Minor eNewsletter
August 17, 2023
Upcoming Dates at Minor
- August 22- Curriculum Night 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
- August 24- Little Learners Academy 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- August 29- Stevi B's Spirit Night 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- August 29- Virtual GCPS Parent Workshop- Universal Screeners 5:30- 6:30 PM
- September 1- Parent Workshop- "Formando Padres" (Spanish only) 9:30 AM-11:30 AM
- September 4- Labor Day Holiday (NO SCHOOL)
- September 15- Digital Learning Day
- September 28- Fall Fairy Tale Festival (Literacy Night) 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Click on the picture of the calendar or the link below to see the GCPS calendar for 2023-2024 in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese.
Upcoming Events
Please join us for Curriculum Night
Tuesday, August 22, 2023
6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Choose the session time that works best for you:
Session 1: 6:00 - 6:40 PM
Session 2: 6:50 - 7:30 PM
What is Curriculum Night?
Curriculum night is an educational open house by grade, that takes place at the beginning of the school year for parents to receive critical information that will benefit your child’s learning throughout the year.
At curriculum night, you can expect:
- teacher presentations on curriculum
- teachers providing an outline for routines and expectations—a great help in getting students prepared for a successful school year
- other resources you as a family has access to support your student
Learn to be Your Child's First and Best Teacher!
A DROP-IN CLASS FOR CHILDREN AGES BIRTH TO 5 AND THEIR PARENTS OR CAREGIVERS
One Thursday a month, BEGINNING AUGUST 24
(Please see calendar below for dates)
WHY?
- ENGAGE WITH YOUR CHILD THROUGH PLAY!
- HELP YOUR CHILD DEVELOP SKILLS NEEDED TO BE READY FOR WHEN THEY START SCHOOL!
WHERE?
Here at Minor Elementary in our Play 2 Learn Classroom!
No pre-registration required. Families from the community are welcome.
All adult attendees must present photo ID at front desk upon arrival.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 770-925-9543.
Virtual Parent Workshop for Understanding Your Child's Assessments
UNIVERSAL SCREENERS - FAMILY NIGHT
Presented by Miranda McLaren, Executive Director GCPS Accountability and Assessment Office
AUGUST 29
5:30 - 6:30 PM
ALL GCPS (Gwinnett County Public Schools) FAMILIES ARE INVITED TO JOIN US!
Did you know that at the beginning of each year your child takes tests in reading and math to help their teachers better understand what they already know, what skills they have already mastered, and what areas they may need help in? Did you know that your child will also take these tests in the middle and end of the year to show their progress and how their teachers can better support their learning? These tests are known as "Universal Screeners."
During this session, GCPS families of students in grades K - 12 will receive information about the "iReady" and "MAP" Universal Screeners. Find out how the screeners will help identify students’ strengths and areas of need, and how they are used to formulate the next steps needed in instruction to support all students.
Interpretation provided in Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, and Chinese
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
https://gcpsk12-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEtde2trjgtHdGG6hrpuUJPb9iSAURyGxQf
This presentation is part of the Federal Programs Department's "Building Parent Capacity Series" and designed to engage, equip, and empower families to be able to support their children at home.
Stevi B's Spirit Night is Coming!
Please join us on Tuesday, August 29
Any time between 4:00 PM and 9:00 PM
This event is a fundraiser for our school. Minor Elementary receives $1 for each adult and child buffet purchased. Last year Minor families helped us raise over $700 to help us fund special projects and events for our students and staff!
The class with the highest number of participants will win a FREE PIZZA PARTY for their classroom.
Stevi B's Pizza
1500 Pleasant Hill Rd Ste. 113
Duluth, GA 30096
Hope to see you there!
Announcements
Need Help?
Meet our Parent Outreach Liaison, Angelica Loper!
Ms. Loper can assist families with:
- Bilingual language support for communicating with the school and teachers
- Understanding how to connect with our technology support programs, such as the Parent Portal, ParentSquare, MyPayments Plus, and eCLASS
- Answering questions about our school system and your child's education program
- Training through various parent workshops
- Assistance for families in utilizing our Parent Center and checking out resources
- Providing information about volunteer opportunities
Please contact Angelica Loper to schedule an appointment for help in any of these areas:
678-245-3160
Gwinnett County Public Schools 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 and class information
- Share pictures and files
- See calendar items
- Upcoming class activities
Beginning July 18, 2023, 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 some schools and teachers may still use other district-approved tools for the 2023-2024 school year to communicate with their families.
If you received our notification about ParentSquare and you have questions about confirming your account access, please send an email to PSQHelp@gcpsk12.org.
