Simonton Parent Newsletter
Friday, March 11, 2022
Every Student, Every Day, Deserves to Learn, Lead, & Excel!
Message from Ms. Perkins
Next Tuesday, March 15, 2022, will be picture day. Students are bringing home flyers with more information. Spring pictures will include individual and class pictures. Parents may pay ahead online or by sending payment with students in a Lifetouch envelope.
Join us for the next PTA spirit night at Sparkles. Students may participate in special raffles and win great prizes. Stop by on Thursday, March 17, 2022 between the hours of 5:00 - 9:00 pm.
Have a great weekend and stay warm.
Read Across America Celebration
Dr. Watlington
Ms. Dodd
Ms. Lust
Rep. McLeod
Mrs. Young
Dr. Young-Walker
ParentVUE Mobile App
**Having this app will help with future check-in/check-out procedures.
Upcoming Events:
Saturday, March 12
- Saturday Intervention (K-5) ~ 9:00-11:00 am
Tuesday, March 15
- Spring Picture Day
Thursday, March 17
- PTA Spirit Night at Sparkles ~ 5:00-9:00 pm
Saturday, March 19
- Saturday Intervention (K-5) ~ 9:00-11:00 am
Monday, March 21-Thursday, March 24
- Central Cluster Tapestry Exhibit at the ISC
Tuesday, March 22
- Digital Learning Day #6
Thursday, March 24
- Local School Council Meeting ~ 8:00-9:00 am
Saturday, March 26
- Black Knights Dash for the Castle 5K ~ 8:00 am
- Saturday Intervention (K-5) ~ 9:00-11:00 am
Friday, April 1
- 2nd Grade Field Trip
Tuesday, April 26
- STEM Night
Spring Pictures
Educational Effectiveness Surveys
There will be a Parent/Family Survey as well as a Student Survey, which will be available for students in grades 4-12. Both surveys are available in English, Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, & Chinese.
Parents are able to review the questions and if they choose to opt-out they can elect to either mark their request in ParentVUE (Parent Portal) or provide the school with their request in writing. Opt-out requests are due no later then March 16, 2022. Click here to learn more about these surveys, to review the Student Survey, and to learn about the opt-out process if you do not wish for your student to participate.
March 14-April 2: Family Survey is open. (GCPS will send you a SchoolMessenger link to the survey on March 14.)
March 23-April 20: Student Survey is open for students in grades 4-8. (This survey will be available in the Student Portal.)
2022-2023 Student Class Placement Request
Student Class Placement Request forms are now available for the 2022-2023 school year. Parents are welcome to pick up a form in our front office. You may provide information about your child’s learning needs and the classroom environment that you feel would be beneficial. Please do not use a specific teacher’s name requests for a specific teacher will not be honored. As always, the placement of your child will be the school’s top priority. All forms must be returned to the Simonton ES front office by Friday, March 18, 2022.
AKS at Home
The fourth round of live virtual AKS at Home K-5 sessions are scheduled for March 21, 2022 - March 29, 2022, to support learning in the 4th nine weeks of the year.
AKS at Home provides math and language arts resources to support families of children in grades K-5. Through live grade-specific Zoom sessions and helpful tipsheets, families of students in grades K-5 can learn ways to help their children practice key foundational skills they are learning in language arts and math.
Who: Parents of all elementary school students
What: Live Zoom sessions and Tip Sheets to support student mastery of AKS foundational skills in Language Arts and Math.
Where: AKS at Home webpage
When: Unit 4 Zoom sessions will be offered from March 21, 2022, to March 29, 2022, in English, Spanish, Korean, and Vietnamese.
Please see the attached flyers and advertisements for grade level dates and times.
How: Register for Zoom sessions on the AKS at Home webpage
Update for Parent visitors
As we continue to work toward keeping everyone healthy and safe please keep keep the following in mind:
- Parents may eat in the cafeteria at the Parent table only.
- Only your child may eat with you at the Parent table. Students may not bring a buddy.
- We encourage parents to come when your child’s class is scheduled to be in the cafeteria. You may come on a week the class is scheduled to eat in the classroom, but you must take your child to the cafeteria and stay within the scheduled lunch time. Parents may not eat in the classroom.
- All visitors must show a state issued ID and it must be entered through the GCPS Visitor Management System. Visitors must wear the sticker during their visit in the building. Upon leaving, all visitors must sign out.
2022-2023 Kindergarten Registration
PTA Cares
The Simonton ES PTA will be collecting items for those in need. Thank you for supporting this initiative.
