DEC. 5-9 - HOLIDAY SHOP

DEC. 5-20 - DECEMBER TO REMEMBER DAYS (DETAILS BELOW)

DEC. 6 - FAMILY CONNECT NIGHT (NO HOMEWORK)

DEC. 7 - SPELLING BEE (4th/5th GRADE)

DEC. 9 - PTO'S WINTER WONDERLAND EVENT, 6-9PM

DEC. 15 - PTO SPIRIT NIGHT AT OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE

DEC. 21- JAN. 4 - WINTER BREAK (NO SCHOOL)

JAN. 5 - FIRST DAY OF SECOND SEMESTER

December is upon us at New Hope! The holidays are such a fun and exciting time at an elementary school, but as a new school we need lots of help to create amazing memories for our students. Please read below for two ways you can help if you would like. No donation is too small!

We will transform our cafeteria into a Winter Wonderland. For this beautiful transformation, we are in need of your unwanted (but still in good, used condition):

• White sheets or tablecloths
• Strings of white lights
• Empty boxes
• Wrapping paper
• Christmas trees

Surprises for Staff - Do you have any unwanted gift cards laying around your home? Can you donate a gift card from an area store or restaurant? Maybe you own a business and would like to provide a small good or service? Or that gift that your aunt gave you last year was not your style but someone else would love it? If so, we are happy to take these things off your hands and surprise a well-deserving staff member.

We will have a box for any donations for the Winter Wonderland transformation and the Surprises for Staff in the waiting area by the front office. Please drop off any donations before December 15.

Thank you for helping us create a magical time for our students and staff at New Hope in December!

School Attendance

Regular school attendance is an important aspect of academic achievement and overall student success at New Hope. When students miss school, they miss out on participating in important classroom learning. We ask all our New Hope parents/guardians to review the Board of Education policy on school attendance that we must follow as a school community.

If your student is absent from school, please make sure you notify us using one of the following options:

• Fax: 678-965-5106

• Email: nheattendance@forsyth.k12.ga.us

• Paper note: Send with your student in the classroom folder in his/her backpack

Parent/guardian, doctor and dental notes should be submitted within five (5) school days of an absence. The note must include the student’s first and last name, the date(s) of absence(s), and the reason for the absence. The principal may require students to present appropriate medical or other documentation upon return to school for the purpose of validating that those absences are excused.

Family vacations or extended travel is not considered an excused absence from school. If a student misses more than ten (10) consecutive school days for travel, the student will be unenrolled. If your child is going to miss school because of a trip or other unexcused absence, the teacher is not required to have work available prior to the time of the absence. Your child may be allowed to make up the work upon their return to school. However, the teacher is not required to provide make-up work for an unexcused absence. Most work cannot be made up with a book or paper-and-pencil assignment, and absences of any type impact student learning and/or grades.

When a student has accumulated a total of 5 days of unexcused absences, we will send a notification letter to parents. For 8 days of accumulated unexcused absences, we will notify the school social worker.

Parents/guardians can monitor student attendance in the Parent Portal. If you are not able to log into your Parent Portal account, please come by the school during school hours with your photo ID and our office staff will assist you.

If you have any questions, please contact our Attendance Secretary Amanda Supple at asupple@forsyth.k12.ga.us.

Mandated Reporter Video & Sign Off Sheet - The video may be found here. After viewing, complete the sign off sheet here.

No check outs after 1:45 PM.

Your child should have brought home an envelope for the PTO's Holiday Shop. If you would like your child to shop, please return the completed envelope before their class shopping time (your child's teacher can provide the date/time their class will shop.) The shop is open Dec. 5-9. Parents can shop with students during the PTO Winter Wonderland event (details below). The shop offers gift items priced within a child’s budget–from pocket change to $12.00, with most gifts under $4. You’ll find something here for everyone on a child’s list: Mom, Dad, Brothers, Sisters, Grandparents, Teachers, Special Friends and Pets.

It is that time of year when colds and allergies begin affecting students. Many times they wake up not feeling well, and it’s hard to decide if they should go to school. I have a section called, “Is your child too sick for school?” located on my page on the New Hope website. It will help you decide what to do. A link to the page is also located here.

If your child has a health condition (new or old) that may require additional support while he/she is at school, please make sure all necessary healthcare action plans have been completed and brought to school. The required forms can be found on the New Hope website on the school nurse page or by clicking here. Please complete the form and return to me as soon as possible so that I can continue a high quality of care that your child deserves.

If your student requires medication to be kept at school, a Request for Administration of Medication form (1 for each medication) must also be completed. If your child has a condition that is not covered by a specific form please use the Individual Health Care Plan form. In addition, please note most forms require both a physician’s signature and the parent/guardian’s.

Please be aware that students may not carry medication and/or paperwork to school themselves. This should be done by the parent/guardian.

As always, thank you for your support!

Your partner in health,

Nurse G

Gillian Sampson, RN

School Nurse

New Hope Elementary School

678-965-5101 x562106

Thank you for signing up for a Club Publix account TODAY!!