Back to School: 2021
Chestatee Elementary
A Letter From Dr. Tennies, Our Principal
Dear Families of Chestatee,
Welcome! We are excited to partner with you as your child begins a new school year. The last year and a half has presented unique challenges for schools, however I am beyond grateful for all of the good things that I have learned, seen, and experienced in our community. Together we are Chestatee!
Hopefully you had an opportunity to meet your new teacher at Open House and see our beautiful school. We were fortunate to do quite a bit of painting this summer. The building looks so inviting, and the classrooms are ready for students thanks to a lot of hard work, time and commitment from the staff. Teachers have prepared and are ready for lessons to begin.
Our PTO has done so much for the school in the last year thanks to our community support. PTO replaced an antiquated sound system in our cafe, and created a very inviting reading patio off of our media center. There are some comfy chairs in this area for reading outside! The PTO continues to work hard in connecting with families and has a full schedule of planned activities.
Although we are currently putting in place some mitigation measures within the elementary schools of Forsyth County, I am hopeful we will reach a time when visitors will be able to walk back into the building. I ask for your patience as we continue to use the Department of Health data to guide system decision-making.
I am honored to be serving as the principal of our school and to be working with your children.
Kindly,
Dr. Polly Tennies
Principal of Chestatee
If you have not had a chance to read the following message, please take a moment to do so.
21-22 Back to School Information (Updated 8/3)
We are excited to welcome our students back to school this week! As of today, masks continue to be optional for all students and staff this school year.
If a student tests positive for COVID, parents/guardians must contact their school nurse.
If an individual tests positive for COVID in a classroom or bus, parents/guardians will receive a campus messenger email (view here). Individuals in sports, activities and/or clubs will be notified by the coach or advisor. Parents/guardians may choose to self-quarantine but must contact a school administrator to do so.
Open Houses will be held this week as planned. However, from Thursday, August 5 to Labor Day, the following mitigation strategies will be in place for all elementary schools:
Avoid large group settings, if possible, particularly in the cafeteria and at recess
Limit student movement in the building
Hold virtual curriculum nights, staff meetings, and PTA/O events
No visitors or field trips
Assigned seating in classrooms and buses
No student attendance incentives and/or awards
Frequent handwashing throughout the day
Thorough cleaning in the building
As always, we encourage all individuals to stay home when they are sick or if they are waiting for COVID test results.
Local data will continue to drive any future decisions around mitigation strategies, potential contact tracing, and potential quarantines. Unless directed otherwise by the Department of Public Health or the Governor’s Office, we are not planning on contact tracing, quarantining healthy kids, or reporting daily positive cases on the district website.
We thank our entire Forsyth County community for your continued patience and support.
Welcome Back Chestatee Eagles!
Need Help with Car Line? Here is a Video!
Open House was Awesome!
Lots Happened this Summer!
New Teachers were Welcomed with Chestatee "Swag!"
The Bookmobile Came to Visit and Encourage Reading!
The Place Distributed Food Throughout the Summer!
The Reading Patio Got Underway!
Meet Chester, Our New Garden Guard Pup!
The Building and Outside Got Spruced Up!
Whirly Ball, Anyone? Our Leadership Team had Fun Before Getting to Work
Let's Give a Warm Chestatee Welcome to Our New Receptionist!
Stacey was an instructional assistant for 15 years at Silver City Elementary. She also coordinated the enrichment clubs for them. Stacey and her husband, Jonathan, have been married for 32 years. Together they have 4 college aged kids and live in North Forsyth community. Their youngest was a 2021 graduate from North Forsyth High School this month!
Stacey's relationship skills and desire to help families really stood out at her interview. We are so happy to have found her! Please help us to welcome Ms. Stacey to the T!
Click Below for Supply Lists!
The Ribbon Cutting and Open House at East Forsyth HS was a Huge Success!
Orchestra Camp was a Huge Success!
Thank You's are In Order....
