Giddy Up
October 5, 2022
- October 6 - 10 - Fall Break - Student/Staff Holidays
- October 11 - Specials Schedule - K, 2: Day 8; 1, 3-5: Day 4
- October 11 - Lunch Guests Welcome
- October 12 - Specials Schedule - K, 2: Day 9; 1, 3-5: Day 5
- October 12 - Lunch Guests Welcome
- October 13 - Specials Schedule - K, 2: Day 1; 1, 3-5: Day 6
- October 13 - Lunch Guests Welcome
- October 14 - Specials Schedule - K, 2: Day 2; 1, 3-5: Day 7
- October 14 - Lunch Guests Welcome
- October 14 - Grade 1-5 Progress Reports Emailed Home
- October 18 - Fall Picture Retakes
- October 19 - National Unity Day - Wear Orange!
- October 19 & 20 - Early Release Days - Dismissal at 12:50 pm
- October 28 - Kindergarten & 1st Grade Pretend Parade 1:45 pm (more information below)
We hope our students and school staff have a safe and relaxing Fall Break. We look forward to welcoming students and staff members back to learning when classes resume on Tuesday, October 11.
GCPS wants your input...please participate in the 2023-24 Calendar Feedback survey!
GCPS aims to create a school calendar that fosters student achievement, while at the same time meeting the needs of our students, families, and communities. GCPS values your input and feedback on the calendar options for the 2023-24 school year. The survey is open until Oct. 31.
Please click here to view the four calendar options and participate in the survey.
Counselor Corner
Dear Parents,
Happy October! We are happy to announce that Brookwood Elementary has again received No Place for Hate School accreditation for the 2021-2022 school year. No Place for Hate is a national initiative that engages students and staff in dialogue and active learning on the topics of bias, bullying, inclusion and allyship that matter most to our community. During the month of October our SEL topics directly aligns with the No Place for Hate initiatives. All month we will be learning about Bullying and Bullying Prevention, what it is, why it’s important, and how we can stand up for ourselves and others.
On Wednesday, October 19, 2022, we will be wearing Orange in honor of National Unity Day, to show unity for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion and to send a visible message that no child should ever experience bullying.
Below are some opportunities that you can help your child continue to learn about Bullying at home. We look forward to exploring this topic at school, and we hope your family will enjoy it just as much!
Sincerely,
Your Counselors
Angel Cunningham (K-2) & LaKendra Todd-Collins (3-5)
READ ABOUT IT!
Here are some books to help learn more about Bullying:
- The Secret Bully By Trudy Ludwig
- The Recess Queen By Alexis O’Neill
- One By Kathryn Otoshi
- Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon By Patty Lovell
PRACTICE IT!
Together with your child, come up with 5-10 things that he/she can do to stand up for themselves and others. Work together to make a video to teach these strategies to others. Make the production as big as you want to! When you are finished, gather the family together for a watch party-including popcorn!
TALK ABOUT IT!
Here are some discussion points to help you talk about growth mindset with your child:
- What do you think the word bullying means?
- Why is it important to stand up to bullying?
- Have you ever been bullied? If so, tell me about it.
- Would you feel comfortable telling me if you were being bullied? Why or why not?
- How can I help you stand up for yourself and others?
- Have you ever had to stand up for yourself or others? Tell me how it went.
Brookwood Elementary Clubs
Brookwood Elementary is excited to open before and after school clubs for students. Clubs enrolling now are:
- KidzLife - 2nd-5th grade
- Meeting times: Monday 3:45 - 5:00 pm - Club Information
- BES Chorus - 5th grade
Meeting Times: Tuesday 7:30 - 8:20 am - Club Information - Minecraft EDU Club - 3rd-5th grade
Meeting Times: Wednesday 7:45 - 8:20 am - Club Information - Witzzle Pro - 4th & 5th grade
Meeting Times: Wednesday 7:45 - 8:20 am - Club Information - Intramurals - 5th grade
Meeting Times: Friday 7:45 - 8:20 am - Club Information
Look out for information coming soon from the following clubs:
- Drama Club - 3rd-5th grade - Thursday 3:45 pm
BES First Lego League Robotics Team Now Accepting Applications
Dear parents and guardians of BES 4th and 5th grade students,
We are looking for 4th and 5th grade students interested in applying to join the BES Robotics Team. While discussing with your student the decision to apply for our ten-member team, please consider the following:
- Students will be required to complete tasks beyond exploring robots.
