April Newsletter 2020
Chestatee Elementary School
A Letter From Dr. Tennies, Our Principal
Dear Families,
I can’t thank you enough for your continuing partnership with us here at Chestatee. Your kids mean the world to us. Your children’s safety, health, and education are very important-- especially now, as we move to online learning for the rest of the school year.
Our staff has been incredible. I am so very proud of how they are adapting and learning to teaching online. Their encouragement and support to their students is a treasure. We realize how much we depend on each other, how connected we are, and how we need to support each other in the coming months.
Our State Superintendent, Mr. Richard Woods, shared a heartfelt message to Georgians that I included (below). He recognizes the challenges that are being faced and commends those who are doing their best in a difficult time. As we move into our week long Spring Break, know that we will return online on Monday, April 13th to continue learning together, trying our best, and striving to build a positive school for our kids.
Know that we care about your family and wish you all good health.
Kindly,
Dr. Polly Tennies
#CHESfamily
Open Letter from Superintendent Woods: School buildings are closed, but the hearts of educators remain open
Yesterday, Governor Brian Kemp announced that all K-12 public schools would remain closed for in-person instruction for the rest of this school year. This is a hard reality, and a real loss – for teachers who miss their students, students who miss their teachers, and for our graduating seniors.
It is also the wisest decision, given what we know about COVID-19 and how it is affecting our state. I fully support the Governor’s decision. I deeply appreciate his deliberate decision-making during these uncertain times, as well as the partnership he’s had with me, the Georgia Department of Education, and superintendents across the state during this unprecedented crisis.
Though schools are closed, the hearts of educators remain open.
In this dark moment, public education is truly shining bright. Millions of meals have been prepared and delivered, millions of lessons have been taught virtually, millions of phone calls, texts, and Facetimes have occurred, millions of extra hours have been put in, and millions of small gestures of dedication, passion, sacrifice, compassion, and love continue to add up to show the best of who we are as Georgians.
Even though the classroom doors are closed, opportunities for school meals, distance learning, and other essential functions will remain open to students across the state for the rest of this school year.
The COVID-19 crisis has taught us that a “hero” goes beyond those we’ve typically thought of and recognized – those serving in the military, law enforcement, or our first responders. People now understand that doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals are heroes, too. We truly thank them.
But there are other unsung heroes in our state: the food service and nutrition staff who prepare meals for students, the bus drivers who deliver those meals, the teachers and paraprofessionals who are learning new ways to engage and educate their students, the nurses, counselors, and school psychologists who provide critical supports and therapy for children, the custodians who sanitize and disinfect our buildings, and our school leaders who make high-stakes decisions during events our society never could have fathomed. We owe you our deepest gratitude -- all of you are heroes.
Like all other heroes, you continue to go above and beyond to support students, dealing with intense stress and strain, through long hours – balanced with the demands of your own families and children, and often wearing the new, common uniform of masks and gloves.
More than ever, Georgians are realizing that their public schools are more than a place and teachers do so much more than teach– their value and worth cannot be measured by high-stakes tests, accountability, school grades, academic standards, or traditional teacher and leader evaluation tools; they are critical cornerstones of our society. We, at the Georgia Department of Education, have worked in earnest to remove these barriers so educators can focus on what’s truly important.
Together, we will get through the current COVID-19 challenge as we continue to focus on what’s important – the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff.
As this school year ends, another year will begin, and we will emerge stronger and more committed than ever to the education of our students.
Stay safe and healthy,
Richard Woods
State School Superintendent
Amazing things Happen at the T!
Stay Connected-#CHESfamily
Read Across America Day
2nd Grade Georgia Aquarium Field Trip
Science Night at the T
2020 Celebration of Excellence Luncheon for our Teacher of the Year, Lori Faulkner!
Congratulations to our March Staff Member of the Month-Lisa Bruce
We are proud to announce our March Staff Member of the Month, Lisa Bruce!
This is Lisa’s 15th year of teaching at Chestatee. She received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from the University of North Georgia and her Specialist degree in Educational Technology from Lesley University. She has experience teaching kindergarten, first grade and the Science/STEM special at our school. She is very excited to be serving our staff and students as the Instructional Technology Specialist (ITS), and loves being a part of the family at Chestatee!
Lisa and her husband, Barry, live in Dawsonville, and Barry is a teacher at Otwell Middle School. Their daughters, Ashton and Skyler went through Chestatee. Ashton is now at UGA and Skyler is finishing up her senior year at Central Forsyth HS. Their son, Ryan, is stationed in Virginia with the US Navy. Lisa enjoys hiking, kayaking, going to movies, and fun adventures to places like Six Flags and Lake Lanier Islands. She loves her time with family and her mom, Carol.
As our ITS at Chestatee, Lisa has been instrumental in helping staff and families with our online learning adventure this month. She also checked out technology day after day to hundreds of our families and worked many extra hours getting resources for staff and answering questions. Lisa has received lots of nominations this year for her positive, smiley, above and beyond attitude. But her incredible effort and attitude this month have been noted by all. We are so lucky to have Mrs. Lisa Bruce at the T!
