As shared in last week's eNews, beginning October 28, Gwinnett parents and guardians will make a decision about how their children will learn during the second semester. Like this semester, families may select either in-person instruction at their child’s school or digital learning at home. As students and families are more familiar with these two options and what they entail, the decisions families make will be for the entire semester. The Spring Instructional Preference Questionnaire will be available in your Parent Portal account October 28 through 11:59 p.m. on November 15. If you do not have a Parent Portal account, please refer to the information below titled, GCPS Parent Portal: 24/7 Access to Resources for your Student.

We know that families want easy access in one location to find important information about their student's education. Just as important, you want an easy way to stay in touch with the school. The Updated Parent Portal gives parents access to grades, assignments, and communication with teachers. The Parent Portal gives families a direct line to the classroom, with 24/7 real-time information and anytime, anywhere access, with in-portal translation in multiple languages. And that's just the beginning...If you currently do not have a Parent Portal account, click here to access the form to request one.

Parent Portal Registration Form

(Form in other languages: Bosanski / Srpski / Hrvatski 中文 한국어 Español Tiếng Việt)

Want to learn more about the Parent Portal and the direct line it provides parents to the classroom?

Parent Portal Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
(Flyer in other languages coming soon: Bosanski / Srpski / Hrvatski 中文 한국어 Español Tiếng Việt)

Watch the video below or click here to read about the Parent Portal.

(Flyer in other languages: Bosanski / Srpski / Hrvatski 中文 한국어 Español Tiếng Việt)

This month, Gwinnett County Public Schools' "Think Before You Post" campaign is focusing on online safety and privacy. Let's face it... it's a crazy world out there, literally and virtually! From the time children are born, parents teach them how to be safe. "Don't talk to strangers." "Look both ways before crossing the street." However, sometimes, we don't share those same types of safety lessons when it comes to online activities. It is critical for kids to understand the importance of being safe and smart online and how their activities online can have an impact on their lives. So check out the resources below that highlight how to help kids navigate the online world, while minimizing the risks.

Here are some resources for parents:

• Do I need to use parental controls for screen names and passwords?
• What are some general rules for screen names and passwords?
• How can I make sure my kid isn't sharing too much information on Facebook or Instagram?
• The bare minimum you should do to protect your family's data
• Here's the secret to raising a safe, smart kid
• How teens track each other on SnapMap
• Colleges are watching, what do your kids post?

AKS at Home provides online resources for families. AKS at Home provides math and language arts resources to support families, along with live and recorded sessions, tip sheets, and more.

It's time for the Parsons' community to determine our preference for the GCPS 2021-2022 school year. Please view the 3 calendar options below and complete the Google Survey to select your choice. Our school preference will be submitted to the district on November 12.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdireVi91SN2I4aDgTfYF3v-vR_mdOQba_T_rAy4zdlTpSLFQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

Please use the COVID-19 Morning Checklist to help reduce the spread of Covid-19. Please continue to follow the guidelines each morning when sending your in person student to school. We have seen a slight increase of cases in Gwinnett and we want to make sure we are ALL doing our part.

Each school in our district has a trained Health Response Team (HRT). If a suspected case of Covid-19 is reported at our school, this team follows set guidelines and procedures. Please be assured that you will be contacted by an HRT member if your child has been identified as 'close contact' to someone in our school who has tested positive for Covid-19.

The most important thing we can do is continue to wear our masks, practice social distancing, and wash hands regularly. We are #STRONGERTOGETHER when we all do our part.

On Nov. 3, citizens of Gwinnett County will vote to extend the 1 penny sales tax. Please review the links below for more information. Make your vote count!

Link to E-SPLOST referendum information found on GCPS web page

https://publish.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/gcps/home/public/home/content/general-info/esplost-2020-information

1. 4 Things to Know
2. E-SPLOST Information
3. Joint Resolution Calling for E-SPLOST
4. E-SPLOST Project List
5. Q and A on E-SPLOST
6. SPLOST V Audit
7. Ballot Question
8. Voter Information

National Bullying Awareness Month

Crime Prevention Month

Monday, 10/26/20

• Red Ribbon Week ~ We're REaDy (Wear a shade of red) to Make Healthy Choices

Healthy Challenge: Drink water instead of juice or soda.

Tuesday, 10/27/20

• Red Ribbon Week ~ We're Too Bright for Drugs (Rock your neon and sunglasses)

Healthy Challenge: Take a break from screen time.

Wednesday, 10/28/20

• Red Ribbon Week ~ Our Futures Matter (Wear a college shirt or dress business casual)

Healthy Challenge: Eat a healthy snack.

Thursday, 10/29/20

• Red Ribbon Week ~ Our Positive Choices Help Us Reach for the Stars (Wear your stars and outer space themed clothes)

Healthy Challenge: Try a new exercise.

• Read for the Record (Kindergarten)

Friday, 10/30/20

• Red Ribbon Week ~ We're Stronger Together as a Pride (Wear your Parsons spirit wear)

Healthy Challenge: Do a fitness activity with your family.