Mystery Science Videos
Family Engagement eTips:
Feeling capable gives children the confidence to take on challenges and succeed in school. To encourage that self-confidence, teach your child how to do things without help. Notice your student's strengths and encourage them. Ask for and appreciate your child's help. And always praise your child for trying, no matter what the outcome. https://tpitip.com/?12cN18608
Help your child make the most of strengths and talents
What helps children succeed in and out of school? Families who help them develop their talents to the fullest. Instead of pushing your child to be the best, look for achievable ways to help your student improve. Encourage practice by making it enjoyable. Show interest in your child's talents by learning the skills yourself and spending time doing them together. And always, let your child know that your love and support is unconditional. https://tpitip.com/?12cO18608
Help your child hear what fluent reading sounds like
Skilled readers read fluently. They move quickly through sentences, understanding the words and the meaning. Hearing what fluent reading sounds like can help students gain this skill. When you read aloud to your child, try to sound as though you are speaking naturally, rather than reading. Audiobooks also let your child hear what fluent reading sounds like. https://tpitip.com/?12cP18608
Routines encourage positive study habits
Even if your child doesn't like homework, having a study routine will make it easier to settle down and do it. Choose the same time each day for studying or doing assignments. Turn off the TV and other distractions, and have the rest of the family read or do quiet chores. Ask your child to write assignments on a calendar. Then keep things on track by asking questions like, "How's the report coming? It's due Friday." https://tpitip.com/?12cQ18608
Talk with your child about school safety rules
Schools and families all want to ensure that students are safe while learning. To help, make sure you and your child both know the school rules and safety policies. Be clear with your child about exactly what is and isn't allowed. You might say, "Hitting is never allowed, even if another child makes you very angry." Ask your child about behavior that goes on at school, too. And if your child has experienced or witnessed bullying, let the school know. https://tpitip.com/?12cR18608
Nutrition and exercise boost brainpower
March is National Nutrition Month. So it's a great time to talk with your child about healthy eating and the foods that nourish bodies and brains. Exercise is another critical part of health. Encourage your child to turn off digital devices and have a push-up contest, walk up and down the stairs 20 times or shoot some hoops. Or go for a walk as a family; kids get more exercise when their parents get involved! https://tpitip.com/?12cS18608
Help your child be a good sport, on and off the field
Sports and sportsmanship should go hand in hand. But sometimes, kids feel they can break the rules as long as they win the game. Learning to win without gloating and lose without complaining will help your child on the field and in the classroom. Encourage your child to abide by the rules of the game, follow the coach's directions and play fair. Make it clear that good sports share in the responsibilities of the team. https://tpitip.com/?12cT18608
Strong 4 Life Campaign
Coach Cheney is in need of pictures from staff and students to hang at Simonton ES in support of Strong 4 Life. Take a picture of your student demonstrating one a healthy habit. Take all pictures to Coach Cheney.
Strong4Life Healthy Habits
*screens away, go play
*eat smarter, drink water
*emotions are real, express how you feel
*get rest to be your best
Update for Parent visitors
We are excited to welcome parents back into the building starting the week of March 7, 2022. As we continue to work toward keeping everyone healthy and safe please keep keep the following in mind:
- Parents may eat in the cafeteria at the Parent table only.
- Only your child may eat with you at the Parent table. Students may not bring a buddy.
- We encourage parents to come when your child’s class is scheduled to be in the cafeteria. You may come on a week the class is scheduled to eat in the classroom, but you must take your child to the cafeteria and stay within the scheduled lunch time. Parents may not eat in the classroom.
- All visitors must show a state issued ID and it must be entered through the GCPS Visitor Management System. Visitors must wear the sticker during their visit in the building. Upon leaving, all visitors must sign out.
Simonton PTA Spirit Night
Community-Based Mentoring Golf Tournament
Gwinnett County Public Schools’ Community-Based Mentoring Program will be hosting its 12th Annual Golf Tournament on Monday, March 28 at Bear’s Best Atlanta. Your support and participation allows us to continue to provide scholarships to students, educational activities, educational field trips, parent empowerment conferences, and enrichment workshops.
Registration link
https://gcps-foundation.org/event/community-based-mentoring-12th-annual-golf-tournament/
If you are unable to participate, please consider making a contribution through the Amazon Wish List by clicking on the link below to view requested items.
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3NBPHVMUUIA5N/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex
Simonton Elementary ~ What We Stand For
Vision
Simonton is committed to dynamic high quality instruction resulting in a passion for learning, leading and excelling.
Core Belief
Every Student Every Day, Deserves to Learn, Lead, and Excel
Commitments
We commit to giving our students a fresh start every day.
We commit to preparing quality and engaging lessons that will prepare our students to be successful in school.
We commit to teaching, modeling and holding our students accountable for appropriate school behavior.
We commit to providing our students with a structured and safe learning environment.
We commit to a great year of learning, leading, and excelling
Simonton Elementary School
Superintendent- Dr. Calvin J. Watts
Assistant Superintendent- Dr. Terry Watlington
Board Member- Mr. Steven B. Knudsen
Principal- Tamara G. Perkins
Assistant Principal- Tifferney Dodd
Assistant Principal- Daphne Miles
Assistant Principal- Emily Young
Website: gcpsk12.org/SimontonES
Location: 275 Simonton Road Southeast, Lawrenceville, GA, USA
Phone: (770) 513-6637