Knightly News
September 1, 2023
Message from Our Principal, Ms. Perkins:
Next Friday, September 8, 2023, the Simonton ES PTA will host a fall festival. Bring the whole family out for food, games, and fun. The festival will take place in the back playground from 5:00 - 8:00 am.
All schools will be closed on Monday, September 4, 2023, due to Labor Day. Our doors will open on Tuesday, September 5, 2023 for all students.
Have a wonderful weekend!
The screener will provide our school and district staff with valuable data about the academic, social, and emotional needs of students. The results will be used to identify students needing additional support in the areas of Academic Behaviors, Social Behaviors, and Emotional Behaviors. The 22-item screener should take students less than 10 minutes to complete.
The Wellness Screener will be available to Gwinnett County Public Schools students September 5 through September 15, 2023; students will complete the screener at school.
As part of our process, school district leaders want to make parents and caregivers aware of this screener, familiarize them with the questions students will be asked, and offer the opportunity for them to opt their child out of taking the screener.
Please click the links below for additional information...including how to view the screener questions, and how to opt out of the screener.
Simonton ES Local School Council
We invite parents to join us for our Simonton ES Local School Council meeting. Local School Council meetings will be held four times during the school year. Meetings will take place in person at the local school.
The purpose of the Council is three-fold:
I. To help the local board of education develop and nurture participation.
II. To bring parents and the community together with teachers and school administrators to create a better understanding of and mutual respect for each other's concerns.
III. To share ideas for school improvement.
Remaining Meeting Dates: September 8, January 12, 2024, March 22, 2024 and May 3, 2024
Meeting Time: 9:00 am
Location: Simonton ES
Draft Agenda Items
Welcome/Introductions
Local School Council Orientation
Election of Officers
- Early Intervention Program
- Simonton ES Strategic Goals
- Simonton Celebrating 30 years
- Simonton ES Student Enrollment
- Simonton ES Safety Plan
- Simonton ES Discipline Report
If you are interested in attending the Simonton ES Local School Council meetings please click on the link below.
Simonton ES Reflections Workshop
Are you looking for extra help with your child’s Reflections entry?
Come and join us for the work sessions!
When: Wednesdays
September 6
September 13
September 20
September 27
Where: Simonton Parent Center
Time: 3:00pm – 3:45pm
Please RSVP by Friday (9/1/23) to Mrs. Saha by filling out the flyer below.
Arrival/Dismissal of Students
Students are expected to be at school on time and not leave unless they have permission. Staff members are involved in planning, conferencing, and staff meetings prior to 7:45 am. Students may NOT be dropped off BEFORE this time. At 7:45 am students should be dropped off in the car-rider line on the right-hand side of the school, not in the front office. This is for their safety. There is no one on duty to supervise students prior to this time. If students arrive after 8:15 am parents are to park in a regular parking space and escort their child to the office for check-in. School dismissal is at 2:45 pm. Car riders must be picked up by 3:05 pm. After this time, car riders will be taken to the front office for parent contact. Excessive incidents of late car rider pick up will result in a parent conference with school administrators and further action that may include the School Resource Officer and/or Division of Family and Children Services.
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.
Non-instructional items
Our school priority is teaching and learning. Non-instructional items, electronic toys, games and other devices are not permitted at school. Please make sure that these items remain at home. Students that are found to be in possession of these items at school will have them removed and given to an administrator until parent pick up. Students may not exchange money, sell, buy, trade, give or purchase items from another student during the school day, on the school bus, or at the school bus stop.
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.
Reading Buddies is a FREE program that helps students (ages 5-11) practice their reading skills by reading out loud.
Our Reading Buddies program helps students:
- Learn and practice reading skills one-on-one with a librarian or a trained volunteer!
- Get on grade level and increase their reading abilities.
- Each child will have a reading log to write down their goals and track their progress.
We will be conducting this program at the Lawrenceville Library located at 1001 Lawrenceville Hwy on Thursdays from 4 pm to 6 pm continuing as of August 10th on a first come first serve basis when GCPS is in session.
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