October 2017
Sawnee Elementary School Newsletter
In This Issue
Leader in Me School
Leader in Me
Hurricane Relief
iRun for BYOT
Relay for Life Events
CHOA Strong for Life
Yearbook
Fall Pictures Update
Counseling News
Clinic News
Cafeteria News
PTO News
Sawnee's Newest Chiefs
Zaxby's Fundraiser Cards
Sawnee Smiles :)
Dates to Know:

Oct 2 - Custodian Appreciation Day

Oct 5-Oct 30 - Candy War Collection dates; 3rd Grade field trip, Kindergarten field trip

Oct 6 - Pennies for Promise PJ Day; 3rd Grade field trip, Kindergarten field trip; Science Olympiad applications due

Oct 7 - iRun 5K for BYOT

Oct 9 - Pennies for Promise Skittles guesses due & emoji plates; Sawnee Chorus & Girls on the Run 3:00pm

Oct 10 - Science Olympiad Parent Meeting, 5:00pm, Cafe 1; Girl Scout Meeting 6:30pm, Cafe 1

Oct 11 - Girls on the Run 3:00pm

Oct 12 - Papa Johns Spirit Night

Oct 16-20 - Bus Safety and Bus Driver appreciation week

Oct 16 - Sawnee Chorus & Girls on the Run 3:00pm

Oct 17 - Leader in Me Club 3:00pm; PTO Impressions reception 7:00pm, Cafe 1

Oct 18 - Early Release 12:30pm, parent conferences; Girls on the Run 12:30pm; Flu shot clinic, 2:00-6:00pm building 1

Oct 19 - Early Release 12:30pm, parent conferences

Oct 20 - Student Holiday (NO SCHOOL); Box Tops contest ends

Oct 23 - Sawnee Chorus & Girls on the Run 3:00pm

Oct 24-Nov 3 - Food Collection for The Place Forsyth

Oct 25 - Girls on the Run 3:00pm

Oct 26 - Strong for Life Pep Rally

Oct 30 - Sawnee Chorus & Girls on the Run 3:00pm; Text or Treat 5:30-7:30pm 

Oct 31 - Leader in Me Club 3:00pm

Nov 14 - PTO General Meeting 6:30pm, Cafe 1
Quick Links:


2017-2018 School Calendar (Spanish)
Staying in Touch at Sawnee ES


Sawnee PTO Website - under construction

Remind messages for parents:

Text: @1718sawn to 81010 to sign up

Parent Portal

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View my videos on YouTube


Sawnee thanks our Partners in Education








Leader in Me
Sawnee Elementary is a Leader in Me school.  This program is based on Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.  Habit #1 is BE PROACTIVE. All Sawnee students have learned about Habit 1: Be Proactive in Guidance this school year.  Please discuss and practice with your child ways to be proactive.  Some ideas are:
  • Have your child do chores at home.
  • Have your child take responsibility without being asked (brushing teeth, doing homework, cleaning room, going to bed, etc.)
  • Teach and encourage your child to practice self-control in times of anger, frustration, or excitement.
  • Encourage your child to have a positive attitude.
  • Encourage your child to make healthy choices.
  • Encourage your child to take initiative.
Thank you,
Trish and Ruthie
Pennies for Progress
Pennies for Progress is a community service group made up of 5th grade students at Sawnee.  We are collecting money for hurricane relief.  We have 3 fun ways your child can participate in this effort:

 1.   Bring in $1 to wear PJs on Friday,      October 6th

 2.   Bring in $.50 to guess how may Skittles are in the candy      jar.  Last day to guess is Monday, October 9th. 

 3.   Bring in $.50 to enter the Emoji plate contest.  Last day to  enter is Monday, October 9th.

 
Thank you for helping us help our fellow Americans!
iRun 5K for BYOT 
The annual iRun for BYOT is this Saturday, October 7th at 8:00am at Shiloh Point ES. Click 
here
 for more information and to register.


Relay for Life Fall Events
Text or Treat - 
Our Annual Relay for Life fundraiser,
Text-n-Treat is almost here! 
Text-n-Treat will be held Monday, October 30th  from 5:30-7:30. All the fun will be in building 1 this year! 

Wear your favorite costume and trick-or-treat through our book themed hallways. What will your teacher be dressed like?  Admission to trick-or-treat benefits Relay for Life.  Admission $5 (family cap of $20).


Candy War - 
We are holding a candy war between grade levels! The class in each grade level that collects the most candy donations for our fundraiser will win a fall movie and popcorn from Relay for Life!

Teachers will turn all candy donations in to their grade chair. Our Relay team will collect and tally the candy and announce the winning grade level on the morning of Text-N-Treat! 
Thank you for you donations to help make this a successful fundraiser for Relay and a FUN TIME for our students!
Strong for Life - Pep Rally
On October 26th our students will participate in a Strong 4 Life pep rally sponsored by Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. 
 
