January Newsletter 2019
Chestatee Elementary School
A Letter From Dr. Tennies, Our Principal
Happy New Year Families! With a new year, new opportunities occur. We recently learned about our 2019-2020 school year funding status for additional services. We are excited to share that Chestatee will resume Title 1 services for next school year, starting in August, 2019. You may have several questions. Here are a few that I imagine you would like to ask.
What does that mean for the school?
The school is able to fund many extras through Title 1 funding. Some of the extras include: personnel, tutoring, daily small group teachers, summer programs, instructional materials, and technology. Parent input is essential in directing the program.
Specifically, in the past, this meant 6 additional teachers (including our Family Engagement Coordinator, who supports all families, and an Instructional Coach, who supports teachers through professional growth.) We also provided bus transportation home from Learning Academy and started free tutoring after school in October for students. We funded extra programs such as Kinder Camp, Summer School, Digital Summer School, and Page Turners, our summer reading program.
How does Title 1 benefit my child?
Students may qualify for daily additional help in reading and math. Everyone benefits from the addition of teachers who reduce the teacher-student ratio at the school. Title 1 funds technology (software and hardware) and materials that all children use at the school.
How did this change of status happen?
Title 1 services are funded based on a school’s free and reduced meal rate. Although our school’s rate dropped through redistricting, it did not drop to a rate to disqualify us from services next school year. Our qualifying rate in the spring of 2018 was 42% and now, 36% of students qualified in October 2018. Each year our rate will be reviewed to determine if we maintain Title 1 Status.
In the past, Chestatee earned several awards for the manner in which we conducted Title 1 services. Some of the awards earned include:
Top 5% of Title 1 Schools Highest Academic Performance
Top 10% Title 1 Schools Greatest Progress
One of six Family Friendly Schools in the state
We are proud to partner with families and students, and will continue to “Soar to Success!”
Kindly,
Dr. Polly Tennies
Principal
We Need You!
Georgia Parent Survey
The Georgia Parent Survey contains 24 questions. All parents are encouraged to participate in the Georgia Parent Survey because the data will be used as part of the calculation of the School Climate Star Rating. Survey responses are anonymous and will be submitted directly to the Georgia Department of Education for analysis.
INCREDIBLE Things Happen at the "T"!
Live to Give students donated over $100 dollars to the Haiti Deaf Academy to support their annual fundraiser.
Raffle Winners!
Our Cafeteria Staff Scored a 100!
Kids for Critters
A big thank you for all of the donations you made to help our local animal shelter. Kids for Critters Club did a great job of heading this endeavor up for us!
A Look Back at December Fun
What's New At the T?
Snow Day Help Video
7:45 am-9:15 am
10:00 am -10:50 am
11:45 am-12:30 pm
Before you are able to come and read to students, you MUST watch the mandated reporter video here. You will also need to sign the Volunteer Agreement attached below.
Teacher/ Staff Member of the Month Nominations
Congratulations to December Teacher of the Month-Beverly Jablonski
Attitude of Gratitude
Live to Give Club
Our Live to Give Club meets once a month to spread the love. They complete student led service projects and have over 100 members.
What's Coming up at the T?
Don't Miss our Coffee Chat
APTT Nights-Mark your calendar!
Grades K-2: January 17
Grades 3-5 : January 24
Doors open at 5:30, and the meeting starts at 6:00. We also have childcare and translators. Our teachers have been working hard to prepare and are excited to show you the growth! We'll also introduce a new skill and show engaging ways to practice at home. We can't wait to see you!
The Snowflake Ball
February 26
Our Communi-T-y is the BEST!
Thank You to Our School Store Sponsor!
Please check out Farmers Insurance here!
You can also check out their Facebook page.
Thank you to our community for the outpouring of love to our students and families!
A special thank you to the Community Service Investigators with the Forsyth County Women’s Club for their large donation of new toys, books, and games for Chestatee’s School Store! Our students will be working hard to earn these exciting new items as we return from the long break. To learn more about the Forsyth County Women’s Club, the Community Service Investigators, and the organizations they help support, please visit https://www.forsythcountywomensclub.net/community-service.html
Want to Join PTO?
A Few Words From our Family Engagement Coordinator
Happy New Year!
On January 1st, my family sat around the dinner table and shared our goals for 2019. I wrote each person’s goal on an index card to hang in our kitchen. It’s not a popular idea with my husband, but he went along with it! Our girls came up with things they could do that they hear us say over and over. For our oldest, it is to listen to us the first time. For the youngest, she plans to stop sucking on her fingers. She’s gotten lots of sicknesses this year! My goal always seems to go along with better health. My husband made a health goal this year too, so we could work together. A “better us” goal was our first step, and I’m excited to say we will be making some academic goals in just another week or two for APTT.
Yes, you saw that correctly! Academic Parent Teacher Team meetings are right around the corner. I’m so excited to have them in January as it’s a perfect time to reflect on things going well and what we need to improve. A huge part of APTT is looking at the data and writing a goal to improve. When you come, you’ll get to see how your child has improved since August on skill 1. Then your child’s teacher will show the data for a new skill. It’s an exciting time to see how your child is doing academically. I love that teachers will share activities you can do in 5 minutes a few days each week at home to help your child improve. I also love that APTT offers you many updates throughout the year. This is an important night, and we hope you can be there!
Grades K-2 will meet on Thursday, January 17 at 6 PM. Grades 3-5 will meet on Thursday, January 24 at 6 PM. Childcare and translators will be here.
Welcome 2019! Here’s to setting goals and reaching them!
See you soon,
Meg
Meg Killingsworth
770-887-2341 ext 722302
Free and Reduced Lunch
Click here to apply. Need help filling out the form? Stop by and see Meg Killingsworth in the Family Resource Room (302). Or give her a call or email. She’s glad to help! Can't come in?
Here's a video with directions!
770-887-2341 ext 722302
Don't Forget....
Box Tops/ Soup Labels
Remember if you full up a box tops page, Ms. Donna has a prize you can earn!
Kroger and Publix will donate money too...
See Ms. Donna in the front office for one of these cards, or send a letter with your child asking for one, and we will send one home for you!
We love our Partners in Education!
Chestatee Elementary School
Email: chestateees@gmail.com
Website: http://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/site/default.aspx?domainid=260
Location: 6945 Keith Bridge Road, Gainesville, GA, United States
Phone: 770-887-2341
Facebook: facebook.com/ChestateeES
Twitter: @chestateees