January 2018
Sawnee Elementary School Newsletter
In This Issue
Leader in Me School
Leader in Me
Cyber Safety
Playground Updates
Counseling News
Clinic News
Jump Rope for Heart
Fine Arts News
Cafeteria News
Media Center News
PTO News
After School Activities
Notes from the Office
Sawnee Smiles :)
Dates to Know:

Jan. 8 - Sawnee Chorus 3:00pm

Jan. 9 - Battle of the Books, 7:30am; Science Olympiad & Leader in Me, 3:00pm

Jan. 11 - Science Olympiad, 3:00pm

Jan. 15 - MLK Holiday, NO SCHOOL

Jan. 16 - Report cards go home; Fast Kicks 3:15pm-4:00pm; PTO General Meeting and Chief Leader recognition, 6:30pm Cafe 1

Jan. 18 - Science Olympiad 3:00pm; Fast Kicks 3:15pm

Jan. 20 - Countywide Spelling Bee, WFHS Auditorium; Habitat for Humanity meeting, Central Park Recreation Center at 10:30am

Jan. 22 - Sawnee Chorus 3:15pm

Jan 23 -  Science Olympiad, 3:00pm; Fast Kicks & Leader In Me Club, 3:15pm

Jan. 25 - Science Olympiad 3:00pm; Fast Kicks 3:15pm

Jan. 27 - Sawnee Chorus singing @ Gladiators game; 7:00pm

Jan. 29 - Sawnee Chorus, 3:15pm

Jan. 30 -  Science Olympiad 3:00pm; Fast Kicks 3:15pm

Feb. 1 - Science Olympiad 3:00pm; Fast Kicks 3:15pm (graduation party)

Feb. 2 - Honoring our Heroes essays due; Father Daughter Dance, 7:00pm-9:00pm

Feb. 3 - Mother Son Event @ Gladiators game

Feb. 9 - Oratorical Contest, Cafe 1 at 9:00am; Jump Rope for Heart begins

Feb. 12 - Girls on the Run begins 3:15pm

Feb. 27 - Six Flags reading logs due


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

itslearning

Like me on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter

View my videos on YouTube


Sawnee thanks our Partners in Education








Leader in Me
Habit 4: Think Win-Win. In this habit, emphasis is on doing what is good for all.  It provides a wonderful opportunity to have students work together and practice the skill of compromise.
Here are some ideas for home practice:
 
  1. Chores: When your child helps the household by doing chores, it is a win-win for the whole family! :) 
  2. Family fun time: Taking some time to do a fun activity as a family is a great win-win. Have the whole family decide what they would like to do for fun!
  3. Sports and team activities: If possible, having children participate in outside activities and sports can help develop team skills. Make sure to check out the library to see what neat activities they are offering for the month!
  4. Meal planning: Have your child help plan and prepare the meals for the week. Have them consider what everyone's favorites might be to decide which ones are on the menu! Yum!
  5. Car D.J.: have your child help select what songs are played in the car by asking all riders what their listening preferences are and creating a playlist for all!
Leader in Me Club:  On December 12th, Forsyth County's new Sheriff, Ron Freeman, was the guest speaker for the Leader in Me Club. She shared lots of interesting information about being a leader in your community.


Technology Safety Night
Todd Shirley and Steve Honn from the Forsyth County School Safety department will be here to discuss device and internet safety. The meeting will be held in Cafe 1 on January 18th at 6:30pm. Due to the content of this meeting, this is a parents ONLY meeting. However, there will be childcare available in our media center for Sawnee students only.
Playground Updates
Parents,
We wanted to inform you about the playground situation at Sawnee.

3rd-5th playground  next to the 3-5 building has been moved to the big field. This is still intended to be a 3-5 playground. There were two reasons for this move. The first is the safety of students. This playground is close to the driveway of the school and we felt that by moving the playground, we could shelter the students from the driveway and road a little better. The second reason for the move is the drainage of the area. The drainage system was not equipped to handle the amount of mulch that was flowing into it. This area will not receive any more mulch. It will be a natural area.

K-2nd playground: The shade structure on the K-2 playground collapsed due to the heavy amount of snow we received a couple weeks ago. We have communicated with the company and are waiting for them to come out and fix.

Special Needs Playground. A huge thanks to our Autism teachers, Becky Cahill, and PTO for more renovations to this playground. A shade structure in this area has been installed and looks great. There will also be some updating of the play equipment. A grant from Northside Hospital and our own PTO provided the funding for the renovations to this playground.

