Summerour Blue Devil Blast

• September 16 - City of Norcross Hispanic Heritage Celebration
  
• September 19 - Picture Day
• September 21 - GCPS Board Meeting (ISC, Suwanee)
• September 28 - PTA Meeting
• September 28 - Literacy & Technology Night
• September 30 - JLC Raider Event (Parkview HS)
• October 2 - Interim Exams - Science
• October 3 - Interim Exams - English/Language Arts
• October 4 - Interim Exams - Math
• October 5-9 - Fall Break
• October 11 - Interim Exams - Social Studies
• October 12 - Hispanic Heritage Night
• October 12 - 20 - Interim Exams - Makeups
• October 13 - Progress Reports Go Home
• October 18 - Early Release / Parent-Teacher Conferences
• October 19 - Early Release
• October 19 - GCPS Board Meeting (ISC, Suwannee)
• October 21 - JLC Raider Event (@ Sweetwater MS)

Friday, September 15

The Norcross Blue Devils host Discovery High School for the home opener on Friday, September 15 at 7:30 pm. Tickets for the game may be purchased on the GoFan App or at GoFan.co. Join us to cheer on the Blue Devils as we kick off another exciting football season.

NHS wants all our fans to have a great experience when they visit campus. There are a few guidelines for those attending NHS athletic events:

• All elementary and middle school students must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

• Only students from Norcross HS, Paul Duke STEM HS, and the visiting team’s high school will be admitted to the game (unless accompanied by a parent or guardian).

• High school students must present a current ID on StudentVue to enter.

• Clear Bag Policy for all athletic events on campus.

Want the rest of their schedule? See the NHS Football website.

All 1st Semester Interim assessments will be administered online.

Science test date change: see updated schedule below.

Administration Dates:

• Tuesday, Oct. 3rd - Language Arts
  
• Wednesday Oct. 4th - Math
• Tuesday Oct. 11th - Social Studies
• Thursday, Oct. 12th - Science (date change)
• Thursday, Oct. 12th - Friday, Oct. 20th - Makeups

Free Community Health Fair

September 16, 2023

10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

5880 Liveoak Pkwy, Suite 150, Norcross, GA

Bring the entire family to get a FREE health screening.

Any student who did not attend the informational meeting on Wednesday can see Ms. Winters to get the necessary paperwork for tryouts.

Girls soccer tryouts:

Tuesday and Wednesday

until 5:45pm

Boys soccer tryouts:

Monday and Wednesday

until 5:45pm

Students must bring completed paperwork to tryouts with them.

Please join us for a fun event to celebrate the wonders of reading and writing on Thursday, September 28from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at Summerour Middle School. "Literacy Around the World Tour" will take Summerour families on a trip around the world. The entire family is encouraged to attend and show students that reading is a passport to knowledge …and fun! We will have pizza, door prizes, a surprise gift for each family, books giveaway, Spanish interpreters, and transportation to attend this event if needed.

Hope to see you there!!

(click the image to the right for the Spanish flyer)

OUR Engineering classes are always working through some sort of cool design. This week, here are some students sketching out their fuselage designs!

OUR teachers spent this morning's Digital Learning Day in Summerour University sessions. During Summerour University, teachers and staff train each other on topics that teachers choose to attend. Here are a few photos of OUR teachers teaching each other.

Ms. Belinda Terry

6th Grade Assistant Principal

Belinda.Terry@gcpsk12.org

Ms. Tannia Wood

6th Grade Counselor

Tannia.Wood@gcpsk12.org

Greetings, Summerour students and families! My name is Tannia Wood and I am so excited to serve as the 6th grade counselor here at Summerour! This marks my 9th year as a school counselor and my first year working with middle school scholars! I am a proud “Double Dawg,” graduating from the University of Georgia with both my master’s and bachelor’s degrees. I am a lover of all things family, food, and football! I am looking forward to an exciting, fun-filled year, building connections and supporting students, families, and our community.

Dr. Toni Weir

7th Grade Assistant Principal

Toni.Weir@gcpsk12.org

Mr. Al Sadler

7th Grade Assistant Principal

Al.Sadler@gcpsk12.org

Ms. Angelica Rosas

7th Grade Counselor

Angelica.Rosas@gcpsk12.org

Hi! I am Angelica Rosas, the 7th grade counselor at SummerOur MS. This is my 25th year in the school system. I was an elementary school teacher for 23 years and this is my second year as a school counselor. I am originally from Puerto Rico and happily married. I am the mother of three wonderful adult children and a grandmother of two beautiful boys. I love being surrounded by youthful and active minds. It is my passion to serve them and the whole school community as well.

