Simonton Parent Newsletter
Friday, September 20, 2019
Every Student Every Day, Deserves to Learn, Lead, & Excel
Message from Ms. Perkins
Speaking of the Simonton PTA, our first movie night of the school year will be held this evening. Student payments were due early this week and car rider tags were sent home. Parents/Guardians will need to show the car rider sign or a photo ID to pick up students. Students will go directly to the movie at 2:45 pm and dismissal will begin at 4:45 pm.
Our PTA fall fundraiser is in full swing. Great prizes await those who participate. Please be sure to send text messages and emails to families and friends to encourage donations. We also encourage parents to join us for the next PTA Board meeting on Wednesday, September 25, 2019 at 12:30 pm.
2nd and 5th grade students will participate in the Iowas Assessment next week. We want to be sure all students are prepared to do their best each day. Please make sure students have plenty of rest each night, have time to eat breakfast each morning and arrive to school on time to participate.
Enjoy the cool weather this weekend!
We had fun wearing our pajamas on Wednesday!!
Mark Your Calendars...
- IOWA testing (2nd & 5th graders)
Tuesday, September 24
- IOWA testing (2nd & 5th graders)
Wednesday, September 25
- IOWA testing (2nd & 5th graders)
- PTA Board Meeting ~ 12:30-1:30 pm
Thursday, September 26
- IOWA testing (2nd & 5th graders)
Friday, September 27
- IOWA testing (2nd & 5th graders)
- Central Gwinnett Homecoming Parade
GCPS will once again be having a Fall Break.
Thursday, October 10 - Sunday, October 13, 2019
This year, your child will not be in school Thursday, October 10 or Friday, October 11, 2019. Please mark these dates on your calendar!
PTA Fundraiser- Step It Up!
What is the IOWA test?
The Iowa Assessments help teachers identify a student’s strengths and areas that may need
additional emphasis. The Iowa Assessments also measure student growth and progress in the content areas assessed from year to year and may provide information about college readiness for older students. The assessments produce information that enables sound decision making and provides a focus for teachers to evaluate instruction.
Each test includes sample questions to help students become familiar with the content and format of the tests. Samples help students understand what to do—how to mark answers and move from question to question. For most tests, students read the questions and mark their answers by filling in a circle for each question. All test questions are multiple choice, and the tests last an average of 10 to 35 minutes.
Click below to see the ITBS Score Interprative Guide:
Your Child's Passwords has been changed...
**2nd & 3rd grade students should receive their new passwords on Monday. The county office is in the process of changing these. Their cards will be delivered to their rooms when we get the confirmation that they have been completed.
Technology Tips...
How do I protect my kid's privacy online?
First, there are two kinds of online privacy. Personal privacy refers to your kid's online reputation, and consumer privacy (also known as customer privacy) refers to the data companies can collect about your kid during an online interaction or transaction. Both are important, and a few simple steps can help parents and kids keep their private information private.
The first step is using strict privacy settings in apps and on websites. When you or your kid gets a new device or signs up for a new website or app, establish your privacy preferences. Follow the directions during initial set-up, or go to the section marked "privacy" or "settings" and opt out of things such as location sharing and the ability for the app or website to post to social media sites such as Facebook on your behalf. Encourage kids to read the fine print before checking a box or entering an email address. Although it might not be practical to read through every Terms of Service contract, it's good to remind kids to be aware of what information they're agreeing to share before they start using an app, a website, or a device.
Next, teach your kids always to consider the information they're potentially giving away when engaging online. For younger kids, define that information as address, phone number, and birth date. Make sure they understand the basics of good online behavior, too, including thinking about the impact of posting a photo or comment. Remind them that it's not always easy to take back something once it's online and that texts and photos can be forwarded to anyone.
Finally, there are some legal restrictions in place to help protect your kids' consumer privacy and insure they're using age-appropriate websites and apps. The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) prevents kid-targeted websites and apps from collecting data from kids younger than 13 without parental consent.
