Sawnee Elementary School News
September 2018
A Note from Dr. Nix
Sawnee Elementary opened in 1968 as part of a consolidation of Matt, Ducktown and Friendship schools. Mr. Ray Bennett was the first principal to the 640 students in grades first through eighth. It is named after Sawnee Mountain, a five mile ridge in Forsyth County that was named for a local Cherokee that helped Europeans adjust to his native land.
The Sawnee campus operated divided between a primary and elementary school for many years. In 2001 the original building was demolished, which was replaced with a new building in 2002. The primary and elementary schools were combined into one elementary school in 2007.
Sawnee Elementary has had only four principals in its 50 year history:
1967-1979 - Ray Bennett
1979-1989 - Douglas Frederick
1989-1994 - Vernette Studdard
1994-Present - Dr. Eileen Nix
We are in the process of planning several exciting events to commemorate 50 years and Honoring the Past...Inspiring the Future!
Dates to Know
September 6th - PTO annual fundraiser kick-off
September 10th - Fall picture day; Girls on the Run 3:00pm-4:15pm
September 11th - Boys Scouts class visits; Sharpen the Saw Activities, 3:30-4:30; PTO General meeting 6:30pm Cafe 1
September 12th - Battle of the Books, 7:30am; Girls on the Run, 3:00-4:15pm
September 17th - Girls on the Run 3:00-4:15pm
September 18th - 3rd grade field trip, Consolidated Goldmine; Sharpen the Saw Activities, 3:30-4:30pm; Leader in Me Club, 3:00-4:15pm
September 19th - Kona Ice Day; 3rd grade field trip, Consolidated Goldmine; Girls on the Run 3:00-4:15pm
September 20th - Chief Challenge
September 24-28 - Fall break (NO SCHOOL)
Sawnee's Teacher of the Year
Congratulations to our top three finalists: Mrs. Shannon Warr, Mrs. Kay Everett and Mrs. Peggy Trampel (pictured below).
Leader In Me
Sawnee Elementary is a Leader in Me school. This program is based on Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
Habit #1 is BE PROACTIVE. All Sawnee students have learned about Habit 1: Be Proactive in Guidance this school year. Please discuss and practice with your child ways to be proactive. Some ideas are:
- Have your child do chores at home.
- Have your child take responsibility without being asked (brushing teeth, doing homework, cleaning room, going to bed, etc.)
- Teach and encourage your child to practice self-control in times of anger, frustration, or excitement.
- Encourage your child to have a positive attitude.
- Encourage your child to make healthy choices.
- Encourage your child to take initiative.
BYOT 5K for Technology
We have the largest elementary school & staff so we need to have the largest turnout for this amazing event. This fundraiser allows the county to provide technology to all of our students (especially those who need help at home).
So your participation will be for a good cause, does not interfere with afternoon football games, and is a fun time for walking and chatting!
Use this link to sign-up with the county (10/6 at Shiloh Point Elementary School at 8:00am - $25 registration fee).
Then please use this link to complete the Google Form so that I know who is coming to represent!
Let’s Do This!
Reminders
Fall Picture Day - We are excited to work with Strawbridge Studios this year as our school photographer. Fall picture day is this coming Monday, September 10th. There is no pre-ordering with this new company. In about 3 weeks from picture day, a picture package will be sent home with your child. You pay for what you want to keep and send back what you don't want. If your child misses pictures on Monday or you are not happy with the pictures you received, we will have retakes on October 16th.
Lunch Visits - If you come to join your child for lunch, please remember that only your child can sit with you at the visitor table, other students must remain at their class tables. Also, please remember that Sawnee has a policy of no outside fast food being brought in for lunch for either the student or the person eating with the student. Thank you for helping us follow this policy.
Transportation Changes - These must be done in writing and be sent in with the child or dropped off by 1:30pm on the day of the change. We can't accept emails, phone calls, faxes or text messages as these can be missed during our busy days.
Attendance notes - If your child misses school please send the doctor or parent note to Sonia Fedke (3rd-5th grades) at sfedke@forsyth.k12.ga.us or Andi Moran (K-2nd grades) at amoran@forsyth.k12.ga.us.
Clubs & Activites
Battle of the Books (3rd-5th graders) - Information about this club has been distributed. Mrs. Warr will be leading Battle of the Books again this year. This club meets five times a year before school. The cost will be $15 which includes a t-shirt. Registration is online only through My Payments Plus. If you have questions email Shannon Warr at swarr@forsyth.k12.ga.us.
Sharpen the Saw After School Activities - We've had a wonderful response to our first session of these activities. They begin next Tuesday or Thursday, September 11th or 13th. If you signed your child up, look for an email from their club sponsor coming soon. If you didn't get your child signed up this session, don't worry, we will be sending out information about session 2 soon! Pick up will be in our regular car line at 4:30pm. Don't forget to bring your car rider tag with you. If you have misplaced your tag please call the front office today to get a new one before clubs begin.
Counseling News
Watch D.O.G.S: Those awesome dads who would like to volunteer as a Watch Dog, please stay tuned for information on our Treats & Training event in 2 weeks. We will be sending out information soon!
