Meadowcreek Community Newsletter

November is National Native American Heritage Month!

November 11-15- School Psychologist Week

November 12- Family-School Partnership Advisory Council (PAC) at the ISC 5:30-7:30PM

November 13- World Kindness Day

November 14- Spirit Night @ Chick-Fil-A 5:00-8:00PM (Jimmy Carter Location)

November 18-22- American Education Week

November 20- Little Learners Academy 11:00AM-12:00PM

November 25-29- THANKSGIVING BREAK

December 3- New Family Orientation @ 8:30AM in Media Center

December 4-9- iReady Diagnostic in ELA and Math (Grades K-5)

December 16-18- District Assessments in Math, Science, Social Studies (Grades 3-5)

Dear Meadowcreek Families/Guardians,

As we celebrate National Family Engagement Month (November), Meadowcreek Elementary wants to take a moment to honor and commend your invaluable dedication and involvement with our school! Your dedication to nurturing your child’s education and your participation at our school helps shape the future of our students, fostering an environment where they can thrive both academically and personally.

Your engagement at our school is not just beneficial, it is transformative. It builds bridges of collaboration, trust, and a two-way partnership that empowers students to reach their full potential. By working hand in hand with your child and our school, we create a powerful coalition that champions the holistic development of every child.

This month let’s renew our commitment to creating spaces where you continue to support your child’s education and our school. Together, we can work collaboratively as active co-authors in your child’s educational journey, contributing to their success and well-being.

Happy National Family Engagement Month! Your hard work and dedication to our school are the backbone of Meadowcreek! Thank you for being the champions of family engagement!

Finally, while visiting our school, please take a few minutes to check out our MES Parent Engagement Bulletin Board next to the Family Center.

With heartfelt gratitude,

The Family Center

All visitors must present a valid ID to enter the school.

Families

• Check in with the front desk to receive a visitor tag
• Ensure your visitor tag remains visible while in the building
• No pictures should be taken of any student who is not your own
• Visiting the Family Center is always encouraged!
• If you wish to volunteer at our school or in your child’s classroom please complete our online form and we will contact you for an orientation
• Check out with the front desk before leaving the building

Student Teachers/ Student Volunteers

• Check in with the front desk to receive a visitor tag
• Ensure your visitor tag remains visible while in the building
• Cell phones should be put away while working with students
• No pictures should be taken of any student
• Maintain a professional demeanor with students and staff, this includes social media interactions
• Please wear business casual/ school appropriate attire
• Check out with the front desk before leaving the building

Community Partners

• Check in with the front desk to receive a visitor tag
• Ensure your visitor tag remains visible while in the building
• Cell phones should be put away while working with students
• No pictures should be taken of any student
• Check out with the front desk before leaving the building

Lunch Visitation

• Parents must be on time for lunch visitation. Parents that arrive 10 minutes past the lunch start time for your student’s class will not be allowed to visit.
• Students can have no more than 2 visitors for lunch. You are only permitted to eat with your student. Strollers are not permitted in the cafeteria due to space concerns. Appropriate attire is required.
• Please sit at the Parent Table with your student during your student's scheduled lunch time. Students are expected to return to their class and teacher when the class is dismissed from the cafeteria.
• No outside food is allowed in the cafeteria. Parents may purchase food containers at the register and proceed to the food lines to choose items.
• Due to the limited time and supervision expectations for teachers, they are not available for conferences or parent meetings during lunch. Please make arrangements to meet with your student’s teacher at another more appropriate time.
• Cell phones should not be used in the cafeteria. Photos are not allowed for student confidentiality purposes.
• After lunch, immediately return to the front desk. Visitors are not permitted to go to the playground, classroom, or any other portion of the building.
• If a parent needs to check out a student after lunch; please go to the front desk to request a student checkout with your ID.
• 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.
• Thank you for helping us to maintain a positive, safe, learning environment for our students.

Parent Lunch

Parents must be on time for lunch visitation. Parents that arrive 10 minutes past the lunch start time for your student’s class will not be allowed to visit. Students can have no more than 2 visitors for lunch. You are only permitted to eat with your student. Appropriate attire is required. Please sit at the Parent Table with your student during your student's scheduled lunch time. Students are expected to return to their class and teacher when the class is dismissed from the cafeteria. Due to the limited time and supervision expectations for teachers, they are not available for conferences or parent meetings during lunch. Please make arrangements to meet with your student’s teacher at another more appropriate time. Cell phones should not be used in the cafeteria. Photos are not allowed for student confidentiality purposes. After lunch, immediately return to the front desk. Visitors are not permitted to go to the playground, classroom, or any other portion of the building.If a parent needs to check out a student after lunch; please go to the front desk to request a student checkout with your ID. 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

No outside food is allowed in the cafeteria. Parents may purchase food containers at the register and proceed to the food lines to choose items. 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.

Ice Cream

The new ice cream procedure started October 1. Parents will need to send money for ice cream with their student in the morning by 8:45am. Students will receive the ice cream during lunch but will no longer be able to purchase ice cream during lunch time. We appreciate your understanding and continuous support!

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.

