Coleman Connection

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Hello Parents and Guardians,

As we approach our Fall Break, I want to remind you that school attendance is important for many reasons, including academic achievement, social skills, and future success. If your child is out of school, please send documentation so we can excuse the absence. You can either send it to their homeroom teacher electronically or your child can bring it to the grade level office. Parents can excuse a maximum of 5 absences due to illness or personal reasons using a parent note. All other absences will require proper documentation or they will be marked as unexcused absences (For more information regarding Georgia Attendance Laws and GCPS Attendance Policy, you can review our Student and Parent Handbook in Parent Square).

Please review the infographics below to learn more about the importance of school attendance.

Thank you,

Dr. Hernandez.

Staff, students, families, and Gwinnett community members are invited to review and provide input on proposed instructional resources for select grades and courses in Career and Technical Education and Health (Sex Education).

Before adopting instructional resources for classroom use, Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) holds an extensive review. Multiple committees involving various stakeholder groups reviewed resources submitted by publishers for alignment with the school system’s Academic Knowledge and Skills (AKS) standards. During the ongoing review process, selected resources are piloted in GCPS classrooms. Data from the reviews and pilots will be considered in making adoption recommendations to the Board of Education in 2025.

This year’s virtual public review is open now through October 31. To begin, please visit this link.

What: Instructional Resources Public Review Opportunity

When: September 30 - October 31

Where: Begin the virtual review.

- All grade have held the PBL launch, at least one speaker experience and a research expedition (field trip), a student panel, and some PBL work days!

- Driving questions posted below

-Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Connection classes

-Media Center

- Mathematics and Reading Interventions and Enrichment

Each student took a Reading and Math Screener during the first week of school. Parents can see their child's iReady results in the ParentVUE mobile app. These scores will describe their strengths and growth needed by grade level on these fundamental skills. Students use iReady at school during CATS time in the morning to practice and enhance their individual skills. Students can use iReady from home also!

Parents now have the option to be notified in the ParentVUE mobile app if their student’s grade fall below a preset threshold. Within the app, a parent can choose to enable the notification and will select the grade threshold of when to be notified. Thresholds can be set on the student’s class average or on assignment grades. The notifications are processed each afternoon starting at 5:30 pm. Specific directions on enabling Grade Notifications can be found here. Other ParentVUE resources are available on the ParentVUE site.

Ms. Johnson is in need of of newspapers or magazines. If you can donate some, please drop them off in the reception.

Thank you!

-Attendance, Positive Behavior and Interventions Supports (PBIS),

extra curricular activities, and counseling department

Dear GCPS Students, Families, and Staff,

In our ongoing effort to ensure safer schools, Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) is considering implementing a clear backpack policy for all students in grades K-12.

We understand that a clear backpack policy alone does not ensure complete security. This proactive measure is just one of several updates that GCPS is considering to enhance student and campus safety.
Before you take the survey, here are a few things we are looking to include in a clear backpack policy:

• To support families, GCPS would provide each student with one durable clear backpack at no cost for the remainder of the 2024-25 school year.
• Parents may also purchase their students’ clear backpacks that meet the district’s policy.
• Students would be allowed to carry a small, non-clear pouch in their backpack to hold personal items such as cell phones, money, and hygiene products. The maximum size of non-transparent bags allowed would be 6" x 9".
• Students who participate in extracurricular activities can carry non-transparent bags to store items for particular activities (i.e., band, athletics, theatre arts, etc.).
• All bags, including lunch bags or boxes, gym bags, and/or electronic device carriers, may be subject to search in accordance with applicable laws.
• Staff and visitors would not be required to use clear backpacks in school or district buildings in the 2024-25 school year.

Again, we understand a clear backpack policy alone does not ensure complete security. This proactive measure is just one of several updates GCPS is considering to enhance student and campus safety. You can read more about the current and ongoing safety measures we already have in place on the district website.

If we implement a new policy, it will not begin until later this school year. If we continue the policy beyond this school year, families will need to purchase clear backpacks for their students.

Thank you in advance for sharing your thoughts by completing this short, three-question survey by Wednesday, October 9, 2024.

Here are some examples of clear backpack policies in other districts:

• Clayton County Public Schools
• Rockdale County Public Schools
• Prince George’s County Public Schools
• Richmond Public Schools
• Dallas ISD
• Cypress Fairbanks ISD

We will be conducting Teen Lures lessons with 6th - 8th grade students. For more information, please use the links bellow:

English

Spanish

• Open Gym will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays weekly from 4:30pm-5:30pm until October 8th

• Parents are asked to be at the school by 5:15pm for pick up

• Students have to be passing five out of their 6 classes in order to be eligible to tryout

• Tryouts will be the week of October 14th after school from 4pm-5:30pm for boys and 5:30-7pm for girls

• Tryouts will be Tuesday - Friday the week of October 14th

• Students will not be allowed to tryout unless they have the proper paperwork filled out in rank one

• See flyer for instructions on how to download the app and create an account

• Students must be passing 5 out of 6 classes in order to tryout

• The fees for players that make the team will be $375 in total

• $200 will be due October 31st

• $175 will be due November 10th

Coach Bakhoum and Coach Daniels

Save-the-date!

