Knightly News
Friday, December 2, 2022
Every Student, Every Day, Deserves to Learn, Lead, & Excel!
Message from Ms. Perkins ~ Simonton ES Principal
Our holiday luncheon will take place Thursday, December 8, 2022 and Friday, December 9, 2022. Tickets will be on sale on MyPaymentsPlus through Tuesday, December 6, 2022. Students may also bring cash or a check on Monday. Luncheon tickets will go home on Wednesday, December 7, 2022. We are looking forward to seeing all of our families.
There will be no school on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 due to election day. This will be a Digital Learning Day. Students will complete all assignments online. We will welcome everyone back on Wednesday, December 7, 2022.
Have a wonderful weekend!
2nd Grade's Living Wax Museum
Season's Greetings from Simonton ES!
Student Devices
Beginning Wednesday, December 7th, all student devices will remain at school.
All devices are needed for the scheduled End of Semester testing. Therefore, students who use their school-issued device for our next Digital Learning Day, Tuesday, December 6, 2022 will need to make sure that their Chromebooks return to school on Wednesday, December 7th.
Also, over the winter break, they will receive the IT maintenance and upkeep that is needed to keep them in proper working condition.
December 6, 2022 ~ No School
December 6, 2022, has been designated as a Digital Learning Day
Gwinnett County Public Schools has 52 schools that will be used for voting on December 6 for the Runoff Election between Sen. Raphael Warnock and Herschel Walker for one of Georgia’s U.S. Senate seats. To provide the highest levels of safety for all schools and students, and to allow GCPS principals, election board officials, and district support staff to provide the conditions for an efficient election, December 6 has been designated as a Digital Learning Day. For information about voting in the runoff, go to the Gwinnett County Elections Page.
On this specially scheduled Digital Learning Day, students will access lessons in eCLASS but do not have virtual class time with their teachers. To ensure that students have a nutritious breakfast and lunch to fuel their learning, our bus drivers will be on the road and at every bus stop to deliver free meals prepared by the School Nutrition Program staff.
Families should expect buses to run their routes from approximately 10:45 a.m. to noon, beginning at the first stops on the route. These delivered meals are provided at no cost to families and are available to anyone 18 years old and under.
Simonton Holiday Luncheon
We are excited to invite our families to the Simonton ES holiday luncheon this year. To accommodate all classes the luncheon will take place over a two-day time period.
You are able to purchase tickets via MyPaymentsPlus or you can send cash or checks to the school with your student(s).
Hard copies of the flyers went home, so please check your student's yellow Simonton folder. However, it is also attached below if needed.
Upcoming Event Dates
Monday, December 5- Friday, December 9
- PTA Holiday Shop
Tuesday, December 6
- Added Digital Learning Day (run-off elections)
Wednesday, December 7
- STEM Camp Session 1 (K-2nd) ~ 3:00-5:30 pm
Thursday, December 8
- Holiday Luncheon (1st, 2nd, 4th, & Multigrade level Classes)
Friday, December 9
- Holiday Luncheon (Pre-K, K, 3rd, & 5th Grade Classes)
Saturday, December 10
- Holiday Breakfast ~ 9:00-10:00 am
- Lawrenceville Merry Little Christmas ~ 12:30 pm (Downtown Lawrenceville)
Tuesday, December 13
- Holiday Musical
Wednesday, December 14
- Science Assembly
- 5th grade Holiday Hat Day
- STEM Camp Session 2 (K-2nd) ~ 3:00-5:30 pm
Thursday, December 15
- PTA Spirit Night at Urban Air ~ 5:00- 9:00 pm
Friday, December 16
- End of Semester 1
Monday, December 19- Wednesday, January 4
- Winter Break
Back by Popular Demand ~ The SES PTA Holiday Shop!
We need your help to make the holiday shop a success for our students. The holiday shop will be open Monday, December 5. The Simonton ES PTA will need many volunteers to help out. If you are available, please contact the PTA at Simontonespta@gmail.com.
PTA Holiday Shop
The Holiday Shop will also be open Saturday, December 10th during the Holiday Breakfast.
SES Winter Parties
Thursday, December 15th:
3rd Grade ~ 12:00 PM
Kindergarten ~ 1:00 PM
Friday, December 16th:
1st Grade ~ 12:45 PM
Hicks & Shoemake ~ 1:00 PM
PreK ~1:00 PM
2nd Grade ~ 1:00 PM
4th Grade ~ 1:00 PM
5th Grade ~ 1:00 PM
Attention K, 1st, and 2nd grade students!