Yearbooks are on sale for $30.00. Click here to order today: https://bit.ly/3vFqU69

60% of Meadowcreek families have downloaded the ParentSquare app! If you have not, please download the app to stay involved with your student's learning and activities at school from anywhere. Once you download the app, you can login with your phone number as the username. If you don't know your password, you can reset it. If your phone number has changed, you will need to let us know. If you need support, please visit the Family Center. Thank you for your continuous support.

ParentVUE and ParentSquare are tools we encourage you to use to support your student’s learning. Think of ParentVUE as a tool you use to view and update student records. Think of ParentSquare as the place you go to engage with teachers and staff. Please see the guide below from the GCPS International Newcomers Center to help families understand the difference between ParentSquare and ParentVUE. If you need any support with these platforms, please visit our Family Center.

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.

The Office of Family Engagement in the Department of Federal Programs invites all families to join the “Family-School Partnership Advisory Council (PAC)” meeting on November 12, 2024, from 5:30 until 7:30 PM at the Instructional Support Center in Grayson Room 2.124. During this meeting, GCPS families will receive information about Title I, Title II, Title III, and Family Engagement. Families will have the opportunity to provide input on how these funds are utilized to support students, staff, and schools. Interpretation will be provided in Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, and Chinese. Please use this link to RSVP: https://forms.gle/VrMMwcraom4ie4KQ7

Join us in celebrating World Kindness Day on Wednesday, November 13th! Wear a shirt with a kind message and check out some ways to spread kindness below:

• Write down 5 things you love about yourself
• Invite others to join you and your friends at recess
• Compliment people you don't normally talk to
• Hold the door for someone
• Volunteer your time to help a neighbor or family member

Please join us for Spirit Night at Chick-Fil-A on Thursday, November 14 from 5:00-8:00PM. Students may wear their mustang spirit wear and say they are from Meadowcreek! 20% of all purchases linked to MES go back to our school!

🎉🎉 MES has a podcast! Introducing Mustang Press—a podcast by Meadowcreek Elementary students, for everyone! Each episode brings fresh topics inspired by what students are learning and events happening at our school. Our latest episode is the first episode of our special series, Conversations with Student Council. Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeart Radio to hear what our students have to say! We hope you enjoy, and stay tuned for more episodes coming soon! 🎙️

Spotify: Mustang Press

Apple Podcasts: Mustang Press

iHeart Radio: Mustang Press

This week, we are celebrating National School Psychology Week (NSPW) and the ways in which school psychologists help #EachAndEvery student thrive.

Our school psychologists are an important part of #TeamGCPS. They help improve school climate and cultivate a culture of well-being and advocacy. School psychologists support students in developing social-emotional skills and promote school communities where all feel welcome, safe, valued, and prepared for the future.

American Education Week is next week and we’re celebrating every member of #TeamGCPS for their commitment to excellence, empathy, effectiveness, and equity in education.

Throughout this week, we join the National Education Association in appreciation for our support professionals and our families:

- Education Support Professionals Day– Wednesday, November 20

- National Parent/Family Involvement Day– Thursday, November 21

- Substitute Educators Day– Friday, November 22

Thank you to our staff members, families, and community for your support and contributions to our schools to help ensure that #EachAndEvery student feels welcome, safe, accepted, valued, and prepared for the future.

November is National Native American Heritage Month! GCPS celebrates #EachAndEvery individual as we cultivate a culture of belonging while leading with empathy, equity, and excellence to ensure that #TeamGCPS students, families and staff feel welcome, safe, accepted, valued, and prepared for the future.

Little Learners Academy will be held on Wednesday, November 20 from 11:00AM-12:00PM. This class is offered on the last Wednesday of each month and is for all families with children birth to five years old and their parent or caregiver. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Pena-Perez at 770-381-4248.

Who: Children birth to five years old and their parent or caregivers

What: 60 minute session, learn to be your child's first and best teacher!

Why: Engage with your child through PLAY! Get your child READY FOR SCHOOL!

Dates:

November 20, 2024

December 18, 2024

January 29, 2025

February 26, 2025

March 26, 2025

April 30, 2025

We hope our students and school staff have a safe and relaxing Thanksgiving Break! We look forward to welcoming students and staff members back to learning when classes resume on Monday, December 2.

Did you know that Imagine Language & Literacy is available to your child at home at no cost to you? Your child can access Imagine Language and Literacy through a web browser at login.imaginelearning.com using any computer or tablet. Your child can log in with the site code 1302550. Please see the flyer for information about the Imagine Language & Literacy Contest going on from October 2024 to April 2025. If you have any questions about your child's login information, please reach out to your child’s teacher. Thank you!

Please join us for New Family Orientation on Tuesday, December 3 at 8:30AM in the Media Center. Parents will learn about the following:

• School Hours
• School Important Personnel
• Attendance Importance
• Family Center's Goals
• Educational Resources for Families
• Our Plan/Promise
• Answer any questions that you may have
• Take a School Tour

Please see the iReady Diagnostic and District Assessment schedule below. It is very important that your child is at school and on time each day for testing. Testing begins at 8:30AM. We appreciate your support in ensuring we have a successful assessment administration!

