Knightly News
Friday, February 24, 2023
Every Student, Every Day, Deserves to Learn, Lead, & Excel!
Message from Ms. Perkins ~ Simonton ES Principal
Honoring our past, Inspiring the Future was the theme of our Black History Night program this year. For those who were unable to attend, you missed an amazing event. The multiple presentations and performances highlighted the rich history and legacy of the African American culture. Thank you to Lynn Wilson and all other staff members who worked behind the scenes to make this night special.
Next week we will have two early release days. Students will be dismissed at 12:15 pm. Please make sure someone is available to greet students as they get off the school bus. If your student needs to go home a different way, please send in a note or complete the Simonton Afternoon Transportation form. Changes in transportation may not be made via email, Class Dojo, fax or over the phone.
The book fair will be open all week. You are welcome to stop by the media center to shop. You may also make purchases online. More information can be found on the Simonton ES website.
Have a great weekend!
Black History Program
Early Release Days ~ Students will be dismissed at 12:15 pm
Parent Teacher Conferences
It is time for our next round of Parent Teacher Conferences. We hope to meet with every family!
If you have not already signed up for a conference, the following link will take you to our Parent Teacher Conference Scheduler: Simonton Conference Schedule
Parents,
You will need to select your child's teacher, register by putting in your information on the next page (Student's Name, Your name, Email Address), and then press "Submit". You will receive an email that contains a link which will take you to the screen where you can select your desired conference day and time.
PTA Urban Air
Please mark your calendars!
The Simonton PTA will be hosting it's next Spirit Night at Urban Air on Thursday, March 9th from 5:00-9:00 pm.
FOCUS Black History Wax Museum
GCPS Science and Engineering Fair
Upcoming Events at Simonton
Saturday, February 25
- Saturday Intervention (K-5) ~ 9:00-11:00 am
- GAGE Saturday Exploration Program ~ 9:00-12:00 pm
- Reader's Rally
Monday, February 27- Friday, March 3
- Scholastic Book Fair
Wednesday, March 1
- Early Release ~ dismissal at 12:15 pm
- Parent Teacher Conferences
Thursday, March 2
- Early Release ~ dismissal at 12:15 pm
- Parent Teacher Conferences
Friday, March 3
- Local School Council Meeting ~ 9:00-10:00 am
Saturday, March 4
- Saturday Intervention (K-5) ~ 9:00-11:00 am
- GAGE Saturday Exploration Program ~ 9:00-12:00 pm
Thursday, March 9
- PTA Spirit Night at Urban Air ~ 5:00-9:00 pm
Friday, March 10
- ALL Pro Dad Breakfast ~ 7:15 am
Saturday, March 11
- Saturday Intervention (K-5) ~ 9:00-11:00 am
- GAGE Saturday Exploration Program ~ 9:00-12:00 pm
Scholastic Book Fair
The Simonton Media Center will be hosting its Spring Book Fair next week. Sales will begin Monday, February 27th and run through Friday, March 3rd. Doors open at 10:00 am each morning.
Updated 6-12 Math Sequence for 2023-2024
The GCPS mathematics curriculum, aligned with the Georgia Department of Education standards, is designed to give you the tools you need to achieve your gials. As you make plans for your future, you can choose the math path that will help you on your journey, and alter your path to accomplish your unique goals. This is a change in the state and district curriculum and is NOT specific to Jordan MS.
A video has been linked below:
Help Needed!
The Simonton ES PTA is in need of volunteers for the spring festival scheduled for Saturday, March 25, 2023.
If you are available to plan, and/or lend a helping hand send an email to Simontonespta@gmail.com.
Annual Parent Involvement Survey
Who: Families of students who are receiving special education services
What: Each state is required to conduct a parent survey to measure parent/family perceptions of the success of parent engagement between home and local schools.
When: Available January 23, 2023 – May 31, 2023
Please use the following link to access the survey: https://survey.gadoe.org/SPEDParentSurvey
Gwinnett Needs Assessment
With so many people in need of vital health and human services, it's important that we take the time to assess what resources are available and what needs can be met. The Department of Community Services is conducting an assessment survey to get feedback about food and nutrition, transportation, housing, veterans' services and more.
Please your thoughts with them by taking this short survey.
Download the Free Gwinnett County Public Schools App
Stay on top of the latest news, calendar events, and emergency information by downloading our free Gwinnett County Public Schools mobile app. You can enable notifications and choose your preferred language.
Why download the app?
Receive alerts for school closures or delays and important districtwide information.
Check school and district events calendars.
Access your school’s lunch menu and add money to your student's account..
Access districtwide digital resources.
Read the latest district news.
Search for Gwinnett County Public Schools in the App Store or Google Play to download our app for free.
Donations for the Clinic
Our clinic is in need of clothing donations. As you are cleaning after the holiday break, please consider donating items to our clinic. We can use donations of all sizes.
Parents/Families Focus Group
The Office of Family Engagement is partnering with the Office of Research, Evaluation & Analytics to present a Parents/Families Virtual Focus Group. The focus group is will be held virtually Tuesday, February 28th from 5:30 pm until 6:30 pm. During the session, parents will be introduced to the Key Performance Indicator Dashboard, and have the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback.
Gwinnett Community Services' March Calendar of Events
See flyer below for more details...
Blueprint for the Future
The Blueprint is designed to ensure our Portrait of a Graduate becomes a reality. The Blueprint will also drive the intentional culture shifts that reflect the guiding vision of the Learning 2025 community of practice. Our Blueprint for the Future defines our strategic priorities in four areas: empathy, equity, effectiveness, and excellence.
