Parsons Celebrates Black History Month

Welcome Aspiring Principal, Mrs. Felica Jones

LSPI MId-Year Data

Coffee and Conversation with Administration

PRIDE Attendance

Valentine's Day Celebration

Download the GCPS App

Camp Read S'MORE

Shop at the Book Fair

Link Your Beanstack Account to GCPS & GCPL

Reading Parent Workshop Survey

AKS at Home

Georgia Milestones Testing

Order a Yearbook

Community Preschool Registration

After School Clubs and Opportunities

ISC Relay for Life Car Show

2023-2024 GCPS Approved Calendar

Free and Reduced Lunch Application

Free Groceries Opportunity

Care Closet

Tutoring

Parsons on Social Media

Calendar of Events

PTA News

Business Partners

Though it began as just a week-long celebration in 1926, President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, calling upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Well, at Parsons, we are going to do just that! We are going to seize the opportunity to honor the contributions and sacrifices of Black Americans who helped shape our nation. Black History Month gives educators, parents and teachers, opportunities to share the rich cultural heritage and triumphs. I couldn't agree more with Sara Clarke Kaplan, the executive director of Antiracist Research and Policy Center in Washington, D.C. who states, "There is no American history without African America history."

It's important for us to share in this celebration here at Parsons. Each day on the morning announcements, we will honor a Black American and share the important role he or she has played to our wonderful country. We have encouraged students to research and share their learning with us so we can highlight their contributions. We are also excited for our Parsons' 3rd Annual Black History Month Door Decorating Contest. This year's theme at our school is "Celebrating Black Life, History, and Culture". Doors will be judged on Creativity, Attention to Theme, and Student Participation. Winners will be announced on Friday, February 25th, and the winning classes will receive a pizza party!

In honor of Black History Month, students at Parsons Elementary School can choose to present in a living Wax Museum! (This is NOT a required assignment.) The Wax Museum will take place on Tuesday, March 7th from 6:00-7:00 PM. Interested students will select a famous African American to portray. They will have from now until Friday, March 3rd to complete a research project. The project will consist of researching and documenting facts, making a poster, trifold, or digital presentation, dressing up, and performing a short speech. ALL RESEARCH will be completed at home. Interest forms should be completed and turned in to Mrs. Philyaw by Friday, February 10th. All projects are due by Friday, March 3rd for the wax museum.

I am so excited to announce that Mrs. Felicia Jones, current Assistant Principal at Berkmar MS, will be joining us for her Principal Residency. She will begin her residency on Monday, February 6. During this time, she will work alongside me and serve as a resident principal. She is excited to join our school community and looks forward to learning and growing as she aspires to serve as a principal in Gwinnett County in the future. She will be at Parsons for about 5 weeks and then she will go to a middle school and complete her last 5 weeks. I have to say that having her join us brings me much PRIDE! When you see her, please give her a warm Parsons' welcome!

As our students recently completed mid year assessments, our staff has dug deep analyzing the data to determine which students are showing proficiency of the grade level AKS and which ones need additional reteaching. During PRIDE Time, which is 9:00am to 9:45am each day, students receive instruction based on their needs. For those students who have shown proficiency of the standards, they receive enrichment and for those who did not show proficiency, they are assigned to reteaching groups based on the standards. At Parsons, it is our goal for ALL students to gain proficiency of the AKS and we are being intentional with our actions to support ALL students. Our EQUITY goal (see above) focuses on the Multi-tiered system of supports. Tier 1 being classroom instruction up to Tier 3 where students receive intense, research based interventions. We are doing great things to serve students and we wanted to share these celebrations with you. To view our mid year data, click on the link below.

Parsons Administration invites you to join us Wednesday, February 15th, at 9:00am for coffee and conversation. Bring your questions, and suggestions, so we can continue to work together for our students.

We will be sharing the love on February 14th here at Parsons. Teachers will be sharing a list of student names so they can make Valentine cards for their classmates. Parents may send in 'store bought', individually wrapped treats for the class.

Search for Gwinnett County Public Schools in the App Store or Google Play. Download the App today!

Be sure to mark your calendars for a fun filled night at Camp Read S'MORE on Thursday, February 23, from 6:00pm -7:30pm. Parsons' staff will host parents and students for a night of reading and literacy activities. When arriving at Camp Read S'More, parents will drop their students off on their grade level hallway. While students are engaging in reading and fun activities, parents will gather in the cafeteria for Parent Breakout Sessions. We are looking forward to a night of reading and learning together. Don't forget ~ we want our student wearing their pajamas for the camp out.

Come Camp Out at the Book Fair and Read S'more books!

Parsons Elementary School

Media Center

Wednesday, February 22 - Friday, March 3

We will be open for some family events as well. We hope you'll stop by!

• Thursday, February 23 (Before the Reading Camp Out Family Event) 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
• Friday, February 24 (All Pro Dad) After the meeting – 8:50 am
• Wednesday, March 1 (Early Release Day) 1:30 pm – 5:00 pm

Set-up your eWallet or shop the online book fair if you can't shop in-person.

