Comet Connect
September 20, 2021
Principal's Message - Comet Connect Weekly Video
Video Message: https://youtu.be/4Ss24rZtz8I
Important Information:
Parents, please have conversations with your students. Many of you may be aware of the “Devious Licks” challenge being passed around on social media sites, namely Tik Tok, that encourages students to vandalize school restrooms. It is a nationwide trend that at this time is rearing its head in our country. In this challenge, kids are encouraged to, among other things, splatter red Kool-Aid all over the restroom and to damage or take soap dispensers and other items. The damage caused in the bathroom can be significant and highly disruptive to the school day. We are all about teaching and learning at Grace. We wanted to ensure your awareness and that processes and practices are in place which discourage such behavior.
At Grace Snell, we are pursuing a culture of academic rigor and excellence. We all must diligently work together to ensure that we create graduates in the South Gwinnett Cluster.
Keep up the great work and support as we begin the new semester.
We are Respectful, Responsible, and Ready - #R3
Your Proud Principal
Darlene Brown
CogAT Testing - September 21, 2021 (8th Grade Only)
Dear Grace Snell Families,
On Tuesday, September 21, 2021, your child will be participating in the 2021 administration of the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) which measures students’ verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal reasoning abilities. The results of this test will help assess how well your child is performing and assist with plans to meet your child’s academic needs.
The three batteries of the test: Verbal Battery, Quantitative Battery, and Nonverbal Battery will be given in one day. Each battery consists of three subtests, and students have ten minutes to complete each of the subtests for a total of 90-minutes to complete the assessment.
Thank you for making sure your child is present and on time for test day. Our staff wants to provide your child with the best opportunity to be successful. Although no studying or preparation is necessary for this test, the following recommendations should help your child do his/her best each day:
- Get plenty of rest
- Eat a healthy breakfast
- Be at school on time
- Be prepared (glasses if needed)
Thank you very much for encouraging and supporting your student during testing. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Ms. Patricia Merritt at (770) 554-7770.
PTA Fundraiser
Grace Snell Fundraiser
Grace Snell Middle School fundraiser started September 15th, and we need your help. Our goal is to raise $15,000.00 for Profits will be used to fund more chrome books for the school..
It's as simple as 1, 2, 3!
1. Register TONIGHT at https://www.shopfund.com/
2. Share custom student support links with family & friends.
3. Student Goal: 5 Online Supporters.
REGISTER-SHARE-WIN: Sharing gets you tickets for chances to win over $100,000 in instant prizes.
Fundraiser Links:
* Why We Fundraise - (https://vimeo.com/showcase/8770815)
* How To Videos - (https://vimeo.com/showcase/8752340)
* Kick-Off Videos - (https://vimeo.com/showcase/8752356)
* Parent Letter - (https://bit.ly/3jRGh5O)
* Prize Program - (https://bit.ly/3lIg22X)
On behalf of myself and the staff at Grace Snell Middle School, thank you for doing your part to make our fundraiser a success.
Sent from Mail for Windows
Intramurals are Here
Intramurals run in both the fall and spring. We typically offer basketball, volleyball, and soccer, but these are always subject to change.
INTRAMURAL RULES
1. Intramurals are open to all students.
2. Intramurals will be held Monday - Thursday.
*Monday Mornings– 6th grade 7:45- 8:55
* Tuesday Mornings 7th - Grade 7:45- 8:55
* Wednesday - 8th Grade 7:45- 8:45 am afternoon 4:00-5:30
* Thursday – 8th Grade 7:45- 8:45 am afternoon 4:00-5:30
3. The student must be dropped off in the car rider lane no earlier than 7:50 a.m.
4. All participants must exhibit good sportsmanship and the established school rules.
5. Students are responsible for securing all their own personal valuables. It is strongly recommended that each student bring a lock to secure their valuables in a locker. Thank you for taking the time to read our guidelines.
