September 2021
Chestatee Elementary School
A Letter From Dr. Tennies, Our Principal
Dear Chestatee Families,
When September starts, it is time to launch our A.P.T.T. Partnerships. We frequently hear “What does A.P.T.T. stands for?” Beyond great progress, it means “Academic Parent Teacher Teams.” Families of students who join in partnership see strong results for their children academically. A.P.T.T. is a nationally recognized model from Dr. Marie Paredes supported by the Georgia Department of Education. Families work hand in hand with teachers to accomplish big goals for children. We have seen fantastic outcomes in the five years we have been actively involved in the program. The cornerstone of A.P.T.T. is working together with a clear focus.
This year, our meetings will again be virtual. We will use the Microsoft Teams platform, and your child's teacher will send you the link a few days prior to meeting. I am very proud of our staff for embracing partnerships and finding a way to bring our families the important information. Many people have shared how easy it is to join the meeting from where ever they are!
Families have a major influence on their children’s achievement. When schools, families, and community groups work together to support learning, children tend to do better in school, stay in school longer and like school more! (Henderson and Mapp, 2002)
Teachers learn a lot from parents by listening to what they say about their children, as families know the child best. (Foote et al., 2013)
APTT is a great way to get connected to the school. You'll learn about curriculum and standards that your child will be studying and focus on a skill you can help with at home. There will be fun activities to practice. Our 3rd, 4th and 5th grade meetings are this Thursday, September 2nd at 6pm. The following week, K, 1st and 2nd grades will meet on Thursday, September 9th. Join us from home on Microsoft Teams!
Together we are Chestatee!
Kindly,
Dr. Polly Tennies
Principal
Congratulations to Our Chestatee Teacher of the Year, Kristin Gomez!
Kristin got married last February and was known as Ms. Hamby before that. She and her husband, Andrew, live in Dahlonega, with their cute doggy, Ollie. They enjoy working out together and travelling. She also played softball in college and has a competitive side when it comes to sports. Mrs. Gomez calls Chestatee home, and we are glad she is part of the Chestatee family!
Our admin team set up a fun surprise to announce that Mrs. Gomez was our winner. They arranged for her husband, Andrew, to come to the school. We snuck him in, and he surprised her in our news room. What a fun morning!
The 3 Finalists for TOTY
Kristin Gomez
Lisa Bruce
Kelly Lamb
It's Going to be an Incredible year!!
Our First Orchestra Club Ever got Started!
We Received Grant Money for our Second Step Program!
Summer Learners were Rewarded!
Dr. Tennies Recognized the First Positive Office Referrals in the Reading Garden!
Look What has Grown in the Chestatee Garden!
Congratulations to our Staff Member of the Month for August- Meg Killingsworth!
We are proud to announce Meg Killingsworth as our August Staff Member of the Month!
Meg is the Family Engagement Coordinator at Chestatee and has served in this role for six years now. This is her 19th year at Chestatee and 24th year teaching. She has experience in kindergarten, first grade, second grade and special education. After teaching in Indiana, Fulton County, and Gwinnett, Meg knew that she was “home” when she was hired at the T. Meg grew up in Indiana and earned her B.S. from Indiana University.
Meg and her husband, Buzz, have been married for 19 years and have 2 daughters and a pup named Sammy. Kristin is in 7th grade at Little Mill Middle School, and Kate is in 4th grade at Chestatee. Both girls started at Chestatee with their mom when they began kindergarten. As a family, they love time home together, and time at the beach, mountains and lake. Meg’s husband, Buzz, is finishing up his pilot’s license which is exciting for their family.
Meg has received several nominations over the past few years. The latest one said, “I have never seen a school staff member so invested… she views her career as her passion. Each smile she gives impacts the students, parents, and staff in the most heartwarming way.” Others noted that it is rare to see Meg without a smile and that it’s always fun to see her in car line or on the Facebook Friday Show.
We are so happy that Meg works at Chestatee and feel lucky to have her on our fantastic staff to serve families!
A big thank you to our business partners, Ultimate Auto Glass and Electronics, and Mathnasium of Coal Mountain for sponsoring our Chestatee Staff Member of the Month Program!
Teacher and Staff Member of the Month Nominations
2021-22 PTO Information!
