Star News
January 6, 2022
Dear Simpson families,
Welcome back! I hope you had a wonderful and relaxing winter break. We are very excited to begin the second half of the school year. As we look towards the future and the new year, I want to take a moment to thank you for the many ways you support our efforts in providing an outstanding education for your children. As we begin the second semester of school, as a gentle reminder I want to take this time to communicate student attendance.
If your child is attending school in-person or digital, attendance is important to academic success. Please continue to make sure that students attend school every day, arrive on time, and remain at school for the entire day (unless they are sick or ill). If you have a child who is digital, please make sure that they are on-time for their lessons and with their video camera on because this is how teachers take attendance. In addition, to ensure that students are actively present and engaged. We want to make sure your child is ready for a great start in the new year!
If you have any questions regarding attendance, please contact your child’s grade level counselor, Ms. Sheri Terry (K ,2, & 4th) or Ms. Roshan Finch (1st, 3rd, & 5th). As always, I thank you in advance for your support, and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. On behalf of the entire Simpson Elementary Staff, Happy 2022! I can not wait to begin this new year with you!
Proud to be your principal,
Dr. Taffeta Connery
January Calendar Dates
January 6: Students Return to School for 2nd Semester
January 7: Spelling Bee Finals-9:00 am
January 17: Martin Luther King Jr. Day-Student/Staff Holiday
January 20: Spirit Night-Taqueria Del Mar
January 25: Digital Learning Day
January 28: School Council-7:30 am via ZOOM
Norcross Cluster Surveillance Testing Pilot
The Norcross Cluster schools will offer COVID testing for students beginning in January. This is another layered mitigation strategy being used to support safe, in-person instruction. This is COMPLETLY VOLUNTARY/OPTIONAL and is being offered ONLY to those that wish to be tested. This voluntary testing process will begin next week and you have until Thursday, January 6, at 11:59 p.m. to sign up if you are a Norcross Cluster student or staff member interested in participating. Use the appropriate link below to sign up. For more information, please reference the resources below:
- https://www.gcpsk12.org/Page/31827
- Norcross Flyer attached.
Time for the Science Fair!
Please Update Your Child's Preferred Name in ParentVue
Families of students who wish for their child to be called by a “Preferred Name” other than their legal name will need to go into ParentVUE (in the GCPS Parent Portal) to provide that information. (Please note that if you had provided a Nickname previously, you will need to enter that name as your child’s Preferred Name.) Please see the attached flyer for more information.
I Scream You Scream
We All Scream for Ice Cream
Students have the opportunity to purchase ice cream from a variety of selections during lunch. Ice cream is $1.00 and is sold Monday through Friday for all grade levels. Class Parties for ice creams sales are also available. Please email your child’s homeroom teacher for details.
Health and Wellness
• Masks REQUIRED in all public areas (hallways, media center, classrooms)
• Adhere to the one-way hallways when possible
• Health guidance posters will be displayed throughout the building
• Each common area and classroom will have a box of gloves, paper towels, and sanitizer
• Custodial schedules are in place to ensure the cleaning of high touch areas daily
• Refrain from sharing materials (i.e., pens, pencils, etc.)
• Frequent hand washing practices will be implemented daily
• Students are socially distanced during school lunch hours, when feasible
Visitation limits in the building-- Postponement of parental lunch visitation until further notice. Volunteers are welcome in classrooms, but on a limited basis. Please email your child’s teacher for details, if interested. All other school-related teacher-conferences or registrations will be by appointment only.
If you are feeling sick, please stay home. . If you or anyone in your home is sick and/or has tested positive for COVID-19, please email your child’s homeroom teacher or contact our school nurse, Ms. Amy Norris, immediately.
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!
Georgia PTA Reflections Theme Search Winner
Come Join the Academic Games Club!
Meetings are held in the cafeteria at 7:30 AM on Thursdays. Will have a chance to get school breakfast each time!! Contact Adrian at adrianprather@agloa.org if you are planning to come join us. Will be way more fun than you would ever think!
January Spirit Night - Taqueria Del Mar
- WHEN: Thursday, January 20th, 2022
- WHERE: Taqueria Del Mar from Open to Close Dine-In or Take Out.
Mention Simpson Spirit Night and they will donate 20% of your check to Simpson PTA!
Join the PTA Simpson Elementary Facebook Page
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.