Panther Press
New Prospect Elementary School Newsletter
September 7, 2021
NPE "Houses" Celebrations
Hello Panther Families!
New Prospect Elementary uses the Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports program (PBIS). PBIS is a school-wide, proactive approach to discipline that creates and maintains a safe and effective learning environment. The process focuses on improving a school’s ability to teach and support positive behavior for all students. With PBIS, instructional time is more effectively used for teaching and the overall school environment is calm and conducive to learning.
Teachers and staff help students reach these behavioral expectations with our school-wide PAWS program (Pride, Attitude, Wise Choices, and Safety). Using PAWS, teachers and staff model appropriate behaviors and then reward these behaviors in all areas of our building, and throughout the school day. PAWS “tickets” are given by teachers and staff to students who have exhibited a PAWS behavior. These tickets are turned in, and on Fridays we draw PAWS ticket winners. Winners choose a small prize and have their names announced on the intercom.
Another way our school encourages positive behaviors and community is through our school-wide Houses. All classrooms are a part of either the Earth House, Air House, Fire House, or Water House. Not only can individuals earn recognition for great behaviors, but classrooms and Houses earn recognition as well. Houses are recognized for positive behavior during our quarterly PBIS pep rallies…and it’s a LOT of fun!
What Can You Do to Help Your Child Stay on the Path to Positive Behavior?
< Ask your child about his/her day at school every day.
< Make sure your child is ready every day. Ensure a good night’s sleep.
< Provide a quiet time and space for your child to do homework nightly.
< Keep in touch with your child’s teacher.
< Encourage your child to use appropriate language and tone.
< Practice positive phrases with your child, such as, “Thank you,” “Excuse me,” “Please,” and “I’m sorry.”
We encourage the faculty, staff, students, and parents to work cooperatively in implementing our positive behavior program. The use of notes, e-mail, telephone calls and personal conferences will be used to maintain close parental contact. Our use of PBIS and our communication with families shows students how they have ownership of the problem, how to solve the problem they have created, and what they have done wrong, while leaving their dignity intact.
Check out our Pep Rally pictures below where we celebrated this work!
Amy Lemons
Principal
Upcoming Events:
September 9th-Curriculum Night 5:00-6:10
September 10th-Family Night at Bookfair 5:30-7:30 *See Below
September 13th--22nd-Fall Bookfair(in School)
September 20th-24th-College Week
September 24th-Fall Picture Day *Change from Original Calendar
We are so excited for you to join our Virtual Curriculum Night next Thursday September 9th from 5:00-6:10. There will be two sessions offered if you have multiple children at NPE. Sessions will be live, but also recorded if you can't make it. The meeting links will be sent on Tuesday the 7th. Please let me know if you have any questions.
NPE’s Fall BOOK FAIR is almost here!!
We have all of your favorite chapter books, graphic novels, picture books, gadgets and more!
All funds raised directly support our school’s media center, and ensure
that our students have access to quality reading material throughout the year.
For more information about the book fair, click here to visit the media center info page!
We highly recommend setting up an "eWallet," a digital payment method for students where you decide the spending limit and any leftover funds will not be charged to you! Students may also bring cash and checks (made payable to New Prospect) during Classroom Visit days, September 13-17.
BOOK FAIR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Volunteer opportunities are still available and include helping students shop during classroom visits, working the cash register, restocking books, and packing up at the conclusion of the book fair.
Visit this link to sign up as a volunteer!
Please be sure you are an FCS registered volunteer:
https://www.fultonschools.org/volunteer.
Calendar Changes
5th Grade Field Trip to Rock Eagle
Our 5th grade field trip to Rock Eagle has been postponed to the Spring due to COVID. As soon as the date is confirmed, we will get it out to you.
Late Start Date-September 20th
You may notice that on the FCS calendar there are six "Late Start Days" listed. The superintendent added these days to give teachers some additional time to review student data and to make instructional decisions in collaboration with colleagues. At New Prospect ES, these days will not impact students' arrival times. Our buses, carpool, and breakfast schedule will remain the same as always on these "Late Start Days". Teachers will be in meetings on a rotational basis and we will provide coverage for the teachers while in meetings. Therefore, we'd like all students to arrive by 7:40 am, as usual, on these dates. Schools have some autonomy with how this will work. Therefore, if you have children at other schools, their schools may give you other instructions for these days.