In the bottom photo, Ms. London is facilitating energetic and enthusiastic collaborative work in her English/Language Arts classes.

Ms. Christy Gray

8th Grade Assistant Principal

Christian.Gray@gcpsk12.org

Ms. Robin Blackwell

8th Grade Counselor

Robin.Blackwell@gcpsk12.org

Ms. Allegra Morgan

Gear Up Counselor

Allegra.Morgan@gcpsk12.org

Hello families, my name is Mrs. Robin Blackwell, and I am thrilled to be the 8th grade counselor here @ Summerour Middle School. This is my 22nd year in education and my 17th year as a counselor here @ SMS. I have two adult children (son and daughter) and 2 lovely granddaughters. I'm a graduate of Jacksonville State University with a specialist degree in School Counseling. I'm originally from Oklahoma City, OK, but lived in Dallas, TX, most of my adult life. I love being a school counselor and look forward to an amazing school year supporting our students and their families. Go Blue Devils!

Hi. My name is Ms. Allegra Morgan, the 8th grade/GearUp school counselor here at Summerour Middle School. This is my 8th year as an educator. I started my career as a 5th grade elementary teacher and transitioned into counseling last school year. I am originally from Brooklyn, New York City, and relocated to Atlanta, Georgia in 2015. I am currently in school completing my Specialist degree in School Counseling at Fort Valley State University. I am very excited to be here as one of the new school counselors here at Summerour Middle School. Looking forward to an amazing school year.

• GCPS offers healthy and delicious meals for our students.
• With the expiration of USDA Covid-19 waivers after 2021-2022, students are once again charged for meals based on their individual eligibility for 2023-2024.
• Please take the time to apply for Free or Reduced Lunch for your child. You can access the 2023 - 2024 Meal Application online. New applications are required each school year.

This Year's Prices

• Breakfast Prices: $1.50 (Full Pay) and $0.00 (Eligible Free)
• Lunch Prices: $2.50 (Full Pay); $0.40 (Eligible Reduced Pay); and $0.00 (Eligible Free)
• Milk Only Full Pay: Breakfast and Lunch ($0.40)

GCPS has adopted a new form of school-to-home communication called ParentSquare. This communications platform is designed to keep parents and guardians informed and encourage engagement and connection with your child’s school and Gwinnett County Public Schools.

District and school information will now be sent to your computer or phone via email and/or text via ParentSquare. Download the ParentSquare app (available for free for iOS and Android devices). 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.

Need the ParentSquare app?

Apple Store : Google Play Store

Does your child need the StudentSquare app?
Have your student scan the QR codes below to get the StudentSquare app.

IB Learners are Inquirers. They develop their natural curiosity. They acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning. They actively enjoy learning and this love of learning will be sustained throughout their lives.

University faculties regularly note IB students’ passion for discovery.

Join PTA!

Make sure your voice is heard. Want to be able to vote at PTA meetings? Click or scan the QR code to join PTA.

All parents MUST go onto My Payments Plus to sign off on required documents: from Title I acknowledgements to Student Handbook Acceptance. EVERYONE must use My Payments Plus to sign off on our required documents.

Go to our Parent Resources page on the website and click on "Signing Docs & Making Payments" about 1/2 way down. You'll see a description and links for assistance.

The A+ Education Reform Act of 2000 established school councils in Georgia to bring communities and schools closer together in a spirit of cooperation to achieve the following: solve difficult education problems, improve academic achievement, provide support for teachers and administrators, and bring parents into the school-based decision-making process. In short, School Councils provide advice, recommendations, and assistance to principals and local boards of education. The Summerour school council meets four times a year.

If you are interested in joining the Summerour School Council for the 2023 - 2024 school year, contact Joielle Parker.

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. Any student who is using the phone for cyberbullying (as determined by Discipline Coordinator) will lose privileges of bringing a cellphone to school.

Thank you, Parents, for your continued support of the Summerour mandatory school uniform policy. See the requirements below:

• Collared shirts, solid colors: white, navy, or grey
• Only SMS logo t-shirts can be worn: navy or white
• Outerwear (sweatshirts, etc.) - must be plain with no designs - logo smaller than a quarter
• Shirts must be long enough to be tucked easily into shorts, pants, or skirts
• Pant, short or skirt colors: khaki, navy plaid, navy, black - No Black Jeans
• Crocs are permitted in neutral colors only (black, white, navy, tan, grey)
• No leggings, jeggings, or sweatpants - Uniform Joggers are permitted
• Jeans on non-uniform days only and must not reveal skin
• Students are not permitted to wear slides or house slippers
• “Fingertip” rule applies to short and skirt lengths
• Hats are off and hoods are down in the school building.