Sawnee Elementary
December 2020 Newsletter
A Note from Mr. Hershey
Dear Sawnee Families,
Can you believe that it is already December? We have so much to be proud of the progress that are students and staff have made since the beginning of the year. Yes, this has been one of the most challenging years that we have faced, but we have learned to pivot and will continue to do so as we move into the new year.
One thing that the month of December naturally causes us to reflect on is our goals that we put into place at the beginning of the school year. The focus that we had this year as a staff is "Sawnee United." This focus connects us to our mindset of the month "We are Connected." The four critical components of We are Connected are Embrace Everyone, Maximize Positive Relationships, Build Your Dream Team, and Lead with Value. We can't thank you enough for being as generous as you have been as we have participated in food drives, turkey carpool, and toy drives in support of those that need assistance. The Sawnee community truly is making a difference and I am so proud to be a member of this generous Sawnee Family we are living out the "We are Connected" mindset.
Please enjoy the two weeks off during our holiday season. I hope you make many great memories with your family. If there is anything that we can do to support your family, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Whether our students are learning from home in a virtual setting or learning from school, we continue to strive to provide a safe learning environment for our students each day. We couldn't do this without the support from our parents, PTO, and community.
Happy Holidays,
Mr. Hershey
Principal
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What's Happening at Sawnee?
7 Mindsets - We are Connected
The We Are Connected Mindset teaches us that everyone who comes into our lives can help us to achieve and live our dreams. Working with, for, and through others is crucial to realizing our dreams. When you understand this and constantly seek the positives from relationships with others, your performance in every area of your life improves. In the lessons for this mindset, we help students explore synergies with others, embrace diversity, and relish the competition that will allow them to maximize their potential by working with and through others.
The 4 critical components of We are Connected are:
1. Embrace Everyone
2. Maximize Positive Relationships
3. Build Your Dream Team
4. Lead with Value
Click here to learn more!
Semester 2 Survey Reminder
Survey for Semester 2 Learning Environment:
Please make sure to complete the survey regarding your choice for your child's learning environment for all of Semester 2. The survey needs to be completed for every student. Click here to take the survey – it is due no later than Friday, December 4th.
Yearbook Ordering Information
2020-2021 Yearbook ordering is open now through February 5th at the $30 price. After February the price increases to $35. All sales will end on March 5th, so don't delay purchase your child's yearbook today! Go to www.balfour.com to order!
Do you have a 5th grader and want to purchase a yearbook ad? They are on sale now through February 1st for just $20!. You can pay and provide your ad information through My Payments Plus (click here for instructions) or send in the ad form with cash or check. The yearbook is NOT included with the ad payment, you do have to purchase the yearbook separately through Balfour. Ads spots are limited, and we can only do 1 ad per student.
2020-2021 Art Fundraiser
Original Works Art Fundraiser
There is still time to place an order. Late order deadline is Friday, December 4, 2020.
If you need your child(ren)'s ordering information, please contact Celeste Duhamel at
Thank you to everyone who placed an order with Original Works. We raised over $2,000 for the Visual Arts Program at Sawnee. Orders placed by the November 22, 2020 deadline will be delivered to Sawnee before we leave for Winter Break. Orders placed by the December 4, 2020 deadline will be delivered to Sawnee in January of 2021.
Birthday Celebrations
Several people have asked about buying for a teacher's birthday, and YES you can do that too! When filling out the form on MPP, simply enter the teacher's name in instead of your student's name. If you need to pay by cash or check please send it in with your child in an envelope with the student name, teacher name and date you would like the treat. If you have questions please contact Sharon Hamilton at shamilton@forsyth.k12.ga.us.
Birthday Ice Cream Pack Instructions (English)
Birthday Ice Cream Pack Instructions (Spanish)
If you have any questions, please contact Sharon Hamilton at shamilton@forsyth.k12.ga.us.
Clinic News
Sawnee Families, please continue to communicate with your teachers any illnesses, covid symptoms and exposures. If any member of your household if planning to get tested or has been tested for Covid, we ask that you keep all students at home until those results have been received. We appreciate everyone being extra cautious and keeping your children home when they are not feeling well. Feel free to reach out to Nurse Kate or Nurse Robyn with any questions/concerns.
For up to date clinic information, please visit the school clinic webpage link below.
Please help us by reminding your students to Mask Up, Wash Up, Cover Up, Back Up, and Clean Up. Thank you to your students for doing their part in keeping each other and our staff safe & healthy.
Counseling Information
- Sawnee Elementary will be collecting unwrapped toys through Friday, December 4th to support The Holiday House for The Place. Please refer to the Toy Drive Flyer for more information.
- Please check out the December issue of the Forsyth Community Wellness News.
- Calling all interested mentors: Sawnee would love your help. We love our mentors! Please visit https://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/mentoring for more information!
As always, please feel free to reach out to any of us with questions or concerns!
Your Sawnee Counselors,
Bonnie O’Neil & Jansky, Zach Kissell, & Ruthie Urban
*Please see the Community section below for information about resources offered through The Place Forsyth.
Cafeteria News
Harvest of the Month is Citrus and Broccoli
- Citrus is a refreshing way to get your Vitamin C co grab an orange, tangelo, grapefruit or clementine and enjoy!
- Broccoli has many health benefits. It's full of Vitamin A&C and fiber. Broccoli helps to maintain a healthy heart and aids in treating cancer.
Reminder: you can add money to your child's lunch account through My Payments Plus for purchasing extra items such as chips, water bottles or ice cream.
Mrs. Hughes (Cafe 1) & Mrs. Silvers (Cafe 2)
Fall Pictures Update
Face to face students who had retakes on November 4th, these are being processed now and should be sent home within the next two weeks.
Virtual students who pre-paid for picture packages, will receive them via mail directly to your home.
If you have any questions, please email Andi Moran at amoran@forsyth.k12.ga.us.
Costumes for Life - Update
1st Place: Mrs. Collett's 2nd grade raised $836
2nd Place: Mrs. Marteny-Bottoms' 3rd grade raised $472
3rd Place: Mrs. Chester's 5th grade raised $324
Carpool Turkey
Important Dates to Know
December 8 - Marco's Take out Tuesday
December 11 - Spelling Bee
December 15 - PIzzeria Azzuri Take out Tuesday
December 22 - End of 1st Semester
December 23-January 5 - Winter Break, No School
January 5 - Village Burger Take out Tuesday
January 6 - 1st day of 2nd Semester
January 12 - Marco's Pizza Take out Tuesday
January 18 - Martin Luther King Day - NO SCHOOL
January 19 - Papa John's Take out Tuesday
January 26 - Zaxby's Take out Tuesday
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PARENT CORNER
Sawnee PTO
2020-2021 Board Members
President- Emily Hawkins
VP Education - Emily Nelson
VP Hospitality-Taylor Milburn
VP Family Engagement - Sarah Deal
Treasurer-Nicole Hale
Secretary-Sabrina Thomas
- Website: https://www.sawneepto.com/
- Contact us: sawneeptoboard@gmail.com
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Partners in Education
Business Partner Spotlight
Do you have a local business that would like to become a partner with Sawnee Elementary? Please contact Derrick Hershey at dhershey@forsyth.k12.ga.us if interested.
Community Events & Information
Check out the Forsyth County Parks and Recreation website for the winter/spring activity guide, holiday closures, athletics and so much more.
Contact Sawnee Elementary
Website: http://forsyth.k12.ga.us/sawneeelementary
Location: 1616 Canton Highway, Cumming, GA, USA
Phone: 770-887-6161
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SawneeES/
Twitter: @SawneeElem