Partee General News
Partee ES Parent Newsletter - October 2018
Looking Ahead - October Events
10/1 Fall Pictures
10/4 & 10/5 Fall Break - No School
10/8 Columbus Day - Student Holiday
10/12 All Pro Dad Breakfast meeting 8 AM
10/24 & 10/25 Early Release - more information coming soon!
10/26 PTA Skate Night - Sparkles, Grayson Hwy
Principal's Message
Early Release/Parent Conferences are right around the corner. Please mark your calendars for Wednesday, October 24 and Thursday, October 25. The buses, car rider, and daycare van riders will be dismissed at 12:20 on both days.
Parent conference time is a great opportunity to meet with your child's teacher to learn about the progress your child is making on learning the grade level skills. More information regarding scheduling a conference is coming soon.
Thank you for your continued support.
Dr. McCain
"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." Helen Keller
Important Information
· School phone number: 770-982-6920
· School Hours: 8:20 AM-3:20 PM
Early check out: For the safety and security of our Generals, early check out will not be allowed after 2:30 PM. You must show ID and be listed as one who is approved to check the student out.
Please adhere to the procedures for car rider drop off and pick up times.
Drop off - 8:20 - 8:45 AM
Pick up - 3:20 - 3:40 PM
· Parking in the bus lane is not permitted, even at the end of the driveway.
Int'l Night
Thanks to all of our parents and staff for an awesome International Night! The evening would not have been a success without your support and participation. Everyone enjoyed the delicious food and fun activities. Please see a few pictures below.
The next time you visit, feel free to stop by the Parent Center and check out all of the resources to help support students at home. You can also talk with Mrs. Bridges about volunteering in various areas in the school.
October's Scholastic Book Fair
Did you know having books in the home is linked to academic success?
Please make plans to visit our next Book Fair and help us in shaping your child’s
reading habits. It is right around the corner..... Monday, October 22nd and running through Friday, October 26th. Because these dates run concurrently with Early Release, this is the perfect time to shop with your child. The Book Fair will be open for extended hours everyday this week from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM. If you would like to volunteer for this event, you may sign up at https://volunteer.scholastic.com/#/signup/QzuCX3Qgt.
Volunteers receive 10% off their purchase!
We look forward to seeing you at the next Scholastic Book Fair.
Safety and Security
You may notice…
that we will ask "How may I assist you?" before we buzz you into the building and ask you for identification. Please be patient with us as we implement these procedures for the safety and security of our students, staff, and community.
Digital Learning Day
The Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) 2018‐19 school calendar includes two make‐up
days to address school days missed due to inclement weather. In addition to these days,
GCPS also has the option of making up days missed due to inclement weather using Digital
Learning Days. Should a decision be made to cancel school, students, parents, and staff will
be notified via SchoolMessenger of the closing and if the day is a Digital Learning Day.
How does a Digital Learning Day work for students?
- On the day that school has been canceled, teachers will post assignments on their eCLASS C&I course pages. High school assignments will be posted by 8 a.m. Elementary school assignments will be posted by 9 a.m. And middle school assignments will be posted by 10 a.m.
- Students will use the My eCLASS student portal to log in to their eCLASS C&I course pages where they will access assignments, resources, and other materials. If the power is out, a student may access the teacher’s course page when power returns. If a student does not have access to a computer or device (tablet, smartphone, etc.), the student can get the assignment once school resumes.
- Student work will be expected to be turned in to the teacher (either digitally or in person), using a school’s process for turning in work following an absence.
Teachers will share additional information with students about Digital Learning Days, including how they will support student learning during the day. (For example, some teachers may set up a discussion board while others may use online conference tools or be available via phone.) Information will also be posted on the school website.
Parents and students who need a refresher course on how to access eCLASS C&I can go to district website for helpful resources and information.
Saturday Story & Cinema
Counselor's Corner
Student Attendance: A Key to Student Success
By Brenda Foster
Partee teachers and staff have accepted the responsibility of teaching and educating your students. While teaching and learning is the focus of our day, it is critical for student to be at school everyday, on time. Each day of learning builds on the next day and the next day. A child who misses a day of school misses a day of learning. Research indicates that children who attend school most of the time perform better on local and state assessments. Studies also indicate that students who are absent more often scored lower on these assessments.
