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GES e-Ram Reader
September 2009
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Back to School Picnic and Movie September 25 6:30 PM - until Join us for a fun night at Grayson Elementary with our first PTA Family Fun Night. Bring your lawn chairs and a picnic and join us for dinner outside and then snuggle up for an outdoor movie on a 12 foot screen. Movie Selection will be made by the students prior to the event and announced at a later date. Admission and popcorn is free for all PTA members or $3/person at the door. PTA Fundraising Hi everyone! Welcome back to school. We are working on getting our first PTA fundraiser started for the 2009-2010 school year. If anyone is interested in helping on the fundraising committee, it would be much appreciated. I can be contacted at dorsett62@bellsouth.net or 404-455-6980. Thank you in advance, Sharon Miller Volunteers Needed The Bookroom is looking for volunteers to come in at your convenience and help re-label book bags. It's an easy job and can be done for as long or as little time as you have available. If you're interested, email Laura Hoglen at laura_hoglen@gwinnett.k12.ga.us and she can get you started. Any amount of time you can give is appreciated! From the Science Lab Science lab began this week. Mrs. Green is looking forward to a great year. She will have a treasure box this year. If you would like to donate to the treasure box she is accepting items such as stickers, individually wrapped candies, erasers, etc. Art Forum Please be on the lookout for information in your child's Friday folder about the following art happenings: school wide art show, "Plate" art, and art workshops & camps! We love to reward excellent behavior in the art room! Our treasure box is in need of individual, wrapped candy or small toys (fun pencils, erasers, etc). Please write "art treasure box" on the outside of the bag you send to school with your child. We look forward to making art with your child(ren) this year! Regards, Ms. Smith & Ms. Umans Spirit Wear Every Friday has been designated as school spirit day. Show your true Grayson colors by wearing your Grayson spirit wear shirts. Don't have any spirit wear? Just wear green and gold and let's show how much spirit our Grayson students have! Want some spirit wear? Click here for a spirit wear order form. Print the form, fill it out and return with payment to your child's teacher. Merchandise will be delivered to your child's class. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Dee Marney at themarney4@comcast.net. Business Members
If you would like more information on becoming a GES PTA Business Member or if you would like to advertise your business to support our school, please contact: Jennifer Sutton: 770.237.5585 graysonespublications@yahoo.com |
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Dear Grayson Families, Welcome to our new school year, we hope that you and your family are settling back into the routine of school activities. This is a certainly a new year for us at Grayson Elementary as we adjust to being a much smaller school with the opening of Starling Elementary this fall. Our enrollment is lower by almost 41% which has many benefits for our children as they achieve their academic success. It is exciting to be a part of a school that now has room to breathe and our children can experience smaller class sizes and more individualized attention. For us, as the PTA, it adds new challenges as we strive to continue to support our teachers, students, and parents. One of the challenges we face is a smaller community to raise funds to support our PTA programs, as well as having to deal with a smaller volunteer pool to find support for our programs. This year we are striving to achieve 100% participation in membership for our PTA. What that means is that every teacher, staff and administrator of our school, as well as a parent per child will be represented in membership of our PTA. Last year we were proud that our staff at Grayson Elementary achieved their 100% participation and we have been promised that that goal will be accomplished again this year. So what's missing is this equation is us, as parents to show our support for community by joining the PTA. The cost is only $6 and with your PTA membership there are many benefits and discounts that are available. Grayson PTA has a long tradition of offering free dinners prior to our Parent Resource Nights (our first one is on October 19th). Check out both www.pta.org and www.georgiapta.org for additional discounts available through your PTA membership. Please join today and show your support for our excellent school. PTA is a partnership in our children's education between us as parents and our teachers. In order to support that partnership we are teaming up with the school to support our children with positive reinforcement rewards for things like Principal's Honor Roll, Reflections awards. With the new lanyards that hold our children's nametags, the PTA will be purchasing award pins that will be given out to those students who earn awards throughout the year. Every child who has a parent join the PTA will also be receiving a PTA pin that they can wear. Thank you for your support of our efforts to make Grayson Elementary the best school to support our students. If, you are interested in volunteering or if you have questions regarding the PTA and our partnership with the school, please do not hesitate to contact either us. Our first general PTA meeting will be a part of our Parent Resource Night on October 19th with adoption of our budget as our primary business. We look forward to serving with you this next year. Co-Presidents, Tammy Burnett & Jill Henning back to top | ||||||||
