Knightly News
Friday, February 10, 2023
Every Student, Every Day, Deserves to Learn, Lead, & Excel!
Message from Ms. Perkins ~ Simonton ES Principal
We have had great parent involvement this week. A group of parents are coming weekly for English language classes. This morning our families joined together for an All Pro Dad breakfast. Today's message encouraged our students and families to extend kindness throughout the day. A big thank you to the Simonton ES PTA for sponsoring breakfast.
Progress reports were sent home today with students. This is a great way to monitor your student's progress now that the second semester has started. Information for you to sign up for conferences is also available. Reach out to your homeroom teacher if you have not received a progress report or information about conferences.
Next week will be a three-day week. Thursday, February 16, 2023 through Monday, February 20, 2023 all Gwinnett County Public Schools will be closed for winter break. All students will return to school on Tuesday, February 21, 2023.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Thank you for celebrating our counselors (Mrs. Panzer & Mrs. Williams)!
Parent Teacher Conferences
The following link will take you to our Parent Teacher Conference Scheduler: Simonton Conference Schedule
Parents,
You will need to select your child's teacher, register by putting in your information on the next page (Student's Name, Your name, Email Address), and then press "Submit". You will receive an email that contains a link which will take you to the screen where you can select your desired conference day and time.
Simonton's PTA Reflection Winners
The following students will go on to compete at the state level:
Sara M. (Ms. Windley) - Visual Arts
Amir Z. (Munzwandi) - Visual Arts
Ethan B. (Ms. Monre) - Visual Arts
Abrielle D. (Ms. Towe) - Photography
Gabriel M. (Ms. Towe) - Film Production
Upcoming Events at Simonton
Saturday, February 11
- Saturday Intervention (K-5) ~ 9:00-11:00 am
Wednesday, February 15
- STEM Camp (3-5) ~ 3:10-5:30 pm
Thursday, February 16- Monday, February 20
- Winter Break ~ No School
Wednesday, February 22
- STEM Camp (3-5) ~ 3:10-5:30 pm
Friday, February 24
- GCPS Science Fair
Saturday, February 25
- Saturday Intervention (K-5) ~ 9:00-11:00 am
- GAGE Saturday Exploration Program ~ 9:00-12:00 pm
- Reader's Rally
Monday, February 27- Friday, March 3
- Scholastic Book Fair
Wednesday, March 1
- Early Release ~ dismissal at 12:15 pm
- Parent Teacher Conferences
Thursday, March 2
- Early Release ~ dismissal at 12:15 pm
- Parent Teacher Conferences
Friday, March 3
- Local School Council Meeting ~ 9:00-10:00 am
Saturday, March 4
- Saturday Intervention (K-5) ~ 9:00-11:00 am
- GAGE Saturday Exploration Program ~ 9:00-12:00 pm
Thursday, March 9
- PTA Spirit Night at Urban Air ~ 5:00-9:00 pm
Friday, March 10
- ALL Pro Dad Breakfast ~ 7:15 am
Saturday, March 11
- Saturday Intervention (K-5) ~ 9:00-11:00 am
- GAGE Saturday Exploration Program ~ 9:00-12:00 pm
All Pro Dad Breakfast
Help Needed!
The Simonton ES PTA is in need of volunteers for the spring festival scheduled for Saturday, March 25, 2023.
If you are available to plan, and/or lend a helping hand send an email to Simontonespta@gmail.com.
Child Lures Lessons
During the months of February through May, Simonton counselors will begin teaching the mandatory sexual abuse and safety prevention lessons, Child Lures, to students in grades K through 5. You can learn more about the lessons at www.childluresprevention.com
A letter will be coming home with your student soon. If you prefer that your child not participate in the lesson, please write and sign a note indicating your preferences and send it to your child’s teacher or school counselor.
