Star News

Greetings Simpson Parents, Happy fall!

I am so PROUD to be your principal of Simpson Elementary! The students, teachers, and support staff work very hard to ensure every minute of the school day is meaningful for students! Parents, thank you for all you do to partner with us to support your children. A message that continues to ring true today, more than ever, is Great Schools Build Great Communities and in turn, Great Communities Build Great Schools! Thank you to the entire Peachtree Corners/Norcross Parent Community for supporting our sweet school with PBIS incentives, healthy snacks, and encouraging notes. We could not do this without you!

It was so great to see so many of you last month during Curriculum Night! I had a chance to join several grade levels and hear feedback from parents regarding curriculum questions and teachers providing supportive resources. Now, it is time for us to schedule Early Release Conferences. Please save the date for Wednesday, October 23rd and Thursday, October 24th. Conferences will be held in person by appointment ONLY via our Parent-Teacher Conference (PTC) Link. The Early Release Conference Sign-up link will be available via our school website on Wednesday, October 9th at 9 a.m. and closes on Friday, October 18 at 4:00 p.m.

Superstars, I would also like to let everyone know that the PTA Picnic-in-the-Park has been rescheduled for this Thursday, October 3rd! Thank you for your flexibility as we will enjoy hanging out with friends and family to support our school. Please see the flyer for details with the local business that partnered with the school and let them know that you are representing Simpson Elementary! A percentage of the proceeds go directly back to our school!

Finally, I want to congratulate Ms. Raven Beard our Simpson Elementary School 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year! Ms. Beard has been in the field of education for 7 years and of those years all of them have been at Simpson Elementary! She currently resides right here in Norcross, GA. Thank you, Ms. Beard, for all that you do to support your kids!

Proud to be your principal,

Dr. Connery

Calendar At-A-Glance

Thank you to our amazing Simpson Elementary PTA Community for having us be recognized two years in a row as a National PTA School of Excellence for 2023-2005!

Many thanks again to our immediate past and present Simpson PTA Presidents, Ms. Mary Catherine Jennings, Ms. Maxine McClure, and Ms. Jordan Mallory! A wise person once said, "Great Schools build Great Communities, and in turn, Great Communities, Build Great Schools!" Thank you for your service and for keeping us Simpson Strong! ~ Dr. Connery

September 15 - October 15: Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) at Simpson

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) from September 15th to October 15th, by celebrating the achievements and contributions of Hispanic Americans. The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover 30 days starting on September 15th and ending on October 15th.

September 15 - October 15: Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) at Simpson Elementary during connections:

• CS- Digital Choice Boards, K-2 read aloud stories of influential Hispanics in Computer Science., 3-5 grades can research and make a poster about an influential Hispanic

• Spanish- flags, 3-5 research project

• Art-Kindergarten is working with symmetry and making sugar skull collages. First Grade is doing Peruvian textiles and llamas. Second Grade is doing Coco-inspired guitars (featuring symmetry). Third Grade is doing albertites masks. Fourth Grade is working on realism with Salvador Dali. Fifth Grade is creating Frida Kahlo drawings.

• Health-Frida Kahlo and artwork

• PE-games from Spanish-speaking countries, display about Atlanta Braves

• Music- K will learn and move to songs about animals and colors, including De Colores and Los Pollitos. 1st graders are singing and moving to Huayno from Peru. 2nd graders will connect with their Coco-inspired art by moving and singing San Jarocho from Mexico. 3rd graders will highlight famous Cuban musicians. 4th grade is learning about music from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, including merengue. 5th grade will learn Spanish language music games.

• Hispanic Pioneers in society will be recognized and celebrated each day on the morning news.

Norcross HS Varsity Softball Team is hosting a Youth/Pink Out Night on Thursday, October 3rd at 6:00. Pre-game festivities start at 5:20. There will be a raffle, pre-game line up where students go out on the field with players, and Pinckneyville Chorus will be singing the National Anthem. Raffles include throw out first pitch, shirts, concessions, and more. If youths wear a jersey they get into the game for free. Come out and join us for a fun night of softball!!!

GOOD NEWS CLUB

2nd-5th Graders

Beginning on Mondays October 28- March 31,2025

Meeting after school with car pick-up at 5:00

Students who are in GASP will be escorted back at 5:00

Meeting in the Media/Library Room

FREE However, donations are welcome

Register on line www.goodnewsclubgwinnett.org/student/registration (Limited Enrollment)

Club activities include; Snacks, Interactive Bible Stories, Memory Verses,, Active Games, Lively Songs.

The Club emphasizes Biblical Principles, character qualities, respect for authority and moral values.

There is a Treasure Box of toy rewards, Surprises and lots of laughter and fun.

Leaders are specially trained Christians, concerned for the spiritual life of your child.

For Questions…Contact Cathy Hicks- Coordinator hm. 770 447 0540

jchicks@thejrg.net

Simpson Superstars! Are you ready to start your STEM fair projects? This year we have 8 new and exciting categories to create a STEM project from. Make sure to visit the STEM Fair Google classroom for the driving questions and to make a copy of your STEM Fair Journal.

Interested in being an active participant in your child's school? We are excited to have you join our school council for the 24-25 SY. In case you were wondering, what is the purpose of a school council? It is intended to help local boards of education by bringing parents and the community together with teachers and school administrators to create a better understanding of and mutual respect for concerns and shared ideas for school improvement.

School councils are in place to support and build strong school-community partnerships. If you desire to become a member and have an interest in joining, please contact Ms. Traci Douglas at Traci.Douglas@gcpsk12.org to RSVP no later than Friday, September 20th. Please see the dates/times below for details.

