Star News
August 31, 2020
A Message from Dr. Connery
Greetings Simpson Parents,
It has been a busy back to school at Simpson Elementary! I want to remain steadfast and consistent with communicating safety measures and car rider details for a healthy and safe return for K-5 in-person students. Please see GCPS health official guidelines attached that are guiding our plans for school safety. Please continue to look forward to updates from me, as well as the district once they become available.
When students return to school, we will follow CDC guidance by maintaining a distance of six feet, not sharing materials (i.e., pens, pencils, etc.), washing our hands frequently, and sanitizing surfaces routinely. In addition, please see the safety measures below that will guide our steps towards a healthy school environment. If students are feeling sick, please allow them to stay home. In addition, if your child or anyone in your home is sick and has tested positive for COVID-19, please contact Dr. Connery, immediately.
Safety Plans:
We will establish reasonable and precautionary practices within the school to minimize the risk of infection and/or spread of the virus by making sure the following is in place:
* Teachers will schedule times for restroom and frequent hand washing opportunities.
* Each common area and classroom will have cleaning supplies available for use.
* Custodial schedules will be in place to ensure the cleaning of high touch areas during the school day.
* Health guidance posters will be displayed throughout the building.
All staff and students are encouraged to follow precautionary practices:
* Masks are REQUIRED in GCPS for staff and students, (especially for those riding the bus).
* An isolation room has been established to separate students with symptoms consistent with Covid-19. However, if a student or teacher comes in contact with a potential COVID case it will be handled on a case by case basis.
*Protocols for reporting COVID-19 diagnosis and contact exposure will be followed and reported immediately to administrators/district health officials.
School Operations:
* Washing and sanitizing posters will be visible throughout the building.
* Hallways will be one way where practical.
* Traffic flow in the hallways may not allow for crossing over from one side to the other.
* Desk arrangements will support social distancing among students and facing the same direction.
* Cafeteria seating will be limited to students utilizing every third seat (6 feet apart).
* Outdoor seating will also be available during lunchtime.
* Recess will take place in class pods with playground rotations on each field.
*We are a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) School and would recommend students bring their own or school-issued devices (to minimize germs) during instruction.
* Student IDs with barcodes and scanners will be used in place of keypads.
* We will limit the number of visitors in the building until further guidance from health officials.
* Parents are welcome to check-in at the front desk to drop off any materials or enter for a scheduled teacher conference.
Car Rider Plans:
If you are picking up your child in the car rider line in grades 2nd-5th, please write your child's FIRST NAME, LAST NAME, TEACHER NAME on a piece of paper and put it in your front window. Your child will be bringing home their car rider tag in their bookbag. After Wednesday of their first day returning back to school, , students will be called by their car rider number, so please help them memorize this number. Your blue car rider tag needs to be hung from your rearview mirror. If you are in need of purchasing a car rider tag, please log on to www.mypaymentsplus.com. In addition, please view our AM & PM car rider policies (attached) for details.
Please do not hesitate to contact the main office at 770-417-2400 if you have any questions.
Thank you for keeping Simpson Elementary healthy and strong!
Principal Connery
Month At-A-Glance
Sept. 2nd: In-person 2nd & 3rd-grade students return
Sept. 7th: Labor Day (Student/Staff Holiday)
Sept. 9th: In-person 4th & 5th-grade students return (All students)
Sept. 14th: Virtual Curriculum Night at 4:30 p.m. via eCLASS Page
Sept. 15th: Live Q&A Session for grades PreK-2nd and all self-contained classes
Sept. 17th: Live Q&A Session for grades 3rd-5th
Sept. 23rd & 24th: 2020 Reflections Competition entry submission
Sept. 30th: PTA Charleston Wrap Fundraiser deadline
Mark Your Calendar for Curriculum Night
Please mark your calendar for September 14th, 15th, and 16th. This year, we will hold a Virtual Curriculum Night. Teachers will pre-record a presentation which will be posted on your child’s eCLASS page on Monday, September 14, 2020 at 4:30pm. Teachers will then conduct a LIVE Q & A session for parents on September 15th & 17th via ZOOM. Please see the schedule below:
Curriculum Night Live Q &A Sessions:
Tuesday, September 15th-
4:00 p.m. - Pre K & ALL Self-Contained Classes
4:30 p.m. - Kindergarten
5:00 p.m. - First Grade
5:30 p.m. - Second Grade
Thursday, September 17th-
4:30 p.m. - 3rd Grade
5:00 p.m. - 4th Grade
5:30 p.m. - 5th Grade
COGAT Testing Update from Mrs. Johnson
Hello Parents,
We will start COGAT testing on Tuesday, September 15- September 17.
September 15- 1st Grade
September 16- 2nd Grade
September 17-5th Grade
If your child is attending school in person, please see the attached letter titled In Person COGAT Parent Letter.
If your student is a digital learner, please see the attached parent informational flyer for our Digital Learning Students. Read the flyer in depth to gain a deeper understanding of our plan to test our superstars. Then complete the registration form only if you are interested in having your Digital learning student tested for COGAT.
A Note from Nurse Norris
Welcome back Superstars!
As we welcome our Superstars back into the building for school, we have some new health guidelines that we need everyone to follow so we can have a healthy and safe year.
