Sawnee Elementary
April 2021 Newsletter
A Note from Mr. Hershey
Dear Sawnee Families,
I know how hectic life can seem right now with everything wrapping up at the end of the school year. During the month of April, I tend to focus on the 7 Mindsets "The Time is Now." I am so thankful to be part of this learning community with our students, staff, and community. It is truly such a gift to be serving in my role and am thankful for the opportunity each and every day. I also think that it's natural to think about "The Time is Now" being something that we do towards the end of a specific time frame similar to the motto "Finish Strong" but in reality, we want to encourage our students to live this out all the time...to embrace every moment, to be vulnerable, make mistakes and learn from them, and to act on purpose with everything that they do.
Although the GA Milestones are just around the corner, we certainly don't want to teach our students to only do their very best when the test comes around, but we want them to do their best throughout the year and live "The Time is Now" mentality all the time so that they are prepared and successful for whatever challenges are in their path as they move forward throughout life. Thank you for your support with this as this is certainly a life skill that we want to develop in all of our students.
We have 7 weeks to go and will do our very best to make the most of them! As always, we are here to partner with you to support your child. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to reach out for support.
We are wishing you an amazing spring break filled with great memories!
With much gratitude,
Derrick Hershey
Principal
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What's Happening at Sawnee?
7 Mindsets - The Time is Now
The Time Is Now Mindset teaches us the importance of harnessing the power of the moment and taking purposeful action. The simple fact is that all of our power to act and make an impact exists in this moment. We cannot change the past, and the future hasn’t happened, so we must recognize that our only path to happiness, fulfillment and meaning is to take purposeful action in the present toward creating the lives of our dreams.
The four components of The Time is Now are:
1. Embrace Every Moment
2. Get in the Zone
3. Let yourself be vulnerable
4. Act with purpose.
To learn more about this mindset, click here.
Parent Climate Survey
Learning Environment Survey
Class Placement 2021-2022 - Parent Input Forms
Although we are still working hard during the current school year, we are beginning to plan for the 2021-2022 school year. It is very important during our planning process to create the best learning environment for your students. We appreciate your input regarding class placement to assist with this process. Please complete the items in the form attached and return no later than April 16, 2021. We ask that you NOT request a teacher by name. Specific teacher requests, other than sibling requests will NOT be honored. If you have more than one child, please fill out an individual form for each child. When finished, please submit and it will send both you and Mr. Hershey a copy of the submitted form for your records.
Click Class Placement 2021-2022 - Parent Input Forms (forsyth.k12.ga.us) to access the class placement form.
Local School Council
We have several parent representative position to fill on our Local School Council. The Local School Council (LSC) is designed to bring parents and the community together with teachers and school administrators to foster mutual respect for each other's concerns and share ideas for school improvement.
The Local School Council at Sawnee typically meets four-five times per year, typically at 2:00 PM. All meetings and corresponding minutes are open to the public. We are currently seeking nominations for several LSC Parent Representatives.
If elected, it is a two year commitment. If you are interested in serving in this capacity, or would like more information, please contact Derrick Hershey @ dhershey@forsyth.k12.ga.us by Friday, April 23rd.
Be the Difference - Staff Recognitions
Reading WARRiors
It is with great sadness and tremendous honor Sawnee Elementary brings Reading WARRiors to our community. Former Media Specialist, Shannon Warr lost her battle to cancer in January of 2021. Mrs. Warr was a strong advocate for reading and getting books into children’s hands. Reading WARRiors has been established in order to honor her memory. Sawnee has created a bookshop area for students to be able to “shop” for a book of their choice. We have books from a variety of genres in both English and Spanish. This legacy will pass on her love of reading to our Sawnee students for many years to come. This year EVERY Sawnee student will receive a Reading WARRior book. In the future, we plan for every kindergartener entering Sawnee, every fifth grader leaving Sawnee, and all students with economic needs, who may not have access to their personal books, will receive a Reading WARRior book. It is our hope that by having their own book students will enjoy and value reading as they become lifelong readers.
If you would like to donate to the Reading WARRior program, click the button below.
Modern Woodmen Donation
5th Grade News
However, class shirts are on sale now through April 13th at 11:30pm (My Payments Plus payment window closes). Please purchase your student's shirt today and don't delay. We won't be able to accept purchases past this date. Click the link below for purchasing options (MPP, Cash or Check).
5th Grade T-shirt Purchase Instructions
Parents of Rising 6th Grade Students:
Please use the links below to access information about transition activities for both Otwell Middle School and Hendricks Middle School. If your child will be attending a different Forsyth County middle school, you will receive information directly from his/her homeroom teacher. You can also check the counseling page on the school website of any middle schools for additional information. If you have any questions, you can reach out to staff or administration at Sawnee or at the middle school level.
