Meadowcreek Community Newsletter

March 19- Positive Behavior Intervention & Supports (PBIS) Family Night 5:30-6:30PM (Virtual)

March 21- Heritage Night 5:30-7:00PM

March 25- Rising 6th Grader Parent Night 6:30-8:15PM @ Radloff Middle School

March 26- Spirit Night @ Los Hermanos @ 4:00PM

March 27- Little Learners Academy @ 10:30AM

March 28- Family-School Partnership Advisory Council (PAC) Meeting 6:00-7:30PM (In Person)

March 29- PBIS Fair

April 1-5- Spring Break

Who: Families of students who are receiving special education services

What: Each state is required to conduct a parent survey to measure parent/family perceptions of the success of parent engagement between home and local schools.

When: Available January 16, 2024.

Where: Please use the following link to access the survey.

Parent Mentors Present: “Planning for an Engaging Summer Break”

Who: Parents/Guardians of students receiving Special Education services

What: Parent Mentors Present: “Planning for an Engaging Summer Break”

When: Tuesday, March 19, 10:00 – 11:30 AM or 6:00 -7:30 PM

Where: In-Person registration link for 10:00am session: https://forms.gle/tJhvHVf2HKzdu4CA7

Zoom registration link for 6pm session: https://gcpsk12-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYlf-6rqjwiHt2Nz09we1uIJ1Cu5qnm-5h9

Last Friday, three of our 5th graders had the opportunity to represent MES at the GCPS Elementary Honor Chorus! They practiced their music for months leading up to this week, and then they spent the entire day rehearsing and performing with 5th graders from other schools! We're so proud of you!

The Office of Family Engagement in the Department of Federal Programs invites all families of students in grades 6- 12 to join the “Positive Behavior Intervention & Supports (PBIS) Family Night” led by Shea English, Assistant Director of the Office of Behavior Supports and Interventions on March 19th from 5:30 to 6:30 PM.

During this family night, GCPS families will receive information about the definition of PBIS, PBIS Components, and How families can help connect with schools and use PBIS at home.

Please join us for Heritage Night this Thursday, March 21 from 5:30-7:00PM. Come enjoy amazing food, activities from different cultures, and dancing with your family!

Each month, our teachers nominate a PBIS Star Student of the Month in their class. These students were nominated by their teachers because they consistently demonstrate positive behaviors that align to our school-wide PBIS expectations. Each student photographed is a responsible, respectful, problem solver. Way to go, Mustangs!!

Also, Congratulations to our Teacher of the Month, Ms. Claiborne and Support Staff of the Month, Ms. William!

Book it for the bus! The 2024 GCPS Book Mobile 5K and Fun Run will be held on Saturday, May 4, at the GCPS Instructional Support Center, located at 437 Old Peachtree Road NW in Suwanee.

The event will raise funds for the Book Mobile program to help get books in kids’ hands and promote the love of reading. A family-friendly atmosphere before and after the race features door prizes, snacks, music, and more!

Meadowcreek Elementary families have the opportunity to connect with the Family Center in person, by phone, or Zoom to become familiar with:

• School procedures

• Check out free educational games and resources to help your child at home

• Familiarize yourself with the new communication tool ParentSquare

• Support with Imagine Learning

• Navigate the Parent Portal

• Complete free/reduced lunch application online

• Support your child with eCLASS/Google classroom

• Make payments on MyPaymentsPlus (cafeteria, school field trips, spirit wear, etc.)

• Anything else that you may need support with!

In-Person: Parents may visit the Family Center Monday - Friday during school hours

Virtual: Click on the following link from 1:00pm-2:00pm on Wednesdays & Thursdays beginning on September 6, 2023: https://gcpsk12-org.zoom.us/j/92626367024

Phone: Mrs. Rosell: 770-638-2374 or Mrs. Pena-Perez: 770-381-4248

We look forward to serving you!

