Bear Essentials
August 25, 2021
Thank You!
Attention 2nd Grade Parents!
Dear Parents/Guardians,
During a portion of the school day on Wednesday, September 1 through Friday, September 3, 2021, your 2nd grade student will take the Iowa Assessments™. The purpose of this letter is to inform you about the tests so that; with your support and encouragement; your student will do his or her best on the tests.
About the Iowa Assessments
The Iowa Assessments help determine how students are performing on nationwide standards. These assessments measure achievement in several important content areas including Reading, English Language Arts, and Mathematics.
The Iowa Assessments help teachers identify a student’s strengths and areas that may need additional emphasis. The Iowa Assessments also measure student growth and progress in the content areas assessed from year to year and may provide information about college readiness for older students. The assessments produce information that enables sound decision making and provides a focus for teachers to evaluate instruction.
Each test includes sample questions to help students become familiar with the content and format of the tests. Samples help students understand what to do—how to mark answers and move from question to question.
How your student can prepare for test taking—and what you can do to help:
A student who is well-rested, well-fed, and has a positive attitude about testing is best prepared for testing. You can help your student do his or her best by considering these tips:
- Make sure that your student is in school and on time on test days.
- Make sure your student gets a good night’s sleep and eats a healthy breakfast before each day of testing.
- Remind your student that these tests are only one measure of what he or she has learned. Emphasize that you have confidence in his or her ability to do the best job possible.
- Remind your student to listen to the directions and read each question carefully during testing. Encourage your student to ask the teacher for help if he or she does not understand the directions.
Thank you very much for encouraging and supporting your student during testing. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your local school testing coordinator.
Sincerely,
Sally Simmons
Assistant Principal, Gwinnett County Public Schools
Dyer ES 2021-2022 School Council - Opportunity to Serve!
Greetings Dyer Family!
Strong community support equals strong schools, and there is no doubt about it - Dyer Elementary School appreciates involved stakeholders. As the principal of Dyer Elementary School, I hope that you will join me this upcoming year in continuing the great work...and as always...working to get even better!
The establishment of school councils is intended to help local boards of education by bringing parents and the community together with teachers and school administrators to create a better understanding of and mutual respect for each other's concerns and share ideas for school improvement. School councils shall represent the community of parents and businesses.
The members of the school council are accountable to the constituents they serve and shall:
• Maintain a school-wide perspective on issues;
• Regularly participate in school council meetings (approximately four per year);
• Participate in information and training programs;
• Act as a link between the school council and the community;
• Encourage the participation of parents and others within the school community; and
• Work to improve student achievement and performance.
Parent representatives must have a child enrolled at Dyer Elementary School during the 2021-2022 school year to be eligible for nomination. Standard school council terms are for two years, but parents of 5th grade students would be eligible for a one-year term. We will plan for four face-to-face meetings this year. These meetings will be held at 8:15am on the following dates:
* Thursday, September 30th
*Thursday, November 4th
* Thursday, January 20th
* Thursday, March 10th
**An additional meeting may be scheduled in the Spring to attend a GCPS School Board Meeting
All nominations must be submitted by Friday, September 3, 2021. If you would like to be considered for the role of Parent Representative or Parent/Businessperson for the 2021-2022 school year, now is the time to let me know you are interested. You may submit your name by emailing Michael.DiFilippo@gcpsk12.org
I look forward to working with you!
Michael DiFilippo
Proud Principal, Dyer Elementary School
Gwinnett County Board of Education - 2021 Area Board Meetings
This fall, the Gwinnett County Board of Education will go on the road, meeting once in each Board member’s district. At this year’s Area Board Meetings, attendees will have the opportunity to meet Gwinnett County Public Schools’ new superintendent, Dr. Calvin J. Watts, and members of the Gwinnett County Board of Education.
All meetings will begin at 7 p.m. in the host school’s theatre, with a Board Governance Team Meet and Greet beginning at 6:30 p.m. Citizens may attend any one of the five meetings (masks required). There will be limited seating in the school’s theatre as appropriate mitigation strategies will be in place to promote physical distancing. The meetings also will be streamed on GCPS TV and recorded. Links to the meeting videos will be posted online.
GCPS is committed to an orderly and safe Board meeting and protecting the well-being of visitors, staff members, and Board members. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/gcps_ABM_BD21
Learn more about the 2021 Area Board Meetings here: www.gcpsk12.org/Page/31016
Get Connected to Dyer ES!
Parents & guardians, you play a crucial role on our team, and one of our top priorities is to communicate with you effectively. We use a variety of tools to communicate such as the Parent Portal/ParentVUE, our school website, email, weekly school newsletters (The Bear Essentials), Facebook and the PBIS Rewards Parent app! Please be sure we have your current email address on file; this can be updated via the Parent Portal by clicking on the Update Student Information tab.
2021-2022 Free/Reduced Lunch Applications!
Birthday Wishes in Big Lights!
Join our Substitute Teaching Team and Make a Difference in the Lives of Students!
Click here to learn more and register for an upcoming Virtual Substitute Job Fair!
Dyer Elementary School
Website: https://www.gcpsk12.org/dyeres
Location: 1707 Hurricane Shoals Road, Dacula, GA, USA
Phone: 770-963-6214
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DyerES/