Bear Essentials
Dyer Newsletter
January 5, 2018
Welcome Back!
Important Information Regarding Digital Learning Days!
A letter came home today in your child's Friday folder regarding Digital Learning Day plans for the second semester in the event of additional school closings. Please be sure to review this letter and the Digital Learning Day Instructions on the reverse side. A link to this letter and the instructions can also be found below, and on the school website.
Important Message from our Counselor, Mrs. Garner:
IMPORTANT MEETING!
Thurs., JANUARY 11TH, 5:30 to 7:00 PM REGARDING
SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION
We all share a common goal for our children to be safe and protected from all things harmful. Related to that goal, school counselors are required to present annual personal safety lessons designed to prevent sexual abuse. The Think First & Stay Safe™ program is a research-based program that teaches specific personal safety education by way of interactive classroom lessons, classroom posters, role playing and corresponding activities. Think First & Stay Safe™ enables students to take an active and necessary role in protecting themselves from abuse and exploitation. A committee of professional school counselors reviewed the program and selected components that were developmentally appropriate for elementary students and developed lessons around those concepts.
Due to the importance of this topic, I want you to know when and how you may preview the materials and when the counselor will be presenting this information to your child's class. Please join me for previews on Thurs., January 11th at 5:30 to 7:00 PM. We will meet in the Media Center. The preview takes an hour for K-5 parents and an additional 30 minutes if you have a 5th grader and would like to view the video Breaking the Silence (30 minutes) that 5th graders will see in February. If you cannot attend, you may want to contact your child's counselor, Dawn Garner at 770-338-4782 if you would like to schedule a preview or if you have any questions or concerns. The materials will be available for preview from Jan 3rd to January 11th during the day as well if you would like to set up an appointment. All parents who attend the preview night or schedule a preview will get a homework pass for future use for their students! In Jan. and Feb., the school counselor will offer the sexual abuse prevention and safety lessons to all K-5 students.
You can also learn more about the detailed lesson plans and research behind this program at www.childluresprevention.com. Please be aware that more information is provided on the website than is actually used in Gwinnett County. The plan for Gwinnett includes the key concepts taught at all grade levels; each grade reviews what was learned in the previous grade(s) and then learns additional lures. Specifics are provided in the table below:
Key Concepts
You can use your built-in computer and make safe choices.
People are like the weather. Most are safe, but they can change.
Lures are tricks used to get children away from safe adults and safe place.
Laws help protect children and there are adults who can help you.
Your instincts help keep you safe.
A stranger is someone you don’t know.
Someone may even use threats to trick you.
No one can take away your dignity.
If you prefer that your child not participate in the sexual abuse and safety prevention lessons, please write and sign a note indicating your preferences and send it to your child’s teacher or school counselor. As always, the counselor is available to discuss any concerns you might have. Unless written documentation is received, your child will participate in the sexual abuse prevention and safety lessons.
Parent Surveys
Parents,
Please help us improve our school by taking a few minutes to complete two very important surveys: one for GCPS and one for the State of Georgia.
Each year GCPS conducts a Parent Perception Survey which is available on the Parent Portal. Once you log-in to your account, the survey should automatically pop up on your screen (make sure your pop-up blocker is turned off if you don't see it). Click here to log-in to your account. If you haven't yet set up a Parent Portal account, please visit our main office at Dyer to complete the brief form and show your valid ID. We also have computers available in the Media Center for you to use to complete the GCPS survey.
The other survey is from the State of Georgia and assists with our College and Career Readiness Climate Star Rating. You may complete the State survey on your computer, smartphone, or tablet or again, at the Dyer Media Center. We would like ALL parents to complete this State survey, and all responses are anonymously submitted directly to the Georgia Department of Education for analysis. Please click here to access the State survey.
We hope you will take a few minutes to complete these two surveys to help us improve Dyer Elementary. Thanks for your support!
Bear Reader Program
Birthday Wishes in Big Lights!
Yearbook Orders
Mark your calendars for these upcoming events!
January Dates
4th - Students return from Winter Break
11th - Sexual Abuse Prevention Curriculum Preview for Parents
12th - Report Cards Go Home
15th - MLK Jr Day - School Holiday
16th - 5 Spot Cafe Spirit Night
17th - Bruster's Blue Ice ($2)
22nd - 100th Day of School
25th - STEAM Night
26th - Box Top & Easy Money Turn in Day
31st - Six Flags Reading Logs Due
School Make-Up Days:
Mark your calendar!
Gwinnett County Public School students and staff will make up the missed days due to Hurricane Irma by attending school on the designated inclement weather make-up days in the calendar:
Friday, February 23
Friday, March 9
Friday, March 23
Parent Volunteers- Sign Up Here!
Help the Dyer Teachers!
All Grade Level Workroom Volunteers needed EVERY Tuesday Morning!
Sign-Up Today:
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/5080B4EA5AB2DA0FC1-ptoworkroom
YOU are needed on a Dyer Family Fun Committee!
- Donuts for Dads
- Muffins for Moms
- Bingo Night
- Decorating Committee
Sign-Up Today!
About Us
Email: FirstName_LastName@gwinnett.k12.ga.us
Website: http://www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/DyerES/home.html
Location: 1707 Hurricane Shoals Road, Dacula, GA 30019, United States
Phone: 770-963-6214
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DyerES