The Parsons Happenings
November 12, 2021
Message from your Proud Principal
Welcome to our new Counselor
United Way Spirit Week
GCPS Hosts Vaccination Clinics
National School Psychology Awareness Week
Native American Heritage Month
Staff Goody Day
Afternoon Transportation
Student Check Out
Parsons students give back to the community
Masks are required
GCPS is hiring Bus Drivers
Parsons on Social Media
Calendar of Events
PTA Happenings
Business Partners
Message from your Proud Principal
Why are involved parents critical to student success?
As we continue to celebrate and honor Family Engagement Month, I wanted to share a little research that reinforces our belief that involved parents are critical to individual student success and school success. The following is research gathered by The Parent Institute:
School and home are connected. We cannot look at the school and the home in isolation from one another. We must see how they interconnect with each other and with the world at large.
- The family provides the child’s primary educational environment. School-age children and teens spend 70% of their waking hours (including weekends and vacations) outside the school setting. This time represents a tremendous learning opportunity.
- Involving parents in their children’s formal education improves student achievement. Statistics show that with as little as a one-third increase in parent participation, school achievement scores increase dramatically. It takes just a small increase in parent input to see measurable results in student output!
- The benefits last a lifetime. They are not confined to early childhood or the elementary level. Involving parents continuously through middle and high school has a significant impact.
- Children from low-income and minority families have the most to gain when schools involve parents, but all students benefit. Parents do not have to be college educated to help.
- When parents are involved in their children’s education at home, their children do better in school. When parents are involved at school, their children’s achievement excels and the schools they attend become even stronger. High-scoring schools and districts have high levels of parent involvement.
The most accurate predictor of a student’s achievement in school is not income or social status, but the extent to which that student’s family is able to:
- Create a home environment that encourages learning
- Express high (but not unrealistic) expectations for their children’s achievement and future careers
- Become involved in their children’s education at school and in the community
I know I have shared my story before, and a few of you may remember, but as I've grown older and have children of my own, I look back at the role my parents played. As the youngest of two, school (learning) did not come as easy for me as it did my sister. I was the one who needed additional support. I did not always 'get it' the first time. Luckily, I had teachers and a mom, who put in 'extra time'. It was this combined commitment that allowed me to achieve even when it did not come easy. My mom always said, "It's OK if it's tricky, that's when the brain really begins to work." Quitting was never an option and perseverance prevailed.
My parents made school and the school community a priority. They volunteered, attended conferences, attended PTA meetings...they made a difference! When I was in high school and they volunteered to be chaperones at the dances, I was not a happy teenager. As an adult, I now know why they did! They wanted to be involved! This involvement made a difference.
As parents, we are ultimately responsible for our children's future success. We have to ensure they grow up to be successful, educated citizens who add value to our society. Our 792 lion cubs deserve to have a team of adults who love them and add value to their success.
Thank you for all you do each and every day to ensure your student is successful. One day they will be the successful adult who holds an enormous amount of gratitude for the role you played in their school aged life.
One grateful adult,
Mrs. Clark
We are excited to welcome our new part time Counselor, Kelley Maxwell!
Greetings!
My name is Kelley Maxwell and I am so excited and honored to be joining the amazing Parsons family! I will be meeting with students in small groups, conducting classroom lessons, and working as a team with teachers, parents, and staff to meet the needs of the PES community.
As the counselor, I will have the privilege of providing support to every student at Parsons Elementary, but will be primarily working with kindergarten and third grade students. I am thrilled to be here and look forward to a great school year getting to know all of our wonderful students!
United Way Spirit Week
GCPS Hosts Vaccination Clinics
GCPS encourages our community to learn more about COVID-19 vaccinations and take advantage of opportunities to get vaccinated. In an ongoing partnership with the Gwinnett Health Department and other health partners, GCPS continues to host vaccination clinics at high schools around the county during November and December. No appointment is necessary. Participants will receive the Pfizer vaccine, which requires two shots. Those who are eligible for a booster shot and who completed their initial vaccine series (Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson) at least six months ago also may attend a vaccine clinic. This opportunity is available to anyone eligible for the vaccine, ages 12 and older. Students ages 12 to 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Interpreters will be on site. For more information on COVID vaccinations, go to the health department website.
