Curriculum Night

Dr. Watts Visits Parsons

Additional Mask Requirement

Health Guidelines to Minimize the Risk of COVID

District III Area Board Meeting Invitation

Gwinnett Young Singers flyer

STRIVE Program

Afternoon Transportation

Student Check Out

Visitors During Lunch

School Visitors

Need help with school supplies?

GCPS 2021-2022 Approved Calendar

GCPS is Hiring Bus Drivers

Parsons on Social Media

Calendar of Events

PTA News

Business Partners

Parsons Elementary teachers will be hosting

Curriculum Night from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

on Tuesday, August 24th for Kindergarten through 2nd Grade

and Thursday, August 26th for 3rd Grade through 5th Grade.

Curriculum Night will be an informational evening to learn

about the curriculum being taught in class, school and

classroom expectations, parent teacher communication, and

instructional strategies to help your child at home.

Please limit one person per student in attendance.

1) Amazing teachers who continue to adapt and adjust for our students

2) A community that supports education

3) Sustainable achievement even during a pandemic

4) Low numbers of close contact/positive cases due to the precautionary protocols our custodial staff, teachers, and others implement to keep our students and staff safe

5) Positive climate where staff and students love to come to school everyday

It always brings me so much PRIDE to share all the great things going on at our school, but it was even better to hear our students and staff share. Dr. Watts asked students to share their favorite thing about their school. One student said his teacher was his favorite while another said recess. Whether it's the yummy pizza for lunch, recess, or the amazing teachers, we all have Parsons' PRIDE!

In late July, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), updated its guidance for schools, recommending that children, teachers, and others in K-12 schools across the nation wear masks this school year, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status. This recommendation is in line with those of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Based on this guidance and for the safety of our students, staff, and visitors, Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) requires the wearing of masks or cloth face coverings in our schools and facilities and on school buses, regardless of vaccination status. The CDC indicates correct and consistent mask use is a critical step everyone can take to prevent getting and spreading COVID-19. Masks work best when everyone wears them, but not all masks provide the same protection. With that in mind, Gwinnett County Public Schools requires masks to:

• Fully cover the nose and mouth and secure under the chin
• Fit securely against both sides of the face

Masks that have an exhalation valve or vent and masks made from mesh fabrics are not recommended by the CDC as they allow virus particles to escape and spread. As a result, these types of masks do not meet GCPS’ mask requirement. Gwinnett County Public Schools is using the most recent CDC guidance and information about transmission and case rates within our community as part of its decision-making process regarding mitigation efforts. The district will continue to monitor current conditions and updates to guidance, using this information to make changes to its mask requirement and other mitigation strategies during the 2021–22 school year as needed.

GCPS schools have established reasonable and precautionary practices within the school to minimize the risk of infection and/or spread of COVID-19. Guidance is subject to change based on updated recommendations from the CDC/Department of Public Health and will be communicated to local school HRT members.

• Parsons will provide opportunities for regular handwashing.
• Parsons will implement the custodial schedule/processes to clean high touch areas during the school day. ​​​​​​​
• Administration, along with guidance from our local school Health Response Team, will clearly communicate and follow COVID-19 criteria for return to work/school in consultation with county nurses.
• Face coverings are required for all staff, students and visitors.
• Visitors will have limited access to students.

This fall, the Gwinnett County Board of Education will go on the road, meeting once in each Board member’s district. At this year’s Area Board Meetings, attendees will have the opportunity to meet Gwinnett County Public Schools’ new Superintendent, Dr. Calvin J. Watts, and members of the Gwinnett County Board of Education. During the meeting, Dr. Watts will share information about the new school year and his focus as he begins leading Georgia’s largest school district. In addition, meeting participants will learn more about the district’s work to engage the community and will be able to provide input through an online survey to share topics that are of interest to them. Please note that interpreters will be available at all meetings to assist participants who speak Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, or Chinese.

The 2021 Area Board Meetings are organized by School Board district. Families from Parsons are encouraged to attend the District III Area Board Meeting at North Gwinnett High School on August 31st. However, citizens may attend any one of the five meetings.

See the link below for more information.

https://www.gcpsk12.org/Page/31019

STRIVE (Supported Training and Rehabilitative Instruction in Vocational Education) is a community-based work skills program for students with special needs, with an emphasis on acquisition of adult independence. The mission and purpose of the program is to provide real-life work experiences for students with intellectual disabilities in real community-based businesses. During their time in the program, students receive instruction on basic work skills and appropriate work behaviors. STRIVE provides an instructional focus on IEP Transition Plan activities, postsecondary goals, and outcomes. Students learn a variety of job skills as well as soft skills needed for all types of employment. Soft skills include professionalism, work ethic, enthusiasm, teamwork, collaboration, critical thinking, and problem solving. The STRIVE program helps to empower students to reach their full potential, offering many benefits to participating students, including full community integration and inclusion, a competitive edge in the workplace, a bridge to adult life through supported transition, and an opportunity to explore career clusters through a variety of job tasks. STRIVE students are supervised and supported by the program's lead teacher and assistant.

Thank you for allowing us the first two weeks to establish routines, procedures, and expectations for lunch. If you choose to have lunch with your child on a special day, you must wear a mask and check in at the front office to receive a visitor's tag. In order to limit visitor access to all students, we ask you to wait on your child at the cafeteria entrance and sit at the designated parent tables with your child. Your child's teacher is busy monitoring students during lunch, so please be courteous of the teacher's time.

Our cafeteria staff does a great job of preparing an adult lunch bar for our staff and visiting parents. We ask that you do not bring food from restaurants when you eat with your child.

Adult Lunch is $3.75 for a full meal, $2.25 for an entree, sides are $.40, an 8oz. water is $.80, and tea is $.35.

There will be restrictions around parents visiting our school this year. Parents may volunteer at the school, but only in areas with limited access to students. For the safety of our children, all visitors must check in and out through the office and wear a visitor’s badge while in the building. Parents should not visit the classroom in the morning. If you want to discuss the progress of your child, you should call, send an email, or schedule a conference appointment at a time when class is not in session. Staff hours are generally 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM.

Monday, August 23, 2021

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

• 6:00 pm ~ PTA General Membership Meeting
• 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm ~ Curriculum Night Grades K-2
  
• Vote on Parsons Local School Council Nominees

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Thursday, August 26, 2021

• 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm ~ Curriculum Night Grades 3-5
• Vote on Parsons Local School Council Nominees

Friday, August 27, 2021

• 7:15 am ~ All Pro Dads Breakfast/Meeting (Cafeteria)

PTA is the Parent Teacher Association and we make a strong community for all of the children at Parsons. Join us for $7 on My Payments Plus to become a PTA member and we will be stronger together.

PTA General Membership Meeting will be on Tuesday, August 24th at 6:00 PM in the Cafeteria just before Curriculum Night and all PTA members are encouraged to come.

PTA has put up new tether balls in the playground for the children to use during recess. Join PTA for $7 to help be a part of this great organization!

All Pro Dads Breakfast is next Friday

Attend with your student from 7:15 AM - 8:15 AM in the school cafeteria on August 27. Chick-Fil-A breakfast sandwiches will be served with a message to inspire you to spend quality time with your child.

Send any questions or comments to ParsonesPTA@gmail.com