April Newsletter 2019
Chestatee Elementary School
A Letter From Dr. Tennies, Our Principal
I spent part of Spring Break with my nose in a book, a reading vacation! Reading nonfiction is a habit I picked up when I was a student several years ago. Learning new ways to do things, and fresh research floats my boat!
So, here’s the HUGE take away from Shawn Achor, a Harvard professor, and the author of The Happiness Advantage. He recommends positivity.
“Your enhanced positivity makes you more efficient, motivated, and productive, and opens up opportunities for greater achievement.” (p. 56)
At school, I am fortunate to see the good in students who receive positive office referrals from our staff. These papers come from all corners and teachers. Bus drivers even take a moment to recognize the strategies, effort, and attitude that should be celebrated with our students! Talking to kids about their best efforts is a wonderful part of my day.
The benefits of looking for the good and sharing them are far reaching. “A quick burst of positive emotions doesn’t just broaden our cognitive capacity; it also provides a quick and powerful antidote to stress and anxiety, which in turn improves our focus and ability to function at our best level.” (p.49)
Remind your children of the positive pieces of their learning you have seen this year. Speaking encouraging words is one of the best things we can do for our kids!
Kindly,
Dr. Polly Tennies
Principal
INCREDIBLE Things Happen at the "T"!
Junior Ambassador for the Asian Pacific Children Convention
Jada has been chosen as one of four students in the state of Georgia for the Asian-Pacific Children’s Conference held in Japan! She will travel as a Junior Ambassador and stay for 11 days with a host family. Jada is excited to share her culture with those she stays and works with as she learns more about their culture. We are beyond proud of her efforts and this huge accomplishment! We look forward to hearing about her experience when she returns!
To find out more about the Asia-Pacific Children's Convention or the Japan-American Society of Georgia, you can visit the link below...
Painted Hair for 120 Positive Office Referrals!
Bookapalooza Winners!
Family Fest at North Forsyth High School
First Grade Fairy Tale Ball
Fine Arts Night
See Our Garden Grow!
2nd Grade Legoland Field Trip
7:45 am-9:15 am
10:00 am -10:50 am
11:45 am-12:30 pm
Before you are able to come and read to students, you MUST watch the mandated reporter video here. You will also need to sign the Volunteer Agreement attached below.
Teacher/ Staff Member of the Month Nominations
Congratulations to March Teacher of the Month-Kim Sarfaty
We are pleased to announce Kim Sarfaty for the March Teacher of the Month Award! Kim’s caring, dedicated, understanding, and nurturing personality and demeanor make her a perfect teacher in our preschool program. Kim can be seen smiling throughout Chestatee, but she also leaves a mark of positivity everywhere she goes. Kim has been nominated by both parents and co-workers for going over and beyond in her classroom to reach each student. She shares her expertise and encouragement with other teachers. One parent said it best when she stated, “Kim is very sweet, caring, and all around a great person that loves each student as her own.”
This is Mrs. Sarfaty's 17th year of teaching and first year at Chestatee. Mrs. Sarfaty graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Special Education and enjoyed playing on the softball team for four years. Mrs. Sarfaty’s husband, Jack, works at North Forsyth High School as the Instructional Technology Specialist. Together, they have three children: Katie, Matthew, and Michael. Katie attends NFHS while Matthew and Michael both attend Chestatee. We are so thankful Mrs. Kim Sarfaty came to Chestatee!
What's Coming up at the T?
International Night: April 11
Chestatee's 2nd Annual International Night will be April 11th, 2019 from 6-7:30pm. The night is filled with exciting performances, food tasting, arts and crafts! The best of all is our student's country boards. The boards are the highlight of the evening. Students and their families work together to create a small presentation about a specific country. If you have any questions email Vianna Perez at vperez@forsyth.k12.ga.us. Sign up if you'd like to help at this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c48aaa82aaafb6-international
Field Day Volunteers
The Aloha Hawaiian Field Day is fast approaching on Friday, May 10th. Please let Mrs. Waters know if you are available for any of the sessions below. Email her directly at Chwaters@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Session 1 – 7:00 AM-10:30 AM
Session 2 – 11:00 AM- 3:00 PM
Session 3 – 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Earth Eagles Wants You to Know....
Hi Chestatee Families!
Are you interested in Science? With spring definitely in the air, Keep Forsyth County Beautiful is offering some awesome April workshops for families.
For more information, go to KFCB's calendar/registration page https://www.keepforsythcountybeautiful.org/calendar-registration , select MORE INFO beside the workshop of interest, and read the details. To register, click the "Click Here to Register" button and follow the instructions.
Last day to Charge Lunch is May 1st! Read MORE BELOW!
Our Communi-T-y is the BEST!
Thank you to New Hope United Methodist Church members for the great support of our food program! We appreciate all the donations!
Thank you to our business partner at The Peter Moseley Agency of Farmers' Insurance. This company is sponsoring our Teacher of the Month Program and our food pantry. Their agency has become a food/ needs drop-off location for our community to provide help to both Chestatee Elementary and Chattahoochee Elementary. Thank you, Alisha, for the visit!
4730 Hammond Industrial Dr. Ste 100
Cumming, GA 30041
770-904-9034
Duck Dive Adoption Form
Want to Join PTO?
A Few Words From our Family Engagement Coordinator
When we get to this point in the year, it’s amazing to look back at all we have accomplished! The students have not only grown inches, but they are growing in maturity and academic progress too.
Milestones are coming, and it will be exciting to see students’ growth. Both students and families often ask what they can do to help. The answer really is simple! We’ve been preparing all year. Students have learned the material.
Here are 5 tips to help!
1. Stay positive: My daughter wants to fixate on being nervous or how long the test is. I’m working on saying things like, “You can do this! Show your teachers what you know! You’re going to do great!”
2. Get to bed on time or early: This is one we continue to work on. It’s easier said than done but so important! We will be in bed early on testing nights even if my daughter is reading/ resting and not yet able to fall asleep.
3. Eat breakfast: I always tell my daughter that cars can’t run without gas. The same goes for our brains. Our cafeteria serves breakfast daily for $1.40 and offers many choices!
4. Arrive on time: There’s nothing worse than feeling frazzled before the day has begun. We’ll be getting up a few minutes early to ensure we are here with plenty of time for a peaceful morning.
5. Do your best: That one is for the kids! It’s time to show what they know and try their best.
Our last APTT meetings of the year are coming April 25 from grades K-2 and May 2 for grades 3-5. That’s another great time to look at progress on the skills together! We can’t wait to see you!
Free and Reduced Lunch
Click here to apply. Need help filling out the form? Stop by and see Meg Killingsworth in the Family Resource Room (302). Or give her a call or email. She’s glad to help! Can't come in?
Here's a video with directions!
770-887-2341 ext 722302
Don't Forget....
Box Tops/ Soup Labels
Remember if you full up a box tops page, Ms. Donna has a prize you can earn!
Publix will donate money too...
See Ms. Donna in the front office for one of these cards, or send a letter with your child asking for one, and we will send one home for you!
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