Comet Connect
May 17, 2021
Greetings Parents and Students
Dear Grace Snell Families,
Thank you for all you do to ensure that our students are completing assignments and preparing for the finals.
Thank you for your support this year as we "ALL" ensured the success of our students.
Listen for my weekly message https://youtu.be/sHW_2jk5PkU
At Grace Snell, we are pursuing a culture of academic rigor and excellence. We all must diligently work together to ensure that we create graduates in the South Gwinnett Cluster.
Keep up the great work and support as we begin the new semester. I ask that students continue to do their best!
We are Respectful, Responsible, and Ready - #R3
Your Proud Principal
Darlene Brown
Device Check in
We have checked out more than 600 devices to our students through our e-Circulation system. With the end of the 2020-2021 school year approaching, we need to begin collecting all those devices soon!
If your child has a device checked out, please speak to them about it. Make certain that they have the device AND the power cords, etc. that were checked out to them. Additionally, inspect the device carefully to see if there are any issues - cracked screen, missing keys, more than "normal wear and tear", etc. Please recall, at the beginning of the year, you received information regarding expectations for care and use of the equipment. Additionally, fines can and will be accessed to the student if the device checked out is returned damaged or not returned at all.
If your child is an in-person learner and they no longer need the device, they may bring it to school and have it removed from their account. We will assess the device to ensure that it is not damaged. If there is damage noted, we will notify you of further instructions regarding fine, payment, etc.
A follow-up email will be sent to each applicable household containing specific information about the devices that need to be returned. Be on the lookout for this email soon!
If you have questions, please contact Grayson Bowen @ grayson.bowen@gcpsk12.org
TMS DEVICE RETURN SCHEDULE FOR BOTH DIGITAL AND IN-PERSON LEARNERS
Drop-off Dates and Times:
Friday, May 21 : Device collection for ALL in-person students
Saturday, May 22nd: Device collection for digital students
8AM-12PM in the Media Center
Monday, May 24th: Device collection continues for digital students
9:45AM-3:45PM in the Media Center
Tuesday, May 25th: Device collection continues for digital students
10AM-2PM in the Parent Center
Wednesday, May 26th: Device collection continues for digital students
9:45AM-2PM in the Media Center
*Please make certain that the device being returned is clean, charged and powered on, upon return, so that it can be adequately assessed for damage.*
GCPS Strong
#GCPSStrong: Help us celebrate employees who have made a difference for students this year!
The 2020–21 school year has been a successful, yet challenging, year for our school community. However, our students, their families, and our faculty and staff have all worked together to show that together we are GCPSStrong. Now, more than ever, your thanks, encouragement, and celebration of GCPS staff members is a meaningful way to show how much our community values public education and appreciates those who have helped our students through this challenging time. Here are just a few ways to show your support: *Send an eCard to a GCPS staff member! Click HERE, select one of five designs and complete the eCard submission form. *Download printable Thank You Sheets! Families can print sheets with the same colorful designs to share a handwritten note with their child's teachers, driver, school nutrition team, and other staff members! Find the printable sheets by clicking HERE. *Say "Thank You" on your social media accounts! Join us in thanking these folks and all GCPS employees with a Thank You post on your social media accounts, using the #GCPSStrong hashtag. *Add a #GCPSStrong profile frame! Show your support for GCPS and our students, staff, and schools with a #GCPSStrong profile frame on your Facebook account! For detailed instructions for adding a social media frame to your Facebook profile picture (and how-to for sharing your new profile picture on other platforms), go to our GCPSStrong web page by clicking HERE.
Media Center
In-Person Students: Please return your library books by giving them to your LA teachers or by placing them on the carts outside of your grade level offices.
Digital Students: There will be two ways for you to drop-off your library books.
*Beginning May 17th, there will be a cart placed outside each day from 11:00 AM - 12:45 PM in the lunch pick-up location at the back of the school.
