The Norcross Elementary Eagle
Family Newsletter - August 6, 2020
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Norcross Elementary School Families,
Dear Parents,
As you know, GCPS released a timeline of dates that students may return to school in-person by grade level. The face-to-face return is still by choice. Your choice to send your child in-person or keep him or her virtual has been recorded based on the survey you took several weeks ago. Confirmation letters will be mailed from the district next week. If you have any questions please contact the school at 770-448-2188.
School still begins on August 12th and will be online for ALL students until the phase in begins with in-person learning for those who selected that option. As you know, we will begin with kindergarten, first grade, and self-contained students on August 26th, if conditions allow.
Here at Norcross Elementary, we are working hard to prepare for this plan. We know that you have already met your teachers and that digital learning information has already been shared. Please be patient with us as we pivot our plans to correlate with this new timeline. More information will be coming soon as we meet with leaders, teachers, and staff to finalize our plan.
Right now, we encourage you to continue to focus on getting your child ready for digital learning on August 12th. We are looking forward to "seeing" you then!
Proud to be your Principal,
Kassia Sutton
Note: All information is subject to change.
We will get through this…stronger…together. We are Norcross. We are #NorcrossStrong!
Kassia Sutton, Principal (kassia.morris.sutton@gcpsk12.org)
Jamie Elsey, AP (Gr. K, 1) (jamie.elsey@gcpsk12.org)
Staci Gelbaum, AP (Gr. 2, 3) (staci.gelbaum@gcpsk12.org)
Contacia Cross, AP (Gr. 4, 5) (contacia.cross@gcpsk12.org)
Amber Amick, Counselor (amber.amick@gcps.k12.org)
Amy Crapo,Counselor (amy.crapo@gcpsk12.org)
Note: All information is subject to change.
Resources and Materials
Dear Parents,
Below is information for picking up resources for the beginning of the year. In terms of device distribution, we will be using a generated list from the district to determine device needs for our families. The needs will be prioritized according to those with no access and then limited access.
Devices (need based) and/or material distribution (workbooks, manipulatives, other items deemed pertinent by the teacher, etc.) is scheduled for
Monday, August 10 Please follow the schedule below.
Device and Material Distribution
8:30-10:00 K-2
10:00 -11:30 3-5
Tuesday, August 11. Please follow the schedule below.
Device and Material Distribution
9:00-9:45 5th Grade
9:45-10:15 4th Grade
10:15-10:45 3rd Grade
10:45-11:15 2nd Grade
12:00-12:30 1st Grade
12:30-1:00 Kindergarten
Please follow the instructions below.
Parents/students place a paper in the windshield of the vehicle with the student first and last name/grade/teacher. Use a bold marker to write the information so it is visible.
School personnel will retrieve the bag and place the bag in the trunk/hatch of the car or back seat.
Students and parents are not allowed out of the car. No students or family members will be permitted to exit their vehicle or congregate with others. This will be strictly enforced for the safety of all.
Retrieval Location
This transaction will take place in the bus lane. Please ENTER the bus lane via Born Street (back of school) and exit onto to Hunt Street (front of school).
GCPS District Wide Technology Check
Purpose:
To test systems readiness for school opening
To assure students are able to log-in and access class
How:
Schools will communicate with students and parents, asking all students to log in to a school-designated class at 11:00 – 11:30 on Monday, 8/10.
From within their course pages, teachers will conduct a brief tech test with students by:
- Having students access and view a short video or video clip from within SAFARI Montage
- Conducting a brief Zoom session (or the video conferencing system that will be regularly used for class, i.e., Google Meet, Microsoft Teams)
- Having students access a web application/tool that the teacher plans to regularly use for class (e.g., Google Suite/Google Classroom, Nearpod, Kahoot, Quizlet, Desmos)
Teachers will track students who are successful accessing class/content/activities
School will track technical issues/concerns shared by students or parents.
On Monday, August 10 at 11:00 am, please log into your teacher's Eclass page. Prior to the test, log in to see if your child remembers the log in. If your child does not, contact the teacher for the password.
How to log-in to eCLASS course pages
- Student Help instructions and videos: Student Help Resources
Please use the form below to inform us of technical issues. https://forms.gle/mih7UYF8CQksfZiEA
In Person (IP) or Digital Learning (DL) Selection
All students will begin DL instruction August 12.