Come join us at the first Spirit Night of the school year on Monday, September 30th!

It’s sure to be a good time — Pizza and Frozen Yogurt! Stop once, eat twice.

2NYer’s Pizza* and Menchie’s frozen yogurt will donate a portion of their sales back to Coleman Middle School PTA.

Take a night off of cooking and join us for pizza and froyo - dine in or carry out!

(*2NYers is donating a portion of ALL sales on Sept 30, so stop by anytime after 11am!)

Volunteers for the next Walk-n-Talk

Coleman's first Walk & Talk will be on October 9th.The school is looking for volunteers to help with this event. It typically involves selling refreshments to the students and helping supervise the event. Please use this LINK to sign up (6th grade: 2:45-3:45 PM/ 7th grade: 11:15 AM-12:15 PM/ 8th Grade: 1:30-2:30 PM).

PTA Memberships:

PTA memberships can be purchased online via TOTEM at any time!Your $10 membership supports Coleman's PTA activities for your students.You can also help by donating items or volunteering your time at school events.The PTA supports Coleman Middle School by fundraising, selling spirit wear, holding spirit nights at local restaurants, providing field trip financial support, hosting student dances/socials, supporting teachers, and many other activities! Please consider joining us today!

Spirit Wear

If you would like to purchase Coleman Middle School spirit wear, please visit our online store. Items will be delivered to your student’s home room class!

Kroger and Publix cards:

Kroger Community Rewards and Publix Partners make supporting our school easy!

Kroger: Create or Update a Kroger digital account Go to My Account and select Community Rewards. Choose Coleman Middle School PTA (NE840) as your organization. Once complete, every time you enter your phone number, scan your Kroger Plus Card, or shop through the Kroger app, Kroger will donate proceeds to Coleman Middle School!

Publix: Join Club Publix or update your existing club Publix account by going to Settings and selecting Choose Publix Partner to find Coleman Middle School. Once complete, every time you enter your phone number at checkout or pay with the Publix app, Publix will donate proceeds from eligible purchases to Coleman Middle School!

If you have any PTA related questions or concerns, please email us at: colemanwildcatspta@gmail.com.

Go Wildcats!

Your Coleman PTA

Since a number of our students are walkers at dismissal, the City of Duluth wanted to share this letter with our parents. Please use this LINK to access the letter.

Upcoming Events

September 11 | Returning Coach Training

Virtual coach training for returning coaches from 5 – 6 pm. This is the final virtual training opportunity for returning coaches. For any returning coaches that need to pick up your gear bag for the season, connect with your Program Manager to coordinate a time to come by our office. Please reach out to programs@girlsontherunatlanta.org if you have any questions.

September 14 & 15 | New Coach Trainings

Small group facilitators (returning coaches only) and assistance with set up and gear distribution (open to all) volunteers needed. Returning coaches are welcome to stop by and pick up their gear for this season at 12:30 pm on either day.

Week of September 16 | Fall Girls on the Run Season Begins

All teams will host their first practice the week of September 16.

September 20 | Gear and Sneaker Organization Volunteer Opportunity

Help us unpack program supplies and unbox scholarship sneakers from 10 am – 12 pm at the Girls on the Run office. Sign up here!

September 21 | Fall Fitness Series: Pilates with Sweat EXT

Join Girls on the Run Georgia's Young Professionals Board for an infrared heated 45-minute fitness class with elements of pilates, barre, yoga, and HIIT at Sweat EXT. All proceeds benefit Girls on the Run Georgia. Participants must be at least 18 years of age. Register for the class here!

September 25 | Drop/Add Deadline for Participants

Last Day for Registration (for teams that did not fill through the lottery) and last day for refunds.

September 27 | Scholarship Sneaker Organization Volunteer Opportunity

Help us unbox, label, inventory, and organize our scholarship sneakers from 10 am – 12:30 pm at the Girls on the Run office. Sign up here!

October 4 | Volunteer with Girls on the Run at The Race Expo

Volunteers needed from 11 – 7 pm at The Race Expo at Impact Church in East Point for a Girls on the Run tabling opportunity while participants pick up their race packets. Sign up here!

October 5 | Volunteer with Girls on the Run at The Race

Volunteers needed from 7 – 10 am at the GOTR water stop along the half marathon route of The Race. Select "Water/Aid Station at Mile 6.4 - Girls on the Run."

October 15 | Healthy Happy Hour with GIRLSTRONG®

GIRLSTRONG®, a fitness apparel and accessory brand dedicated to spreading positivity and empowering women globally, is hosting a Healthy Happy Hour with special guest speakers, networking opportunities, light bites and drinks, and more! Join us from 1 – 3 pm at Stellar Bodies, located at 3872 Roswell Road. Tickets are available for $35 each with net proceeds benefitting Girls on the Run Georgia. Get your ticket here!