We need your feedback for the 2022-2023 School Year Calendar
2022-2023 School Year Calendar Options
Please take a few minutes to provide your feedback on the calendar options for the 2022-2023 school year by clicking here for 3 questions
Option 1: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kDR2oFKXLJH3981sawHGQd1ZUuRYxWtq/view?usp=sharing
Identical to the current calendar
7 days of preplanning
3 day staggered start
Fall break and a similar break in February
Early Release each semester
3 Digital Learning Days each semester
Option 2: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AHxYMb_2XwB7k4Pv_czZgFZhaS2SebSZ/view?usp=sharing
7 days of preplanning
2 day staggered start
Fall break and a similar break in February
Early Release each semester
1 Digital Learning Day Fall semester only
Option 3: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pEzyeaBH8b0yF5BXkINYCxDB0vUKOQxB/view?usp=sharing
7 days of preplanning
Later start (First day of school August 8)
No staggered start
Fall break and a similar break in February
Early Release each semester
1 Digital Learning Day Fall semester only
Shorter Winter Break (due to later start)
PTA
Please use the link to sign up
Interest Form for School Council/PTSA/Volunteer
Please join our PTA! Our wonderful PTA supports our school on numerous projects to include meals, teacher grants, events, and teacher and student support. The cost of joining is minimal, but the support they provide is invaluable. Additionally, please support them and get your “spirit wear swag”. You may join PTSA anytime via MyPaymentsPlus.com. You can also send our Executive Board ideas for programs, activities, or support for both our students and parents.
School Council
Volunteer
Hispanic Heritage Month
Teachers and students at GSMS kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month by coming on the morning announcements to share more about their home countries and cultures. Ms. Mosquera and her team have a full month of reading, activities, lessons, and more planned to help students reflect on the significance of this celebration.
Medication Reminder
Students are not permitted to transport medication to school. If you would like for your child to take any medication during school, including Advil, Tylenol or prescription medication, you must provide the medication to the school clinic worker and complete the appropriate paperwork. Parents must bring and pick up all medication for students. If your child needs an inhaler, please contact the clinic directly for directions.
WATER BOTTLES
PARENTS:
Please frequently visit the Grace Snell Middle School
and the GCPS website during the school year to access important 2021-2022 school year information!!
Please stay up-to-date with your child's progress through the Parent Portal. Please reach out to individual teachers via email if you have questions regarding your child's performance.**
Student hours are:
9:15 AM - 4:00 PM
**Reminder: Students are not allowed in the building until 8:55 AM unless they have a pass from a teacher.**
Free and Reduced Lunch / Lunch for Digital Learners
GCPS will provide meals free of charge to students and children 18 and younger through the end of the school year.
*Even with lunches being provided to students at no cost this year, it is still important to fill out the free or reduced lunch application for other student benefits!*
For those in need of an application for free or reduced lunch, it can be found here.
You can learn more about Gwinnett's nutrition program on the county's website.
Digital Learners
Digital learners who attend GOC may pick up meals in the front office Monday -Friday from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Each day's pick-up includes both breakfast and lunch.
Student ID will be required this school year for digital student lunch pick up.
Grace Snell Middle School's Community Garden
Grace Snell Middle School's Community Garden "Where we Plant Seeds to Grow Minds and Food." The Community Garden will be a staple for our school and the community. We will use the garden as a teaching resource for our STEM curriculum, all content levels and beyond. Our goal is to have a thriving educational garden that can provide fresh organic fruits, vegetables, and herbs to the community.
Thank you
How to Check Student Progress - Have they logged into eCLASS? How long did they remain in the class/assignment?
Check out the video for more information on how to check the progress of your student. Great Information included.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VNsak5JbJ4EHSKysTHmfiSQlFDNGnnim/view?usp=sharing
School Clinic News
Need a place to give new, outgrown or lightly worn clothing? Consider sending it to school for the Health Center. Items in Adult XS -L can help children maintain their school dress code requirements.
