Knight Messenger
November 2023
Who Are We!?!
Our Vision: To share in the commitment of rigorous and high-quality instruction to meet the needs of every child.
Our 2023-2024 school theme "TEAM KNIGHT #TeamKnight!" is directly aligned with our continued vision and instructional expectations for Knight: to share in the commitment of rigorous and high-quality instruction to meet the needs of every child.
Our Mission: To provide a positive, stimulating, and secure environment that empowers the individual to grow socially, emotionally, and intellectually in order to meet the challenges of an ever-changing world.
Our Belief: We believe all kids can learn…and we will establish high standards of learning that we expect all students to achieve. It is our job to create an environment in our classrooms that engages students in academic work that results in a high level of achievement. We are confident that with our support and help, students can master challenging curricula, and we expect them to do so. We are prepared to work collaboratively with colleagues, students, and parents to achieve this shared educational purpose (DuFour, 1997a).
Our Why: To engage and serve the Knight community so that students and families are resilient and empowered to be successful in our ever changing world.
Our Motto: “Everyone can be a STAR at Knight!”
HELLO, KNIGHT FAMILY!
Thank you for attending our Parent-Teacher Conferences last month. Parent Teacher Conferences are always valuable for you to talk with the teacher to see how your child is progressing academically and socially. I am confident you found this time beneficial. Early Release conferences are held twice a year. The next early release days will be March 6-7, 2024. Also, the parent portal is a great way to stay informed about your child’s academic progress 24 hours a day/7 days a week. You can monitor student assignments and assessments if you have a child in grades 1 – 5.
Thank you for supporting our PTA International Night! It was terrific; our families enjoyed the food, dancing, and fun! Thank you to all our AWESOME PTA officers and volunteers for planning and hosting a family fun event!
Thank you, Knight Family, for making Knight the Place to Be! Have a wonderful month and a happy Thanksgiving!
Proud to be your principal,
Dr. Ferguson
OUR ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS!
Mr. Michael Cunningham
Grades K-2
Ms. Nicole Charloff
Grades 3-5
Ms. Beth Wilson
Specials Needs & Specials
BOX OF LOVE
We are excited to announce that our annual BOX OF LOVE initiative has officially begun!
Our goal is to help make the holidays easier for families in the Knight Elementary community. Last year your generosity was overwhelming. We were able to help close to 50 families at Thanksgiving AND again during the Winter holidays! With your help, we are hoping to repeat our efforts!!!
ALL the information and details are provided in the Sign Up Genius. If you are interested in donating, please click on the Sign-Up Genius.
If you would like to just donate the cost of the box, our Box of Love team is happy to do the shopping for you.
Thank you in advance! We are truly looking forward to helping our awesome students and their families during the holiday season!
~Heather Cox and Joanie Valenzuela (Support Teachers)
STUDENT SURVEYS
To help improve our schools and those across the state, Gwinnett County Public Schools students in grades 3-12 will participate in the Georgia Student Health Survey. The GSHS is an anonymous and statewide survey instrument that covers topics such as school climate and safety, peer, and adult social support, bullying, mental health, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation.
The Student Survey will be open for students in grades 3-12 via the GCPS Student Portal from November 6 – December 15, 2023. Parents may complete the Opt-Out process if they do not wish their student(s) to participate in the survey. Parents may use the Parent Portal to complete this process, or they may send a written request to the schools to opt their student(s) out of this survey. Please note that any parent/guardian wishing to opt his/her student out of the survey should complete the online form or inform the school in writing at least 72 business hours before the school has scheduled the administration of the survey to ensure that the student does not participate. Students at Knight ES will complete their survey on Tuesday, November 28.
Click HERE to learn more about the GSHS survey, to review the GSHS Survey, and to learn about the opt-out process if you do not wish for your student to participate.
PARENT SURVEYS
The Georgia Parent Survey is designed to give parents an opportunity to share input with the Georgia Department of Education. It contains 24 questions. Parents may complete the survey using a personal computer, smartphone, or tablet. Parents that do not have access to the Internet can contact Knight ES to arrange to complete the survey at the school.
The data parents provide by completing this survey will be used as part of the calculation of the School Climate Star Rating. Survey responses are anonymous and will be submitted directly to the Georgia Department of Education for analysis. Individual data results from the Georgia Parent Survey will not be available to system or school personnel or the public and will not be posted online. Please provide your voice for Gwinnett County Public Schools by clicking HERE and completing the survey.
UPCOMING EVENTS!
