The Grace Snell Gazette
Back to School Edition
Principal Vaughn
Hello,
It has been a fantastic start to the school year! Students have engaged in social-emotional learning and the rigorous academic curriculum we’ve grown to expect from GCPS. At Grace Snell, we know the importance of helping students navigate challenging emotions they'll experience in middle school. We are actively teaching students strategies to succeed in their emotional development. We've engaged students in lessons addressing the following topics: Respectful Disagreements, Self-Awareness, Positive Self-Talk, Empathy, Evaluating Relationships, Solving Problems, SMART Goals, Digital Citizenship, Community Agreements, and Rules, Expectations, and Routines. Through these lessons, students learn how to develop relationship skills, practice self and social awareness, and engage in responsible decision-making.
I look forward to the upcoming weeks when students participate in activities to increase their sense of belonging because we are Ready, Respectful, and Responsible at Grace Snell.
See you all at Curriculum Night on Tuesday, August 23, 2022, at 6:00 PM.
Jennifer Vaughn
Principal, Grace Snell Middle School
Additional Tech Needs
Now that we are 1-to-1 on student devices, our teachers recommend that each student also have the following items with them each day:
Wired Headphones
Computer Mouse
Computer Sleeve or Cushioned Backpack (sleeves will be provided by the county soon, but they are on backorder due to supply chain issues)
Reminders
Morning Car Rider Hours: 8:50-9:15AM
Afternoon Dismissal will begin at 4:00PM
Students should not be dropped off before 8:50AM.
PBIS
The PBIS Team has created new Comet Spiritwear for purchase! All proceeds will go to impact the activities and school store planned by PBIS. Shirts are $25 and can be purchased on MyPaymentsPlus. Sizes S-3XL are available.
Free and Reduced Lunch
As we move into the 2023 school year, students will now pay for meals based on their individual student eligibility. Therefore, we strongly encourage parents to complete the Free and Reduced-price Meal Application. The application can be found here.
MyPaymentsPlus & Handbook
Parents, please fill out the indicated forms on MyPaymentsPlus. Please contact the school if you need additional assistance.
Those without an account will need to create one by going to MyPaymentsPlus.com; click on “Register” for a FREE account.
https://www.mypaymentsplus.com/welcome
Grace Snell Middle School 2021-2022 Student/Parent Handbook
When you register, you'll see:
Attendance Protocol Form - Page 35 GCPS Student/Parent Handbook
Parent AKS Brochure – 6th -8th Grade
Extracurricular Activities - Page 35 GCPS Student/Parent Handbook
Immunizations
By state law, a valid certificate of immunization (Form #3231) or a notarized statement of religious exemption (Form #2208) is required for enrollment. The certificate of immunization must be completed by the health department or your private physician. A valid Form #3231 must be marked with either "Date of Expiration" or as "Complete for School Attendance." (A certificate marked with a "Date of Expiration" expires on the date indicated. A current certificate must be submitted within 30 days of expiration.)
Please review immunization requirements for students and a TDAP-Meningitis parent fact sheet for students entering 7th grade. The new vaccine requirements apply to students who are born on or after 1/1/2003 AND entering 7th grade. The requirements also apply to students who are new entrants to 8th-12th grade. New entrants are students who have never attended any school in Georgia or have not attended any school in Georgia for at least one full school year.
Tutor.com: Great Resource for Parents
Tutor.com is a free way to receive homework help online.
4 EASY STEPS
1) Simply open a web browser and search www.gwinnettpl.org. You will then see the blue “Find It” tab located at the top of the screen.
2) This link will lead you to an overview page when you will see a green button labeled “Access Tutor.com”
3) Click the button, then enter your library account number or your child’s GCPS student ID for the username, and the four-digit number of your child's birth month and day as the password. If you enter the information correctly, you will be granted immediate access to the resources of Tutor.com.
4) Students can submit a paper or a math problem to professional tutors who will review the material and respond with feedback within 24 hours. Tutors are available between the hours of noon and 8pm for live assistance. With expert help in 40 subject areas, including AP courses, kindergarten, through the last year of high school, students receive homework help whenever they need it.
Staying Involved
Thank you for taking an active role in your child's academic journey! One of the best ways to stay involved is to check our website for frequent updates. We appreciate everything you do to support our students.
Parent Portal
Information on Parent Portal can be accessed here. Contact Kim Arenas in the Parent Center for more details.