We realize that students become ill and experience emergencies during the school year. Some absences cannot be prevented. Please help us to provide your student with the maximum amount of face to face time for instruction to maximize their academic success. Here are some ways you can help to improve your child’s regular school attendance.
- Make sure your child stays healthy by eating nutritious foods.
- Have your child go to bed at a reasonable time so he/she is refreshed for a new day of learning.
- Avoid scheduling family trips or doctor appointments during school hours.
- Talk to your child about the importance of attending school regularly.
- Don’t accept excuses for why your child ‘must’ miss or be late for school.
Community-Based Mentoring Program: One caring adult can change a child’s life
In Gwinnett County Public Schools, we believe in the Power of One…
One caring adult can change a child’s life;
One hour a week can make a difference in a student’s future; and
One-on-one support can help a student on his or her path to becoming a successful and responsible young adult.
With the support of community members and GCPS employees, the district’s Community-Based Mentoring Program is building on the Power of One to mentor hundreds of students in grades 4-12, providing guidance, encouragement, and support to help them reach their potential, both in and out of school.
In addition to one-on-one and small-group activities for mentors and mentees, district activities include Life Lesson Workshops, such as a virtual job shadowing experience, field trips, STEM summer camp, and sessions on dual enrollment, financial literacy, social media, and self-esteem. An annual Career Summit provides networking opportunities with more than 25 business and community organizations. The program also provides workshops and meetings for parents and guardians. A number of activities— including college visits, application support, and help with scholarship resources— promote a college-going culture and place an emphasis on graduation. In fact, $8,000 in scholarships was awarded to graduating mentees in 2018 through the program.
Why Mentor?
Studies show that successful mentoring programs help students develop social skills, improve their school achievement and graduation rates, build character, and many other benefits. While school counselors, teachers, and family members all play a role in keeping students in school and learning, the involvement of a community mentor can make a meaningful connection.
The district is expanding both the size and the reach of its mentoring programs for 2018-19 school year. Mr. Rayford, Director of Academic Support, says the mentoring team will host several recruiting events this fall and they look forward to sharing the mentoring experience with interested adults.
Could you be the one?
If you’re ready to learn more about how you can be the one adult who makes a difference for one of our students, consider attending the next informational session for prospective mentors on Tuesday, November 27, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the program’s offices at Northbrook Center, located at 1225 Northbrook Parkway, Suite B, in Suwanee. Adults, 21 and older, are welcome to apply to become mentors. To RSVP please call 770-682-8086 or email mentor@gwinnett.k12.ga.us.
Have You Signed Up for the Parent Portal?
From the Clinic
Parents: Thank you for your contributions to the clinic through My Payments Plus. With over 700 students and 100 staff, we are always in need of supplies. Feel free to donate any of the following throughout the year: band-aids, alcohol swabs, q-tips, cotton balls, baby wipes, hand sanitizer, neosporin, gloves, ziplock bags-sandwich and quart sizes.
Please note: If your student has a medical condition that requires treatment at school, please contact the clinic at (678) 344-4406 to find out what paperwork you'll need to complete. Courtesy reminder: Per GCPS policy, medications need to be dropped off and picked up by an adult.
Additional Reminders
Lunch visitors
- Food from outside the cafeteria is not permitted.
- Birthday's can only be celebrated during lunch. No balloons, stuffed animals, etc. please.
Transportation Changes
For the safety and security of all students, please try to keep afternoon transportation consistent. In the event that changes are needed, please do the following:
One-day change: Write a note and attach a copy of your driver's license. Requests can be delivered by the student, faxed to 678-344-4400, or emailed to Partee_Transportation@gwinnett.k12.ga.us. Please call the school by 2:30 to verify that the request was received.
Temporary Change (minimum of 5 days): The parent or guardian must come in and complete a "change of transportation" form in the front office.
Lost and Found We already have a number of items in Lost and Found. To help us return lost items to their owner, please put your student's name and teacher name on the label of your child's clothing.