March 2022
Lucky to Be at Chestatee Elementary School
A Letter From Dr. Tennies, Our Principal
Dear Families,
February ended on such a great note with a return of our families inside Chestatee. Seeing families back for lunch and to volunteer has been a happy moment. It makes a child proud when a loved one comes to school and they can share their day. It makes our school feel so much more complete now that we have families back.
Lunch Procedure for Families is going well. We thank you for using the signup to come and visit. We offer 18 spots a day so that families can have a table as long as needed and will know for sure there is a space for them to eat. Tables 1-10 can be found on the stage while 11-18 line the cafeteria entrance. Thank you for bringing your photo ID and checking in with Ms. Stacey, our receptionist. Click here for the signup. It can be found on our website also.
Bingo Night on Friday, the 25th was a big success. Families came together for a fun evening in our cafeteria while some families simultaneously played virtually. We all had a common theme of togetherness. Prizes were awarded. Smiles were shared. My favorite part of the evening was our last round, the kindness round. Participants who already had won prizes could choose to give away a winning card to someone who hadn’t won. I’ll admit that my heart beamed with pride! A big thanks to our PTO for coordinating the event and pivoting to in person quickly!
There are plenty of things to look forward to this month. March is packed full of fun. I listed several events that you will want to write on your calendar. We will be excited to open the doors and see your family!
Thursday, March 10 Early Release for Parent/ Teacher Conferences
Families can meet virtually or come in for a conference.
Tuesday, March 15: Science Night 5:30-7:00
Come and join the Science Ambassador High School students for a night packed with science experiments.
Thursday, March 24: Parent Portal Help Night at East Forsyth High School 6:30- 7:45 If you haven’t seen the new high school, you may want to consider joining the One East Cluster at the high school. Learn more about Parent Portal and stop by to get set up. Staff will be there to show families how the program works. Pizza will be served. Children are welcome to come along!
Friday, March 25: Daughter Dance/ Snowflake Ball
Our daughters are invited to dance away the evening with a loved one. This event is sponsored by our PTO and they have a beautiful evening in store for families! Click here for the details
Monday, March 28: Watchdog Dad Kickoff We are eager to have our Watchdog Dads come back for the full day at Chestatee. The kickoff event will explain the program in detail. Bring the kids for pizza and come sign up for a day to serve.
Thursday, March 31: Chorus Performance 6:00
I hope you know how much I value family engagement. I spent a big chunk of my education studying its impact on students. It became very apparent in my research that family involvement in school makes a huge difference in a child’s success in school. Thank you for being involved and engaged! Together, we are Chestatee.
Kindly,
Dr. Polly Tennies
Principal
Chestatee Elementary School
770-887-2341 ext. 722004
Need a Chromebook for home use?
FCS was provided over 7,000 Chromebooks as part of the federal Emergency Connectivity Fund program. These Chromebooks are to help support families without computing devices at home. If your child does not have a Chromebook or computer at home to do school work, or your children have to share a Chromebook/computer, please complete the form linked in this message by noon on Thursday, March 10th. Please note, by completing the request form, you are not guaranteed to receive a Chromebook. The Chromebooks are property of FCS and may be collected at the end of each school year and redistributed as needed.
If you have any questions, please reach out to our ITS Lisa Bruce. lbruce@forsyth.k12.ga.us 770-887-2341 ext 722116
Lunch Details and Times Below!
Please limit yourself to one date per month, as we give opportunity for everyone. Outside food is allowed.
The cost of a guest lunch is $3.85. The cafeteria can accept check or exact cash.
Some Guidelines for Lunch:
- Meet your child in the lunchroom.
- Sit at your assigned table. There are 4 chairs.
- Wave goodbye from the lunchroom at the end of the period.
Thank YOU!
Lots to Celebrate at the T!
Congrats to our Oratorical Winner, Ellie, Runner-Up, Maya, and All the Outstanding Participants!
Courtney was the Fifth Grade Young Author Winner for the District!
We are Proud of the FCS Outstanding Instructional Aide, Cathy Prince, and FCS Outstanding Teacher of the Month, Jessica Stanley!
Addie and Ian Were Awarded the Optimist Club Rising Star Award!
We Had Lots of Positive Office Referrals!
Appreciating Our Bus Drivers with a #LoveTheBus Campaign from the American School Bus Council!
National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day: Thank You, Officer Angie!
National School Counselor Week
Black History Month
Lucky to Be at the T!
