Summerour Blue Devil Blast

Volume 2, Issue 24 - January 20, 2023
Dr. Looney's Message
Report Cards & Communication Help
Gwinnett County Public Schools began printing and mailing semester 1 report cards on January 17. If your child's report cards have not arrived yet, they will be there soon. Please take some time to review your child's grades with your child. Ask about grades that surprise you and encourage your child to do their best. This is a good time to let them know you're watching and to alter their privileges (either for good grades or for poor grades).
We are offering grade recovery starting in February for students with a 50% to 69% in core classes. Look for information below.
SummerOUR wants to communicate with all of our parents. If you know of a parent who is not receiving email communications from us but wants to, please encourage them to reach out to us and get their information up-to-date.
Thanks for all that you do to support us. Let us know if there is anything that you need from us.
Upcoming Dates
- January 20 - GSMST Registration Deadline
- January 21 - Basketball vs North Gwinnett MS
- January 21 - Soccer vs. Northbrook MS
- January 26 - Basketball vs. Hull MS
- January 28 - Basketball vs. Lilburn MS
- January 28 - Soccer vs. Lilburn MS
- February 2 - Progress Reports Go Home
- February 3 - Digital Learning Day #3
- February 3 - Semester 2 Progress Reports Go Home
- February 4 - Soccer @ Sweetwater MS
- February 6-10 - National School Counseling Week
- February 14 - St. Valentine's Day
- February 15 - GCPS County Basketball Tournament
- February 16, 17, 20 - No School - GCPS Student Holiday
- February 22 - NHS Football 8th Grade Weight Training Starts
Join SmarterMe
Tuesdays & Thursdays
4:15 - 6:00 pm
- build literacy skills
- participate in STEM activities
- receive homework help
- make new friends
For more information, ask your teacher about SmarterMe!
AAP - Grade Recovery Program
We sent letters home via email this week to students who might benefit from our no-cost grade recovery program, AAP.
Eligibility?
Student scored between 50% and 69% for any core academic subject in Semester 1
Language Arts or Science
7:15AM - 8:15AM
Tuesday, January 24th – Tuesday, February 7th
NO SCHOOL (Digital Learning Day #3) on Friday, February 3rd
Math or Social Studies
7:15AM - 8:15 AM.
Thursday, February 9th – Monday, February 27th
NO SCHOOL (Student Holidays) on Thursday, February 16th, 17th, and 20th
*check your email for an invitation and form to register if your child qualifies
Mr. Lenie George
6th Grade Assistant Principal
Ms. Pam Griswell
6th Grade Counselor
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
Understanding PSAT Scores
8th grade students took the PSAT on October 12. Click on the image to expand it to full size.
Here you can read about where to see scores, how to interpret them, and what your next steps might be.
Norcross Football Weight Training Starts February 22
Belinda Terry, Belinda.Terry@gcpsk12.org
PEAK Award Winners
Congratulations to Language Acquistion Connection Teachers, Mr. Bradshaw and Mrs. Fejokwu, for receiving the 2022 GCPS Professionalism, Experience, Achievement and Knowledge (PEAK) Award! We love our Connection Teachers! ❤️
OUR Administrators
Tap Club
If you're interested in learning how to tap dance, join our club. Tap Club meets EVERY Wednesday from 4:30-6:00 in Mrs. Daley's room on the 3rd floor. If you've tapped before, I can offer you great challenges to advance your skill, and if you've NEVER tapped, it's okay. You will feel right at home either way. Come join Tap so you can learn a new skill, advance your level of tap, and also meet some really friendly students.
SummerOUR Intramurals Are Back
We are happy to offer an intramural program here at Summerour Middle School!
The Intramural program will run from Tuesday January 17th-Thursday March 23rd and is intended to provide fun, interactive activities for all students. Activities offered depend on students’ interests (let us know what you want to play) and include, but are not limited to, soccer and basketball.
There is no charge for this program. If any problems with behavior occur, students will be verbally warned and if problems continue, the student will be excused from the program.
Permission Form Below
The PBIS Rewards above are a part of our PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention & Supports) discipline plan. As students earn Blue Bucks in classrooms, hallways, and cafeteria for good behavior, they can purchase items with those Blue Bucks. This month's list is above.
SummerOUR Everywhere Last Night!
Last night was a busy night at SummerOUR. OUR amazing students, teachers, and parents were on display everywhere.
To begin, Ms. Carlson and Mr. Bradshaw did an exceptional job facilitating the ESOL Parent Night at the Norcross Public Library. If you haven't visited the Norcross Library, the bookworm in you would be very impressed.
OUR boys and girls basketball teams each earned their second wins last night (against Twin Rivers MS).
We also saw an incredible performance from OUR very own 6th grade orchestra. In case you were not aware, you should know that Ms. Huong is a phenomenal teacher/director. OUR families packed the cafeteria to support OUR students. Special thanks to OUR 6th grade teachers who stayed to watch the concert - Barry, Fey, Gray-Watson, Griscti, and Hayes.
We are so glad to be Summerour Blue Devils!
January IB Learner Profile: Open-Minded
IB Learners understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the experience.
IB students have a deep understanding of various cultures and views, bringing an appreciation of new views to both their academic study and their involvement in local and wider communities. Their international mindedness complements the missions of the best tertiary institutions.
Ms. Barry's Classes Working in Groups
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.
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 in September of 2022, 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.