Knightly News
February 16, 2024
Every Student, Every Day Deserves to Learn, Lead, & Excel!
Message from our Principal~ Ms. Tamara Perkins
All families should have received notification from their child's teacher to sign up for a parent teacher conference. Conferences will be taking place the week of March 4, 2024. Check our school website to sign up for a meeting.
Simonton ES has been celebrating Black History month all month. This coming week students are asked to join in the celebration. See the flyer below with the daily theme. We are welcoming all families on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 for the Simonton ES Black History program. The program will be held in the Simonton ES gym and the doors open at 5:30 pm.
The Simonton ES PTA will host a spirit night at Sparkles on Hwy 20 on Thursday, February 22, 2024. All are welcome to come out and enjoy a night of skating, great music and games.
Have a wonderful long weekend!
Medication
Students may NOT carry medication of any kind to school. For student safety, we need to be aware of the medication and dosage in case there are any adverse reactions. The clinic worker is authorized to administer medications to students when proper paperwork is completed. Medications should always be in the original containers when brought to or picked up from school by an adult. Medication may not be brought to school by a student. These procedures are a safety precaution for your child, both on the bus and when they visit the clinic. Parents should inform the school if their child has a contagious disease.
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
If you have not already done so, please navigate to the Simonton ES website, you will be able to schedule a conference with your child's teacher. Navigate to www.gcpsk12.org/SimontonES and you will encounter the following pop-up message that appears on the screen:
It is time for our first round of Conferences!
Please click the following link: Simonton Conference Schedule
Parents, you will need to select your child's teacher, register by putting in your information on the next page (Student's Name, Your name, Email Address), and then press "Submit". You will receive an email that contains a link which will take you to the screen where you can select your desired conference day and time.
Please follow the steps and sign-up for a conference!!
If You are Missing the Pop-Up Message on Simonton Website:
If you do not see the pop-up message when you get to the Simonton Website, please look down in the right-hand corner at the bottom of the screen. There should be a red exclamation point. Click on that and the pop-up message will reappear on the screen for you to read and access.
Family Educational Effectiveness Survey
Subject: GCPS Educational Effectiveness Surveys: Opportunity to Participate in Family Survey Each year, GCPS collects feedback from our families about their child's school as part of our commitment to improvement. This year, the school district is partnering with the Center for Educational Effectiveness to give Educational Effectiveness Surveys (EES) that provide feedback on nine characteristics of high-performing schools. Those characteristics are:
• A clear and shared focus
• High standards and expectations for all students
• Effective school leadership
• Strong communication and opportunities to work together
• What we teach, how we teach, and how learning is aligned with state standards
• Frequent monitoring of learning and teaching
• Focused professional development
• Supportive learning environment
• High levels of family and community involvement
In addition, the survey asks about two other areas associated with high-performing schools- district support for improvement and respect for diverse cultures and backgrounds.
The survey will be available for you to complete through Thursday, February 29. We hope you will lend your voice to making Gwinnett County Public Schools the best it can be for our students.
Birthdays
Birthday celebration snacks for the entire class should be left at the front office for the teacher and your child to give to the class. They should be store bought, ready to serve, require no refrigeration or cutting, and should not include colored drinks. Please be aware of allergies of students in the classroom and plan accordingly. No class birthday parties or birthday favors (balloons, goody bags, hats, etc.) will be permitted. Birthday invitations may not be sent to school unless every student in the class receives an invitation. Birthday presents for other students are not to be sent to school to be distributed. Student phone numbers and addresses will not be shared with other families.
Student Dress Code
Student dress should not cause any distraction from the instructional program. Students are encouraged to dress appropriately for the school setting, suitable to weather conditions, and in good taste. Short skirts, short shorts, or halter tops/crop shirts are not considered appropriate dress for school. Hats, bandanas, and sweatbands should not be worn in school. Students should not wear any clothing that advertises alcoholic beverages, drugs, or violence. Students should wear shoes that allow for safe play at outside time and PE class. All shorts/skirts should come to the student’s knee.
Student Survey (Grades 3-5)
We are partnering with the Center for Educational Effectiveness (CEE) to administer the Educational Effectiveness Survey (EES) to students. The survey and screener results will provide us with information and feedback within the
research-based frameworks of the Characteristics of High Performing Schools and CASEL (Social-Emotional Learning).
Over the last 20 years, the EES survey has been used in over 280 districts. Based on these experiences, here are some details:
• Data will be used to support and inform improvement conversations with staff and leadership at the school and
district level
• Each building will receive their building-level reports, and the district leadership team will receive district-level
summary views.
• The survey is confidential. GCPS and CEE will protect the confidentiality of each respondent.
To gather this information, your students will take the 30–45-minute screener and survey at school between February 1, and 29, 2024.
Please use this link to access more information about the EES Student Survey.
We value the input of our students as we strive to continue to improve our school.
Read Across Simonton
We will be celebrating Read Across Simonton the week of February 26th and have some fun dress-up days planned! If you'd like to go ahead and start getting outfits together, here are the themes for each day:
Monday: Light up your day with a story! Wear neon.
Tuesday: Read your socks off! Wear crazy socks.
Wednesday: Reading is WILD! Wear animal print.
Thursday: Green Egg and Ham Day. Wear green.
Friday: Reading is so cool! Wear sunglasses.
Field Day Shirts
Field day t-shirts are now available for pre-order through MyPaymentsPlus or by returning the flyer to Coach Cheney with payment.
The shirts will be available in 6 different colors...one for each grade level.
