Knightly News
Friday, December 9, 2022
Every Student, Every Day, Deserves to Learn, Lead, & Excel!
Message from Ms. Perkins ~ Simonton ES Principal
We appreciate the offers of help and support from all of our families. Below I have included information about her service next week. Please continue to keep our school in your thoughts and prayers as we continue to grieve for a member of our Simonton ES family.
The holiday luncheons were definitely a wonderful way to lift our spirits this week. All of our staff, parents and students enjoyed a time to fellowship with one another before the holiday break. Thank you for taking the time to make the last two days special.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Ms. Sherivah Lewis ~ Fifth Grade Teacher
Services for Ms. Lewis
Message from Mrs. Rosalind Lewis (Sherivah's mother):
Dear family and friends. Thank you for all the love and support you have shown our family. Many of you have asked how you could help the girls during this difficult time and with the holidays approaching, we would ask that you send the girls a Christmas card. This will hopefully show them how their mother was loved and cared for by so many people.
*Cards/Donations may be dropped off at Simonton ES by December 16, 2022 to be delivered to the family. There is a basket in the front office where you are welcome to leave notes, cards, and donations and we will make arrangements with the family to drop them off.
Services: Public Viewing and Funeral will be held at Gregory B. Levett & Sons 914 Scenic Hwy, Gwinnett, GA 30045
Public Viewing: Friday, December 16, 2022 (4:00 – 8:00 pm)
Funeral Service: Saturday, December 17, 2022 (1:00 pm)
The link below will take you to Sherivah’s online tribute page
https://www.levettfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Sherivah-Lewis/#!/TributeWall
STEM Camp
This week, we had Session 1 of our STEM Camp for Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd graders.
They had a blast learning about Amazing Animal Structures!
Monday 12/12/22 Boys and Girls Club Closed
The Boys and Girls club will be closed on Monday, 12/12. Mr. Johnson at the Boys and Girls club said that all parents have been notified. The students will need a bus pass if they will be riding a different bus to home or an alternate location.
Season's Greetings from Simonton ES!
Student Devices
Beginning Wednesday, December 7th, all student devices will remain at school.
All devices are needed for the scheduled End of Semester testing. Therefore, students who use their school-issued device for our next Digital Learning Day, Tuesday, December 6, 2022 will need to make sure that their Chromebooks return to school on Wednesday, December 7th.
Also, over the winter break, they will receive the IT maintenance and upkeep that is needed to keep them in proper working condition.
Upcoming Event Dates
Saturday, December 10
- Lawrenceville's Merry Little Christmas ~ 12:30 pm (Downtown Lawrenceville)
Tuesday, December 13
- Holiday Musical ~ 6:00-7:00 pm
Wednesday, December 14
- Science Assembly
- 5th grade Holiday Hat Day
- STEM Camp Session 2 (K-2nd) ~ 3:00-5:30 pm
Thursday, December 15
- PTA Spirit Night at Urban Air ~ 5:00- 9:00 pm
Friday, December 16
- End of Semester 1
Monday, December 19- Wednesday, January 4
- Winter Break
Students return to school on Thursday, January 5th, 2023
The SES PTA Holiday Shop!
As we near the end of the Semester, the PTA Holiday Shop will be open tomorrow, Saturday, December 10th from 9:00-11:00 am as well as next Monday, December 12th and Tuesday, December 13th from 9:00-2:00 pm.
SES Winter Parties
Thursday, December 15th:
3rd Grade ~ 12:00 PM
Kindergarten ~ 1:00 PM
Friday, December 16th:
1st Grade ~ 12:45 PM
Hicks & Shoemake ~ 1:00 PM
PreK ~1:00 PM
2nd Grade ~ 1:00 PM
4th Grade ~ 1:00 PM
5th Grade ~ 1:00 PM
Simonton ES All Pro Dads Chapter
We are excited to relaunch our Simonton ES All Pro Dads chapter! All Pro Dads is a wonderful opportunity for fathers, grandfathers and any other positive figure in a child's life to partner with the school. Events and meetings focus on building a strong, healthy and postive relationship with your student.
Prior to Covid, Simonton had a robust and active chapter. Thank you to Mr. Reginald Williams and Mr. Jackie Sweets, who have volunteered to help restart our chapter.
If you are interested in volunteering, please click on the link below. Stay tuned for meeting dates and events.
International Night
We are in need of parent volunteers and helpers. If you would like to create a display, share a talent or just help out, reach out to Mrs. Deb Saha at Debjani.Saha@gcpsk12.org.
See flyer below for more details...
SES ~ Building Construction
If you are visiting Simonton ES in the next few weeks you will see contractors working in the front atrium. The district is installing a vestibule, with shatter-resistant glass, at the front entrance. We are fortunate that no incidents have taken place at Simonton ES, as an additional safety measure, this upgrade is taking place in all GCPS schools. Please know we are not attempting to keep parents and families out, but our campus must be safe for students and staff while at school. We anticipate changes to the process for parent/visitor entry and student checkout and will send additional communication at a later date. The front entrance will be accessible while the construction is taking place.
