Knightly News

Incentives:

• Each student that attends will be given a free ice cream coupon
• The class with the highest attendance will get a popcorn party

Last month, we focused on Kindness:

We love when our kids show kindness and are aware of the feelings of those around them!

Next week, Simonton will have a weeek of fun activities to reinforce the focus word of the month: Respect.

Please see the infograph below:

A photographer from Strawbridge Studios will be at Simonton ES on September 19, 2023 to photograph your child's Fall pictures.

The link below will allow parents to sign up to receive updates via email regarding their child's school portraits. These updates include promotions, additional deals and the ability to order more pictures at a later time. When entering student information, parents should be sure to enter the student's name as it is on file at the school.

The attached document below outlines the Picture Packages offered by Strawbridge Studios ...

GCPS is partnering with the Center for Educational Effectiveness (CEE) to administer the Educational Effectiveness Survey (EES) Student Wellness Screener for students in grades 3 through 12.

The screener will provide our school and district staff with valuable data about the academic, social, and emotional needs of students. The results will be used to identify students needing additional support in the areas of Academic Behaviors, Social Behaviors, and Emotional Behaviors. The 22-item screener should take students less than 10 minutes to complete.

The Wellness Screener will be available to Gwinnett County Public Schools students September 5 through September 15, 2023; students will complete the screener at school.

As part of our process, school district leaders want to make parents and caregivers aware of this screener, familiarize them with the questions students will be asked, and offer the opportunity for them to opt their child out of taking the screener.

Please click the links below for additional information...including how to view the screener questions, and how to opt out of the screener.

EES Student Wellness Screener Questions: https://www.gcpsk12.org/Page/36928

How to Opt-Out of the EES Student Wellness Screener: https://www.gcpsk12.org/Page/36957

Friday, September 8

• Progress emailed out by teachers
• PTA Fall Festival ~ 5:00-8:00 pm

Monday, September 11

• Grandparents Day

Tuesday, September 12

• Student Wellness Screener (Grades 3-5)

Thursday, September 14

• Robotics Club ~ Pajama Day

Friday, September 15

• Digital Learning Day #1

Monday, September 18

• PTA Fundraiser begins

Tuesday, September 19

• Fall Pictures

Friday, September 22

• School Tours (New Families) ~ 10:00-11:00 am

Tuesday, September 26

• Cub Scout Classroom visits

Wednesday, September 27

• Cub Scout Meeting ~ 6:30 pm

Thursday, September 28

• PTA Spirit Night @ Sparkles ~ 5:00-8:00 pm

Monday, October 2

• PTA Reflection entries due

Thursday, October 5- Monday, October 9

• Fall Break (No School)... students return on Tuesday, October 10th

Thursday, October 12

• Poetry Night ~ 4:00-5:00 pm

Friday, October 13

• PBIS Celebration

Wednesday, October 18

• Early Release ~ Students are dismissed at 12:15 pm
• PTA Spirit Night @ Stars & Strikes ~ 5:00-9:00 pm

Thursday, October 19

• Early Release ~ Students are dismissed at 12:15 pm

Currently, the Sparkling Juice is available in 2 flavors: Strawberry Kiwi & Fruit Punch. The baked chips are Sour Cream & Onion and BBQ. The Doritos are Cool Ranch & Nacho Cheese.

Ice cream sales will be available Monday - Friday at a cost of $1.00. Please bring exactly $1.00 as change is usually not available right away.

This year's ice cream selections can be seen in the picture to the side:

Student dress should not cause any distraction from the instructional program. Students are encouraged to dress appropriately for the school setting, suitable to weather conditions, and in good taste. Short skirts, short shorts, or halter tops/crop shirts are not considered appropriate dress for school. Hats, bandanas, and sweatbands should not be worn in school. Students should not wear any clothing that advertises alcoholic beverages, drugs, or violence. Students should wear shoes that allow for safe play at outside time and PE class. All shorts/skirts should come to the student’s knee.

