The Parsons Happenings
April 23, 2021
In this edition...
Message from your Proud Principal
Safety Update (Soft Lockdown)
Georgia Milestones Testing (GMAS)
Superintendent Search Survey
Summer Enrichment Acceleration
Korean DLI Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten Registration (Korean translation)
Kindergarten Registration
5th Grade Finale Info
5th Graders Take on Playground Erosion
Book Mobile
Community Service Month
30 Days of Service Challenge
Donations Week
PTA News
Autism Awareness
Middle School Summer Career Academy
Join the GCPS Team
Weekly Events
Business Partners
Message from your Proud Principal
I would like to extend a special thank you to our amazing PTA who made this event happen and to each parent who allowed their child to stay up a little later so they could attend. No worries if you weren't able to make it because PTA is already planning another movie night for the Fall.
Our 3rd graders began GMAS testing on Wednesday and we know they worked really hard to show their knowledge of the standards. Thank you to our parents and teachers for all your support in preparing our students to make their mark on this statewide assessment. As announced earlier, GMAS will not determine promotion/retention, but it will be used to determine individual learning strengths and weaknesses of this year's standards. It is our school community goal that ALL students learn and are proficient of their grade level's standards. Parsons PRIDE!
Proud to be your principal!
Safety Update (Soft Lockdown)
The following letter was sent to parents by School Messenger on Friday, April 23rd.
GMAS for Third, Fourth & Fifth Grades
Our 3rd graders are off to a great start on the administration of GMAS. We are excited for all of our students in grades 3-5 to show what they know on the Georgia Milestones Assessment this year. If a digital student is coming in for GMAS Testing, the parents will receive an informational email prior to the first day of testing for their grade level. More information about Georgia Milestones Testing can be found on our website.
Superintendent Search Survey
The Gwinnett County Board of Education is moving forward in its search to identify the district's next superintendent.
Superintendent Search Announcement Search for Gwinnett Superintendent Officially Launches The School Board is committed to a transparent process in its search for Gwinnett County Public Schools' next leader. This web page is dedicated to providing our staff and community with information regarding the superintendent search and its progress. It will be updated as the search progresses.
An essential part of the superintendent search process is obtaining feedback from everyone in the community. GCPS is seeking input via a survey on the qualities the community would like to see in the next superintendent. The survey is open through May 16th and is available in English, Spanish, Korean, Chinese, and Vietnamese. Click here to take the Gwinnett Community Superintendent Search Survey.
In-Person Field Day
Summer Enrichment Acceleration
On Monday, April 19, Dr. Clay Hunter presented information on GCPS TV about Summer Enrichment + Acceleration . If you missed the live viewing, you can access the program on the district's website. Each school in Gwinnett will offer Summer Enrichment + Acceleration to provide students exposure to foundational AKS of the rising grade level.
Overview of SEA
This summer’s learning experience for our elementary students has been thoughtfully redesigned to support our students. The SEA learning experience will focus on:
- Acceleration of student learning of foundational AKS
- Previewing the next grade level AKS
- Responsive instruction focused on flexible learning groups
- Strategies which support special education and EL students
- Enrichment opportunities will be provided in Art, PE, Music, and Computer Science
In-Person Selection Criteria:
We will consider the following when identifying students for in‐person learning:
- Grades, classroom and district level assessments, and the student data report provided by the district
- In‐person learning is for identified students who are currently in grades K‐5
Details:
- In-person teacher/student ratio will be 1:15
- We will have one teacher/class for each grade level at Parsons
- In-person students are expected to attend the full day of learning
- Student summer hours will be 8:00AM— 2:00PM
- Breakfast and lunch will be provided
- Transportation will be provided
- In‐person learning is for identified students who are currently in grades K‐5
- Students who are not attending in-person have the opportunity to participate digitally through an asynchronous format which students will access on eClass. Details will be sent in separate communication
- Health and safety guidelines will remain in effect during the summer learning time
Registration for Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program open for incoming kindergartners
DLI registration for new kindergartners starting school in 2021–22 closes on May 13 at 3 p.m. Interested families should complete the DLI registration on the our school's website (Parsons ES). Parsons may consider transfers if available slots are not filled by students in the school zone and families provide transportation. In addition to completing DLI registration paperwork, families should complete registration for kindergarten in an easy two-step process online registration on the district website and a registration appointment at their child’s assigned elementary school.
