October Newsletter 2018
Chestatee Elementary School
A Letter From Dr. Tennies, Our Principal
Welcome October! How wonderful to see the first quarter of our school year almost complete. Our students have completed many assignments, taken a few assessments, and learned standards for their grade levels. October brings our first formal opportunity for parent-teacher conferences at Chestatee. Finding the time to meet and discuss progress is important, and so is asking questions. The basic question, “How is my child doing?” usually is present at all meetings, but I want to share some more questions that you might like to ask:
· What resources should my child be using outside of class?
· What are my child’s strengths?
· Where should my child improve?
· How does my child get along with other students?
· What is the best way for us to communicate?
I hope you find the conversation valuable. Although this is our first official parent teacher conference, I would like to share that you are always welcome to reach out for a meeting at other times as well. Our partnership thrives on ongoing communication.
We are also excited to have several students in our upper grades conducting student led conferences this month. The preparation that students and teachers put into the process promotes academic growth and helps students take ownership of their learning. Hearing your child talk about their work and their goals can be a proud moment for a parent.
We are looking forward to seeing you on campus this month!
Kindly,
Dr. Polly Tennies
Principal
INCREDIBLE Things Happen at the "T"!
Thank you PTO for our Amazing Eagle Dash!
Homecoming Week was a BLAST!
Congratulations to Dr. Jonathan Feicht
Congratulations to our Recycle Rangers!
A big thanks to Green School Coordinators, Lisa Hills and Susan Brady, for winning the GOLD Green School Award.
Former Chestatee Student Trey Melville wins Keep Forsyth Beautiful's Student of the Year Award!
3-5 Academic Parent Teacher Team Meeting/ Curriculum Night
Thank you so much for coming to our 3-5 APTT/Curriculum Night. We are looking forward to seeing you again at conferences later this month!
3-5 APTT Night Winners!
Jaylyn's mom from Mrs. Splawn's class
Marissa's mom from Mrs. Carley's class
What's New At the T?
Teacher of the Month Nominations
Congratulations to September Teacher of the Month- Taylor Wade!
See our Garden Grow...
Fall planting is in progress for the kitchen garden!
We are using the greenhouse to grow flowers that will be sold at the Fall Festival to support our STEM program!
Our Tower Garden is producing many foods that are being served in our cafeteria!
Live to Give Supports our Troops!
Our 7 mindset club, Live to Give, is partnering with a local radio station to insure that every service man or woman currently serving will receive a handwritten letter on Thanksgiving. Chestatee’s goal is to collect 1,200 letters by November 1. We are tracking our letter writing progress with a large graph by the front office! Feel free to write letters at home and send them in!
Passion First!
What's Coming up at the T?
Book Fair- October 4-15
We need volunteers to help us make this the best Book fair ever! Please sign up here.
Report Cards go home- October 18th
Early Release for Parent Teacher Conferences- October 17 and 18
No school for students/ professional development day- October 19
Fall Festival- Friday, October 26th from 6-8
Veteran's Day Celebration Friday November 9
Be sure to sign up for the Chestatee Team for the iRun on October 6!
Our Communi-T-y is the BEST!
Holiday House Information
Want to Join PTO?
Thank you to Our School Store Sponsor!
They will be providing the cool items students get to "buy" at our school store with their Bravo Bucks! Please check them out here!
You can also check out their Facebook page.
A Few Words From our Family Engagement Coordinator
Thank you for making Academic Parent Teacher Team Meetings and Curriculum Night a big success! 755 students were represented on the actual nights in the classroom. More than 100 parents have come for make-up sessions since then! Our families are so involved, and you make me very proud, Chestatee!
Parent Teacher Conferences are coming this month. This is a great time to reflect on how the year is going with your child’s teacher. You’ll be able to discuss your child’s progress in all of the subjects and get the teacher’s perspective too. October is always an exciting time, so thank you for taking the time out of your schedule to sit down together.
Here are 3 tips for making your child’s conference great:
1. Remember your child’s teacher is on your side. As teachers, we want what is best for each child. We have their best interests at heart. Whether it is finding ways to challenge, remediate or stay on track, we like to work together with families to help students.
2. Share your perspective of how school is going. You know your child best. So share things like successes and difficulties for your child. How does your child talk about school at home? How is homework going? Sharing these items helps us better understand your child.
3. Bring any questions you have with you. I like to write questions down so I don’t forget anything pressing I need to ask. If something doesn’t make sense or you need clarification, please ask! All questions are great questions!
Our teachers are amazing! We can’t wait to see you in October for conferences.
If you need materials after your conference, stop by the Family Resource Room (302) and see me! If I’m not available or you don’t have time to wait, drop a note in my bucket by the door or on my desk. I will find some materials to help your child and send them home. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you need anything!
See you soon!
Meg
mkillingsworth@forsyth.k12.ga.us
770-887-2341 ext 722302
Parent Advisory Council
Are you interested in joining our Parent Advisory Council at Chestatee?
We meet 4 Fridays throughout the year from 11:00-12:00.
Email Meg Killingsworth at mkillingsworth@forsyth.k12.ga.us if you'd like to join.
We discuss what's happening at Chestatee and get feedback for making our school even better!
Free and Reduced Lunch
Click here to apply. Need help filling out the form? Stop by and see Meg Killingsworth in the Family Resource Room (302). Or give her a call or email. She’s glad to help! Can't come in?
Here's a video with directions!
770-887-2341 ext 722302
Don't Forget....
Box Tops/ Soup Labels
Remember if you full up a box tops page, Ms. Donna has a prize you can earn!
Kroger and Publix will donate money too...
Publix Partners key-ring cards are available in the front office for to you scan every time you buy groceries at Publix. Publix will donate a certain percentage of their profits to Chestatee as well!
See Ms. Donna in the front office for one of these cards, or send a letter with your child asking for one, and we will send one home for you!
We love our Partners in Education!
Chestatee Elementary School
Email: chestateees@gmail.com
Website: http://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/site/default.aspx?domainid=260
Location: 6945 Keith Bridge Road, Gainesville, GA, United States
Phone: 770-887-2341
Facebook: facebook.com/ChestateeES
Twitter: @chestateees