Knight Messenger

Knight Vision: To share in the commitment of rigorous and high-quality instruction to meet the needs of every child.

Our 2022-23 school theme "TEAM KNIGHT...ALL IN!" is directly aligned with our continued vision and instructional expectations for Knight: to share in the commitment of rigorous and high-quality instruction to meet the needs of every child.

Knight Mission: To provide a positive, stimulating, and secure environment that empowers the individual to grow socially, emotionally, and intellectually in order to meet the challenges of an ever-changing world.

Knight Belief: We believe all kids can learn…

…and we will establish high standards of learning that we expect all students to achieve. It is our job to create an environment in our classrooms that engages students in academic work that results in a high level of achievement. We are confident that with our support and help, students can master challenging curricula, and we expect them to do so. We are prepared to work collaboratively with colleagues, students, and parents to achieve this shared educational purpose (DuFour, 1997a).

I continue to be so proud of our students and the hard work they do each and every day. In addition, I am in awe of the partnership with our families. Thank you to everyone who volunteered and supported our first Winterfest since 2019! Winterfest is an example of what makes Knight the Place to BE! Thank you to our PTA Officers- Vanessa Estremadoyro, Jocabed Montoya, Kelly Morgan, Denise Carter, and Cherie Peck for planning, organizing, and hosting Winterfest. Thank you Knight Family for setting up the night and/or the morning before, facilitating activities, and cleaning up afterward. Thank you Knight Family for the smiles, laughter, and enthusiasm! Winterfest was a wonderful event!

Knight Family, we are thankful and grateful for all that you do to support our school. I continue to say, Great Communities, build Great Schools and in turn, Great Schools build Great Communities! As we approach the end of the year, the time to celebrate is near! Let's make the month of December one to remember! Please see our 12 Days of Kindness Calendar. Students are invited to participate, as we enjoy the most wonderful time of the year! Happy holidays to all and have a safe upcoming winter break!

If there is anything I can do to support you, please don't hesitate to reach out to me at 770-921-2400 or toni.ferguson@gcpsk12.org.

Your Proud Principal,

Dr. Toni Ferguson

Knight Elementary School

We are excited to announce that the 5th annual BOX OF LOVE initiative has officially begun!

Our goal is to help make the holidays easier for families in the Knight Elementary community. Last year your generosity was overwhelming. We were able to help close to 50 families at Thanksgiving AND again at Christmas! With your help, we are hoping to repeat our efforts!!!

ALL the information and details are provided in the Sign Up Genius. If you are interested in donating, please click on the Sign-Up Genius.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b094dabae2ba02-boxoflove4

If you would like to just donate the cost of the box, our Box of Love team is happy to do the shopping for you.

Thank you in advance! We are truly looking forward to helping our awesome students and their families during the holiday season!

~Heather Cox (Support Teacher) and Allison Dallas (Parent Outreach Liaison)

Thursday, December 8

• 1st Grade Polar Express Day

December 5 - 15

• iReady Screener (KK)

December 12 - 15

• District Assessments (1-5) / GMAS Benchmark (3-5)

Friday, December 16

• House Color Day
• Winter Parties

December 19 - January 4

• Winter Break

Thursday, January 5

• Students Return to School / College Awareness Day

Monday, January 16

• Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day / No School

Thursday, February 2

• College Awareness Day

Friday, February 3

• Digital Learning Day

• Students will access lessons in eCLASS but do not have virtual class time with their teachers.
  
• Between 10:45 AM to 12:00 PM, our bus drivers will deliver meals at no cost to families and are provided to anyone 18 years old and under.

ARRIVAL

Car Rider

• Students will begin entering at 8:20 am.
• Drop off ends promptly at 8:50 am.
• Students arriving after 8:50 am will need to be checked in at the front desk by a parent/guardian.
• Morning announcements will begin at 8:50 am.

Bus Rider

• Buses will unload at 8:20 am.

Day Care

• Students will enter the building beginning at 8:20 am.

VISITORS TO THE SCHOOL

• Please contact the Parent Center from 9:00am - 3:00pm at 770-806-3887 if you are interested in volunteering.

