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COMET CONNECTION
🌠 January Edition 🌠
MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Greetings Comets,
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2024 and welcome back to Britt Elementary School, Home of the Comets! It brings me great joy and excitement to begin a new year with you still filled with lots of learning, growth, and success together! I hope this letter finds you doing well, as we get ready to begin the second semester of our school year.
To our Comet parents, thank you as always for entrusting us with the privilege of shaping your children’s futures. We recognize the significant role you play in their education and are committed to working hand in hand with you, to provide a safe and nurturing environment that fosters all aspects of your child’s development.
To our Comet Faculty and Staff, your dedication and passion for teaching continues to inspire me daily! Your unwavering commitment to our students’ success sets an example that goes well beyond the classroom walls. I am grateful for your tireless efforts and look forward to continue witnessing the positive impact you have on the lives of our students and parents as we move towards finishing this school year.
And to our incredible Comet students, Welcome back from Winter Break! You are the heart and soul of our campus! Your presence and commitment makes Britt an extraordinary place to be. Embrace the opportunities that lie ahead this semester, challenge yourselves, and remember that each day is a NEW DAY and a new chance to grow and achieve great things!
Throughout this last semester of the school year, you can expect engaging and innovative educational experiences, a supportive network of educators, and an engaged community that celebrates all things COMETS! Britt will continue to be an environment that encourages critical thinking, collaboration, and personal growth, so that each student has the opportunity to recognize their own potential.
I encourage you to stay connected with us through our school website, social media channels, and by ensuring that all of your contact information is correct in GCPS' Parent Portal, so you are able to stay informed about the exciting events happening here at Britt Elementary. Together I am sure, we will finish off this school year creating successful and memorable academic moments for all if we work as one!
LET'S GO COMETS!!!
Soaring and Shining,
Melissa Madsen ⭐🚀⭐
🔗 COMET CONNECTIONS 🔗
COMET CELEBRATIONS!
The birthday of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is observed as a national holiday each year on the third Monday in January. MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities.
The commemoration of #MLKDay as a Day of Service is a call to act on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy as we work together to make our communities more equitable, build bridges, lead with empathy to address social issues, and commit to being of service to each other.
GCPS schools and offices will be closed on MLK Day— Monday, January 15th— with students and staff returning to class on Tuesday, January 16th.
Make Monday a day on, not a day off! Click here to learn more, and to find links for service opportunities: https://americorps.gov/newsroom/events/mlk-day
- Sport Stacking promotes physical fitness and supports academic learning. If you want your kids to be active after school, watching less TV or playing fewer video games, Sport Stacking is a great alternative.
- Stacking has shown an increase in test scores and levels of concentration. Stacking uses both the right and left sides of the brain. When you stack, you cross the "midline" of your body which develops new connections in your brain.
- Opportunities to compete online or in person. View upcoming tournaments
- Download a World Record Certificate. Your child can also print out a STACK UP! Certificate showing they participated!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
- January 4: GCPS students return to school; Semester 2 begins
- January 8-12: iReady Testing (All Grades)
- January 12: Report cards mailed home
- January 11: 5th Grade Walking Field Trip - SGHS Basketball Game
- January 15: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday (NO SCHOOL)
- January 16 - February 1: AKS at Home Series
- January 19: 100th Day of School / 100th Day Dance (After School)
- January 23: Family-School Partnership Advisory Council (PAC) Meeting 5:30-6:30PM
- January 23: Gwinnett Parent Mentors Meeting 10:00AM or 7:00PM
- January 23: Britt Skate Night @ 5:00PM
- January 25: Elementary AKS Spotlight- Family Night 6:00-7:30PM
- January 29: 2nd Grade Field Trip - Fernbank Museum
- February 2: Digital Learning Day #3 (GCPS students learn from home)
- February 15-18: Winter Break (NO SCHOOL)
COMETS COUNSELOR'S CORNER
Are You New to GCPS or the United States?
YOU ARE INVITED!
COME TO LEARN WHAT EVERY PARENT WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT GCPS!
• Expectations for you and your child to be successful at school
• How to support your child with his or her learning
• Hear other newcomer parents share their personal experiences
• Learn about resources available to all our families
These meetings start promptly at 10:00AM. Meetings are for parents/guardians. Classes will be taught in ENGLISH.
Location: The International Newcomer Center
495 Maltbie Street, Lawrenceville.
School Culture- March 27, 2024
GCPS Family Resources- April 10, 2024
Community Resources- April 24, 2024
Rights and Responsibilities- May 1, 2024
Will your scholar be absent from school? Has he or she already been absent? No worries! Use this QR code, click on this link, or click on the blue link above to access and complete an Excused Absence Form for your little one.
COMETS MEDIA CENTER CHATTER
Have You Visited Your Local Library?
The Gwinnett County Public Library has a calendar full of events for you and the family to enjoy! Many of them are FREE!
Click here to take a look at their monthly calendar.
Click on the pictures below to learn more about Gwinnett County's Branch Out and Beanstack programs for your growing reader!
