A Letter From Dr. Tennies, Our Principal
Hello November!
We completed our first quarter of school and are starting a new period of learning. I hope you found last month’s connections of parent teacher conferences valuable. When families and schools work together, great things can happen.
Parent Teacher conferences are on our school calendar twice: once in October and again in March. Although it may be understood, I would like to say that any time you have questions and want to partner, we are here for that. Staff have emails that can be used. During the day, it is difficult to stop teaching and answer the phone, so you could leave a voice mail. We will return your call when teaching is done.
Communication is an important part of our partnership. This month is Family Engagement Month in the state of Georgia. One thing I learned from researching family engagement is that it can occur from home. When parents ask about how school was, when they inquire about assignments, and when they share how important it is to go to school, those are all examples of family engagement from your home. You may have noticed our weekly messenger on Sundays that now delivers some important pieces of information before school starts for the week. I would like to invite you to our November Coffee Chat on Nov. 30th at 9:30am in the Family Resource Room.
Communication between home and school is so important.
Thank you for partnering with us. Our partnership is vital for student success.
Together we are Chestatee!
Kindly,
Dr. Polly Tennies
Principal
Chestatee Elementary
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Dear Chestatee Families,
I love you, November! You are one of my favorite months for so many reasons. Not only can I pull out my favorite sweaters, jackets, hats and jeans, but I can cozy up with a fire and watch football all weekend long. You grant us a week off to celebrate Thanksgiving which is my favorite holiday. Turkey, family, friends, gratitude, being together. You are so kind, November.
There’s another reason why November is my favorite. Family Engagement Month happens every November in schools across the state of Georgia. It’s such a great month to celebrate our partnership. In years past, we posted pictures of ways our families get involved. Let’s face it, our families are amazing!
Lunch guests, Watchdog Dads, Boosterthon and fundraisers, helping with homework, partnering with the teachers, attending APTT meetings, viewing social media, keeping up with Messengers, emails, newsletters, coming to performances, PTO events, LSC, Parent Advisory Council, special projects, volunteers in classrooms, the media center, and car line, … the list goes on and on and on. We have involved families…. That is for sure! I love November so that we can look back at all the ways every year and smile! Our families are the best!
Last month, I had the pleasure of attending a training on mindfulness. Some of the key factors I learned were how important it is to slow down, to do one thing at a time, to breathe. If you know me, you know I can be high strung. I also am a worrier. I drink a lot of coffee, go 100 mph all day, and crash when I get home. I was the mom scrolling my phone while my family was talking. A multi-tasker with a capital M. I was doing a lot, but I’m not sure that I was doing things all that well. I really learned the science behind slowing down, monotasking, taking time to breathe and for self-care.
So on this month of family engagement- I want to ask the adults of our families- are you taking care of yourselves so that you can keep this great engagement going? That’s important for all of us to remember. Slow down. Take care of yourself too. Find something you love and do it. Grant yourself some time for self-care. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Whether it’s exercise, nature, camping, nails, hair, shopping, a movie, date night, puzzles, reading, hobbies, or something else… find something. Doing something for yourself will be what helps you keep up all the great family engagement you have been doing.
A wise woman said to me…. Okay, Dr. Tennies said to me at the beginning of the year, “Meg… remember that this is a marathon, not a race. Pace yourself.” I encourage you to do the same. Thank you for all you do for the beautiful children you send to Chestatee each day. Happy November and happy Family Engagement Month, Chestatee Families!
See you soon!
Meg
Meg Killingsworth
Family Engagement Coordinator
770-887-2341 ext 723002
Box Tops/ Soup Labels
The procedure will be changing in the near future (we will keep you posted!)
For now, keep filling out your Box Top Sheets and turn them in to Ms. Donna in the front office.
Kroger and Publix will donate money too...
Publix Partners with Chestatee also. You only need to put your phone number in as you checkout. Publix will donate a certain percentage of their profits to Chestatee from your purchase!
We love our Partners in Education!