Teacher/Staff Member of the Month Nominations
Do you want to recognize and celebrate the exemplary teaching and contributions by Chestatee Elementary teachers and staff? Use the link below to write your nomination!
VOLUNTEER CORNER
Digital Online Learning Expectations
What's Coming up at the T?
Kindergarten Registration
Do you know a child who will be 5 by September 1st and is zoned for Chestatee? Kindergarten Registration is happening now through the Hill Center! Use this link for the 3-step enrollment process. We also have some special events planned for this spring and summer for 2020-21 kindergarten students!
Click this link for more information:
https://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/KKenroll
More information:
https://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/Page/45168
Contact Meg Killingsworth if you need help:
Our Communi-T-y is the BEST!
Thank you to The Place for providing a mobile unit on Wednesdays at Chestatee! Families in need could drive thru our carline for groceries.
Chestatee Families, the Place of Forsyth will also be supporting families with food as well as other resources. If you would like information for how to receive assistance please contact:
The Place of Forsyth County, Inc.
2550 The Place Circle
Cumming, Ga 30040
Phone: (770) 887-1098
Website: https://www.theplaceofforsyth.org/
Spring Break Pantry Options
Thank you to our sponsors for our 2nd grade field trip to the Georgia Aquarium! The kids had a blast!
Ricky Bryan
Cindy Mills
Adrian Flack
Rex Gravitt
North 400 Rotary Club
Lower Elementary:
Question: Start with 1. Add 15. Subtract 11. Double it. Add 1. Multiply by 5. Subtract 30. Take away half. What’s the new number?
Answer: 12½
Solution: After we add 15 to 1, we have 16. Then we subtract 11, so we have 16 – 11 = 5. After we double it, we have 5 × 2 = 10. One more makes 11. Next, we have 11 × 5, which makes 55. Thirty less than 55 is 25. Since 25 is odd, we can find half of it by finding half of 24 and half of 1. Half of 24 is 12, and half of 1 is ½, so that gives us a final answer of 12½.
Upper Elementary:
Question: It takes Evelyn 8 minutes to jog all the way around a circular path. If Evelyn starts at 6:35 am and jogs around the path exactly 8 times, what time will it be when she’s done?
Answer: 7:39 am
Solution: Eight minutes, 8 times is 8 × 8 = 64 minutes. There are 60 minutes in an hour, so Evelyn jogs for 1 hour and 4 minutes because 64 minutes – 60 minutes (1 hour) = 4 minutes. One hour after 6:35 am is 7:35 am, and 4 minutes after that is 7:39 am.
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 in 3 different ways.
1. Look for sign-ups throughout the year to help at events.
2. Become a member by joining PTO with your membership dues.
3. Support a school fundraiser!
Title 1 Information
Parent Input for 2020-2021 School Year
Click this link to review and share your thoughts.
A Few Words From Your Family Engagement Coordinator
Wow…. It’s just 1 word to describe our online learning experience. When we started online learning, everything felt surreal. Like many of you, my life became working from home while helping my own children with their schoolwork and online learning. The connection and interaction with the teachers through itslearning, Google Classroom, and Google Meets became our norm. Sleeping in later and working on their own time became my kids’ favorite part of our “new life.” In the matter of a few days, our lives looked completely different than just a few short weeks before in early March. We have learned many lessons throughout this experience as I’m sure your family did too.
I was reminded daily of 4 reasons why I’m grateful.
Reason 1…. Forsyth County Schools is an innovative district! We had the tools to go to online learning immediately and provide quality instruction for our students. In other districts, I would hear or see that the work had to be review work. In our county, we could keep moving forward with new learning and lessons. Aside from our technology resources, FCS was working with community partners to provide food and financial resources to families in need. 175 families received hotspots to help bring internet to homes. As a teacher, I felt proud of my district. As a parent, I felt grateful.
Reason 2…. Our staff is committed! Teachers turned over great lessons with a fast turnaround. There were conferencing options, instant messages and emails, countless phone calls, and problem-solving skills when we had technical issues. Collaboration was at some of its highest as teachers worked together to make lessons, answer questions, and improve the learning. Although I missed seeing them, I never felt disconnected from our staff as a parent or as a Chestatee team member. Our staff makes me proud!
Reason 3…. Our families are dedicated! Family engagement increased tenfold in these weeks as our homes became the school. Families took ownership for student learning. Helping guide our kids and making sure work was completed daily was a big task. Reaching out to staff with questions and staying connected to know the latest news regarding online learning was a big responsibility. Many adults did all of this while working. Families went into gear to make it happen and problem solve as needed. Learning continued even though we were physically away from the school. Our district could have provided the resources, and staff could have made the lessons. But without the families’ dedication, no learning would have happened during this time.
Reason 4… We are in this together! In all of this, our connections remain strong. I have never felt alone. It’s the people that make me feel so proud. Thank you for staying connected even when we have distance. Thank you for your part in my gratefulness.
Enjoy spring break and a break from online learning! We’ll be back at it on Monday, April 13th. Take care of yourselves and your families.
See you soon,
Meg
770-887-2341 ext. 722122
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