Comet Connect
December 14, 2020
Greetings Parents and Students
Dear Grace Snell Families,
Thank you for your support during the first semester. This has been a different semester, but we are proud of our parents, students and staff for adapting to the school year. Thank you again for your support. As we approach the end of this semester, please ensure that your students are reviewing, studying and completing all missing assignments. Final exams begin Monday. Click Here for the full schedule. It is important that students take the time this week to complete any outstanding assignments. Please check the parent portal to stay up-to-date. Please see below, "How to check my progress", to help students see their new grades if they were to make up an assignment.
During the last BOE meeting, there were changes made to the Spring 2021. January 7th will be the first day that students will return to school after winter holidays. On the new calendar, 4 Digital Learning Days have been added (1/26, 3/2, 3/16, 4/20). Students will participate asynchronously(learning from home) as virtual learners on these days. Lessons will be posted ahead of time and teachers will be unavailable for assistance. Please make a note of these changes.
Enjoy your time off by resting and relaxing - we all deserve it. Job well done! May you experience, peace, love, joy and happiness this season!
At Grace Snell, we are pursuing a culture of academic rigor and excellence. We all must diligently work together to ensure that we create graduates in the SG Cluster.
I appreciate your support in finishing this first semester strong!
We are Respectful, Responsible, and Ready - #R3
Your Proud Principal
Darlene Brown
If I Make Up My Missing Assignments, What Could My New Grade Be?
Please watch this StudentVUE Grade Slider Video for more details and information. This video is also on the Grace Snell Middle School main eCLASS Landing Page.
Final Exams
Final Exams will be administered Monday, December 14 - Thursday, December 17. Students should bring headsets and headphone for the final exam.
Review for finals and Connections will begin after homeroom.
The administration of all finals will begin at 1:00.
Monday - Social Studies
Tuesday - Language Arts
Wednesday - Science
Thursday - Math
Detailed Schedule for each grade level is attached.
How to Check Student Progress - Have they logged into eCLASS? How long did they remain in the class/assignment?
Check out the video for more information on how to check the progress of your student. Great Information included.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VNsak5JbJ4EHSKysTHmfiSQlFDNGnnim/view?usp=sharing
Lunch Service - Update
Due to final exams during the last week of school, GCPS will not offer bus delivery meal service December 16th -18th. However curbside service will be available.
The last day for food service will be December 18th. We will resume meal service beginning January 6th. This will include bus delivery and curbside service.
During our newly implemented digital learning days (January 26, March 2, March 16 and April 20), we will offer meal service both curbside and bus delivery.
GCPS will provide meals free of charge to students and children 18 and younger through December 31st.
Students Attending School In-Person
Those attending school in-person will receive meals free-of-charge during their scheduled meal times.
Curbside Pick-up for Digital Learners
Digital learners may pick up meals through the curbside pick-up at each school. Grace Snell's curbside pick-up time is Monday - Friday from 11:00 AM through 1:00 PM. Each day's pick-up includes both breakfast and lunch. Individuals will NOT be allowed to enter the school to pick up or eat meals. Grace Snell's curbside-pickup will be the same as it was for material pick-up. The traffic flow for daily curbside lunch pickup will be at the rear of the school in the car rider lane.
**Gwinnett County Public Schools encourages families who are eligible for the Free Or Reduced Meal Program to complete the annual application to ensure meal benefits continue when the grant waiver expires. Please click HERE.
Students will not be charged for their meals, however please complete the Free or Reduced meals annual application at the link HERE.
Attendance - Important Message for Digital Learning Attendance
The new attendance procedure began in October. Teachers will now take attendance for digital learners who are online during live instruction. Digital learners who are not present during live instruction will be marked with the code “NPD“ which stands for “Not Present Digitally.” Students who are present during live instruction will continue to be marked present digitally with the “DL“ in their teacher’s gradebook.
The new process is more aligned to our normal attendance procedures and the expectations of in-person students. More importantly, it will help families to better support their students as they can clearly see that their student was online during class and interacting with their teacher and classmates, not just logging on to the computer at some point during the day. This information will help families as they partner with the school to maximize their child(ren)’s school experience.
If you have any questions about this new process for capturing attendance, please contact your child(ren)'s grade level office.
Thank a Staff Member
We have received great feedback from parents to share with our staff members. Please continue to submit your positive feedback for teachers or staff members! This link will be continually monitored, so feel free to drop a notes in whenever you see or hear about your child's teacher or another staff member doing something great. We'll be sure to let them know and help brighten their day. Remember, if there is a staff member who has gone above and beyond to help your student(s) and you during concurrent learning, click on the link below and tell us about him/her. We will make sure they hear about the great job they are doing.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1cXkOtJemRTolH1glrNQOtoh1QpzbfmjVSzPYhUcmpOs/edit?usp=sharing
Life Touch Pictures
With picture day now complete, your child's image proofs have been delivered to the school. All in-person students who had their picture made should have brought home their picture proofs for review. All Digital Learning students who participated in Picture Day can pick up their picture proofs at the Grace Snell Middle School reception desk, Monday-Friday, 9:30am-3:30pm. Use the “Portrait ID” on the proof form as well as the unique “Access Code” to securely view and order your student’s images online at https://my.lifetouch.com/mylifetouch/#/ or October picture purchase.pdf
If you have any questions after receiving your proofs or want to order pictures over the phone, you can call the Lifetouch customer service number at 1-800-736-4753. The customer service center is open Monday-Friday from 8am-8pm EST.
