The Parsons Happenings
Thursday, February 13, 2020
Administration showed a little LOVE to our Staff this morning by delivering doughnuts!
A Message from Proud Principal, Laura Clark
Parsons Elementary is in full swing with our Acts of Kindness Challenge for the month of February which we started February 1. We have challenged our students to daily acts of kindness and we are highlighting a few each morning on the announcements.This morning, Vaneeza K. in Mrs. Rogers' 5th grade class shared how she wrote a letter to Mr. Jack, our school custodian, letting him know how much she appreciates what he does for our school.
This is perfect timing since National Random Acts of Kindness Week is celebrated the week of February 16-22. As educators and parents we know Kindness is a superpower kids can choose every day to make themselves and others feel good. It is up to all of us to encourage and model kindness on a daily basis. We have so much PRIDE for our school and we all know the importance kindness plays in our school community.
"Be nice, and be a good friend." Chances are your kids hear that all the time—at home, at school, or during their after-school activities. Instead of making kindness just another rule, what if we showed kids that it's a superpower they can choose every day to make both themselves and others feel good? Research shows that being kind increases happiness and well-being, and that kindness can lead to increases in peer acceptance. Our goal is for everyone to feel accepted and included at Parsons.
I thought I would share something I found off the Parents.org website in celebration of National Random Acts Week... 7 ideas for acts of kindness you can do with your child to help them grow confident in their abilities to impact the world around them.
1. Share a kind note
Words matter. What does your child have to say? Ask what kindness means to them and help them choose someone to surprise with a kind note. A new classmate, a friend, or a teacher's aide are all great choices.Your child's note can be anything they want it to be, from a kind word on a piece of paper to a homemade card, letter, or text.
2. Demonstrate the power of encouragement
Grab some colorful sticky notes and pens. Ask your child to fill them with encouraging compliments like "You're awesome", "You can do this", or "You're a good friend." Tell them you're collecting them for someone special as a surprise.When your child isn't looking, add their name to the notes and hide them around the house for them to discover.
3. Pick up litter together
The next time you're taking a walk with your child, collect a few items of litter together. It's a great time to have a conversation about how each of us has the power to make the world around us more beautiful. You can do this act of kindness in so many places—from the playground to the parking lot. While there are no guarantees, your child might just take a little more interest in keeping their toys from "littering" their bedroom.
4. Find someone to thank
A kind word goes a long way. Wherever you go with your child, there is almost always someone you can thank for their help! Encourage your child to say thanks to a teacher, a grocery store cashier, or someone holding the door for them. You can even make a game out of finding people to thank together.
5. Add gratitude to your evening routine
Asking your child what they are grateful for can be an eye-opening (and profound) experience. Try asking your child before bedtime what made them happy that day.
Kindness.org co-founder and chief strategist Melissa Burmester shares, "I've started doing this with my two-year-old and its become one of my favorite times of the day. Yesterday she was grateful for sunshine, fig bars, and Grandma. The day before that it was puddles to jump in."
6. Play "I Spy Kindness"
Kindness is all around us if we start looking. Unexpected smiles. People helping strangers carry shopping bags. Someone who gives up their seat on the bus or train.
The more kind acts kids witness, the more ideas they'll have for kind acts of their own! The next time you're out running errands together, make a game out of spotting acts of kindness.
7. See something, do something
Kids pay attention and see more than we think. The next time your child asks a question about someone who is experiencing homelessness. Help your child give gently used clothing to a shelter for families, make a donation, or volunteer together.
Jaclyn Lindsey, CEO and co-founder of Kindness.org, reminds us that while children may have trouble understanding the complexity of these issues, by doing an act as a family you are empowering them to feel like they can help.
As a mom of two children, I know that it takes all the adults who care about kiddos to encourage and model acts of kindness. We want our kiddos to instinctively treat all people with kindness. So let's work together, Parsons' community, to support our kiddos in the act of kindness each and every day.
Be sure to take a look at our school challenge calendar below and ask your kiddo each day about it. You may even want to start an 'at home' kindness calendar.
Every act, no matter how small, makes a difference. Help your child engage their kindness superpowers today!