Students are expected to be at school on time and not leave unless they have permission. Staff members are involved in planning, conferencing, and staff meetings prior to 7:45 am. Students may NOT be dropped off BEFORE this time. At 7:45 am students should be dropped off in the car-rider line on the right-hand side of the school, not in the front office. This is for their safety. There is no one on duty to supervise students prior to this time. If students arrive after 8:15 am parents are to park in a regular parking space and escort their child to the office for check-in. School dismissal is at 2:45 pm. Car riders must be picked up by 3:05 pm. After this time, car riders will be taken to the front office for parent contact. Excessive incidents of late car rider pick up will result in a parent conference with school administrators and further action that may include the School Resource Officer and/or Division of Family and Children Services.

At all times, the safety of all students is of utmost importance. Fire, tornado and emergency lock down drills are held at intervals throughout the school year. Emergency instructions are posted in each classroom. The children will practice walking quickly and quietly to designated areas. If a child is injured on the playground, we also have procedures that are followed, and 911 is called as needed. Please be sure a current phone number is available so that we can reach you in an emergency. During an emergency, it may be necessary to transport your child by bus to another location. During inclement weather, students will remain at school until the county gives permission for dismissal.

Our school priority is teaching and learning. Non-instructional items, electronic toys, games and other devices are not permitted at school. Please make sure that these items remain at home. Students that are found to be in possession of these items at school will have them removed and given to an administrator until parent pick up. Students may not exchange money, sell, buy, trade, give or purchase items from another student during the school day, on the school bus, or at the school bus stop.

Who: Parents/Guardians of students receiving Special Education services

What: Parent Mentors Present: “Understanding Your Child as a Learner”

When: Tuesday, September 26, 2023, 10:00am – 11:30am or 6:00 pm-7:30pm

Where: In-Person registration link for 10:00am session: https://forms.gle/DoefweLZDktYWt6N6

Zoom registration link for 6pm session: https://gcpsk12-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEpdOuprDgrHNMTZLbCB8e3HkoUpx17j_Wi

Who: Parents/Guardians of students receiving Special Education services

What: Parent Mentors Present: “Parents Engaging in Education” – 4 Session Workshop

When: 9/28/23, 10/12/23, 10/26/23, 11/9/23, 10:00am-11:30am or 6:00pm-7:30pm

Where: In-Person registration link for 10:00am session on 9/28/23: https://forms.gle/6WHZFpwRQLLN4QKK8

Zoom registration link for 6pm session on 9/28/23: https://gcpsk12-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0pcOCtpjwvG9xUpC0ZaG2pt3XgobrU_PpQ

The application for free and reduced lunch is now available. There will be no waiver in place to offer free lunch for all students. Please complete the application if you feel this is a service your family will need. All students who have not been approved for free or reduced lunch service will be charged the full price each day.

Free and Reduced Lunch Application

https://www.nlappscloud.com/Welcome.aspx?api=78f8fee54716f21218e523747d37a13c

Does your child have a medical concern that we need to be aware of? Stop in to see Mrs. Tammy Jones in the clinic.

Complete the clinic card if your child has any medical concerns that we need to be aware of. We also need to know any medication your child is taking and directions of what to do while we are caring for your child until you arrive.

We are excited to announce that our school district has adopted a new form of school-to-home communication called ParentSquare. This unified communications platform is designed to keep parents and guardians informed and encourage greater engagement and connection with your child’s school and Gwinnett County Public Schools.

ParentSquare provides a safe way for district administrators, school principals, teachers, staff, and parents to receive and send information, such as:

• Weather-related closings & delays
• School and class information
• Share pictures and files
• See calendar items
• Upcoming class activities

District & school information will now be sent to your computer or phone via email and/or text via ParentSquare. For even more convenience, download the ParentSquare app (available for free for iOS and Android devices).

We are excited to offer Simonton ES spiritwear to staff, students and families. An order form is attached and can be returned to Ms. Karen Serna. Order forms will also be available in the front office. All spirit wear shirts are $15.00 (S - XL) and $20.00 (XXL and XXXL).

We encourage all families to create a MPP account. No purchase is necessary to have a MPP account. You will be able to read and digitally sign documents and/or make necessary payments. It is a great way for you to manage and keep track of all of your student payments and forms in one place throughout the school year.

MyPaymentsPlus is linked directly to your school’s student information system (SIS), enabling us to show real-time balances and invoices, and eliminating the need to call or visit your school in search of information.

Whether you’re viewing what your 2nd grader ate for lunch, renting a locker for your middle schooler, or purchasing a parking permit for that new driver in your family, MyPaymentsPlus ensures you never miss a beat, from Pre-K to graduation day.

