Knightly News
Friday, October 28, 2022
Every Student, Every Day, Deserves to Learn, Lead, & Excel!
Message from Ms. Perkins ~ Simonton ES Principal
Thank you to everyone who sent donations for our Great Days of Service campaign. We were able to collect lots of goods for those in need. Our Simonton ES Student Council did an amazing job assisting with collecting and organizing donations.
Monday will be Halloween Hair Day. The Simonton ES PTA will conduct its annual Halloween Hair day on Monday, October 31, 2022. Students MUST have a signed permission slip to participate.
The PTA will be in the main hall and the U hall on Monday morning between 7:45 – 8:15 am. Again, students MUST have a signed permission slip, along with payment. Thank you ahead of time for your support!
Have a safe and happy weekend!
Book Character Parade Pictures
SES ~ Building Construction
If you are visiting Simonton ES in the next few weeks you will see contractors working in the front atrium. The district is installing a vestibule, with shatter-resistant glass, at the front entrance. We are fortunate that no incidents have taken place at Simonton ES, as an additional safety measure, this upgrade is taking place in all GCPS schools. Please know we are not attempting to keep parents and families out, but our campus must be safe for students and staff while at school. We anticipate changes to the process for parent/visitor entry and student checkout and will send additional communication at a later date. The front entrance will be accessible while the construction is taking place.
Mrs. Shoemake ~ Understanding Neurodiversity
Accessing Student Documents
With parent-teacher conferences ending, please see the attached document that can assist you in locating Student Documents in ParentVUE.
Simonton ES All Pro Dads Chapter
We are excited to relaunch our Simonton ES All Pro Dads chapter! All Pro Dads is a wonderful opportunity for fathers, grandfathers and any other positive figure in a child's life to partner with the school. Events and meetings focus on building a strong, healthy and postive relationship with your student.
Prior to Covid, Simonton had a robust and active chapter. Thank you to Mr. Reginald Williams and Mr. Jackie Sweets, who have volunteered to help restart our chapter.
If you are interested in volunteering, please click on the link below. Stay tuned for meeting dates and events.
Instructional Resources Public Review Opportunity
Staff, students, families, and Gwinnett community members are invited to review and provide input on proposed instructional resources for select grades and courses in Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, Career and Technical Education, Health, and Foreign Language.
Before adopting instructional resources for classroom use, Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) holds an extensive review. Multiple committees involving various stakeholder groups reviewed resources submitted by publishers for alignment with the school system’s Academic Knowledge and Skills (AKS) standards. During the ongoing review process, selected resources are piloted in GCPS classrooms. Data from the reviews and pilots will be considered in making adoption recommendations to the Board of Education in early 2023.
This year’s virtual public review is open now through October 31st. To begin, please visit this link.
What: Instructional Resources Public Review Opportunity
When: October 1 - 31, 2022
Where: Click here to begin the virtual review.
Upcoming Event Dates
Saturday, October 29
- Saturday Intervention (K-5) ~ 9:00-11:00 am
Monday, October 31
- PTA Halloween Hair
Thursday, November 3
- PTA Spirit Night at Sparkles ~ 5:00- 9:00 pm
Friday, November 4
- Mock Elections ~ 3rd-5th grade
Saturday, November 5
- Saturday Intervention (K-5) ~ 9:00-11:00 am
Tuesday, November 8
- Digitial Learning Day #2
Wednesday, November 9
- Literacy Night ~ 5:00-7:00 pm
- PTA Letters to the Military
Friday, November 11
- 2nd Grade Field Trip (high Museum)
- Verterans Day
Saturday, November 12
- Saturday Intervention (K-5) ~ 9:00-11:00 am
GCPS Mock Elections
At the beginning of November, Simonton will be holding mock elections for our 3rd-5th grade students. The goal of mock elections is to provide students the opportunity to participate in a simulation of the democratic process. It is the hope that students will become more civically engaged as adults through this experience. The ballot will show 2 elected offices and a local school 'special issue'.
Students are NOT required to participate in the mock election process. If you would like to opt out, please send in a letter denoting that you do not want your child to participate.
Federal Programs Family-School Partnership Advisory Council (PAC) Meeting Tuesday, November 1, 2022
5:30-6:30 PM
All Families Invited to Attend
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://gcpsk12-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEoce2prDoqEtbRVx_n-4woXtcpPVrReT45
Elementary Handbook Information for Students and Families
On August 18, 2022 the Gwinnett County Board approved Policy JCDI - Board's Theory of Action for Change to Improve Student Behavior and Outcomes (please see attached Policy). This Policy outlines our Board’s commitment to providing both consequences and interventions in order to improve student behavior outcomes.
The Elementary Handbook Information for Students and Families has been updated to include this new change. Please take a moment to read the new handbook and sign off in the Parent Portal indicating your have received a copy of the document. A copy of the document is attached to the newsletter and a link to the documents on the GCPS website is below.
2023-2024 Calendar Options
GCPS aims to create a school calendar that fosters student achievement, while at the same time meeting the needs of our students, families, and communities. We design our school calendar around requirements codified in state law (180 school days for students and 190 days for teachers). In addition, staff and community preferences drive the various breaks throughout the school year. We value your input and feedback on the calendar options for the 2023-24 school year. These options were built based on feedback received from students, staff, families, and our community from previous school calendars. In these options, you will find an option that is very similar to the current 2022-23 calendar, as well as options with different features like the removal of staggered start days, the removal of some or all digital learning days, and the addition of holidays that are inclusive of the rich diversity we have here in Gwinnett County.
