Knightly News

Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year. It has been a wonderful week seeing our students so excited to enter our building each day.

Our cafeteria is open to parents who would like to have lunch with their students in grades 1-5. We ask our Kindergarten parents to wait until the week of August 21, 2023. Our younger students are still getting adjusted and are not always understanding that they must remain at school after lunch with their parents. Thank you for keeping our school safe by entering through the front door and showing your ID.

If you have not done so, please take a moment to read over the Simonton ES Parent/Student Handbook. In the booklet we share information about our school routines and practices. A digital copy is available in MyPaymentsPlus and our school website. Hard copies are available upon request.

The Simonton ES PTA will be hosting a Fall Festival on Friday, September 8, 2023. This was a successful and exciting event for our families last year and we look forward to another evening of fun. Our PTA is in need of volunteers. If you are available, please reach out to Simontonespta@gmail.com. The festival will take place from 5:00 - 8:00 pm.

It looks like next week will be very hot. Staying hydrated is important in warm weather.

We encourage you to send water bottles with your student to school.

Have a great weekend!

The application for free and reduced lunch is now available. There will be no waiver in place to offer free lunch for all students. Please complete the application if you feel this is a service your family will need. All students who have not been approved for free or reduced lunch service will be charged the full price each day.

Free and Reduced Lunch Application

https://www.nlappscloud.com/Welcome.aspx?api=78f8fee54716f21218e523747d37a13c

We are excited to announce that our school district has adopted a new form of school-to-home communication called ParentSquare. This unified communications platform is designed to keep parents and guardians informed and encourage greater engagement and connection with your child’s school and Gwinnett County Public Schools.

ParentSquare provides a safe way for district administrators, school principals, teachers, staff, and parents to receive and send information, such as:

• Weather-related closings & delays
• School and class information
• Share pictures and files
• See calendar items
• Upcoming class activities

District & school information will now be sent to your computer or phone via email and/or text via ParentSquare. For even more convenience, download the ParentSquare app (available for free for iOS and Android devices). Please note that some schools and teachers may still use other district approved tools for the 2023-2024 school year to communicate with their families.

Click on the link below for more information about ParentSquare and activating your account.

https://www.gcpsk12.org/Page/35909

Tuesday, August 15 ~

• Play2Learn Classes begin

Thursday, August 17 ~

• Play2Learn Classes begin

Friday, August 18 ~

• PTA Movie & snack Membership Campaign (Pre-K - 2nd grade) ~ 1:00-2:00 pm

Monday, August 21 ~

• Book Blast Fundraiser begins

Tuesday, August 22 ~

• ESOL Parent Meeting ~ 5:00-5:30 pm
• FOCUS Parent Meeting ~ 5:30-6:00 pm
• Curiculum Night ~ 6:00-8:00 pm

Friday, August 25 ~

• PTA Movie & snack Membership Campaign (3rd - 5th grade) ~ 1:00-2:00 pm

Friday, September 1 ~

• Local School Council ~ 9:00-10:00 am

It is time to apply for our First LEGO League Challenge competition team! Students who are chosen for this team learn how to research real-world problems and design solutions. They use teamwork to build and code robots that complete missions and solve problems. Only 10 students can be chosen for this team, so make sure you do your best work on the application! Applications are due Monday, August 14th and students will be notified by Wednesday, August 16th. Our first meeting will be on Thursday, August 17th from 7:00am - 8:00am. The family of each student is asked to contribute $20.00 to cover the cost of a student shirt and supplies. Please have students click the link below.

4th and 5th Grade LEGO Robotics Application

Does your child have a medical concern that we need to be aware of? Stop in to see Mrs. Tammy Jones in the clinic.

Complete the clinic card if your child has any medical concerns that we need to be aware of. We also need to know any medication your child is taking and directions of what to do while we are caring for your child until you arrive.

We encourage all families to create a MPP account. No purchase is necessary to have a MPP account. You will be able to read and digitally sign documents and/or make necessary payments. It is a great way for you to manage and keep track of all of your student payments and forms in one place throughout the school year.

MyPaymentsPlus is linked directly to your school’s student information system (SIS), enabling us to show real-time balances and invoices, and eliminating the need to call or visit your school in search of information.

Whether you’re viewing what your 2nd grader ate for lunch, renting a locker for your middle schooler, or purchasing a parking permit for that new driver in your family, MyPaymentsPlus ensures you never miss a beat, from Pre-K to graduation day.

Simply create a free MyPaymentsPlus account to get started today.

https://www.mypaymentsplus.com/welcome

We are excited to offer Simonton ES spiritwear to staff, students and families. An order form is attached and can be returned to Ms. Karen Serna. Order forms will also be available in the front office. All spirit wear shirts are $15.00 (S - XL) and $20.00 (XXL and XXXL).