Proud to be your Principal,
Mrs. Clark
Thank you to the PTA Board and Mrs. Moorehead for adding this topic to your last meeting and supporting a kind culture at Parsons ES. #PARSONSPRIDE
Student Council Presented the Acts of Kindness Schoolwide Challenge February 1-29
Don't Forget...Early Release for Parent Teacher Conferences
Our students will dismiss at 12:50 PM on Wednesday, February 19th and Thursday, February 20th for Early Release Conferences. If you need to change your child's transportation, please refer to the procedure below.
Be on the lookout for a conference code from your child's classroom teacher. Teachers will be using PTCFast for you to choose a time to meet with your teacher.
The revised lunch schedule for our early release days is below, just in case you need to drop off a lunch.
Also, due to our lunch schedule changes, we cannot accommodate parent lunches during our early release days. Thank you for your understanding.
Georgia Milestones for 3rd, 4th, & 5th Grades in April
You can find more information on GMAS, at the Georgia Departement of Education website. In addition, you can find more GMAS resources on this website too.
Promotion Criteria
Internet Explorer No Longer Compatible with eCLASS
As of January 24th, students and teachers are no longer able to access eCLASS using Internet Explorer. Please use another internet browser like Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge to access your child's assignments and homework. Thank you.
Scholastic Book Fair & Author Visit
Six Flags Read to Succeed Program: Earn a Free Six Flags Ticket
Seven Habits of Happy Kids
Lost & Found: Do you recognize any of these things?
Items not claimed will be donated to a local charity on Friday, February 21, 2020.
Week at a Glance
2/17/20
Progress Reports Emailed (Conferences)
Student Holiday ~ Presidents Day
Tuesday
2/18/20
Book Fair Purchasing
Young Rembrandts ~ 3:30 pm
Spanish Club ~ 3:30 pm
Wednesday
2/19/20
Early Release ~ 12:50 pm
No Parent Lunches
Book Fair Purchasing
Chorus Practice ~ 7:30 am
World Citizens ~ 7:45 am
Thursday
2/20/20
Early Release ~ 12:50 pm
No Parent Lunches
Book Fair Purchasing
Chorus Practice ~ 7:30 am
Witzzle Pro ~ 7:40 am
Friday
2/21/20
Wear Blue for Autism ~ $1 donation
Book Fair Purchasing
Progress Reports emailed
All Pro Dads ~ 7:15 am
Student Council ~ 7:45 am
Local School Council Meeting ~ 10:00 am
Student Checkout
For assistance in updating contact information on the parent portal, please visit https://www.gcpsk12.org/Page/11430.
Local School Council Meeting
Friday, February 21, 2020
10:00 am
Wear Blue for Autism: Feb. 21st (Donate $1)
Sweetheart Dance Coming February 28th
Student Holiday
Friday, February 14 - Monday, February 17
Early Release
Wednesday, February 19 & Thursday, February, 20
Dismiss at 12:50 pm
We cannot accomodate parent lunches during early release days. Thank you for your understanding.
All Pro Dads
Friday, February 21, 2020
7:15-8:15 am
All Pro Dads will meet Friday, February 21st at 7:15 am for a special message, games and breakfast. Dads and moms, uncles, aunts, and grandparents are all welcome!
Afternoon Transportation
Parsons Elementary School Vision and Mission
Vision: The vision of Parsons Elementary is to become a school of choice with a welcoming, safe and secure environment that provides students with the necessary knowledge and skills to compete successfully in the 21st century and to be compassionate, conscientious, and productive leaders and citizens for our community, country, and world.
Mission: Parsons Elementary is a learning community that promotes individual academic excellence with a commitment to continuous improvement.
Motto: Achieving and believing
Beliefs:
¨ All students can learn.
¨ Student learning is the primary focus of all decisions impacting the work of the school.
¨ Students learn in different ways and need to demonstrate their understanding of essential knowledge and skills as well as be actively engaged in solving problems and producing quality work.
¨ Our commitment to continuous improvement is imperative so our school can enable students to become confident, self-directed life-long learners.
¨ A safe and physically comfortable environment promotes student learning.
¨ Teachers, administrators, parents, and community share the responsibility for advancing the school’s mission.
Proud Principal Laura Clark
Email: laura_j_clark@gwinnett.k12.ga.us
Website: https://www.gcpsk12.org
Location: 1615 Old Peachtree Road Northwest, Suwanee, GA, USA
Phone: 678-957-3050