The Parsons Happenings
October 30, 2020
Standard Time begins Sunday, November 1st!
Challenges of 2020
Our theme this year is STRONGER TOGETHER and because of this unity, we will get through ALL that comes our way! I hope all our Parsons' families are safe and endured minimal damage to your homes. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or needs. Have a great weekend!
Halloween Safety
Many parents are wondering if trick-or-treating will be safe this year during the Coronavirus pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued its first guidance for the holidays, including Halloween, in a new posting on their website.
Door-to-door trick-or-treating has been discouraged this year due to the pandemic; however, many communities have released guidelines to reduce the spread of Covid-19 while still allowing children to participate in this annual event. Some neighborhoods are having drive-way trick or treating or trunk or treating which keeps the event outdoors and allows for social distancing. It has also been recommended that parents wipe down candies or allow them to sit for a few days.
Safety Tips:
- Wear face masks to prevent the spread
- Ensure social distancing from those not in your immediate family
- Do not enter neighboring houses
Low risk Halloween activities:
- Carving pumpkins and decorating your home
- Outdoor scavenger hunts
- Virtual costume contests
- Hosting a movie night with household members
- Drive way Trick or Treating with social distancing
- Individually wrapped candies
The CDC suggests, "doing a Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance," as a fun event for children.
In addition to people taking precautions due to the ongoing pandemic, we also need to remember the usual Halloween safety tips:
- Be aware of your surroundings by staying off your phone unless making a call, especially while supervising children.
- Make your child’s costume distinguishable and safe by using glow bracelets/sticks, reflective tape, lights or other items.
- Inspect all treats collected and discard anything that is not sealed.
- Remind children to walk and don’t run on sidewalks or near the edge of the roadway.
- Remind children to stay in front of residences giving out candy and NEVER enter a residence.
- Have a plan in case you and your child get separated.
Monday, 11/2/20
- Detailed Progress Reports emailed to parents
- Mock Election extended to today to students unable to get on and vote 10/30/20
- Student/Teacher Holiday
- Election Day
Wednesday, 11/4/20
- 10:00 am ~ State-wide Severe Weather Drill
Thursday, 11/5/20
- Fall Picture Day (Gym) ~ Digital students see instructions below
- Chick Fil A Spirit Night
Friday, 11/6/20
- Box Top Collection Day
- 9:00 am ~ PTA Zoom Meeting
DETAILED PROGRESS REPORTS WILL BE EMAILED TO PARENTS ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2
Due to many of our teachers not having access to the internet, we will NOT be emailing detailed progress reports to parents on Friday, as scheduled. Teachers will email detailed reports Monday afternoon.
Parsons Fall Picture Day is Thursday, November 5th!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uGh5pw59GnusahPloGjrx7Q2g6VXqUDc/view?usp=sharing
Digital Student Picture Day Instructions
Picture Day is coming up Thursday, November 5th. We will have a camera set up for digital students to use in the gym between 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. Parents will park in the car rider parking lot, walk your student to the gym door and wait by the gym for your student to return. There will be a staff member there to check students in and get them prepared. Parents and students must wear masks and stay socially distanced while waiting. The wait time should be minimal. Students need to bring a card with them to give to the photographer with the following information:
Teacher Name/Grade
Student Name
Student ID
Parent Preference for 2nd Semester Learning
As of October 28th, Gwinnett parents and guardians need to make a decision about how their children will learn during the second semester. Like this semester, families may select either in-person instruction at their child’s school or digital learning at home. As students and families are more familiar with these two options and what they entail, the decisions families make will be for the entire semester.
The Spring Instructional Preference Questionnaire will be available in your Parent Portal account October 28 through 11:59 p.m. on November 15.
Administration will use the survey data to determine a school wide plan for second semester. Until we have the parent preference results we will not be able to determine if any changes will be made. It is always our goal to make the least amount of changes possible and keep consistency for the students and teachers. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
If you do not have a Parent Portal account, please refer to the information below titled, GCPS Parent Portal: 24/7 Access to Resources for your Student.