- The team will work together to prepare for competition in December where they will demonstrate thinking, teamwork, and robot design.
- To prepare for competition, students will complete hands-on learning as they work as a team to solve real-life problems.
- Our work as a team will emphasize the core values of creativity, cooperation, respect, inclusion, and professionalism.
- Team members will also develop skills in problem solving, teamwork, and communication.
If your child is interested in applying for robotics, he or she must complete the linked application form. If you have any questions, please contact us at our emails below.
Thank you,
Earl Edmunds and Joanie Whigham
Robotics Team Sponsors
1st Quarter Progress Reports
Be sure to check your email on October 14th! 1st - 5th grade teachers will email the first quarter progress reports by 4:00 pm. You can also keep up with your student's progress through the Parent Portal.
Kindergarten teachers will discuss student's progress reports during the Parent/Teacher conference.
Relay for Life Fundraiser - 2022-2023 "Crusin' Towards a Cure" T-shirt is on sale now!
Time to kick off the Brookwood Elementary Relay for Life team by getting your 2022-2023 t-shirt. This is the first fundraiser of the year to help raise money for Relay for Life in support of the American Cancer Society.
Orders must be made through MyPaymentsPlus. Shirt orders will be accepted online only. Orders will begin Friday, September 30th through Monday, October 17th. For more information, view the Relay for Life t-shirt order form.
Fall Pictures Retakes
Mark your calendar for Fall Picture Retakes on Tuesday, October 18th!
Picture retakes are for new students, students absent on the original retake day, or if you would like your purchased pictures retaken. Fall pictures will come home after Fall Break.
Clothing and School Supply Drive
During the month of October, Brookwood Elementary is participating in a county-wide children's clothing and school supply drive. Boxes will be located in the Brookwood Elementary front hallway for donation drop offs.
Coming Soon - The Scholastic Book Fair!
The Scholastic Book Fair will be at Brookwood Elementary from October 11th - October 21st.
Important Book Fair Dates:
- Student Preview - October 12 - 14
- Student Shopping - October 17 - 21
- Family Shopping - October 19 & 20 1:30 - 3:00 pm
Make shopping easier by setting up an eWallet for your student! eWallet give your students a safe, cashless way to shop the Book Fair. This digital payment can be used at the in-school Book Fair or online at the Virtual Book Fair.
The Brookwood Elementary Book Fair is also looking for additional volunteers to help at this year's book fair. Volunteers receive a $5 Book Fair coupon to spend. Go to Sign Up Genius to sign up to volunteer.
5th Grade Yearbook Ads
5th Grade Ads are still available to purchase until October 24th! A 1/8 page ad costs $30, and a 1/4 page ad for $40. Purchase an ad on the Jostens website before the deadline passes you by!
Important Pretend Parade Information:
All students (K-5) are invited to dress up as book characters, community helpers or just pretend. Please no scary costumes, pretend weapons, or costume masks.
All Kindergarten and 1st grade students are allowed to walk in the parade regardless of dress.
Students should come to school dressed in their pretend costume.
Parents of kindergarten and 1st grade students are invited to attend and watch the parade at Brookwood Elementary playground.
Parents and guests are required to check in with picture ID at the front office! If you would like to check out your child following the parade, you may also complete this during your check in.
In the event of rain, the Pretend Parade will move inside the school building.
Attention 4th Grade Parents
REQUIRED FOR ALL 4TH GRADE STUDENTS!