Meeting Dates for the 2024-2025 School Year:

Meetings will begin at 7:30 AM and will be held in the Professional Learning Lab on site. Light refreshments will be available.

• October 4, 2024
• November 22, 2024
• January 31, 2025

• March 28, 2025

Our first-ever Simpson PBIS pep rally was held on September 6. We loved partnering with Norcross HS cheerleaders to make this dream a reality. Feel free to watch the video! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Xgba0HoncnpY-UNSQL3iMV6FvcPWmbnm/view?usp=sharing

The grand opening of our PBIS store occurred on September 9th. Students have been enjoying redeeming their earned Starbucks for various prizes. Please see our Simpson Superstar grade-level buying days:

Monday - 5th grade

Tuesday - 4th grade

Wednesday - 2nd grade and 3rd grade

Thursday - 1st grade

Friday - Kindergarten and PreK

How Can You Support PBIS at Home?

We encourage you to reinforce our PBIS norms at home. By doing so, you will be encouraging your child's social and academic growth.

PBIS At HOME

• Use the PBIS norms (respectful, responsible, ready, safe, and kind) at home.

• Use the chart above outlining appropriate behaviors in different settings/locations at home. For example, what does respect look like in the kitchen?

• Post your chart somewhere where your child can easily reference it during teachable moments.

• Collaborate with your child on how you will give regular positive recognition and incentives for appropriate behavior.

Simpson is excited to offer an opportunity for parents with children ages birth to five!

We are so blessed to have one of our veteran, retired, and former Simpson Kindergarten Teachers, Ms. Sharon Terry! Once again she will be our Play2Learn instructor during the 24-25 SY. Therefore, please help us spread the good news to all of your family and friends, who may have children in this age range to call the school for additional information. Want to learn more about how to be your child's best teacher through PLAY? Simpson Elementary is offering the GCPS from Birth-To-FIVE Program for you and your child!

Little Learners Academy for children birth through five years old will meet on the third Tuesday of each month from 5-6pm. Come join the fun of learning!

October 15th

November 19th

December 17th

January 21st

February 18th

March 18th

April 15th

Students will have the opportunity to purchase ice cream from a variety of selections during lunch. Ice cream is $1.00 and will be sold Monday/Wednesday/Friday for all grade levels. Class Parties for ice cream sales are also available. Please email your child’s homeroom teacher for details.

GCPS will continue to follow guidelines as it relate to safety & security by visitors producing identification when inside the vestibule to check out students (as well as during visiting lunch hours).

In addition, we will continue to follow safety guidelines to minimize the risk of infection and/or spread of COVID-19. Therefore, if anyone in your household becomes sick and has tested positive for COVID-19, please contact our school nurse, Amy Norris, and/or your homeroom teacher immediately.

Principal- Dr. Taffeta Connery

Assistant Principal- Ms. Brandy Bosak, Grades 1st, 3rd, & 5th

Assistant Principal- Ms. Jeanette Johnson, Grades K, 2nd, & 4th

Assistant Principal- Ms. Stephanie Wells, Special Needs & Connections

Counselors:

Sheri Terry

Nicole Faulstich

School Hours

Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 4:15 PM

• All visitors must check in at the welcome desk and please be prepared to provide some form of identification upon request.
  

Students should arrive between 8:20 AM- 8:50 AM

Morning announcements and tardy bell rings at 8:50 AM

Dismissal bell rings at 3:20 PM

• If you are checking out your child early from school, please do so on or before 2:45 PM. This leaves our bus lanes open for bus arrivals. Also, please remember that a picture ID is required for all student check-outs. Thank you!

According to US News Report for 2024, Simpson Elementary School is ranked #6 as one of the BEST Elementary Schools in the State of Georgia. Schools are ranked on their performance on state-required tests, graduation, and how well they prepare their students for high school. Simpson is ranked as:

• #1 in Gwinnett County Public Schools

• #6 in the State of Georgia
• https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/georgia/simpson-elementary-school-223330

Simpson Elementary School

Learn more about Simpson Elementary School here - See an overview of the school, get student population data, enrollment information, test scores and more.

www.usnews.com

Please click here to join the PTA for the 2024-2025 School Year!

Did you know that becoming a PTA member does not require you to volunteer?

Your memberships have an enormous impact! Simpson PTA sponsors and coordinates over 30 programs each school year.

Visit our website and join our PTA Facebook page to stay connected!

October 3 | Walk to School Day

October 3 | Picnic in the Park, 5-8 PM. Knuckies, Playa Bowls, Pokeworks

October 8 | All Pro Dads, 7 AM

October 9 | 5th Grade Immigration Day

October 15 | SPED Appreciation Breakfast

October 16 | Picture Day - Sign up to volunteer

October 17 | Spirit Night - Cheeseburger Bobby's, 3-9 PM

October 18 | Charleston Wrap Fundraiser Kicks Off

October 18 | Staff Appreciation Event - Sign up to Volunteer

October 21 - 25 | Volunteer at the Book Fair

October 25 | Fall Festival

Volunteer in the Media Center!

Yearbooks + 5th Grade Baby Ads are for Sale | Click to learn more

As of September 30th :

We have 310 PTA Members, and have received $2,103 in direct donations

Thank you for your gracious support!

Click here to purchase!

Reserve space for your baby by November 15, 2024

Submit your baby ad content by January 1, 2025

Click here to learn more

Support from the businesses in our local community is critical in the PTA's success in providing enriching (and fun!) experiences and programs to our Superstar students and staff.

To learn more about partnering with our PTA, please visit our website and/or

contact our Business Partners Chair, Heather Reich, businesspartners@simpsonespta.org