Simonton Parent Newsletter
August 7, 2020
Message From Ms. Perkins
We know there have been many changes in the last few weeks with in-person vs. digital learning. Please complete the short survey below to let us know what are your plans when we open our doors for in-person instruction.
Attached to this newsletter is also a daily schedule for each grade level. It is important for us to create, as much as we can, the feel for a real school day. Teachers will be available throughout the school day to meet with students and will hold office hours for parent and student questions. Attendance will be taken each day and we want to make sure students have every opportunity to participate in daily instruction.
Enjoy the last few days of summer and we can't wait to see the smiling faces of our students on Wednesday, August 12, 2020.
Meet your Assistant Principals:
Daphne Miles
Nicole Tomlinson
Emily Young
1st Day of School for Everyone!
How might this plan work? The table below represents a “best-case scenario” for beginning the transition for families who want us to provide in-person instruction. Adjustments to the dates and the grade levels listed may be necessary based on the still-fluid COVID-19 situation in Gwinnett County. Regardless of the timeline, we will monitor the local conditions on a regular basis, and with guidance from our health partners, will either slow down the return to school or continue with the plan accordingly. Updates to the plan will be communicated promptly and as far in advance as possible so families and employees have time to prepare. At all times, extensive protective measures will be in place to sanitize our facilities, maintain social distance to the fullest extent possible, and make the return to school safe for children and adults. (A list of these protective measures is posted on the GCPS website.)
Our starting point for providing in-person instruction is outlined in this chart. Actual Starting Dates will be influenced by guidance from the health and educational organizations listed above.
Back to School Tech Check
When is the Tech Check? Monday, August 10, beginning at 11 a.m., ending by 11:30 a.m.
What is the Tech Check? It is a way for teachers to ensure that students are ready for digital learning and can access the technology tools that will be used in class. It also allows the district to test all of its systems and programs, tracking any technical issues and/or concerns shared by students, families, or teachers.
How will the Tech Check work? As many students as possible should log in at 11 a.m. Before Monday, your school should provide information about which class to log-in to, along with reminders about student portal passwords and how to log in. As part of the Tech Check, teachers will have students go to their course page and complete several activities, such as taking part in a brief video conferencing session (Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, etc.), viewing a short video clip, and trying an online tool that the teacher will use regularly in class (e.g., Google Suite/Google Classroom, Nearpod, Padlet, Quizlet, Desmos).
Do you have a Kindergartener at Simonton?
Have you signed up for the Parent Portal?
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.
o Students will be offered the choice of both a breakfast and a lunch each day.
o Students will need their Student ID cards. This allows us to process and properly account for the meal. (You will receive this on August 12, 2020)
o 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.
o Students will be able to pick up a meal at any school within their assigned Cluster.
o 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
K-5 Parent AKS Brochures
Activities For August
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.
Chromebook Requests
Our school has received many requests for chromebooks. While we are not able to assign a chromebook for each student, we are coordinating with other schools and the district office to meet the needs of as many families as possible. We are reviewing ALL requests and we will be in contact with families who will be loaned chromebooks from our school. If you would like to be considered for a Chromebook please be sure you have completed the survey below.
Class Schedules/Expectations
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