Star News
April 1, 2021
A Message from Dr. Connery
Dear Simpson Families,
Happy Spring! It was wonderful to see so many of you during recent events (via ZOOM or socially distancing) including Conversation with Connery Night, Mad Italian Spirit Night and celebrating Exceptional Children’s Week. Parental involvement is so important. Thank you for your support and participation in your child’s education at Simpson Elementary!
During the testing window of April 22nd- May 18th, we look forward to our 3rd-5th grade students demonstrating all they have learned when they take the Georgia Milestones End of Grade (EOG) State Assessment. Our teachers have created many learning opportunities to help students succeed and we are confident that they will do well. To further support information regarding state testing, we will be hosting a 3rd-5th GMAS Parent Session via ZOOM on Thursday, April 15th at 6 PM. Your assistance is needed to please make every effort to have your child here and on time during this testing window. Thank you and as always, do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance. Have a wonderful spring break!
Proud to be your principal,
Dr. ConneryMonth At-A-Glance
April Calendar Dates:
April 1: Spring into Girl Scouts via Zoom-6:00-7:00 PM
April 5-9: Spring Break
April 6: Kindergarten Online Registration Begins
April 15: Georgia Milestone Parent Information Session-6:00-7:00 PM
April 15: Kindergarten Registration Begins at Simpson by Appointment Only
April 20: Digital Learning Day
April 22-May 18: Georgia Milestones Assessment
Save The Dates-Upcoming Digital Learning Days! (asynchronous learning only for teacher staff development day)
- Tuesday, April 20th
Conversation with Dr. Connery
Georgia Milestones Assessment Information
Hello Parents,
We will begin Georgia Milestones Assessment testing on Thursday, April 22, 2021 and testing will conclude on May 18, 2021. Please open the attached calendar to see the specific dates and times for our 3rd-5th grade students. ES_EOG 2021 Milestones Schedule for 20-21.docx
In Person Inform​ation
If your child is attending school in person, please see the attached letter titled In Person GMAS Parent Letter. GMAS IN Person Parent Letter 20-21.docx
Digital Learning Infor​mation and Updates
If your student is a digital learner, please see the attached parent informational flyer for our Digital Learning Students. Read the flyer in depth to gain a deeper understanding of our plan to test our superstars. Then complete the registration form only if you have a Digital learning student that could be tested for GMAS. The deadline to complete the survey is Monday, April 12, 2020. Digital 2020-21 Milestones ES Flyer 3-5-21 english (1).docx Digital 2020-21 MILESTONES ES flyer Spanish FINAL 3-5-21.eq (1).docx
Digital Learner Car Rider information- You can drop your students off between 8:50-9:10 am in the Car Rider Line. Please write on a piece of paper your students name, grade and homeroom teacher and send it with your student. When you come to pick them up at 1:00, please write your student's name, grade and homeroom teacher and place it in your car window. This will help ensure that our students get home safely.
Lunch- You can send a lunch with your student to eat after they complete testing.
FYI- Testing may take longer than the expected 1:00 p.m. completion time. Please check your email just before you leave just in case we may need to delay pick up time.
Here is a link to an inclusive website that you can use to help your students prepare for testing. https://medaro.weebly.com/gmas.html
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at jeanette.johnson@gcpsk12.org or on my direct line.
Sincerely,
Jeanette Johnson
Assistant Principal
Office: 770-417-2400
Direct Line: 770-417-2413
Reminder: Safety Concerns During Morning Arrival
Safety Concerns During Morning Arrival
Due to an increasing number of parents parking in the front parking lot and walking students across the bus lanes in the morning, we are asking for your assistance to ensure safety for all students and GCPS staff.
Beginning Monday, April 12th….
- Please use the car rider line for morning drop off.
The car rider line is open from 8:20 - 8:45.
The front parking lot should be used to drop off special occasion items (i.e. medicine for the clinic or birthday treats), and Speech appointments only.
Parents who arrive AFTER the car rider line closes (The traffic barrier is the indicator that the car rider lane is closed.) must park in the front lot and walk their child to the door.
Your assistance with this procedure will improve the traffic flow of our car rider line, but most importantly, will allow students and staff members to enter our school safely. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Bylan Swift, School Safety Administrator.
Information about Fall, 2021 in GCPS
o GCPS will return to in-person learning in the fall of 2021-22. Please refer to your district school messenger that was sent on Tuesday, March 30th.
o While all students will be scheduled for in-person instruction for the fall, as a default the district will offer families the opportunity to opt-out of in-person learning, allowing their children to participate in a modified digital learning option.
o Parents contemplating a modified digital learning option for their children should consider:
- Year long-commitment
Digital learning will be different than in the fall
Digital learning is not optimal for every student
Parents may opt-out of in-person for one student and in-person for another.
o Families that wish to opt-out of in-person learning for their students will need to complete the online form available in the Parent Portal or using the Parent VUE app for those that have parent portal accounts. The deadline to submit the opt-out form is Sunday, April 4th at 11:59 PM.
Kindergarten Registration!
Kindergarten Registration will begin April 15, 2021 by appointment only. For more information, please visit our school registration page: https://www.gcpsk12.org/domain/7656.
Please share this information with daycares, preschools, and families who have rising Kindergarteners for the 2021-2022 school year. We look forward to seeing you!
If you have any questions, please call the school office or email our registration team.
