May Newsletter 2020
Chestatee Elementary School
A Letter From Dr. Tennies, Our Principal
Dear Families of Chestatee,
What will children remember about their 2019-2020 school year? Hopefully, one of the brightest memories will be the relationships and connections made with teachers and students at Chestatee while learning and growing through our time together. I have been so amazed at the way Learning continues, even when challenges present themselves, like a global pandemic which brings restrictions.
When we were planning end of year celebrations for our 2020 school year, the word “Virtual” was not even on our radar. Together, we have been making online schooling a successful endeavor while becoming innovative with meetings and assignments. School walls are nice, but the feelings of school can transcend a physical space.
I would love for our children to know how proud we are of them this school year. I appreciate their flexibility, patience, joy and wonder. I appreciate everyone’s hope for the future and believe we will be together again. Until then, our schedule for the summer will be empty and our hallways will be quiet.
We are following guidelines for restricted numbers of staff to pack their rooms and student belongings in preparation of the summer cleaning schedule. Teachers are carefully bagging student belongings which will be returned to families at the end of the school year. We will be using our communication methods (Facebook, Twitter and Email Blast) to let families know when they will be able to pick up materials in our carline. At that time, we will also be collecting our technology used during the school year. Those days and times have not been established yet, but we are hopeful to share information when it is advisable to do so.
Our Eagles will Soar!
Kindly,
Dr. Polly Tennies
May 1, 2020
Dear FCS Family:
With the arrival of May and much better weather, I am sensing a change of attitude and perspective. There is more optimism, calm and hope. There certainly appears to be a light at the end of the tunnel. That’s encouraging.
We only have three short weeks remaining in this school year. Our teachers are still working hard to provide meaningful, relevant and engaging instruction. Our students have multiple opportunities to learn. For our seniors who are unable to attend face to face graduations later this summer, we are working to prepare our first ever virtual graduation ceremony. That will happen later this month.
As some of our businesses begin to reopen and we take those first small steps toward normalcy, I hope we all do so in a vigilant manner. It has been well documented how quickly COVID 19 can spread and how highly transmittable this virus is. The best ways to mitigate the spread are quite simple, yet highly effective.
Please continue to social distance and practice appropriate personal hygiene. We should all be following the CDC guidelines. Washing your hands for at least 20 seconds multiple times a day is critically important.
On Monday, May 4th, some of you will be returning to work for the first time in many weeks. We look forward to seeing you. Let’s all commit to a safe return for all of us, our coworkers and all our families. Please be respectful and responsible. As I have said many times, we are ALL in this together. One Forsyth!
Have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Jeff
Amazing things Happen at the T!
Congratulations to our Earth Day Poster winners! They received a special home delivery!
Mrs. Hubbard's Students Virtual Art
Celebrating Administrative Professionals Day!
A Newly Paved and Painted Parking Lot
The Chestatee Bunch Created by Mrs. Roper! Stay Connected-#CHESfamily
Congratulations to our April Staff Member of the Month-Deb Clark
We are proud to announce our April Staff Member of the Month, Deb Clark!
Mrs. Clark is a fourth grade teacher at our school and teaches math and science to her students. She is a graduate of Brenau University and just completed her Math Endorsement. Mrs. Clark has 18 years of experience in education. Deborah has worked across grade levels K-5, including Physical Education and Early Intervention. Her philosophy is that all children can realize their potential and exceed expectations if everyone works together and supports one another. She also believes to make it possible for our children to achieve academic success, both teachers and parents must be committed to working together. Deb loves being a part of the Chestatee Family!
Deb and her husband, Gary, have 3 kids: JT, Seth and Gracie. Seth is in the military and is currently stationed in Japan. He and his wife just welcomed their third child. Deb is an animal lover with three yorkies, a reptile room with snakes, frogs, and bearded dragons, and a barn with rabbits, turtle doves and mice. She also enjoys gardening, sunshine, and the pool. She LOVES the Georgia Bulldogs and drives a red car to help show her love for the Bulldogs.
Deb received ten nominations just this month from parents in recognition of her hard work with online learning! Parents stated that she has shown compassion, support, and genuine love during this difficult time and has made the transition at home both simple and smooth. They also raved about Deb’s communication and that her response time is “impeccable” with questions and concerns. She has offered many ways to stay connected and help with the struggles of learning from home. Families are very thankful for Deb, and we are too.
We are lucky Deb Clark is a teacher at Chestatee!
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!
FCS Elementary Teacher Spotlight
Congratulations to Ms. Lexy Wilkinson!
We are proud of our kindergarten teacher, Lexy Wilkinson. Lexy was highlighted in “Focusing on Innovative Technology” for all FCS staff as the Elementary Teacher Spotlight. Lexy has used Google Meets to conference with individual students and teach small groups daily. She even got a new student during the beginning of our extended online learning, and she was able to meet him and get to know him using Google Meets. Lexy is a shining example of all our teachers’ hard work at Chestatee!
Virtual Kindergarten Safari Information for 2020-21 Kindergarten Families
Virtual Kindergarten Safari
Virtual Field Day is Friday, May 8th!
VOLUNTEER CORNER
7 Mindsets at the T
Our Communi-T-y is the BEST!
Thank you, Ann-Margaret Johnston!
Ann- Margaret Johnston has been an excellent friend of the school by providing Kind News Magazine for our students. This magazine provides animal education to our students in an engaging way. We have appreciated this subscription and want to thank Ms. Johnston for supporting this learning.
We Love Our Partners in Ed, Rusty and Faye from Mathnasium of Coal Mountain!
Lower Elementary:
Question: Layla takes her dog for a 20 minute walk each morning. On Monday, she takes the dog out for a walk at 7:55 am and walks the dog for 8 minutes longer than the usual amount of time. At what time do they get back to their house?
Answer: 8:23 am
Solution: Twenty minutes after 7:55 am is 8:15 am, and 8 minutes after that is 8:23 am.
Upper Elementary:
Question: Spot the dog can jump 3¾ feet into the air. Can Spot catch a frisbee that flies 44 inches over his head?
Answer: Yes
Solution: One way to solve this problem is to convert 3¾ feet to inches. Three feet is 3 × 12 = 36 inches, and a quarter of a foot is 12 ÷ 4 = 3 inches. So, 3¾ is 36 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 45 inches. Spot can jump more than 44 inches, so he can catch the frisbee.
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!
A Few Words From Your Family Engagement Coordinator
As I packed up items to work on from home on March 13th, the feeling was surreal. I was leaving the school I love for at least a week. Who would’ve guessed that our online learning would extend to the end of the year? This time home has taught me several lessons both as a parent and as a staff member, and I learned the same lessons in both roles! I wanted to share what I’ve learned with you. Maybe you have learned some things too.
Think back to all you have learned from this experience. I hope it’s helped you with some lessons too. I miss you, Chestatee Families! If you get a chance, drop me a note by email! I’d love to hear from you.
See you soon,
Meg
Meg Killingsworth
Family Engagement Coordinator
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