At Meadowcreek, all of our students have an Imagine Language & Literacy account and utilize this online program to improve students' language and literacy skills in the English language. Students utilize this program during instructional time, technology specials with Ms. Mack, and at home. Teachers have shared Imagine Language & Literacy login information with parents so that students can utilize this resource at home as well. If you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s teacher. Please see the flyer below for the Imagine Language & Literacy Blockbuster Awards happening now until April 2024!

YOU ARE INVITED!

COME TO LEARN WHAT EVERY PARENT WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT OUR SCHOOLS:

• Expectations for you and your child to be successful at school

• How to support your child with his or her learning

• Hear other newcomer parents share their personal experiences

• Learn about resources available to all our families

These meetings start promptly at 10:00AM. Meetings are for parents/guardians. Classes will be taught in ENGLISH.

Location: The International Newcomer Center

495 Maltbie Street, Lawrenceville.

School Culture- March 27, 2024

GCPS Family Resources- April 10, 2024

Community Resources- April 24, 2024

Rights and Responsibilities- May 1, 2024

The Gwinnett County Board of Education will host the 2024 Area Board Meetings starting with District III on Tuesday, March 12. The 2024 Area Board Meetings are organized by School Board district. (However, citizens can attend any one of the five meetings.)

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet GCPS’ Superintendent, Dr. Calvin J. Watts, and members of the Gwinnett County Board of Education.

All meetings will be streamed live and recorded. The recordings of these meetings will be available in the Board of Education Meeting Archive on the GCPSTV webpage— https://vimeo.com/showcase/gcps-boe.

All meetings will begin at 7 p.m. in the host school's theater and are preceded by a Board Governance Team Meet and Greet, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Learn more about the 2024 Area Board Meetings here: https://www.gcpsk12.org/about-us/board/2024-area-board-meetings

Please join us for our Spirit Night at Los Hermanos on Tuesday, March 26 from 4:00-7:00PM! We look forward to seeing you there!

The Department of Federal Programs' Office of Family Engagement invites all families to join the “Spring Family-School Partnership Advisory Council (PAC)” meeting on March 28, 2024, from 6:00 until 7:30 PM.

We are excited to again meet in person with families in the Grayson Room at the Instructional Support Center (ISC). GCPS families will receive information about Multilingual Learners, Early Learning and School Readiness, the Homeless Education Program, Migratory Students, and the Foster Care Program, and have the opportunity to provide input on how these funds are utilized to support students, staff, and schools.

We hope our students and school staff have a safe and relaxing Spring Break! Students and staff return to learning on Monday, April 8. District offices will be closed on Friday, April 5. Note that GCPS does not offer meal service on student holidays.

The 2024 Georgia Milestones End of Grade Assessment will be administered to all students in 3rd - 5th grade from April 22 - May 3, 2024. Attendance is very important on testing dates so that your child does not have to make-up the tests on a different day. Students must arrive at school on time. Testing will begin at 8:30AM each morning. Please plan ahead to ensure that your child is present for all testing days. We appreciate your support in ensuring we have a successful Georgia Milestones administration!

Parent information has been posted to the Accountability and Assessment public-facing webpage found HERE.

Regular school attendance is vital to your student’s success. At Meadowcreek ES, our goal is to ensure that all students fully benefit from their education by getting to school on time (in class by 8:15) and attending school regularly. Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school—and themselves. You can help your student learn that going to school on time, every day is important. Consistent attendance will help children do well in high school, college, and at work.

Below are the times we expect students to be at school:

• Students arrive no earlier than 7:40 am
• The bell rings and instruction begins at 8:15 am. Attendance is taken in class.

WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU:

• Have your child ride the bus as this assures your child will get to school on time. If you have to drive your child to school, leave yourself extra time in case of traffic or inclement weather. Our doors open at 7:40, so you can drop your child off starting then.

