Simonton Parent Newsletter
Friday, August 14, 2020
Every Student Every Day Deserves to Learn, Lead and Excel
Message from Ms. Perkins
I think you will agree that our teachers have done a phenomenal job preparing their lessons. Check out the schedule so that you know what time your children should be online for live and recorded lessons. Attendance will be taken daily. It's also important for them to be online each day for all of their classes so they are taking part in instruction from their teacher.
Curriculum Night is coming up soon. Join us on August 20, 2020, for grades Pre-K through 1st grade and August 25, 2020, for 2nd through 5th grade. All teachers will hold sessions at 5:30 pm and 6:30 pm.
Have a wonderful weekend!
CLASS SCHEDULES/EXPECTATIONS
ATTENDANCE
Each day student logins will be reviewed between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Any student who logged in during this span of time will be marked present for that day.
Teachers will have the ability to review the previous day’s attendance and mark present for any student that was not marked by this process if they have evidence of engagement by the student from that day in other ways.
First Day of School!
First Day of School!
First Day of School!
Curriculum Night
This year we will be hosting a flipped Curriculum Night.
Instead of learning about the grade level curriculum and assessments during the live curriculum night, watch the grade level curriculum PowerPoint before your child’s curriculum night date. All presentations will be on the e-CLASS landing page and school website by Wednesday, August 19th at 4:00 pm. In addition, a version with Spanish dictation will be available.On our “live” curriculum night, you will learn more about navigating eCLASS and the digital resources teachers will use this year. Zoom links will be sent out via e-mail by teachers before each Curriculum Night.
MyPaymentsPlus
BREAKFAST AND LUNCH
1. Meals will be available for pick-up Monday – Thursday. Thursday’s pick-up will include meals for both Thursday and Friday.
- Students will be offered the choice of both breakfast and lunch each day.
- Students will need their Student ID cards. This allows us to process and properly account for the meal.
- The student does not need to be present to receive a meal. A Parent/Guardian may pick up a meal for their child but they must have the Student ID card in order to validate their child’s enrollment and eligibility.
2. Students will be charged for their meals based on their current eligibility of Free, Reduced, or Full Pay.
- Students will be able to pick up a meal at any school within their assigned Cluster.
- There will be no charging of meals and there will be no alternate meals provided to those without method of payment.
3. In order to limit direct contact, we strongly encourage parents to add money to their child’s account via MyPaymentsPlus. However, we will still accept cash payment if needed.
FREE & REDUCED LUNCH APPLICATIONS
The application for free and reduced lunch is now available. If you received this service last year, and you feel you still qualify, you must complete an application again this year.
Free and Reduced Lunch Application
https://www.nlappscloud.com/Welcome.aspx?api=78f8fee54716f21218e523747d37a13c
Frequently Asked Questions about free and reduced lunch
Tips from the Tech Team
Google Classroom Helpful Documents
Common Sense Media Tips during Digital Learning
For years we've been stressing about screen time and our kids, and then -- poof! -- the pandemic hits, and screens are a lifeline to their friends and extended family. For many, it's also how they'll be learning for the foreseeable future. So even though we might not cherish the idea of our kids sitting in front of a computer for hours on end for school and play, we may need to adjust the way we think -- and talk -- about screens if we want our kids to thrive during this time.
Here's a trick: Call their activities what they are. When you have a common vocabulary for their daily activities, such as "playtime," "work time," "friend time," "family time," and "downtime," you can communicate a lot more clearly -- and honestly -- about what your kid is doing, what they should be doing, and what they want to be doing. This reframes the "screen time" conversation into which elements make up a healthy life -- one that balances learning with play, exercise with relaxation, and responsibilities with social time.
Motivation 101: Proven motivational strategies for just about every kind of kid
Establish structure and routine. Sticking to a schedule provides the stability kids need to keep plugging away. Plus, it minimizes their instincts to go rogue. When expectations are set, it's more likely they'll be met. You can try digital tools like to-do lists, site blockers, and screen-limit settings when kids need help staying on task.
Maintain accountability. Maybe you can't motivate your kid -- but their best friend can. Have them schedule daily check-ins with a friend either by text or on social media. Accountability helps kids realize they're not alone and gives them a tangible reason to work hard.
Incentivize. Kids may be motivated by rewards, but you want to make it feel as though they've earned their treat (or you'll end up in a vicious cycle). If they finish one packet, they can choose a board game to play; two packets, they get to make that brownie mix you've been saving.
Clinic Form
Transportation Form
Daycare Students: Please verify that the daycare is open and will provide transportation.
Zoom Sessions
Also please be mindful of what is taking place behind your child when they are in virtual meetings. Check your camera view to be sure that what is taking place behind them is kid-friendly:-)
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. J. Alvin Wilbanks
Assistant Superintendent- Dr. Terry Watlington
Board Member- Mr. Steven B. Knudsen
Principal- Tamara G. Perkins
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