FAMILY ENGAGEMENT AND NEWS
On Tuesday, January 23, Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) Parent Mentors are hosting an informative and engaging workshop for parents of students who receive special education services in GCPS schools. Presented by GCPS Special Education Department Coordinator Tamra King, and Instructional Coach Lisa Divers, "Understanding Post-Secondary Outcomes and How it Connects to the Transition Plan in IEP," will provide tips, ideas, and strategies to help families start planning for the future now as it takes years of planning to cultivate a smooth transition into adulthood. During the session, you will see how desired postsecondary adult outcomes appear in the student’s individual transition plan within the IEP and how those goals assist in preparing your child for their future. You will also learn about post-secondary opportunities for adults with disabilities in the areas of education and training, employment, and independent living. Additionally, you will receive just-in-time resources that can be used to plan and prepare your child for the transition into adulthood!
Parents may choose either an in-person or virtual session to attend.
Learn more and register for either session here: GCPS PARENT MENTORS
The 2024 Georgia Milestones End of Grade Assessment will be administered to all students in 3rd - 5th grade from April 22 - May 3, 2024. Attendance is very important on testing dates so that your child does not have to make-up the tests on a different day. Students must arrive at school on time. Testing will begin at 9:00AM each morning. Please plan ahead to ensure that your child is present for all testing days. We appreciate your support in ensuring we have a successful Georgia Milestones administration!
Parent information has been posted to the Accountability and Assessment public-facing webpage found HERE.
GEORGIA 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, should contact their child’s school 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 the system, school personnel, or the public and will not be posted online. Please provide your voice for Gwinnett County Public Schools by clicking here or click the button below and complete the survey.
WE ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS!
The Britt Family Engagement Center is officially open for business to the families in our school and community!
Run by Britt's Parent Instructional Support Coordinator, Dr. Dawn White, visiting our family center will allow you to get important information on the resources, materials, and instructional tools we have to offer.
Be sure to stop visit our family center anytime from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays.
For all other times, call 678-639-3884 or email dawn.white@gcpsk12.org to make an appointment.
Dr. White will be more than happy to assist you with all your family needs!
PLAY 2 LEARN & LITTLE LEARNERS ACADEMY
Early childhood experiences are so important to lifelong learning. If you have a child between the ages of one month and five years old and are looking for ways to encourage him/her to play, learn, and grow, consider learning about and joining our FREE Play 2 Learn, Little Learners Academy, and Building Babies Brains programs here at Britt for the 2023-2024 school year.
For more information, please contact Dr. Luann Hammami at (770) 972-4500, visit the school, or email her at Luann.Hammami@gcpsk12.org. You can also click the links or scan the QR Codes below for more details and resources.
SCHOOL RESOURCES AND INFORMATION
Student Arrival 8:20-8:50 and Dismissal 3:20-3:45
School Hours: 8:50 a.m. - 3:20 p.m.
Office Hours: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Arrival is from 8:20 a.m. to 8:50 a.m. The tardy bell rings at 8:50 a.m. Parents must come inside to check in their student(s) after this time. Dismissal begins at 3:20 p.m. Car rider dismissal ends at 3:45 p.m. After this time, you must come inside for student pickup.
Early Checkouts are allowed until 3 pm. After that time, check outs will be delayed until dismissal is completed.
SCHOOL LUNCH VISITATION AT BRITT
Come eat with your Comet for lunch!
Adult lunch is $4.00.
🍽️
We kindly ask that no fast food be brought to lunch. Thank you!
We know that families want easy access and one go-to location for need-to-know information about their student's education. Everything from records to resources found in one spot! Just as important, you want an easy way to stay in touch with your child's school. The updated Parent Portal gives parents access to grades, assignments, attendance, and communication with teachers. The Parent Portal also gives families a direct line to the classroom, with 24/7 real-time information and anytime, anywhere access, with in-portal translation in multiple languages.
Don't have an account or need to update your information?
Visit GCPS' Parent Portal page here for all the help you need!
Make sure you are also signed up and connected with the applications and resources below to stay connected even more!
About ParentSquare
ParentSquare is a unified communication platform that offers a whole host of tools that allows district leaders, school administrators, and teachers to communicate and engage with families and students more effectively.
Some features include:
- Mass Notifications and Urgent Alerts with two-way communication
- Mobile application for administrators and parents (iOS and Android)
- Attendance notifications (district-managed)
- Teacher and classroom communication
- Direct Messaging with two-way translation
- Social Media (Facebook and Twitter) and website share
- StudentSquare (high school students)
- And so much more!
BRITT BULLETINS!
All Snacks Must Be Paid For Through Your Child's My Payment Plus Account. No Cash Will Be Taken At School For Snacks!
👉 GCPS Job Opportunities Are Waiting Just For You! 👈
School Custodians
Bus Drivers
W. C. Britt Elementary School
Principal: Mrs. Melissa Madsen
Website: https://www.gcpsk12.org/BrittES
Location: 2503 Skyland Drive Southwest, Snellville, GA, USA
Phone: 770-972-4500
Facebook: facebook.com/brittelementary
Instagram: @britt_elementary
Twitter: @twitter_Brittelementary