Simonton Parent Newsletter
Friday, September 6, 2019
Every student every day, deserves to learn, lead, and excel!
Message from the Ms. Perkins
Starting Monday, students in grades 1, 2 and 5 will participate in the CogAT assessment. This assessment provides us with information about a student's natural learning abilities and talents. It is so important for students to have a good night's rest, eat a healthy breakfast and arrive to school on time. Thank you for helping us to ensure our students do their absolute best each day.
Next Wednesday, September 11, 2019 we will hold our Prinicipal's "Welcome Back" dinner. It is free of charge. There are two sessions to choose from. You may come for dinner at 5:30 pm or at 6:30 pm. We can't wait to see you all here.
The first Local School Council for the school year will be held on Friday, September 13, 2019. This is a great opportunity to learn more about Simonton ES and Gwinnett County public schools. The meetings are open to everyone. We will meet here at Simonton ES at 10:00 am.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Principal's Back to School Dinner
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
Session 1: 5:30-6:15 pm
Session 2: 6:30-7:15 pm
Come for a FREE dinner and hear about the exciting initiatives planned for this school year!
There will be door prizes (and more)
A HUGE thank you to all our parents & grandparents that joined us for lunch today!
Congratulations to the classes that earned the most GOLD classroom shields for the month of August...
Kindergarten- Ms. Reid
1st Grade- Ms. Taylor
2nd Grade- Mrs. Wigle
3rd Grade- Mrs. Weber
4th Grade- Mrs. King
5th Grade- Mrs. Sherrer
SPED- Mrs. Maxey
- Saturday Intervention (3rd-5th) ~ 9:00-11:00 am
Monday, September 9
- CogAT testing (1st, 2nd, 5th grades)
Tuesday, September 10
- Chorus begins ~ 7:15 am
- CogAT testing (1st, 2nd, 5th grades)
- Follett Book Fair begins (Media Center)
Wednesday, September 11
- CogAT testing (1st, 2nd, 5th grades)
- Title 1 Parent Meeting ~ 10:00-11:00 am or 4:30-5:30 pm
- Principal's Dinner ~ 5:30 pm
Thursday, September 12
- Instrumental Ensemble ~ 7:15 am
- Kinder University
Friday, September 13
- Local School Council Meeting ~ 10:00-11:00 am
- 6 week Interims emailed out
Saturday, September 14
- Saturday Intervention (3rd-5th) ~ 9:00-11:00 am
Our Follett Bookfair will begin Tuesday, September 10th, 2019.
Reminders of Upcoming Events:
To wear pajamas, bring in $1.00
Title 1 Parent Meeting
Session 1: 10:00-11:00 am
Session 2: 4:30-5:30 pm
Local School Council
Join us for our next Local School Council meeting. This is a great opportunity to learn about Gwinnett County Public Schools and Simonton ES. If you would be interested in attending please send an email to Lani Skogen at Lani_Skogen@gwinnett.k12.ga.us.
Friday, September 13, 2019 @ 10:00 am (Simonton ES)
Friday, December 13, 2019 @ 10:00 am (Simonton ES)
Friday, March 6, 2020 @ 10:00 am (Simonton ES)
Friday, May 8, 2020 @ 10:00 am (Simonton ES)
Empty containers needed for our STEM class....
Our STEM teacher is collecting a variety of empty containers. If you have any Clorox Wipe Containers, Toilet paper/Paper Towel Rolls, tissue boxes and RINSED Gatorade or BAI (coconut water) bottles, please send them into school with your child.
Additionally, if anyone has anything at home that can be taken apart and reassembled with something else, Mrs. Aseltine would happily take it off your hands. Examples include broken electronics such as fans or old cassette players or anything with snaps or screws.
Check out the following two events sponsored by the Atlanta Hawks...
What is a Digital Learning Day?
Gwinnett County Public Schools’ (GCPS) 2019‐20 school calendar includes two make‐up days to address school days missed due to inclement weather. In addition to these days, GCPS also has the option of using Digital Learning Days to make up days missed due to inclement weather. Should a decision be made to cancel school, students, parents, and staff will be notified of the closing and if the day is a Digital Learning Day.
How will it work for students?
- On the day that school has been canceled, teachers will post assignments on their eCLASS C&I course pages. High school assignments will be posted by 8 a.m. Elementary school assignments will be posted by 9 a.m. And, middle school assignments will be posted by 10 a.m.
- Students will use the MyeCLASS student portal to log in to their eCLASS C&I course pages where they will access assignments, resources, and other materials. If the power is out, a student may access the teacher’s course page when power returns. If a student does not have access to a computer or device (tablet, smartphone, etc.), the student can get the assignment once school resumes.