Please keep your child home if they have any of the COVID-19 symptoms:
-Fever of 100.4 or above -headache -sore throat
-cough -loss of taste or smell -congestion or runny nose
-fatique -nausea or vomiting -diarrhea
-shortness of breath -muscle or body aches
If a student has symptoms consistent with those of COVID-19 while at school, they will be sent to the isolation room and you will be notified to pick them up immediately. We will be evaluating suspected cases on a case by case basis according to the Department of Public Health guidelines for when they can return to school.
Medications:
If your child has medication that must be taken at school (inhalers, epi-pens, etc), please call the clinic at 770-417-2405 to schedule an appointment for medication drop off. All medications MUST be brought in by a parent. Students are not allowed to bring medications to school. Forms that need to be completed for medication and health plans are on the Simpson website on the clinic site: https://www.gcpsk12.org/domain/7660
Check Out Scouting at Simpson Elementary School
A fun way to make friends and share adventures!
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!
Every dollar raised goes directly to programs and events that benefit our Simpson Superstar students, staff, and facilities.
Since July, the Simpson PTA has fulfilled the following school needs:
* 115 Face Shields
* 72 Desktop Plexiglass Sneeze Guards
* Carpool lane canopy for daily lunch pick-ups
* Waste Management recycling bin
* Outside beautification
While most of our fall events/programs are currently postponed, we are ready to continue our volunteer efforts and programs as soon as we are able.
Visit www.simpsonespta.org today to:
- Become a PTA member
- Donate to our General PTA and Arts in Education Donation Drives
- Start Shopping the Charleston Wrap Fundraiser
Charleston Wrap Fall Fundraiser
Shop over 1,500 gift ideas by clicking on the link below...every purchase makes a difference! Going on now through September 30.
Directions to get started:
- Click on the Charleston Wrap Fundraiser link HERE
- Register Participant! Enter Simpson's Organization ID: 11579 Your email and phone number
- Click Get Started
2020 Reflections Competition
Simpson PTA wants students of all grades and abilities to participate in Reflections this year!
The theme is, "I Matter Because...."
Students can create original works in Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts. It is important to relate the artists' statement and entry to the theme.
Please download the entry form and rules below, which can also be found with helpful how-to videos on the Simpson PTA website.
Entry turn-in will be held on September 23rd and 24th at 7 pm near the bus rider lanes at Simpson Elementary. If you have questions please send an email to reflections@simpsonespta.org. Let's get creative!
Attention Kindergarten Parents!
Do you want to stay informed about activities at Simpson and in your child's class? If so, the PTA and your Class Coordinator need your contact info!
Please note that the school does not share your contact info with the PTA. Visit the following link to fill out a 2-minute form: www.entersimpsonptainfo.org
Welcome Home Indeed!
Special Education Class Supply Needs!
Please consider helping out our Special Education classes with their immediate school supply needs that can be found on this Amazon Wish List.
Items will ship to the one of the Family and Support Outreach chair's houses and she will safely deliver to the school.
Thank you!
It takes many hands and minds to get the PTA ready for Meet Your Teacher Day and our team this year was amazing! Thank you to all our volunteers who helped in making this year’s MYTD a success.
Charleston Wrap Fall Fundraiser: Sara Olejnik and Sara Wiggins
Class Coordinator Liaison: Victoria Gauthier
MYTD Welcome Table Volunteers: Ali Heintz, Dana Zamuel, and Kelly Loder
PTA Class Directory: Maggie Patterson and Becky Chapman
PTA Membership: Leigh Anna Lang
School Beautification: Christy Grant, Sara Wiggins and Victoria Gauthier
Spirit Wear: Kelly Loder
Supply Kits: Melanie Willenborg, Brittany Bobzien, Megan Skurski and their amazing kiddos
Treasurer: Heather Reich
Yearbook Distribution: Dana Zamuel and Mrs. Sutton
At Simpson, we are fortunate to have great families and business partners who believe in our community and who work together to make Simpson a school where students, families, and staff achieve. When we work together, we all benefit and shine!
UNITED TOGETHER, SIMPSON STRONG!
Thank you to our business partner, Magnolia Financial Group, for the sweet gift of Simpson Strong bracelets for all our superstar students and staff. We will proudly wear these tokens of kindness to remember that we are united together at this time and always.
Two of our business partners worked together to provide lunch to our entire staff at Meet Your Teacher Day. Thank you JUSTinSELLSPTC/Rock River Realty and Fire & Stone Italian Pizza Kitchen for supporting our teachers and staff with a delicious meal! We appreciate your continued support!
FIRE & STONE
Sign up for our newsletter to receive up coming events & invitations for our pizza making tutorials for families, VIP wine tasting dinners, celebrity chefs & more!
Come join the family!
Fire & Stone Italian Pizza Kitchen
5215 Town Center Blvd Suite 610
Peachtree Corners, Ga 30092 470-219-5100
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. Here is how:
- SIGN UP for Box Tops. Make sure you have a Box Tops for Education account (you can create one via the Box Tops app or website).
- BUY the Box Tops products you already know and love.
- SCAN your receipt so that your Box Tops purchases are recognized. Or FORWARD your email receipt to receipts@boxtops4education.com using the same email that's associated with your BTFE account.
- EARN cash for Simpson, based on your eligible purchases. Box Tops will be credited within 1 business day and you can view your earnings in the MY EARNINGS section for the app or YOUR ACTIVITY section of the website.