The Corley Cheer

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Greetings Corley Community!

Thank you for making Corley Elementary a fantastic place to learn and have great experiences. This month yielded great opportunities for our wonderful Corley Scholars. I can't believe that February is here! While Valentine's Day is a popular celebration, it is not viewed as a GCPS holiday as there are community members who do not celebrate. Please find helpful reminders below as we navigate through February.

Valentine's Day

• Students are allowed to exchange cards and give their classmates pre-packaged treats (store-bought, candy, and not homemade). It is encouraged that this is brought for the entire class instead of isolated treats.
• Valentine's Day is not a party day for students. Each party takes place during Winter and EOY Parties.
• Classroom teachers will communicate with parents via Parent Square. Corley ES is not encouraging our community to bring food and party supplies to the school.

As we enter February, I'd like to gently remind everyone about the importance of student attendance for academic success. It's crucial to ensure that students attend school daily, arrive on time, and stay for the entire day unless they are unwell. Please make sure your child starts the day promptly for an optimal and conducive learning experience. We aim to set the stage for a successful new month.

If you have any questions regarding attendance, our dedicated counselors, Ms. Huston and Ms. Lewis, are available to assist you. I appreciate your ongoing support, and please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Corley Administrative Team

Mrs. Hollace Ervin- Special Education Services and Specials

Mrs. Tammy Knox- Kindergarten, 1st Grade, and ESOL Services

Mrs. Morgan Mendieta Hudson- 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, and ESOL Services

Mr. Gregory Jackson- 4th Grade and 5th Grade

Proud to be your principal,

Mrs. Aleshia Duckworth

February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of African Americans in various fields of education. From science and math to literature and art, Black educators have made a lasting impact on the world of knowledge and learning. They have faced many challenges and overcome many obstacles to pursue their passions and share their wisdom with others. They have inspired generations of students to follow their dreams and reach their potential.

February is a special month for education, as it is the time to celebrate and honor the achievements and contributions of Black people throughout history. Black History Month is not only a way to learn about the past but also to inspire the present and the future. By exploring the stories of African American leaders, inventors, artists, activists, and more, we can gain a deeper appreciation of the diversity and richness of our culture and society. Here at Corley Elementary, we are making February a month of learning, celebrating, and honoring Black history!

GCPS Blueprint For The Future

• Goal 1.B—Staff and student wellbeing.
• Goal 4.A—Preferred education destination.

Friday, February 2, is a Digital Learning Day (DLD) for all students. On scheduled DLDs, students access lessons in eCLASS but do not have virtual class time with their teachers.

To ensure that students have a nutritious breakfast and lunch to fuel their learning, our bus drivers will be on the road and at every bus stop to deliver meals prepared by School Nutrition Program staff.

Families should expect buses to run their routes from approximately 10:45 a.m. to noon, beginning at the first stops on the route. These delivered meals are provided at no cost to families, and are provided to anyone 18 years old and under.

GCPS Blueprint For The Future

• Goal 1.B—Staff and student wellbeing.
• Goal 4.A—Preferred education destination.
• Goal 2.B—Opportunity and access.

We are partnering with the Center for Educational Effectiveness (CEE) to administer the Educational Effectiveness Survey (EES) to students. The survey and screener results will provide us with information and feedback within the research-based frameworks of the Characteristics of High Performing Schools and CASEL (Social-Emotional Learning). Over the last 20 years, the EES survey has been used in over 280 districts. Based on these experiences, here are some details:

• Data will be used to support and inform improvement conversations with staff and leadership at the school and district level.
• Each building will receive their building-level reports, and the district leadership team will receive district-level summary views.
• The survey is confidential. GCPS and CEE will protect the confidentiality of each respondent.
  
  

To gather this information, 3rd-5th grade students will take the 30–45-minute screener and survey at school between February 1 and 29, 2024. Please use this link to access more information about the EES Student Survey. We value the input of our students as we strive to continue to improve our school.

GCPS Blueprint For The Future

• Goal 1.B—Staff and student wellbeing.
• Goal 2.B—Opportunity and access.
  

Each year, GCPS collects feedback from our families about their child's school as part of our commitment to improvement. This year, the school district is partnering with the Center for Educational Effectiveness to give Educational Effectiveness Surveys (EES) that provide feedback on nine characteristics of high-performing schools. Those characteristics are:

• A clear and shared focus
• High standards and expectations for all students
  
• Effective school leadership
  
• Strong communication and opportunities to work together
  
• What we teach, how we teach, and how learning is aligned with state standards
  
• Frequent monitoring of learning and teaching
  
• Focused professional development
  
• Supportive learning environment
  
• High levels of family and community involvement
  
  

In addition, the survey asks about two other areas associated with high-performing schools- district support for improvement and respect for diverse cultures and backgrounds. The survey will be available for you to complete through Thursday, February 29. We hope you will lend your voice to making Gwinnett County Public Schools the best it can be for our students. Please check ParentSquare for the link to complete the family survey!