Wednesday, December 4 - Monday, December 9-

iReady Diagnostic in ELA and Math (Grades K-5)

Monday, December 16 - Wednesday, December 18-

District Assessments in Math, Science, Social Studies (Grades 3-5)

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!

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. Faramarzi and Support Staff of the Month Ms. Rosell! 🎉🎉

Parent Mentors Present: “Navigating the Holidays and Avoiding Caretaker Fatigue”

When: Tuesday, November 12, 10:00 – 11:30 AM or 6:00 -7:30 PM

Where: In-Person registration link for 10:00 AM session

Zoom registration link for 6 PM session

Parent Mentors Present: “Families Engaging in Education” – 4 Session Workshop

When: November 14, 10:00 – 11:30 AM or 6:00-7:30PM

Where: In-Person registration link for 10:00 AM session

Zoom registration link for 6pm session

Parent Mentors Present: “Behavior Strategies to Support Your Child”

When: Tuesday, December 3, 2024, 10:00 – 11:30 AM or 6:00 -7:30PM

Where: In-Person registration link for 10:00 AM session

Zoom registration link for 6 PM session

GCPS sent an email to all parents in July to complete/sign off on all your required documents in ParentSquare. This message was posted on July 23, 2024. Parents will need to click on the message to view orientation documents and then sign off. This includes the following documents:

• Free/Reduced Lunch Application: The free/reduced application must be completed each school year if assistance with meals, AP exam registration and/or college applications is needed.
• GCPS 2024-2025 Student Conduct Behavior Code
• GCPS 2024-2025 Handbook Information for Students and Families
• Attendance Protocol: GCPS 2024-2025 Handbook Information for Students & Families
• Extracurricular Activities: GCPS 2024-2025 Handbook Information for Students & Families
• Media Release Opt-Out: GCPS 2024-2025 Handbook Information for Students & Families
• Parent AKS Overview: Overview of Academic Knowledge and Skills for your student.
• The Plan/The Promise: A written agreement that outlines how the school, the students, and families will work together to ensure your child’s academic success.

Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) is required by law to verify the address of each and every student who attends our schools. This annual process, detailed on the district’s website, ensures students attend their zoned schools. Address verification helps maintain balanced enrollment, preventing overcrowding and ensuring optimal learning environments. It also ensures that resources like teachers, materials, and funding are allocated appropriately, supporting balanced class sizes and individualized attention.

Last spring, GCPS informed parents and guardians that students enrolled under specific conditions—Residency Affidavit, Permissive Transfer, Kinship Caregiver Affidavit, Homeless, or Foster Care—would need to renew their forms with proof of residency. GCPS recognizes that this requirement can be challenging for families whose family members or landlords are not locally available. District and local school leaders are actively working with these families to find solutions that meet district requirements and state law. We encourage families to continue working with their local schools to resolve any issues.

GCPS partners with students and caregivers to engage, equip, and empower families, educators, and community members as co-authors for the development of the whole learner from birth through adulthood.

Gwinnett County Public Schools’ family engagement initiative seeks to support the growth, development, and success of each and every student. The Engage, Equip, and Empower series hosted by the Department of Federal Programs Office of Family Engagement provides opportunities for families to participate in instructional sessions, workshops, events, and activities to engage with Gwinnett County Public Schools. The series will provide opportunities for families to learn how to support their children at home in the core academic content areas, be active participants in their children’s education, and learn about resources, programs, and wraparound services to support their children.

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
• 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: 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!

Educational research makes it clear. All adult family members can help children achieve in school—even if they have had little formal education themselves.

Here are a dozen proven ways to help your elementary schooler succeed:

1. Set high, but realistic goals for your child. Make it clear that you expect your student to do well.
2. Establish daily routines for family meals, studying and chores.
3. Stress that success requires persistence and hard work. Don't let your child blame teachers or bad luck for poor grades.
4. Monitor after-school activities. Maintain a balanced schedule that leaves your child some downtime to relax.
5. Make time to read together every day.
6. Keep in contact with your child's teachers.
7. Be respectful when talking about teachers and school.
8. Volunteer to help in your child's classroom, or with tasks that you can work on at home.
9. Encourage and reward your child's efforts and progress.
10. Be available. Spend time with your child. Offer your help.
11. Be firm. Establish clear rules and consequences for breaking them.
12. Respect your child's ideas. Take time to listen. Share your values with your child.

Brought to you by:

Gwinnett County Public Schools

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Early childhood experiences are so important to lifelong learning. If you have a child between the ages of one month and 5 years old and are looking for ways to encourage him/her to play, learn, and grow; consider joining our FREE Play2Learn Program here at Meadowcreek Elementary for the 2024-2025 school year. Play2Learn classes meet once a week for 90 minutes. One adult must be present with the student during class. For more information, please contact Mrs. Pena-Perez at (770) 381-4248 or visit the school.

Please complete the form to be placed on the waiting list for the Play2Learn 2024-2025 school year. Once accepted, you will receive a call from Ms. Pena-Perez with instructions to register your child at the school.

*You do NOT need to complete the form if your child is currently enrolled in Play2Learn*

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.