Talk about Internet Safety...
PTA Reflections
PTA Reflections is a nationally acclaimed student recognition program to encourage artistic creativity in the classroom and at home. Students of all grades and abilities may participate and explore the arts based on the 2019-2020 theme: Look Within. Students may choose one or all of the available arts categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts, and Special Artist.
The Knightly News Crew
Well done boys & girls!
Make a Difference in Your Student's Life...
Watch the ordinary become extraordinary... every day!
Children need their parents to take at least a moment each day to make them feel special and loved, to be there for them.
It doesn't take time or money. It's as easy as making eye contact, smiling, asking questions, and including your children in the daily routines of life.
Teachable moments are everywhere. Be your child's favorite teacher. Connect in meaningful ways and your simple actions will reap immense rewards at home, play, and school.
Together we will be there for our students-- Gwinnett County Public Schools and YOU!
Be There is a movement that inspires parents to become more involved in their children’s education. Gwinnett County Public Schools encourages educators, parents, grandparents, and community members to support this effort and Gwinnett’s students.
- Review these parent tip sheets on how to take an active role in your student’s academic activities.
- Click here to find additional resources to support your child.
Parent Engagement Tips of the Week:
1.Bedtime Reading Ends the Day a Special Way Finding time to read with your child can be a challenge. But with a little planning, bedtime reading can be one of the best parts of your day. Choose five books for the week and set them near your child's bed. Each day, say, "We'll read this book tonight. Tomorrow, we'll get to read another." This lets her know that reading is a big part of your day, too. At breakfast, talk about the book you read the night before. 2. Teach Your Child the Rules of School Bus Safety Although school buses are the safest way for children to get to school, it's still important to make sure your child follows bus safety rules. Here are just a few: Wait in a safe place away from the traffic. Never walk behind the bus. Don't stick hands, heads or objects out the windows. Don't push and shove. Walk three "giant steps" (six feet) away from the side of the bus. Wait until the driver says it's safe to get off the bus. 3. Teach Your Child to Tell Time the 'Old-Fashioned' Way It's the digital age. But some kids get so used to digital clocks that they don't learn how to tell time. To make sure your child does, keep at least one "old-fashioned" (analog) clock in your house. Practice reading the time on it together often. Make sure your child understands the concepts of a.m. and p.m. Then play a game: Ask how many more minutes or hours it will be until a certain time. 4. Try Teacher-tested Tips to Encourage Good Behavior Can't get your child to do homework on time? Pay attention? Respond to requests? Here's what teachers suggest: Teach your child what you want him to do. Post a schedule of daily activities, so he knows when to do them. You can add music or time challenges to make mundane tasks fun. To help your child calm down or pay attention, try using silent signals, such as a gentle touch on his shoulder. 5. Your Support Can Help Your Child's Intelligence Grow Some kids (and even some parents) believe that an A student is just born that way. But teachers know that students can learn the skills they need to earn top grades. To help your child earn better grades, make learning a priority and give her lots of opportunities to get excited about it. Maintain a balance between school and sports, work and play. And if your child is struggling, work with the teacher on a plan to help her. 6. When to Reach Out to the Teacher to Discuss Homework Your child fusses that the assignment is "stupid." But how do you know if you should call his teacher? Get in touch with the teacher if your child won't do homework, even after you've tried motivating him. Let the teacher know if your child finds the work too hard or too easy, or if he doesn't understand the instructions, even with your help. And contact the teacher if your child needs school supplies you can't provide. 7. Encourage Nonfiction Reading to Help Your Child Get the Facts Children ask a lot of questions. Reading nonfiction is a great way for them to find the answers. To encourage curiosity and help your child engage with nonfiction, look for books that answer questions about how things work. How does a wheat field end up in her pasta? Or, have your child choose something she knows how to do well, such as defend a soccer goal, and write her own how-to manual.