*There will be a cart placed inside the school at the front desk area. If coming inside the school to drop-off your book(s), please come between the hours of 9:00-2:00.
Summer Reading
Summer Reading List
8th Grade Summer Reading https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BZo2NqImT5wCHSPKeIl6qCpZKLAS-3_5/view?usp=sharing
7th Grade Summer Reading
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pNvldITqqVzeHgwe5BgKHv45cwNFSD_d/view?usp=sharing
Summer Reading Assignment Options
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pNvldITqqVzeHgwe5BgKHv45cwNFSD_d/view?usp=sharing
Summer Reading Assignment Rubric
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1n9gBTYTsnvhwdUrcdPfyJ2m_0A994k9f/view?usp=sharing
6th Grade Summer Reading
https://drive.google.com/file/d/12GnibzoDsaDpNk-NaDiPuHICKUl25n0v/view?usp=sharing
Please remember that just because you must return your library books by May 19th, that doesn't mean you can't still be reading over the summer! Beat the summer slide! Take advantage of some incredible FREE online reading resources. Links to these resources can be found by clicking HERE.
Thank you! Have a wonderful and safe summer. Happy Reading!
Grace Snell Middle School's Community Garden
Grace Snell Middle School's Community Garden "Where we Plant Seeds to Grow Minds and Food." The Community Garden will be a staple for our school and the community. We will use the garden as a teaching resource for our STEM curriculum, all content levels and beyond. Our goal is to have a thriving educational garden that can provide fresh organic fruits, vegetables, and herbs to the community.
Rising 7th Grade Spanish Carnegie Course
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Please see the linked application if your student is interested in participating in the Carnegie Course for Spanish during the 2021-2022 school year.
- Students must be rising 7th graders (current 6th graders).
- You may direct any questions about the program to Sandra Mosquera at Sandra.Mosquera@gcpsk12.org.
THE MEDIA CENTER
Purchase your Yearbook
Yearbooks are on sale.
Rising 6th Graders Announcements
8th Grade Message from Ms. Hickmon
1st Semester Academic Awards
RBES Special Education Parent Survey
Thank a Staff Member
We have received great feedback from parents to share with our staff members. Please continue to submit your positive feedback for teachers or staff members! This link will be continually monitored, so feel free to drop a notes in whenever you see or hear about your child's teacher or another staff member doing something great. We'll be sure to let them know and help brighten their day. Remember, if there is a staff member who has gone above and beyond to help your student(s) and you during concurrent learning, click on the link below and tell us about him/her. We will make sure they hear about the great job they are doing.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1cXkOtJemRTolH1glrNQOtoh1QpzbfmjVSzPYhUcmpOs/edit?usp=sharing
If I Make Up My Missing Assignments, What Could My New Grade Be?
Please watch this StudentVUE Grade Slider Video for more details and information. This video is also on the Grace Snell Middle School main eCLASS Landing Page.
How to Check Student Progress - Have they logged into eCLASS? How long did they remain in the class/assignment?
Check out the video for more information on how to check the progress of your student. Great Information included.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VNsak5JbJ4EHSKysTHmfiSQlFDNGnnim/view?usp=sharing
UPDATED: GCPS Lunch Service Information
GCPS will provide meals free of charge to students and children 18 and younger through the end of the school year.
Students Attending School In-Person
Those attending school in-person will receive meals free-of-charge during their scheduled meal times.
Curbside Pick-up for Digital Learners
Digital learners may pick up meals through the curbside pick-up at each school. Grace Snell's curbside pick-up time is Monday - Friday from 11:00 AM through 1:00 PM. Each day's pick-up includes both breakfast and lunch. Individuals will NOT be allowed to enter the school to pick up or eat meals. Grace Snell's curbside-pickup will be the same as it was for material pick-up. The traffic flow for daily curbside lunch pickup will be at the rear of the school in the car rider lane.