Simply create a free MyPaymentsPlus account to get started today.

Reading Buddies is a FREE program that helps students (ages 5-11) practice their reading skills by reading out loud.

Our Reading Buddies program helps students:

• Learn and practice reading skills one-on-one with a librarian or a trained volunteer!

• Get on grade level and increase their reading abilities.

• Each child will have a reading log to write down their goals and track their progress.

We will be conducting this program at the Lawrenceville Library located at 1001 Lawrenceville Hwy on Thursdays from 4 pm to 6 pm continuing as of August 10th on a first come first serve basis when GCPS is in session.

Finish the day on a positive note

A relaxing bedtime routine can help your child feel safe and secure in this sometimes uncertain world. Tuck your child in every night. This is an ideal time for you to share positive thoughts about your child. Your child can also share hopes and dreams with you. You can sing a bedtime song, or read a story aloud. Make this time a special time for you both. https://tpitip.com/?13iK18608

Use routines to establish helpful learning habits

You probably have lots of routines that make your life easier. Your child needs your help developing some, too. Here are three school success routines to help your child establish: 1. Have your child put everything needed for school the next day in a designated place in the evening to avoid a morning scramble. 2. Have your child work on assignments at the same time of day. 3. Read together for 20 minutes every day. https://tpitip.com/?13iL18608

Practice asking six questions together

Children learn by asking questions. To teach your child to ask the kinds of questions that help children learn, choose an object in your home: a pair of jeans, for example. Explore this object with your child by asking questions that start with Who, What, Where, When, Why and How. (Who invented blue jeans? Where were they first made? When can you wear them?) Then, help your child research the answers. https://tpitip.com/?13iM18608

Start school day mornings on the right foot

A bad start on a school day morning can interfere with your child's learning. To set your elementary schooler up for a productive day, post a morning checklist so your child knows how to get ready without being told. Your student can use any extra morning time to read, study or play relaxed games. Or you can talk together about something about school that your child likes: the teacher, the book the class is reading, etc. https://tpitip.com/?13iN18608

Discover ways to support science learning

Even if your child doesn't grow up to be a scientist, some knowledge of science will be necessary to understand a rapidly changing world. And even if you don't know much about science, you can help. Ask your child's teacher for suggestions for science activities you can do together at home. Find out about other ways to support science education, too, such as working with other families to gain local business support for the school's science program. https://tpitip.com/?13iO18608

Fit supporting the school into your schedule

How can you get involved and support students and the school if you work during school hours? There are so many ways to make a difference. For example, you can stay in touch with your child’s teacher and respond to school surveys. You may be able to offer career expertise or help translate for non-English speaking parents. Your participation helps in important ways and shows your child that education is a priority. https://tpitip.com/?13iP18608

Put your coin jar to use building math skills

Your jar of spare change is a great tool for helping your child learn math. Coins are useful for teaching skills such as sorting, for example. Have your child put all like coins in piles, or make piles that each equal a dollar. Provide estimation practice by asking your child to estimate how many coins there are. Use coins for word problems, too. If your child wants to buy a toy for $4.95, is there enough in the jar? If so, how much is left? If not, how much more is needed? https://tpitip.com/?13iQ18608

Vision

Simonton is committed to dynamic high quality instruction resulting in a passion for learning, leading and excelling.

Core Belief

Every Student Every Day, Deserves to Learn, Lead, and Excel

Commitments

• We commit to giving our students a fresh start every day.

• We commit to preparing quality and engaging lessons that will prepare our students to be successful in school.

• We commit to teaching, modeling and holding our students accountable for appropriate school behavior.

• We commit to providing our students with a structured and safe learning environment.

• We commit to a great year of learning, leading, and excelling

Superintendent ~ Dr. Calvin J. Watts

Board Member ~ Mr. Steven B. Knudsen

Principal ~ Ms. Tamara G. Perkins

Assistant Principal ~ Mr. Nicholas Gilmore

Assistant Principal ~ Dr. Joe Sanfilippo

Assistant Principal ~ Mrs. Amy Steinberg

Website: gcpsk12.org/SimontonES
Location: 275 Simonton Road Southeast, Lawrenceville, GA, USA

Phone: 770-513-6637

Twitter: @simontonPride
Instagram: @SimontonPride