DISMISSAL

Car Rider

• Students will be released starting at 3:20 pm.
• Pick up ends promptly at 3:50 pm.
• Students not picked up after 3:50 pm will need to be checked out at the front desk by a parent/guardian with a photo ID.

Bus Rider

• Buses will load at staggered times based upon their arrival.

Day Care

• Students will be released starting at 3:20 pm.

CHANGE OF TRANSPORTATION: If your child needs a temporary alternate transportation route for the afternoon, please call the front office prior to 10 AM.

• Parents/families are welcome to enjoy lunch with their child(ren).
  
• After checking in the office with an ID and securing a visitor badge, parents/families will meet their child(ren) at the entrance to the cafeteria.
• Please allow your child to follow his/her normal routine in the cafeteria line. Feel free to bring a lunch with you or to purchase lunch at the salad/potato bar ($3.75).
• Parents/families will utilize the bistro tables in the hallway outside the cafeteria.
• When leaving the cafeteria parents should not escort students back to the classroom. Parents must sign out before leaving.

Many thanks to all visitors for utilizing our Visitor Management System (VMS) and for submitting identification through RAPTOR. This increased security means that visitors have been screened prior to entering the rest of the building.

Last month, I shared that a vestibule is being constructed in our front lobby. The district is creating an interior vestibule in every school in Gwinnett as an additional security measure. Visitors to the school will be buzzed in with our video system and will then be allowed to enter the vestibule. Your ID will then be checked, and once you are cleared you will be able to enter the building. More information will be shared once construction starts.

GCPS schools have established reasonable and precautionary practices within the school to minimize the risk of infection and/or spread of COVID-19 and Monkeypox.

Guidance is subject to change based on updated recommendations from CDC/Department of Public Health and will be communicated to local school Health Response Team 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/Monkeypox criteria for return to work/school in consultation with county nurses.
• As of August 18th, masks are strongly recommended, but optional for staff in all GCPS facilities. In addition, mask coverings are OPTIONAL for students and visitors. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Action Items for School Plan

• Ensure each common area and classroom will have hand sanitizer available for use.
• Continue to provide ample time for restroom and handwashing opportunities.
• A custodial schedule is being utilized to ensure cleaning of high-touch areas throughout the school day.

*Protocols for reporting COVID-19/Monkeypox contact exposure will be followed and reported immediately to administrators/district health officials. Please see additional information regarding Monkeypox procedures and CDC Guidelines from GCPS.

* In addition, if you or anyone in your home is sick and has tested positive for COVID-19/Monkeypox, please contact our clinic coordinator, Majonna Garcia, immediately.

Please join PTA this year!

Knight PTA's ultimate goal is to benefit our children and support their learning experience. Membership is an opportunity to connect with other parents and to support our school. Our goal is one membership for each student. Membership is only $5 per person! Please join at:

https://knightelementaryschoolpta.memberhub.com/store#.

Membership is $5 per individual adult (not per household or per student as GA PTA does not allow household memberships).

Thank you for supporting PTA!

Knight Elementary (KES) PTA Officers for the 2022-23 school year!

Co-President ~ Vanessa Estremadoyro

Co-President ~ Jocabed Montoya

Vice President ~ Kelly Morgan

Secretary ~ Denise Carter

Treasurer ~ Cherie Peck

If you are interested in volunteering to help support KES PTA and Knight Elementary, please send an email to knightelementarypta@gmail.com.

Order your 2022-2023 Knight Elementary Yearbook TODAY! Don’t Delay, Order Today! Price is $35. Order online at http://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A09859970.

Be sure to visit the GCPSWebsite for all updates regarding the start of school.

Please feel free to contact Allison Morant Dallas, allison.dallas@gcpsk12.org , or Kelli Sheffield, kelli.sheffiled@gcpsk12.org , in our Parent Center. You can also reach them by phone from 9:00am - 3:00pm at 770-806-3887.

Please visit the Knight website often for information and updates at KnightESHomepage. Thank you for your generosity and support as we continue to ensure learning for all students at Knight Elementary!