Please use this link to review and then share your thoughts on the 2023-24 School Calendar options.
We value your feedback on the calendar options provided for the 2023-24 school year. Thank you in advance for taking the time to review these options and share your thoughts with us.
ATTENTION STUDENTS AND FAMILIES WHO LOVE STEM AND PROBLEM SOLVING!
The Gwinnett County Science and Engineering Fair wants you to submit a project that solves a real-world problem! If you watch THIS VIDEO and sign up in my Google Classroom, you will find out lots more about it! Simonton Elementary will be hosting the preliminary Science and Engineering Fair here at school. The top projects will go on to the Gwinnett County Science and Engineering Fair! Can't wait to see your amazing ideas!
Google Classroom - Click on the + - Click "Join Class" - Enter the Code: rgsgpv2
Gingerbread House Contest
With the holiday season quickly approaching the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse have announced a Gingerbread House contest will be part of the annual Lighting of the Tree festivities this year and are introducing two new holiday events – Brunch With Santa and a Holiday Open House.
- Gingerbread House Contest: We want to display your Gingerbread House during this year’s Lighting of the Tree event. Everyone is invited to build their own gingerbread house that will be on display in the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse’s Superior Court Ballroom from November 24th – November 30th. Entries will be accepted from schools, children/families/individuals, business, organizations and culinary students/professionals. There is no fee to participate. Don’t forget – the annual Lighting of the Tree event is Thursday, November 24th with festivities kicking off at 5:30pm.
- Brunch With Santa or Breakfast With Santa: Children of all ages will delight in a yummy meal, make fun crafts, and share their wish list with Santa, personally! Bring your little ones to hear Santa share a magical story and don't forget your camera for photos with ol' Saint Nick. Preregister by December 2.
- Holiday Family Photos: Bring a camera and your photographer for a 30-minute photo session for holiday photos in one of our many beautifully decorated settings. Reservations are required. Don’t wait primate dates will sell out.
- Holiday Open House: Visitors are welcomed to enjoy self-guided tours of the beautifully decorated Courthouse, including the lovely Superior Court Ballroom, beautiful Blue Ready Room, quaint Intimate Wedding room, and Santa’s homey Living Room. Take photos with personal cameras and enjoy holiday treats with friends and family. Children can leave a letter for Santa in his mailbox.
Helpful Resources
Simonton ES PTA
Print the attached membership form and return it to the Simonton ES PTA. Sign up for a membership and volunteer to support an event! Contact the Simonton ES PTA at Simontonespta@gmail.com for more information.
Gwinnett Public Library
Featured Events for Your Students (All programs start at 4 PM)
-Southern Ballet Theatre Presents: The Nutcracker and A Very Grinchy Christmas will be on November 5 at 10:30am
- Awesome Art: Finger Painting will take place November 9 at 4pm
- Simple Science: Sink and Float will take place November 30 at 11:30am
- Family Lego Challenge will take place November 20 at 4pm
ESL Language Learning & New Americans Programs
We are offering 3 programs for adults who speak English as a second language and want the chance to practice conversationally and for adults who are new to the country as a whole. These programs are:
- Let's Talk:
- In person: Tuesday evenings at 5 PM
- Virtual:
Monday the 7, 14, 21, and 28 at 10am
Thursday the 3, 10. and 17 at 10am
- ESL Movie Club: Thursday, November 3 at 4pm (first Thursday of every month; virtual)
SES Business Partners
Simonton Elementary School would like to thank our business sponsors!
Your support and partnership helps us fulfill our mission of having our students Learn, Lead, & Excel!
Mathnasium of North Lawrenceville
Lawrenceville, GA 30043
Phone: 678-756-1392
Stars and Strikes
Dacula, GA 30019
Phone: 678-965-5707
GCPS Flyers
SIMONTON ELEMENTARY- WHAT WE STAND FOR
Vision
Simonton is committed to dynamic high quality instruction resulting in a passion for learning, leading and excelling.
Core Belief
Every Student Every Day, Deserves to Learn, Lead, and Excel
Commitments
We commit to giving our students a fresh start every day.
We commit to preparing quality and engaging lessons that will prepare our students to be successful in school.
We commit to teaching, modeling and holding our students accountable for appropriate school behavior.
We commit to providing our students with a structured and safe learning environment.
We commit to a great year of learning, leading, and excelling
Simonton Elementary School
Deputy Superintendent ~ Dr. T. Nakia Towns
Board Member ~ Mr. Steven B. Knudsen
Cluster Superintendent ~ Mr. Keith D. Thompson
Principal ~ Ms. Tamara G. Perkins
Assistant Principal ~ Mr. Nicholas Gilmore
Assistant Principal ~ Dr. Joe Sanfilippo
Assistant Principal ~ Mrs. Amy Steinberg
Website: https://www.gcpsk12.org/SimontonES
Location: 275 Simonton Road Southeast, Lawrenceville, GA, USA
Phone: 770-513-6637
Twitter: @SimontonPride