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jEnBVYDA6O2xAxRzNBZz5Hme1p5RFjSc/view?usp=sharing

Attached is an updated school supply list. You can also find the list on the Simonton ES school website.

https://www.gcpsk12.org/cms/lib/GA02204486/Centricity/ModuleInstance/11262/SES%20Suppy%20List%20-%20SY23-24.pdf

● BUS - Gwinnett County provides bus transportation for all students. Please help us diminish traffic problems and support our bus program by having your child ride the bus to and from school. If you have concerns about the bus route or bus safety, please call the school or the Transportation Department at 770-513-6846. Each student is assigned a bus at the beginning of the year. If you move, or your permanent transportation changes, come to the front office to fill out a Simonton ES transportation change form.
Riding the bus is a privilege. Inappropriate behavior on the bus will result in an administrative referral and possible bus suspension.

● CAR RIDER - Students should be dropped off and picked up only through the Car Rider/Parent Pick-Up line.

o Morning – Morning Drop Off will be from 7:45 until 8:15 am. The gate in the car rider lane will close at 8:15 am. Students should be in the building by 8:15 am in order to give them time to make it to their classroom before the bell rings. Staff will be on duty to monitor your child when you drop them off in the morning. They may not exit the car until the 7:45 bell has rung. If you are in the Car Rider line at 8:15 and your child has not entered the school, they will be considered tardy. A sign will be posted when the bell rings. If you see the sign, your child is already tardy and we ask that you drive around to the front. Park in a regular parking space to check your child in at that time. Please do not attempt to drop off your child in front of the school prior to 8:15 am. In order to ensure the safety of all students, this is not allowed between 7:45 and 8:15 am.

o Afternoon - Remember to always have your car rider number displayed in your vehicle window. Enter the car rider lane and drive around to the sidewalk by the gym. Wait for a staff member to signal that it is safe for your child to enter or exit your vehicle from the passenger side only. Car riders will be dismissed to the gym where they will wait for their name/car rider number to be called.

● TRANSPORTATION CHANGES - It is very confusing to young children to alternate between day care, parent pick-up and buses. Additionally, accepting changes by telephone does not allow us to provide maximum safety measures for students. If transportation arrangements for students need to change on any given day, you must send a written note to your child's teacher. In this note, you need to include the following information: your child's name, your name, his/her usual transportation home, the new arrangements home and your signature. We cannot accept requests by phone, fax, e-mail or Class Dojo, ParentSquare to alter arrangements. A transportation change form must be issued from the school office in order for a student to ride a different bus. Students will not be permitted to board another bus unless they have a transportation change form which will be issued only for an emergency. These are available on our website and the weekly parent newsletter.

NOTE: There are a finite number of cars that can make it through the line during the thirty minutes. Students who ride the school bus will not be counted tardy if the bus arrives late; however, those who come as car riders (regardless of weather or traffic) are considered tardy after 8:15 am. Please plan to be in the car rider line no later than 8:00 to ensure your child will not be late.

Birthday celebration snacks for the entire class should be left at the front office for the teacher and your child to give to the class. They should be store bought, ready to serve, require no refrigeration or cutting, and should not include colored drinks. Please be aware of allergies of students in the classroom and plan accordingly. No class birthday parties or birthday favors (balloons, goody bags, hats, etc.) will be permitted. Birthday invitations may not be sent to school unless every student in the class receives an invitation. Birthday presents for other students are not to be sent to school to be distributed. Student phone numbers and addresses will not be shared with other families.

Safety is a priority for all of us. There are guidelines that all parents and visitors must follow. All visitors who enter must report to the main office to sign in and show a photo ID. You must wear a visitor sticker at all times while on school property. During these visits, the regular school program must continue. All visitors must sign out before leaving the school. Visitors must enter and exit through the front doors. Do not let other visitors in through other doors. All Simonton ES staff have keys to enter the building.

As a courtesy to the teacher, we request a prior appointment be made for visitation and/or conferences 24 hours in advance. If you need to meet with a teacher, please schedule a time by contacting the teacher directly. In an effort to keep everyone safe and healthy, visitors will not be able to go to classrooms. Upon request a parent/guardian may conduct a 30 minute observation of their child’s classroom with an administrator present.

Join the Simonton ES PTA! Individual membership is only $6.00. Our awesome PTA has many great events and activities planned for this school year. We need your help to provide these great experiences for our kids.