Thursday, November 9
- PTA Chick-fil-a Night 5 PM - 7 PM
Friday, November 10
- Progress Reports Emailed to Families
- Veterans Day Celebration 9 AM
Monday, November 13
- Fall Picture Retakes
- Third Grade Field Trip to Fernbank Museum
- Family Center Connections (Literacy 4th & 5th) 9 AM
Tuesday, November 14
- Bring a Plushie Day ~ $1 Fifth Grade Fundraiser
- 5th Grade In-House Field Trip - High Touch High Tech
Thursday, November 16
- Knight Family Luncheon!
- 5th Grade In-House Field Trip - High Touch High Tech
- Principal for a Day Visit
- House Color Day
- School Council 7:30 AM
November 20 - 24
- Thanksgiving Break
- Fourth Grade Field Trip to the State Capitol
- Special Education Lunch and Learn in the Family Center 12 PM
Friday, December 1
- All Pro Dad Meeting 7:30 AM
Saturday, December 2
- Girls on the Run Event in Atlanta 7 AM
- PTA Winterfest 12 PM - 3 PM
PBIS FUNDRAISER ~ Turkey Feathers!
November 6 - 13
Support PBIS!
Donate 25 centers to add a feather (sharing a thankful statement) to your grade level turkey!
Grade Level with the most feathers wins a popsicle party!
VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION
When – Friday, November 10
Where – In front of the school
Time – Approximately 9 AM
*Students are invited to wear red, white, and blue.
*Knight family veterans, please join us so that we can celebrate you!
*In the event of rain, students will remain in their classroom and the program will be televised closed circuit starting at 9 am.
KNIGHT FAMILY LUNCHEON!
Thursday, November 16!
Our Knight Family Luncheon is Thursday, November 16! Invitations were sent home.
Please make sure a permission form (see attached) is sent to the office listing the family members' name(s)/
After checking in with an ID and securing a visitor badge, families will meet their child(ren) at the entrance to the cafeteria.
PROMOTION REQUIREMENTS 2023-2024
Parents, please take the time to review the Gwinnett County Promotion Criteria so that you and your child understand what is expected of them. If you have questions, please contact your child’s teacher.
PARENT VUE APP - NOW AVAILABLE
The Synergy Parent mobile app, ParentVUE, is now available for use. The app is available in the Apple App Store, as well as the Google Play Store. An active Parent Portal account is required to log in to ParentVUE.
- It will allow parents, who have a parent portal account, to view schedules, grades, see when assignments are due, view graduation requirements, find missing assignments, and view other important student information.
- If you have a Parent Portal account you will use the same log in username (email) and password that you use online.
3rd, 4th, and 5th GRADE STUDENTS CAN RECEIVE HELP VIA TUTOR.COM
The Gwinnett County Public Library is partnering with Gwinnett County Public Schools to provide online tutoring support to 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade Gwinnett students through Tutor.com. Students will need a library account to access the service. They will be able to sign on for individual tutoring sessions daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and for 24/7 “drop-off” support (uploading a document for tutor review/feedback to be returned at a later time).
Find all the information you need to take advantage of this program by logging into eCLASS. Look for the box pictured below!
COMMUNICATION
ClassDojo
Knight Elementary will continue to use ClassDojo to communicate with families. To receive help with connecting to your student's class or any other ClassDojo questions, please contact Kelli Sheffield at Kelli.Sheffield@gcpsk12.org.
ParentSquare
We are excited to announce that our school district has adopted a new form of school-to-home communication called ParentSquare. This unified communications platform is designed to keep parents and guardians informed and encourage greater engagement and connection with your child’s school and Gwinnett County Public Schools.
ParentSquare provides a safe way for district administrators, school principals, teachers, staff, and parents to receive and send information, such as:
- Weather-related closings & delays
- School information
- Share pictures and files
- See calendar items
- Upcoming school activities
District and school information will now be sent to your computer or phone via email and/or text via ParentSquare. For even more convenience, download the ParentSquare app (available for free for iOS and Android devices). Please note that Knight staff will communicate with parents via ClassDojo and email.
SAFETY & SECURITY UPDATE - SCHOOL VESTIBULE
The safety and security vestibule has been updated with new electrical outlets installed for the independent parent check-in/check-out process.
During school hours, the entrance for visitors is restricted to designated doors near the office, which are locked until the visitor is granted access. To notify school staff of their arrival, visitors push the "bell" button on the visitor management panel found outside the main entrance door. A staff member at the school then uses the audio/visual intercom to see the visitor's face and to request a reason for the visit. Once their purpose is validated, the office staff electronically unlocks the exterior door, allowing the visitor to proceed into the vestibule.
