David T. Howard Middle School PTO

07/31/2026

𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗼 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗗.𝗧. 𝗛𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀!

Each of Howard’s parent organizations - PTO, Foundation, and Booster - has a unique mission, and together they make Howard a stronger place for students, teachers, coaches, and families.

- 𝗣𝗧𝗢 builds community and supports the day-to-day student and staff experience.
- 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 invests in academics, technology, and long-term school improvements.
- 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗯 supports athletics and helps ensure every student has access to sports.

🐏 𝗣𝗧𝗢: 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆
The PTO focuses on making Howard a welcoming, connected school community while supporting teachers and staff throughout the year.

Your support helps fund:
- Teacher & staff appreciation
- Rising Ram events and grade-level activities
- Teacher classroom grants
- Parent communication, including the Rams Report
- School culture events like ColorFest
- Field trips and spirit wear

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁: PTO membership is open year-round (https://bit.ly/JOINDTHowardPTO), and donations of any amount are appreciated (suggested donation: $25 per student). There are also many opportunities to volunteer throughout the year.

✏️ 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀
The Foundation funds the important academic and capital needs that aren't covered by the APS budget.

Recent Foundation investments include:
- Curriculum and digital learning tools like BrainPop, Schoology, and CommonLit
- Saturday School academic support
- Additional Chromebooks
- Professional development for teachers
- Guest speakers and school murals
- Building improvements, including the gym sound system and stage curtain

These projects directly enhance the educational experience for every Howard student.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁: The Foundation's annual giving campaign takes place each fall. Make a donation here: https://bit.ly/DTHFoundationDONATE

🏆 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗯: 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗔𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀
The Booster Club helps make athletics accessible for all students by supporting coaches, teams, and athletic programs.

Your support helps:
- Offset sports participation costs
- Purchase equipment and team needs
- Fund gym banners and spirit items
- Support pep rallies and school spirit
- Operate concession stands that benefit athletic programs
- Provide scholarships that help students participate

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁: Look for Booster fundraising opportunities throughout the year, especially concession stand volunteering and athletic events. Make a donation through Zelle -booster.

🎒 𝗪𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗛𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿
Rather than one annual fundraiser, you'll see opportunities to support Howard in different ways throughout the school year:

- 𝗔𝗻𝘆𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲: Join the PTO l Make a donation to Foundation l Volunteer
- 𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗹: Foundation Annual Campaign
- 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿: Student ColorFest (supporting PTO)
- 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿: Staff Holiday Gift Fund
- 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴: Parent Auction (supporting PTO)

Every gift—whether it's your time, talents, or financial support—helps create the Howard experience our students enjoy. Families can choose to support one, two, or all three organizations based on what matters most to them. Together, we truly 𝗚𝗼 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗜𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱.

07/30/2026

If your Rams are interested in participating in sports at Howard Middle School this year, make sure you have completed these three key steps as soon as possible:

✓ 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗦𝗻𝗮𝗽. Coaches and parent organizers use this information to share details about upcoming informational meetings and tryouts!

✓ 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝗮 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗽𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗢𝗻𝗲. Documentation of current physicals is required for students to participate in tryouts!

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Details about all upcoming tryouts can be found on the David T. Howard Middle School Activities page as well as on Team Snap. But here's a quick overview to help with your back to school planning:

📣 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝘁𝗿𝘆𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀 will take place on August 4-6 from 4:30-6pm on the Howard Gym Stage. Contact Coach Joquita Hill ([email protected]) for more details.

2026-27 Cheer Application: https://bit.ly/DTHCheerFall2026

🥎 𝗦𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗿𝘆𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀 will take place on August 4-5 from 5-7pm at Crim Field (256 Clifton Street SE). Contact Coach Matt Thompson ([email protected]) for more details.

Register for softball tryouts: https://bit.ly/DTHSoftball2026

🏐 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗿𝘆𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀 will start with a skills clinic on August 4-5 and tryouts to be held on August 10-11, all from 4:30-6pm in the Howard Gym. Contact Coach Sarah Mathews-Hicks ([email protected]) for more details.

