Summerour Blue Devil Blast

Volume 2, Issue 14 - October 21, 2022
Dr. Looney's Message
Upcoming Dates
- October 21- 22 - District 13 Honors Chorus
- October 23 - 29 - Red Ribbon Week
- October 25 - PSAT (8th Grade Only)
- October 25 - Math Night
- October 27 - Picture Day
- October 27 - Junior Thespian Induction
- November 2 - High School Choice Virtual Meeting (English)
- November 4 - High School Choice Virtual Meeting (Spanish)
- November 4 - Progress Reports Go Home
- November 5 - All-State Chorus Auditions
- November 5 - JLC @ Shiloh MS
- November 5 - Orchestra GMEA (Solo & Ensemble)
- November 8 - High School Choice: In Person, Paul Duke STEM HS (English/Spanish)
- November 15 - High School Choice: In Person, Norcross HS (English/Spanish)
- November 18 - Career Day
- Week of November 29 - 8th Grade Students Submit High School Choice
8th Grade PSAT This Week!
All 8th graders will take the PSAT 8/9 on Tuesday, October 25. Please make sure that students arrive to school no later than 9:20 AM. Also, students should get a good night's sleep and eat a good breakfast.
Remember that PSAT 8/9 focuses on the skills and knowledge at the heart of education— what students have been learning in school and what they’ll need to succeed in college. The test isn’t about how well students memorize facts and definitions, so there is no need for flashcards or all-night cramming. It’s about the everyday…
The Reading section asks students questions like ones they might experience in a lively, thoughtful, evidence-based discussion. It’s about how students take in, think about, and use information.
In the Writing and Language section, the test-taker will be an editor, improving passages written especially for the test. Students will use the same skills they use to proofread their own schoolwork.
The Mathematics section covers a range of math practices, with an emphasis on problem solving, modeling, using tools strategically, and using algebraic structure… the type of math that students will rely on most in all sorts of real-world situations.
PSAT 8/9 scores are not reported to colleges. The test is a baseline measurement of college and career readiness as students enter high school. It also gives students a chance to preview the SAT and the PSAT/NMSQT.
Please click the link below for more information about PSAT 8/9. You can also contact Mr. Stacy B. James, PSAT Testing Coordinator.
For more information about the PSAT 8/9, go to
https://parents.collegeboard.org/college-board-programs/psat-89
Girls' Basketball Tryouts
Girls' Basketball Tryouts
Girls' Basketball Tryouts
Picture Day : October 27
October 27 is our school photo day. Make sure all students are in uniform when you send them to school on this day.
No non-uniform pictures will be taken!
Mr. Lenie George
6th Grade Assistant Principal
Ms. Pam Griswell
6th Grade Counselor
6th Grade Teachers Instructional Conversations
6th Grade Teachers Instructional Conversations
Mr. Stacy James
7th Grade Assistant Principal
770-417-2486
Ms. Yunilda Valdez
7th Grade Counselor
770-417-2480
8th Grade Counselors:
Robin Blackwell, Robin.Blackwell@gcpsk12.org
Kimberly Blackshear, Kimberly.Blackshear@gcpsk12.org
8th Grade Assistant Principal:
Christy Gray, Christian.Gray@gcpsk12.org
8th Grade Clerk:
Faby Silva, Faby.Silva@gcpsk12.org
High School Choice
The Norcross cluster of schools has two outstanding options for rising ninth graders to choose from as they enter high school. Students and their families will have the opportunity to learn about Norcross High School and Paul Duke High School in October and November. Students will submit their choice for high school along with their elective course selections the first week of December. The full high school selection timeline is now available.
Belinda Terry, Belinda.Terry@gcpsk12.org
Pizza On The Lawn: PBIS Event
Second PBIS Duffle Bag Claimed
Join us in congratulating our second recipient of the SMS PBIS Duffle Bag grab. Samuel (Rico) is a Respectful, Responsible, Role Model who has earned 100 Blue Bucks this year.
When you see him give him a shout out!
Only one duffle bag left. Who will be next?
Mr. Yelinek's Students Are Always Designing Something
N.B.A. (Never Been Absent) Winners!
Drum roll please....
After 30 days of encouragement around attendance, the homeroom with the highest attendance percentage in their grade level during the month of September were awarded a pizza party at lunch on Thursday for Early Release.
Winning Homerooms Were:
- 6th grade - Ms. Hasanbegovic's HR
- 7th grade - Ms. Winters' HR
- 8th grade - Ms. Campbell's HR
- Gear Up - Ms. Petrassi's HR
- Self contained - Mr. Baker's HR
The 23rd Latino Youth Leadership Conference
Saturday, December 3
Emory University
Free for all students, teachers, and parents and it includes breakfast, lunch, and a t-shirt. For more information, or to sign up, check out their website.
😷 Should You Keep Your Child Home Today? 🤧
Red Ribbon Week
October 23 - 31
*Activities have been updated since last week. Use this week's chart, not last week's!
The Future is Yours: Register Online (Click the Image)
IB Learner Profile, October: Balanced
Balanced learners understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance to achieve personal well-being for themselves and others.
OUR IB students are active participants in a wide range of aspects of school life, as well as focusing on their academic development.
Mr. Beck & Ms. Toro Do Advisement Right!
Have You Tried the Apps?
ParentVUE App
Parents can use this if they have a Parent Portal account. It's an app that makes it much easier to quickly access the portal and navigate student grades, absences, etc...
We strongly encourage you to use this if you have a portal account. If you don't have a portal account, come to the school and set one up.
Uninstall/Reinstall
If you are using either of these apps, but it quit working last month, you may need to uninstall/reinstall. There was a major update last month that requires this.
StudentVUE App
Students can install this on their iOS device (iPhone, iPad) or their Android device to more easily access the "My StudentVUE" portion of their portal: this includes, grades, missing assignments, etc.
GCPS Calendar Options 2023-2024
We are still seeking your valuable input and feedback on the calendar options for the 2023-24 school year.
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.
Summerour is a No Phone Zone!
Cell phones are not allowed during the school day at Summerour.
- No phones in classrooms
- No phones in hallways
- No phones in restrooms
Phones should be left at home or turned off and left in backpacks/book bags all day long.
Covid Surveillance Testing
Summerour is still hosting weekly Covid surveillance testing on Thursday afternoons. If you'd like to sign your child up, use this form to sign up.
Parent Center
Our Parent Center is located on our first floor, so it's easy to get to. Come check in at the front office, then use the Parent Center to volunteer, check-out resources, and get engaged!
More information is on our website, or you can reach out to Rosanna Carlson, our Parent Instructional Support Coordinator.
School Hours
- Student Tutoring - 8:15 - 8:50 a.m.
- Student Arrival - 8:50 a.m.
- Tardy Bell / Late Arrival - 9:15 a.m.
- No Check Out After - 3:00 p.m.
- Dismissal Bell - 4:00 p.m.