Knight Messenger
December 2023
Who Are We!?!
Our Vision: To share in the commitment of rigorous and high-quality instruction to meet the needs of every child.
Our 2023-2024 school theme "TEAM KNIGHT #TeamKnight!" is directly aligned with our continued vision and instructional expectations for Knight: to share in the commitment of rigorous and high-quality instruction to meet the needs of every child.
Our Mission: To provide a positive, stimulating, and secure environment that empowers the individual to grow socially, emotionally, and intellectually in order to meet the challenges of an ever-changing world.
Our Belief: We believe all kids can learn…and we will establish high standards of learning that we expect all students to achieve. It is our job to create an environment in our classrooms that engages students in academic work that results in a high level of achievement. We are confident that with our support and help, students can master challenging curricula, and we expect them to do so. We are prepared to work collaboratively with colleagues, students, and parents to achieve this shared educational purpose (DuFour, 1997a).
Our Why: To engage and serve the Knight community so that students and families are resilient and empowered to be successful in our ever changing world.
Our Motto: “Everyone can be a STAR at Knight!”
HELLO, KNIGHT FAMILY!
I hope you had a happy Thanksgiving Break! I am so thankful for our Knight Family!
I want to thank our Knight Family for joining us at our wonderful Veterans Day Celebration! It was heartwarming to see so many Knight families in attendance to help us celebrate. Our chorus did a fantastic job with their song selections. Our students were outstanding from the beginning to the end of the celebration!
Thank you, Knight Family, for supporting our thankful turkeys fundraiser! We raised over $800 to support our PBSIS care cart! Our turkeys were overflowing with feathers, expressing gratitude and thankfulness.
Our Knight Family Luncheon was AMAZING! We welcomed over 500 family members! It's been four years since we hosted this luncheon! We appreciate you for joining us and spreading joy throughout our school!
Thank you to our Knight families who supported the "Box" of Love project! Forty-five Knight families received a "Box of Love" to help make their Thanksgiving break happier. We are looking forward to a repeat in December!
On behalf of Knight Elementary, we are thankful for all you do to support our sweet school. I continue to say that Great Communities build Great Schools, and in turn, Great Schools build Great Communities! As we approach the end of the year, the time to celebrate is near! Let's make the month of December a month to remember! Please see our 12 Days of Kindness calendar. Students are invited to participate as we enjoy the most wonderful time of year! Happy holidays to all, and have a safe upcoming winter break!
Proud to be your principal,
Dr. Ferguson
12 DAYS OF KINDNESS!
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 can contact Knight ES to arrange to complete the survey at the school.
The feedback that parents provide by completing this survey will be used in the calculation of the School Climate Star Rating. Knight Elementary School's last score listed above in 2019 with 5 out of 5 stars with a calculation of 97.10!. 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 system or school personnel or the public and will not be posted online. Please provide your voice for Gwinnett County Public Schools by clicking HERE and completing the survey.
UPCOMING EVENTS!
Saturday, December 2
- Girls on the Run Event in Atlanta 7 AM
- PTA Winterfest 12 PM - 3 PM
PTA needs your help to help make the Winterfest a huge success! Please CLICK HERE to volunteer and help make this Winterfest the best one yet!
Monday, December 4
- Science District Assessment (Grades 3-5)
Tuesday, December 5
- Social Studies District Assessment (Grades 3-5)
Friday, December 8
- 1st Grade Polar Express Day
- Pajama Day!
Monday, December 11
- English Language Arts District Assessment (Grades 1-5)
Tuesday, December 12
- Mathematics District Assessment (Grades 1-5)
Friday, December 15
- House Color Day
- Winter Parties
December 18 - January 3
- Winter Break
Thursday, January 4
- Students Return to School / College Awareness Day
Monday, January 15
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day / No School
Friday, February 2
- Digital Learning Day
GCPS CALENDAR 2024-2025!
GCPS CALENDAR 2025-2026!
PROMOTION REQUIREMENTS 2023-2024
Parents, please take the time to review the Gwinnett County Promotion Criteria so that you and your child understand what is expected of them. If you have questions, please contact your child’s teacher.
PARENT VUE APP - NOW AVAILABLE
The Synergy Parent mobile app, ParentVUE, is now available for use. The app is available in the Apple App Store, as well as the Google Play Store. An active Parent Portal account is required to log in to ParentVUE.
- It will allow parents, who have a parent portal account, to view schedules, grades, see when assignments are due, view graduation requirements, find missing assignments, and view other important student information.
- If you have a Parent Portal account you will use the same log in username (email) and password that you use online.
3rd, 4th, and 5th GRADE STUDENTS CAN RECEIVE HELP VIA TUTOR.COM
The Gwinnett County Public Library is partnering with Gwinnett County Public Schools to provide online tutoring support to 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade Gwinnett students through Tutor.com. Students will need a library account to access the service. They will be able to sign on for individual tutoring sessions daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and for 24/7 “drop-off” support (uploading a document for tutor review/feedback to be returned at a later time).
Find all the information you need to take advantage of this program by logging into eCLASS. Look for the box pictured below!
COMMUNICATION
ClassDojo
Knight Elementary will continue to use ClassDojo to communicate with families. To receive help with connecting to your student's class or any other ClassDojo questions, please contact Kelli Sheffield at Kelli.Sheffield@gcpsk12.org.