Vestibules provide space and an opportunity to verify visitors PRIOR to gaining access to the main building and provide additional security measures. They serve as a single entry point for students checking in or checking out of school.
Visitors will go through a check-in process, entering their driver's license or a state-issued ID into a scanner. Once visitors are cleared, they are issued a detailed visitor badge that identifies the visitor, the date, and the purpose of their visit. (A visitor's badge will not be necessary for those who visit our schools to drop off an item in the office or pick up paperwork.) Once the badge is issued, visitors will be "buzzed" into the school. Badges must be worn a visible at all times.
PARENT LUNCH VISITATION
- Parents/families are welcome to enjoy lunch with their child(ren).
- After checking in the office with an ID and securing a visitor badge, parents/families will meet their child(ren) at the entrance to the cafeteria.
- Please allow your child to follow his/her normal routine in the cafeteria line. Feel free to bring a lunch with you or to purchase lunch ($4).
- Parents/families will utilize the bistro tables in the hallway outside the cafeteria.
- When leaving the cafeteria parents should not escort students back to the classroom. Parents must sign out before leaving.
I SCREAM YOU SCREAM...WE ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM
Students will have the opportunity to purchase ice cream from a variety of selections during lunch. Ice cream is $1.00 and will be sold Monday, Wednesday and Friday for all grade levels. Class Parties for ice cream sales are also available each day. Please contact the school office for details.
CAR RIDER ETIQUETTE
- Please, no left turn into the carpool off River Drive.
- Please, no left turn from the carpool onto River Drive.
- Please do not make a U-turn in the middle of River Drive or entrances to neighborhoods near the school to enter the carpool or after exiting the carpool.
"Park and Walk” is NOT an option.
A GCPS school bus can transport every Knight student.
GEORGIA AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM AT KNIGHT!
GCPS Calendar 2023-2024
Click here to access the 2023-2024 GCPS Calendar.
This approved calendar features a start date of Wednesday, August 2, seven days of pre-planning for teachers, and four digital learning days. The four digital learning days are scheduled throughout the year, with two occurring in 1st semester and two in 2nd semester. The calendar also features a fall break in October, a two-week and a half winter break, a break in February, a week scheduled for spring break, and end date of May 22.
DIGITAL LEARNING DAYS
- GCPS will provide meals via bus distribution on digital learning days.
- Both breakfast and lunch will be offered.
- Meals can be served to anyone 18 and under.
- Buses will begin delivery around 10:45-11:00 A.M.
UPCOMING DIGITAL LEARNING DAYS
- February 2
- March 15
SCHOOL HOURS
Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM
All visitors must sign-in at the welcome desk and please be prepared to provide some form of identification upon request.
Staff Hours: Monday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday, 8:00 AM - 3:50 PM
* Hours will vary depending on morning staff meetings (Tuesday, 7:10 AM - 3:50 PM).
Student Hours: Monday - Friday 8:50 AM - 3:20 PM
Students should arrive between 8:20 AM - 8:50 AM.
YEARBOOK!
Order your 2023-2024 Knight Elementary Yearbook TODAY! Don’t Delay, Order Today! Price is $35.Click here to order your yearbook now!
KNIGHT PTA NEWS!
Please join the PTA this year!
Knight PTA's ultimate goal is to benefit our children and support their learning experience. Membership is an opportunity to connect with other parents and to support our school. Our goal is one membership for each student. Membership is only $5 per person! Please join at:
https://knightelementaryschoolpta.memberhub.com/store#.
Membership is $5 per individual adult (not per household or per student as GA PTA does not allow household memberships).
Thank you for supporting the PTA!
UPCOMING PTA EVENTS
- November 9 - Chick-fil-A Night 5 PM - 7 PM
December 2 - Winterfest 12 PM - 3 PM
GCPS Updates
Be sure to visit the GCPSWebsite for all updates regarding the start of school.
Need More Help?
Please feel free to contact Kelli Sheffield, Kelli.Sheffiled@gcpsk12.org or Sindy Amador, Sindy.Amador@gcpsk12.org in our Parent Center. You can also reach them by phone from 9:00am - 3:00pm at 770-806-3887.
Finally, please visit the Knight website often for information and updates at KnightESHomepage Thank you for your generosity and support as we continue to ensure learning for all students at Knight Elementary!