Norton Elementary News

I would like to wish each and every student, staff member, parent, and our community a wonderful holiday and Happy New Year. Thank you for your partnership in making our first semester of the 2023-2024 school year a success. I hope you take the winter break to enjoy your family and friends. Stay safe and healthy over the holidays and I look forward to leading alongside you during the second semester.

We had a wonderful time hosting Thanksgiving lunches for students, parents, and family members before Thanksgiving break. Thank you to our cafeteria staff for your preparation for this event and for the delicious Thanksgiving meal!

Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) is deeply committed to ensuring every child has the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills to succeed in college and careers. GCPS is proud to introduce Our Blueprint in Action – an initiative aimed at showcasing tangible instances of Our Blueprint priorities and the Portrait of a Graduate’s core competencies occurring consistently across our district.

Each month of the 2023-2024 school year, GCPS will spotlight one of our strategic priorities or Portrait competencies by sharing the stories of cluster schools, highlighting their classrooms, notable events, community insights, achievement, community service projects, student organizations, volunteer efforts, and much more. During the month of November, the South Gwinnett Cluster schools were highlighted for student voice.

To learn more the South Gwinnett Cluster and Norton Elementary, click HERE.

We conclude our first semester of teaching and learning on December 15, 2023. We will host our first semester honor’s programs for students in January to recognize them for their progress. Teachers will inform parents of their child’s recognition prior to the honor’s program. The dates for each grade level’s honor’s program in the cafeteria are:

Monday, January 22, 2024:

• 8:45 a.m. – 4th Grade
• 9:45 a.m. – 2nd Grade
• 1:30 p.m. – Prekindergarten & Kindergarten

Wednesday, January 24, 2023:

• 8:45 a.m. – 3rd Grade
• 9:45 a.m. – 1st Grade
• 1:30 p.m. – 5th Grade

Positive behavior interventions and support is school wide initiative designed to promote appropriate behavior in our students. We use PBIS to reinforce being Respectful, Responsible, and Ready (to learn). The PBIS’ goal is to promote self-discipline by letting students know what is expected of them and what the consequences of their behavior will be. This semester the PBIS Team has been working diligently to acknowledge and reward students that are showing the 3 R’s and self-discipline. Each month classes are rewarded for receiving the most Class Gotcha Cards and individual students have been receiving Gotcha Cards for implementing the use of the 3 R’s.

The PBIS Team is in need of volunteers to assist us with stocking of the PBIS carts and any donations that can be used as prizes would be truly appreciated. If you are able to help with this, please email desra.brown@gcpsk12.org.

The purpose of the student council at Norton is to lift student voices as important stakeholders in the Norton community and beyond. We want students to feel that their voices are heard and valued. Returning student members from last year’s first year of student council, along with new student leaders, have begun this work of serving the community and lifting the voices of the students at Norton this year.

During the fall, we had the opportunity to highlight the great work the student council has been doing serving the community. Select members of the student council participated in a video that spotlighted one of our strategic priorities or Portrait competencies- Student Voice. In this video (shown below), the students discussed the impact the Comets Care Closet has had on them as leaders and the impact it has had on our community.

Our plans moving forward include working to address student and staff needs and concerns, building stakeholder relationships and community partnerships, and continuing to lift the voices and build the leadership capacity of our student officers and classroom representatives.

Picture: Jacory Jackson-Fitzpatrick, Zahrah Rafaat, and Gabriella Oliveira behind the scenes

~Kayle Teasley and Breanna Meyers (Student Council Teacher Sponsors)

Parents, did you know we have Comet Time everyday?! This differentiated instruction provides your student(s) with modeled instruction of close reading based on their specific needs. During this 45 minute block, students are developing concepts, strategies, and skills through remediation and enrichment in Reading. The purpose of Comet Time is to increase reading stamina, critical thinking, and problem solving. Students are also exposed to a variety of assessment types including constructed responses that allows them to build students' abilities to explain and refine their thinking about texts. Comet Time instruction strives to bring out the STAR Reader in your student each and every day!

This year, we have been recognizing a student each month, from every class, from each classroom. Our Comet of the Month initiative is to recognize students based on character, leadership, and citizenship and not necessarily academics. Each month is given a character trait like empathy, gratitude, or responsibility, and students who exhibit that trait are chosen to receive a certificate as well as a special treat.