Tights
Sweatpants
Boy's - Men's Belts
Items can be added to the collections box near the Parent Center. All items will be collected by PTSA member frequently until Tuesday October 19th, 2021.
RISING 7TH GRADE IMMUNIZATIONS
By state law, a valid certificate of immunization (Form #3231) or a notarized statement of religious exemption (Form #2208) is required for enrollment. The certificate of immunization must be completed by the health department or your private physician. A valid Form #3231 must be marked with either "Date of Expiration" or as "Complete for School Attendance." (A certificate marked with a "Date of Expiration" expires on the date indicated. A current certificate must be submitted within 30 days of expiration.)
Please review immunization requirements for students and a TDAP-Meningitis parent fact sheet for students entering 7th grade. The new vaccine requirements apply to students who are born on or after 1/1/2002 AND entering 7th grade. The requirements also apply to students who are new entrants to 8th-12th grade. New entrants are students who have never attended any school in Georgia or have not attended any school in Georgia for at least one full school year.
If I Make Up My Missing Assignments, What Could My New Grade Be?
Please watch this StudentVUE Grade Slider Video for more details and information. This video is also on the Grace Snell Middle School main eCLASS Landing Page.
Handbook & Mypaymentsplus
Those without an account will need to create one by going to MyPaymentsPlus.com; click on “Register” for a FREE account.
https://www.mypaymentsplus.com/welcome
Grace Snell Middle School 2021-2022 Student/Parent Handbook
When you register, you'll see:
Attendance Protocol Form - page 35 GCPS Student/Parent Handbook
Parent AKS Brochure – 6th -8th Grade
Extracurricular Activities - page 35 GCPS Student/Parent Handbook
Car Riders and Walkers
Please click below for an important update to our car rider procedures for the 2021-2022 school year.
Morning Car Rider Hours: 8:55-9:15
Afternoon Dismissal will begin at 4:00
Please fill out the forms and return them to the homeroom teacher. You may email the form to the office clerk for each grade level. If you are unable to print the form, please complete this information on a separate sheet of paper and we will attach it to the form.
6th: Katrina Brown - katrina.brown@gcpsk12.org
7th: April Chappell - april.chappell@gcpsk12.org
8th: Camille Pollard- camille.pollard@gcpsk12.org
Have you signed up for Parent Portal?
If you have not already signed up for Parent Portal, please contact Kimberly Arenas at kimberly.arenas@gcpsk12.org to complete the sign-up process. The Parent Portal allows parents to monitor student progress throughout the year. No more waiting for report cards to get an update on grades; you may simply check the Parent Portal at your convenience. Other features allow you to view attendance, lunch account balances, checked out and overdue books, and emergency contact information.
Parent Portal & Student Portal Updates
Student Data Validation/Change Process
The Student Data Validation/Change Process is online via the ParentVue Update Student Information tab within the Parent Portal. To ensure receipt of all school information updates, it is important that all information is reviewed and updated annually. Please use this feature to ensure all necessary contact information (i.e., emergency contacts, pick up lists, cell phone numbers, doctor numbers, and any necessary medical information the school needs to know) is up-to-date and accurate.
The information provided here is our primary emergency contact information, and it is crucial that we get accurate parent/guardian telephone numbers and addresses.
Supply Lists
Supply Lists
Supply lists are available on our website on the Supply Lists Page
*Please note that teachers may have additional supply requirements for each grade level.
Title IX Compliance
Title IX Compliance at Grace Snell Middle:
Patricia Merritt- Local School Title IX Coordinator
For more information on Title IX Compliance click Here: Title IX Compliance Poster Link
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The community continues their support of our schools, students, and staff through generous grants.
Grace Snell Middle School
Website: gracesnellms.org
Location: 3800 Brushy Fork Road Southwest, Loganville, GA, USA
Phone: 770-554-7750
Twitter: @gracesnellms