Annual Parent Involvement Survey
Who: Families of students who are receiving special education services
What: Each state is required to conduct a parent survey to measure parent/family perceptions of the success of parent engagement between home and local schools.
When: Available January 23, 2023 – May 31, 2023
Please use the following link to access the survey: https://survey.gadoe.org/SPEDParentSurvey
Gwinnett Needs Assessment
With so many people in need of vital health and human services, it's important that we take the time to assess what resources are available and what needs can be met. The Department of Community Services is conducting an assessment survey to get feedback about food and nutrition, transportation, housing, veterans' services and more.
Please your thoughts with them by taking this short survey.
Download the Free Gwinnett County Public Schools App
Stay on top of the latest news, calendar events, and emergency information by downloading our free Gwinnett County Public Schools mobile app. You can enable notifications and choose your preferred language.
Why download the app?
Receive alerts for school closures or delays and important districtwide information.
Check school and district events calendars.
Access your school’s lunch menu and add money to your student's account..
Access districtwide digital resources.
Read the latest district news.
Search for Gwinnett County Public Schools in the App Store or Google Play to download our app for free.
Donations for the Clinic
Our clinic is in need of clothing donations. As you are cleaning after the holiday break, please consider donating items to our clinic. We can use donations of all sizes.
Simonton ES Handbook Reminders
SES Handbook Reminders ~ Closing of School
In the event of severe weather or mechanical failure, the starting time of school may be delayed or school may be closed. Announcements will be made over the local television and radio stations. If no report is broadcast, school will be in session. Please do not call the school in an emergency. We will be focused on keeping your child safe and telephone lines need to be kept open for emergencies. Sign up for School Messenger and Class Dojo to receive timely information.
SES Handbook Reminder ~ Cell phones and electronic devices
Cell phones may be brought to school for after school use as long as they are turned off and left in the student’s book bag at all times during the school day. If a phone is taken out during the school day, it will be taken up by the teacher, and the parent will need to come to the school to retrieve it. No games should be brought to school at any time. Students must follow teacher/school guidelines for device use. If you DO NOT want your child to participate in technology, appear in the morning news, or have candid photos taken of them throughout the year, please send a note clearly stating this to the front office.
Gwinnett Community Services' February Calendar of Events
February Events @ Your Lawrenceville Library
Featured Events for Students
-Chess Club: Sunday, February 12- 2pm
-President’s Day Fun at the Library: Monday, February 20- 2pm
-Simple Science - Sense of Hearing: Wednesday, February 22- 4pm
ESL Language Learning & New Americans Programs
We offer programs for adults who speak English as a second language and want the chance to practice conversationally, and for adults who are new to the country as a whole. These programs are:
- Let's Talk: Mondays, February 6, 13, 20, 27 at 5:00pm, in person at the Lawrenceville branch
- ESL Movie Club: Every other Thursday, February 2 and 16 at 4:00pm. Find this virtual event at gwinnettpl.org/events
See flyer below for more details...
Blueprint for the Future
The Blueprint is designed to ensure our Portrait of a Graduate becomes a reality. The Blueprint will also drive the intentional culture shifts that reflect the guiding vision of the Learning 2025 community of practice. Our Blueprint for the Future defines our strategic priorities in four areas: empathy, equity, effectiveness, and excellence.
Elementary Handbook Information for Students and Families
On August 18, 2022 the Gwinnett County Board approved Policy JCDI - Board's Theory of Action for Change to Improve Student Behavior and Outcomes (please see attached Policy). This Policy outlines our Board’s commitment to providing both consequences and interventions in order to improve student behavior outcomes.
The Elementary Handbook Information for Students and Families has been updated to include this new change. Please take a moment to read the new handbook and sign off in the Parent Portal indicating your have received a copy of the document. A copy of the document is attached to the newsletter and a link to the documents on the GCPS website is below.
Helpful Resources
Simonton ES PTA
Print the attached membership form and return it to the Simonton ES PTA. Sign up for a membership and volunteer to support an event! Contact the Simonton ES PTA at Simontonespta@gmail.com for more information.