GCPS Parent Portal: 24/7 Access to Resources for Your Student
We know that families want easy access in one location to find important information about their student's education. Just as important, you want an easy way to stay in touch with the school. The Updated Parent Portal gives parents access to grades, assignments, and communication with teachers. The Parent Portal gives families a direct line to the classroom, with 24/7 real-time information and anytime, anywhere access, with in-portal translation in multiple languages. And that's just the beginning...If you currently do not have a Parent Portal account, click here to access the form to request one.
Parent Portal Registration Form
(Form in other languages: Bosanski / Srpski / Hrvatski ä¸æ–‡ í•œêµì–´ Español Tiếng Việt)
Want to learn more about the Parent Portal and the direct line it provides parents to the classroom?
Parent Portal Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
(Flyer in other languages coming soon: Bosanski / Srpski / Hrvatski ä¸æ–‡ í•œêµì–´ Español Tiếng Việt)
Watch the video below or click here to read about the Parent Portal.
(Flyer in other languages: Bosanski / Srpski / Hrvatski ä¸æ–‡ í•œêµì–´ Español Tiếng Việt)
USDA extends Free Lunches for ALL Gwinnett children through the end of the school year
Thanks to the USDA waiver extensions issued on October 9, Gwinnett County Public Schools is able to offer both breakfast and lunch on school days to all Gwinnett children, ages 18 and younger, at no charge through the end of the school year, including children who are not school-aged and children who are not GCPS students. (Note that GCPS does not provide meals on weekends or on scheduled student holidays.)
These meals are provided at no cost to the individual through the Federal School Nutrition Program. How are meals distributed?
- Students Attending School In-Person
Those attending school in-person receive meals free-of-charge during their school’s scheduled meal times.
- Curbside Pick-up for Digital Learners
Digital learners may pick up meals through the curbside pick-up programs at each school, Monday through Friday, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Families should check with their local school for specific curbside pick-up times and the location of the pick-up program. Individuals will not be allowed to enter the school to pick up or eat meals.
- Curbside Pick-up for Others 18 Years of Age or Younger:
In addition, as part of the Seamless Summer Option, curbside pick-up meals will be available at no charge to anyone 18 years of age or younger, even to children who are not a GCPS student. Please check with your local school for curbside pick-up times and the location of the pick-up program. Individuals will not be allowed to enter the school to pick up or eat meals.
Parsons has been assigned a new Interim Assistant Superintendent
As Dr. Williams transitions to her new position, Parsons has been assigned an interim Assistant Superintendent, Mr. Clifton Alexander. Mr. Alexander currently serves the Collins Hill, Grayson, North Gwinnett, and Parkview elementary clusters and now the newest assignment of supporting the AWESOME Peachtree Ridge cluster elementary schools. Mr. Alexander has been a teacher, Assistant Principal and Principal in Gwinnett County prior to being named an Assistant Superintendent two years ago. He is an exemplary leader and educator and we look forward to him supporting Parsons as our Interim Assistant Superintendent.
The Strategic Direction 2020-2030
To prepare for the next decade, GCPS launched a community-wide campaign to invite input on updating its Strategic Priorities for 2010-2020. That update is called the Strategic Direction for 2020-2030. Like its predecessor, it will be a significant guide for the school system’s work, now and in the future.
FAMILY FINANCIAL FUN NIGHT
The Georgia Council on Economic Education (GCEE) is hosting a fun night of games, prizes, and financial literacy for students ages 5-12 and their families on November 12 from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. Please read this attached flyer.
GCEE is awarding the following prizes:
- a $10 gift card from Kroger or Publix for each family attending the entire event and completing the survey
- a $20 gift card for one family chosen randomly per activity (five activities in all)
Online Safety & Privacy
Here are some resources for parents:
- Do I need to use parental controls for screen names and passwords?
- What are some general rules for screen names and passwords?
- How can I make sure my kid isn't sharing too much information on Facebook or Instagram?
- The bare minimum you should do to protect your family's data
- Here's the secret to raising a safe, smart kid
- How teens track each other on SnapMap
- Colleges are watching, what do your kids post?
