THE NORCROSS ELEMENTARY EAGLE
February Newsletter
Principal's Message
On January 24 we celebrated the 100th Day of School. Can you believe we have less than 80 days remaining? We will continue to keep our focus on the main thing, teaching and learning.
The month of February is Black History Month and we will celebrate the accomplishments and successes of Black Americans. Our theme this year is, Believe, Achieve, Succeed. During school, students will be involved in several activities and projects.
On behalf of the faculty and staff at Norcross Elementary School, thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Kassia Sutton
Proud Principal of Norcross Elementary
COVID Updates
Gwinnett County Public Schools hopes that all of our students, families, and staff members are having a wonderful Winter Break. Below you will find a few reminders as we prepare for students to return to classes on Thursday, January 6.
- Based on community spread of COVID in Gwinnett County, masks will be required in all GCPS facilities when students and staff return to school and work next week.
- Just a reminder for those who may have traveled internationally over the break:
- For unvaccinated travelers…The CDC recommends that unvaccinated international travelers get tested for COVID-19 from 3 to 5 days after returning AND self-quarantine at home for a full 7 days after their return to the U.S.
- Fully vaccinated travelers do not have to quarantine. However, the CDC recommends getting a COVID-19 test from 3 to 5 days after travel and self-monitoring for symptoms.
- Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 within 90 days of traveling do not have to quarantine or test. They should monitor for symptoms for 14 days after travel and isolate and contact a health care provider if symptoms develop.
- Gwinnett County Public Schools continues to strongly encourage all eligible students, faculty, and staff to get fully vaccinated, including a booster if eligible, in order to protect themselves and the community. Individuals ages 5 and older are eligible to receive COVID vaccinations. Please check with the Gwinnett Health Department or your health provider to learn more about the vaccination and where you may go to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.
- As we gear up for 2nd semester, remember to stay home from school and work if you are sick, have been exposed to someone who has COVID, have been diagnosed as having COVID, or have been tested for COVID and are waiting for results.
Currently: MASKS ARE REQUIRED.
COVID TESTING PILOT IN THE NORCROSS CLUSTER
Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) is continuing its efforts to keep schools safe by making COVID-19 Surveillance Testing available to students and staff. In January of 2022, the district will begin piloting this testing in the Norcross Cluster.
Routine COVID-19 testing (also called surveillance testing) can quickly detect individuals who are positive with COVID-19 and trace contacts who should quarantine. The testing, which is free and will be conducted on a weekly basis at the school, uses a short Qtip-type swab to collect a sample from inside the nose. This testing will allow GCPS to test, receive test results (within 24 hours), and notify individuals of a clinically significant reading. By participating, students and staff members can help to minimize the spread of the virus within our schools, which benefits us all.
Although participation in surveillance testing is not required for students or staff members, it is strongly encouraged. Participation will contribute to the success of this mitigation strategy and our schools’ ability to limit the spread of COVID and keep students learning in person.
Learn more about the COVID testing being offered to Norcross Cluster students and staff by reviewing our frequently asked questions.
Families of Norcross Cluster students (attending Norcross HS, Paul Duke STEM HS, Pinckneyville MS, Summerour MS, Baldwin ES, Beaver Ridge ES, Norcross ES, North Metro Academy of Performing Arts, Peachtree ES, Simpson ES, and Stripling ES) who are interested in their child(ren) participating in this pilot should click on the Student Sign-up link below to register. Interested Norcross Cluster employees should check on the Employee Sign-up link below.
What to do if your child is sick?
1. Keep your child at home if he/she is sick.
2. If your child has tested positive for COVID and/or considered a close contact, please contact Contacia.Cross, assistant principal, at contacia.cross@gcpsk12.org. who will provide additional guidance.
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February Dates
February is Black History Month
February 2 - Ground Hog Day
February 2 - Tutus, Ties, and Tennis Shoes
February 4 - Wear Your Black History T-Shirt from last year
February 2 - Tutus, Ties, and Tennis Shoes
February 7 - National Counseling School Week
February 11 - Send Home Progress Reports/Academic Challenge
February 11 - Wear a Black History T-Shirt
February 14 - Valentine's Day
February 17 -21 Student/Staff Holiday
February 22 - Twin Day
February 25 - Student of the Month
February 26 - Saturday Intervention
PBIS at Home Guide
1. Expectations
Create a list of 3 -5 POSITIVELY worded expectations for the whole house. Keep it simple!