October 19 | Volunteer with Girls on the Run at the Peachtree City Classic 5K/15K

Volunteers needed from 6 – 11 am at the Peachtree City Classic 5K/15K Expo at Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater in Peachtree City for a Girls on the Run tabling opportunity while participants pick up their race packets. Sign up here!

October 26 | Kid's Day at the Co-Op with REI

Join Girls on the Run Georgia and REI from 11 am – 4 pm at REI, the NE Expressway/Brookhaven store, for a day filled with fun and enriching outdoor activities for kids that not only promote physical health but also cultivate a sense of wonder and curiosity about the outdoors. Stay tuned for more details about this exciting event!

December 7 | Girls on the Run 5K

Girls on the Run 5K registration for 5K Buddies and community participants will open early next month. Stay tuned for more details!

*At Coleman Middle School, we like to share with our community the wonderful moments of learning and community we enjoy in our school. We ask our students and parents to let us know if they do not want to be photographed. Thank you.

All Back-To-School Forms are posted on your Parent Square this year. Click HERE earn how to activate your Parent Square account. Remember that Parent Square is the platform we use to send all communications from teachers, school, and district.

School success goes hand in hand with good attendance! Too many absences—excused or unexcused—can keep students from succeeding in school and in life. Keeping this in mind, please review the reminders below:

• Absences have to be excused with proper documentation.
• Starting this year, only 5 parent written notes will be excused each semester. Any other personal absences will be marked as unexcused.
• Students can submit absence documents or notes to the grade level office.

• School hours are from 9:15 AM to 4:00 PM (Students are marked tardy after 9:15 AM). Make sure you review our procedures for arrival and dismissal on this LINK.

🚗We have had great improvement with our car rider pick up in the past 2 weeks!🚗

Please review these timely reminders because starting on Monday, our SRO won't be available to assist in the parking lot:

• Encourage your student to ride the school bus if that is an option for you.
• Stage correctly so we can fit as many cars as we can on the parking lot. Park straight and in between the white lanes. See the picture below, courtesy of a kind 6th grade parent!
• Once in the car rider lane, do not stop when you see your child. Your child will come to you. Pull all the way up and as close as you can to the car in front of you. The more cars loading, the faster it goes.
• If your child is not by your car when it is time to move, you will be directed to wait on the side parking lot (Look for the large green generator).

• Use this LINK to find a video of our car rider procedures.
  
• Students will receive a car rider form to place on your dashboard. Email your student's homeroom teacher if you need a replacement.
• Be patient until our new 6th graders learn the procedures. Build some time on your schedule because the first few days student pick up will take time, but it gets better!
• Remind your children to look for their car, and remember, everybody is trying to pick up their child and get to your next family activity!
  

• Be courteous and respectful to our teachers and staff on duty.

Use this LINK and scroll down on the page to access GCPS school year's calendar in multiple languages.

weekly morning help sessions start next Friday, 8/19. Students can be dropped off starting at 8:20 AM, as usual, in the back of the building.

• Use the LINKs below to review our 9-step process to manage behaviors. Teachers will share more details during curriculum night.

English

Spanish

• Since we are a Power Down and Away for the Day school, our students keep their devices powered down and put away while on campus. Review the steps for infractions below.
• Below you can also find how we proceed when students are not dressed safely & appropriately for school.

• PARENT VUE: All GCPS families have access to their student's information (schedules, teacher names, attendance, grades, as well as access to other apps pertaining to other services (meals) through the Parent Vue app. Go to https://www.gcpsk12.org/ and click Families on the top right corner of the page to log in. Use the same login information you used for online registration. If you do not remember, enter the email of the enrolling parent and click forgot password. You can also download the Parent Vue app on your phone. Students have a companion app called Student Vue that they can access through the GCPS website too!
• PARENT SQUARE: This will give families access to all communication from the district, the school, and teachers. Once you log in to Parent Vue, Parent Square will be one of the icons available to you. Click on it to set up your account. If you download the app, you can set up how and when to get your communications.

• First come first serve, 6 spaces
• Located on the side parking lot (Across Parson's Alley)
• Cost $600
• Money goes back to our STEAM program!
• Email our bookkeeper at monique.young@gcpsk12.org for questions
• Interested? Use this LINK for payment

Hello Coleman Middle School Parent or Guardian,

If you would like to learn more about how my personal and professional background connect to Coleman Middle School, and you did not have the opportunity to meet me during my transition to Coleman on December 2021, please feel free to click the link below to watch my introduction message.

English:

https://vimeo.com/728568833

Spanish:

https://vimeo.com/728568860

Your Principal,

Dr. Hernandez.

Gwinnett's flagship STEAM school & GA Department of Education STEAM-certified school

Principal: Dr. Gypsy Hernandez

Summer School Hours: 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Regular School Hours: 9:15 AM - 4:00 PM

Email: gypsy.hernandez@gcpsk12.org
Website: https://www.gcpsk12.org/ColemanMS
Location: 3057 Main St, Duluth, GA 30096, USA
Phone: 678-407-7400
Facebook: facebook.com/colemanms546
Twitter: @colemanms546