Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year at Knight Elementary! We were thrilled to see our students and families at Meet the Teacher Day! Our theme for the 2024-2025 school year is, IMPACT! Together, we will support our students in reaching their potential and making an IMPACT in their lives!
The Knight Messenger will be released each month, providing important school information and details about upcoming events. This KNIGHT MESSENGER contains a lot of information regarding the start of school. Please refer to it often, so that you and your child will be prepared for the first days of school and the rest of the school year.
As we provide the best learning opportunities for your child this year, we ask for your support in reviewing the following transportation information:
- Students should be dropped off in the car rider lane no earlier than 8:20 a.m. There is no adult supervision for students before this time. For the safety of all students, we kindly ask that all cell phone use be discontinued upon entering the car rider lane.
- Car riders may only be dropped off and picked up at the designated location which is the side entrance to the school. Students arriving after 8:50 a.m. must be walked into the building by an adult.
- There will be no student check-outs after 2:30 p.m. in order to provide a safe and timely dismissal for all students.
- Changes in afternoon transportation should be made in advance. Telephone requests for changes in student transportation arrangements will not be honored. Please send a written note with a phone number from the parent or guardian. The note should be brought to the front office by the child to be signed and verified by a school official. If no note is received, the teacher will follow regular transportation procedures for the child. If a change must occur during the day, you will need to email or fax the school a written note (a picture copy of the written note must be sent as an attachment in the email) indicating the change and must include a picture copy of our driver’s license on the email or fax. After you have emailed or faxed the note, please call the school to ensure that the email or fax was received. All emails must be sent to Araceli Rodriguez at Araceli.Rodriguez@gcpsk12.org.
- School dismissal is at 3:20 p.m. Car riders must be picked up before 3:50 p.m. After this time, car riders will be taken to the front office for parent contact. For the safety of all students, we kindly ask that all cell phone use be discontinued upon entering the car rider lane.
- The Gwinnett County Public Schools Transportation Department works with local schools to ensure bus safety for all students.
To help your child have a successful experience, please review the following information:
1) Make sure your child knows his/her bus stop location and time of pick-up.
2) Please click the link below for car rider information. Note: "park and walk" is NOT an option.
3) Gwinnett County Public Schools Transportation Procedure: For student safety, students can only have 1 transportation dismissal tag (bus rider, car rider, or daycare rider.) If a student has another form of transportation, a written parent note must be provided EVERY DAY the student’s transportation changes from the dismissal tag. The student will then receive a bus rider, car rider, or daycare rider pass.
We are looking forward to a wonderful 2024-2025 school year. To maximize instructional time with your child, teachers check their emails after student dismissal at 3:20 p.m. Our teachers and administrators are available for scheduled conferences as well as communication via ParentSquare, email, or telephone. On behalf of the Knight Elementary School faculty and staff, I thank you for allowing us to provide your child with the best education possible.
We're hoping this will be the best year ever, making a profound IMPACT on our school community!
Your Proud Principal,
Dr. Toni Ferguson
The first day of school is here - Monday, August 5!
Just a few general reminders as we prepare to embark on the best school year ever!!
Parents are able to walk their students to the classrooms on the first days of school. In order to ensure a safe and secure environment for our students, we are requesting that parents not enter the building during arrival or dismissal after Wednesday, August 7th. Thank you for helping us stay safe and establish "normal" daily routines.
- We will have all hands on deck throughout the school to make sure each student is able to navigate their way to the appropriate classroom.
Be prepared to be patient during the first weeks as we work to teach students our afternoon dismissal procedures.
- The first weeks always takes a little bit longer, but we will get it down to a science before long!
- As the drivers get to know students and routes, we will see an improvement each day.
- Thank you for your patience as we work to ensure that each child gets home the right way!
For the safety and protection of all our students and staff, we ask that all parents who drive their students to or from school review these guidelines.
● These procedures are in place to ensure that all students are safely released to the proper adult.
● For the health and safety of students and staff, car engines are to be off while in the car rider lane if you arrive before 8:15 AM or 3:15 PM.
● Cell phones should not be used during drop off or pick up.
● Load and unload students only after pulling into the designated area.
● Students must unload and load from the PASSENGER side of the vehicle. If the students cannot unload and load from the passenger side, the driver must place the car in park and assist the student(s).
● 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.
Morning Car Rider Procedures
- AM CAR RIDER LINE will be in the Knight Side Parking Lot.
- Students may NOT be dropped off in the front of the school in the bus lane.
- Move as far up in the car rider lane as possible and only drop off in the right lane of the car rider loop.
- Students should remain in their cars until the car pulls into the unloading area.
- School personnel will be there to supervise the unloading of students.
- Morning drop-off closes at 8:50 AM.
- School personnel are needed at this time to begin their regularly scheduled classroom duties. Students are considered tardy if not in their classrooms by 8:50 AM.
- Please arrange your morning routine so your children are on time for school.
- Parents arriving late must park their cars, walk the students into the front office, and sign a tardy slip.
- All children arriving late must be escorted into the building by an adult.
- Students who arrive in class after 8:50 AM must have a tardy slip. Please practice right turn in, right turn out only.
