of the Year!
Congratulations to our Exceptional Education Lead Teacher (and 504 Coordinator) Brenda Hallman, for earning the honor of being our 2026-2027 Support Person of the Year.
CAFFEINE CONNECTION - THURSDAY, APRIL 16th, 8:00 AM (last one!)
In this caffeine connection, I will focus on staffing updates, Pre-K, and summer info.
GOTEAM ELECTIONS
GOTeam candidate declarations are now available. Voting will take place April 15–24 immediately following Spring Break. Please be sure to vote!
Each APS household will receive its unique ballot link via email and/or text message, based on the contact information listed in Infinite Campus. Households without a phone number or email address on file will receive their ballot link by mail at the address on record.
Take a look at our candidates here: Morningside GOTeam Candidates
SPRING BREAK
I want to wish all MES Dolphin Families a very safe Spring Break. No matter what you have planned for next week, enjoy the time together!! We will see everyone Monday, April 13th!
Until Next Time...
Warmly,
Brian Baron
Brian Baron
One week to go until Spring Break! Please make sure that our Dolphins are here the entire week as we approach break! Thank you!!
1) STAFFING UPDATES:
I am thrilled to share some staffing updates for the 26-27 school year!
- Ms. Ellison will join the support team in the role of our newest reading and math support teacher, serving students identified through MAP performance, GMAS performance, and overall teacher request for additional support for kids!
- Mr. Espinosa will join 4th grade teaching Math and Science, teaming up with Dr. Rhodes teaching ELA and Social Studies.
- Mr. White will join the 4th grade teaching writing through social studies and science, teaming up with Ms. Cherry and Ms. Ahmed.
- Mrs. Khalili will join 5th grade teaching ELA and Social Studies, teaming up with Mr. Shivani.
- Mrs. Milam will join 5th grade teaching Math, teaming up with Mrs. Tyner and Ms. Mallory.
- Also thrilled to announce that Ms. Monica Williams has been recommended for hire as our new School Business Manager, shifting from her current Bookkeeper role.
- Lastly, Mrs. Nelson has been recommended for hire as our Signature Program (STEAM)Instructional Coach.
Excited for all of our staff shifts to shine with their expertise!
2) CLASS PLACEMENT INPUT FORMS:
Please complete the Parent Input Forms for the 2026-2027 school year BEFORE April 3 (this is a firm deadline!) The form will close and stop accepting responses at 3PM on that date.Please spread the word about the deadline! Remember: there are no teacher requests - this form is to help inform placements.
3) POWER UP MIDTOWN CLUSTER SUMMER SCHOOL:
Midtown Cluster Power Up Summer School registration is now underway! We will be hosting Summer School for rising 1st-5th grade students as well as APS Rising Kinder Camp! Click here for information: https://morningside.atlantapublicschools.us/teaching-and-learning/2026-midtown-cluster-power-up
Brian Baron
Mid-Week Blog!
PARKING AT HAYGOOD CHURCH TOMORROW (3/19):
Please note that there is a large scale funeral being held at Haygood tomorrow during the day. As such, if you are visiting Morningside tomorrow, please make alternative plans for parking other than at Haygood as the lot will be closed for MES. Thank you!
CLASS PLACEMENT FORMS:
Can you believe it is almost time to begin our class placements for the 2026-2027 school year?! Families are afforded the opportunity to provide some input on the form linked here to help inform teachers on class placements. NOTE: The deadline for this year's form is FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2026 at 3:00 PM. This year, there will be no forms accepted after that date, no exceptions. This form is being shared with just shy of three weeks notice … so don't put it off! I will remind you on several occasions that the deadline is approaching! You can find the form here: https://forms.gle/upqr449zkBU7bb8r8
PTA SPRING AUCTION:
Don't forget that the deadline to purchase ATown Affair & Auction tickets is quickly approaching! Don’t miss this premier community event on March 28. For an extra special experience, check out the VIP package. Please know that it is because of each of you as volunteers, financial donors, and general enthusiasts for Morningside that we are able to continue to make MES a vibrant and memorable experience for our students, staff, and families.
VIP guests receive an exclusive invitation to the Sponsorship Reception from 6-7pm, featuring an open premium bar, delicious appetizers, and a special raffle. Enjoy live music, an auction sneak peek, and dedicated VIP bar access all night. Secure your spot today! Purchase Tickets Today
GEORGIA MILESTONES SPRING ASSESSMENTS:
Georgia Milestones is quickly approaching! Please note the schedule for assessment below. We ask that you make every effort to have your Dolphin present at school each day of testing in order for us to minimalize make-up sessions at the tail end of the window. NOTE: There will be no visitors to the building from Monday, April 27th through Wednesday, May 13th due to testing materials inside of the building. Thank you for understanding!
3rd and 5th Grade
Monday, 4/27: 3rd and 5th Grade ELA Section 1
Tuesday, 4/28: 3rd and 5th Grade ELA Section 2
Wednesday, 4/29: 3rd and 5th Grade ELA Section 3
Thursday, 4/30: 3rd and 5th Grade MATH Section 1
Friday, 5/1: 3rd and 5th Grade Math Section 2
4th Grade (and 5th Science)
Monday, 5/4: 4th Grade ELA Section 1 AND 5th Grade Science
Tuesday, 5/5: 4th Grade ELA Section 2
Wednesday, 5/6: 4th Grade ELA Section 3
Thursday, 5/7: 4th Grade MATH Section 1
Friday, 5/8: 4th Grade Math Section 2
Until Next Time...
Warmly,
Brian Baron
Brian Baron
Greetings all! Quick blog this week!
1) EARLY RELEASE DAY - MONDAY, MARCH 16th
Arrival time to school is as usual. Students will be able to eat breakfast and lunch at school prior to dismissal. Please note that there will be no specials classes this day. Dismissal processes will occur beginning at 11:00 and will run in usual order: Walkers: K, 1, 2 - 11:00 - 11:15. Buses will load at 11:15, car line will begin right after car line.
2) ASSESSMENTS
MAP assessments (K-5) will run from March 23 - April 3
AMIRA Screener (K-3) will run from March 23 - April 3
3) REMINDER: GEORGIA SCHOOL CLIMATE SURVEY - Last call to participate!!!
This survey is super important for hearing family voice as we want to hear your feedback!! Survey is anonymous and takes 10-15 minutes. We can only get better when we hear the voices that share all aspects of our school culture! Click HERE to access the survey. It does not take long to make a huge impact on our school climate rating. We need your help by participating in the survey. Thank you!!
Until Next Time...
Warmly,
Brian Baron