Elementary Handbook Information for Students and Families
On August 18, 2022 the Gwinnett County Board approved Policy JCDI - Board's Theory of Action for Change to Improve Student Behavior and Outcomes (please see attached Policy). This Policy outlines our Board’s commitment to providing both consequences and interventions in order to improve student behavior outcomes.
The Elementary Handbook Information for Students and Families has been updated to include this new change. Please take a moment to read the new handbook and sign off in the Parent Portal indicating your have received a copy of the document. A copy of the document is attached to the newsletter and a link to the documents on the GCPS website is below.
Helpful Resources
Simonton ES PTA
Print the attached membership form and return it to the Simonton ES PTA. Sign up for a membership and volunteer to support an event! Contact the Simonton ES PTA at Simontonespta@gmail.com for more information.
Family eTips
Send your child on a hunt for different letter styles
Young writers can be confused by the different ways letters appear when printed. Is "a" the same as "A"? Look through old catalogs and newspapers with your child and cut out uppercase and lowercase letters in as many fonts and sizes as you can find. Help your child sort the letters and paste all the examples of each letter onto a separate index card. Your child will learn a variety of ways each letter can look. https://tpitip.com/?13ba18608
You don't need to have all the answers
Parents sometimes worry that their children won't respect them if they don't have all the answers. But kids respect parents more when they admit they don't know something and say, "Let's find out." You don't have to answer questions immediately, either. If your child asks a difficult question when you are too busy to answer, say, "That's a good question. I'd like to think about it and get back to you at dinner." Then do. https://tpitip.com/?13bb18608
Discuss what to do after making a poor choice
Sometimes, children will make poor choices. It's what they do next that counts. Teach your elementary schooler these steps for recovering from a mistake: First, admit it. "I said there was no math assignment so I could go play at Jamie's house, but that wasn't true." Second, accept the consequences. "I'll have to do my schoolwork and stay at home this week." Third, make up for it. "I'll use that time to master math skills." Finally, learn from the experience. "Next time I'll do my schoolwork first!" https://tpitip.com/?13cA18608
Take care of yourself so you can care for your child
Working parents are experts at juggling the demands of jobs and families. But to be the best help to your child, you must meet your own needs, too. Think of ways you can preserve your energy. You might relax for 15 minutes with a book or pursue a hobby. Getting enough sleep and regular exercise helps, too. And try to stay in touch with friends who can give you a listening ear when you need it. https://tpitip.com/?13cB18608
The COPS checklist helps students catch writing errors
Before your child hands in a writing assignment, go through the COPS checklist for proofreading together. C is for capitalization. Does every sentence start with a capital letter? Are all the proper names capitalized? O is for overall appearance. Is the paper neat and easy to read? P is for punctuation. Are the sentences punctuated correctly? S is for spelling. Has your child checked any word that looks tricky in a dictionary? https://tpitip.com/?13cC18608
Name-calling is no joke
Kids have called each other names for centuries. But it's wrong to think that there's nothing families or schools can or should do about it. Persistent name-calling, and name-calling with an intent to hurt, are forms of bullying. Teach your child that this behavior is hurtful. Don't accept "I was just joking," as an excuse. Voice your disapproval when you hear your child or anyone else putting another person down. https://tpitip.com/?13cD18608
Try a silent solution to encourage tidy habits
Help your elementary schooler learn that completing a task includes cleaning up afterward. If your child's messes get out of hand, announce that you are expecting a visit from the silent custodian. Your child should prepare by tidying up. Whatever isn't picked up by a time you set goes into a box marked "silent custodian." In order to get an item back, your child must complete a chore of your choice. https://tpitip.com/?13cE18608
SES Business Partners
Simonton Elementary School would like to thank our business sponsors!
Your support and partnership helps us fulfill our mission of having our students Learn, Lead, & Excel!
Mathnasium of North Lawrenceville
900 Duluth HWY, Suite 400
Lawrenceville, GA 30043
Phone: 678-756-1392
Stars and Strikes
Dacula, GA 30019
Phone: 678-965-5707
Kroger
2100 Riverside Pkwy
Lawrenceville, GA 30043
Phone: 770-962-0890
GCPS Flyers
SIMONTON ELEMENTARY- WHAT WE STAND FOR
Vision
Simonton is committed to dynamic high quality instruction resulting in a passion for learning, leading and excelling.
Core Belief
Every Student Every Day, Deserves to Learn, Lead, and Excel
Commitments
We commit to giving our students a fresh start every day.
We commit to preparing quality and engaging lessons that will prepare our students to be successful in school.
We commit to teaching, modeling and holding our students accountable for appropriate school behavior.
We commit to providing our students with a structured and safe learning environment.
We commit to a great year of learning, leading, and excelling
Simonton Elementary School
Deputy Superintendent ~ Dr. T. Nakia Towns
Board Member ~ Mr. Steven B. Knudsen
Cluster Superintendent ~ Dr. Keith D. Thompson
Principal ~ Ms. Tamara G. Perkins
Assistant Principal ~ Mr. Nicholas Gilmore
Assistant Principal ~ Dr. Joe Sanfilippo
Assistant Principal ~ Mrs. Amy Steinberg
Website: https://www.gcpsk12.org/SimontonES
Location: 275 Simonton Road Southeast, Lawrenceville, GA, USA
Phone: 770-513-6637
Twitter: @SimontonPride