About Strong 4 Life:
 
From the moment our children are born, we want what is best for them. We want them to grow up to be happy, healthy and safe. But let's face it: Parenting isn't easy. And we know how challenging it can be to parent kids of all ages-from newborns to teens (and every stage in between)-because we are parents too. That's why Children's Healthcare of Atlanta created Strong4Life. Armed with a team of doctors, registered dietitians and other wellness experts, Strong4Life is here to help busy parents raise healthier families. We do this by focusing on three key strategies: equipping parents with the resources they need at home, training healthcare providers and working with schools and the community to impact kids where they learn and play.
 
You can learn more by visiting http://www.strong4life.com/ 
Yeabook Information
Flyers with ordering information for the 
2107-2018 yearbook will go home with students in next Thursday's folders. You can also access the flyers by clicking on the links below. The yearbook will cost $30 if ordered by March 5th, 2018. 


Fall Pictures - Retakes
Fall Pictures Update & Retakes - Our school photographer's (Cady Studios) processing center is in Texas, the storms and flooding caused by Hurricaine Harvey has caused a delay in production. Fall pictures and proofs should be here soon. With the delay we will be rescheduling retake day. We will send the new date out to you soon!
Counseling News
Red Ribbon Week is October 23-31st.  This year's theme is, "YOUR FUTURE IS KEY, SO STAY DRUG FREE!"  Students and staff are encouraged to wear red on Tuesday, Octob er 24th!!!
 
Sawnee will be collecting Tuna Helper from October 24th- Nov. 3rd to help The Place of Forsyth support families in need during the holiday season.   Please bring boxes of Tuna Helper to help our community!  Drop boxes will be located in the front lobby of both buildings.
 
   logo

Dads who are interested in volunteering to be a Sawnee Watch D.O.G.S.  may now sign up on our Sawnee homepage, just click  here  


The Community Holiday House is coming to Forsyth County to support those in need during the holiday season.  Parents may sign up children who are 18 or younger.  Families will need to provide documentation that they receive or are at the income level to qualify for Medicaid or Food Stamps.  A $5 donation is also requested. See the flyer links below for more information.
 
Families will need to bring income documentation when they sign up.  Sign up dates are: 

*October 10-November 9 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays (except October 31st) at The Place of Forsyth County.

*Saturday, November 18th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at The Place of Forsyth County.
 
Sign up location:  2550 The Place Circle
                                Cumming, GA 30040
 
To contact, call 770-887-1098 or e-mail HolidayHouse@theplaceofforsyth.org


Thank you,
Ms. Morriss & Mrs. Urban
Clinic News
Flu Shot Clinic:
The Flu Clinic is being held here at Sawnee October 18 from 2-6pm.  Below are links for the flyers and consent forms.  These forms are also posted on the school website.
 
Parents must accompany students to the Flu clinic.  The school do es not collect consent forms prior to the event. Please bring the completed form when you come for the flu shot.





Thank you Nurse Sheila & Nurse Robyn
Cafeteria News
Fall Menus - there is a link to the Fall Menus in the Quick Links section of this newsletter.

 Harvest of the Month 

Did you know that apples are...?
  • Fat free and Saturated fat free
  • Sodium and cholesterol free
  • A great source of fiber (5 g./medium apple)
  • A good source of potassium that reduces heart disease and high blood pressure.
Fun Facts:
  • The custom of giving teacher apples originated when school teachers were paid with whatever the community could afford, often it was food or goods.
  • 25% or an apple's volume is air. That is why they float.
  • Apples are a member of the rose family. It takes the energy from 50 leaves to produce one apple.
Thank you,
Karen Hughes
Phyllis Silvers
PTO News
PTO Officers:
Gina Harper - president
Melissa Newman - treasurer
Sara Biggs - secretary
Julia Bonogofsky - VP of Volunteers
Carisa Franco and Kim Hannigan - VPs of Hospitality
Rebecca Frank - VP of Education
To contact PTO: sawneeptoboard@gmail.com

Find them on Facebook: Sawnee Elementary PTO

Website: www.sawneepto.org 

H2O Chiefs on the Go Water Extravaganza -  Thank you, Sawnee Families!! We reached our original goal for our fundraiser! The H20 Chiefs on the Go Water Extravaganza was a huge success!! Luckily, we have been able to keep the fundraiser open *online only* until this Friday! If we reach our new goal of $35000 online, each student and teacher will receive a special gift from the PTO. That's only $7 per kid! Woohoo!! Below is the link to donate online.


Papa John's Spirit Night - Will be October 12th.  Sawnee
will receive 20% of all carryout and delivery orders that evening. More info will be sent home in Thursday folders next week.

Box Tops -  The first  Box Tops contest ends October 20th! This year's goal is $6,500! We can do it! Keep sending your Box Tops in. Make sure you put the Box Tops in an envelope or bag with the teacher name on it!
Every teacher is a winner too!! Teachers receive 50% of their total eligible Box Tops that are turned in!!

