THE NORCROSS ELEMENTARY EAGLE
March Newsletter
Principal's Message
It has been a productive 2022. Our children continue to SOAR in academics and behavior. During the week of March 1, you will have the opportunity to conference with your child's teacher to discuss the progress your child has made. The conference is also a time to receive information on strategies and activities to support your child at home. If you have not signed up for a conference, please contact your child's teacher.
Keep in mind Wednesday, March 2 is a Digital Learning Day and all students will learn from home. Thursday, March 3 is an Early Release Day and students will be dismissed from school at 12:50pm.
On behalf of the faculty and staff at Norcross Elementary School, thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Kassia Sutton
Proud Principal of Norcross Elementary
MASK GUIDANCE CHANGES
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guidance and the prevention steps that should be taken based on the spread of COVID-19 in communities. As part of the changes announced, the CDC is dropping its recommendation for universal school masking and instead will recommend masking only in communities at a high level of risk.
According to the CDC, Gwinnett County is currently in a “Low” level of community spread. At this level, individuals are encouraged to stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and to get tested if they have symptoms.
In light of this updated guidance and Gwinnett County’s designation in the “Low” level of community spread, Gwinnett County Public Schools will transition from requiring masks to strongly recommending the use of masks in its facilities.
In the coming days, school district leaders will be reviewing and updating quarantine and isolation procedures to account for these changes.
Student Device Updates - Effective March 1, 2022
- Students in Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 4th Grade and 5th Grade will no longer bring home devices each day. Devices will go home on Digital Learning Days (March 2 and March 22) and on a as needed basis determined by the homeroom teacher. The homeroom teacher will communicate the specific days devices will come home.
- Students in 3rd grade will take home laptops each day and the teacher will communicate any changes with you.
Early Release Day Conferences Coming Soon
March 3 - Early Release Day; students dismissed at 12:50pm
Conference Sign up information will be sent home on Friday, February 4.
Please email amarilis.rodriguez@gcpsk12.org if you are interested in interpreting.
March Dates
March is Women's History Month.
March 2 - Digital Learning Day
March 3 - Early Release Day
March 4 - Local School Council Meeting at 7:30am
March 4 - Progress Reports
March 5 - Saturday Intervention at 9:00am
March 7 through 15 - Book Fair
March 12 - Saturday Intervention
March 17 - St. Patrick's Day
March 18 - Glow Party
March 22 - Digital Learning Day
March 25 - Student of the Month/Send home Progress Reports
What is Read Across America Week?
NEA's Read Across America is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading with the theme: Celebrating a Nation of Diverse Readers.
The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition
Norcross High School Drama presents The Wizard of Oz. Please join us as we journey through the Merry Ol' Land of Oz with this musical rendition created to captivate young audiences. $5 tickets are available for groups of 8 or more. This special offer is only available online (https://www.nhs-drama.com/shows-tickets/) - please use ticket type "SCHOOL Outreach".
Thursday, March 3 7p – 8:30p
Friday, March 4 7p – 8:30p
Saturday, March 5 7p – 8:30p
Sunday, March 6 2p – 3:30p
Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/Norcross-High-School-Drama-1661797267449202.
Thank you for your support. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Lauren Cowan
Norcross HS Drama Booster Club, Box Ofiice
EXPLOREBOTS
Our second and third grade Explorebots robotics team will be participating in the First Lego League Festival at Sugar Hill Elementary on Saturday, March 12th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
COVID Updates
- Just a reminder for those who may have traveled internationally over the break:
- For unvaccinated travelers…The CDC recommends that unvaccinated international travelers get tested for COVID-19 from 3 to 5 days after returning AND self-quarantine at home for a full 7 days after their return to the U.S.
- Fully vaccinated travelers do not have to quarantine. However, the CDC recommends getting a COVID-19 test from 3 to 5 days after travel and self-monitoring for symptoms.
- Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 within 90 days of traveling do not have to quarantine or test. They should monitor for symptoms for 14 days after travel and isolate and contact a health care provider if symptoms develop.
- Gwinnett County Public Schools continues to strongly encourage all eligible students, faculty, and staff to get fully vaccinated, including a booster if eligible, in order to protect themselves and the community. Individuals ages 5 and older are eligible to receive COVID vaccinations. Please check with the Gwinnett Health Department or your health provider to learn more about the vaccination and where you may go to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.
- Remember to stay home from school and work if you are sick, have been exposed to someone who has COVID, have been diagnosed as having COVID, or have been tested for COVID and are waiting for results.
COVID TESTING PILOT IN THE NORCROSS CLUSTER
Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) is continuing its efforts to keep schools safe by making COVID-19 Surveillance Testing available to students and staff. In January of 2022, the district will begin piloting this testing in the Norcross Cluster.
