Star News
October 1, 2021
Greetings Simpson Parents, Happy Fall!
I am excited to serve my second year as the PROUD principal of Simpson Elementary! The students, teachers, and support staff work very hard to ensure every minute of the school day is meaningful for students! Parents, thank you for all you do to partner with us to support your children. A message that continues to ring true today, more than ever, is Great Schools Build Great Communities and in turn, Great Communities Build Great Schools! Thank you to the entire Peachtree Corners/Norcross Parent-Community for supporting our school with teacher incentives, snacks, and encouraging notes. We could not do this without you!
It was so great to see so many of you last month during our Virtual Curriculum Night! I had a chance to join several grade levels via ZOOM to hear parents ask curriculum questions and teachers providing supportive resources. Now, it is time for us to schedule Early Release Conferences. Please save the date for Wednesday, October 20th (DLD) and Thursday, October 21st. Conferences will be held in-person by appointment ONLY or via ZOOM. The Early Release Conference Sign-up link will be available via our school website on October 11th at 9 a.m. and closes Monday, October 18th at 3:00 p.m. We have received amazing entries for the Reflections competition this year. Thank you Simpson Superstars and good luck! We will have the results from the judges by the end of October. Superstars, I would also like to thank everyone who came out to help us celebrate our 1st PTA Picnic-on-the-Town Green, last Thursday, September 23rd! I enjoyed seeing celebrity teachers playing ball with their students, parents having a chance to fellowship with others, and students playing on the park equipment! Thanks again for supporting our PTA at our local restaurants to support our sweet school. That is why we are SIMPSON STRONG!
Finally, I want to congratulate Ms. Nicole Charloff, our Simpson Elementary School 2021-2022 Teacher of the Year! Ms. Charloff has been in the field of education for nine years and five of those years have been at Simpson Elementary. She currently serves as a Second-Grade Teacher, resides in Gwinnett County, and has a furbaby (Lana) at home. Thank you Ms. Charloff for all that you do to support high student achievement!
Proud to be your principal,
Dr. Taffeta Connery
October Calendar Dates
October 1: Fall Individual Pictures
October 6: Walk to School Day
October 7-11: Student Fall Break
October 18-22: Great Days of Service
October 20: Digital Learning Day/Conferences
October 21: Early Release/Conferences
October 29: School Council
District Assessment Window: October 4th-15th
District Assessments are a part of Gwinnett County Public Schools' Balanced Assessment Program. They are a mixture of both formative and summative assessments administered at the classroom level to measure student learning of the Academic, Knowledge, and Skills (AKS). The Interim, Mid-Year, and Final assessments allow students to demonstrate what they know, understand, and are able to do.
Administration of the assessments occurs once every 9-weeks and requires a maximum of one class period to complete. The data from the assessments provide teachers, students, parents, and other stakeholders information regarding student learning.
Students are encouraged to review their assessment results and teacher feedback to help improve their learning. Teachers use the data, individually and collaboratively, to help make informed decisions during planning and refining of instructional activities. District leaders use the data to provide instructional support to improve student achievement.
Great Days of Service
I Scream You Scream
We All Scream for Ice Cream
Students have the opportunity to purchase ice cream from a variety of selections during lunch. Ice cream is $1.00 and is sold Monday through Friday for all grade levels. Class Parties for ice creams sales are also available. Please email your child’s homeroom teacher for details.
Cafeteria Monitor
Health and Wellness
• Masks REQUIRED in all public areas (hallways, media center, classrooms)
• Adhere to the one-way hallways when possible
• Health guidance posters will be displayed throughout the building
• Each common area and classroom will have a box of gloves, paper towels, and sanitizer
• Custodial schedules are in place to ensure the cleaning of high touch areas daily
• Refrain from sharing materials (i.e., pens, pencils, etc.)
• Frequent hand washing practices will be implemented daily
• Students are socially distanced during school lunch hours, when feasible
Visitation limits in the building-- Postponement of parental lunch visitation until further notice. Volunteers are welcome in classrooms, but on a limited basis. Please email your child’s teacher for details, if interested. All other school-related teacher-conferences or registrations will be by appointment only.
