Message from the Mill
December 2023
A Message from the Principal
Dear Puckett's Mill Families,
I hope that this holiday season brings your family joy! Be sure to slow down and enjoy the events during this busy time! As the end of the first semester rapidly approaches, we are working to keep students engaged in authentic learning in the spirit of the season. I encourage you all to model the importance of education by helping your student(s) to attend school everyday and arrive on time.
Teachers have worked hard to implement our new language arts curriculum - EL Education. Focusing on the Science of Reading and building knowledge, our students have been excited to learn about many new topics from frogs to human rights and toys to animal defense mechanisms. Although change can be difficult, the students have benefitted from learning about these high interest topics with rich content vocabulary.
I want to offer my continued thanks to this very special community. The extraordinary involvement from parents and family members unites this community and gives us strength. I am hopeful that the New Year will bring everyone health, happiness, and new learning experiences.
I wish you all Peace, Joy, Hope and Happiness during this Holiday season.
Sincerely,
Lisa Rhodes
Principal
Winter Parties
Wednesday - 12/13
- Second Grade - PM
Thursday - 12/14
- Fourth Grade - AM
- First Grade - PM
Friday - 12/15
- Kindergarten and Fifth Grade - AM
- Third Grade - PM
** Teachers will communicate specific times and party information
While we are excited to be able to celebrate with our students and welcome visitors to be a part of our parties, safety and security is our biggest priority. Therefore, please note the following procedures regarding visitors on party days.
- Only parents/guardians and emergency contacts will be permitted to attend a class party. Other guests arriving with a parent/guardian may also attend but must stay with the parent/guardian throughout the duration of the visit.
- All visitors must be prepared to show ID and receive a visitor's pass. All visitor's passes must be visibly worn while in the building.
- If you wish to check-out your child at the conclusion of the party, you may do so in the classroom. Keep in mind, if you also would like to check-out a sibling, the latest checkout is 2:10. We will not be able to accommodate requests after that time.
- At the conclusion of the party, please exit promptly through the front doors.
- Due to the high volume of visitors on party days, we ask that you select a different day to eat lunch with your student.
Holiday Candy Grams
December 4-14
50 cents each
Students, surprise your friends and teachers with a special treat!
Bring your money to your homeroom teacher. They will give you a form to fill out. OR, go to MyPaymentsPlus, purchase your Candy Grams there, and we will fill out the Candy Gram form for you!
**Parents – you can also surprise your student with a
Holiday Candy Gram. Just complete one (or more) of the Candy Gram forms attached to the flyer that went home on December 1 and return them, along with your money, to your student’s teacher. OR, you can also go to MyPaymentsPlus, purchase Candy Grams for your student, and we will fill out the Candy Gram form for you!
Candy Grams will be distributed on Friday, December 15.
Proceeds from sales support Relay for Life!
Semester 1 Report Cards
Good Luck Sparkbots!
Media Moment
Parents, if you are travelling over the holidays, please be extra vigilant in caring for your child's library books on planes, trains, and automobiles. Happy Reading!
Attendance
Cafeteria Visitors
We love welcoming visitors to have lunch with our students! As we are nearing the end of our first semester (and into the holiday season), we thought it would be a good time to share just a few reminders of our lunchroom protocols:
- All visitors must sign in at the front desk and receive a visitor name tag (ID will be required).
- All visitors should wait in the hallway outside the cafeteria to meet your student's class.
- Visitors are only able to have lunch with their student. Students cannot bring a friend with them.
- After meeting your student, getting lunches, etc., please proceed to the visitor table in the far-left corner of the cafeteria.
- While in the lunchroom, we ask that you follow any directions/instructions you may receive from our cafeteria monitors as they work to provide a safe and comfortable environment for our students.
- When your student's class is dismissed from their table, lunch is officially over. This is your opportunity for a quick hug prior to your student joining their class in line. At this time, all visitors must exit the lunchroom (please do not stand in line with your student). If you will be having lunch with another student on the same day, you are welcome to stay seated at the visitor table or move back to the hallway to meet them.
Please note: Visitors are not allowed to sit at their student's classroom table. All visitors must sit at the visitor table. If the visitor table is full, unfortunately you will be unable to stay and have lunch with your student. As our enrollment continues to grow, seating for our classes is at a premium. All other tables in the cafeteria are being used by classes and are unavailable for visitors to use. Fridays are usually our busiest visitor day. If you are able to arrange to come on another day during the week, that would be greatly appreciated.
Congratulations Spelling Bee Winners!
Upcoming Important Dates
December 18th- January 3rd: Winter Break
January 4th: First Day of Semester 2
January 15th (MLK Jr. Day): Student/Staff Holiday
February 2nd: Digital Learning Day
Important Reminders
Transportation Changes
It's that time of year when students get new backpacks. Please remember to save your transportation bag tag and bring it to school. We will be happy to provide a new zip tie and attach it to the new bag.
The completed form should be sent to school with your student and turned in to their teacher when they arrive at school. Thank you for your help to ensure the safety of our students.
Lost and Found
Our lost and found is busting at the seams again! If your student has lost a jacket, coat, sweatshirt, lunchbox or water bottle, please encourage them to stop by the lost and found to search for their item. Clothing is sorted by color to make it easier. Parents are also encouraged to stop by the school and look for their student's lost item. Feel free to stop by anytime between 8:30 and 2:00, Monday thru Friday.
All items that are still at the school as of January 3, 2024, will be donated.
Birthday Treats
Parents are welcome to send in with their student or drop off individual treats for students for birthday celebrations. Store bought treats are preferred.
Puckett's Mill Elementary School
Email: mina.banfield@gcpsk12.org
Website: pmesonline.org/home.htm
Location: 2442 S Pucketts Mill Rd, Dacula, GA, United States
Phone: 678-765-5110