GCPS Blueprint For The Future

• Goal 1.B—Staff and student wellbeing.
• Goal 2.B—Opportunity and access.
  

Berkmar High School is hosting an event on Saturday February 3rd from 10am-12pm at the Plaza Las Americas. The purpose of the event is to bring awareness to the impact of drugs on our community. Come on out and be a part of the community solution!

GCPS Blueprint For The Future

• Goal 1.B—Staff and student wellbeing.
• Goal 4.A—Preferred education destination.

The Family Engagement Center is open for the New Year! We are looking forward to seeing our family members in the school building to volunteer with projects for the Corley Community. Please click on the picture to let us know your availability.

GCPS Blueprint For The Future

• Goal 1.B—Staff and student wellbeing.
• Goal 4.A—Preferred education destination.

We are thrilled to announce that the next gifted parent meeting for Corley Elementary School will be held on February 7th, 2024. This is a great opportunity for you to learn more about the gifted program, meet other parents and teachers, and share your ideas and feedback. Please mark your calendars and join us for this exciting event!

GCPS Blueprint For The Future

• Goal 1.B—Staff and student wellbeing.
• Goal 4.A—Preferred education destination.
• Goal 2.B—Opportunity and access.

Our third ALL Pro Dad meeting will take place on Friday, February 9th at 7:30am. During this meeting we will engage with fathers and their sons in meaningful conversations and activities centered around the "Gentleness" curriculum. Click HERE to let us know if you plan to attend!

GCPS Blueprint For The Future

• Goal 1.B—Staff and student wellbeing.
• Goal 2.B—Opportunity and access.
• Goal 4.A—Preferred education destination.

We would like to inform you that the winter break for the Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) will be from February 15 to February 19, 2024. During this time, there will be no classes, and the school campus will be closed. We hope that you and your family will enjoy this opportunity to rest and recharge after a challenging semester.

The school will resume its normal schedule on Tuesday, February 20. We wish you a safe and happy winter break!

GCPS Blueprint For The Future

• Goal 1.B—Staff and student wellbeing.

We are excited to announce that our spring picture day is coming up on March 1st. This is a great opportunity for your child to capture some memories of this school year and show off their personality.

GCPS Blueprint For The Future

• Goal 1.B—Staff and student wellbeing.

• January-February:
  Students who receive ESOL support will participate in ACCESS testing during the months of January-February.

• What is this assessment?
  ACCESS is a test designed to measure English learners' social and academic proficiency in English. It assesses conversational and instructional English (words used in classes at school). Results help teachers and schools to understand the progress of students in the areas of Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing in English.

• Why is my child taking this assessment?
  This is a state required assessment for students eligible for Multilingual Learner services. Students may exit the ML program based on their ACCESS scores.

GCPS Blueprint For The Future

• Goal 2.A—Multi-tiered system of supports.
• Goal 3.A - Results-Based Evaluation System.

Semester 1 Report Cards were mailed out by the district mid-January. A copy of your child's Report Card can also be found in the parent portal. Simply log in to your account, select your student, and check under the documents tab!

On January 17th, we had our annual STEM Fair, which was a great success. All students in grades 3 through 5 had an opportunity to participate; however, a special shout-out to all the 3rd and 4th graders who participated. A total of six prizes were awarded to students with the best projects. The top overall winners will be able to compete at the county level in February. Thank you, Dr. Pumphrey, for all your hard work planning this event for our students.

GCPS Blueprint for The Future

• Goal 1.B- Staff and student wellbeing.
• Goal 2.B- Opportunity and Access.
• Goal 4.A—Preferred Education Destination.

.

On Tuesday, January 9th, Corley Elementary School celebrated School Resource Officer Appreciation Day to honor Officer Burnett for his dedication and service to the school community. Officer Burnett has been working at Corley Elementary for three years and has made a positive impact on the students, staff, and parents. He is always ready to help with any situation, whether it is providing security, mentoring students, or participating in school events. Officer Burnett is not only a resource officer, but also a role model, a friend and a part of the Corley family. We are grateful for his presence and his contributions to our school. Thank you, Officer Burnett, for everything you do!

GCPS Blueprint For The Future

• Goal 2.A—Multi-tiered system of supports.
• Goal 4.A - Preferred Education Destination.