Angie Perez angela.a.perez@gcpsk12.org
Tiffany Ellner tiffany.ellner@gcpsk12.org
Jeanette Johnson, K-2 Assistant Principal, jeanette.johnson@gcpsk12.or
Traveling Outside the US for Spring Break?
A Reminder from Nurse Norris
Spring has arrived! Enjoy your spring break and remember to follow COVID-19 guidelines.
Please remember to follow these important guidelines so we can continue to have a safe, healthy and fun school year!
Please keep your child home if they have any of the COVID-19 symptoms:
-Fever of 100.4 or above -headache -sore throat
-cough -loss of taste or smell -congestion or runny nose
-fatigue -nausea or vomiting -diarrhea
-shortness of breath -muscle or body aches
If a student has symptoms consistent with those of COVID-19 while at school, they will be sent to the isolation room and you will be notified to pick them up immediately. We will be evaluating suspected cases on a case by case basis according to the Department of Public Health guidelines for when they can return to school.
The clinic is in need of boys and girls pants in all sizes. If you have any old pants to donate, please send them in.
Medications:
If your child has medication that must be taken at school (inhalers, epi-pens, etc), please call the clinic at 770-417-2405 to schedule an appointment for medication drop off. All medications MUST be brought in by a parent. Students are not allowed to bring medications to school. Forms that need to be completed for medication and health plans are on the Simpson website on the clinic site: https://www.gcpsk12.org/domain/7660
Simpson Spirit Night with Mad Italian Curb-side Delivery!
Attention Rising Sixth Grade Girls: Information for the Norcross Junior Blue Devils Volleyball Tryouts in May!
Norcross Youth Football and Cheerleading Registration Information!
Georgia Platinum Award 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2016 and 2019!
2010 Georgia School of Excellence!
2012 and 2018 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence!
Calling All Volunteers for '21-'22 PTA Committees
The PTA Nominating Committee is hard at work filling the open PTA positions for the 2021-2022 school year. Serving in one of these positions is a great way to have an impact on our school and its programs.
Here are a few of the positions we need volunteers for:
- Yearbook Committee Chair
- Class Coordinator Liaison Shadow
Visit our website to see all the amazing programs and events our PTA coordinates and to see your donations at work.
If you would like to learn more about the different roles that need to be filled, please email nominatingcommittee@simpsonespta.org.
ATTENTION 5th Grade Parents!
Promotion yard signs are now available for purchase for $25.
The ordering window will close at midnight on Monday, April 12, so don’t delay.
ORDER HERE NOW https://stores.inksoft.com/simpsonelementaryspiritwear/shop/home
Sale start date: Thursday, April 1
Sale end date: Monday, April 12
When the signs arrive, we will email you the pickup time window, so please make sure you give us the best email to contact.
SCHOOL SUPPLY KITS FOR 2021–2022 SCHOOL YEAR!
Online orders will be accepted now through June 27th
- Visit www.educationalproducts.com/ShopPacks/ to place your order
- Enter School ID - SIM037
Questions? Contact Melanie Willenborg via schoolsupplykits@simpsonespta.org
NOTE: This is a PTA fundraiser to provide paper towels, Kleenex, wipes, and hand sanitizer for all Simpson classrooms!
STATE REFLECTIONS WINNERS!
Dance Choreography
K – Jerry D. (3rd Place)
2nd grade – Cate O. (3rd Place)
Music Composition
K - Garrett V. (1st Place)
K - Mason M. (2nd Place)
1st Grade - Evan M. (1st Place)
1st Grade - Luke B. (2nd Place)
2nd Grade - Logan W. (2nd Place)
3rd Grade - Francis V. (1st Place)
4th Grade - Torrie D. (2nd Place)
5th Grade - Lyla W. (1st Place)
5th Grade - Brooke N. (3rd Place)
Photography
K - Adam O. (2nd Place)
2nd Grade - Arden W. (1st Place)
5th Grade - Lyla W. (2nd Place)
Film
K - Adam O. (2nd Place)
2nd Grade - Arden W. (1st Place)
2nd Grade - Mia M. (2nd Place)
Literature
K - Adam O. (1st Place)
2nd Grade - Arden W. (1st Place)
2nd Grade - Mia M. (2nd Place)
3D Visual Art
K - Adam O. (3rd Place)
5th Grade - Lyla W. (3rd Place)
Theme Search Winner
5th Grade - Lyla W.
Congratulations to the following students who also won their grade division. Their entries advance to Nationals!
Literature K – Grade 2 Division winner - Arden W.
Music Composition Grade 3-5 Division winner – Lyla W.
Theme Search Winner – Lyla W.
Students enjoyed a music assembly with Metro Music Therapy and had the opportunity to Zoom with singer/songwriter, JP Williams, who shared his inspirational story with all grade levels.
EARN CASH FOR OUR SCHOOL WITH BOX TOPS!
With the Box Tops for Education app, you can turn your everyday receipts into cash for Simpson. Please go to the PTA website for detailed instructions.
Sign Greeters
Sign Greeters creates yard art to help you celebrate your special day in an unforgettable way. Whether it’s a birthday, graduation, baby shower, bar/bat mitzvah, anniversary, or any other celebration, Sign Greeters has big, fun yard signs that are sure to make everyone smile!
Sign Greeters -- Cumming, Duluth, Milton, Norcross, Peachtree Corners
Website/request page:
https://signgreeters.com/greeter/peachtree-corners-yard-greetings/
Instagram page:
@signgreeterspeachtreecorners