Sawnee's Newest Chiefs
Mrs. Kristy Batten - Mrs. Batten is e xcited to join Sawnee 
Elementary this year. She graduated from West Georgia University with a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood and Special Education. Mrs. Batten attended Forsyth County Schools K-12, and she is happy to be teaching where she grew up. Mrs. Batten has a wonderful husband and four amazing children (19, 17, 14, and 13). When she is not teaching you will find her relaxing with her family, or traveling to visit her son who serves our Country!  Semper Fi!!

Mrs. Cricket Beaton - Mrs. Beaton has been working in Cafe 1 since the beginning of the school year. She is originally from up state New York. Mrs. Beaton traveled with her spouse for 20 years in the US Army. She has lived in Georgia for 25 years in Taccoa and now Cumming. Ms. Beaton has one son and one grandaughter. She is a member of Free Chapel church in Gainesville, GA. Mrs. Beaton says she has a fantastic manager and awesome co-workers in Cafe 1 at Sawnee. She is thrilled and blessed to be a part of the Forsyth County School System.

Mrs. Heather Honea -  Ms. Honea graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood education from Truett McConnell University. Following her time at Truett McConnell, Ms. Honea pursued her calling and taught kindergarten through fifth grade at Dawson Christian Academy for five years. She currently holds her first year position at Sawnee as a fourth grade teacher, and enjoys teaching Social Studies to her students the most. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys traveling by sea, spending time with her loved ones, and "Pinterest Crafting". Ms. Honea has quickly fallen in love with all of her Sawnee Chiefs, and she looks forward to a successful year in her classroom.

Mrs. Brooke Landrum -  Mrs. Landrum started working in Cafe 2 with Sawnee elementary in August of this year. She has been married to her husband for four years and has a daughter who attends Sawnee. She has two Boston Terriers, Sissy and Knox. Mrs. Landrum enjoys traveling, painting furniture, antiquing, spending time with family and attending church. Some of the best things about her job is that she gets to work with children, and her new work family are always there for her. She likes the fact that the cafeteria ladies treat each other like family.

Ms. Hannah Lowe - 
Ms. Lowe graduated from the University of 
North Georgia in May with a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood and Special Education. She also has a reading endorsement. Ms. Lowe grew up right here in Forsyth County where she was once a Sawnee Chief herself! Her favorite subjects are Math and Social Studies. When she is not teaching, Ms. Lowe enjoys traveling to the mountains, spending time with her family, and watching App State football. Ms. Lowe is looking forward to an fabulous year with her awesome 4th graders!

Mrs. Andrea Moran -  Mrs. Moran graduated in Accounting, in Sao Paulo- Brazil, she moved to the United States in 1997 to attend college here. She has an Event Planner certification from Kennesaw University. Mrs. Moran's first language is Portuguese, but because of her husband she learned Spanish as well. She worked at Kelly Mill as a Paraprofessional for one year, and taught STEM lab for a year, and last year she was a Paraprofessional here at Sawnee Elementary.  Mrs. Moran is married and has a 10 year old boy and a 7 year old girl which attend Kelly Mill. She  loved working with children in the classroom and will still enjoy interacting with them, but is very excited to be the new front desk secretary at building 2.

Mrs. Deborah Smith - Mrs. Smith began working in Cafe 1 at the beginning of this school year. She is marrie and has three children. Mrs. Smith attended Sawnee Elementary as a kid. Her daughter, Mrs. Bruhl, is a 5th grade teacher at Sawnee. She has five grandchildren and two of them attend school at Sawnee too. She feels blessed to be a part of this wonderful team at Sawnee!

Zaxby's Fundraiser Cards
Don't forget to be using the new Zaxby's card! Every completed punch card returned to Zaxby's (only 5, $10 visits), Sawnee will receive $10 and you will get a free food item!

These were sent home in student folders but we do have extra in the front offices.


Sawnee Smiles :)


Look what's been happening around Sawnee so far this year!

Please congratulate Becky Chatham for winning Forsyth County Green School Coordinator of the Year!!  Also, with Becky and your help, Sawnee moved from a  Bronze Green school to Silver status!!



Our Watch DOGS kick-off meeting was a huge success. Here are a few pictures from Donuts with Dads.


Our newest teachers attend Leader in Me Teacher Training 


Student's having fun constructing things in Mrs. Posey's Media Center.


Mrs. Danuser's class had a great time at H2O Chiefs on the Go and using the Chrome Books in class.






Here are some cute pictures from PTO's H2O Chiefs on the Go Water Extravaganza!

Mrs. Whitton's Winners!
 

Mrs. Ray's Stingrays!  
Mr. Pagan's 5th graders



Ms. Abraham's class enjoying Kona Ice and H2O on the Go!

Mrs. Howell's Class
Mrs. Hammond's pirates and Hammerheads!
Mrs. Ehrhart's Class
Mrs. Davis' class enjoying Kona Ice and H2O on the Go!


Forsyth County Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or gender in employment decisions or educational programs and activities.