For more information and tips, please visit:
Need help with your child's Chromebook?
GCPS is providing all students with a Chromebook for the 2023-2024 school year. If you need assistance with your Chromebook, please check out these websites:
1:1 Chromebook Parent Support Page
After Care School Program at Minor- RIGHT AT SCHOOL
Right at School is in Gwinnett County!
The Right at School program runs from the afternoon bell until 6:00 pm. Parent/guardians can work with Right at School to create flexible monthly schedules to support families' busy lives. Families can choose afternoon options for one, two, three, four, or five days a week. Drop-in care is also an option, allowing parents/guardians to pay only for the days care is needed. With support from Gwinnett County Public Schools, families at our school who are in need of aftercare support can attend at a discounted rate and can attend for free after being approved for CAPS ( child care subsidy).
Every day, students will have a healthy snack, engage in dynamic fitness activities, student-driven projects, team building, leadership development, and have the opportunity to complete homework.
Visit the Right at School website for more information.
Minor Elementary FaceBook Page
Use the link below to see important updates, reminders, information and event pictures.
Resources at Minor
NOW ENROLLING FOR 2023-2024!
Please contact us if you would like to register or to learn more about our weekly class. Applications are available upon request. You may also pick up an application at the front desk.
Anita Hutcheson 770-806-2227 or Anita.Hutcheson@gcpsk12.org
Angelica Loper 678-245-3160 or Angelica.Loper@gcpsk12.org
Social and Emotional Learning
Dear Minor Families,
We are grateful to partner with families to make Minor the best school it can be. The world is changing quickly, and together we can help students be successful in school and life. We are excited to tell you that Gwinnett County Public Schools will be using a program called Character Strong this year.
The Character Strong program teaches skills that help students be successful in school and in life.
We believe that students should have safe, predictable places to learn where they feel included.
Students should have healthy and helpful connections with teachers and classmates. They
should also experience learning that will help them tackle challenges inside and outside of
school. Character Strong also helps us build partnership between school and families to create a place where students feel like they belong and learn skills that will help them be the best they can be.
Our world needs more Kindness! That’s why Kindness is our Character Trait for August. Our definition of Kindness is acting with understanding, generosity, and care.
You’ll hear a lot about Kindness this year because it is also 1 of our 3 goals for Character Strong:
● Be Kind: Teaching social skills like listening, friendship, solving conflicts, and leadership.
● Be Strong: Skills that help students focus, stay organized, and set goals.
● Be Well: Skills that help students handle their emotions and deal with stress.
Try these conversation starters at home to reinforce the skills your children are working on at school:
● What does Kindness mean to you?
● What is something Kind you did for someone else today?
Parent Tips
Review School Bus Rules of the Road
Does your elementary schooler ride a school bus? Now is the time to make sure your child knows how to board and leave the bus safely.
In addition, review these school bus safety rules together:
- Walk on the left side of the road when going to and from the bus stop.
- Watch for cars that haven’t stopped.
- Remain seated and reasonably quiet while on the bus.
- Keep both hands and head inside windows.
- Avoid touching doors and windows.
- Avoid actions that might distract the driver.
- Follow the instructions of the driver or school bus monitor.
Brought to you by:
Gwinnett County Public Schools
Community Resources and Events
Building Babies Brains
Ways to Support our School
BOX Tops for Education
Dear Families, Are you looking for a quick and easy way to support our school? The Box Tops app makes it easy to earn cash our school!
HERE’S HOW IT WORKS:
- Buy participating products at the store.
- Use the Box Tops app to scan your store receipt. The app identifies eligible products and earnings are credited to your designated school online. Even if you’re shopping online or doing grocery pickup, you can still submit your digital or email receipt with the Box Tops app and earn.
- Twice a year, our school gets a check!
See a list of participating products at BTFE.COM/PRODUCTS.
Box Tops earnings really add up, and the more people that participate, the bigger the impact we can make!
All funds collected through program will go towards purchasing new PE equipment and Field Day treats for Minor Elementary!
Kroger Community Rewards Program
Earn Money for our School While You Shop!
Use the link below:
Butcher's Choice School Fundraiser
https://www.gcpsk12.org/cms/lib/GA02204486/Centricity/Domain/159/Minor%20Meat%20Order%20Form.pdf
Gwinnett County Public Schools Resources and Information
MyPaymentsPlus
How to Set Up A MPP Account for Parents:
Streaming: https://vimeo.com/345028817
How to Review Signed Documents in MPP:
Streaming: https://vimeo.com/345054468