Free Tutoring: The Forsyth County Public Library offers FREE online tutoring to students who have a library card. It is available on demand daily from 4:00 p.m-11:00 p.m. and all subjects are offered. They have over 3,100 tutors! Families can access Tutor.com through http://www.forsythpl.org.
Become a mentor for Sawnee! We LOVE our mentors! A mentor is a member of the community that is paired up with one of our students. Our mentors visit our students once a week for a half hour. In order to become a mentor, you must attend a training. Upcoming dates at the Board of Education:
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
6:00pm-8:00pm
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
6:00pm-8:00pm
Thank you,
Mrs. Urban & Ms. Morriss
Clinic News
No – Cost Flu Clinic
The Forsyth County Health Department, in partnership with Forsyth County Schools, is conducting a
No-Cost Flu Shot Clinic for Forsyth County children, ages 4-18 years
Wednesday, October 17, 2018 (Early Release Day for K-8) 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Sawnee Elementary School 1616 Canton Highway Cumming, GA 30040
If you have medical insurance or Medicaid, please bring your card with you.
A parent MUST accompany all students.
Cafeteria News
Coming soon Chief Combos
Turkey/Ham Sub
Ham & Cheese Wrap
Buffalo Wrap
Served with Chips & 3 Fruits/Veggies
and choice of Milk
Harvest of the Month - Watermelon
- Watermelons can be red and yellow
- They are 92% water, making them an excellent source of staying hydrated
- They Improve athletic performance
- Watermelons are a natural diuretic & are good for your bones
- The reduce body fat & improve immunity
Sawnee PTO
We will feature a different PTO officer each month. This month is one of our VPs, Rebecca Frank!
Meet your 2018-2019 PTO VP of Volunteers.…. Rebecca Frank. She has the 411 on what’s happening with the PTO. Also, she lets y’all know when we need a little help. Rebecca loves to shop at Target and her handwriting is Spectacular. If you saw her at last year’s Screen on the Green, she was probably dancing. Rebecca is a BLAST at PTO events, you should come to a few and see her go!
Sawnee PTO Officers:
Gina Harper - President
Rebecca Frank - VP of Volunteers
Emily Nelson - VP of Education
Erin Amott - VP of Education
Jen Scribner - VP of Hospitality
Melissa Newman - Treasurer
Sara Biggs - Secretary
Sawnee Chief Challenge
Today is the start of Sawnee’s major fundraiser, the Chief Challenge! On September 20, students will participate in a fun run to raise money for our school. This year is Sawnee’s 50th anniversary, so our goal is $50,000! There is a lot of information in your child’s folder regarding details of the fundraiser. One awesome thing is that students earn prizes based on the amount of money donated!
Students must return the sign permission form in order to participate!
Please be sure to complete and return the permission form so that your child can join in on the fun!
September 11th is the first PTO General meeting of the year at 6:30pm in Cafe 1.
September 19th is Kona Ice Day
September 20th is the Chief Challenge
Email PTO at sawneeptoboard@gmail.com
Check out the PTO Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sawneepto/
Sawnee Elementary School supports Ronald McDonald House
In August Sawnee Elementary donated two gallon bags of Pop Top Tabs to benefit the Ronald McDonald House. The tabs are recycled. A gallon of tabs equals 3,450 tabs. The Ronald McDonald House helps house families with ill and injured children receiving medical care nearby.
“Our Houses are built on the simple idea that nothing else should matter when a family is focused on the health of their child – not where they can afford to stay, where they will get their next meal or where they will lay their head at night to rest. We believe that when a child is hospitalized, the love and support of family is as powerful as the strongest medicine prescribed.” stated in their literature.
Optimist Club Donation to Sawnee
The Forsyth-Cumming Optimist Club awarded PTO President, Gina Harper, and Green Team Coordinator, Becky Chatham, a mini grant for $800 to use towards STEM materials for the outdoor classrooms.
Mrs. Warr's 5th grade choice specials
Mrs. Pinion (K) and Mrs. Marteny-Bottoms' (3rd) classes
Pennies for Progress
Mrs. Marteny-Bottoms' 3rd grade class
Using 7 Habits during Social Studies. Mrs. Marteny-Bottom's students are Synergizing to build Far North American Indian Inukshuks.
Mrs. Marteny-Bottoms' 3rd grade class
Mrs. Colli's Gifted classes
Here is fourth grade working hard on their “All About Me” T-Shirts
Mrs. Colli's Gifted classes
Here is third grade gifted working on the “Name Tag Challenge” activity.
Mrs. Colli's Gifted classes
Here is second grade working on Logic Puzzles.
Mrs. Colli's Gifted classes
Mrs. Posey's Maker Space
Mrs. Posey's Maker Space
Mrs. Posey's Maker Space
Contact Sawnee Elementary
Email: shamilton@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Website: https://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/sawneeelementary
Location: 1616 Canton Highway, Cumming, GA, USA
Phone: (770)887-6161
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=sawnee%20elementary
Twitter: @SawneeElem