Suwanee Express
Week of February 3rd
Words can't express how thankful I am to each of you for making my birthday so special. My heart was smiling all day. I am so blessed to spend my days working side by side with so many amazing people. Thank you for making me feel fabulous at 40! Tons of hugs and thank yous! There's truly no place like Suwanee! :)
Soooo Grateful,
Mary Taylor
Calendar at a Glance
2/3 - 4 & 5 extended learning day opportunity for select students (3:00-4:30)
2/4 - CLT
2/5 - 4 & 5 extended learning day opportunity for select students (3:00-4:30)
2/6 - Last Kid Talk for the year during planning....we will continue to Friday if needed.
2/7 - 5th Grade Game Day after-school in Suwanee Cafe
2/7 - Sign-Up Genius Early Release Invites sent out to parents today (conferences times between 2/9-2/23 count for Early Release conferences)
2/10 - 4 & 5 extended learning day opportunity for select students (3:00-4:30)
2/11- CLT
2/11 - Ontai's Baby Shower in the Media Center 3:15-4:15 (Hosted By 5th Grade)
2/12 - 4 & 5 extended learning day opportunity for select students (3:00-4:30)
2/14 - Teacher/Student Holiday Happy Valentine's Day!
2/17 - Teacher/Staff Workday (Student Holiday)
2/18 - CLT during school-day....no required CLT after school you may hold conferences
2/19 - Early Release
2/20 - Early Release
Time to spend your PTA $75! Please do so asap. :)
How to fill out a check request form
Make sure to include your name, date, who the check should be written out to, where we should deliver the check, what the check is for, your signature and the receipt. Return check request form along with receipt/purchase order to the PTA mailbox in the bistro by March 27th, 2020. Anyone submitting a check request form will get a confirmation email when we receive it. We empty the PTA mailbox at least once per week and checks can be expected back within 10 school days, usually less.
PTA Co-President,
Dena
Don't forget this, team Suwanee! :)
Specifics from Scoggins!
Nearpod has a great game platform called Time to Climb. Students race to the top of the mountain against the clock by answering multiple choice questions. Their position is based on speed and accuracy. It does have to be used with a Live Lesson.
You just go to your GCPS Nearpod Account by going to the Portal- Click Teacher Resources- Click Safari Montage. Select the Nearpod Folder.
Click the + sign to Create
- Click ‘Add Activity’
- Click ‘Time to Climb’
- Customize your Time to Climb activity
- Share with students through a Live Lesson.
I will be happy to help you set this up for your students
Additional info
https://nearpod.com/blog/time-to-climb-how-to/
FAQ
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FnHdaMcRQ5Jwggn0p33SxhIbh6wvaWoB/view?usp=sharing
Instructional Resource Review Save the Date
In preparation for a Fall 2020 pilot, the offices of Language Arts, Social Studies, Career & Technical Education, and Foreign Language, in conjunction with the office of Instructional Resources & Support, are conducting a resource review for select courses on February 24-25 from 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM at the J. Alvin Wilbanks Instructional Support Center, 437 Old Peachtree Rd NW, 200 Building, Suwanee, GA. All GCPS employees, including teachers, are invited to stop by during the window on either or both days to review proposed instructional resources and provide feedback. Input will be used to select specific resources for the Fall 2020 pilot.
The following courses/grade levels will have resources available for review:• Language Arts- Grades 3-5, 9-12
• Social Studies- Grades K-2, 6-8, and selected 9-12 courses
For a detailed listing of the courses/grade levels, see attached. If you have any questions, please call 678-301-6828 or email anna.huston@gcpsk12.org.
GCPS Summer Professional Learning Preview!
Suwanee Media Center News!
Do your students want to have a moment to shine on the morning news? We are looking for students at all grade levels to come on the morning news to share their learning as we celebrate Black History Month.