Register for volleyball tryouts: https://bit.ly/DTHVolleyball2026

🏃🏽‍➡️ 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗿𝘆𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀 will take place on August 10 & 12 from 4:30-6pm. Interested participants should meet in the bus lane and come dressed to run. Contact Coach Ben Abernathy ([email protected]) for more details.

🥏 𝗧𝗿𝘆𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗯𝗲𝗲 will follow a staggered schedule, beginning with 6th grade boys on August 10, followed by 7th/8th grade boys on August 11 and all boys & girls on August 12-13. Tryouts will be held at Old 4th Ward Park from 4:30-6:15pm. Contact Coach Otto Depenbrok ([email protected]) for more details.

⚽️ 𝗕𝗼𝘆𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝘆𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀 will take place on August 17-19 from 4:30-6pm at Howard Field. Contact Coach Andrew Asemota ([email protected]) for more details.

Register for soccer tryouts: https://bit.ly/DTHBoysSoccer2026

🎾 𝗧𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝘆𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀 (for boys and girls) were held on July 19. Additional tryouts for tennis can be scheduled directly with Coach Javier Medina ([email protected]) for those that missed the original tryout.

🏈 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝘁𝗿𝘆𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀 were held last spring (only 7th and 8th graders are eligible to play football at Howard) and are not open to additional athletes at this time.

07/29/2026

With the first day of school right around the corner, now is a great time to make sure you're set up with all three of the school's primary communications platforms. It may feel redundant, but each platform serves a slightly different purpose:

𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘀/𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗹

The Infinite Campus Parent Portal is your window into your student's digital school record throughout their time in Atlanta Public School. This portal is used to share important details like school schedules, key documents, and other time-sensitive school-related messages. Please ensure that your family's contact information is up-to-date within the portal so that you don't miss anything!

🔗 Access Infinite Campus/Parent Portal: https://bit.ly/InfiniteCampusDTH

𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱

The Remind platform is used by both David T. Howard admin and some classroom teachers to share timely information related to assignments, classroom activities, and school events. Teachers utilizing Remind will share their access codes during Open House and/or in their class syllabus. The school-wide Remind access code is .

🔗 Access Remind: https://bit.ly/RemindDTH

𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆

The Schoology platform is your students' virtual classroom throughout their time at David T. Howard. Students will be automatically added to their assigned courses in order to access online assignments, class notes and resources like study guides and syllabi, and much more. Several clubs and departments (like the Media Center!) will also have dedicated Schoology classrooms to share timely information with interested students.

🔗 Access Schoology: https://bit.ly/SchoologyDTH

Please note that while there is a parent account option for Schoology, full class information can only be accessed when students are logged in using their APS Student IDs.

𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗛𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱?

Be sure to follow the DT Howard Activities page and/or Instagram page for weekly updates from all of our Rams teams, including information about upcoming tryouts and weekly game schedules!

🔗 DTH Activities on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DTHMSActivities
🔗 DTH Activities on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dthactivities/

𝗕𝗼𝗻𝘂𝘀 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀!

1. The PTO aggregates and disseminates the weekly Rams Report newsletter every Sunday. If you're not yet signed up, you can do so here: https://bit.ly/SignUp4RamsReport

2. The school also maintains a public instagram account (https://bit.ly/InstagramDTH) and disseminates the monthly Howard Scoop newsletter to showcase school highlights and provide sneak peeks into life at Howard.

07/27/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿! To help everyone get off to a strong start, here is a quick rundown of everything that has been shared thus far:

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹?

Monday, August 3rd. Doors will open at 8:45am and the first bell will ring at 9:15am.

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗯𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱?

School schedules will be released via Infinite Classroom on Friday, July 31st at 10:00am for all students that have completed their Annual Student Update. Any class information in other apps prior to this date is tentative and subject to change as schedules are finalized.

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘄𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀?

Join us at Howard Middle School on Friday, July 31st between 1pm - 3pm to meet teachers, tour classrooms, and reconnect with friends!

Be sure to stop by the cafeteria (located just off the bus loop next to the athletic field) where you will find representatives from the PTO, Foundation, Booster Club, student clubs, and other school organizations ready to answer questions and help you get involved.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗱𝗼 𝘄𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱?

Grade-level school supply lists can be found on the Howard website on the "Parent Corner" webpage. Teachers will also list supplies on their syllabi, which you'll receive when the school year begins.