We are excited to announce that tandem Beanstack accounts with GCPS and GCPL are now live. *Important: The school and public library accounts must be linked from the web. See the attached directions to link the accounts. Once the link is created, any reading logged on the mobile or web apps will count toward both profiles. Your child can now count reading minutes at GCPL and at Parsons for different challenges throughout the year!

As part of Gwinnett County Public Schools’ family engagement initiative, the school district seeks to empower parents with tools that allow them to help their children at home. Our AKS at Home project provides math and language arts resources to support families of children in grades K-5 so that they truly are partners in their children’s learning. This support is available for families to access in the format that suits them and their schedule best. They can attend live virtual meetings, view recorded information, and gain tools and suggestions on how to best help their children through tip sheets on a wide variety of topics. Click the link for more information. https://www.gcpsk12.org/domain/13286

Parent information regarding Georgia Milestones testing that will take place in the Spring, has been posted to GCPS Website. The GMAS will be given to students in grades 3rd-5th from 04/24/23 to 05/05/23. Parent Flyers have been posted and can also be found below.

3rd Grade

4th Grade

5th Grade

Buy a school yearbook today. To purchase a yearbook, please visit the website below. Yearbooks will be received and passed out to students the last month of school.

Treering Yearbook Company*

*You will need to create an account in order to place a yearbook order.

SUGARLOAF WEEKDAY PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION OPENS JANUARY 31ST!

Come visit us and see why we were voted best of Gwinnett 4 years in a row.

We would love to have you join our preschool family and PLAY, CREATE & HAVE FUN!

Visit thefountainchurch.org/preschool for more info

Are you interested in registering your car for the car show? Help support a good cause and sign up today! For more information on the ISC Relay for Life Car Show see the flyer below or visit the Relay for Life Car Show website.

We have a variety of shelf-stable pantry items, hygiene products, and some clothing available. We will also have 5 produce boxes available for pick-up before Winter Break. Families are welcome to shop the CARE Closet, or we can prepare bags for them. Our office is happy to have these ready for pick-up or drop-off at a family's residence or a discrete location.

Link to request a bag/box: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfr5KSuSlJqMHwnavtquc2duCVu45AHX6Vlttx_HTnc6GHCuQ/viewform

In partnership with the Gwinnett County Public Library (GCPL), GCPS provides Tutor.com as an online tutoring resource for students. The expert tutors at Tutor.com can help your student work through a tough homework problem, improve writing skills, study for a test, review a difficult concept, and so much more! Live tutoring support is available daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. In addition, students can receive “drop-off support,” 24-7, by uploading a document for tutor feedback that will be reviewed and returned at a later time. To learn more about how to access this resource and what is offered, click here.

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Monday, February 6, 2023

• 4th Grade Field Trip
• 7:30 am ~ Readers Rally
• 9:00 am ~ PTA Meeting

Tuesday, February 7, 2023

• Author Visit Hannah Mwangi ~ 2nd Grade
• 3:30 pm ~ Drama Club Begins

Wednesday, February 8, 2023

• 7:45 am ~ Student Council
• 3:50-5:45pm ~ Student Intervention and Support Program

Thursday, February 9. 2023

• Thankful Thursday
• 7:45 am ~ Witzzle Pro
  
• 7:45 am ~ Coding Club
• 7:50 am ~ Honor Chorus Rehearsals
• 3:30 pm ~ i9 Sports
  

Friday, February 10, 2023

• Semester 2 Detailed Progress Report emailed to parents
• 10:00 am ~ Parsons School Council Meeting
• 10:15 am ~ Play 2 Learn
  
• 1:45 pm ~ Play 2 Learn

Save the Dates for the following amazing events coming up at Parsons!

February 24: All Pro Dads Breakfast

March 3: Attention to the Parsons Elementary community! Our Spring Dance is quickly approaching (3/3) and we are in need of volunteers to help in areas including: decorations, concessions, crafts, and clean up! If you are interested in volunteering, please click on the link below!

More details on the dance will be sent out soon!

It's important that we get our slots filled by 2/3 if possible in order to have ample time for planning. It's always amazing to see the turnout and support that pours from our families and community! We are looking forward to another fun event!

March 10: Movie Under the Stars (rescheduled from October due to inclement weather) and International Parade/Food Trucks 5:30-9pm.

As we have done in past years, we will aim to be on the front lawn. However, in case of cold or inclement weather, the event will be relocated to the gym. Along with Movie Night, we will be having our International Parade on the same day prior to the movie! We will have several food truck options (of course, you can still opt to BYOD bring your own dinner) to enjoy before the movie, and we will have a parade of countries to represent the amazing diversity we have at Parsons! If you would like to help with the planning or are interested in being a lead for a particular country, please email parsonsespta@gmail.com. Tickets for Movie Night are available on MemberHub.

If you have any questions about the PTA or volunteer opportunities to help our school community, please email parsonsespta@gmail.com.

Email: laura.j.clark@gcpsk12.org
Website: https://www.gcpsk12.org
Location: 1615 Old Peachtree Road Northwest, Suwanee, GA, USA
Phone: 678-957-3050