Eagle Edition
August 26, 2021
Glennwood Elementary ~ Where Learning Takes Flight
Holly Brookins, PhD, Principal ~ Jill Tolsma, Instructional Coach Karen Hearn, School Manager
Email: hbrookins@csdecatur.net
Website: https://www.csdecatur.net/glennwood
Location: 440 East Ponce de Leon Avenue, Decatur, GA, USA
Phone: 404.370.4435
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gleagles/?modal=admin_todo_tour
Calendar of Events
Friday, September 3
Ms. Jolley's Class Hosting
College Colors Day! Wear your favorite college team's colors.
Monday, September 6
Labor Day Holiday (No School)
Wednesday, September 15
Individual School Pictures
8:30-10:30 am
September 16 and 17
Early Release Days
Dismissal at 12:50 pm
September 20-24
Fall Break
Wednesday, September 29
Virtual Author Visit with Angela DiTerlizzi
Where Learning Takes Flight
August Design Principle: The Responsibility for Learning
"In dreams begins responsibility."
~William Butler Yeats
Hello Glennwood Families,
Things are going really well here at Glennwood! I am so pleased to report that our cafeteria kitchen scored a 100/A from the Department of Health this week! Kudos to Ms. Pam and Ms. Julissa for this incredible score! Wow!
You may have seen this blurb in Dr. Fehrman’s Friday Follow-Up:
Plans are underway for district-wide COVID surveillance testing. We met with the lab director and members of the logistics team this week. The first step is to gauge interest in participating in the program. This will help us determine the number of sites and the amount of supplies needed. Complete this short survey to let us know if your student will participate in weekly COVID testing. Here’s a short video about testing. Staff and students will need a signed consent form on file to be tested. You only need to opt-in once for this school year. We will share more information and distribute consent forms next week.
Parents - please look for the consent form and additional information about surveillance testing in the Friday Follow-Up. In order for us to get the testing program up and running as soon as possible, it is important that the consent forms be returned as soon as possible.
As always, please reach out to me with any questions or concerns!
Dr. Brookins
Principal
Media Center Birthday Book Fundraiser - Deadline is TOMORROW!
In your child's folder last week, you received information about participating in the Birthday Book Program as a fundraiser for the media center. This is a special way to honor your child during their birthday month and also help the library grow the collection of books. This is usually the biggest fundraiser we do, and due to last year's circumstances, we were unable to offer this program/fundraiser. We would really appreciate your support if you are able to donate this year. Forms and payment are due TOMORROW. If you did not receive the form, you will find it here: Birthday Book Program. Thank you for supporting the Glennwood Media Center and especiallly to everyone who has already donated.
CoGAT Testing Sept. 8-10
Hello, Families,
Students who develop symptoms of illness at school have the opportunity to take a rapid antigen COVID-19 test in the nurse clinic. Parental consent is required for testing. To provide consent, you can access the parent portal, go to the 'More" section on the bottom left and complete the annual update for your student. The COVID-19 consent tab is at the end of the annual update. If you have already given consent, no need to repeat this step. In addition, you may print and send in a hard copy of the consent form in your child's backpack. This consent will cover the 2021-22 school year. Please note, I will contact parents for approval prior to testing their child, even if I have consent on file.
Please refer to this Student Self Screener each day to determine if your child should stay home or attend school. If you keep your child home because they are symptomatic, for whatever reason, that is considered an excused absence for sickness. The Quarantine Learning Plan applies to students who are staying home due to being quarantined.
Daily COVID screener checklist.
Please provide a change of clothes that can be kept in your child's locker. The playground is muddy, kids spill things, and all kids, even the 2nd graders, have bathroom accidents. The school has a very limited supply of extra clothes and underwear. If your child needs a change of clothes, and we do not have something to fit, we will call you to bring in a change. Having an extra set in their locker will alleviate interrupting your day and will help the child return to class asap.
If you have any older clothes that you were planning on donating, particularly pants and shorts for both boys and girls, we will gladly take them.
If you have questions you can reach out at ebarrington@csdecatur.net or call the school's main number.
Nurse Beth
GL Staff Pilot Blackboard Mass Communication Tool
Note: If you are not receiving Blackboard communications (texts, school and district newsletters and emails), your preferred mobile number and email may need to be updated. Please contact Mrs. Hearn, our school manager at khearn@csdecatur.net. Also, be sure to check your spam folder if you are not receiving our newsletter.
Caution: If you unsubscribe or opt-out, you will no longer receive communications from staff except emergency communication.
We will begin offering this service for classroom teachers the week of August 30th. After a few weeks of practice, we'll be looking for some feedback from you so that the district may evaluate if this communication tool will be used with all school staff going forward. Our goal remains to provide clear and concise communication with our families.
Thanks to all the families who came out to the PTA Popsicle Party last weekend! If you missed out on the fun, or couldn't decide which spiritwear you wanted on the spot, please visit our online store and do some stress-free shopping! You will also find our first-ever, commemorative, small-batch, artisan, farm-to-table, homemade, and oh-so-tasty fig jam, made from fellow parent Anne Carros using figs from Glennwood's glorious fig tree! Only 10 jars left! Order yours HERE.
The PTA also has some immediate open positions. Please join us!
Communications Coordinator: Oversees PTA communications via e-blasts and social media, and manages PTA website. This position can potentially be split into two roles. Grab a friend and sign up together!
Staff Appreciation Coordinator: Coordinates activities throughout the year to show our school staff how much we love them. This position may also be covered by two individuals.
Please email Leslie Sessley and Kelly Stinson for more info: president@glenwoodpta.org.
The CSD ESOL Team will be hosting their annual ESOL Parent Informational Meeting on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. This will be a VIRTUAL meeting. This meeting will cover:
- ESOL Entrance and Exit Criteria
- ESOL Instruction and Service Models
- ESOL State Assessments
City Schools of Decatur
Parents - Please look for the consent form and additional information about surveillance testing in the Friday Follow-Up from Dr. Fehrman. In order for us to get the testing program up and running as soon as possible, it is important that the consent forms be returned as soon as possible.
News from the Decatur Education Foundation
Takeout for DEF! Our friends from NaanStop and Greg Kodesh Realty are partnering with DEF for a dine-out/take-out on Thursday, September 9th, for which they'll be donating 20% of sales to DEF! They offer family meals including 2 entrees, fresh-baked naan, handmade samosas, basmati rice and chutneys (feeds 4). Just place your order before 5 pm Wednesday, September 8th and your order will be available for pick up between 5 - 545pm on Thursday, September 9th - link to menu: https://bit.ly/NSorderDecatur - Pickup/drive-thru at Avery/Bucher in Winnona Park neighborhood - Pickup instructions will be sent with confirmation - Pickup will be available between 5-5:45 - masks/distancing required at pick up - order in advance before 5 pm on Wednesday, September 8th ... first-come, first-served so get your orders in before they sell out!
Homework Help: We are continuing our Virtual Pals tutoring program in which we pair a 2nd-8th grade student with an upper high school student or adult volunteer to help with homework, time management, and motivation. If you would like to sign your student up for the program, you can go here. If you would like to help as a volunteer tutor, you can apply here. (High school students can earn volunteer hours!)
Could you be a mentor? We’re also seeking 15 women and 15 men volunteers to serve as mentors for our AIM Scholars mentoring program. Third-grade students are paired with an adult mentor who helps them by supporting their Academics and explore their Interests; Mentors also help their students connect to educational and enrichment opportunities. For just 2-4 hours per month, you can have a meaningful impact in the life of a student. For more information, please visit www.decatureducationfoundation.org/mentoring