The Parsons Happenings
May 1, 2020
Let's Finish Strong!
Well, we are wrapping up Week 6 of Digital Learning and I know many of you are trying to support your kiddos with staying positive and maintaining mental stamina as we take on these last 13 days of Digital Learning. We can do this!
I can relate because this week has been a tough one at the Clark house. There have been a lot of ups and downs with emotions, the highs and lows of motivation, the grief of losing routines, and loss of daily camaraderie. Teaching, learning, and parenting in the time of Covid-19 is nothing we have ever done before. I found myself having to be a motivational speaker to my senior, who is so over school right now, and to my college student, who shared that he needs to be sitting in class because online learning is not for him. I wanted to use my mom voice and say, "No one asked for this, we just have to be resilient and make the most of the time." Instead, I thought about things I could do to help them Finish Strong.
Well, these are some of the things we discussed to help ignite some motivation:
Focus on one thing at a time
Tackle each day's work as it comes. It is important to set goals for the day and reward yourself when you complete a task. It's OK to not complete all tasks in one sitting which leads to the next point.
Take breaks and keep active
Physical health is just as important as mental health! Children, especially during Digital Learning, need regularly scheduled breaks to rest their brains and reduce their screen time exposure. Kailey Ann decided to take our dog, Teako, on two to three walks a day so she can have brain breaks. My two kiddos have even started doing daily stretches together. This one made my mama heart happy...spending time together and taking breaks from the computer.
Pursue a passion project
Being at home all the time doesn't have to be a bad thing, right?! You can stay in your pajamas all day and set your own daily schedule. Seven weeks ago Chase and Kailey Ann were wishing for these kind of days. Chase, my 20 year old, has recently taken on cooking dinner for the family. He has found joy in researching recipes and surprising us with his nightly dish (score for ME!). Encourage your child to take on a new passion. If it's an unplugged activity that keeps them physically active or reduces their time in front of a screen, that's even better!
Stay in touch with friends and family
We all feel stuck at home. I understand kiddos are missing their friends and are especially affected by social distancing. I asked my two to consider ways to stay connected with their peers. I've seen them 'Facetiming' friends, playing online games, and making plans for when this is all over. Encourage your kiddos to stay connected.
If you're having a hard time finding balance or you're feeling overwhelmed, let us know. Remember we are in this together and we are here for you! Don't hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher, Ms. Vosough, or an administrator! Whether your child is struggling, you're looking for additional ways to challenge them, or you just want to share their accomplishments, know that we are a resource and a community. We'd love to hear from you!
Proud to be Your Principal,
Mrs. Clark
laura.j.clark@gcpsk12.org
678-957-3050
End of Year Events
As for End of Year Parties, we will be hosting them virtually. Each grade level has been assigned a date for their party. Once the teacher and Room Parent determine the time of the virtual party, you will receive an email from the teacher with more information and the link to log in to the virtual party.
- Kindergarten-2nd Grade will have their parties on Monday, May 18
- 3rd Grade-5th Grade will have their parties on Tuesday, May 19
- Pre-K teachers will contact parents to share their scheduled date and time
Attention all families...We are going to have a Virtual Talent Show!
Parents who completed the Virtual Talent Show Google form showing interest in participating will receive an email with directions about how to submit their child's entree on a Padlet. Talent entries are due on Friday, May 8th at 3:00 PM. Talents may be submitted as an image, video, doc, pdf, drawing, or audio file. For live talents, video submissions should be restricted to one minute or less.
5th Grade Virtual Finale
Rising 6th Graders going to Hull Middle School
Hull Middle School Rising 6th Grader Parent Letter:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17EVEu4CGkyOtDMv7VqQkGDJSd_RqNNjg/view?usp=sharing
Hull Middle School InSPIRE STEM Information:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i9XfclcMfNEj0_M3at6-nf05AMEWVnro/view?usp=sharing
Hull Middle School STEM Brochure:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TYNoJDDLJDv5G6RloFBeXUkp56aU09Hr/view?usp=sharing
Hull Middle School has made the decision to cancel Jumpstart (and their other camps scheduled for this summer). They are hoping to be able to reschedule for before school starts, but with so much yet to be determined, there are currently no definitive plans. If any families had already registered for Jumpstart, their bookkeeper is beginning the process of reimbursing them and they should receive their payments soon.
