Knightly News
Friday, February 3, 2023
Every Student, Every Day, Deserves to Learn, Lead, & Excel!
Message from Ms. Perkins ~ Simonton ES Principal
Next week is National Counselor Appreciation week. We will celebrate the great work Mrs. Panzer and Mrs. Williams do each day to have a positive impact on our school. Please encourage your student to draw a special picture or write a thank you note to their counselor.
Today our students spent the day at home completing their assignments. Thank you parents for supporting them as they complete their assignments. We can not wait to see all of our smiling faces back here Monday, February 6, 2023.
SES National Elementary Honor Society
Help Needed!
The Simonton ES PTA is in need of volunteers for the spring festival scheduled for Saturday, March 25, 2023. If you are available to plan, and/or lend a helping hand send an email to Simontonespta@gmail.com.
Counselor Appreciation Week
Next week we will celebrate our counselors during Counselor Appreciation week. Please take a moment to have your student write a note or draw a picture to show how much we appreciate all they do to make Simonton ES a great place for students.
Attention 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students!
Do you love STEM? Do you like learning about the ocean? Are you curious about microscopic organisms that are too small to see? Do you like going to Six Flags or other amusement parks? Have you ever thought about making your own rides or roller coasters? If any of this sounds like fun to you, be sure to sign up for our FREE Simonton STEM Camp coming up in February. Students will stay after school, but they will need to get picked up by someone on their approved pick-up list when camp is over at 5:30pm. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP! Once you sign up, look for an email and paper confirmation from Mrs. Aseltine!
2/15/2023 Underwater Exploration - 3:00pm-5:30pm 2/22/2023 Amusement Park Science - 3:00pm-5:30pm
SES's PTA Reflection Winners
The following students will go on to compete at the state level:
Sara M. (Ms. Windley) - Visual Arts
Amir Z. (Munzwandi) - Visual Arts
Ethan B. (Ms. Monre) - Visual Arts
Abrielle D. (Ms. Towe) - Photography
Gabriel M. (Ms. Towe) - Film Production
Upcoming Events at Simonton
Saturday, February 4
- Saturday Intervention (K-5) ~ 9:00-11:00 am
Saturday, February 11
- Saturday Intervention (K-5) ~ 9:00-11:00 am
Wednesday, February 15
- STEM Camp (3-5) ~ 3:10-5:30 pm
Thursday, February 16- Monday, February 20
- Winter Break ~ No School
Wednesday, February 22
- STEM Camp (3-5) ~ 3:10-5:30 pm
Saturday, February 25
- Saturday Intervention (K-5) ~ 9:00-11:00 am
- Reader's Rally
Monday, February 27- Friday, March 3
- Scholastic Book Fair
Wednesday, March 1
- Early Release ~ dismissal at 12:15 pm
- Parent Teacher Conferences
Thursday, March 2
- Early Release ~ dismissal at 12:15 pm
- Parent Teacher Conferences
Friday, March 3
- Local School Council Meeting ~ 9:00-10:00 am
2023 Field Day T-Shirts
Field Day t-shirts are available to order.
Place your order on MyPaymentsPlus.
Each shirt costs $10.00.
The deadline to order is March 15, 2023.
Child Lures Lessons
During the months of February through May, Simonton counselors will begin teaching the mandatory sexual abuse and safety prevention lessons, Child Lures, to students in grades K through 5. You can learn more about the lessons at www.childluresprevention.com
A letter will be coming home with your student soon. If you prefer that your child not participate in the lesson, please write and sign a note indicating your preferences and send it to your child’s teacher or school counselor.
Annual Parent Involvement Survey
Who: Families of students who are receiving special education services
What: Each state is required to conduct a parent survey to measure parent/family perceptions of the success of parent engagement between home and local schools.
When: Available January 23, 2023 – May 31, 2023
Please use the following link to access the survey: https://survey.gadoe.org/SPEDParentSurvey
Gwinnett Needs Assessment
With so many people in need of vital health and human services, it's important that we take the time to assess what resources are available and what needs can be met. The Department of Community Services is conducting an assessment survey to get feedback about food and nutrition, transportation, housing, veterans' services and more.