Kindness Week
Lunches with the Principal and Officer Angie!
Valentines Day Fun
A Pre-K Visit!
FCS Job Fair!
We are Lucky to Have Nurse Janet Caring for our Kids!
The Biggest Request from Nurse Janet.....
Miss Coming Inside the School? Science Night is a Great Chance to Visit! March 15 5:30-7:00
Building Community with Students
In building community, we often use the term, "Be a Buddy- Not a Bully." We were very excited to participate in our first, "Greatest Kindness Week Ever" in October to celebrate kindness at the T! The Kindness Grant funds our Buddy Benches on the playground. We had another week of kindness this month too! This was a One East Initiative and all schools in our cluster participated. We are thankful for our counselors and Mrs. Olear for working hard on wellness with students!
We are So Proud of Our February High Flyers for Being Confident!
Congrats to Pre-K, Kindergarten, First and Second Grade High Flyers!
Congrats to Our 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade High Flyers!
Congratulations to our Staff Member of the Month for February, Ms. Theresa Grant!
We are proud to announce Ms. Theresa Grant, one of our custodians, as our February Staff Member of the Month!
Ms. Theresa joined our custodial staff several years ago from Haw Creek Elementary. She lives in the North Forsyth community with her dog, Boss. Theresa loves spending time with her granddaughter and relaxing during her time off. She loves to be outside, likes the sunshine, and enjoys TV and puzzles.
Our custodians help to provide a safe, clean environment in which we can learn! Ms. Theresa works very hard every day to do all of her responsibilities and does everything with a smile and positive attitude. Ms. Theresa has been nominated several times because parents and staff have noticed that she bonds and builds relationships with kids and people around her. She makes kids feel special and loved and takes time to speak with them to connect. Ms. Theresa is loved and appreciated by us all- staff, students, and families!
We are very grateful that Ms. Theresa is part of our amazing Chestatee staff. Congratulations to Ms. Theresa Grant.
A big thank you to our business partners, Ultimate Auto Glass and Electronics, and Mathnasium of Coal Mountain for sponsoring our Chestatee Staff Member of the Month Program!
Teacher and Staff Member of the Month Nominations
2021-22 PTO Information!
BINGO was a Blast! Lots of lucky Winners!
Our PTO is a GREAT Way to Get Involved!
Our PTO board members raise money to help teachers and our school.
You can support our PTO through our fundraiser, events, and spirit wear.
There are no membership dues this year.
chestateeelementarypto@yahoo.com
What's Coming Up at the T?
March 7-11
March 10
March 11
No School for Students: Professional Development Day
March 15
March 24
Come have pizza and get help with Parent Portal!
March 25
Ladies are invited to bring an important adult in your life and come dance the night away!
Important Cafeteria Information
Our Communi-T-y is the BEST!
The Support for the Spring Fundraiser has been Amazing! Here are the Results! Thank You for All Your Support!
- Kids love the huggers.
- Teachers love the money donated directly back to their classrooms to buy goods.
- Families can donate gift cards or earn money for the school through purchases.
- We raised a huge amount last year, and teachers asked for this one again.
- All fundraisers are optional. We are so grateful for all the ways our families support Chestatee!
We Received a Huge Check! Prizes and Teacher Orders are Arriving Daily!
Thank You to New Hope UMC for their Continued Food Donations!
These Storage Binds Have Helped Us in the BouTique! Thank You, C.L. Burks Construction!
Thanks to Dr. John and All Stars Dentistry!
We Appreciate Family Dentistry on Freedom!
Thank you to Dr. Crews and Inspirational Smiles and Orthondotics!
Partners in Ed- Faye and Rusty Tarsches from Mathnasium of Coal Mountain Support Our School!
Mathnasium Word Problems of the Month
Lower Elementary:
Question: Sofia Kovalevskaya was born in Russia in 1850. When she was 17, she traveled 2,500 kilometers from Moscow to Heidelberg, Germany, because girls were not allowed to study math in Russia at the time. When she was 33, she moved another 1,750 kilometers to Stockholm, Sweden, to teach math at a university. How many kilometers did Sofia travel to get from Moscow to Heidelberg to Stockholm?
Answer: 4,250 kilometers
Solution: To find the distance from Moscow to Stockholm with a stop in Heidelberg in between we need to add the distance Sofia traveled to get to Heidelberg to the distance she traveled to get to Stockholm. That’s 2,500 + 1,750 = 4,250 kilometers.
