Knightly News
March 1, 2024
Every Student, Every Day Deserves to Learn, Lead, & Excel!
Message from our Principal~ Ms. Tamara Perkins
Thank you to the students of Central Gwinnett HS School of the Arts for stopping in on Tuesday. Our 5th-grade students were amazed as they watched dance and musical performances. It was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the talented students at SOTA.
Have a wonderful weekend!
March 6, 2024 and March 7, 2024
Students will be dismissed at 12:15 pm
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.
SOTA Roadshow ~
The School of the the Arts at Central Gwinnett High School showcased their separate Conservatories for our 5th graders this past Tuesday during specials.
Our Character Education Trait for March:
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.
GCPS Area Board Meetings
Please find the dates and locations for our upcoming Area Board meetings below. All meetings will be held in the theatre.
Meet and Greet begins at 6:30 p.m./Meeting begins at 7:00 p.m.
March 12 – District III (Dr. Mary Kay Murphy) – Duluth HS
March 14 – District IV (Dr. Adrienne Simmons) – Shiloh HS
March 19 – District V (Dr. Tarece Johnson-Morgan) – Meadowcreek HS
March 26 – District I (Karen Watkins) – Grayson HS
April 8 – District II (Steve Knudsen) – Mill Creek HS (Simonton's District)
Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) Family Night
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 session, GCPS families of students in grades K - 12 will receive information about the definition of PBIS, PBIS Components, and How families can help connect with schools and use PBIS at home.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER: Registration link
Interpretation provided in Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, and Chinese
Guest Readers during Read Across Simonton:
Dr. Young Walker, former Simonton Principal
Mrs. Young, former Simonton Assistant Principal
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
Saturday, March 2
- Saturday Intervention Program ~ 9:00-11:00 am
- GAGE Saturday Exploration Program ~ 9:00-11:00 am
Monday, March 4- Friday, March 8
- Scholastic Book Fair
Wednesday, March 6
- Early Release ~ students dismissed at 12:15 pm
- Scholastic Book Fair Open
- Adult ESOL Classes with Mrs. Saha ~ 10:00-11:00 am
Thursday, March 7
- Early Release ~ students dismissed at 12:15 pm
- Scholastic Book Fair Open
Friday, March 8
- School Tours for New Families ~ 10:00-11:00 am
Saturday, March 9
- Saturday Intervention Program ~ 9:00-11:00 am
Wednesday, March 13
- Adult ESOL Classes with Mrs. Saha ~ 10:00-11:00 am
- Central Gwinnett Cluster Tapestry Exhibit at ISC
Thursday, March 14
- PTA Spirit Night at Stevie B's ~ 5:00-8:00 pm
Friday, March 15
- Digital Learning Day #4
Saturday, March 16
- Saturday Intervention Program ~ 9:00-11:00 am
- GAGE Saturday Exploration Program ~ 9:00-11:00 am
Wednesday, March 20
- Adult ESOL Classes with Mrs. Saha ~ 10:00-11:00 am
- International Night ~ 5:30- 7:00 pm
Friday, March 22
- Local School Council ~ 9:00-10:00 am
- 5th Grade Field Trip
Saturday, March 23
- GAGE Saturday Exploration Program ~ 9:00-11:00 am
- SES Chorus to Kennesaw University
Monday, March 25
- Soring Individual and Class Pictures
Wednesday, March 27
- Jordan MS visit for 5th graders
- Adult ESOL Classes with Mrs. Saha ~ 10:00-11:00 am
Thursday, March 28
- PTA BINGO Night ~ 5:00 -8:00 pm
- FOCUS Program with Mrs. Thomas ~ 5:00-6:00 pm
Friday, March 29
- PE Fundraiser ~ Hat Day
Monday, April 1- Friday, April 5
- Spring Break
Good News Club
Ready By 5
Simonton ES Handbook Highlights
Safety of Students
Learning in a safe environment is extremely important to the staff at Simonton. Please help us by letting the front office know if you see anything that might be unsafe on campus. Children are consistently supervised by teachers and other staff during the day from 7:45 a.m. until buses leave. Students may not be dropped off before 7:45 a.m. unless they are involved in a school sponsored activity.
School Communication
Formal parent conferences are scheduled two times during the school year. Weekly folders are sent home on Friday by each classroom teacher to provide timely information about classroom, school and community events. Teachers are available for phone calls/meetings before or after the instructional day. Therefore, conferences should be scheduled in advance. If you would like to speak with a teacher regarding your child’s progress, please contact the school or send the teacher an email. The weekly Simonton Parent Newsletter, ParentSquare, eCLASS, Facebook, Twitter and the school website https://www.gcpsk12.org/SimontonES are other forms of communication used to relay information to parents.
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
Show your child how to make the time for projects
You've got a big project looming. Your child has a science report due and has yet to start it. The solution to both situations is the same: Don't put things off. Together, make specific plans for doing the work for your projects. Put them on the calendar. Then, show your child how to look for "extra" time. You both can brainstorm project ideas while waiting in line, for example. Your child can read a few pages of research material on a car ride. https://tpitip.com/?14cD18608
Help your child get ready to concentrate
Kids need to be able to concentrate when doing schoolwork. Here are some techniques that can help: When your child is about to tackle an assignment, offer this reminder: "Think through what you are going to do." A mental picture can make concentrating easier. You can also let your elementary schooler choose a fun activity to earn when the work is complete, such as playing a game with you. It may help your child persist through a tough task. https://tpitip.com/?14cE18608
Set the timer to jumpstart writing
Here's a great way to encourage your child to write. Together, choose a topic. Then, set a timer for five to seven minutes. Until the timer rings, both of you write whatever comes into your head. Keep writing, even if it doesn't make sense. When the timer goes off, share what you each wrote. This also works to help jumpstart a writing assignment when your child says, "I can't think of anything to say." https://tpitip.com/?14cF18608
Get set for standardized tests
Standardized tests are a part of most students' school careers. Ask the teacher when your child will be taking a standardized test. Then, help your student prepare by reading, talking and playing word games together. When your child reads, boost comprehension skills by asking questions, such as "What was the main idea?" Above all, keep standardized tests in perspective. They are only one measure of your child's ability. https://tpitip.com/?14cG18608
Help your child learn to work as part of a team
Leadership is a positive trait, but students also need to know how to work with others without taking over. To encourage fairness, take turns making some family decisions, such as what toppings to put on a pizza. Discuss the need to consider everyone's tastes. Promote fairness by setting rules such as "If one person chooses the game, the other gets the first turn." Offer praise when your child shows teamwork. https://tpitip.com/?14cH18608
Point out the positive results of effort
When it comes to achieving in school, intelligence propels students only so far. It takes hard work to get the rest of the way. Let your child know you place a high value on effort. Then, reinforce your message by showing your student how effort pays off. When your elementary schooler gets a high grade on a test, for example, say, "I know how hard you studied, and this is the result. I'm proud of you." https://tpitip.com/?14cI18608
Catching words makes reading fun!
Kids who enjoy reading do more of it. Make reading fun for your young reader with a "fishing" game: Get some index cards. Write one vocabulary word on each, then attach a paper clip to each card. These are the fish. To make a rod, tie a magnet to one end of a piece of string, and tie the other end to a small stick. Now, let your child "fish" for words. Award one point for every word your child can read (or define, if your student is older). https://tpitip.com/?14cJ18608
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