Using your grade level AKS as a guide, choose a significant person or event that you have studied this year in your classroom. Have your students research and write a short blurb to read on the news. Choose a student to come on the news to share what he/she has learned. On the sign-up sheet below, please write in your student name and event or person that will be presented. Mrs. Duncan will make a background slide to have ready for your student on the day he/she comes to share.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JY-zEUCuLcXi9uN6R1joZWqyYgW3haA6_koFVU0u46U/edit?usp=sharing
Thank you for participating!
Jennifer M Duncan
Media Specialist, Suwanee Elementary
770.831.4896
GCPS Social Studies Department
- Black History Month
In 1926, Carter G. Woodson established a period to celebrate the rich history of African Americans and their significant contributions to the social, political, and economic structures of the United States and the world. First celebrated as a week to correspond with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, the period of recognition and reflection expanded in 1976 to the entire month of February. President Gerald R. Ford noted at the first national recognition of Black History Month that this is the opportunity for all Americans “…to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout history.”
The Social Studies office is excited to join with all schools in a celebration of Black History Month. As you recognize the contributions of African Americans to our country’s heritage, our office has provided links to many websites and lesson plans that can be of assistance in planning your events. All of these resources and a place to upload pictures from your school’s celebration are available on the ECOMM under Social Studies Department General Information.
What: Black History Month
When: February, 2020
Civic Engagement Professional Learning
The Social Studies office is pleased to offer a new professional learning opportunity on civic engagement. These two sessions will focus on assisting participants in building a firm foundation for the new initiative on Civic Engagement through understanding the what, why and how of Civic Education. This course will introduce teachers to research based norms and protocols for a civic-minded classroom that incorporate the concepts of citizens’ rights, responsibilities, and respect of others’ rights. This beginners’ course is designed to (1) review best practices, (2) explore strategies in the civil dialogue toolkit to increase the constitutional literacy of students, (3) align protocols with current AKS, (4) and allow planning time for implementation.
What: Civic Engagement Professional Learning
When: March 17 & 24, 2020 (5:15PM – 7:15PM)
Where: J. Alvin Wilbanks Instructional Support Center, Building 200
Register in PD&E: Course #24973
Music in our School Month: March 2020
- The theme for this year Music In Our Schools Month® (MIOSM®) is “Music Changes Lives”. The program takes a new tack this year, focusing on lessons for second- and fifth-graders that help them learn elements of music through some classic children’s songs in English and Spanish. The lessons and songs, however, can be shared at many levels. All are available without charge to teachers for their use during MIOSM and beyond.
What: Music In Our Schools Month® .
When: Month of March
Teachers can access information at: https://nafme.org/programs/miosm/
News from Marti Parker!
Sign Up Now!
K-5 Ready, Set, Science Bootcamp – 3rd Quarter Resources
This professional learning provides an opportunity for teachers at all levels grow in their understanding of the Science AKS and experience model lessons that incorporate the Quality-Plus Teaching Strategies which can be used in their classrooms. Participants will develop an understanding of the vertical alignment of the AKS; effective instructional practices in Science; formative assessment strategies to meet individual learning needs; and literacy strategies to deepen students’ conceptual understanding in Science. Participants will walk away with lessons that can be implemented immediately in their classrooms.
What: Ready, Set, Science Bootcamp
When: 3/5 @ 4:30-6:30
Where: Discovery High School
Participants should register for Ready, Set, Science Bootcamp in PD&E using course # 23178.
FYI - There will be a $150 stipend for SES teachers who attend this March Science PD. :)
10th Annual Gwinnett Digital Learning Conference 2020—Call for Proposals
This is an open request for proposals to present at the Gwinnett Digital Learning Conference on Thursday, June 11, 2020 at the J. Alvin Wilbanks Instructional Support Center. The proposal form will be available beginning Wednesday, January 8, 2020. We hope you will consider sharing your knowledge and expertise with your peers. Please note that choice session presentations will last approximately one hour. The deadline to submit presentation proposals is Wednesday, February 19, 2020. The proposal form is located in the employee portal.
Below are directions to access the proposal form:
1. Log into the employee portal using your employee ID and portal password.
2. Go to the Tools tab and click on GDLC Proposals in the Media section.
3. If you have questions or need assistance, you may contact Michael Urbanik.