Peter Truong from Modern Woodmen of America
Faye and Rusty from Mathnasium
Our PTO provided a staff lunch on Open House! Thank you Chris Wetzel for smoking the BBQ!
Bookbags with Supplies Arrived with Love! Thank you First Redeemer, Browns Bridge Church, and The Place!
Thank You to Peter Truong from Modern Woodmen for the Donuts, Coffee and Help in Car Line!
Thank you to Teresa from First Baptist for Bringing Extra Snacks!
Thank You to Rusty and Faye from Mathnasium of Coal Mountain for Supporting Learning!
We Love Our Watch DOGS Program!
Would You Like to Come as a Watch DOG?
Another Way to Help Our School is through Substitute Teaching!
Would you like a part time job where you could pick your days, schools, and even grade levels? If so, we need you! Substitute teaching is a great way to help the school. You do not have to be certified to substitute teach. Click here for the details: https://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/page/478
We Love When You Share Your Monday Moment!
A Few Words From our Family Engagement Coordinator
Dear Families,
Pure Joy! Open House brought pure joy! I felt it and could see it on so many smiling faces walking through our front doors. It was amazing to be all back together again. Together we are Chestatee!
I’m very excited to have 2 desks this year! My main work space is now in the front office. This is exciting because I can help Ms. Stacey as she begins her new job. You’ll see me filling in while she has lunch or has a meeting. The office is one of my favorite places in the school! I also get to see you when you come by, check in or out, or drop off items for your students. Your smiles bring me pure joy! I also have a workspace in the Family Resource Room for meetings/ planning/ and anything else needed. And I’m happy to help you check out materials there too.
So many folks stopped me at Open House to find out how they could be involved while we are waiting to return to normal. We talked about asking about the school day, reading at home, and helping with homework. For those folks who are wanting to do more, we have a list of what we need!
Here are 9 Ways to Help!
Watchdog Dads is huge! For now, we would love help on our car line each morning. Greet students, smile, help keep kids safe. Click here for all the information and signup. When we get back to normal, you’ll be able to choose car line or all-day help. Click Here!
Attend our Virtual Curriculum Night/ Academic Parent Teacher Team Meetings! Grades 3-5 will be on Thursday, September 2nd. Grades K-2 will be September 9th. The first meeting will be virtual due to updated FCS guidelines. There will be lots more information coming!
Use the T List to get extra materials to help at home. We have stocked up on flashcards, games, and fun ways to learn. Whether your child is struggling or needs enriching, we would love you to get materials from the Family Resource Room.
Want to help on our Friday Fun Carline? Let us know! We have themes and costumes and would love extra folks to join the fun! Contact Meg if interested!
Our Parent Advisory Council meets 4 times per year. There’s an open invitation to join! You’ll be up to date on school information and give input and feedback to help us improve! Contact Meg if interested!
Need items to do at home or work on in car line? Email your teacher to ask. Or email me! I’ve got projects galore that I can send home! Email Meg
Mentor. There’s a training through our county, but we need mentors! Click here for to find out about the program and training dates. Click Here!
Know what’s happening at the school. Check out our website. https://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/chestatee If you have Facebook, like us! Those are two great ways to stay up to date. https://www.facebook.com/ChestateeES/
Become a substitute teacher! We need subs! You don’t have to be certified or have a college degree. Click here for more information.
We’ve got ways to get involved! Our fingers are crossed that the data shows it’s safe to come in. We miss you just as much as you miss us! In the meantime, we will keep on keeping on!
See you soon,
Meg
Meg Killingsworth
Family Engagement Coordinator
770-887-2341 ext. 722122
Don't Forget....
Box Tops/ Soup Labels
The procedure will be changing in the near future (we will keep you posted!)
For now, keep filling out your Box Top Sheets and turn them in to Ms. Donna in the front office.
Kroger and Publix will donate money too...
Publix Partners with Chestatee also. You only need to put your phone number in as you checkout. Publix will donate a certain percentage of their profits to Chestatee from your purchase!
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