Simonton Parent Newsletter
Friday, October 23, 2020
Every Student, Every Day, Deserves to Learn, Lead, & Excel!
A Message from Ms. Perkins
Thank you to all of the parents/guardians who met with teachers. We want to continue to partner with you in supporting your child(ren). I encourage you to check Parent Portal often to make sure your child is attending and participating in live session each day, all day and that they are completing assignments. If you have a question, please reach out to your child's teacher.
Next Wednesday, October 28, 2020 families will be able to go into Parent Portal to select their instructional preference for the 2nd semester, which starts in January. A flyer is attached for those who do not have an active Parent Portal account. Parents/Guardians may simply fill it out and bring it to the Simonton ES office with photo identification. The school district will send an additional reminder this week informing families the window is open. The deadline to make a selection will be 11:59 pm November 15, 2020.
We appreciate all of the donations for our Great Days of Service campaign. Our Simonton ES Student Council representatives collected canned and dry goods this week from students and staff members. All donations will be used to help those in need.
Have a wonderful weekend!
5th Grade Knightly News Crew
Browsing at the Book Fair
5th Grade Knightly News Crew
A Glance Ahead...
- Red Ribbon Week ~ Wear Red
Tuesday, October 27
- Red Ribbon Week ~ Wear Green
Wednesday, October 28
- Red Ribbon Week ~ Wear a sweatsuit/sweatshirt
Thursday, October 29
- Red Ribbon Week ~ Wear your favorite team jersey
Friday, October 30
- Red Ribbon Week ~ Dress as your favorite Book Character
- PBIS Celebration
Tuesday, November 3
- Election Day ~ No School
Thursday, November 5
- Literacy Night ~ 5:30-7:00 pm (Virtual)
FREE & REDUCED LUNCH APPLICATIONS
The application for free and reduced lunch is still available. Gwinnett County Public Schools encourages families who are eligible for the Free & Reduced Meal Program to complete the annual application.
If you received this service last year, and you feel you still qualify, you must complete an application again this year. ALL STUDENTS CAN SIGN UP TO SEE IF THEY QUALIFY!!
Free and Reduced Lunch Application
https://www.nlappscloud.com/Welcome.aspx?api=78f8fee54716f21218e523747d37a13c
Frequently Asked Questions about free and reduced lunch
FEDERAL PROGRAMS FAMILY-SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING
Our county PAC has a new name and a new location for 2020-2021! Please join us on Zoom for the fall Federal Programs Family-School Partnership Advisory Council. This meeting is a great opportunity for all Federal Programs to meet with our stakeholders to receive input from them which will help us continue to improve our programs.
Thank you for supporting Gwinnett County as we strengthen our partnership between our families and our schools.
Important Information about 2nd Semester
Beginning October 28, Gwinnett parents and guardians will make a decision about how their children will learn during second semester, which begins January 6. Like this semester, families may select either in-person instruction at school or digital learning at home. As students and families are familiar with these two options and what they entail, the decisions families make will be for the entire semester.
The Spring Instructional Preference Questionnaire will be available in your Parent Portal account October 28, 2020 through 11:59 p.m. on November 15, 2020.
If you do not have a parent portal account please complete the attached flyer and bring it to Simonton ES. You may also go to the school district website for information.
An email from the school district will be sent on October 28, 2020 informing you that the window for making your family’s decision regarding second semester is open.
Early Voting
Early voting takes place October 12, 2020 through October 30, 2020.
The general election is November 3, 2020.
For more information click on the link below.
https://www.gwinnettcounty.com/web/gwinnett/departments/elections
Outdoor Science Lesson
Outdoor Science Lesson
Outdoor Science Lesson
Bring Your Own Device
Please note the following:
Through this document, parents and students agree that their technology, regardless of ownership, will be used in a manner consistent with the district Acceptable Use Policy.
The parents release all liability and indemnify Gwinnett County Public Schools, its employees, and designees, from responsibility for this equipment.
This permission is valid for the current school year only, and may be revoked by school officials at any time for improper use of the device, or other reasons.
AKS at Home Initiative
As part of Gwinnett County Public Schools’ family engagement initiative, the school district seeks to empower parents with tools that allow them to help their children at home. Our AKS at Home project provides math and language arts resources to support families so that they truly are partners in their children’s learning. This support is available for families to access in the format that fits them and their schedule best. They can attend live virtual meetings, view recorded information at a time that best fits their schedule, or gain tips and suggestions on how to best help their students through tip sheets on a wide variety of topics.
Unit 1~ August 12- October 7
Unit 2 ~ October 13- December 15
Unit 3 ~ January 6- March 5
Unit 4 ~ March 8- May 21
Where: Virtual meeting via Zoom, please visit the website provided to access
the zoom link:
Who: All Families of students in K - 5
Why: To learn an activity to help support your child at home in math and language arts
Tip Sheets:
AKS At Home Live Zoom Sessions
ParentVUE Mobile App- Now Available
An active parent portal account is required to log in to ParentVUE.
Digital Citizenship Week
Weekly Family Engagement Tips
Flash cards are versatile study tools
Many kids use flash cards to study math facts. But flash cards are also a great tool for learning new reading or science vocabulary words, as well as names, events and dates in social studies. Studying the cards and saying the words or facts on them out loud helps your child memorize the material. Then, when you use the cards to quiz him, recalling the information helps reinforce it in his mind. http://niswc.com/16jNC326428
Challenge your child to an observation game
Scientists are skilled observers. Play a game with your child to develop her observation skills. Have her describe the front of a building she knows well without looking at it. Ask her to be as detailed as she can, and write down what she says. Then take a trip to look at the building and compare her memory to the reality. Play often with different buildings, and your child will learn to notice and remember details. http://niswc.com/16jOC326428
Pajama Day
GCPS Parent Mentors
Gwinnett County Public Schools Parent Mentors provide parents of students who receive special education services in GCPS information, guidance, and resources to help support their children at home, school, and in their communities. The attached flyer provides information about the GCPS Parent Mentors for parents of students receiving special education services.
Student Council Flag Patrol
Student Council Great Days of Service Collection
Student Council Flag Patrol
Educational Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (E-SPLOST)
On November 3, 2020, Gwinnett voters will be asked to consider continuing the E-SPLOST (education special purpose local option sales tax). Over the years, Gwinnett students and school communities have benefited from the E-SPLOST which has provided thousands of classrooms as well as technology improvements.
Click on the link below to learn more about E-SPLOST
2021-2022 Calendar Options
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1z-ryr3spJcqAv45FmcA7k14pCzkMs6NtgL8HToI6XW4/edit?usp=sharing
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
Superintendent- Mr. J. Alvin Wilbanks
Assistant Superintendent- Dr. Terry Watlington
Board Member- Mr. Steven B. Knudsen
Principal- Tamara G. Perkins
Assistant Principal- Daphne Miles
Assistant Principal- Nicole Tomlinson
Assistant Principal- Emily Young
Website: gcpsk12.org/SimontonES
Location: 275 Simonton Road Southeast, Lawrenceville, GA, USA
Phone: (770) 513-6637