Our School

APS STUDENT ATTENDANCE POLICY DESCRIPTOR CODE: JB 
In support of student success, the Atlanta Board of Education expects students to be present at school and to arrive and depart on time in accordance with the provisions of the Georgia compulsory attendance law. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. §20- 02-0690.1, parents, guardians or other persons having control or charge of students are liable for the students’ attendance in school. In view of the negative effects of excessive student tardiness and absenteeism on student performance, the Board expects local schools to initiate programs to assist students in improving their attendance and punctuality. Furthermore, the Board authorizes the Superintendent to establish administrative regulations to implement this policy. 

Morningside Elementary School recognizes that birthdays are a special day for our students. We must also ensure that parties and celebrations do not disrupt the instructional day or interfere with the health and safety of all of our students. As part of our school wellness program, parents, visitors, staff, and students should not bring food into the school to share with students with the exception of two parties per year. To clarify, parents and visitors cannot bring in birthday cupcakes, donuts, or other treats to share with children on their child’s birthday. This is a part of our strong wellness program. Parents are encouraged to donate a book to the library.

Distributing party invitations to classmates while at school is not permitted. Please utilize the school directory and the USPS. 

Parents are encouraged to have lunch with your child or bring your own child a special treat or special lunch.  Parents are welcome to send in a low-cost non-food treat such as stickers, birthday pencils, tiny fidgets, (no toy weapons of any kind)  etc… Due to latex allergies, we do not do balloons.  

We ask that you not request our teachers or staff to make an exception for your child on his or her birthday.  Making an exception for one child means we must make an exception for all, and that defeats the purpose of the policy. Teachers are also not allowed to distribute private party invitations for students.

APS Meal Viewer - take a look at the menus planned by day at MES

You may fill out an application to check qualification for a free or reduced lunch through the "Federal Eligibility Program – FEA".  Use the FEA Application to apply for eligibility. 

Breakfast is $1.50 and lunch is $3.00.  You can pre-pay for breakfast and/or lunches through MySchoolBucks.

  Register on MySchoolBucks

Breakfast will be served in the MES cafeteria from 7:15am-7:40am.  "Grab & Go" breakfast will be available for students who arrive in the cafe from 7:40 - 7:45am, and students will eat those breakfasts in the classroom. The cafe closes at 7:45am, but any students from late buses will always be accommodated and provided breakfast in the cafe.  Most of our buses are here on time.  We ask our carpool and walker students eating breakfast to please arrive early with the plan to provide time to eat breakfast at school.  At 7:45am, the bell rings and the day officially starts!

All students have a 30 minute lunch time built into the school day as a part of their schedule.  Depending on the lunch time, teachers may allow a snack time where you could pack a healthy snack for your student(s).  Teachers will communicate that information directly with parents.  

APS Nutrition Menu

1. All chaperones are required to arrive at the school and check into Raptor
2. Chaperones must provide their own transportation to and from the field trip venue
3. All students (even chaperones' students) must ride the bus to and from the field trip venue
4. Only pre-determined chaperones may join field trips (While we understand that many parents would like to join a school field trip, trips are not open to all parents paying their own way and meeting the class at the venue). 
5. No student check-outs from field trip venues
6. No student late arrivals to field trip venues

Contributions help pay for the cost of field trip entry fees, field trip transportation, and in-school learning experiences such as High Touch High Tech. 

SchoolCash Online is an easy to use and safe way to pay for your children’s school fees. Now, with a few clicks, you can pay for your child’s yearbook, class trips and so much more from your own home. All you have to do is register an account, attach your children and in no time you will be able to make payments online. SchoolCash Online accepts many different payment forms.

Register at SchoolCash Online

The APS Student Handbook is a summary of policies, laws and regulations that affect students.   The Student Handbook is published on an annual basis.  However, Georgia State laws, Georgia State Board of Education bylaws, and Atlanta Board of Education policies and administrative regulations enacted after the publication of the student handbook shall supersede the statements and references contained in the current publication.  This means that the laws and rules in the handbook are subject to change or may be amended. Please check the Atlanta Public Schools website for the most current version of Georgia State laws, Georgia State Board of Education bylaws, and Atlanta Board of Education policies and administrative regulations.

To ensure that the Lost and Found doesn't become too out of control, our volunteers donate all unclaimed treasures on a monthly basis. Donation dates will be communicated in the Digital Dolphin.

Please note: We never donate anything that is labeled with a student's name! These items are held separately, and we make every effort to return them to their rightful owners. So please label your lunchboxes, backpacks, hoodies, jackets, hats, water bottles, and anything else your child might bring to school with them!

Lost and Found Volunteers

It takes a dedicated crew to keep our Lost and Found under control. The MES PTA coordinates a volunteer crew throughout the year to organize our Lost and Found and pull together the monthly donation piles.

For questions about (or to volunteer with) the Lost and Found, please contact Tiffany Torbert. 
tiffanytorbert@gmail.com