• An unexcused tardy means your child arrived in class late (after 8:15) because of sleeping in, traffic, missing the bus, running late, etc. Examples of excused tardies are illness, health condition, medical appointment, and family emergency. You must come inside the building to sign-in your child with the reason why your child was tardy.
• Arriving late to school/class impacts a student’s learning as well as the classroom atmosphere. Being on time for school/class is a positive goal for each of our students. Research has shown that your child's attendance record may be the biggest factor influencing his/her academic success.

If your student is going to be absent or late, please contact your child’s teacher. If your student is absent, you will need to send in an excuse letter for the absence.

Meadowcreek is tracking students with perfect monthly attendance! Students with perfect attendance will receive a certificate of perfect attendance by the end of each month. If your student receives a perfect attendance certificate, their name will be entered in a drawing for a NEW BIKE! We will pick the winner at the end of the semester. Good luck!

Parent Lunch

Students can have no more than 2 visitors for lunch. Strollers are not allowed in the cafeteria. Parents may sit at the Parent Table with their students during your student's scheduled lunch time. Students are expected to return to their class and teacher when the class dismisses from the cafeteria. If a parent needs to check out a student after lunch; please go to the front office to request a student checkout with your ID. Parent visitation beyond the cafeteria is not allowed. Thank you for helping us to maintain a positive, safe, learning environment for our students.

Strollers

Please remember that strollers are not permitted in the cafeteria during lunch. Strollers have to be left in the hallway next to the cafeteria.

Outside food

Please refrain from bringing in birthday treats and outside food for a class. We want to remain sensitive to classroom allergies. Ice Cream is available to purchase for a class if you desire. Please no cupcakes, balloons, flowers, etc.

Car Riders

During morning arrival, please do not park in the parking lot and walk your child inside the school. Please remain in the car rider lane and drop your child off in line with a staff member. We do not want students and parents walking across the car rider lane. This slows the line and creates a safety concern.

Tardies

Please make sure your child arrives at school on time. Students should be in class and ready to begin instruction by 8:15 am every day. When students are late, it is disruptive to the learning environment. Please help us make sure our students are prepared for daily learning by being on time.

Internet available as low as $9.95 plus tax!

Call 855-846-8376 for assistance.

Get news, updates, announcements, school resources, and more! Download the new GCPS App today!

GCPS Tech Tips is a place where GCPS educators offer quick tips and tricks for technology integration in the classroom. Each week, a new video will be released which focuses on how to effectively use your Chromebook and other tips/tricks. Check out the entire playlist here.

Most adults remember what it’s like to take tests in school—the procrastination, the anxiety and the last-minute panic. Or, in some cases, the preparation, the confidence and the anticipation.

Here are some tips to help your elementary schooler belong to the second group.

Before a test, encourage your child to:

• Learn about the format—will it be multiple choice, true/false, short answer or essay? Your child should also ask the teacher what material will be covered.
• Study when wide awake. Help your child avoid distractions, such as digital media, loud music and noisy siblings as much as possible. Have your student gather all necessities before starting, and study sitting up, not lying on a bed.
• Prepare well ahead of time. Studying at the last minute is tempting, but not so effective. Help your child plan to study for a short period each day for several days. Working with flash cards and taking practice tests are good ways to prepare.

During the test, your child should:

• Read the directions carefully. Sometimes it may be necessary to reread them or ask what the teacher meant.
• Answer easy questions first (to get every point possible). Then go back to the tougher questions.
• Allow time to check work.Your child should fix obvious mistakes, but keep in mind that original answers are most likely to be correct.

After the test, encourage your child to:

• Look beyond the grade earned. Help your child notice strengths and weaknesses. What material does your student understand well? What should your child concentrate on some more?
• Save the test to study from in the future.

Brought to you by:

Gwinnett County Public Schools

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We are so excited to offer Little Learners Academy for our early learners at Meadowcreek Elementary! The program will be held the last Wednesday of every month. This program is now open to ALL FAMILIES. Please see flyer below for more information. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Pena-Perez at 770-381-4248.

DATES:

March 27, 2024

April 24, 2024