Please your thoughts with them by taking this short survey.
Download the Free Gwinnett County Public Schools App
Stay on top of the latest news, calendar events, and emergency information by downloading our free Gwinnett County Public Schools mobile app. You can enable notifications and choose your preferred language.
Why download the app?
Receive alerts for school closures or delays and important districtwide information.
Check school and district events calendars.
Access your school’s lunch menu and add money to your student's account..
Access districtwide digital resources.
Read the latest district news.
Search for Gwinnett County Public Schools in the App Store or Google Play to download our app for free.
Donations for the Clinic
Our clinic is in need of clothing donations. As you are cleaning after the holiday break, please consider donating items to our clinic. We can use donations of all sizes.
Simonton ES Handbook Reminders
SES Handbook Reminders ~ Closing of School
In the event of severe weather or mechanical failure, the starting time of school may be delayed or school may be closed. Announcements will be made over the local television and radio stations. If no report is broadcast, school will be in session. Please do not call the school in an emergency. We will be focused on keeping your child safe and telephone lines need to be kept open for emergencies. Sign up for School Messenger and Class Dojo to receive timely information.
SES Handbook Reminder ~ Cell phones and electronic devices
Cell phones may be brought to school for after school use as long as they are turned off and left in the student’s book bag at all times during the school day. If a phone is taken out during the school day, it will be taken up by the teacher, and the parent will need to come to the school to retrieve it. No games should be brought to school at any time. Students must follow teacher/school guidelines for device use. If you DO NOT want your child to participate in technology, appear in the morning news, or have candid photos taken of them throughout the year, please send a note clearly stating this to the front office.
Federal Programs Family-School Partnership Advisory Council (PAC) Meeting
Thursday, February 9, 2023
5:30-6:30 PM
All Families Invited to Attend
https://gcpsk12-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAqdu6uqj4qHNLXGI1O8HyJ7O11n5SciY2o
Simonton ES All Pro Dads Chapter
Join us for our next All Pro Dad Breakfast on Friday, February 10, 2023. Thank you to our fabulous PTA who will be providing coffee and donuts.
Mystery Science Videos
Gwinnett Community Services' February Calendar of Events
February Events @ Your Lawrenceville Library
Featured Events for Students
-Super Science: Build a Bridge: Wednesday, February 01- 4pm
-Poem Reading Trails: Monday, February 06- 4pm
-Test Your Knowledge on Black History: Thursday, February 09- 5pm
-Chess Club: Sunday, February 12- 2pm
-President’s Day Fun at the Library: Monday, February 20- 2pm
-Simple Science - Sense of Hearing: Wednesday, February 22- 4pm
ESL Language Learning & New Americans Programs
We offer programs for adults who speak English as a second language and want the chance to practice conversationally, and for adults who are new to the country as a whole. These programs are:
- Let's Talk: Mondays, February 6, 13, 20, 27 at 5:00pm, in person at the Lawrenceville branch
- ESL Movie Club: Every other Thursday, February 2 and 16 at 4:00pm. Find this virtual event at gwinnettpl.org/events
See flyer below for more details...
Blueprint for the Future
The Blueprint is designed to ensure our Portrait of a Graduate becomes a reality. The Blueprint will also drive the intentional culture shifts that reflect the guiding vision of the Learning 2025 community of practice. Our Blueprint for the Future defines our strategic priorities in four areas: empathy, equity, effectiveness, and excellence.
Elementary Handbook Information for Students and Families
On August 18, 2022 the Gwinnett County Board approved Policy JCDI - Board's Theory of Action for Change to Improve Student Behavior and Outcomes (please see attached Policy). This Policy outlines our Board’s commitment to providing both consequences and interventions in order to improve student behavior outcomes.
The Elementary Handbook Information for Students and Families has been updated to include this new change. Please take a moment to read the new handbook and sign off in the Parent Portal indicating your have received a copy of the document. A copy of the document is attached to the newsletter and a link to the documents on the GCPS website is below.