Comet of the Month helps create a culture of learning that values academic success, as well as elevates awareness of student contributions to the learning environment. We at Norton take pride in being able to recognize our students as much as we can. Celebrations are not only a form of encouragement, they also drive students to stay on track and stay motivated with their learning. When students feel reassured and supported by parents and role models who acknowledge their success, it leads them to continue working hard towards their personal goals.

We are very excited that our year is going so well with Title I activities. Title I offers many programs to assist parents with their children’s learning at home. Teachers shared Norton’s The Plan/The Promise at October conferences and many parents reviewed it on MyPaymentsPlus. This is a very important document that shows the responsibilities of the teacher, parents, and student in the development of the student’s overall education. If you do not have a MyPaymentsPlus account, reach or to our Parent Coordinator and she will be glad to help you create an account. The Title I Documents are shared there. Upcoming Title I events for second semester include Math Night and Science Night, Multicultural Night, additional parent workshops and our PreK transition workshops. Please look for further information, and we hope to see you there.

Please watch for reminders of upcoming workshops and events offered through Title I. We want to encourage parents to join Zoom sessions on AKS @Home at GCPS. This is a wonderful program offered through Gwinnett County Schools. Log onto AKS at Home to find sessions offered for all grade levels. You may attend live sessions or visit the site for recorded sessions. Go to our Title I page on the Norton School Website for more information on AKS at Home. Beverly McKellar, our Parent Instructional Coordinator, is available to support you. She has many resources in the Parent Center that are available for check out to support learning at home. Please contact her at 770-736-2015 with questions.

This semester we offered our Saturday Intervention Program for our students. We plan to continue the program next semester for Spring. Program dates for the second semester will be coming soon.

Purpose: Norton Elementary School strives to ensure students are meeting the Academic Knowledge and Skills (AKS) every day. We recognize that some students require additional time, opportunities, and support to demonstrate mastery of the AKS. This program is a four-hour program that is offered 7 times in both the fall and spring semester to support the areas of Reading and Math throughout.

When: Saturdays

Time: 7:30 – 11:30 AM

We encourage parents to visit the Parent Center. Mrs. McKellar is available to share resources that parents may need to help with their children’s learning at home. She has many learning games, children’s books, learning DVD’s, and practice books for check out. She also has many parent help resource books for parents to check out. She is here to help you navigate online resources to also help with learning at home. We encourage parents to also access eTIPS that are shared weekly. For example: Promote a positive attitude about math. Students’ feelings about math can affect their performance in it. They are more likely to do better on a math assignment if they are calm and confident. To help your child get in the mood for math, offer a reminder that effort makes math smarts grow. Offer reassurance to your child: “You know more than you think you do.” Check the link attached for ideas to help your child become more confident in math. https://tpitip.com/?13kS18608

Visit the Parent Center on Tuesday and Wednesday from 8:15 AM to 3:15 PM, or Thursday, from 8:15 to 11:00 AM to meet with Mrs. McKellar for continued support. She is also here to help parents navigate online registration, the Parent Portal, MyPaymentsPlus, and Parent Square. She can be reached at 770-736-2015 or email her at beverly.mckellar@gcpsk12.org

On Wednesday, December 13, our talented young performers took center stage to showcase their musical prowess and sign language skills. The Winter Music Club and Sign Language Choir Performance is a unique collaboration that brings together the melodious voices of the school music club and the expressive gestures of the sign language choir. The result was a mesmerizing fusion of auditory and visual artistry that captivated the audience.

Car Rider Expectations Morning Drop-off Reminders

• Morning Drop-off is 7:45 AM – 8:15 AM. The bell rings at 8:15 AM and students are expected to be in their classrooms by this time.
• The side doors will close at 8:15 AM.
• If you choose to park your car and walk your students across the car rider line, you must walk the students to the front door of the school.
• Students who exit cars from the car rider line will enter the side door of the school.
• Pull your car all the way to the end of the car rider line for drop off.
• Please stay in your car and in the car rider line AT ALL TIMES.
• Students are to exit and enter their cars on the right-hand side of the car.
• If you cannot exit the right side of your car, please park and walk your students to the front door.
• If you have a child safety lock on the car door, make sure it is disabled or unlocked.
• School staff are present to ensure safe conditions and will not open/close doors or hold umbrellas.
• The bus lane in the front of the school is closed to cars until after 9:00 AM.
• Only buses may use the bus lane from 7:45 AM—9:00 AM.
• Please limit cell phone usage in the line.

