Star News
April 30, 2021
A Message from Dr. Connery
Dear Simpson Families,
It is so hard to believe that the school year is almost over! It seems that time has just flown by so quickly. It has truly been an honor and a privilege to work with the students, staff, and families of Simpson Elementary. It is definitely a sweet place to work and play! A special thank you also goes to our 2020-21 PTA Leadership Team, Brittany Adams (Co-President), Liz Dunn (Co-President), Katie Berrigan (Secretary), Heather Reich (Treasurer) and the entire PTA Executive Board for always going the extra mile to support our kids. Thank you again for your dedicated service, time, and commitment to our school. On behalf of the entire staff, we thank you for all of your hard work! Parents, as you embark on your summer break, please make sure that you have our superstars cozy up to a good book to read at the beach, in the car, or just relaxing at home. Please preview Ms. Nakano's Superstar Summer Reading List for details. Check out one of my favorite summer books this month called, Ice Cream Summer, by Peter Sis. This is a sweet summer read about a young boy who explains to his grandfather (in a letter) that he has not forgotten about school because he continues to enjoy writing, math, and geography through the imaginary world of ice cream! You can find this book in our media center and at the public library. Enjoy the last few weeks of school and just know that I am always just a phone call away if you are in need of anything throughout the summer.
Proud to be your principal,
Dr. ConneryMonth At-A-Glance
May Calendar Dates:
May 3-7: Bookfair
May 3-18: GMAS Testing
May 4: STEM Night
May 8: 5th Grade Singers Braves Game
May 14: School Council Invitation
May 20: 5th Grade 50's Day
May 21: 5th Grade Promotion-Ms. Back and Ms. Molina
May 24: 5th Grade Promotion-Ms. Dingler, Ms. Matthews, Ms. Spears, Ms. Speer and Mr. Stern May 25: 5th Grade Promotion-Ms. Aronstein and Ms. Charloff
May 26: Last Day of School-Enjoy Your Summer!
School Council Invitation
It's that time of year again! Simpson School Council Members would like to invite any parents that are interested in serving in the 2021-22 school year to join us on Friday, May 14th via zoom. As a school council member, the only responsibility will be to support your child's school with guidance, questions, and valuable input. With this in mind, your feedback will foster a healthy positive learning environment for all school stakeholders. Council meetings will continue to be held every last Friday of the month at 7:30 a.m.
Therefore, please contact Ms. Traci Douglas if interested in serving on School Council.
Get Ready for Summer Reading!
We are excited to have a simplified Book Fair from May 3-6th this Spring (no decorations, no trinkets, no journals, simply books). Due to safety measures in place, we are only allowing students and teachers. Method of payment: eWallets or credit cards. Families can sign up for eWallets through the Simpson Scholastic website:
Chromebook Return-Information and Dates
All school-issued Chromebooks and Hot Spots must be returned before the end of the school year.
Parents/ Guardians, please return the laptop, power cable (2 parts), mouse, and Hot Spot with power cord, if applicable.
For In-Person Students, devices and components will be collected from students at school on the dates listed below.
PreK - 2nd grade students - Thursday, May 20th
3rd - 5th grade students - Friday, May 21st
For Digital Students, devices and components may be dropped off at school on Thursday, May 27th between 9:00AM - 10:30AM. Simpson staff members will be on the front porch for a "Drive-by Drop Off."
If you have any questions about our Chromebook / Hot Spot collection, contact leigh.conley@gcpsk12.org.
Kindergarten Registration!
Kindergarten Registration is by appointment only. For more information, please visit our school registration page: https://www.gcpsk12.org/domain/7656.
Please share this information with daycares, preschools, and families who have rising Kindergarteners for the 2021-2022 school year. We look forward to seeing you!
If you have any questions, please call the school office or email our registration team.
Angie Perez angela.a.perez@gcpsk12.org
Tiffany Ellner tiffany.ellner@gcpsk12.org
Jeanette Johnson, K-2 Assistant Principal, jeanette.johnson@gcpsk12.or
Georgia Milestones Assessment Information
Hello Parents,
We continue with Georgia Milestones Assessment testing which will conclude on May 18, 2021. Please open the attached calendar to see the specific dates and times for our 3rd-5th grade students. ES_EOG 2021 Milestones Schedule for 20-21.docx
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at jeanette.johnson@gcpsk12.org or on my direct line.
Sincerely,
Jeanette Johnson
Assistant Principal
Office: 770-417-2400
Direct Line: 770-417-2413
Reminder: Safety Concerns During Morning Arrival
Safety Concerns During Morning Arrival
Due to an increasing number of parents parking in the front parking lot and walking students across the bus lanes in the morning, we are asking for your assistance to ensure safety for all students and GCPS staff.
- Please use the car rider line for morning drop off.
The car rider line is open from 8:20 - 8:45.
The front parking lot should be used to drop off special occasion items (i.e. medicine for the clinic or birthday treats), and Speech appointments only.
Parents who arrive AFTER the car rider line closes (The traffic barrier is the indicator that the car rider lane is closed.) must park in the front lot and walk their child to the door.
Your assistance with this procedure will improve the traffic flow of our car rider line, but most importantly, will allow students and staff members to enter our school safely. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Bylan Swift, School Safety Administrator.
Get Georgia Reading!