*Movie and snack celebration (Parents must be members)

*Fall Festival

*Halloween Hair Day

*Winter Holiday Shop

*Sprit nights

Print the attached membership form and return it to the Simonton ES PTA. They will also have a table at open house. Sign up for a membership and volunteer to support an event!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-_TK-p-FTHrRaE5Lv4un_rqoXtxxnDUw/view?usp=drive_link

We know that families want easy access and one, go-to location for need-to-know information about their student's education— from records to resources. Just as important, you want an easy way to stay in touch with the school. The Updated Parent Portal gives parents access to grades, assignments, and communication with teachers. The Parent Portal gives families a direct line to the classroom, with 24/7 real-time information and anytime, anywhere access, with in-portal translation in multiple languages. And that's just the beginning...

https://www.gcpsk12.org/Page/26042

Who: Parents/Guardians of students receiving Special Education services

What: Parent Mentors Present: “Starting the School Year on a Positive Note”

When: Tuesday, August 22, 2023, 10:00am – 11:30am or 6:00 pm-7:30pm

Where: In-Person registration link for 10:00am session: https://forms.gle/xJ9VZFPDtyHLpBf56

Zoom registration link for 6pm session: https://gcpsk12-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0ufuGrpz8iHNN0o5_SRgzhSh4DOVjKM50B

Please use the following link to access the parent letters: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1DJSH2MoYgmCY1YtzqrWtKzvVOhLgXjZ6?usp=drive_link

Don't throw away those grocery store ads

Grocery store ads are great for helping your child practice math skills. Look through the ads together and have your child cut out pictures of foods along with their prices. Now challenge your elementary schooler to create and solve word problems using the pictures. "Joey bought one pound of bananas for 50 cents. How much would two pounds of bananas cost?" https://tpitip.com/?13hG18608

Share a performance secret with your child

Athletes know that talking to themselves can help them perform better. It's true for students, too. Saying things out loud can help the brain tune out distractions. So if your child is doing a worksheet, for example, suggest reading the instructions out loud to boost concentration. When facing a challenge, your child can build self-confidence by saying, "I am a hard worker, and I am going to get this task done." https://tpitip.com/?13hH18608

Teach the basic rules of self-protection

Parents can't always be with their children, so they must teach them to protect themselves. Make sure your child can provide a full name, address and phone number, and knows whom it is safe to share this information with. Teach your child how to call 9-1-1 in an emergency, and what an emergency is. Review the safest routes to and from school, the bus stop and other frequently visited places. And explain that it's important to tell you if something someone does or says makes your child feel uneasy. https://tpitip.com/?13hI18608

Set expectations that motivate success

Children care how their families view them, and they usually live up to expectations. So set expectations that will motivate your child's best efforts. As you prepare for the coming school year, make a list of high (but realistic) expectations for your child, such as working hard, turning in schoolwork on time, etc. Discuss it together. Once school starts, be consistent. Help your child take pride in progress and express your belief that your child will be successful in school. https://tpitip.com/?13hJ18608

Shine a light on time zones

Conduct a time-zone demonstration to help your child understand why people in other parts of the world may be eating dinner when your family is just waking up. Here's how: Get a globe (or a ball) and have your child put a sticky note on your location. Turn off the lights and shine a flashlight on the globe. Explain that the sun lights only part of the ball at one time. As the Earth turns, sunlight hits different parts of the surface. https://tpitip.com/?13hK18608

It's time to get organized for learning

Organization makes it easier for students to do their best work. Help your child prepare for the new school year by setting up a study space with as few distractions as possible. Have your child keep supplies in a basket or bin nearby. Then, give your child some different colored folders and assign a color for each subject. Then, your elementary schooler can file handouts and schoolwork by subject and find things when it's time to study. https://tpitip.com/?13hL18608

Share a funny tidbit to boost interest in reading

If your child has access to books and other reading materials and still shows no interest in reading, show what fun your student is missing. Read some children's books your child might enjoy to yourself. Then, share a few teasers (interesting or funny tidbits from the books). You may find your child reaching for the books to give them a try! Keep it up by reading and discussing books on a wide range of subjects that might interest your child. https://tpitip.com/?13hM18608

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

Superintendent ~ Dr. Calvin J. Watts

Board Member ~ Mr. Steven B. Knudsen

Principal ~ Ms. Tamara G. Perkins

Assistant Principal ~ Mr. Nicholas Gilmore

Assistant Principal ~ Dr. Joe Sanfilippo

Assistant Principal ~ Mrs. Amy Steinberg

Website: gcpsk12.org/SimontonES
Location: 275 Simonton Road Southeast, Lawrenceville, GA, USA

Phone: 770-513-6637

Twitter: @simontonPride
Instagram: @SimontonPride