Car Rider Expectations Pick-up Reminders

• Afternoon Pick-up times are 2:45 PM – 3:15 PM and students are dismissed from the GYM.
• At 3:15 PM, any remaining students are taken to the front office and can be picked up there.
• Have your car rider tag with number visible on the right-hand side of the dashboard.
• If you have a young child, help them to memorize their car rider number. Students are called for afternoon dismissal by the number we see displayed on the dashboard.
• Students will only be dismissed to cars with visible car rider tags. If you do not have your tag, you will need to park your car, walk to the front office, and sign your child out from the front office. Make sure you show your ID.
• Each family is given 2 car rider tags in case 2 different cars are used for pick-up. If you lose your tag or need extra copies, please contact Sonia Forde or Katherine Garcia in the front office.

During the week of January 8, students in grades 1 to 5 will undergo the online iReady Diagnostic, a comprehensive assessment in math and reading. This diagnostic aims to pinpoint areas requiring intervention or acceleration in students' learning. The ultimate objective is to determine the "just right" level for each student in both math and reading. iReady, an interactive online learning program, tailors instruction to individual needs. The next instance of K-5 students taking the iReady Screener is scheduled for the spring.

The Milestones End-of-Grade (EOG) assessment is conducted annually in spring for students in 3rd to 5th grades. All grade levels undergo evaluations in English/Language Arts and Mathematics. Additionally, fifth-grade students are assessed in science. These assessments, scheduled for the final two weeks of April, yield valuable insights into students' preparedness for advancement to the next grade. The results serve as a measure of their academic proficiency and readiness for the upcoming grade level.

Below is the promotion criteria for each grade level for this school year.

Our aim is to boost the morale of our students and staff by introducing a variety of enjoyable activities that engage everyone and elevate emotional well-being. We've already had a blast with events like "Dress Like the 70's Day" on Day 70 of the school year, which took place on November 13, 2023. Following that, we rocked the '80s on day 80 of the school year, celebrated on December 4, 2023. Our next big-number day to anticipate is the 100th day of school, and we're planning to make it an unforgettable occasion by celebrating everything related to the number 100! Keep an eye out for an informative flier, which will be sent home in the Friday Folders on January 12, 2024. Mark your calendars, as the 100th Day of School is on JANUARY 19, 2024! Join us in making this day truly special and memorable.

Discover our Comet Caring Calendar, a monthly initiative that we eagerly send home in the Friday Folders at the start of each month. A standout component of our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) program is the meticulously designed "Comet Care Calendar." Every month, this calendar is thoughtfully crafted to center around a specific character trait we're emphasizing, incorporating a range of engaging activities and themed dress-up days. It provides an energetic and immersive platform for both students and staff to actively participate in the character-building journey. As an extra incentive, staff members who participate in the dress-up days have the exciting opportunity to enter a prize draw, further fostering a strong sense of community and enthusiasm for SEL.

Embracing SEL Themes Our SEL program aligns harmoniously with our Character Strong class lessons each month. Character Strong supports various SEL competencies, including Relationship Building, Self-Awareness, Social-Awareness, Self-Monitoring, and Decision Making, all under the umbrella of three overarching themes: BEE Kind, BEE Strong, and BEE Well. Each day of the month, there is a task that students can complete either at home or in the classroom, purposefully designed to reinforce the SEL theme of the month. We encourage all our families to actively engage in these daily activities, as it not only supports SEL at home but also at school. In addition to these SEL-focused tasks, we also provide essential school information, including school-wide spirit days and special occasions. Remember to check your calendars daily; we want you to know that we care deeply about your involvement! Our 2023 Theme: "S.M.I.L.E.S." This year, our overarching theme is "S.M.I.L.E.S. Supporting Mindfulness, Instruction, and Learning for Every Student."

