February Newsletter 2020
Chestatee Elementary School
A Letter From Dr. Tennies, Our Principal
Dear Friends of Chestatee,
An important part of our school day at Chestatee is a class meeting. If you walk into a classroom in first grade you might see students sitting on the outside of the big rug, so that faces can be seen, while kids greet each other with a special handshake. There is a hum of conversation. Laughter flows. Friendship begins. In our upper grades, students might lead the meeting and plan the agenda to discuss an idea or gather solutions. This time easily becomes one of the favorite segments of the school day.
The daily meeting builds connections among students and is crucial to educating the whole child. The 7 Mindsets is a resource that schools in the North cluster use to support social emotional learning. Through a grant from the Forsyth County Sheriff’s department, this program can also be used in class meetings. The research is strong and the mindsets were developed on ideas that made a difference in the lives of happy, successful adults. Check out this illustration:
Here are a few conversation starters you are welcome to try at home:
· What do you like about class meetings?
· Which mindset do you think is the most important? Why?
· What does it mean when you hear We are Connected?
· How do you show Live to Give?
· Which mindset did you just finish studying?
· Which one do you want to teach me?
Thank you for being a part of our Chestatee Family. We look forward to seeing you on campus soon!
Kindly,
Dr. Polly Tennies
Principal
Amazing things Happen at the T!
Congratulations to our Tech Fair Students!
Jacob
Jacob's project won 3rd place in Animation for 5/6 grade.
https://youtu.be/Db617aq0LWkCaroline and Walker
Caroline and Walker's project won 3rd place in Video Production for 3/4 grade.
Asher
Here is Asher's project in Animation from Wixie.
https://www.wixie.com/s22972150New Faces at the T!
Congratulations to our January Staff Member of the Month-Leslie Butler
We are proud to announce Leslie Butler as our Teacher of the Month for January!
Mrs. Butler teaches kindergarten at Chestatee and has taught kindergarten for 5 years. This is her 13th year teaching at Chestatee, but she has taught 18 years altogether. Mrs. Butler holds a B.S. from Southern Polytechnic State University and earned a M.Ed. from North Georgia College and State University.
Leslie and her husband, Jason, have two children and live in the Chestatee community. Their son, Bryce, went through Chestatee and now attends Little Mill Middle School. Their daughter, Bella Grace, is in fourth grade. Leslie enjoys running, trivia, and spending time with her family. She is a huge Georgia Bulldogs fan!
Leslie has received several nominations from parents who all appreciate the love she gives their children. She gives lots of hugs and support throughout the day, and she has said, “Teaching kindergarten students is where my heart lies.” Mrs. Butler is always smiling and offers a very easy-going attitude to every situation. We are so lucky to have Mrs. Leslie Butler at the T!
Teacher/Staff Member of the Month Nominations
Do you want to recognize and celebrate the exemplary teaching and contributions by Chestatee Elementary teachers and staff? Use the link below to write your nomination!
VOLUNTEER CORNER
Highlighted Volunteer Group for the Month
Gardening Club
Spring is coming, and we have lots of gardens that could use some beautifying! If you have a green thumb and want to help, contact Kathy Johnson. She’s got jobs for you!
770-887-2341 ext. 722162
Attitude of Gratitude
Georgia Parent School Climate Survey 2019-2020
The school climate survey is open to parents from Tuesday, October 1, 2019 through Friday, March 6, 2020. The survey responses are anonymous, self-reported, and will be submitted directly to the Georgia Department of Education for analysis. The Georgia Parent Survey is also available in Spanish. Parents may select the Spanish version within the survey. The Georgia Parent Survey link is posted below.
Georgia Parent Survey:
https://gshs.gadoe.org/Pages/Parent.aspx
Free and Reduced Lunch
Would your family benefit from Free or Reduced Lunch? It takes 10 minutes to apply!
There are 2 ways to see if you qualify:
1. Fill out a paper application, and return it to the school.
2. Apply online at this link: https;//frapps.horizonsolana.com/FORC01
If you would like help filling out an application, please contact Deb Mason or Meg Killingsworth. They will be happy to assist you!
Deb Mason
770-887-2341 ext. 722131
Meg Killingsworth
770-887-2341 ext. 722302
What's Coming up at the T?
Save the Date!
Boys' Fusion Night: February 8
Our PTO knows how to throw a great event! Our Boys' Night Out, "Ninja Night" is this Saturday, February 8th. You can get registered using these links. If you have boys in both age groups, you can choose your session. It will be another fun night!
Grades K-2: https://app.jackrabbitclass.com/regevent.asp?xID=3710026&orgid=531732&internal=1
Grades 3-5: https://app.jackrabbitclass.com/regevent.asp?xID=3710064&orgid=531732&internal=1
Wellness Wednesday February 12
Share with us what you are doing!
February 20 Coffee Chat: 9:00-10:00 AM
Take a break for some coffee and company with Dr. Tennies, Meg, and other families. This is a great time to get connected to other parents and grandparents. Come by the Family Resource Room! We'd love to see you!
February 14-18
No school for students
Celebrate Valentine’s Day and Presidents’ Day with a mid-winter break!
Tuesday, February 18th is a Professional Development Day for staff.
Kindergarten Registration
Do you know a child who will be 5 by September 1st and is zoned for Chestatee? Kindergarten Registration is happening now at the Hill Center! Use this link for the 3-step enrollment process. We also have some special events planned for this spring and summer for 2020-21 kindergarten students!
Click this link to register your child:
https://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/KKenroll
Registration will be at the Hill Center 3/2-3/6 with extra dates planned 4/27-5/1. Beat the lines by getting enrolled now!
Contact Meg Killingsworth if you need help:
770-887-2341 ext. 722122
Our Communi-T-y is the BEST!
Farmers Insurance
Mathnasium of Coal Mountain
Dojo 400
Our PTO is a GREAT Way to Get Involved!
Our PTO board members raise money to help teachers and our school.
You can support our PTO in 3 different ways.
1. Look for sign-ups throughout the year to help at events.
2. Become a member by joining PTO with your membership dues.
3. Support a school fundraiser!
A Few Words From Your Family Engagement Coordinator
Dear Families,
February is the month of love, and I love the involvement I see every day at our school!
Here’s a list of the involvement in the past month, and it is quite simply amazing!
- APTT brought huge crowds both nights in January.
- The PTO had beautiful “snowflakes” arrive for the Daughter Dance.
- Boys will have a fun Fusion night sponsored by PTO on February 8th.
- Volunteers pour into our classrooms, Watchdog Dad program and media center to help run the school efficiently.
- Every day, the stage is crowded with lunch guests.
- Folks drop by the Family Resource Room to get materials or ask questions.
- Donations of food and warm clothing for winter pour in daily for kids in need.
- Our business partners in the community help the school in any way they can. Donating food or clothing, funding special projects, or sponsoring programs or events, we have the best community and business partners too!
From parents and families to our community and partners in education, we feel the love.
We want to say thank you for the outpouring of support to make Chestatee such a great school!
See you soon,
Meg
Meg Killingsworth, Family Engagement Coordinator
mkillingsworth@forsyth.k12.ga.us
770-887-2341 ext. 722122
Don't Forget....
Box Tops/ Soup Labels
The procedure will be changing in the near future (we will keep you posted!)
For now, keep filling out your Box Top Sheets and turn them in to Ms. Donna in the front office.
Kroger and Publix will donate money too...
Publix Partners with Chestatee also. You only need to put your phone number in as you checkout. Publix will donate a certain percentage of their profits to Chestatee from your purchase!
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