Upper Elementary:
Question: Hypatia was a Greek mathematician, philosopher, astronomer, and lecturer. In the morning, she gave 2–hour lectures about mathematics. Midday, she lectured about philosophy for 2 hours and 45 minutes. In the afternoon, she gave hour–and–a–half lectures about astronomy. In the evening, she again lectured about mathematics for 2 hours and 50 minutes. How much time did Hypatia spend lecturing each day?
Answer: 9 hours and 5 minutes
Solution: If we add the number of whole hours Hypatia lectured, we get 2 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 7 hours. If we add the minutes, we get 45 + 30 + 50 = 125 minutes, or 2 hours and 5 minutes. That means that Hypatia lectured for 7 hours + 2 hours + 5 minutes = 9 hours and 5 minutes.
Middle School:
Question: Hedy Lamarr was born in 1914. She was a mathematician and inventor—without her, there would be no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth technology! She was also a famous actress. Her first film was released in 1930. Twenty-nine more films and 26 years later, her final film was released. What was the average number of films Hedy Lamarr released each calendar year during her film–making career? (Give your answer as a fraction in lowest terms.)
Answer: 11/9 films
Solution: Hedy Lamarr released 1 + 29 = 30 films over 27 years—we also have to count the year she started. If we divide the number of films by the number of years, we get 31/27, which is 13/27 as a mixed number and 11/9 films per year when reduced.
Thank You for the Sweet Treats for Our Staff, Rusty and Faye!
Community Opportunities
Watch DOGS Kick OFF- Monday, March 28th at 6:00 PM
Monday, March 28th at 6:00 PM
We'll get you signed up for a day to help and order a shirt. Bring the kids for dinner! Thanks to our amazing spring fundraiser profits, we can treat you to dinner!
We have 2 options for WDs:
Carline Help:
Wear a WD shirt (we have one to borrow if needed), and help on car line by smiling, greeting kids, and helping them get out of the car.
Spend the Day:
Wear a WD shirt. We'll have a schedule for you to follow helping students around the school. Enjoy lunch with your child, recess time, car or bus line, and helping small groups of students in classrooms.
Signup for the day.... Coming soon!
Questions? Contact Meg Killingsworth
770-887-2341 ext. 723002
A Few Words From our Family Engagement Coordinator
Dear Families,
Many of you have reached out to me with concerns about not having Title I next year. It made me realize how lucky we have been to have Title I funding for so many years. Along with the money for extra staff and resources, Title I has taught us a lot of best practices. March is the month of luck, and I feel lucky for the lessons we learned.
- Title I taught us…. Family engagement is a priority. Our staff is dedicated to continuing partnerships and family engagement. Our administrative team prioritizes families and sees the value in partnering with families. I am very grateful to continue to serve in my role to help navigate your child’s navigation. Our family engagement program will continue.
- Title I taught us….How to communicate better. One size does not fit all, so we send out information in multiple ways when it is important. Website, social media, newsletter, messengers, paper copies, texts, emails… we send it lots of different ways so you will see it the way you like best. Great communication will continue.
- Title I taught us….the importance of flexible times. Not everyone can meet during the day or even in the evening. We have learned to offer events at various times when we can. Flexible times will continue.
- Title I taught us…. Small group instruction and additional doses of academics to fill in the gaps is important for our most at-risk students. We have had Early Intervention Program teachers for many years go into classes to help students in need with previewing information, filling in the gaps and working in small groups. EIP teachers are funded by the state. Small group instruction through EIP will continue.
By not qualifying for the federal funding any more, we still can fund what we see as most important with district or state funding. I want to assure you that we will continue doing what is best for students and for our school and will find ways to support these needs. Look for a survey in April regarding your input into what academic purchases we need most. We value your opinions, support, and partnership, Families. Together we are Chestatee!
See you soon,
Meg
Meg Killingsworth
770-887-2341 ext. 723002
The FORCE is in the Partnership Between Home and School!
Parent Help Videos are on Our Website!
Families In Action!
We Love Seeing Families Together or Working at Home!
Don't Forget....
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!
Chestatee Elementary School
Email: chestateees@gmail.com
Website: http://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/site/default.aspx?domainid=260
Location: 6945 Keith Bridge Road, Gainesville, GA, United States
Phone: 770-887-2341
Facebook: facebook.com/ChestateeES
Twitter: @chestateees