We are thrilled to announce that our 4th and 5th graders are eagerly preparing to participate in the prestigious 2024 Scripps Spelling Bee. The excitement is palpable as our young spellers diligently study and practice in anticipation of the school competition, scheduled to take place on January 10, 2024. This event promises to showcase the incredible talent and dedication of our students, as they strive to prove their mastery of the English language. The stakes are high, as the winner of our school competition will have the honor of representing our institution at the district level. We have no doubt that our students will shine brightly, and we can't wait to see them rise to the challenge and make our school proud.

Social-Emotional learning (SEL) lies at the heart of our educational approach at Norton Elementary. SEL is an acronym for Social Emotional Learning, a crucial aspect of our curriculum that equips students with essential life skills. At Norton, we wholeheartedly embrace SEL, employing the Character Strong Curriculum to help our students navigate the intricate terrain of emotions and character development. We have a profound commitment to nurturing not just their academic growth but also their emotional intelligence. SEL encompasses the exploration of various character traits, with each month dedicated to the in-depth understanding and application of a specific characteristic. Our students embark on a character-building journey, gradually building a robust foundation of these traits to enhance their overall development. The ten character traits we focus on are Courage, Respect, Responsibility, Kindness, Perseverance, Empathy, Cooperation, Creativity, Honesty, and Gratitude. These traits are more than mere words; they are the guiding principles that shape the character of our students. Throughout the academic year, we consistently reinforce and expand upon these character traits, ensuring that students and staff alike become adept in embodying them. This continuous cultivation contributes to a school community that thrives on principles of empathy, cooperation, and resilience.

In addition to our robust SEL program, we've established a Wellness Room, designed to cater to the well-being of our dedicated staff. This serene sanctuary offers a respite from the daily demands of work and a space to rejuvenate. It's a place that staff members can retreat to when they need a moment of tranquility away from the hustle and bustle of their professional responsibilities. To celebrate the inauguration of the Wellness Room on November 13, 2023, we organized a "housewarming" event. Staff members generously contributed goodies to enhance the ambiance of the room, making it an even more inviting space for relaxation. The event was a delightful blend of camaraderie and festivity, featuring delicious food, engaging games, and exciting prizes. The ongoing transformation of the Wellness Room to align with the changing seasons has been met with enthusiasm, ensuring that it remains a cherished haven for our staff members. We invite our Norton community to continue contributing to the Wellness Room, helping us create a nurturing environment that truly supports the well-being of our dedicated staff. Together, we are fostering an atmosphere of learning, character development, and overall wellness that empowers both students and staff to thrive.

The SEL committee has devised a delightful and engaging way to usher in the holiday season and countdown to winter break – it's called the "12 Days of SEL." This festive initiative involved active participation from the students, making it a community-wide celebration. What's even more exciting is that staff members who choose to take part in the festivities stand a chance to win daily prizes through a drawing.

Throughout these 12 days, our school has been transformed into a winter wonderland, with staff members donning a variety of whimsical outfits. From snowmen to Grinches, and even nostalgic 80s attire, the school has been a sight to behold, radiating the joyous spirit of the holiday season. Special surprises were sprinkled throughout this celebration, with some days featuring sweet treats like hot chocolate, coffee, and tea, while others offered the warmth of hot apple cider. On "Polar Express Day," everyone was encouraged to grab a special treat as they embarked on a magical journey filled with holiday cheer.

The "12 Days of SEL" has been an incredibly fun and heartwarming way to kick off our well-deserved winter break. Both staff and students alike will undoubtedly cherish the memories created during this special time, ensuring it's a celebration we won't soon forget.

Our Media Center is a place where students select and read books of their choice. They also hear and engage in stories read by the media center staff, community members, and local authors. Recently, we hosted Ms. Marlene Soto. She is the author of several books which promote disability inclusion. Children learned the importance of empathy, understanding, and respect.

The last week of each month, we also open our MakerSpace. Students gain hands-own experience as they create individual artwork, build lego projects, design clay models, complete puzzles, and more. This is a fun way for students to engage in problem solving, collaborate, and explore! Be sure to stay connected to learn more about YOUR media program.

Norton Office hours are from 7:00 am – 4:00 pm. Students may not enter the building until 7:45 am. Students arriving after 8:15am are considered tardy and will need to come to the front office to check in.

If you wish to check out a student, please come to the office with your ID no later than 2:15 pm. No check outs will be allowed after this time.