**Gwinnett County Public Schools encourages families who are eligible for the Free Or Reduced Meal Program to complete the annual application to ensure meal benefits continue when the grant waiver expires. Please click HERE.
Students will not be charged for their meals, however please complete the Free or Reduced meals annual application at the link HERE.
Title I - Parent News You Can Use
Tutoring.com
Please ensure families are aware of this free, online resource provided by the Gwinnett County Public Library (GCPL) to support their children’s academic success.
Click here to access the electronic flyers.
FoodFinder
Please ensure families are aware of this free resource developed by a GCPS graduate. Visit the FoodFinder website or download the app to find places nearby where you can get free food and meal assistance.
Download the flyer in English and Spanish from the GCPS Language Bank - Food Pantry Resources, under Counseling and Mental Health --> Food Pantry Resources.
8 Tips To Reduce Parenting Stress During A Pandemic
Water Bottles
PARENTS: Please make sure your student brings a water bottle to school everyday! While the water fountains have been turned off due to Covid restrictions, we do have a water bottle refill machine in the cafeteria for all to use. Only clear liquids are allowed.
Guidelines for In-Person and Digital Learners
PARENTS: Please make sure to frequently check the GCPS website for all updates regarding digital and in-person learning. You can also visit the Grace Snell website for information and updates at https://www.gcpsk12.org/GraceSnellMS.
We want to ensure your safety during your time at school. We are committed to keep learning as our number one priority. Please be reminded that students will take their backpacks with them throughout the day (no lockers will be available).
All students returning for in-person learning are strongly advised to bring a device with them to school each day as teachers will continue to utilize a digital learning platform to serve all of their students, and in-person students using their own devices will minimize sharing and reduce any potential spread of germs.
Attached are a few key points to expect during our face to face return to learning.
Mypaymentsplus
Those without an account will need to create one by going to MyPaymentsPlus.com; click on “Register” for a FREE account.
https://www.mypaymentsplus.com/welcome
Attendance Protocol Form - page 35 GCPS Student/Parent Handbook
GCPS 2020-2021 Student/Parent Handbook – Middle School
Grace Snell Middle School 2020-2021 Student/Parent Handbook
Parent AKS Brochure – 6th -8th Grade
Extracurricular Activities - page 35 GCPS Student/Parent Handbook
Car Riders and Walkers
Please click below for an important update to our car rider procedures for the 2020-2021 school year.
Morning Car Rider Hours: 8:55-9:20
Afternoon Dismissal will begin at 4:00
Please fill out the forms and return them to the homeroom teacher. If you are unable to print the form, please complete this information on a separate sheet of paper and we will attach it to the form.
GSMS Permission Form for Car Rider/ Walker
IMPORTANT!!
Parent Portal & Student Portal Updates
Parents who already have an active parent portal account:
The new Parent Portal is now available for parents that have an active parent portal account. A link to resources including the new parent portal flyers, as well as the registration form are available on the GCPS website.
Click here for the flyers and the registration form
Student Portal Update:
A new link for StudentVUE is available on the student portal. This will replace the GRADES tab that students previously used to view their schedule.
Click here for StudentVUE Fall 2020 information
**Students can now get their grades, schedules, and more from an easy to use app for StudentVUE!**
Student App for eCLASS Course Pages eCLASS on the Go!
This is another useful App for students!! Please click below to find out more about the Student App!!
Sign up today to receive school system news online. Sign up to receive Gwinnett County Public Schools e-newsletter. In this newsletter, you'll find stories on teaching and learning, school leadership and governance, and the partnerships that make Gwinnett County Public Schools successful. Click here to sign up for GCPS eNews or check out online registration on the GCPS website.
Please use this link to read GCPS' latest community e-newsletter.
Grace Snell Middle School
Website: gracesnellms.org
Location: 3800 Brushy Fork Road Southwest, Loganville, GA, USA
Phone: 770-554-7750
Twitter: @gracesnellms