Comet Connection

Greetings Britt Family,

I hope you had a wonderful winter break. As we start the second semester, I want to share with you some information. Often winter break is when our students receive new technology, and those devices bring the lure of social media. Unfortunately, based on the age restriction of social media sites, no student at Britt Elementary should have a social media account. Below is a graphic from Action for Children that lists the common social media age restrictions. These restrictions stem from the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act or COPPA, which is designed to place you in control of the information that is collected from your child online. While we teach digital citizenship, our students are just not old enough to see all the implications when communicating and sharing information online. They are still learning. Please ensure that you review your child’s activity online and teach good decision-making skills when communicating digitally.

We also need your help. As we move into the winter months, our air gets dryer, and our kids get thirstier. You are welcome to send in a water bottle for your child. We recommend that you do this when your child has PE because our students do not have access to water in the gym. If you send in a water bottle, please make sure it is labeled with your child’s full name and that you only put water in it. We have two water bottle fillers in our building. Soft drinks and sports drinks are discouraged because students are tempted to share them with friends, they stain our carpets when spilled, and they grow mold when their bottles are lost. Also, athletic shoes, especially those with no-tie laces, are our students’ chosen shoes. They are the safest shoes for PE and on our recess fields. Fashion is good, but safety is better. Our teachers and staff appreciate your support.

We have several activities to engage your students and family in the upcoming weeks. We will celebrate the 100th Day of School and party at Skate Night. Report cards are being uploaded into the Parent Portal, so please make sure you can access them. Our Parent Center is hosting a Lunch and Learns to help you learn to support your child; this month’s lunch and learn focuses on Bullying. Finally, Career Day is in March, and we need your help so our students can learn about many possibilities. More information is in the rest of the newsletter.

Finally, I want to thank you. I appreciate your turning up for lunch, volunteering for activities like Trunk or Treat, and participating in Literacy Night. We love that you are a part of our Britt Comet Family. We are better because you are with us,

Warmest regards,

Melissa Madsen

Britt Elementary is preparing for its annual Career Day on Friday, March 3, 2023 from 9:00 am-2:00 pm. We are soliciting various presenters/career speakers to discuss their professions (Interest, education requirements, etc…) for Career Day. We ask that each staff member invite a community member or a family member to speak to our students about their profession; we encourage speakers to bring job-related visuals for the 25-minute rotating classroom presentation. Please allow time within your 25 minutes for a question answer session in the classroom. We ask the presenter to arrive by 8:30 a.m. for a special welcome and continental breakfast and stay until 2:00 p.m. If they are unable to stay the entire time that is perfectly fine, speakers only available for a specific time please indicate that in the linked sign-up genius. Letters will also go home with students- if parents or community members prefer to complete a hard copy and return to the school counseling department.

We would like to offer our children inspiration, guidance and knowledge to prepare them for the future, please help our career day be a huge success. Please share/use the link to sign-up as a presenter https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0948AEAA2AAAF9C25-career

This year I am participating in a fundraiser that is a “win-win” for you and for your child’s art class here at Britt Elementary. The company is called Square1Art and they make wonderful keepsakes out of your child’s artwork. You can learn more about the company and see their products by visiting https://shop.square1art.com/shop .

We have been working hard in class to complete the art that I will send to Square1Art. Original artwork will be returned to me at a later date. The company will photograph the work to create an individualized catalog of the many different keepsakes that are available for you to buy. Catalogs will go home with your child the week of February 6 and will include free stickers with your child’s art. You can purchase keepsakes directly online, and items will be shipped to your house. Proceeds from the sales will go to Britt Elementary art. It’s that easy!

I am very excited about this fundraiser. It’s a great way to capture a time period in your child’s life and support our art class.

Mrs. Hernandez

Britt Elementary came in second place at the Seventh Annual Snellville Festival of Trees. We will be acknowledged at a ceremony at City Hall on Monday, January 9th at 6:30 pm.

Congratulations to Mrs. McCormick’s Class for collecting the most cans (561) and winning the pizza party! Thank you to all who participated.

Congratulations to our Spelling Bee winners!

The Gwinnett retired Educators will be sponsoring the Bookmobile at Britt on Monday, January 23rd.

The Snellville Lions Club gifted all our 3rd grade students with a dictionary. We thank them for their kindness and generosity.

Play to Learn is at Britt. If you are interested in enrolling call and speak with Dr. Hammami at 770-972-4500. Read here for more information.

• Date: Tuesday, January 17, 2023
  

  Where: Britt Elementary Asteroid Room

  Times: Attend one of the times listed below close to your child's lunch schedule.

  10:15 - Fourth Grade

  10:45 - Fifth Grade

  11:10 - Third Grade

  11:35 - Second Grade

  12:05 – Kindergarten & First Grade

  Learn the difference between bullying and teasing, then have lunch with your child in the school cafeteria.

  For more information, contact Dr. Dawn White, Parent Coordinator at 678-639-3884

All Pro Dad will be meeting in the Britt Café on the dates below. Please RSVP. here.

January 13, 2023, February 24, 2023, March 10, 2023, April 14, 2023, May 12, 2023

1/5/2023 Students return to school

1/10/2023 Access Testing ESOL Virtual Parent workshop

1/16/2023 MLK, Jr Student/Teacher Holiday

1/20/2023 100th Day of School

1/16- 1/20 Report Cards will be mailed home by district

1/17/2023 Parent Workshop about Bullying

1/24/2023 Skate Night at Sparkles

1/31/2023 Awards Night - Invitations will be sent home

2/3/2023 Digital Learning Day

2/3/2023 Spring Pictures

2/16 - 2/20 February Break- No School

3/1-3/2 Early Release Days / Parent Conferences

Yearbooks will be going on sale in March. More information will be sent home when it's time to order a yearbook.

Arrival begins at 8:20 am

Tardy bell rings at 8:50-- Parents must come inside to check out students after this time.

Dismissal begins at 3:20 pm. Car rider dismissal ends at 3:45 pm-- after this time, you must come inside to pick up your student.

Students checked out after 3 pm may be delayed until all dismissal processes are completed.

Office Hours: 7:30 am to 4:30 pm

Website: https://www.gcpsk12.org/BrittES
Location: 2503 Skyland Drive Southwest, Snellville, GA, USA
Phone: 770-972-4500
Facebook: facebook.com/brittelementary
Twitter: @twitter_Brittelementary