🔗 David T Howard School Supply Lists: https://bit.ly/4fI2X49

Please note that students will not be assigned lockers until the week of August 17th, so please consider bringing Advisory Classroom supplies to Open House and bringing minimal supplies for the first week or two of school.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗼 & 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹?

Students typically arrive at Howard Middle School via school bus, carpool, walkers, or bike. Initial bus routes for the 2026-27 school year were released earlier this month and can be viewed here:

🔗 2026-27 Bus Routes for David T Howard Middle School: https://bit.ly/4bhRcQC

Bus riders are dropped off on the lunchroom side of the school while walkers, bikers, and carpool riders should enter the school through the gymnasium. Dismissal begins at 4:15pm for all students.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼 𝘄𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹?

All students will have a grade-level lunch period during 3rd period, with most students opting to bring lunch from home or purchase a hot lunch via their student lunch accounts. Specific lunch times can be found on the high-level Snake Schedule (link in comments).

🔗 Reload Student Lunch Accounts via MySchoolBucks: https://bit.ly/44RUUwO
🔗 Review School Menus: https://bit.ly/3TrZuzc

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀, 𝗣𝗧𝗢, 𝗲𝘁𝗰?

More to come later this week! Stay tuned!

05/22/2026

Taramani Advising (one of Howard's PTO Business Sponsors) is gathering interest for a summer Middle School Readiness Bootcamp designed for rising middle school students. The program will focus on executive functioning, organization, study skills, writing development, reading comprehension, and building the confidence and systems students need for a strong transition into middle school. Small-group instruction will be practical, engaging, and designed to help students become more independent learners before the school year begins.

Families interested in learning more and sharing scheduling preferences can complete the interest survey:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1kvUw11FCtrNbq-SPHaAIKe2eOHgmpYrKBYuuoUVOwrQ/edit

Thank you, Taramani Advising (Monica Taramani)
www.taramani.org
https://www.instagram.com/taramani.advising/

I am creating a small-group program designed to help rising 6th graders build confidence, strengthen writing, and develop the organizational habits needed for middle school. This quick (1-minute) survey will help shape scheduling and focus areas so the program best supports your child. Thank you for...

12/11/2025

Thank you to Taramani Academic Advising for being our newest Bronze Level Howard Sponsor! We appreciate you so much!

Taramani Advising provides personalized support for middle and high school students, helping them navigate their educational journeys with confidence. Whether it’s improving study skills or strengthening writing, Taramani Advising is there to help students unlock their full potential.

To learn more about Taramani Advising, visit https://www.taramani.org/ or check out their Instagram account .advising.

11/01/2025

Thank you to Atlanta Orthodontic Specialists for being a Bronze Level Howard Sponsor! We appreciate you so much!

To learn more about Atlanta Orthodontic Specialists, visit https://atlantaortho.com/

P.S. – If you have a connection to a business that might be interested in supporting Howard Middle School, visit https://www.atlantapublicschools.us/Page/73953
or send an email to [email protected].

10/22/2025

Thank you to Engel & Völkers Atlanta for being a Bronze Level Howard Sponsor! We appreciate you so much!

To learn more about Engel & Völkers Atlanta, visit https://www.evatlanta.com/

P.S. – If you have a connection to a business that might be interested in supporting Howard Middle School, visit https://www.atlantapublicschools.us/Page/73953 or send an email to [email protected]

10/10/2025

Thank you to Virginia Highland Books for being a Silver Level Howard Sponsor! We appreciate you so much!

To learn more about Virginia Highland Books, visit https://vahibooks.com.

P.S. – You if you have a connection to a business that might be interested in supporting Howard Middle School, visit https://www.atlantapublicschools.us/Page/73953
or send an email to [email protected].

10/03/2025

Thank you to Jessica Li /Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty for being a Bronze Level Howard Sponsor! We appreciate you so much!

To learn more about Jessica Li and Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty, visit
https://jessicaliandcompany.com/

P.S. – If you have a connection to a business that might be interested in supporting Howard Middle School, visit https://www.atlantapublicschools.us/Page/73953
or send an email to [email protected].