The Parsons Happenings
August 4, 2020
Parsons’ Families,
We are so excited for the upcoming Open House days! Although we would love to greet all of our families in person and give each of our students a hug, we must take precautionary measures to reduce risks. Therefore, In Person Open House on Thursday, August 6th will only be available for parents and students who are NEW to Parsons. These adjustments are meant to reduce the number of people in the building at any given time and promote a safer environment for all. We will also offer a Virtual Open House for ALL parents and students on Friday, August 7th. We encourage ALL parents to join the Virtual Open House session because teachers will be sharing more detailed information about digital learning in the classrooms at that time.
Please let us know if you have any questions about Open House.
In Person Open House for NEW Parsons Students on August 6th
Last Name Time Slots
A-F 8:00am to 9:00am
G-L 9:00am to 10:00am
M-R 10:00am to 11:00am
S-Z 11:00am to 12:00pm
Parent Information for In Person Open House
Only students who are NEW to Parsons Elementary will attend In Person Open House.
Parents will need to limit attendance to one parent per student.
Masks and social distancing will be required.
In Person Open House is a time for the teacher to greet each family and have a few minutes to speak with them. This will not be a whole group presentation.
Please do not enter the classroom until the teacher opens the classroom door.
Teachers will limit the number of parents/students in the classroom to ensure social distancing. No more than 4 families will be allowed in a classroom at one time.
Please bring a pen for your personal use.
Please utilize the hand sanitizing stations and avoid congregating in groups.
Parent and Student Introduction to Online Learning with eClass
We are offering this introductory class to NEW Parsons students and parents on August 6th in the Cafeteria. Due to social distancing, space will be limited. Students must be accompanied by a parent to attend. Class times are 9:00-10:00, 10:00-11:00, and 11:00-12:00.
A virtual introduction to online learning with eClass is also linked below.
Virtual Open House for ALL Parsons Students on August 7th
Last Name Time Slots
A-F 8:00am to 8:30am
G-L 9:00am to 9:30am
M-R 10:00am to 10:30am
S-Z 11:00am to 11:30am
Parent Information for Virtual Open House
Teachers will send an email of introduction to their class on Tuesday, August 4th by 5:00pm sharing 4 Zoom links for the Virtual Open House.
All students and parents will participate in the Virtual Open House.
Parents need to download the Zoom app before logging into the Zoom Meeting on Friday, August 7th.
If a family has multiple children, they may join another time session using one of the links sent by the student's homeroom teacher.
After the Virtual Open House Zoom Meeting, students should log into their homeroom teacher's eClass page. If students are not able to log in successfully, please contact your child's homeroom teacher.
Visitors to the Buidling
All visitors entering the building MUST wear a mask and adhere to social distance guidelines. If you do not feel well, are experiencing any of the symptoms below, or know you have been in contact with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19, please do not enter the building.
Student Supply Drive Thru Pick Up on Monday, August 10th
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Je3lXoYLdx7jjzkKO_wUYwS3MyZnGSM4/view?usp=sharing
District Wide Technology Check on Monday, August 10th from 11:00am-11:30am
All students are asked to participate in a District Wide Technology Check on Monday, August 10th from 11:00am-11:30am. The purpose is to test the GCPS system readiness for school opening to assure students are able to log-in and access eClass pages successfully.
Students will:
Log into their homeroom teacher’s eClass page
Access a short video clip from Safari Montage
Attend a brief Zoom session
Access a web application/tool that the student would use regularly
Coming Soon...Curbside Media Center Services
The first curbside pick up will be the week of August 17th.Click below for an informational flyer about curbside pick up.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1897fUHw1686ZHuVdOAHA_X45985cMVss/view?usp=sharing
Please view the video below to learn more about how to put your books on hold.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BrQIKwh7QivOkrwEx3a6b4-GKzQFBrVu/view?usp=sharing
GCPS Open Letter to Community and Employees from CEO/Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks
Aug. 4, 2020
Dear Parents, Community Members, and Staff,
In March 2020 our world, our lives, and our work were turned upside down by a new coronavirus that had spread across our nation. Like school districts everywhere, Gwinnett County Public Schools responded quickly to keep students learning, while keeping them and their teachers safe. Amid tremendous uncertainty and constantly changing conditions, we did our best to finish the school year strong, always hoping the COVID-19 situation would improve dramatically before time to begin the new school year in August.