- Student work will be expected to be turned in to the teacher (either digitally or in person), using a school’s process for turning in work following an absence. For example, if your school allows students to turn in work two days after a missed day, the Digital Learning Day assignments would be due two days after classes resume.
During the school year, teachers will share additional information with students about Digital Learning Days, including how they will support student learning during the day. (For example, some teachers may set up a discussion board while others may use online conference tools or be available via phone.)
Parents and students who need a refresher course on how to access eCLASS C&I course pages can go to the following web page for helpful resources and information:
http://publish.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/gcps/home/public/about/eclass/content/eclass-c-and-i-course-pages
Simonton ES Handbook Highlight ~ 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. For security and safety reasons, transportation changes will NOT be made over the phone, by fax or email. Should you need to change transportation arrangements, a written note with a phone number from the child's parent or guardian indicating the change in his/her transportation home is required on the morning of the change. This note should be brought to the front office by the child to be signed and verified by a school official. If no note is received, the teacher will follow regular transportation procedures for your child.
Simonton ES Handbook Highlight ~ Arrival and Dismissal of Students
Students are expected to be at school on time and not leave unless they have permission. Staff members are involved in planning, conferencing, and staff meetings prior to 8:15. Car riders should NOT arrive before this time. At 7:45 they should be dropped off in the car-rider line on the right-hand side of the school, not in the front office. This is for their safety. There is no one on duty to supervise students prior to this time. Students arriving after 8:15 should be escorted to the office by a parent for check-in. School dismissal is at 2:45. Car riders must be picked up before 3:00. After this time, car riders will be taken to the front office for parent contact. Excessive incidents of late car rider pick up will result in a parent conference with school administrators.
GCPS Family Engagement Tips
1. Set the Stage for a Productive Study Routine
Just as a bedtime routine prepares kids to sleep, a homework routine can help them prepare to study. Start your child's routine with an announcement that homework time is about to begin. Offer prompts on what to do: "Put your toys away." "Clear the table." "Get your books." Ignore complaints and attempts to bargain for more time. To set the stage, bring a glass of water or school supplies to the table.
2. Make Reading Time Fun and Frequent
As Mark Twain once noted, a person who doesn't read books has no advantage over a person who can't read them. To motivate your child to read, allow him to keep the light on at bedtime as long as he is reading. On weekends, take the whole family to the library to browse, then go out for ice cream. Plan regular family reading times, too, where you turn off screen devices and read a favorite book together.
3. You Have What it Takes to Help Your Child Learn
Research makes it clear: All parents, no matter their own level of education, can help their children succeed in school. To do it, set high, but realistic, goals for your child. Then stress the importance of persistence, and praise her efforts and progress. Set reasonable rules and consequences. Keep in touch with your child's teachers, and spend time with your child. Listen to her, and share your family's values.
4. Time Spent Daydreaming Can be Time Well Spent
It may sound surprising, but daydreaming can be a useful activity as kids start thinking in more abstract terms. Daydreaming helps children reduce stress. It allows them to be creative, develop empathy and spend time on self-reflection. Give your child some free time and a place where he can daydream undisturbed. Build a little downtime into family activities, too. After a ball game, relax on a hill. Watch the clouds.
5. Parents Play a Part in Safety at School
You want your child to behave and be safe at school. So, be sure to discuss behavior and safety issues. Review the school rules and discipline policies together, and let your child know you expect her to follow them. Get involved with school efforts to prevent problems such as bullying among students. Meeting your child's friends and their families will also help you ensure that she spends time in safe, well-supervised settings.
6. A New Library Card is Cause for Celebration
What do you do to celebrate special days in your child's life? Did you take pictures on the first day of school? Did you save a lock of hair from his first haircut? Getting a library card is another big "first." It opens a world of learning to your child. If he doesn't have a library card yet, take him to get one. Then do something special to celebrate. Take a picture or fix a treat. And be sure to make regular library visits all year.
7. Set Your Child Up for Homework Success
What can you do to help your child with homework this year? First, make sure she has a quiet, well-lit place to work, a regular daily homework time and basic supplies, such as paper, pencils, pens and a ruler. Then, ask questions, such as: What's your assignment today? Is it clear? When is it due? Do you have a long-term assignment? Have you made a plan for completing it? Do you need special resources?
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
Superintendent: Mr. J. Alvin Wilbanks
Assistant Superintendent: Dr. Terry Watlington
Board Member: Steve Knudsen
Principal: Tamara Perkins
Assistant Principal: Daphne Miles
Assistant Principal: Nicole Tomlinson
Assistant Principal: Emily Young
Website: gcpsk12.org/SimontonES
Location: 275 Simonton Road Southeast, Lawrenceville, GA, USA
Phone: (770) 513-6637