Conditions permitting the following framework will be implemented for IP instruction:
August 26 K and 1st grade in person, all self-contained classes
September 2 K, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades in person
September 9 All grades in person
CAFETERIA: BREAKFAST AND LUNCH
Meals will be available for pick-up Monday – Thursday from 11:15-12:15 beginning August 12. Thursday’s pick-up will include meals for both Thursday and Friday.
- Students will be offered the choice of both a breakfast and a lunch each day.
- Students will need their Student ID cards. This allows us to process and properly account for the meal. The cards will be available during the retrieval process on August 10th and 11th.
- The student does not need to be present to receive a meal. A Parent/Guardian may pick up a meal for their child but they must have the Student ID card in order to validate their child’s enrollment and eligibility.
- Students will be charged for their meals based on their current eligibility of Free, Reduced, or Full Pay.
- Students will be able to pick up a meal at any school within their assigned Cluster.
- There will be no charging of meals and there will be no alternate meals provided to those without method of payment.
- In order to limit direct contact, we strongly encourage parents to add money to their child’s account via MyPaymentsPlus. However, we will still accept cash payment if needed.
- You will need to wear a mask when on campus.
- Pick-up will be near the cafeteria on Born Street.
All students will be charged for their meals based on their current eligibility status (Free, Reduced, or Full Pay). As a reminder, SY20 student eligibility carries over for the first 30 days of school. Please be sure to completed the lunch eligibility form prior to the 30 days. Use the link below to apply online.
PARENT SUPPORT – Parents, we want to partner with you!
•Parenting is hard, and as educational experiences have improved it is sometimes harder for parents to support students today than it was a few years ago. Please know our faculty and staff is here for you and your student.
•Be on the lookout for Parent Seminars and emails with information to help you and your student.
•The updated GCPS Parent Portal, rolling out in August, will make it easier for parents to see assignments, including missing ones. It also will allow parents to access student information, including gradebook data, discipline, report cards, transcripts, calendars, and more. Please sign up.
Signing up for the Parent Portal is important for staying connected. Please contact us if you do not have access.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1.What will digital learning look like in the Fall of 2020? - Teachers will provide both live (synchronous) and recorded (asynchronous) lessons and independent work. This means that students will be required to participate in digital learning beginning at 8:30 AM each day. Students should plan to both follow the schedule with their teachers (synchronous learning), and also complete activities and assignments (asynchronous learning) on their own time to meet assignment deadlines.
2.How will grades be calculated? - All digital courses will have the same grading policies and practices as the in person version of the course. Each week, there will be some graded assignments will be included in the gradebook. The grading will NOT be like last spring.
3.Will attendance be taken during digital learning classes? - Yes, attendance will be taken daily.
4.Is the student code of conduct still in effect for remote students? - The student discipline code of conduct is still applicable for students during digital learning.
5.Does that mean students will be expected to be in front of a computer for six-plus hours a day? - It is not likely that students would be online in live classes the entire school day. However, since teachers will be at their schools during school hours it is safe to assume most digital instruction will occur during that time. Based on feedback from the spring, we are encouraging teachers to conduct more live (synchronous) lessons. Platforms such as Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams may be used for these sessions. Other assignments may include other recorded videos are independent work, which can be done any time during the day. We believe the use of a variety of instructional methods will be best for students. However, teachers will not be expected to continue instruction after school hours.
VISITORS
Please help us by adhering to the visitor guidelines and safety practices.
SUPPLIES
How to Stay Connected
Principal – Kassia Sutton (kassia.morris.sutton@gcpsk12.org)
Assistant Principal - Gr. K, 1 – Jamie Elsey (jamie.elsey@gcpsk12.org)
Assistant Principal - Gr. 2, 3 – Staci Gelbaum (staci.gelbaum@gcpsk12.org)
Assistant Principal – Gr. 4, 5 – Contacia Cross (contacia.cross@gcpsk12.org)
Website: https://www.gcpsk12.org/NorcrossES
Location: 150 Hunt Street, Norcross, GA, USA
Phone: 770-448-2188
Facebook: facebook.com/NorcrossElementarySchool-GCPS