Do you love STEM? Do you like learning about animals? Are you curious about how their bodies help them survive in the wild? Do you like going to Six Flags or other amusement parks? Have you ever thought about making your own rides or roller coasters? If any of this sounds like fun to you, be sure to sign up for our FREE Simonton STEM Camp coming up in December. Students will stay after school, but they will need to get picked up by someone on their approved pick-up list when camp is over at 5:30pm. Just CLICK HERE to sign up! Once you sign up, look for an email and paper confirmation from Mrs. Aseltine!
12/7/2022 Amazing Animal Structures - 3:00pm-5:30pm
12/14/2022 Amusement Park FUN - 3:00pm-5:30pm
Simonton ES All Pro Dads Chapter
We are excited to relaunch our Simonton ES All Pro Dads chapter! All Pro Dads is a wonderful opportunity for fathers, grandfathers and any other positive figure in a child's life to partner with the school. Events and meetings focus on building a strong, healthy and postive relationship with your student.
Prior to Covid, Simonton had a robust and active chapter. Thank you to Mr. Reginald Williams and Mr. Jackie Sweets, who have volunteered to help restart our chapter.
If you are interested in volunteering, please click on the link below. Stay tuned for meeting dates and events.
International Night
We are in need of parent volunteers and helpers. If you would like to create a display, share a talent or just help out, reach out to Mrs. Deb Saha at Debjani.Saha@gcpsk12.org.
Parent Mentors Present: “Behavior Strategies to Help Parents”
Who: Parents/Guardians of students receiving Special Education services
What: Parent Mentors Present: “Behavior Strategies to Help Parents”
When: Thursday, December 8, 2022, 9:30am – 11:00am or 6:00 pm-7:30pm
Where: In-Person registration link for 9:30am session: https://forms.gle/xTksoSuzno7Sb8D19
Zoom registration link for 6pm session: https://gcpsk12-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIvfuyoqTMjG9Nqcg5rJNslLNjIcamVniMF
See flyer below for more details...
SES ~ Building Construction
If you are visiting Simonton ES in the next few weeks you will see contractors working in the front atrium. The district is installing a vestibule, with shatter-resistant glass, at the front entrance. We are fortunate that no incidents have taken place at Simonton ES, as an additional safety measure, this upgrade is taking place in all GCPS schools. Please know we are not attempting to keep parents and families out, but our campus must be safe for students and staff while at school. We anticipate changes to the process for parent/visitor entry and student checkout and will send additional communication at a later date. The front entrance will be accessible while the construction is taking place.
Blueprint for the Future
The Blueprint is designed to ensure our Portrait of a Graduate becomes a reality. The Blueprint will also drive the intentional culture shifts that reflect the guiding vision of the Learning 2025 community of practice. Our Blueprint for the Future defines our strategic priorities in four areas: empathy, equity, effectiveness, and excellence.
Gwinnett County Board of Education Town Hall Meetings
The Gwinnett County Board of Education (BOE), our Superintendent, and our entire GCPS system value feedback and input from our stakeholders. The Board of Education believes your insight helps them make better decisions as we move forward together.
To this end, each board member has scheduled a Town Hall Meeting to allow students, families, staff, and community members to have open-ended conversations with their BOE district representative. During these five town halls, Board members will answer questions, hear concerns, and listen to understand your perspective of Gwinnett County Public Schools.
These meetings are structured as informal open forums. There are no set agendas for any meeting, and any participant may ask questions or offer suggestions. All town hall meetings are open to the public. These meetings will not be livestreamed, and interpreters are available. If you need interpretation services, assistance, or have questions, please email MySchoolBoard@gcpsk12.org.
Each meeting will be held at a different school from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the following dates:
· Tuesday, November 29, 2022 – Meadowcreek HS – Dr. Tarece Johnson (Bilingual meeting)
· Thursday, December 1, 2022 – Seckinger HS – Steven Knudsen
· Wednesday, December 7, 2022 – Paul Duke STEM HS – Dr. Mary Kay Murphy
· Tuesday, December 13, 2022 – Parkview HS – Everton Blair, Jr./Dr. Adrienne Simmons
· Wednesday, December 14, 2022 – Archer HS – Karen Watkins
Elementary Handbook Information for Students and Families
On August 18, 2022 the Gwinnett County Board approved Policy JCDI - Board's Theory of Action for Change to Improve Student Behavior and Outcomes (please see attached Policy). This Policy outlines our Board’s commitment to providing both consequences and interventions in order to improve student behavior outcomes.
The Elementary Handbook Information for Students and Families has been updated to include this new change. Please take a moment to read the new handbook and sign off in the Parent Portal indicating your have received a copy of the document. A copy of the document is attached to the newsletter and a link to the documents on the GCPS website is below.