Helpful Resources
Simonton ES PTA
Print the attached membership form and return it to the Simonton ES PTA. Sign up for a membership and volunteer to support an event! Contact the Simonton ES PTA at Simontonespta@gmail.com for more information.
Family eTips
Rewarding persistence can help establish study habits
Many skills children need to learn take time to master. But practicing times tables, vocabulary words or music scales isn't always fun. One way to keep your child motivated is to reward solid efforts. Stock a jar with small treats. Then you and your child can agree on the number of diligent practice sessions needed to earn a treat. As your child's skills improve, adjust the number upward to maintain the challenge until you can phase them out completely. https://tpitip.com/?13ad18608
Play the Try a New Vegetable game
To encourage your child to give a new healthy food a try, write the names of vegetables you have on hand on slips of paper. Repeat so you have two slips for each vegetable, and put the papers into a hat. Your child draws slips until getting the same vegetable twice. That's the one you'll serve tonight. Then refill the hat with slips numbered from 1 to 10 and let your child pick again. That number is how many bites of vegetable your child has to eat. https://tpitip.com/?13ae18608
Collecting is a fun way to practice school skills
Is your child's room crammed with collections of "treasures"? Use these collections to reinforce school skills. To encourage reading, visit the library or go online together to read about your child's collecting interests. Practice math skills by having your child count and sort and classify items. Promote organization by having your student think about ways to display and keep track of collectibles, such as creating a digital catalog. https://tpitip.com/?13bA18608
Sneak some science into conversations
You'd probably be met with a groan if you said, "Let's talk about science" to your child. To bring the subject up more naturally, notice the moon and stars. Ask what your child can tell you about the current shape of the moon. Or talk about the food your family eats. Can your child tell you why it's important to eat vegetables, or what protein does? Talk about digital devices, too. How do you each think technology influences life? https://tpitip.com/?13bB18608
Participate in things that matter to your child
It's not always possible for families to attend every one of their children's events at school. So what's most important? It's simple, really. Ask which events mean the most to your child. Your elementary schooler may not care if you miss the perfect attendance award ceremony. But it may be important that you hear your child's 30-second solo in the spring concert. When you can't be there for everything, be there when it matters to your child. https://tpitip.com/?13bC18608
Positive words encourage cooperation
When you want your child's cooperation, send a positive message. Saying "I hope you finish your schoolwork and do a careful job. Then we can play games and eat popcorn," sounds like an invitation, while "No schoolwork, no games" sounds like a threat. It's the same message, but which version would your child rather hear? https://tpitip.com/?13bD18608
Motivate good behavior with marbles
Here's a simple system to encourage good behavior. Every time your child does something properly, provide a marble to put into a clear jar. Notable achievements, such as an improvement in a grade, also earn marbles. Poor behavior costs your child marbles. When the jar is full, the whole family gets a treat. Keep the jar in a visible spot where your child can watch it get full and remember that good behavior benefits everyone. https://tpitip.com/?13bE18608
SES Business Partners
Simonton Elementary School would like to thank our business sponsors!
Your support and partnership helps us fulfill our mission of having our students Learn, Lead, & Excel!
Mathnasium of North Lawrenceville
900 Duluth HWY, Suite 400
Lawrenceville, GA 30043
Phone: 678-756-1392
Stars and Strikes
Dacula, GA 30019
Phone: 678-965-5707
Kroger
2100 Riverside Pkwy
Lawrenceville, GA 30043
Phone: 770-962-0890
GCPS Flyers
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
Deputy Superintendent ~ Dr. T. Nakia Towns
Board Member ~ Mr. Steven B. Knudsen
Cluster Superintendent ~ Dr. Keith D. Thompson
Principal ~ Ms. Tamara G. Perkins
Assistant Principal ~ Mr. Nicholas Gilmore
Assistant Principal ~ Dr. Joe Sanfilippo
Assistant Principal ~ Mrs. Amy Steinberg
Website: https://www.gcpsk12.org/SimontonES
Location: 275 Simonton Road Southeast, Lawrenceville, GA, USA
Phone: 770-513-6637
Twitter: @SimontonPride