The following schools will host vaccination clinics:
Parkview High School,
Thurs., Nov. 4, 2021, 3 p.m.-7 p.m.Wed., Nov. 24, 2021, 3 p.m.-7 p.m.
Norcross High School
Fri., Nov. 5, 2021, 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Mon., Nov. 29, 2021, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.Meadowcreek High School
Tues., Nov. 16, 2021, 3 p.m.-7 p.m.
December date TBDPeachtree Ridge HS
Mon., Nov. 15, 2021, 3 p.m.-7 p.m.
Mon., Dec. 6, 2021, 3 p.m.-7 p.m.Brookwood High School
Thurs., Nov. 11, 2021, 3 p.m.-7 p.m.
Thurs., Dec. 2, 2021, 3 p.m.-7 p.m.South Gwinnett High School
Mon., Nov. 29, 2021, 3 p.m.-7 p.m.
December date TBD
National School Psychology Awareness Week
Native American Heritage Month
November is Native American Heritage Month. First celebrated as American Indian Day in 1916, President Regan made a proclamation to extend the commemoration to a week. In 1990, President George H.W. Bush issued an official proclamation calling for a month long celebration, and every president since has made the same proclamation. The month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, histories, and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. Click HERE for a document with links to resources about Native American Heritage Month.
Staff Goody Day from 3rd Grade Parents ROCKED!
Afternoon Transportation
Student Check Out
Parsons students give back to the community
Parsons on Social Media
Follow Parsons Elementary on Facebook and Instagram!
https://www.instagram.com/parsons_elementary/
Search: parsons_elementary
https://www.facebook.com/ParsonsES/
Search: Parsons Elementary School
@ParsonsES
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParsonsES/
Monday, November 15, 2021
- United Way Week ~ Mustache Monday ~ Get a mustache from school and wear it all day
- 7:30 am ~ Readers Rally
- 9:30 am ~ Learning through the Arts ~ Cherokee Life (2nd grade)
- 1:00 pm ~ Books with Badges 1st Grade
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
- United Way Week ~ Tag it Tuesday ~ Get a Parsons' paw print and tag it to whatever you want
- Principal for a Day Visit ~ Mr. John Khan
- International Day for Tolerance
- 3:30 pm ~ Korean Language/Homework Help
Wednesday, November 17, 2021
- United Way Week ~ Wacky Wednesday ~ Wear your wackiest outfit
- 7:45 am ~ Art Club
- 12:15 pm ~ 4th grade Orff Ensemble
- 1:00 pm ~ Books with Badges 1st Grade
Thursday, November 18, 2021
- United Way Week ~ Stuffed Animal Day ~ Bring your favorite stuffed animal
- Chick Fil A Spirit Day ~ See info in PTA news
- Thankful Thursday
- 7:45 am ~ Witzzle Pro
- 9:00 am ~ Learning through the Arts Ben Franklin/Patriotism 1st Grade
- 11:50 am ~ 5th Grade Orff Ensemble
- 3:30 pm ~ Korean Language/Homework Help
- 3:30 pm ~ i9 Sports
- 4:00 pm ~ Robotics
Friday, November 19, 2021
- United Way Week ~ Comfy Cozy Day ~ Wear your favorite sweats or warm pajamas
- 1:00 pm ~ Books with Badges (Park)
Scan your Box Tops and get money for our school. Check out this Video: https://youtu.be/v-bNcykyK5Y
Chick-Fil-A Spirit Day is Thursday, November 18, 2021. This will be all day (dine-in or take out) at the Chick-Fil-A on 2020 Satellite Blvd, Duluth, GA 30097. Mention Parsons Elementary while ordering and a portion of the evening’s proceeds will benefit the Parsons PTA.
Parsons Elementary PTA
Proud Principal Laura Clark
Email: laura.j.clark@gcpsk12.org
Website: https://www.gcpsk12.org
Location: 1615 Old Peachtree Road Northwest, Suwanee, GA, USA
Phone: 678-957-3050