Important
Title I Parenting Tips and Tidbits
Being a parent is not easy – that’s undebatable. But, we don’t often consider how tough it is to be a kid. Being young and having to figure out an entire world is a daunting task. With all of their quirks and particularities, children are pretty much just doing the best they can in a society they are just learning about.
Keep these positive affirmations in your parenting tool bag for a simple way to let your kids know that you think they are truly as amazing as they are.
The Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology (GSMST) lottery registration window is now open!
The Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology (GSMST) lottery registration window is now open!
GSMST is a unique high school that focuses on advanced and challenging studies in the fields of engineering, biosciences, and emerging technologies. Enrollment for the 9th grade class is open to all 8th grade students who are residents of the Gwinnett County school district attendance zone; who are successfully promoted to 9th grade by the end of spring semester, 2021; and who successfully complete an 8th grade math curriculum that is a full unit of Carnegie-eligible Accelerated Algebra I or higher.
Registration applications are now being accepted for the 2021-2022 freshman class. The registration deadline is January 22, 2021.
Detailed info and the registration forms are available on the GSMST website. You will also find information regarding upcoming informational meetings that will be held at GSMST on the website. You can also access information on our website.
2019-2020 Yearbooks have arrived
Also, yearbooks for the 2020-2021 school year are available for purchase on MyPayments Plus.
Do you have a special talent with layouts? Or do you just want to help your child's school? One way to help is by joining the yearbook committee. No experience is required, you can do it from home, and it is a lot of fun. We'll train you with everything you need to know to help us design the school's yearbook. Please contact layla.bell@gcpsk12.org if you are interested.
Guidelines for In-Person and Digital Learners
PARENTS: Please make sure to frequently check the GCPS website for all updates regarding digital and in-person learning. You can also visit the Grace Snell website for information and updates at https://www.gcpsk12.org/GraceSnellMS.
We want to ensure your safety during your time at school. We are committed to keep learning as our number one priority. Please be reminded that students will take their backpacks with them throughout the day (no lockers will be available).
All students returning for in-person learning are strongly advised to bring a device with them to school each day as teachers will continue to utilize a digital learning platform to serve all of their students, and in-person students using their own devices will minimize sharing and reduce any potential spread of germs.
Attached are a few key points to expect during our face to face return to learning.
Mypaymentsplus
Those without an account will need to create one by going to MyPaymentsPlus.com; click on “Register” for a FREE account.
https://www.mypaymentsplus.com/welcome
Attendance Protocol Form - page 35 GCPS Student/Parent Handbook
GCPS 2020-2021 Student/Parent Handbook – Middle School
Grace Snell Middle School 2020-2021 Student/Parent Handbook
Parent AKS Brochure – 6th -8th Grade
Extracurricular Activities - page 35 GCPS Student/Parent Handbook
Car Riders and Walkers
Please click below for an important update to our car rider procedures for the 2020-2021 school year.
Morning Car Rider Hours: 8:55-9:20
Afternoon Dismissal will begin at 4:00
Please fill out the forms and return them to the homeroom teacher. If you are unable to print the form, please complete this information on a separate sheet of paper and we will attach it to the form.
GSMS Permission Form for Car Rider/ Walker
IMPORTANT!!
Does your student need a device/hotspot?
For families in need, we have a limited number of Chromebooks and internet hotspots for checkout available to assist students during digital learning.
Please contact Dorothy McCall at dorothy.mccall@gcpsk12.org or 770.554.7750 to request a device.
Have you signed up for Parent Portal?
Parent Portal is always important but especially as we begin this school year in a digital format. If you have not already signed up for Parent Portal, please contact Kimberly Arenas at kimberly.arenas@gcpsk12.org to complete the sign-up process. The Parent Portal allows parents to monitor student progress throughout the year. No more waiting for report cards to get an update on grades; you may simply check the Parent Portal at your convenience. Other features allow you to view attendance, lunch account balances, checked out and overdue books, and emergency contact information.
Parent Portal & Student Portal Updates
Parents who already have an active parent portal account:
The new Parent Portal is now available for parents that have an active parent portal account. A link to resources including the new parent portal flyers, as well as the registration form are available on the GCPS website.
Click here for the flyers and the registration form
Student Portal Update:
A new link for StudentVUE is available on the student portal. This will replace the GRADES tab that students previously used to view their schedule.
Click here for StudentVUE Fall 2020 information
**Students can now get their grades, schedules, and more from an easy to use app for StudentVUE!**
Student App for eCLASS Course Pages eCLASS on the Go!
This is another useful App for students!! Please click below to find out more about the Student App!!
Parent Portal App is now live for GCPS families!
Available for both Android and iOS, all you'll need to do is download the ParentVue app and log in with your parent portal credentials. If you do not have a parent portal account, please email kimberly.arena@gcpsk12.org to get one set up!
Resources
For more information about the the the transition to in-person instruction, please refer to the GCPS Return to Learning Hub
https://publish.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/gcps/myhome/public/schools/learninghub
Digital Learning Hub- Click here for videos, quick guides, and resources to help students and families this fall during digital learning and as we transition to in-person instruction.
Supply Lists
School Supply Lists (click here)
It is our goal to minimize the sharing or passing back and forth of any materials, technology, and/or papers while in the classroom. That is why we are asking that students attending in-person learning bring a device with them to school each day. Internet access will be provided for all district and personal devices while students are in school.
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Grace Snell Middle School
Website: gracesnellms.org
Location: 3800 Brushy Fork Road Southwest, Loganville, GA, USA
Phone: 770-554-7750
Twitter: @gracesnellms