Thank you to our wonderful ESOL teachers, Ms. Bonilla, Ms. Flores, Ms. Canon and Ms. Wasif for providing our Newcomers with extra support in the morning. They meet with our Newcomers and guide them in participating in Imagine Learning and conversation in order to promote the students' language acquisition. We appreciate all your efforts to guide our new students.

GCPS Blueprint For The Future

• Goal 1.B—Staff and student wellbeing.
• Goal 2.B—Opportunity and access.
• Goal 4.A—Preferred education destination.

The pre-kindergarten classes had a wonderful reading time in the Media Center with Ms. Fisher. They listened to stories, looked at pictures, and learned new words. Ms. Fisher was very proud of their enthusiasm and curiosity. She encouraged them to keep reading and exploring the world of books.

GCPS Blueprint For The Future

• Goal 1.B—Staff and student wellbeing.
• Goal 2.B—Opportunity and access.
• Goal 4.A—Preferred education destination.

Principal Duckworth recently showed her appreciation for the hard work of the staff by surprising them with hot Dunkin coffee on a chilly morning. The team was working in the car rider and bus lane, and the thoughtful gesture was well received. It’s always great to see our school’s leadership taking care of the staff and keeping them energized for the day ahead.

GCPS Blueprint For The Future

• Goal 1.B—Staff and student wellbeing.
• Goal 4.A—Preferred education destination.

Corley Elementary held a schoolwide Medieval Times STEM Day. All K-5 students participated in fairytale themed challenges to solve problems using the Engineering Design Process. From ziplines and bridges, to golden eggs and tall towers, students had a merry time while learning about science, technology, engineering, and math.
GCPS Blueprint For The Future

• Goal 1.B—Staff and student wellbeing.
• Goal 2.B—Opportunity and access.
• Goal 4.A—Preferred education destination.

We had a blast celebrating the 100th day of school at Corley Elementary School on January 19th! It was a special day full of fun activities and learning and a special milestone for our students and teachers, who have been working hard and learning so much this year. We are so proud of how much we have grown and learned in 100 days of school. We can't wait to see what the rest of the year will bring!

GCPS Blueprint For The Future

• Goal 1.B—Staff and student wellbeing.
• Goal 4.A—Preferred education destination.

We are so proud of our Corley Elementary students for their amazing achievements in the first semester! On January 25th and 26th, we celebrated their hard work and dedication in a special award ceremony held in Corley's gym. The awards that were presented included the Principal’s Award for students who earned all As or all Es, the All A/B Honor Roll or E/S for students who maintained high academic standards, the Patriot Award for students who demonstrated outstanding citizenship and leadership, and the Most Growth Award for students who showed remarkable improvement and progress. Congratulations to all the winners, and keep up the good work!

GCPS Blueprint For The Future

• Goal 2.A—Multi-tiered system of supports.
• Goal 3.A - Results-Based Evaluation System.
• Goal 4.A - Preferred Education Destination.

Corley celebrates Ms. Speed's class for their completion of the Gang Resistance Education And Training (G.R.E.A.T.) program. This program taught students a variety of important life skills to help them to avoid participation in bullying, and violence. Additionally, students were provided strategies to help them make better decisions!

GCPS Blueprint for The Future

• Goal 1.A- Cultural competence.
• Goal 2.A—Multi-tiered system of supports.

During teacher planning days at the beginning of the second semester, Ms. Santangelo, Ms. Rouse, Ms. Jackson, Ms. Alvarado, Dr. Davis, Ms. Palmer, and Ms. Leejay facilitated ELA and Math professional learning sessions for Corley teachers. The learning and collaboration around task-based instruction and reading strategy groups were informative, practical, and responsive to our students needs. We look forward to seeing task-based learning and strategy groups in action within Corley classrooms!

GCPS Blueprint For The Future

• Goal 2.A - MTSS
• Goal 3.A - RBES

During the second semester of preplanning, teachers had a chance to participate in WIDA Standards training. Anna Elliott and Alina Wasif delivered a fabulous learning session on the WIDA Standards training , keeping Corley teachers informed of the changing WIDA standards!

GCPS Blueprint For The Future

• Goal 2.A - MTSS
• Goal 3.A - RBES

5th grade students were able to participate in an Escape Room challenge in which they acted as reporters sent to the past to get a firsthand account of World War I. This aligns with the 5th Grade Social Studies AKS. 90% of students were able to "Escape." They had so much fun immersing themselves into world history!