ATTENTION STUDENTS AND FAMILIES WHO LOVE STEM AND PROBLEM SOLVING!
The Gwinnett County Science and Engineering Fair wants you to submit a project that solves a real-world problem! If you watch THIS VIDEO and sign up in my Google Classroom, you will find out lots more about it! Simonton Elementary will be hosting the preliminary Science and Engineering Fair here at school. The top projects will go on to the Gwinnett County Science and Engineering Fair! Can't wait to see your amazing ideas!
Google Classroom - Click on the + - Click "Join Class" - Enter the Code: rgsgpv2
eTips for Parents
Practice math and science in the laundry room
To reinforce your child's math and science skills, put them to practical use. Doing laundry together is one easy way. To practice observation, for example, ask your child, "Does this shirt feel different from that one? Why could that be?" Sort clothes by color or family member to help your child learn to classify. Encourage your child to quantify by asking things like, "Who has the shortest socks in the family? By how many inches?" https://tpitip.com/?12kb18608
Are you an 'askable' parent?
Children are full of questions, and they will seek answers where they can. Being an "askable" parent is the best way to ensure that you will be your child's primary source of information and values. Tell your child you want to answer questions. Never punish, tease or judge your child for asking a question, and don't try to avoid sensitive or embarrassing topics. Instead, say, "I'm glad you asked!" https://tpitip.com/?12kc18608
Offer support when your child feels challenged
Every stage of childhood has its challenges. But if you dismiss a challenge your child is facing as "just a phase," you may make it seem like you don't care. Instead, show support by asking your child to talk about what's going on. Listen without rushing to judgment. Then ask questions to help your child consider ways to handle the problem. You'll still need to correct inappropriate behavior, but your child will know you want to help. https://tpitip.com/?12kd18608
A plan helps get recreational screen time under control
How many hours a day does your child spend watching shows, surfing the web, playing online games and texting? Are screens a distraction from schoolwork? Find out what digital media your child is watching or playing. Then, set limits and plan a screen-time schedule for your family. To encourage a healthy balance, help your child make a list of fun and productive activities to do when devices are off. https://tpitip.com/?12lA18608
Encourage your child to try to solve problems
Parents who rescue their children at the first sign of trouble are sending them a message: "You can't do it without me." Their children never learn how to handle situations themselves. They may not even believe they can. As long as it is safe, let your child try to solve a problem independently. If one thing doesn't work, ask "What else do you think you could try?" Help your child think through the options. Then let your child decide what to do. https://tpitip.com/?12lB18608
Families support school success in important ways
There's no recipe for creating a successful student. But the families of many successful students have some things in common. They read with their children. They make sure that their kids get enough sleep and exercise, and start each day with a nutritious breakfast. These families also encourage and support their children and expect them to work hard and achieve in school. https://tpitip.com/?12lC18608
Encourage your child to do a writing review
Before your child turns in a writing assignment, show how to review it. Teach your child to keep questions like these in mind: Does the writing clearly say what I mean? Does each paragraph focus on one specific idea? Does each sentence have a subject and a verb, and express a complete thought? Have I used words that express thoughts exactly? Is the handwriting neat? https://tpitip.com/?12lD18608
Helpful Resources
Simonton ES PTA
Print the attached membership form and return it to the Simonton ES PTA. Sign up for a membership and volunteer to support an event! Contact the Simonton ES PTA at Simontonespta@gmail.com for more information.
Gwinnett Public Library
SES Business Partners
Simonton Elementary School would like to thank our business sponsors!
Your support and partnership helps us fulfill our mission of having our students Learn, Lead, & Excel!
Mathnasium of North Lawrenceville
Lawrenceville, GA 30043
Phone: 678-756-1392
Stars and Strikes
Dacula, GA 30019
Phone: 678-965-5707
GCPS Flyers
SIMONTON ELEMENTARY- WHAT WE STAND FOR
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
Simonton Elementary School
Deputy Superintendent ~ Dr. T. Nakia Towns
Board Member ~ Mr. Steven B. Knudsen
Cluster Superintendent ~ Dr. Keith D. Thompson
Principal ~ Ms. Tamara G. Perkins
Assistant Principal ~ Mr. Nicholas Gilmore
Assistant Principal ~ Dr. Joe Sanfilippo
Assistant Principal ~ Mrs. Amy Steinberg
Website: https://www.gcpsk12.org/SimontonES
Location: 275 Simonton Road Southeast, Lawrenceville, GA, USA
Phone: 770-513-6637
Twitter: @SimontonPride