Sawnee Elementary
January 2021 Newsletter
A Note from Mr. Hershey
Dear Sawnee Families,
With the new year just passing by, most of us have set New Year's Resolutions for ourselves to become better versions of ourselves in some capacity. Our mindset of the month is 100% Accountable. One of the components of this mindset is very simple, yet a great reminder of our experiences from 2020: "Grow Through Life – Life is about learning, and it’s a process of continual growth. We must recognize this and seek growth from all experiences, good and bad. When we do, we are constantly getting better. We must also proactively develop our strengths and build new skills." I think we can all agree that we have learned many new things from the year 2020! And yes, we are ready to grow into 2021!!!
One thing my family has done for the past few years is use a simple process developed by Jon Gordon called "One Word." Each person from my family picks a word that is relevant to themselves...a word that they want to look at as a daily reminder to improve in some capacity. This year, my word is "Gratitude", meaning to stay focused on being grateful for what we do have versus giving negative attention to the challenges that we face each day in the current world we live in. Each of my family members have a word as well and we are able to hold each other accountable on a daily basis to support each other. The goal is never to be perfect, but to continue to improve each day.
Whether your children are learning face-to-face or at home in a virtual environment, thank you for all that you do to support our staff as we do our best to serve your students.
Wishing your family a great 2021!
With Much Gratitude,
Derrick Hershey
Principal
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What's Happening at Sawnee?
7 Mindsets - 100% Accountable
The 100% Accountable Mindset teaches the importance of being responsible for our own happiness and success. Being 100% Accountable means deciding not to be victims of the past and recognizing that the future is not predetermined, so our lives are what we choose in the present moment and each moment moving forward. In these lessons, we help students focus on recognizing our fears and excuses. This mindset is about the importance of breaking down barriers and taking responsibility for our thoughts and actions. It also allows us to free our minds and focus our energy on taking the critical steps toward our goals.
The 4 critical components of 100% Accountable are:
1. Own your Life
2. Overcome Limiting Beliefs
3. Focus Your Energy
4. Grow through Life
Click here to learn more!
Kids Heart Challenge Event
Our Kids Heart Challenge Event will take place January 18th – February 8th. All dontations will be due by February 8th.
- During our Kids Heart Challenge Event students are learning about jump rope, fitness, and ways to stay heart healthy in PE.
- Our school goal this year is to raise $18, 000 for the American Heart Association.
- You can go online TODAY and register and start getting donations.
- Any student who raises $100 between now and January 17th will earn a Special Collection Edition XL Special Agent KHC keychain ON TOP OF the thank you gifts at the $100 level and below.
- This is part of our Early Bird Event. There are two ways to register- through the Kids Heart Challenge App or through the website, www.heart.org/KHC. If you are a previous Student at Sawnee you should be able to use your username and passwords from previous years to register. If you are new to Sawnee you will need to create an account to register. Please make sure that you select Sawnee Elementary as your school.
- Registration is FREE and we would LOVE to see all of our Sawnee Students register.
- Once you register, there are lots of heart healthy games and activities that your student can do!
Yearbook Ordering Information
2020-2021 Yearbook ordering is open now through February 5th at the $30 price. After February 5th 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.
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 is 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. Also, as a reminder, students can NOT carry medications in school. All medications need to be brought to the clinic by a parent. 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 needs mentors! The next training is January 14th, from 6:00-8:00pm and will be held virtually (Microsoft TEAMS). A meeting link will be provided to those registered for the training 24 hours prior to the training date and time. To become a mentor, please complete our Mentor Application. Please visit https://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/mentoring for more information!
- Please check out the December issue of the Forsyth Community Wellness News.
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
Cafeteria News
Harvest of the Month is lettuce and cabbage
- Lettuce is a member of the sunflower family and lettuce can grow in the colder weather, even when it snows!
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Cabbage contains virtually no fat, one cup of shredded raw cabbage is 50 calories. Cabbage is one of the oldest vegetables in existence.
Reminders:
- Free Breakfast & Lunch for ALL students, will continue for the rest of the school year, as long as funds are available.
- You can add money to your child's lunch account through My Payments Plus or sending in cash/check for purchasing extra items such as chips, water bottles or ice cream.
Mrs. Hughes (Cafe 1) & Mrs. Silvers (Cafe 2)
Important Dates to Know
January 12 - Marco's Pizza Take out Tuesday
January 13 - West Community No Homework Night
January 18 - Martin Luther King Day - NO SCHOOL
January 19 - Papa John's Take out Tuesday
January 26 - Zaxby's Take out Tuesday
February 1-5 - School Counselor Appreciation Week
February 2- Village Burger Take out Tuesday
February 9 - Marco's Pizza Take out Tuesday
February 12 - Student Holiday (NO SCHOOL)
February 15 - Student Holiday (NO SCHOOL)
February 16 - Papa John's Take out Tuesday
February 23 - 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