The Fort Report
August 19, 2022
Empathy - Equity - Effectiveness - Excellence
Hello Fort Daniel Families,
A BIG thank you to all thank you to all of the families who came out to represent their students for Curriculum Nights. Our teachers enjoyed sharing important information with you that will support a successful school year for your student.
Please know that students should try to be at school daily and on time. The Tardy Bell sounds at 8:10 AM. We will engage in school announcements at 8:15 AM and hope that every child will be able to hear it.
All students PK-5 will participate in a SEL classroom morning meeting to start their day and then right into Hawk Time for acceleration and intervention learning time. Please try to let your children ride the school bus or be ready for school prior to 8:15 AM. We will acknowledge students this year for perfect attendance and want to have them strive for this. As always, if your child is sick in any way, they will stay home. Send them back with a sick note from you or your child's doctor.
We also have breakfast served daily should your child choose to eat at school. If you haven't filled out the free and reduced sheet, please do so, in the event that you qualify, you will not have to pay for a full breakfast and/or lunch based on your income. We hope that all families will be able to adjust positively to this new update.
Please know that this newsletter is my way to keep you updated, and knowledgeable of the school's events. Please make time to review it bi-weekly.
Also, please view our school website and Fort Daniel Facebook page for fun updates that allow you to see our school in action.
Together we are creating a school we all love. ~ Dr. Tucker
Safety and Security
Please note the following:
- All doors are and should be locked at all times-Please RING the bell in the front of the school on the door that says ENTER
- Visitor Management System (VMS) will be in place for parents/visitors to be buzzed into the building after stating the purpose of their visit.
- A new security vestibule is being installed and new procedures will follow-Please look for those updates in the near future
- Please follow the directions of staff on campus who ask you to park or follow a directive. We have reasons for our directives and appreciate your cooperation and kindness.
- Please come in with your ID daily-Even if you come every day, your ID will be asked for to take through our RAPTOR (identification system)- that is expected at every building to assess our visitors for sex offenders- All visitors must take their ID through this system
- Our building closes daily at 4 PM
- Please make sure that you wear your visitor badge if allowed in the building
- Please don't let anyone in the building if you are going or coming-We have to and should ask each party what their reason is for visiting our building.
- Staff and students will continue to conduct monthly fire, tornado, and intruder alert drills throughout the school year to ensure that we maximize safety plans.
- As we navigate through our safe and secure updates, I trust that you appreciate our attention to this as well. We will continue to solicit feedback throughout the school year from our School Council and PTA. If there is anything you want to share with us regarding areas on campus that need attention, please let us know. Your feedback is appreciated.
Article/video on 11 Alive news regarding safety changes:
Safety overview from GCPS website:
Emergency and Custody Updates
Please make sure that anyone you want to see your child for lunch (future dates to come) and pick up your child is on the emergency list. We can't release any child to anyone not listed as a parent and/or on the emergency list. You can check this on the parent portal. If a change is made, please come to the school and have our office staff support you after a license is displayed.
Additionally, we know that custody issues arise throughout the year. Please try to handle these updates outside of school so that it doesn't take our staff away from their daily work with trying to handle communication between two parties. As an enrolling parent, that person is responsible for all updates. If a parent is not on this list, we are not allowed to offer any support, updates, etc. without proper identification. Ask for an administrator for any questions.
Do You Have a Parent Portal Account?
You may have heard about Gwinnett's Parent Portal. The Parent Portal is a website that will allow you to log in and see your child's information, such as attendance, grades, standardized test scores, etc.
If you need to register with the portal, please print and complete this registration form and turn it in to the main office. Along with the completed form, you are required to show a photo I.D. for verification.
Free and Reduced Lunch Applications Are Due
Due to the expiration of USDA waivers, the School Nutrition Program will now transition to pre-pandemic operations. While meals are longer available at no charge to all students, we have made a few changes to assist our students and families as we transition away from the USDA waivers.
Breakfast
- Free and Reduced-Price students will receive breakfast at no charge. Students with Full Pay eligibility will be charged $1.50·
- All students will be charged for lunch based on their current eligibility status (Free, Reduced, Full Pay)
- There have been no changes to meal prices. Meal Prices for lunch are as follows: Reduced - $.40 cents; ES Lunch - $2.25; MS/HS Lunch - $2.50
Kindergarten Spotlight
Ms. Fancher's Kindergarten Class
Pictorial Representations
Hands-On Exploration
Reading Program News from our Media Center
FDES Volunteer Training Information
Please look for more information in the coming weeks!
Ice Cream at Fort Daniel
We are excited to share that our Ice Cream Sales position has recently been filled. Ice Cream will be sold starting next week. It is $1.00 cash only. Per GCPS School Nutrition, all items comply with the Smart Snacks in School regulations.
Parent Lunch Visitors
EVERY DOLLAR & EVERY HOUR MAKES A DIFFERENCE!
When you donate your time, talents & resources to our school, the PTA is able to offer academic & social opportunities that may not otherwise be able to take place.
Be sure to help your child's class by joining PTA today! See details for joining below!
Join PTA and Help Your Child's Class Win a Popsicle Party on the Playground
PTA Email: ptafortdaniel@gmail.com
Please click below to join Fort Daniel PTA TODAY!
Fort Daniel Safety Plans
GCPS schools have established reasonable and precautionary practices within the school to minimize the risk of infection and/or spread of COVID-19.
Guidance is subject to change based on updated recommendations from CDC/Department of Public Health and will be communicated to local school HRT members.
- Provide opportunities for regular handwashing.
- Implement the custodial schedule/processes to clean high-touch areas during the school day.
- Clearly communicate and follow COVID-19 criteria for return to work/school in consultation with county nurses.
- Masks are optional for students and staff
Action Items for School Plan
- We will ensure that each common area and classroom will have hand sanitizer available for use.
- We will continue to provide ample time for restroom and handwashing opportunities.
- A custodial schedule will be utilized to ensure cleaning of high-touch areas is occurring throughout the school day.
- Please continue to contact our school clinic worker, Mrs. Amy Norris to report any COVID-19 diagnosis immediately to monitor cases and consult with district health officials.
* In addition, if you or anyone in your home is sick and has tested positive for COVID-19, please contact our school clinic worker, Cindy Flowers and/or your grade level teacher immediately.