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.
Gwinnett County Board of Education Town Hall Meetings
The Gwinnett County Board of Education (BOE), our Superintendent, and our entire GCPS system value feedback and input from our stakeholders. The Board of Education believes your insight helps them make better decisions as we move forward together.
To this end, each board member has scheduled a Town Hall Meeting to allow students, families, staff, and community members to have open-ended conversations with their BOE district representative. During these five town halls, Board members will answer questions, hear concerns, and listen to understand your perspective of Gwinnett County Public Schools.
These meetings are structured as informal open forums. There are no set agendas for any meeting, and any participant may ask questions or offer suggestions. All town hall meetings are open to the public. These meetings will not be livestreamed, and interpreters are available. If you need interpretation services, assistance, or have questions, please email MySchoolBoard@gcpsk12.org.
Each meeting will be held at a different school from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the following dates:
· Tuesday, November 29, 2022 – Meadowcreek HS – Dr. Tarece Johnson (Bilingual meeting)
· Thursday, December 1, 2022 – Seckinger HS – Steven Knudsen
· Wednesday, December 7, 2022 – Paul Duke STEM HS – Dr. Mary Kay Murphy
· Tuesday, December 13, 2022 – Parkview HS – Everton Blair, Jr./Dr. Adrienne Simmons
· Wednesday, December 14, 2022 – Archer HS – Karen Watkins
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.
ATTENTION STUDENTS AND FAMILIES WHO LOVE STEM AND PROBLEM SOLVING!
The Gwinnett County Science and Engineering Fair wants you to submit a project that solves a real-world problem! If you watch THIS VIDEO and sign up in my Google Classroom, you will find out lots more about it! Simonton Elementary will be hosting the preliminary Science and Engineering Fair here at school. The top projects will go on to the Gwinnett County Science and Engineering Fair! Can't wait to see your amazing ideas!
Google Classroom - Click on the + - Click "Join Class" - Enter the Code: rgsgpv2
eTips for Parents
Make stress relief a part of your family's routine
Stress is all too common in families today. And when your children are stressed, it can affect their success in school. To reduce stress at home, create a peaceful after-school-and-work routine that lets your family reconnect. You might share a healthy snack while you talk together about the day. After 15 minutes or so, you'll all be more refreshed and ready to take on evening tasks. https://tpitip.com/?12lL18608
A chore chart makes responsibility clear
To provide practice in being responsible, get your child involved in family chores. Create a chore chart, listing everyone's assignments for the week. Post the chart where it can be seen. When someone completes a task, it is that person's responsibility to check it off. If your child forgets to mark the chart, the chore is automatically your child's assignment again next week. This eliminates arguments about whose turn it is to do a chore, and encourages responsibility for doing chores and keeping correct records. https://tpitip.com/?12lM18608
Suggest fun things for your child to graph
Graphing makes information understandable at a glance, and it is an important math skill for elementary schoolers. Encourage your child to make some graphs over winter break. Suggest topics your elementary schooler might enjoy graphing, such as colors of cars in your neighborhood, the number of T-shirts owned by each member of your family, or the high and low temperature each day. https://tpitip.com/?12lN18608
Keep your child's brain active over break
Winter break is a time for fun. But that doesn't mean your child can't also continue learning. Encourage your student to read for pleasure. You can help find books by authors your child likes or suggest rereading old favorites. If your child receives holiday gifts, schedule time to make notecards and write thank-you notes. Board games are another fun way to learn. Play games with your child that require math or higher-level thinking skills. https://tpitip.com/?12lO18608
Teach key ways to get along with others
The ability to get along with people is a social skill that helps children throughout their school careers. To build this skill, teach your child the importance of being polite. Explain that when friends are talking and your child wants to join in, it's polite to enter the ongoing conversation rather than change the subject. Encourage your child to ask others about their intentions and wishes. Emphasize the need to consider other people's feelings and show them respect even when they disagree. https://tpitip.com/?12lP18608
Give your child these priceless gifts
As you think about giving your child gifts, remember that there are some only you can give. One is the gift of your time, spent listening, reading, helping and having fun together. Another is the gift of understanding. If your child makes a mistake, listen before you scold. Confidence is another precious gift. When you show you believe your child can succeed, you help your child believe it, too. https://tpitip.com/?12lQ18608
Why your child's attendance matters
It seems obvious to say that kids need to attend school to learn. But studies continually show how important attendance really is. Absenteeism in kindergarten can influence whether a child gets held back in third grade. Frequent absences later on increase the chances a student will drop out of school altogether. Absenteeism is reversible, so make sure your child starts school on time, every day. https://tpitip.com/?12lR18608
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.
Gwinnett Public Library
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
Lawrenceville, GA 30043
Phone: 678-756-1392
Stars and Strikes
Dacula, GA 30019
Phone: 678-965-5707
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