If you are feeling sick, please stay home. . If you or anyone in your home is sick and/or has tested positive for COVID-19, please email your child’s homeroom teacher or contact our school nurse, Ms. Amy Norris, immediately.
Come Join in the Fun at Norcross High School's 3rd Annual Home Run Derby and Family Fun Day!
Georgia Platinum Award 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2016 and 2019!
2010 Georgia School of Excellence!
2012 and 2018 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence!
YEARBOOKS ARE NOW ON SALE!
- $35 per yearbook
- Purchase online at balfour.com via credit card or send payment (check or money order) to school with your child. Please include your child's name on the check. Cash will not be accepted. Be sure to select Simpson Elementary School in Norcross, GA on balfour.com.
- Questions can be directed to the yearbook committee at yearbook@simpsonespta.org
Time to Order Your 5th-Grade Baby Ad!
- $15 per ad (**There is a $1 credit card processing fee)
- Only ONE ad per student
- Submit the following information on the balfour.com website under yearbook packages:
- Two (2) photos: one current and one infant/toddler. Please note: photos may be in color or black and white. Photos must be at least 300 dpi and copyright photos CANNOT be used.
- Maximum of 30 words of text
- Be sure to select Simpson Elementary School in Norcross, GA on balfour.com.
DEADLINE: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2021
Note, these ads are completely optional
5th Grade Ellis Island Immigration Simulation
Please consider helping your 5th-grade dress up for the event on Friday 10/15! Suggested clothing includes:
- Traditional clothing/costumes (e.g. Sari, Kimono, Hanbok, Agbada, etc.)
- Pants with suspenders, caps
- Long skirts/dresses
- Shawls
Walk To School Day - 10/06
Join the PTA along with Mayor Mike and walk or ride your bike to school. Be on the look out for special goodies!
Charleston Wrap Results Are In!
A big THANK YOU to everyone who participated in our Charleston Wrap fundraiser! We are very appreciative of the support of our caring supporters. We raised over $10k for the PTA to help support the school and our children for programs at Simpson!
A special thank you to Sara Wiggins, our Committee Chair, for a very successful fundraiser!
Sold Most Items:
Isla M- 2nd Grade (Burnett)
Daniel A- 5th Grade (Molina)
Highest sales by Grade:
K (Stewart)- Hudson L
1 (Webb)- Eleanor S
2 (Burnett) - Isla M
3 (Ivenskiy)- Baylor B
4 (Harris)- Matthew U
5 (Molina)- Daniel A
Most Participants by Grade:
K (Palmer) - 9 participants
1 (Cowman) - 8 participants
2 (Charloff/Hopper) - 6 participants
3 (Ivenskiy) - 9 participants
4 (Turner) - 7 participants
5 (Dingler) - 6 participants
1st Annual Picnic in the Park was a success!
Join the PTA Simpson Elementary Facebook Page
More than $1,200 for Childhood Cancer
Next Spirit Night: 10/21 at Clean Eatz
EARN CASH FOR OUR SCHOOL WITH BOX TOPS!
With the Box Tops for Education app, you can turn your everyday receipts into cash for Simpson. Please go to the PTA website for detailed instructions.
SPOTLIGHT ON: LOZO KARATE
The Mission of Lozo Karate is to help individual development, growth, and improvement by teaching the art of Karate. Karate training is designed to develop both physical and mental strength of each student while improving emotional balance and individual capabilities in the process.
Lozo Karate studio moved to Peachtree Corners in October 2017. Lozo Karate was established in 1988 by the owner and Chief Instructor Goran Lozo, the world renowned national and international champion, and member of the national team on multiple continental and world championships. Mr. Lozo is the holder of a 7th Degree Black Belt and an International Karate Coach certification. Mr. Lozo is using his professional knowledge and experience in work with the school children, teens, and adults. In addition to teaching karate to the residents of Peachtree Corners, Norcross, Roswell, Johns Creek, Sandy Springs, and Alpharetta, Lozo Karate is supporting local communities by providing free self-defense seminars for non-profit organizations.
Access to karate classes is unlimited, Monday through Saturday.
Lozo Karate is located on the intersection of Spalding Drive and Holcomb Bridge Road, right behind the Chevron Gas Station: 6395 Spalding Drive, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092.
Contact: 404-333-8808