Routine COVID-19 testing (also called surveillance testing) can quickly detect individuals who are positive with COVID-19 and trace contacts who should quarantine. The testing, which is free and will be conducted on a weekly basis at the school, uses a short Qtip-type swab to collect a sample from inside the nose. This testing will allow GCPS to test, receive test results (within 24 hours), and notify individuals of a clinically significant reading. By participating, students and staff members can help to minimize the spread of the virus within our schools, which benefits us all.
Although participation in surveillance testing is not required for students or staff members, it is strongly encouraged. Participation will contribute to the success of this mitigation strategy and our schools’ ability to limit the spread of COVID and keep students learning in person.
Learn more about the COVID testing being offered to Norcross Cluster students and staff by reviewing our frequently asked questions.
Families of Norcross Cluster students (attending Norcross HS, Paul Duke STEM HS, Pinckneyville MS, Summerour MS, Baldwin ES, Beaver Ridge ES, Norcross ES, North Metro Academy of Performing Arts, Peachtree ES, Simpson ES, and Stripling ES) who are interested in their child(ren) participating in this pilot should click on the Student Sign-up link below to register. Interested Norcross Cluster employees should check on the Employee Sign-up link below.
What to do if your child is sick?
1. Keep your child at home if he/she is sick.
2. If your child has tested positive for COVID and/or considered a close contact, please contact Contacia.Cross, assistant principal, at contacia.cross@gcpsk12.org. who will provide additional guidance.
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Media Center Updates
Dear Parents and Families:
I am excited to announce the Spring Book Fair at Norcross Elementary! This year our Scholastic Book Fair will be from Monday, Monday, March 7 - Tuesday, March 15, 2022.
Please take a few minutes to look over the Scholastic Book Fair Flyer online. https://tinyurl.com/NESSpring22 . Please note that the prices in the flyer do not include tax. 6% sales tax is charged on all purchases. All sales are final.
Teachers will have a date/time for their students to shop. That will be the only day they will be allowed to visit the book fair. Please find out the date your child’s teacher signed up to bring them and send their money that day. We will accept cash, but not all coins. Make checks to Scholastic and you have the option to use EWALLET. Masks are required.
Book Fair eWallet is a safe and convenient digital payment option for your student to shop the Fair cash-free. See details here: https://tinyurl.com/NESBFINFO
We hope you find lots of great books at our book fair! Keep on Reading!
Reading Can Take You Anywhere!
Tahnya Sherwood
Media Specialist
Estimados padres y familias:
¡Estoy emocionado de anunciar la Feria del Libro de Primavera en la Escuela Primaria Norcross! Este año, nuestra Feria del Libro Scholastic será del lunes 7 de marzo al martes 15 de marzo de 2022.
Tómese unos minutos para revisar el folleto de la feria del libro de Scholastic en línea. https://tinyurl.com/NESSpring22 . Tenga en cuenta que los precios en el folleto no incluyen impuestos. Se cobra el 6% de impuesto sobre las ventas en todas las compras. Todas las ventas son finales.
Los maestros tendrán una fecha/hora para que sus estudiantes compren. Ese será el único día que se les permitirá visitar la feria del libro. Averigüe la fecha en que el maestro de su hijo se inscribió para traerlos y enviar su dinero ese día. Aceptaremos efectivo, pero no todas las monedas. Haga cheques a Scholastic y tiene la opción de usar EWALLET. Se requieren máscaras.
Book Fair eWallet es una opción de pago digital segura y conveniente para que su estudiante compre en la Feria sin efectivo. Ver detalles aquí: https://tinyurl.com/NESBFINFO
¡Esperamos que encuentre muchos libros geniales en nuestra feria del libro! ¡Sigue leyendo!
¡La lectura puede llevarte a cualquier parte!
Tahnya Sherwood, especialista en medios
Meals on Digital Learning Days
Meals will be provided.
Free/Reduced Lunch Forms
Georgia Milestone Assessment Calendar for 3rd -5th Graders
AKS at Home
AKS at Home is a Gwinnett County Public Schools’ family engagement initiative that empowers parents with tools to support the learning of their children at home. This initiative highlights foundational skills and activities taught in the areas of Math and Language Arts for grades K-5.
YOU ARE INVITED!
We invite all our families of students in K-5 grades to sign up for our AKS at Home virtual sessions.
The dates for Unit 2 are located on the GCPS website for AKS at Home.
GCPS Learning Hub
SCHOOL HOURS
SCHOOL OPENING AND CLOSING TIMES
The designated school hours for Norcross Elementary School are 8:50 A.M. to 3:20 P.M. For safety reasons, please abide by these hours. Students may begin arriving at 8:20 A.M. Students may NOT be dropped off prior to 8:20 A.M. because supervision is not available. Students arriving after 8:50 A.M. will be marked tardy. If your child is late, students will need to be checked in by a parent or guardian. Please walk them into the building.
Previous Newsletters
September: https://www.smore.com/1cghs
October: https://www.smore.com/tf6prj
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