**Colors have not been determined yet.
Upcoming Events at Simonton
Thursday, February 15- Monday, February 19
- Student/Teacher Holiday ~ NO SCHOOL
Wednesday, February 21
- Black History Program ~ 5:30-7:00 pm
Thursday, February 22
- PTA Spirit Night at Sparkles ~ 5:00-8:00 pm
Saturday, February 24
- GCPS Readers Rally ~ 8:30-12:00 pm
- Saturday Intervention Program ~ 9:00-11:00 am
- GAGE Saturday Exploration Program ~ 9:00-11:00 am
Monday, February 26- Friday, March 1
- Read Across Simonton week
Wednesday, February 28
- Adult ESOL Class with Mrs. Saha (Parent Center) ~ 10:00-11:00 am
Friday, March 1
- Hat Day ~ Honor Society Fundraiser
Saturday, March 2
- Saturday Intervention Program ~ 9:00-11:00 am
- GAGE Saturday Exploration Program ~ 9:00-11:00 am
Families are required to register for the program using the QR code included on the flyer. Space is limited, so please sign up soon if you are interested.
Simonton ES Handbook Highlights
Counseling
The goal of school counseling is to remove barriers to student learning. The school counselor serves as a resource for all students and staff. The counselor supports new students and assists students who are affected by grief, anxiety, and peer issues. They also work with students on study skills, homework completion and test taking skills. Parent education is an additional component of the program. The counselor works with students through classroom guidance lessons, individual sessions and in small groups. If you are in need of therapeutic services you may contact your child’s counselor.
Emergency procedures
At all times, the safety of all students is of utmost importance. Fire, tornado and emergency lock down drills are held at intervals throughout the school year. Emergency instructions are posted in each classroom. The children will practice walking quickly and quietly to designated areas. If a child is injured on the playground, we also have procedures that are followed, and 911 is called as needed. Please be sure a current phone number is available so that we can reach you in an emergency. During an emergency, it may be necessary to transport your child by bus to another location. During inclement weather, students will remain at school until the county gives permission for dismissal.
Grading Practices
Progress reports are sent home twice a year (January and May). Interim grade reports will also be sent home several times during the school year. Parents may also access grades from the parent portal. Parent conferences are held once a semester. Teachers will contact parents to schedule these conferences. All students will be given an opportunity to retake most summative assessments if the student has not demonstrated mastery of the AKS, however, students need to know that the assessment may be in a different format. The student will receive the higher of the two grades. Parents will be notified by the teacher when the opportunity to retake a summative assessment is available. Teachers may give the same test or teachers may create an alternate assessment. Retakes may not be requested after the original and retake assessments have been completed. Retake opportunities will be given at school during normal school hours. All graded assignments must be completed at school.
From our Counselors...
Information for Parents: New Resource for K-5 English Language Arts
Around the Building:
Ala Carte Items in the Cafeteria
Currently, the Sparkling Juice is available in 2 flavors: Strawberry Kiwi & Fruit Punch.
The baked chips are Sour Cream & Onion and BBQ. The Doritos are Cool Ranch & Nacho Cheese.
Ice Cream for Sale
This year's ice cream selections can be seen in the picture to the side:
The application for free and reduced lunch is now available. There will be no waiver in place to offer free lunch for all students. Please complete the application if you feel this is a service your family will need. All students who have not been approved for free or reduced lunch service will be charged the full price each day.
Free and Reduced Lunch Application
https://www.nlappscloud.com/Welcome.aspx?api=78f8fee54716f21218e523747d37a13c
Clinic Card
Does your child have a medical concern that we need to be aware of? Stop in to see Mrs. Tammy Jones in the clinic.
Complete the clinic card if your child has any medical concerns that we need to be aware of. We also need to know any medication your child is taking and directions of what to do while we are caring for your child until you arrive.
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 and class information
- Share pictures and files
- See calendar items
- Upcoming class activities
District & 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).
MyPaymentsPlus
We encourage all families to create a MPP account. No purchase is necessary to have a MPP account. You will be able to read and digitally sign documents and/or make necessary payments. It is a great way for you to manage and keep track of all of your student payments and forms in one place throughout the school year.
MyPaymentsPlus is linked directly to your school’s student information system (SIS), enabling us to show real-time balances and invoices, and eliminating the need to call or visit your school in search of information.
Whether you’re viewing what your 2nd grader ate for lunch, renting a locker for your middle schooler, or purchasing a parking permit for that new driver in your family, MyPaymentsPlus ensures you never miss a beat, from Pre-K to graduation day.
Simply create a free MyPaymentsPlus account to get started today.
Elementary e-Tips for Parents
SIMONTON ELEMENTARY- WHAT WE STAND FOR
Vision
Simonton is committed to dynamic high quality instruction resulting in a passion for learning, leading and excelling.
Core Belief
Every Student Every Day, Deserves to Learn, Lead, and Excel
Commitments
We commit to giving our students a fresh start every day.
We commit to preparing quality and engaging lessons that will prepare our students to be successful in school.
We commit to teaching, modeling and holding our students accountable for appropriate school behavior.
We commit to providing our students with a structured and safe learning environment.
We commit to a great year of learning, leading, and excelling
Simonton Elementary School
Superintendent ~ Dr. Calvin J. Watts
Board Member ~ Mr. Steven B. Knudsen
Principal ~ Ms. Tamara G. Perkins
Assistant Principal ~ Mr. Nicholas Gilmore
Assistant Principal ~ Dr. Joe Sanfilippo
Assistant Principal ~ Mrs. Amy Steinberg
Website: gcpsk12.org/SimontonES
Location: 275 Simonton Road Southeast, Lawrenceville, GA, USA
Phone: 770-513-6637
Twitter: @simontonPride
Instagram: @SimontonPride