Summerour Blue Devil Blast

Volume 3, Issue 3 - August 18, 2023
Dr. Looney's Message
Important Dates
Upcoming Dates
- August 22 - Curriculum Night
- August 23 - Social Media for Parents Night
- September 4 - Labor Day - No School
- September 8 - Progress Reports Go Home
- September 15 - Digital Learning Day #1
- September 15 - First Day of Hispanic Heritage Month
- September 21 - GCPS Board Meeting (ISC, Suwanee)
- September 30 - JLC Raider Event (Parkview HS)
- October 5-9 - Fall Break
Fall Intramurals
Intramurals begin on Monday, August 21, 2023 and run through October 26, 2023.
Monday - Thursday
8am - 8:50am
Summerour Cafeteria
New This Week
Robotics Club
OUR Robotics Club, which participates in the First Lego League program and competition, is gearing up for the school year. The first meeting will take place on August 28 at 7:45 a.m.
Click the image to expand it and read more information.
SummerOUR's Three Teacher of the Year Finalists
SummerOUR Faculty & Staff nominated many teachers as possibilities for OUR Teacher of the Year. OUR three finalists are: Ms. Tywanna Johnson, Mr. Kendall Jones, and Ms. Rimma Winters.
First Semester Interim Testing Dates: Mark Your Calendar!
Administration Dates:
- Monday, Oct. 2nd - Science
- Tuesday, Oct. 3rd - Language Arts
- Wednesday Oct. 4th - Math
- Tuesday Oct. 11th - Social Studies
- Thursday, Oct. 12th - Friday, Oct. 20th Make ups dates
Note: Fall Break is Thursday, October 5th - Monday, October 9th.
Freddie Falcon Visits Summerour
The GCPS Media Department in conjunction with the Atlanta Falcons, recognized SummerOUR Middle School and two of OUR outstanding teachers. Both teachers just happened to be chosen later in the week as finalists for OUR Teacher of the Year.
Grade Level News
Welcome to 6th Grade!
Ms. Belinda Terry
6th Grade Assistant Principal
Ms. Tannia Wood
6th Grade Counselor
Welcome to 7th Grade!
Dr. Toni Weir
7th Grade Assistant Principal
Mr. Al Sadler
7th Grade Assistant Principal
Ms. Angelica Rosas
7th Grade Counselor
Welcome to 8th Grade!
Ms. Christy Gray
8th Grade Assistant Principal
Ms. Robin Blackwell
8th Grade Counselor
Ms. Allegra Morgan
Gear Up Counselor
Ms. Cotton and Mr. Scott are co-teaching champions!
Accidental Twins
Faculty Spotlight
Spotlight on Mr. DeBerry
Mr. DeBerry graduated from Bowling Green State University where he received a Bachelor’s of Science in Education with a focus in Dance. Over 10 years Mr. DeBerry has been an educator, dancer and choreographer in the industry. Training and creating in the styles such as Jazz, Contemporary Modern, Hip Hop and Heels. Working with a wide range of artists from dancing to choreographing, Xscape, Sophia Dashing, Turquoise Music, Dyllón Burnside, Julian Woodhouse, Kanye West, Rico Nasty, LaLa Rai, Savannah Cristina , Lisa Yaro, Diamond ATL, Todrick Hall, Big Freeda, Teyana Taylor, Jill Scott, Norwegian Cruise Line, Virgin Voyage and more.
Find out more about Mr. DeBerry and our other Fine Arts teachers on the Fine Arts page of OUR website.
Parent Resources
Meal Information 2023 - 2024
- GCPS offers healthy and delicious meals for our students.
- With the expiration of USDA Covid-19 waivers after 2021-2022, students are once again charged for meals based on their individual eligibility for 2023-2024.
- Please take the time to apply for Free or Reduced Lunch for your child. You can access the 2023 - 2024 Meal Application online. New applications are required each school year.
This Year's Prices
- Breakfast Prices: $1.50 (Full Pay) and $0.00 (Eligible Free)
- Lunch Prices: $2.50 (Full Pay); $0.40 (Eligible Reduced Pay); and $0.00 (Eligible Free)
- Milk Only Full Pay: Breakfast and Lunch ($0.40)
ParentSquare
GCPS has adopted a new form of school-to-home communication called ParentSquare. This communications platform is designed to keep parents and guardians informed and encourage engagement and connection with your child’s school and Gwinnett County Public Schools.
District and school information will now be sent to your computer or phone via email and/or text via ParentSquare. Download the ParentSquare app (available for free for iOS and Android devices). Some schools and teachers may still use other district-approved tools for the 2023-2024 school year to communicate with their families.
