The Panther Post
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News & Updates from Gum Springs Elementary School
Week of May 1-5, 2023
HAPPY TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK!!!
We are fortunate to have a team of AMAZING educators at GSES who teach, support, and encourage our students every day! We hope you will join us in helping make them feel EXTRA-SPECIAL THIS WEEK. GSES PTO would like to invite families to help "Set the Stage" for a great week. If you would like to join PTO's themed week of fun, here are their suggestions:
Monday, May 1--Concessions: Bring a snack or treat for your teacher.
Tuesday, May 2--Autographs: Bring your teacher her/his favorite writing tools, like fun-colored Flair Pens, Sharpies, or Gel Pens.
Wednesday, May 3--Fan Mail: Write your teacher a special note.
Thursday, May 4--Curtian Call: Give your teacher flowers! (PTO will also be selling them in the atrium for $1 each, and your child may bring money to purchase at school, while supplies last.)
Friday, May 5--Swag Bag: Bring a gift you know your teacher will love!
News & Updates
JCSS will be switching to a new online meal payment system, effective Monday, May 1. Please read the graphic below for specific information. Visit https://family.titank12.com/ to create your new account. Also, please monitor your child's lunch balance carefully as our year is coming to a close. If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to our cafeteria manager, Brandy Moon.
Georgia Milestones (GMAS) assessments begin this week for 3rd and 5th grade students and continue next week for 4th grade students. Click HERE for more information. Our students have worked very hard this year, and we are confident they will do great!
If your child would like to try out to be part of the 2023-24 GSES Gizmos team, tryouts will be held May 9 from 3:00 to 5:00 P.M. Parents of interested rising 4th and 5th graders should fill out this Google form by May 4. View last week's Panther Post for more information.
Parents are welcome to come cheer for your child at this year’s Field Day festivities from 9:00 to 10:30 A.M. (See dates below.) GSES Field Days will take place on the WJMS football field. Due to the number of classes who will be participating in Field Day at the same time, we ask that all spectators remain on the track or in the bleachers. NO VISITORS WILL BE ALLOWED ON THE FIELD. (We ask this for the safety of our students.) Please know that parking is extremely limited at GSES on school days, and no parking is allowed along the cut-through road between GSES and WJMS. Students must remain with their teacher during the event. If you would like to check out your child after Field Day, teachers will have sign-out sheets available at Field Day dismissal. Our staff has worked hard to plan an awesome Field Day for our students, and we appreciate your cooperation to ensure it is a safe and FUN day!
Pre-K + Multi-Grade Classes: May 12
Kdg + 1st Grade: May 15
2nd + 3rd Grade: May 16
4th + 5th Grade: May 17
We are excited to recognize our students' many accomplishments at this year's Award's Day celebrations! Guests are welcome to join us. Please add the dates on the schedule below to your calendars. Notifications will be sent home on May 10 to families of students who will be receiving an award.
All student medication must be picked up from the clinic by 3:00 P.M. on May 23rd. All medication left in the clinic will be destroyed on May 24th. Parents may choose to pick up medication earlier than this time but would need to leave enough for the remainder of the current school year.
This Week's
After-School Clubs
Monday: Science Olympiad (pick-up at 4:00)
Tuesday: Drama Club Cast, Crew, & Ensemble (pick-up at 4:30)
Thursday: Drama Club Cast, Crew, & Ensemble (pick-up at 4:30)
Science Olympiad (pick-up at 4:00)
Upcoming Events
May 1-5: Teacher Appreciation Week
May 1-4: 3rd & 5th Grade GMAS (Milestones Assessment)
May 8: 1st Grade Field Trip to Chestatee Wildlife Preserve
May 8-11: 4th Grade GMAS (Milestones Assessment)
May 9: GS Gizmos LEGO League Tryouts
May 12: Kdg Field Trip to Washington Farms
May 12: Field Day for Pre-K & Multi-Grade Classes
May 15: Kdg & 1st Grade Field Day
May 16: 2nd & 3rd Grade Field Day
May 17: 4th & 5th Grade Field Day
May 18-23: Awards Day Programs (See schedule below)
May 19: 2nd Grade Field Trip to Consolidated Mines
May 23: Last Day of School
May 1 is National Principal's Appreciation Day! We are fortunate to have Mrs. Lisa Ellis as our wonderful leader at GSES. She is a selfless leader who wears so many hats and is incredibly supportive of our students, staff, and families. Thank you for all you do for GSES!
We also want to give a special-shout to one of our Assistant Principals, Mrs. Amy Adams. In case you didn't hear the news, Mrs. Adams was recently named as the new Principal of South Jackson Elementary School for the 2023-24 school year. She will be missed at GSES, but we know SJES will be in great hands with Mrs. Adams as their leader. Congratulations!
SCHOOL SPOTLIGHTS
The Floor is LAVA!
Our 5th grade students really enjoyed their year-in-review this week as a preparation for upcoming state testing. Their amazing teachers made it lots of fun by turning their classrooms in lava pits and having students tackle "The Floor is Lava" challenges with lots of review time and opportunities for extra help. Our 5th grade students are excited to show what they know this week!
Publishing Party
Our kindergarten students are published authors! They were excited to invite their families to visit their classrooms on Friday as they read their original writing from their class's published book. We loved being able to celebrate their amazing growth as writers and speakers this year. Great job, kindergarten!
Kdg. Zoo Crew
Mrs. Milburn's kindergarten class recently completed a research writing project on zoo animals. They created illustrations and facts to display at a class zoo to teach others about their animals. They loved having friends from first grade come visit their zoo and meet the animals they researched.
Time Capsule Reveal
Ms. Carter recently celebrated with the first group of students that she taught at GSES. When she taught this group of students in 1st grade, the class created a time capsule that they planned to open together when they were in 5th grade. None of students forgot about it and would frequently remind Mrs. Carter! She was inspired to do the project by Superintendent Dr. Howard who said the most important part of teaching is the relationships teachers build with students and families. That sentiment has never left Mrs. Carter's mind, and like many of our teachers, she wants her students to remember that "once they are mine they are mine forever!" Ms. Carter's students had a great time opening the time capsule, reliving great memories, and celebrating how much they have grown and changed as students since 1st grade.
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