All students in 4th grade are required to have a recorder for music class. In 4th grade, students begin learning to play the recorder(soprano recorder/baroque fingering). Learning to play the recorder is very important because it combines all skills and concepts (Gwinnett County AKS) learned in music classes over the past several years.
There are several options to get a recorder: You may purchase a recorder through Brookwood for an $8.00 fee, which includes 3-piece recorder and case. Payments are made through MyPaymentsPlus. Another option would be to buy the recorder at Music and Arts Store or Amazon. Links to our local music stores can be found on Mr. Reyes' eCLASS page.
Clinic Donations Needed
The Brookwood Elementary clinic is in need of donations of pants, shorts, and leggings. Students use these in the event of accidents, milk spills, muddy clothes, or bloody noses. Unreturned clothes have depleted our clinic supply of extra changes.
All sizes of boys' and girls' athletic-type pants, short, or leggings are needed. Donations can be sent in with students or dropped off at the Brookwood Elementary front office.
Fall Reading Challenge From the Media Center
Fall brings crisp, new beginnings and all things cozy! Fall into a great book this season and log your reading to earn badges throughout the challenge. Students who read 200 minutes by October 31 will earn a NEW book of their choice!
How do you get started on the Fall Reading Challenge?
- Go to Brookwood Elementary page of the Beanstack website.
- Log in with your GCPS student number and 4-digit birthdate (MMDD)
- Log your reading on the Beanstack website.
- Earn virtual badges!
2022 - 2023 Yearbooks On Sale Now!
The 2022 - 2023 Yearbook is available to order now! Supplies are limited, so order early to reserve your copy today!
From now until October 28th, you can order the Brookwood Elementary Yearbook for the low price of $40! Order online today at the Jostens' website.
Box Tops for Education - No more clipping! Scan your receipt!
All money collected from boxtops goes directly to buy PE equipment for Brookwood Elementary. There is a new system starting this year where you download the FREE Boxtops for Education App and scan your receipt. The boxtops will automatically upload to our school's account. Just be sure to select BROOKWOOD ELEMENTARY SNELLVILLE, GA when you set up the app (There are SEVERAL Brookwood Elem. schools to choose from.) The video below will show you how the process works. Thank you!
A MESSAGE FROM The BES HEALTH RESPONSE TEAM
Did you know that Brookwood ES has a Health Response Team (HRT) which manages and communicates COVID related information with staff, students and parents? The HRT gathers information, conducts contact investigations and communicates as needed. In the next few months, it is important that you continue to alert the school if your child tests positive for COVID or is unvaccinated and has been in direct contact with a positive case.
Common symptoms include:
Fever (100.4 or higher), Cough, Shortness of breath, muscle/body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, congestion/runny nose, nausea/vomiting, sore throat, fatigue
Brookwood ES HRT Members:
Brookwood ES: 770-736-4360
Jen George: jen.george@gcpsk12.org
Bridget Fagan: bridget.fagan@gcpsk12.org
Tiffany Pruitt: tiffany.pruitt@gcpsk12.org
PTA General Meeting - October 17th
Brookwood Elementary PTA will hold its monthly General Meeting on October 17th at 7:00pm in the Brookwood Elementary Media Center.
The October 17th meeting will be a in-person meeting, but a Zoom link will be available for those that would like to attend digitally.
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Support PTA with Kroger Rewards
Meet Me @ the Library
The Five Forks branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library will be hosting a series of Meet Me @ the Library events in the coming months. Mark your calendar for the following events at the Five Forks branch:
- STEM Night - Monday, October 3rd at 6:00 pm
- Good Citizen Night - Monday, November 14th at 6:00 pm
- Music and Sound Night - Monday, December 14th at 6:00 pm
Join the GCPS Team as a School Bus Driver!
Gwinnett County Public Schools is recruiting individuals who are 21 years or older and have a good driving record to become school bus drivers. The GCPS Transportation Department offers excellent health benefits, opportunities for growth, and professional training. For information, please view the linked flyer.