What would you do if you saw a dinosaur in your school? That's what happened to Corley's 2nd graders, who got a surprise visit from some prehistoric friends in the Media Center earlier this week! They learned all about different types of dinosaurs, their habitats, their diets, and their behaviors. They even got to touch some dinosaur bones, see fossils, and play games with Bleu the Velociraptor. It was a ROAR-some experience that they will never forget!

GCPS Blueprint For The Future

• Goal 2.A—Multi-tiered system of supports.
• Goal 2.B—Opportunity and access.
• Goal 2.C—Equitable resource allocation.

The Corley Leadership Team gathered for the Instructional Leadership Team meeting for January on the last day of the coldest month in Georgia. Despite the chilly weather, the meeting was warm and productive, thanks to Dr. Walker's excellent guidance and facilitation. Dr. Walker shared valuable insights and feedback on the instructional practices and goals of the school and encouraged the team members to collaborate and reflect on their own strengths and areas of improvement. The meeting was a great opportunity to learn from each other and celebrate the achievements of the Corley community.

GCPS Blueprint For The Future

• Goal 1.B—Staff and student wellbeing.
• Goal 4.A - Preferred Education Destination.

What a wonderful day it was at Corley Elementary! The students and teachers showed off their creativity and style by wearing all kinds of hats. There were baseball caps, cowboy hats, berets, fedoras, and even some homemade hats. Everyone had a blast seeing the different designs and colors. It was a fun way to celebrate diversity and express ourselves. Hat Day at Corley Elementary was a success!

GCPS Blueprint For The Future

• Goal 1.B—Staff and student wellbeing.
• Goal 4.A - Preferred Education Destination.

The Play 2 Learn program focuses on building the capacity of parents and caregivers to be their child's first teacher, as well as providing an opportunity for children to learn and play in a group setting. Caregivers are invited to bring children (ages birth to five) to a 90-minute session each week.

PTA is coming to Corley, and we need your support! We'd like to encourage all staff and families to join PTA! Please scan the QR code or CLICK HERE to pay the $5.00 membership fee and show your support for PTA @ Corley!

While this is not a requirement, we would love for you to join our Parent-Teacher Association to help build community. You can give your time, talent, and resources to join our collective efforts in promoting quality education, arts, and community involvement to build a healthy environment and safe neighborhood for all of our families.

GCPS Blueprint For The Future

Goal 1.A—Cultural competence.

Goal 4.B—Post-secondary and workforce readiness.

Goal 4.A—Preferred education destination.

My Payments Plus is a multi-purpose website we use here at Gwinnett County Public Schools. Once you create an account, you can use the site to pay for school lunches and field trips or to review and sign important documents. For help registering for an account, you can watch this quick how to video.

Need help? Call the MPP Parent Support Phone Number: 1-877-237-0946

Children need healthy meals to learn. Gwinnett County Public Schools offers healthy meals every school day. Breakfast costs $1.50; lunch costs $2.25 for elementary and $2.50 at middle and high schools. Your children may qualify for free meals or for reduced-price meals. The reduced price is $.30 for breakfast and $.40 for lunch. Below are some common questions and answers to help you with the application process. Click HERE for complete the online application.

WHO CAN GET FREE OR REDUCED-PRICE MEALS?

• All children in households receiving benefits from SNAP or TANF are eligible for free.
• Foster children who are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court are eligible for free.
• Children participating in their school’s Head Start program are eligible for free.
• Children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway, or migrant are eligible for free.
• Children may receive free or reduced-price meals if your household’s income is within the limits on the Federal Income Eligibility Chart.

We have recently noticed an increase in students being dropped off in front of the school, without parental assistance. As a reminder, students should arrive between 8:15 AM-8:50 AM. Students who are dropped off in a parent's car should use the car rider lane between those times. However, if you are dropping your students off after 8:50 AM, please escort them into the building to complete the official check-in process. For safety & security, no child should be left to enter the building alone! Thank you for your support with this procedure.

Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

1. All visitors must check in at the welcome desk and please be prepared to provide some form of identification upon request.
2. Students should arrive between 8:15 AM- 8:50 AM.
3. Morning announcements and the tardy bell rings at 8:50 AM.
4. Dismissal bell rings at 3:15 PM.

• If you are checking your child out early, please do so before 2:30 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!

February 1st- Title I Workshop for Parents (GMAS & ACCESS)

February 2nd- Digital Learning Day

February 5th- College Spirit Day

February 7th- Gifted Parent Meeting @ 5 pm

February 9th- ALL Pro Dad Meeting @ 7:30 am

February 15th-19th- Winter Break (President's Day)

February 29th- Teachers Email Progress Reports