Today, just eight days before school starts, there is still much uncertainty surrounding this virus, and more challenges have emerged as we wrestle with determining the best plan for opening school. That decision is made harder because there is easy access to a lot of conflicting information about COVID-19 from multiple sources, while the airwaves are filled with reports about increasing cases in Gwinnett County. We must balance that information against the concerns of parents who fear for their children’s educational progress, as well as their own employment, and need for us to bring their children back to school. At the same time, we must care for our people, many of whom have understandable concerns about returning to work when they feel the virus risk remains high for them and their families.
The Gwinnett County Board of Education and I know that the decisions we make carry high stakes for our families, students, employees, and community members. That is why we have listened to you, read your emails, and reached out to you for input as we developed possible plans for the start of school. Those plans, out of necessity, have changed from time to time, but our steadfast goal has not. We have stated from the beginning of the COVID crisis that in-person instruction for every student is what we prefer and would work to achieve. That remains our primary objective, and is the focus of this letter.
We will begin to implement in-person instruction for students whose parents desire it, and do so as soon and as safely as possible. Here is what you need to know about our plans.
We announced on July 20 that, due to the increasing spread of COVID-19 in the county, our schools would open with 100% digital instruction for all students. Teachers would deliver that instruction from their school sites beginning August 12. That plan remains in effect. Simultaneously, we will take steps to gradually transition to a blend of in-person and digital learning for students, based on their parents’ choices. Our hope is that shortly after the school year starts, we can begin to honor the choices parents made in July for either in-person or digital instruction for their children. A letter confirming the parent’s choice for each child will be sent by mid-August.
Student and staff safety will be the paramount factor in determining the pace at which we will move. We plan to begin small, bringing in a limited number of grade levels at first, then adding more grades on a staggered basis. As we have done throughout the past months, we will rely on guidance from health experts, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Georgia Department of Public Health, and the Gwinnett County Department of Public Health, as well as the Georgia Department of Education, in making that determination.
How might this plan work? The table below represents a “best-case scenario” for beginning the transition for families who want us to provide in-person instruction. Adjustments to the dates and the grade levels listed may be necessary based on the still-fluid COVID-19 situation in Gwinnett County. Regardless of the timeline, we will monitor the local conditions on a regular basis, and with guidance from our health partners, will either slow down the return to school or continue with the plan accordingly. Updates to the plan will be communicated promptly and as far in advance as possible so families and employees have time to prepare. At all times, extensive protective measures will be in place to sanitize our facilities, maintain social distance to the fullest extent possible, and make the return to school safe for children and adults. (A list of these protective measures is posted on the GCPS website.)
Our starting point for providing in-person instruction is outlined in this chart. Actual Starting Dates will be influenced by guidance from the health and educational organizations listed above.
Framework for Implementing Parents’ Choice of In-Person Instruction for their Students
* Dates are subject to change depending on the COVID-19 conditions in Gwinnett County at that time.
** Includes students who spend the majority of the day in a small-group setting: Severe/Moderate & Mild Autism; Severe/Profound, Moderate & Mild Intellectual Disabilities; Emotional-Behavioral Disabilities; ADAPT; GNETS; Visual Impairment; Moderate Visual Impairment; Orthopedic Impairment; Significant Developmentally Delayed; Specific Learning Disabilities (self-contained); Deaf/Hard of Hearing; Early Childhood Program (special needs pre-school).
School district leaders continue to hold discussions about how best to address the needs, as well as the concerns, of our students’ families and our employees. We understand that no plan will be universally popular with all stakeholders. But we are committed to doing what we believe is best for students in terms of their health, safety, and education. We ask for your patience, understanding, and cooperation in helping us achieve a positive, safe start to the new school year for Gwinnett’s children.
J. Alvin Wilbanks, CEO/Superintendent
Parsons' August PTA Meeting
PTA will be hosting the virtual PTA meeting on August 14, 2020 at 9:00am. Please use the Zoom link below to access the meeting.
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/79589219374?pwd=NFZya05yM3V6Z2k0dU9rM2Z1VkthQT09
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