Family eTips
Prioritize attendance to prevent missing out
Missing just one day a week of school adds up to more than two years of missed class time over a child's school career. Absent students also miss things they can't make up, like discussions and demonstrations. To keep your elementary schooler from missing out, review your child's absence record and recommit to making school attendance a priority. https://tpitip.com/?13bF18608
Keeping up with assignments adds up to math success
If your child has homework in only one subject, it's likely to be math. Math builds on itself, and students have an easier time if they stay up-to-date with assignments. Have your child read through any sample problems and explain them to you. If the sample is confusing, remind your child to ask the teacher for help the next day. On days when there is no math homework, review basic math facts together. https://tpitip.com/?13bG18608
Make talking and thinking part of reading aloud
As you read with your child, stop from time to time to discuss what you're reading. What does it mean? How does the story relate to things your child already knows? When new words appear, ask your child to think about what other words have similar meanings. Before you reach the end of a passage, see if your student can predict what will happen next. When children make these connections, they get more from their reading. https://tpitip.com/?13bH18608
Choose age-appropriate news sources
Watching TV news can upset elementary schoolers, and the older they get the more vulnerable they are. Fifth graders are old enough to understand what they see, but too young to put it into perspective. To help explain, look for news sources produced for children, such as Scholastic News. News videos for kids are available online on sites such as NBC News Learn. Watch together, so you can answer questions and explain what your child is seeing. https://tpitip.com/?13bI18608
Inspire caring and creativity with valentines
Valentine's Day (February 14) is coming up. To teach your child about caring for others, make a list together of people who might like to receive a valentine, such as a lonely child, a single neighbor, a helpful store clerk or the school custodian. Ask your child to make cards for them. If possible, help your student deliver the valentines in person. Seeing the recipients' joy will encourage more kind gestures. https://tpitip.com/?13bJ18608
Use a schedule to make responsibility routine
To help your child finish schoolwork and chores without needing frequent reminders, create a responsibility routine. Write down a schedule with specific times for schoolwork and studying, reading, chores and free time. If you stick to the routine, your child will know it's necessary to finish that math worksheet, set the table and lay out clothes for tomorrow before playing. Have your child check off each task after completing it. https://tpitip.com/?13bK18608
Proper behavior makes school buses safer
Misbehavior on the school bus can affect everyone's safety. Remind your child that you expect respectful behavior toward the bus driver and others on the bus. Your child should follow bus driver's instructions and treat the bus and all school property with care. Expect your child to follow these rules in the family car, too. If you need to, pull over in a safe place and wait until everyone is behaving properly before you resume driving. https://tpitip.com/?13bL18608
SES Business Partners
Simonton Elementary School would like to thank our business sponsors!
Your support and partnership helps us fulfill our mission of having our students Learn, Lead, & Excel!
Mathnasium of North Lawrenceville
900 Duluth HWY, Suite 400
Lawrenceville, GA 30043
Phone: 678-756-1392
Stars and Strikes
Dacula, GA 30019
Phone: 678-965-5707
Kroger
2100 Riverside Pkwy
Lawrenceville, GA 30043
Phone: 770-962-0890
GCPS Flyers
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
Deputy Superintendent ~ Dr. T. Nakia Towns
Board Member ~ Mr. Steven B. Knudsen
Cluster Superintendent ~ Dr. Keith D. Thompson
Principal ~ Ms. Tamara G. Perkins
Assistant Principal ~ Mr. Nicholas Gilmore
Assistant Principal ~ Dr. Joe Sanfilippo
Assistant Principal ~ Mrs. Amy Steinberg
Website: https://www.gcpsk12.org/SimontonES
Location: 275 Simonton Road Southeast, Lawrenceville, GA, USA
Phone: 770-513-6637
Twitter: @SimontonPride