   
 
We are excited to have so many areas for the students to play each day! Please feel free to speak to any member of Administration if you have any further questions.

Counseling News
A Habitat for Humanity Informational Meeting for those individuals eligible to participate in their 
program is scheduled for Saturday, January 20th. Click here for more information about the meeting.



Calling all dads! Please consider signings up to be a logo W atch DOGS for the upcoming semester by clicking the f ollowing link: 



Thank you,
Ms. Morriss & Mrs. Urban
Clinic News

Cold and flu season is upon us.  One of the best preventions is good hand washing.  Please also be aware of the county's 24 hour policy :
 
1.   Your child must be free of vomiting for 24 hours before returning to school.
2.   Your child must be free of diarrhea for 24 hours before returning to school.
3.   Your child must be fever free (under 100) for 24 hours without the use of fever r educing medications before returning to school.
4.   Children with Strep throat and Pink eye must be treated with an antibiotic for 24 hours
    before returning to school.

Jump Rope for Heart
Jump Rope for Heart
It's that time of year! 

Sawnee is again partnering with Jump Rope for Heart to raise money for the American Heart Association. Flyers will go out next week with your child. Our kick-off date is officially February 9th. 
Fine Arts Department
Gladiators Game: 5th grade chorus will be singing the National Anthem at the January 27th Atlanta Gladiators game (7pm game time).  Click the link below for more information and ticket ordering:



Flyers with ordering information for the 
2107-2018 yearbook went home in October . You can also access the flyers by clicking on the links below. The yearbook will cost $30 if ordered by March 5th, 2018. 



Save the Date:  The Fine Arts Show will be April 10th, 2018 from 5:00pm-7:00pm. Your childrens' artwork will be on display and for purchase in Gym 1 and the 5th grade chorus will perform in Cafe 1 at 6:30pm.
Cafeteria News
Harvest of the Month:

Carrots - are  an excellent source of vitamin A . According to the  National Institutes of Health , vitamin A is essential for vision and helps the body with cell growth, immune function, reproduction and healthy communication between your cells.

Many years ago, carrots were grown for their leaves and seeds for medicine rather than their roots which is what we now think of as carrots.

How do you know carrots are good for your eyes? Have you ever seen a rabbit wearing glasses? :) 
Media News
Six Flags Read to Succeed Program:
Homeroom teachers will be sending home information soon about this great program! All reading logs are due by February 27th. So enjoy the holiday break and read a few great books!


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 

PTO General Meeting and Chief Leader Awards:
Will be January 16th at 6:30pm in Cafe 1.

Technology Safety Night:  Will be held in Cafe 1 on January 18th at 6:30pm. Our guest speakers will be Todd Shirley and Steve Honn, Forsyth County School Safety department members. This is a parents ONLY meeting.

Honoring our Heroes: Essays for this writing program are due Friday, February 2nd. Students can drop off their essays in boxes that will be at the front office of both buildings.

Father Daughter Dance:  Will be held on Friday, February 2nd from 7:00pm-9:00pm at the Forsyth Conference Center. Invitations and registration information will be sent home next week.   

Mother Son Event:  Will be at the Gladiators hockey game on Saturday, February 3rd. Look for more information coming home soon.
After School Activities
Fast Kicks Karate: Sawnee has again partnered with Moohan Martial Arts to bring their Fast Kicks program in after school. The program will begin January 16th and will run for three weeks on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Click the link below for more information and how to register:



Girls on the Run:

Notes from the Office
Attendance
It is the responsibility of the parent(s)/guardian (s) to contact the school office to report the student's absence.  In order to excuse an absence, tardy or early check out a note must be turned in to the office (i.e. faxed, emailed or sent in with the student) within five (5) school days of the attendance event. For students in K-2 please contact Andi Moran at amoran@forsyth.k12.ga.us and 3-5th contact Sonia Fedke at sfedke@forsyth.k12.ga.us. If the student went to the doctor, we must receive the doctor's note in order to excuse the absence.

The parent/guardian must write the note, fax or e-mail stating the student's name, the date(s) of absence(s), and the reason for the absence.  For more information, please refer to the Sawnee Website.

Thank you

Sawnee Smiles :)
Look what's been happening this fall around Sawnee! Fun with learning!

Mrs. Kelly's class enjoyed dressing up for our inaugural "That's a Wrap" holiday spirit celebration

   
Mrs. Ray's class enjoying working with Mrs. Brooks' class (Brooks Leaders).



Mrs. Wallace's 5th graders learning about circuits.



Twinning...tripleting??



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.