Need your Help!
New Staff at New Prospect
Gabby Burrough, 3rd Grade Teacher
Hi I'm Ms. Burrough! I grew up in a beach town in Melbourne, Florida. I attended Florida State University for my Bachelors and Masters degrees in Elementary Education. A fun fact about my college experience is that I played FSU softball for one year. This is my second year teaching, and I am so excited to be a New Prospect Panther this year! My favorite part of teaching is creating lasting bonds with students, and watching them flourish and grow into independent learners!
Ingrid Leicher, Clinic Assistant
Hello! I moved to Atlanta from Cape Town, South Africa in 2001 and have lived in Georgia ever since.
I have two sons, Sven who is 25 and lives in Rotterdam in the Netherlands and Bjorn who is 24 and lives in Colorado Springs.
I have worked as a clinic assistant in Fulton County Schools before at Manning Oaks Elementary, from 2005 until 2013. I found it to be extremely rewarding and always wanted to return to this position. Therefore, I am very excited to be back and to be at New Prospect!
Melissa Ganseriet, Special Education Paraprofessional
Hi, my name is Melissa Gansereit. I am mom to 18 year old triplets that just started their freshman year at college, Will, Everett and Georgia. I have lived in Alpharetta for the past 18 years with my husband Jonathan, three kids and four dogs. I love to travel, cook and spend lots of time with my children. I am happy to be joining New Prospect Elementary School!
Volunteers Needed!
Volunteers Needed for Brain Building Days!
Sign-up to be a Brain Building volunteer! Volunteers will help NPE staff implement fun, team building activities! Various spots are available for all grade levels! For more information, visit:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c044daca628a7f58-brain
Lunch Volunteers Needed!
Volunteers will help NPE staff supervise lunchtime for all grade levels. To sign up, visit:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c044daca628a7f58-lunchtime
Recycling Volunteer Needed
We are looking for one volunteer to come in on Friday mornings from 7:30-7:40 to empty our recycling containers into our huge container. They are very heavy, so we are looking for someone interested in getting an early morning workout!
Please email Christina McLeod @ mcleodcr@fultonschools.org
Media Center Volunteers Needed
Please email Sandi Dennis denniss3@fultonschools.org to volunteer in the Media Center
Order your 2021-2022 Yearbook
PTA has partnered again with Balfour for our school yearbook. Reserve your yearbook now to take advantage of the pre-order pricing! Yearbooks will be delivered to your student at the end of the school year. Click HERE and follow the steps to order from Balfour.
Steps to become a Volunteer
Fulton County Schools values and promotes active engagement of the community in all of our schools. Thousands of individuals serve as volunteers in our schools each year. Volunteer opportunities may include:
* Serving as tutors, mentors, or guest speakers
* Providing assistance in classrooms, cafeteria, library, or main office
* Organizing student enrichment and recognition activities
* Supporting special events, athletics, and school planning councils
How do I become a volunteer?
1. Register at the Fulton County Schools Volunteer Page. (Link Below)
2. Complete the mandatory online training.
3. Complete the volunteer application.
Please allow 48 hours for your application to be processed before you visit the school to volunteer. Volunteers must complete this process EVERY year.
When you arrive at the school for your first volunteer assignment, please present your government identification (i.e. driver's license, state issued ID cards, Mexican consular cards, green cards, military ID) to verify your identity.
Transportation Change Reminder
If you have a transportation change, please advise the student’s homeroom teacher and npfrontdesk@fultonschools.org by 1:00 pm. This will allow us time to make sure that the students are aware of how they are going home.
If you need to pick your child up early from school, we suggest that you arrive before 2:00 pm to sign them out. We have several students that are car riders, and the line begins to line up around 1:50 pm.
Infinite Campus
Please make sure you have signed up for Infinite Campus if you haven’t done so already! Click here to enter your email address to receive parent portal activation information.
Jr. Raider Basketball Tryouts
Tryouts for Jr Raider basketball teams will be Sundays in September following Labor Day weekend.
September 12th, 19th, & 26th.
Boys-
7th/8th-1:00-3:00
5th/6th-2:00-4:00
Girls-
5th-8th-4:00-6:00
All will take place at Alpharetta High School
Register here
Please Join PTA
Don’t forget to visit the New Prospect PTA website to donate, buy Spiritwear (& NPE Pop-its!) and order your yearbook!!