Afternoon Car Rider Procedures
- PM CAR RIDER LINE will begin in the Knight Side Parking Lot.
- Dismissal begins at approximately 3:20 PM.
- Please note that our times will be later during the first few weeks of school as we work to fine-tune our dismissal.
- Anyone picking up students from Knight must display a current Knight Car Rider Tag. DISPLAY your sign on the rearview mirror until your child is in your vehicle. Multiple staff members need to see your car rider number.
- Anyone not having the tag or proper transportation documentation must park and enter the building to check the student out through the front office. ID is required to pick up any student.
- Afternoon dismissal ends at 3:50 PM.
- Parents arriving late to pick up students must enter the front office to sign students out. You will need to bring your picture ID.
- Students will not be released to adults who “walk up” to get a child.
- Please refrain from entering the afternoon car rider lane before 3 PM.
- Please practice right turn in, right turn out only.
We are excited to announce that our school and district have completely transitioned to ParentSquare as our online communication tool. ParentSquare is not just a communication tool; it's a bridge that connects our school community, streamlining communication and keeping everyone informed. ParentSquare will be our main source of communication for announcements, messages, and alerts. Please note that we are no longer using ClassDojo.
Documents that you will need to review in ParentSquare include:
- GCPS 2024-2025 STUDENT CONDUCT BEHAVIOR CODE
- GCPS 2024-2025 HANDBOOK INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES
- ATTENDANCE PROTOCOL
- EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
- MEDIA RELEASE OPT-OUT
- PARENT AKS OVERVIEW
Are you on the ParentVUE? If not, please contact Laurie Boltin at Laura.Boltin@gcpsk12.org to complete the sign-up process. The ParentVUE allows parents to monitor student progress throughout the year. No more waiting for report cards to get an update on grades; you may simply check the ParentVUE at your convenience. Other features allow you to view attendance, lunch account balances, checked out and overdue books, and emergency contact information.
Monday, August 5th: First Day of School
Friday, August 9th: Play 2 Learn New Student Orientation 10 AM
August 12 - 16: iReady Beginning of the Year Academic Screener
Monday, August 12: Play 2 Learn Returning Student Orientation 10 AM
Thursday, August 15: Lockdown Drill
Tuesday, August 20th: PTA/Curriculum Night, Grades K-2
- PTA Meeting 5 PM & Teacher Presentations 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
- PTA Meeting 5 PM & Teacher Presentations 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Friday, August 23rd: PTA Screen on the Green
- (Field opens at 6 PM, Movie Starts at 8 PM)
Monday, August 27: Limitless Kids 10 AM
Friday, August 30th: College Spirit Wear Day
Friday, August 30th: All Pro Dad Meeting 7:10 AM
Monday, September 2nd: Labor Day/Student Holiday
Click to access the
2024-2025 GCPS Calendar English
2024-2025 GCPS Calendar Spanish
This approved calendar features a start date of Monday, August 5, 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 21.
DIGITAL LEARNING DAYS
- Friday, September 20, 2024
- Tuesday, November 5, 2024
- Friday, February 7, 2025
- Friday, March 14, 2025
Check the Parents tab on the school website or click HERE to access the 2024-2025 school supply lists.
GCPS students will have access to a meal (breakfast and lunch) throughout the year for each child.
All Knight Elementary students will continue to receive breakfast at no charge.
- Free and Reduced-Price students will receive lunch at no charge.
- Students with Full Pay eligibility will pay $2.50 for lunch.
The adult breakfast cost is $2.75 and the lunch cost is $4.00.
Please click the link below to complete SY25 Free and Reduced application.
SY25 Online Free & Reduced Application
- ONLINE APPLICATIONS (Private, Fast & Available 24/7) SCHOOL LUNCH APPLICATION
- APPLICATION STATUS CHECK SCHOOL LUNCH STATUS
- QUESTIONS: CONTACT HELP LINE 678-301-6307
- At this time, lunch visitors are not allowed so we can establish our schedule and procedures.
- Parent lunch visitation will begin Tuesday, September 3rd utilizing the bistro tables in the hallway outside the cafeteria.
- Please feel free to email your child's teacher ahead of time to confirm lunchtimes.
- REMINDER - if you do come for lunch, please remember to bring your ID. All adults are required to present their ID to enter the building as a visitor.
Click here to order your yearbook now! Lowest price ($33) of the year until 8/23!
Looking for a program for your younger child that encourages them and YOU to PLAY, LEARN, and GROW?
Play 2 Learn is that program!
Who can ‘Play 2 Learn’?
Children ages birth to 5 and their parents or caregivers
What is the program about?
Learning through PLAY
Where is it?
Knight Elementary and a number of elementary schools across
the county
How long is it?
90 minutes, once a week, from September to May
Why come to Play 2 Learn?
Early childhood experiences are so important to lifelong
learning
Get started on an amazing learning journey with your child!
Contact our Parent Instructional Coordinator, Kelli Sheffield, by email (Kelli.Sheffield@gcpsk12.org) at 770-921-2400 to enroll your child and you in Play 2 Learn.
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://jointotem.com/ga/lilburn/knight-es-pta
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!
Be sure to visit the GCPSWebsite for all updates regarding the start of school.
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!