Letter from Otwell Middle School
Otwell Middle School 6th Grade Transition Page
Kindergarten Sneak Peek
Clinic News
Reminder
Sawnee families, please continue to communicate with your teachers any illnesses, Covid symptoms and exposures. If any member of your household is planning to get tested or has been tested for Covid, we ask that you keep all students at home until those results have been received. Also, as a reminder, students can NOT carry medications in school. All medications need to be brought to the clinic by a parent. We appreciate everyone being extra cautious and keeping your children home when they are not feeling well. Feel free to reach out to Nurse Kate or Nurse Robyn with any questions/concerns.
For up to date clinic information, please visit the school clinic webpage link below.
Counseling Information
As always, please feel free to reach out to any of us with questions or concerns!
Your Sawnee Counselors,
Bonnie O’Neil & Jansky, Zach Kissell, & Ruthie Urban
Cafeteria News
Harvest of the Month is Strawberries
- Strawberries are the first fruit to ripen each spring.
- There are 200 seeds on an average strawberry and they are the only fruit that has seeds on the outside
- They’re an excellent source of vitamin C and manganese and also contain decent amounts of folate (vitamin B9) and potassium.
Reminders:
- Free Breakfast & Lunch for ALL students, will continue for the rest of the school year, as long as funds are available.
- Those students who bring lunch can also get fruits, vegetables and milk for free to supplement their lunch. Click here for more information.
- You can add money to your child's lunch account through My Payments Plus or sending in cash/check for purchasing extra items such as chips, water bottles or ice cream.
Mrs. Hughes (Cafe 1) & Mrs. Silvers (Cafe 2)
Field Day Schedule
Birthday Celebrations
Several people have asked about buying for a teacher's birthday, and YES you can do that too! When filling out the form on MPP, simply enter the teacher's name in instead of your student's name. If you need to pay by cash or check please send it in with your child in an envelope with the student name, teacher name and date you would like the treat. If you have questions please contact Sharon Hamilton at shamilton@forsyth.k12.ga.us.
Birthday Ice Cream Pack Instructions (English)
Birthday Ice Cream Pack Instructions (Spanish)
If you have any questions, please contact Sharon Hamilton at shamilton@forsyth.k12.ga.us.
Important Dates to Know
April 1 - Month of the Military Child
April 2 - Impressions entries due
April 5-9 - Spring Break, NO SCHOOL
April 13 - Village Burger Take out Tuesday
April 20 - Marco's Take out Tuesday
April 21 - Administrative Professionals Day
April 27 - Papa John's Take out Tuesday
May 18 - Field Day KK & 1st grade
May 19 - Field Day 2nd & 3rd grade
May 20 - Field Day 4th & 5th grade
May 27 - Last Day of School
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PARENT CORNER
Sawnee PTO
2020-2021 Board Members
President- Emily Hawkins
VP Education - Emily Nelson
VP Hospitality-Taylor Milburn
VP Family Engagement - Sara Deal
Treasurer-Nicole Hale
Secretary-Sabrina Thomas
Impressions Fine Arts Contest
Sawnee students, are you creative? Do you have talents in the arts? Enter the Sawnee Elementary Impressions contest!
- The theme this year is "Dream Big." Contest categories include visual art, photography, music composition, dance choreography, film and literature.
- You may enter as many categories as you'd like.
- The contest will run from March 2 to April 2, 2021.
- Judging will be April 5-16 and Awards will be given to 1st, 2nd and 3rd places April 19-23.
- This contest will only be within Sawnee. Any entry that wins will not go on to a district competition. We can't wait to see what Sawnee students create!
- Click here for details and the entry form.
- Website: https://www.sawneepto.com/
- Contact us: sawneeptoboard@gmail.com
CONNECT WITH US: Be sure to follow Sawnee PTO on social media for updates on Staff Appreciation Week, Takeout Tuesdays and continued progress on our fundraising goals!
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Partners in Education
Business Partner Spotlight
World Champion Tae Kwon Do has a summer special for Sawnee Elementary. See below.
Do you have a local business that would like to become a partner with Sawnee Elementary? Please contact Derrick Hershey at dhershey@forsyth.k12.ga.us if interested.
Community Events & Information
Contact Sawnee Elementary
Website: http://forsyth.k12.ga.us/sawneeelementary
Location: 1616 Canton Highway, Cumming, GA, USA
Phone: 770-887-6161
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SawneeES/
Twitter: @SawneeElem