Our PTO is a GREAT Way to Get Involved!
Our PTO board members raise money to help teachers and our school.
You can support our PTO through our fundraiser, events, and spirit wear.
There are no membership dues this year.
What's Coming up at the T?
Save the Date!
Friday, September 3: Early Release Day
Monday, September 6: Labor Day
Fall Break: September 20-24
Academic Parent Teacher Team Meetings/ Curriculum Nights
Save the dates!
3-5 Curriculum Night and APTT: September 2
K-2 Curriculum Night and APTT: September 9
Virtually at 6:00 PM. Teachers will send the Microsoft Teams link by email and post the link in itslearning a few days before the meeting. Join the meeting by phone (call in), device (download the app) or computer.
What is APTT?
APTT stands for Academic Parent Teacher Teams. Families are invited to learn foundational skills, see data, set goals, and learn games to practice the skills in fun ways. They receive a bag of the materials needed to play the games. We will meet virtually as a class in September, January and May. Individual conferences are held in October.
Mark your calendars! Our goal is 100% Attendance!
We'll Use Microsoft Teams to Meet. Here's a Video to Help You Navigate!
Picture Day is Coming!
Important Cafeteria Information
Our Communi-T-y is the BEST!
Mary and Leon Johnson Dropped GS Cookies and Flyers!
Angel Wiley from Valor Real Estate Brought Goodies for Staff!
Teresa Baker from Feed Forsyth Children Made a Delivery!
Partners in Ed- Faye and Rusty Tarsches from Mathnasium of Coal Mountain Support Our School!
Community Opportunities
Scout Contact Information!
Volunteer Group of the Month: Watchdog Dads
Here’s what you would do:
Wear a WD shirt (we have one to borrow if needed), and help on car line by smiling, greeting kids, and helping them get out of the car.
Please know that we cannot permit any entry of parents into the school at this time per FCS guidelines.
Questions? Contact Meg Killingsworth
770-887-2341
A Few Words From our Family Engagement Coordinator
Dear Families,
The 2021-22 school year is well underway, and although it didn't start the way we planned, there's a lot in which to be grateful. I'm very grateful for you, our students and our staff every day. And I'm also thankful to be face to face at Chestatee together.
With not being able to come into the building, I wanted to share ways to stay connected and up to date on your child's progress.
1. Communicate with us! Our staff is just a phone call, email, or click away! Your child's teacher is here for you and your child. Because teachers teach all day, we have other staff here to assist you too. Reach out to us with your needs. We are all in this together and here to help each other!
2. Check out what your teacher sends home. From graded papers to notes to newsletters to emails, teachers will give you a lot of information all year long. This will help you see your child's progress.
3. Come to Conferences this Year- even if they are virtual! Academic Parent Teacher Team meetings will be virtual for our first meeting. We hope you can join us! It's a great time to get to know your child's teachers and other staff members. APTT is 9/2 for Grades 3-5 and 9/9 for Grades K-2. Individual conferences will take place in October. It is yet to be decided if they will be virtual or face-to-face.
4. Like us on Facebook. If you aren't on Facebook, you can see our posts from our website. Scroll to the bottom and click the "Facebook" button. We are posting information, pictures, and fun daily to show folks what's going on at our school.
5. Click what you need using the T List! This is a great way to get resources into your hands. We can send items home or even deliver if needed. We are here for you!
The T List:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScBbXZYwTZd0Ph5FAiejMaY9ogaC6p3Idh_lxCNGAJ0TRvwwQ/viewform
Connections are key. They mean everything! I hope you find a way to stay connected this year.
See you soon!
Meg
Meg Killingsworth
Family Engagement Coordinator
770-887-2341 ext 722122
REMEMBER THE MOMENTS BIG and SMALL!
From the best friend, to the teacher who inspired your child beyond belief, these years are theirs to live.
Don't Forget....
Box Tops/ Soup Labels
The procedure will be changing in the near future (we will keep you posted!)
For now, keep filling out your Box Top Sheets and turn them in to Ms. Donna in the front office.
Kroger and Publix will donate money too...
Publix Partners with Chestatee also. You only need to put your phone number in as you checkout. Publix will donate a certain percentage of their profits to Chestatee from your purchase!
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