- Be respectful
- Be understanding
- Be helpful
2. Examples
Create a few examples of what each of those expectations looks like for the house. Ask your kids to contribute!
Respectful
I can be respectful by… staying quiet when others are talking.
I can be respectful by… waiting for my turn to use items at home.
Understanding
I can be understanding by… recognizing our new reality and the challenges it presents.
Helpful
I can be helpful by… cleaning up the messes I make or cleaning up a mess I see.3. Celebrate It
When your child does one of these things, CELEBRATE IT! Tell them what you liked and appreciated about their behavior. Then give them a physical token to keep track of their positive behaviors – stickers, coins… whatever you have.
4. Set Goals
Come up with a “big picture” goal. If you earn 15 “points” or tokens, you can get 15 extra minutes of electronic time. Maybe they can buy their way out of a chore!
5. Patience
BE PATIENT! This type of system does not solve everything, but it definitely helps to define expectations and to focus on the positive outcomes. A small shift in what you observe can lead to a much larger change in the way you think and relate to your family members!
This information was taken from https://www.pbisrewards.com/blog/how-to-implement-pbis-at-home/
Counseling Department
Media Center Updates
Please monitor the library books your child brings home to read. Remind them to keep them in their book bag when they are not reading it so it will make it back to us!
New Checkout Incentive for 2nd grade - 5th grade - We have a "Stick Together" Poster full of squares with letters on them. When the students checkout a book, they get to place a sticker on a letter and eventually a picture will be revealed. See photo to the right to see what has been earned so far.
Spring Book fair coming in March. March 7 - 15th in the media center. More information will be sent home closer to the date and information sent on Class Dojo.
Federal Programs Family-School Partnership Advisory Council
Parent Perception Surveys
The last day to complete the survey is Thursday, March 3.
Early Release Day Conferences Coming Soon
March 3 - Early Release Day; students dismissed at 12:50pm
Conference Sign up information will be sent home on Friday, February 4.
Please email amarilis.rodriguez@gcpsk12.org if you are interested in interpreting.
Meals on Digital Learning Days
Meals will be provided.
Free/Reduced Lunch Forms
AKS at Home
AKS at Home is a Gwinnett County Public Schools’ family engagement initiative that empowers parents with tools to support the learning of their children at home. This initiative highlights foundational skills and activities taught in the areas of Math and Language Arts for grades K-5.
YOU ARE INVITED!
We invite all our families of students in K-5 grades to sign up for our AKS at Home virtual sessions.
The dates for Unit 2 are located on the GCPS website for AKS at Home.
GCPS Learning Hub
SCHOOL HOURS
SCHOOL OPENING AND CLOSING TIMES
The designated school hours for Norcross Elementary School are 8:50 A.M. to 3:20 P.M. For safety reasons, please abide by these hours. Students may begin arriving at 8:20 A.M. Students may NOT be dropped off prior to 8:20 A.M. because supervision is not available. Students arriving after 8:50 A.M. will be marked tardy. If your child is late, students will need to be checked in by a parent or guardian. Please walk them into the building.
HEALTH UPDATES
Previous Newsletters
September: https://www.smore.com/1cghs
October: https://www.smore.com/tf6prj
How to Stay Connected
Principal – Kassia Sutton (kassia.morris.sutton@gcpsk12.org)
Assistant Principal - Gr. K, 1 – Jamie Elsey (jamie.elsey@gcpsk12.org)
Assistant Principal - Gr. 2, 3 – Staci Gelbaum (staci.gelbaum@gcpsk12.org)
Assistant Principal – Gr. 4, 5 – Contacia Cross (contacia.cross@gcpsk12.org)
Website: https://www.gcpsk12.org/NorcrossES
Location: 150 Hunt Street, Norcross, GA, USA
Phone: 770-448-2188
Facebook: facebook.com/NorcrossElementarySchool-GCPS