Upcoming event at the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center:
On Saturday, September 28, 2019, the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center is hosting an event that your child(ren) are sure to enjoy! This even highlights the historic Chesser-Williams House and looks at life in Gwinnett County during the 1800s.
It even features a petting zoo with lots of farm animals.
Chesser-Williams Heritage Day
Saturday, September 28
10:00am – 2:00pm
All Ages! Admission is $5/person for Gwinnett County residents
Instructional Resource Public Review
The instructional resources public review is in progress.
The Gwinnett community is invited to review proposed instructional resources to provide input on their alignment and appropriateness prior to selection and adoption. The review will include proposed student textbooks, digital resources, and teacher resources for language arts and social studies for select grades and courses. All materials under consideration are available on site as noted below. Participants may drop in at their convenience during the dates and times noted.
Date: September 9, 2019-October 4, 2019
Location: J. Alvin Wilbanks Instructional Support Center,
437 Old Peachtree Rd NW, Suwanee, GA 30024
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sept. 19 5:00 PM - -8:00 PM
Sept. 21 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Gwinnett County Public Schools Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) Meeting
When: Thursday, October 3, 2019 / 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Where: Rhodes Jordan Park Community Room 100 East Crogan Street, Lawrenceville, GA 30046
Who: ALL Families and Community Members
**Childcare will be provided, courtesy of Gwinnett Public Library
Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, and Chinese Interpreters available
Interested in Volunteering?
Simonton ES Handbook Highlight ~ Cafeteria Information
We are very proud of our cafeteria and the nutritious meals served there. Parents are always welcome to have lunch with their children. Table and picnic areas are provided for this purpose. Since we have limited space, we ask that classmates refrain from joining you at lunch. Come join us for lunch to see how it works!
Lunch Collection Procedures:
The meal option: available at MYPAYMENTSPLUS.COM is the most recommended option to pay for your child’s breakfast and lunch. This allows you to make payments online. Use your child’s student ID# to set up an account.
A prepayment system: for both the breakfast and the lunch programs is also available and can be made with the same check. The student can prepay for lunch or breakfast any day of the week. They are to take their money directly to the cafeteria in an envelope with the student’s name, school ID#, grade, teacher’s name, total amount enclosed. Checks should be made payable to Simonton Elementary. If your child is allergic to milk or other foods, please inform the school cafeteria and clinic immediately.
Breakfast and Lunch Charges:
Students will be allowed to charge their meals when they do not have cash or money in their account. When a student has charged meal(s), parents will be informed of the account status at least once a month by a letter printed from the computer and/or a phone call. If a child’s account exceeds $11.25 in charges, they will no longer be allowed to charge breakfast or lunch. The current register program will allow charges to be paid on the line. Charges will be deducted from the new payment received from the student and the balance made available for future meals. Students who bring their own meals are allowed to purchase milk or water to go with their meal.
Gwinnett County Public Library Calendar of Events:
Simonton Elementary - What we stand for:
Vision
Simonton is committed to dynamic high quality instruction resulting in a passion for learning, leading and excelling.
Core Belief
Every Student Every Day, Deserves to Learn, Lead, and Excel
Commitments
We commit to giving our students a fresh start every day.
We commit to preparing quality and engaging lessons that will prepare our students to be successful in school.
We commit to teaching, modeling and holding our students accountable for appropriate school behavior.
We commit to providing our students with a structured and safe learning environment.
We commit to a great year of learning, leading, and excelling.
Simonton Elementary School
Superintendent- Mr. Alvin J. Wilbanks
Assistant Superintendent- Dr. Terry Watlington
Board Member- Mr. Steven B. Knudsen
Assistant Principal- Daphne Miles
Assistant Principal- Nicole Tomlinson
Assistant Principal- Emily Young
Website: gcpsk12.org/SimontonES
Location: 275 Simonton Road Southeast, Lawrenceville, GA, USA
Phone: (770) 513- 6637