• Parsons Mock Election

On Friday, October 30, Parsons will hold two Mock Elections. All students will participate in the Mock Election to determine who will be the Principal for a Day in November. 4th and 5th grade students will also participate in a second Mock Election where they will vote on the offices of President, Vice President, US Senators and US House of Representatives.

Parents,

Due to the pandemic, Lifetouch will not be sending home flyers this year. Instead, everything will be online. See the link below for instructions on purchasing picture packages.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uGh5pw59GnusahPloGjrx7Q2g6VXqUDc/view?usp=sharing

Picture Day is coming up Thursday, November 5th. We will have a camera set up for digital students to use in the gym between 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. Parents will park in the car rider parking lot, walk your student to the gym door and wait by the gym for your student to return. There will be a staff member there to check students in and get them prepared. Parents and students must wear masks and stay socially distanced while waiting. The wait time should be minimal. Students need to bring a card with them to give to the photographer with the following information:

Teacher Name/Grade

Student Name

Student ID

Thank you to our Parsons Families and staff for your generous contributions to our Canned Food Drive during Gwinnett's Great Days of Service! Together, we were able to donate 517 canned food and toiletry items to the Neighborhood Cooperative Ministry (formerly the Norcross Cooperative Ministry)! The Neighborhood Cooperative Ministry serves families in the Southwest part of Gwinnett (Doraville, Norcross, Peachtree Corners and Tucker, in addition to the greater Gwinnett area). Thank you for your contributions that will help our fellow Gwinnett families!

Parsons Cubs,

Become a Parsons Cub against bully behavior by clicking on the link in the flyer to take one of our challenges by Wednesday of each week!

Challenge #1: Answer a question about bully behavior. This week’s question is, what do you personally do to show kindness to your friends/peers?

Challenge #2: Watch this week’s Brain Pop video about the bully behavior – Peer Pressure.

Congrats to our week 2 winners! Your parents will be contacted via email to select a prize.

Our Week 2 Unity Tree winners are:

• Quinn Ray, Mrs. Gambrell

• Zion Moorehead, Mrs.Vickers

• Irene Yu, Mrs. Miller

• Cadence Robertson, Mrs. Monaco

• Bakari Hayes, Mrs. Miller

Our Week 2 Brain Pop winners are:

• Aiden Eem, Ms. Russell

• Asher Yu, Mrs. Vickers

• Cadence Robertson, Mrs. Monaco

• Mariajose Duque Chaparro, Mrs. Kuny

Take this week's challenge today! Thanks for being a Parsons Cub against bully behavior.

Are you ready for some books? If you didn't come for Media Center Curbside Checkout this week, you can come next week. You now access the Media Catalog through the icon on the eCLASS landing page. All you have to do is place your books on hold by midnight this Sunday and you can pick up your books during our curbside pickup times in the Car Rider Lane. See the flyer for more details including the days and times for your pickup. Hope to see you next week to get new books!

The Parsons School-Wide Reading Program is here. Watch this video to learn more about how to participate.

Did you know you have to register for the Parsons Reading Challenge each year just like you register for the Summer Reading Program? You also need to change your homeroom teacher's name in the name field and your new grade level. You already have an account. Your username is your student number, and your PIN is your 4-digit birthday. You have until the end of March to complete the program. You need to enter at least 2500 minutes to earn the reward in the spring. There are monthly competitions along the way. You can earn a badge just by registering and another badge by editing your profile following the directions in the video. Let's get reading, Parsons! Click here to sign in. Beanstack

https://drive.google.com/file/d/16tjOmQTvE5j816-2Bu71Ulb3biv8xcf0/view?usp=sharing

Beanstack How to Join the Challenge and Edit Profile.mp4

drive.google.com

Diwali, or Dipawali, is India's biggest and most important holiday of the year. The festival gets its name from the row avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects them from spiritual darkness. This festival is as important to Hindus as the Christmas holiday is to Christians.

PTA is looking for just a few more parents who are willing to volunteer and be a Room Parent this year and support our amazing teachers. Room Parents can have in-person OR digital students! We currently still need a Room Parent (or Co-Room Parents) for the following teachers: BRADLEY (K), PARK (1st), SMITH (1st), BONDS (3rd), MELTS (4th), PERKERSON (4th), DAVIS (5th), LEE (5th), and ROGERS (5th).

If you can help or want more information, please reach out to April Okeson at Parsonsroomparents@gmail.com

Please complete the National School of Excellence Survey for PTA. You can complete the survey by clicking the Google Form linked below. PTA will gather the survey results and use them in the process to become a PTA National School of Excellence.

We had 5 students who each raised $500 or more towards our PTA fundraiser. Part of their prize was being able to throw a pie at either their teacher or an administrator, as well as shadowing our principal, Mrs. Laura Clark for a few hours to see what it is like to be a principal. Here are a few pictures from the prize days. Our 5 winners were:

Adam Kim (K)

Le'Ante Dawson (1)

Chloe Kim (2)

Olivia Choe (3)

Claire Kim (5)

Download the Box Top App. https://www.boxtops4education.com/ Shop at Walmart, Costco & Kroger, and then scan the receipt. Scan old receipts too, up to 14 days old, and earn money for the school. Every dime helps. This is so much easier than clipping Box Tops!! Give it a try!