If you received our notification about ParentSquare and you have questions about confirming your account access, please send an email to PSQHelp@gcpsk12.org.
Need the app?
Summerour Specific Information
GCPS Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council
Gwinnett County Public Schools Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council (SSAC) is a unique opportunity for middle and high school students to share their feedback, school experiences, and perspectives on various issues affecting students, schools, and communities with Superintendent Dr. Calvin J. Watts.
Through the council, students are able to voice their ideas, share suggestions for improving our schools and our district, act as thought partners as they connect with fellow students, and build their leadership capacity alongside students with whom they may not otherwise work alongside.
The application for the 2023-24 SSAC will be available in the Student Portal from August 9-27, 2023.
Uniform Dress Code
Thank you, Parents, for your continued support of the Summerour mandatory school uniform policy. See the requirements below:
- Collared shirts, solid colors: white, navy, or grey
- Only SMS logo t-shirts can be worn: navy or white
- Outerwear (sweatshirts, etc.) - must be plain with no designs - logo smaller than a quarter
- Shirts must be long enough to be tucked easily into shorts, pants, or skirts
- Pant, short or skirt colors: khaki, navy plaid, navy, black - No Black Jeans
- Crocs are permitted in neutral colors only (black, white, navy, tan, grey)
- No leggings, jeggings, or sweatpants - Uniform Joggers are permitted
- Jeans on non-uniform days only and must not reveal skin
- Students are not permitted to wear slides or house slippers
- “Fingertip” rule applies to short and skirt lengths
- Hats are off and hoods are down in the school building.
What happens if I wear something that does not meet the dress code? You may call your parent/guardian to come and bring you a change of clothes. If there are continued dress code violations, students may face local school consequences such as Morning Detention and Saturday School.
Fridays are no uniform days and a great time for students to demonstrate individuality.
Clothing with offensive statements/images or clothes that depicts, promotes, or advertises gang affiliation, illegal activity, illegal drugs, alcohol or tobacco, sexual references, offensive words or designs, and other clothing which is disruptive to the learning environment.
Picking Up / Dropping Off Students
Click on the map to see appropriate pickup and drop off locations.
Walkers, Car Riders, and the Bus Lane
Walker/Rider Form
All students ride the bus by default. If you want to have your child be a car-rider or a walker, you must fill out our walker/rider form. Open and print the form image below and bring it in to the school to get your child on the walker/rider list. Students who are not marked for walking and/or riding will not be released to do so. Walkers must live within a reasonable walking distance from the school.
Bus Lane
The front bus lane is for busses only, morning and afternoon. Please do not use the bus lane for your cars. If you need to pick up a child or drop off a child, you must go to the car rider lane in the rear of the building. If you need to check out your child during the school day, check out must be completed by 3:30 p.m.. For checkout, you will park in the front parking lot (or side lot, if the front is full) and enter the front of the building.
August IB Learner Profile: Risk-Takers
IB Learners are Risk-Takers. Risk-Takers approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought, and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies. They are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs.
IB Learners transition well to challenging university settings and show resilience and determination in their work. In academics, they have the confidence to approach new or unfamiliar subjects or material.
My Payments Plus
All parents MUST go onto My Payments Plus to sign off on required documents: from Title I acknowledgements to Student Handbook Acceptance. EVERYONE must use My Payments Plus to sign off on our required documents.
Go to our Parent Resources page on the website and click on "Signing Docs & Making Payments" about 1/2 way down. You'll see a description and links for assistance.
Parent Center
Our Parent Center is located on our first floor, so it's easy to get to. Come check in at the front office, then use the Parent Center to volunteer, check-out resources, and get engaged!
More information is on our website, or you can reach out to Rosanna Carlson, our Parent Instructional Support Coordinator.
Summerour School Council
If you are interested in joining the Summerour School Council for the 2023 - 2024 school year, contact Joielle Parker.
Summerour is a No Phone Zone!
Cell phones are not allowed during the school day at Summerour.
- No phones in classrooms
- No phones in hallways
- No phones in restrooms
Phones should be left at home or turned off and left in backpacks/book bags all day long. Any student who is using the phone for cyberbullying (as determined by Discipline Coordinator) will lose privileges of bringing a cellphone to school.
School Hours
- Student Tutoring - 8:15 - 8:50 a.m.
- Student Arrival - 8:50 a.m.
- Tardy Bell / Late Arrival - 9:15 a.m.
- No Check Out After - 3:00 p.m.
- Dismissal Bell - 4:00 p.m.