Get Georgia Reading with myON, a free summer reading program.
Keep students learning all summer with anytime, anywhere reading!
Unlimited, 24/7 access to a wide variety of digital books and news articles makes it easy to read at home or on the go. Students can read online using any Internet-enabled device or read offline with free myON mobile apps. Use the following link to access free books from May 3rd through July 31st!
Kid Chess Club Online Summer Camp Fun!
Attention Rising Sixth Grade Girls: Information for the Norcross Junior Blue Devils Volleyball Tryouts in May!
Norcross Youth Football and Cheerleading Registration Information!
GASP Back at Simpson for the 2021-22 School Year!
A Reminder from Nurse Norris
Hello Simpson Superstars! As we near the end of this wonderful school year, please remember to continue to follow COVID-19 guidelines.
Please keep your child home if they have any of the COVID-19 symptoms:
-Fever of 100.4 or above -headache -sore throat
-cough -loss of taste or smell -congestion or runny nose
-fatigue -nausea or vomiting -diarrhea
-shortness of breath -muscle or body aches
If a student has symptoms consistent with those of COVID-19 while at school, they will be sent to the isolation room and you will be notified to pick them up immediately. We will be evaluating suspected cases on a case by case basis according to the Department of Public Health guidelines for when they can return to school.
The clinic is in need of boys and girls pants in all sizes. If you have any old pants to donate, please send them in.
Medications:
If your child has medication that must be taken at school (inhalers, epi-pens, etc), please call the clinic at 770-417-2405 to schedule an appointment for medication drop off. All medications MUST be brought in by a parent. Students are not allowed to bring medications to school. Forms that need to be completed for medication and health plans are on the Simpson website on the clinic site: https://www.gcpsk12.org/domain/7660
Georgia Platinum Award 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2016 and 2019!
2010 Georgia School of Excellence!
2012 and 2018 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence!
2020-2021 National PTA School of Excellence Survey
In the end, we were able to rework some of our programs to make them digital, continued to provide support to our Superstar staff/facilities, and managed to work in some fun and educational activities for the kids.
Just a FEW highlights include:
- Reflections,
- Arts in Ed Zoom visits with Award-Winning Authors,
- Exceptional Children's Week,
- Staff Appreciation Activities,
- Earth Week,
- 4th and 5th Grade Bike Safety,
- Star Wars Fundraiser for the Care Team,
- Winter Party Magician,
- Providing additional Health and Safety PPE for the Staff,
- Instructional Funds and Recess Equipment for every classroom,
- Spirit Wear and coming soon...THE YEARBOOK!
It is with the support of our Simpson families during our Fall Family Donation Drive, Business Partner Program, Spirit Nights, and PTA Memberships that all these programs are possible!
This year, the Simpson PTA has been working towards achieving the National PTA School of Excellence Award. Please take a moment to complete the survey below and help us to complete the last step in the process:
CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY
Thank you all for your continued support to the PTA, Simpson Staff, and our Superstars...
WE ARE SIMPSON STRONG!
Best,
Brittany Adam and Liz Dunn
2020-2021 PTA Co-Presidents
Head Yearbook Committee Chair
Want to help coordinate and create a lasting keepsake for our Simpson Superstars?
The PTA Nominating Committee is still looking to fill the Head Yearbook Committee Chair for the 2021-2022 school year.
If you would like to learn more, please email nominatingcommittee@simpsonespta.org.
Simpson's Odyssey of the Mind Team wins Second Place at the Virtual State Tournament
Eric B. 5th - Back
Oliver E. 5th - Stern
Sharada K. 4th - Golt
Patrick C. 4th - Hardin
Coaches: Brenda Banks and Amy Coffee
School Sponsor: Lauren Norman
Congratulations Ms. Dodson!
Ms. Autumn Dodson, one of our Superstar second grade teachers, has a book being published that will be released late spring.
It has been a dream for Autumn to write a book that highlights the importance of having diverse teachers in the classroom. She hopes you love reading her work as much as she has loved writing it.
Please join us in congratulating Ms. Dodson on this amazing accomplishment!
My Teacher Looks Like Me is available for pre-order at www.autumndodson.com
SCHOOL SUPPLY KITS FOR 2021–2022 SCHOOL YEAR!
Online orders will be accepted now through June 27th
- Visit www.educationalproducts.com/ShopPacks/ to place your order
- Enter School ID - SIM037
Questions? Contact Melanie Willenborg via schoolsupplykits@simpsonespta.org
NOTE: This is a PTA fundraiser to provide paper towels, Kleenex, wipes, and hand sanitizer for all Simpson classrooms!
To our business partners and restaurant donors: Thank you for your continued support to Simpson, our kids, and our community. We recognize the importance of strong school community connections and we appreciate all of our sponsors.
To our PTA Executive Board, the behind-the-scenes team that makes it happen: Thank you for your time, support and perseverance as we navigated this unique school year together.
To our PTA chair members, class coordinators, school administrators, teachers, and parents: Thank you for volunteering your time, energy, and resources to provide support to our school and children. We have one of the strongest PTA’s in our district and it truly shows.
Together we shine!
EARN CASH FOR OUR SCHOOL WITH BOX TOPS!
With the Box Tops for Education app, you can turn your everyday receipts into cash for Simpson. Please go to the PTA website for detailed instructions.
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