ParentSquare
We 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 information
- Share pictures and files
- See calendar items
- Upcoming school activities
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 Knight staff will communicate with parents via ClassDojo and email.
SAFETY & SECURITY UPDATE - SCHOOL VESTIBULE
The safety and security vestibule has been updated with new electrical outlets installed for the independent parent check-in/check-out process.
During school hours, the entrance for visitors is restricted to designated doors near the office, which are locked until the visitor is granted access. To notify school staff of their arrival, visitors push the "bell" button on the visitor management panel found outside the main entrance door. A staff member at the school then uses the audio/visual intercom to see the visitor's face and to request a reason for the visit. Once their purpose is validated, the office staff electronically unlocks the exterior door, allowing the visitor to proceed into the vestibule.
Vestibules provide space and an opportunity to verify visitors PRIOR to gaining access to the main building and provide additional security measures. They serve as a single entry point for students checking in or checking out of school.
Visitors will go through a check-in process, entering their driver's license or a state-issued ID into a scanner. Once visitors are cleared, they are issued a detailed visitor badge that identifies the visitor, the date, and the purpose of their visit. (A visitor's badge will not be necessary for those who visit our schools to drop off an item in the office or pick up paperwork.) Once the badge is issued, visitors will be "buzzed" into the school. Badges must be worn a visible at all times.
PARENT LUNCH VISITATION
- Parents/families are welcome to enjoy lunch with their child(ren).
- After checking in the office with an ID and securing a visitor badge, parents/families will meet their child(ren) at the entrance to the cafeteria.
- Please allow your child to follow his/her normal routine in the cafeteria line. Feel free to bring a lunch with you or to purchase lunch ($4).
- Parents/families will utilize the bistro tables in the hallway outside the cafeteria.
- When leaving the cafeteria parents should not escort students back to the classroom. Parents must sign out before leaving.
I SCREAM YOU SCREAM...WE ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM
Students will have the opportunity to purchase ice cream from a variety of selections during lunch. Ice cream is $1.00 and will be sold Monday, Wednesday and Friday for all grade levels. Class Parties for ice cream sales are also available each day. Please contact the school office for details.
CAR RIDER ETIQUETTE
- Please, no left turn into the carpool off River Drive.
- Please, no left turn from the carpool onto River Drive.
- Please do not make a U-turn in the middle of River Drive or entrances to neighborhoods near the school to enter the carpool or after exiting the carpool.
"Park and Walk” is NOT an option.
A GCPS school bus can transport every Knight student.
GEORGIA AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM AT KNIGHT!
GCPS Calendar 2023-2024
Click here to access the 2023-2024 GCPS Calendar.
This approved calendar features a start date of Wednesday, August 2, seven days of pre-planning for teachers, and four digital learning days. The four digital learning days are scheduled throughout the year, with two occurring in 1st semester and two in 2nd semester. The calendar also features a fall break in October, a two-week and a half winter break, a break in February, a week scheduled for spring break, and end date of May 22.
DIGITAL LEARNING DAYS
- GCPS will provide meals via bus distribution on digital learning days.
- Both breakfast and lunch will be offered.
- Meals can be served to anyone 18 and under.
- Buses will begin delivery around 10:45-11:00 A.M.
UPCOMING DIGITAL LEARNING DAYS
- February 2
- March 15
SCHOOL HOURS
Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM
All visitors must sign-in at the welcome desk and please be prepared to provide some form of identification upon request.
Staff Hours: Monday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday, 8:00 AM - 3:50 PM
* Hours will vary depending on morning staff meetings (Tuesday, 7:10 AM - 3:50 PM).
Student Hours: Monday - Friday 8:50 AM - 3:20 PM
Students should arrive between 8:20 AM - 8:50 AM.
YEARBOOK!
Order your 2023-2024 Knight Elementary Yearbook TODAY! Don’t Delay, Order Today! Price is $35.Click here to order your yearbook now!
KNIGHT PTA NEWS!
Please join the PTA this year!
Knight PTA's ultimate goal is to benefit our children and support their learning experience. Membership is an opportunity to connect with other parents and to support our school. Our goal is one membership for each student. Membership is only $5 per person! Please join at:
https://knightelementaryschoolpta.memberhub.com/store#.
Membership is $5 per individual adult (not per household or per student as GA PTA does not allow household memberships).
Thank you for supporting the PTA!
UPCOMING PTA EVENTS
- December 2 - Winterfest 12 PM - 3 PM
- December 14 - Chick fil Night 5 PM - 7 PM
GCPS Updates
Be sure to visit the GCPSWebsite for all updates regarding the start of school.
Need More Help?
Please feel free to contact Kelli Sheffield, Kelli.Sheffiled@gcpsk12.org or Sindy Amador, Sindy.Amador@gcpsk12.org in our Parent Center. You can also reach them by phone from 9:00am - 3:00pm at 770-806-3887.
Finally, please visit the Knight website often for information and updates at KnightESHomepage Thank you for your generosity and support as we continue to ensure learning for all students at Knight Elementary!
OUR ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS!
Mr. Michael Cunningham
Grades K-2
Ms. Nicole Charloff
Grades 3-5
Ms. Beth Wilson
Specials Needs & Specials