AKS at Home provides online resources for families. AKS at Home provides math and language arts resources to support families, along with live and recorded sessions, tip sheets, and more.
Calendar Preference for SY2021-2022
It's time for the Parsons' community to determine our preference for the GCPS 2021-2022 school year. Please view the 3 calendar options below and complete the Google Survey to select your choice. Our school preference will be submitted to the district on November 12.
2020-2021 Gwinnett County Public Schools Promotion Criteria
Doing our part to stop the spread of Covid-19
Please use the COVID-19 Morning Checklist to help reduce the spread of Covid-19. Please continue to follow the guidelines each morning when sending your in person student to school. We have seen a slight increase of cases in Gwinnett and we want to make sure we are ALL doing our part.
Each school in our district has a trained Health Response Team (HRT). If a suspected case of Covid-19 is reported at our school, this team follows set guidelines and procedures. Please be assured that you will be contacted by an HRT member if your child has been identified as 'close contact' to someone in our school who has tested positive for Covid-19.
The most important thing we can do is continue to wear our masks, practice social distancing, and wash hands regularly. We are #STRONGERTOGETHER when we all do our part.
E-SPLOST "Penny Sales Tax" INFORMATION
On Nov. 3, citizens of Gwinnett County will vote to extend the 1 penny sales tax. Please review the links below for more information. Make your vote count!
Link to E-SPLOST referendum information found on GCPS web page
Media Center Information
Unfortunately, there was no curbside pickup on Thursday due to the Digital Learning Day. We will hold your books to pick up next Wednesday, November 4th. Just a reminder that school will be closed on Tuesday due to Election Day. There will be no curbside pickup Tuesday, but you can pick up your books on Wednesday as well. Hope to see you next week for Curbside Checkout! Just make sure you place all books on hold no later than midnight this Sunday. You will receive an email on Monday morning if they are ready for the week.
Parsons School-Wide Reading Program
How to register for the Parsons Reading Challenge
Did you know you have to register for the Parsons Reading Challenge each year just like you register for the Summer Reading Program? You also need to change your homeroom teacher's name in the name field and your new grade level. You already have an account. Your username is your student number, and your PIN is your 4-digit birthday. You have until the end of March to complete the program. You need to enter at least 2500 minutes to earn the reward in the spring. There are monthly competitions along the way. You can earn a badge just by registering and another badge by editing your profile following the directions in the video. Let's get reading, Parsons! Click here to sign in. Beanstack
https://drive.google.com/file/d/16tjOmQTvE5j816-2Bu71Ulb3biv8xcf0/view?usp=sharing
Beanstack How to Join the Challenge and Edit Profile.mp4
drive.google.com
Congrats Parsons Cubs!
Thank you for your participation in our Stop Bully Behavior Challenges. We are so proud of our Parsons Cubs. We had many Parsons Cubs participate and would like to congratulate all of our winners. Below are the winners from our final challenge:
Winner Names to be announced next week.
All parents of winners have received an email to confirm their prize selection. If there are questions, please reach out to parsonsespta@gmail.com.
Week 3 Unity Tree Winners!
Our Week 3 Unity Tree winners will be announced next week.
Thanks for being a Parsons Cub against bully behavior.
NOVEMBER IS NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
Visit NativeAmericanHeritageMonth.Gov for more information and resources.This month's recommended book from the Social Studies Children's Book List is We Are Grateful by Traci Sorell. The word otsaliheliga (oh-jah-LEE-hay-lee-gah) is used by members of the Cherokee Nation to express gratitude. Beginning in the fall with the new year and ending in summer, follow a full Cherokee year of celebrations and experiences. Written by a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, this look at one group of Native Americans is appended with a glossary and the complete Cherokee syllabary, originally created by Sequoyah. Click here for a read aloud of the book on Youtube.
Diwali Festival of Lights
The next PTA meeting by Zoom is on November 6th at 9:00 am. Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/79589219374?pwd=NFZya05yM3V6Z2k0dU9rM2Z1VkthQT09
Meeting ID: 795 8921 9374 PASSCODE: lioncub
Box Top App
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