5th Grade Finale
We are happy to announce we will be having our 5th Grade Finale, 5th Grade Walk, and 5th Grade Celebration on Tuesday, May 25, 2021, from 12:30 pm-2:30 pm. Digital and in-person students will be invited to participate. This will be a student-only event held at Parsons Elementary. We are not able to accommodate families being in attendance, but we are excited to be able to offer a recording of the events that will be posted on our eClass page. A registration form will be emailed to digital parents next week to complete if you want your child to participate. More information and details will be shared closer to the date. Congratulations to our rising 6th graders!
Please note that 5th grade teachers are in NEED OF PICTURES of your child for the 5th Grade Finale Slideshow! See the flyer below for more information on how to submit pictures.
Mrs. Sheppard's 5th Grade Takes on Playground Erosion
Through applicable learning, students identified problem areas of erosion and standing water on our lower playground and developed plans for improvement. What better way to put their plans into action than to have the Project Manager of Site Development, Mr. Talley, visit the class! During his visit, students walked him to the playground so they could present the problem areas and they shared possible solutions. Using the site plans, Mr. Talley and the students identified the 4 drains, the developed slope for water run off, and the retention pond. Mr. Talley confirmed there was an area on the playground that was no longer allowing water to flow naturally to the drain. The students suggested putting down more dirt to create a natural slope which would allow the water to flow to the nearby drain. Students also suggested planting more shrubs or plants to buffer the water flow leading to the lower playground. It was affirming to the students to hear Mr. Talley's solution was the same as their solution!
We were so proud of Mrs. Sheppard's 5th grade students for the role they played in their learning. They took on a real life experience to make a difference in our school. Parsons PRIDE! We also want to give a special thank you to Mr. Talley for taking time to meet with our 5th graders and teaching them about site elevation, water table, and the importance of reading site plans. It was such a great learning experience!
Book Mobile
The mission of the GCPS Book Mobile Program is to put books into the hands of children! Last summer, we were able to give away 61,106 books in June and July. This summer, the Book Mobiles return to a true mobile library visiting 100 stops per week for students to check out books. Check out more in the flyer below.
This month we are encouraging community service in our communities! One way we can help others in our community is to donate to our local food co-ops. During the pandemic, our food co-ops have been a huge source of help to many of our local families. They are always in need of donations and it's possible you may have extras in your own pantry to donate. If you are able to offer donations, they are greatly appreciated!
North Gwinnett Co-Op
4395 Commerce Drive
Buford, GA 30518
Donations are accepted in the back of the building and tax donation receipt is provided.
Donations are accepted during the following hours:
Mondays: 12-8pm
Wednesdays, Thursday & Fridays: 10am-4pm
Saturdays: 10am-2pm
*Items needed: diapers (size 5 &6), white rice, spaghetti sauce, tomato paste, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, canned peaches, pears, pineapples, canned mandarin oranges
canned mixed vegetables, grits, pop-tarts, crackers, potato chips, mayonnaise/ketchup
shampoo/conditioner, feminine pads, deodorant, disposable razors, dish soap, laundry detergent, frozen pizza/meals, hamburger meat/hotdogs, sandwich meat and chicken (frozen/fresh)
Duluth Co-Op
3395 Fox St NW
Duluth, GA 30096
Donations are accepted during the following hours:
Mondays, Wednesday & Fridays: 10am-2pm
Items needed: bar soap **, canned pasta **, ramen noodles ,laundry detergent, dish soap, baked beans, canned fruit, canned tomatoes, canned chicken **, canned beans, canned veggies, peanut butter and jelly, toilet paper, boxed pasta and sauce, chunky soup, macaroni and cheese
(** denotes critical need)
30 Days of Service Challenge
Support Autism Awareness
On April 30th, students may wear something blue to school and donate $1.00. We need your participation to make this event a success! All proceeds will go towards Autism Speaks Organization. Brought to you by the Parsons Special Education Department. Thank you for helping to support a great cause!
Middle School Summer Career Academy (For Rising 6th Graders)
Looking to join the GCPS team?
Monday, 4/26/21
- GMAS ~ 3rd Grade ELA 3
- Feast of Ridvan (Baha'i)
Tuesday, 4/27/21
- Feast of Ridvan (Baha'i)
Wednesday, 4/28/21
- GMAS ~ 3rd Grade MA 1
- Feast of Ridvan (Baha'i)
Thursday, 4/29/21
- Poem in Your Pocket Day
- GMAS ~ 3rd Grade MA 2
- Feast of Ridvan (Baha'i)
Friday, 4/30/21
- Wear Blue for Autism ~ Donate $1
- Crazy Hair/Hat Day ~ Share your crazy hair on the school padlet
- GMAS ~ 3rd Grade Make Up
- Feast of Ridvan (Baha'i)
- National Arbor Day
- Holy Friday (Orthodox)
Parsons Business Partners 2020-2021
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