Kindergarten Online Registration
WHO:
Rising kindergarten children who will be five years old on or before September 1, 2020 and their parents or guardians
WHAT:
Register for the 2020-21 school year
WHEN:
Beginning April 7th, complete online registration on the Parsons website. Once we have reopened, we will plan activities to welcome and introduce our new kindergartners to Parsons Elementary. Please check our website for updates on these activities.
WHERE:
Visit the website to register online. If you’re not sure if your child will attend Parsons, visit the county's "School Look-up" online at GCPS SchoolLocator. Be careful, Zillow is not always correct!
WHY:
Completing online registration will help your child’s teacher be ready to welcome your new kindergartner on the first day of school which is Wednesday, August 5, 2020.
HOW:
New this year, much of the registration process, including the uploading of documents needed for registration, will be completed online. Most document attachments (PDF, JPG, DOC, PNG, etc.) are compatible. The file-size limit is 2 MB. Families that are unable to obtain the required immunization and/or screening documents due to the COVID-19 situation will be given additional time to obtain those documents, but should go ahead and begin the online registration process.
NEED HELP?:
Contact our registrar, Raiya Troshin. She can even set up a video chat if needed. raiya.troshin@gcpsk12.org
Dual Language Immersion Parent Zoom Meeting
Are you interested in the Korean Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program at Parsons ES? Click the flyer below to find out more.
DLI Parent Zoom Meeting- May 4th at 6:00 pm (Virtual)
When you sign into the meeting, please use your full name as the parent/guardian in addition to providing the name of your rising Kindergarten child (in parentheses). We will be recording attendance and this information will be very helpful.
Topic: Parsons ES Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Information Meeting
Time: May 4, 2020 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 981 9315 5888
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National Field Day: May 8th
The National Field Day Torch Run will kick off this SUNDAY at noon! Watch kids from around the country run through all 50 states carrying the National Field Day Flame!
The run will end on Thursday night as the Field Day Torch makes its way into Texas for the lighting of the open cauldron!
There will be some amazing guests including 4-time Track and Field Olympian Chaunte' Lowe, Legendary Hip Hop Artist Doug E. Fresh, and the Varsity Brands Ambassador Kevin Atlas.
- Follow the Torch Run: OPENPhysEd.org/followthetorch (Sunday, May 3rd)
- Watch the Ceremony: OPENPhysEd.org/fielddayopening
(7:30 PM EST Thursday, May 7th)
On May 8th, we encourage you to go outside and participate. There is a Padlet for you to post pictures of your child participating in Field Day on the eClass Landing Page. There are also videos for you and your child to watch that explain each Field Day event. In addition, you can find a Family Field Day packet. Participate with us by doing one event, just a few, or go for the gold and complete them all!
Georgia Special Needs Scholarship/SB10
Parents of students receiving special education services in our school district have the option to exercise public and private school choice. Under a state law passed by the Georgia State Legislature in 2007, parents of students who receive special education services may request to transfer their child to another public or private school in Georgia if their child has an IEP and has been enrolled for a full academic year in a Georgia public school.
Letters explaining the program, as well as the transfer request forms are posted on the Gwinnett County Public Schools Special Education website for parents to view and download on this link.
I hope you were all able to find some sweet moments this week!
Don't forget that GCPS is continuing to provide breakfast and lunch for our students! And the North Gwinnett Co-Op (https://northgwinnettcoop.org/) is available to help families in Suwanee and the Duluth Co-Op (https://duluthco-op.org/) is available to help families in Duluth.
Hospice Atlanta is offering free virtual support groups to our community. Please see the attached flyer for upcoming sessions!
Conversation Starters
- What is your favorite family tradition?
- What is a new family tradition we should create?
- If you could trade places with anyone for one day, who would it be?
- What's the best smell you've ever smelled?
- What is something you are good at?
Parsons' Virtual Media Center is Open
Please encourage your students to visit the 'Virtual' Media Center (eCLASS page) as though you were walking into the actual Media Center. Mrs. Ripley and Mrs. Britt will continue to have services such as helping students find just the right eBook, discussions about books, a Virtual Makerspace, Virtual Field Trip options, the eBook Library, and Lunch Bunch Live with 4th and 5th grade Lunch Bunch members. Instead of being just a few steps away, the Media Center is now just a click away!
We hope all our Parsons' Lion Cubs will visit daily.
Proud Principal Laura Clark
Email: laura.j.clark@gcpsk12.org
Website: https://www.gcpsk12.org
Location: 1615 Old Peachtree Road Northwest, Suwanee, GA, USA
Phone: 678-957-3050