For any one day transportation changes, please send in a hand written note to let the office know of the change. Please note that no emails, phone calls or faxes will be accepted for any transportation changes. If you are making a permanent transportation change, you will need to come to the office and fill out a new Transportation Form and your ID will be required. No Permanent changes will be made until the transportation form has been filled out.

Please always remember to have your ID with you for the safety and security of our Norton students and staff. Thank you for all your support as we continue to make Norton ES a safe and positive learning place.

Welcome to R.L. Norton Elementary School, home of the Comets! We are looking forward to seeing your student thrive at our school. The registrar is available Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. No appointments are required to register or withdraw students. Call the main office ahead of time to make sure the registrar is available.

• Registration: The enrolling parent/legal guardian is responsible to provide all required documents at time of registration. Student must be registered before 11:30 a.m. to get same day attendance credit. If a student is registered after 11:30 a.m., the child will start school the following day. For detailed information on registration information, please click on this link: Registration Information
• Withdrawals: Only the enrolling parent/legal guardian can request to withdraw a student. If you need a withdrawal packet to present to your new school, you may pick it up on the next business day. You will need to present your identification to pick it up. You may also submit your request via e-mail by clicking here: Withdrawal Form Please include a copy of your identification. Note: Save form first before clicking “Submit”.

• Student Information Changes/Updates: To update parents’ phone numbers and make changes/updates to your Emergency Contact list, please go to your Parent Portal account at: go2gwinnett.k12.ga.us. To learn more about the Parent Portal, please watch the video under this link gcpsk12.org/Page/26042. For assistance with your Parent Portal account, please contact our Parent Center at (678) 736-2015.
• Attendance: Parents or Guardians MUST send a signed, written note (or Doctor’s note) when the student returns to school providing the reason for the absence, the date(s) of the absence(s), and a daytime phone number. NOTE: Once the student misses 10 unexcused days, the school social worker will contact the family to discuss any truancy concerns.

Please contact our Registrar, Alma Garcia, at alma.garcia@gcpsk12.org or (678) 639-3798 if you have any questions or concerns regarding registrations, withdrawals, or student records.

In Gwinnett County Public Schools, we have a 1:1 device program. This means each and every student receives a Chromebook to support their learning. Students in grades K-2 keep their Chromebooks at school and bring them home only for Digital Learning Days. Students in grades 3-5 are free to bring their Chromebooks home and back to school each day as needed. There is an abundance of resources available for students at their fingertips through their Chromebook!

Through the My eCLASS Student Portal, students can access a variety of learning programs and resources including the following:

• Digital Textbooks
• Student/Parent Handbook
• Social Emotional Learning Resources
• Amplify Reading & i-Ready
• Adobe Express, Google Workspace for Education
• MyStudentVue - They can check their grades here!
• My eCLASS Course Pages - Each teacher has a course page where they can post information and assignments for students to access.
• Library Catalog - Find books before you go to the media center!
• Online Research Library - Access a myriad of databases for research and learning

Students can access the My eCLASS Student Portal with their Student ID number and assigned password.

Parents, there are resources available for you too!

We are a cashless school. This means if you need to pay for something for your student, you will need to use My Payments Plus. This includes lunch money, school fees such as field trips, PTA membership, donations, and more!

Click here for directions on how to set up your account and for and more information about My Payments Plus.

Gwinnett County Public Schools has 4 digital learning days scheduled for the 2023-2024 school year. We have already completed two! Here are the dates for the rest:

• Friday, February 2
• Friday, March 15

On a Digital Learning Day, teachers will post assignments on their eCLASS C&I course pages by 9 a.m. Students will use the My eCLASS student portal to log in to their eCLASS C&I course pages where they will access assignments, resources, and other materials.

Student work will be expected to be turned in to the teacher (either digitally or in-person), using a school’s process for turning in work following an absence. For example, if your school allows students to turn in work two days after a missed day, the Digital Learning Day assignments would be due two days after classes resume.

During the school year, teachers will share additional information with students about Digital Learning Days, including how they will support student learning during the day. (For example, some teachers may set up a discussion board while others may use online conference tools or be available via phone.)

If you need support on Digital Learning Days, please visit this page for more information.

Report Cards will be available for viewing online via the Parent Portal and Student Portal on Sunday, January 14, 2024.

Printed report cards will be mailed on Tuesday, January 16th, 2024.