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Important Flu Information Dear Parents: We understand that health officials are expecting this to be a busy flu season, both with seasonal flu and H1N1. That said, I am committed to communicating with our families in an ongoing effort to educate you about the flu and to help our families be prepared and stay healthy. I want to assure you that Gwinnett County Public Schools is communicating with the local Public Health officials at the East Metro Health District who recommend we continue to follow the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines to help prevent the further spreading of all illnesses. This guidance recommends that, based on current flu conditions, students and staff with flu-like illness stay home until at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever or signs of a fever. This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen). At this time, CDC recommends the primary means to reduce spread of influenza in schools and child care programs focus on early identification of ill students and staff, staying home when ill, and good cough and hand hygiene etiquette. These hygiene measures include covering their nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or coughing or sneezing into their sleeve if a tissue isn't available), frequently washing hands with soap and water, or using hand sanitizer if hand washing with soap and water is not possible. As part of our back-to-school information we shared a flyer on the flu. Some of the tips from that flyer are below. In addition, that flyer is available on the school district's web site (www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us). Please review this information and share it with your child as the health and safety of our students and staff is a priority that I know we all share. We will continue to work with local health officials to be sure we are doing everything we can to provide a safe learning environment. If you have further questions or concerns, please contact the East Metro Health Department at 770-339-4260. For additional information, please visit www.EMHD.com and www.cdc.gov. Sincerely, Dr. Christopher M. Ray
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Skate Night
August Skate Night 2009
Skate Night was awesome! Trip Elementary students joined us as we celebrated our first skate night of the school
year. Congratulations to the Kindergarten Class for coming to skate night for the first time. I am so glad you were
able to make it. Parents, Sparkles admission fee is only $4.50. This includes skating and the indoor playground. So
let your student come on out and have a great Grayson night at Sparkles!
Total Student Attendance: 117 Teacher Attendance: 3 Next Skate Night: Thursday Sept 3rd Future Thursday Skate Night Dates Oct. 1st Nov. 5th Dec. 3rd Jan. 7th Feb. 4th Mar. 4th Apr. 1st May 6th *If you would like to purchase a skate night shirt we are accepting pre-orders at the Sept 3rd skate night. The shirt price is $11.00. See you soon! Skate Night Committee Chairs Janet Hart Tracey Digrado back to top |
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Odyssey of the Mind Time Dear Parents, Would you like for your child to take part in a creative problem-solving program? Grayson Elementary offers a stimulating program that meets this need called Odyssey of the Mind. This is our 7th year to offer Odyssey of the Mind as an extra-curricular club. I have included a little bit of information about the program and the synopsis of this year's problems on the reverse of this notice. One of the major features that attracted Grayson to this program is that it is entirely "kid done." The students have to think of solutions and create and design using ONLY their own ideas and skills. The coach is only a facilitator - supervising, finding materials and guiding the kids in their problem solving. Anything you see at an Odyssey presentation is done by the students - from writing the script for a play, to building a contraption, to making a costume and designing the props! Odyssey is also a PARENT PARTICIPATION event! If we are going to continue this program, we will need parent coaches for the teams - this is a great way to be involved with your child in a fun-filled, educational experience! (Are you convinced yet?) Please volunteer - each team must provide 2 coaches, 2 volunteers and 2 judges - we can't do this program without you. There will be an Awareness Session on September 8 at 6:30 PM in the school cafeteria if you want to find out more of what's involved. Timelines: Organize teams/coaches in September. Team problem solving/practices as soon as we get organized. The Regional tournament where the team competes will be held on a Saturday in March. All team members are expected to be at the tournament from 7:00AM - 5:00PM. Logistics: The coach and team members determine the team's schedule and meeting place (before school, lunch, after school, weekends) - whatever works for the team. Practices can take place at the school or at the parents' homes - again, whatever works best for the team. At the beginning, teams usually meet for one or two practices a week. Inevitably, when it comes close to the competition, more practices are needed. The time commitment is roughly that of coaching a soccer team. If you have any further questions, please call me at the school 770-963-7189 or you can email me at donna_ward@gwinnett.k12.ga.us. I hope you can find the time to be involved in this great program! If you are interested in having your child participate please fill out this form and return to your teacher. Donna Ward OotM School Coordinator back to top |
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CREATE 5K Run/Walk and 1-Mile Fun Run Join the Grayson Elementary community at Tribble Mill Park, on Sunday, September 13, 2009, as GES presents the inaugural CREATE 5K Run/Walk and 1-Mile Fun Run. The event - to be staged at the Holly Pavilion at the Ozora Meadows area of the park -- will offer a great afternoon for friends, music, and healthy fun. Race Day registration begins at 1 p.m. The Fun Run will take place at 2 p.m., followed by the 5K at 2:30 p.m. Race services will be provided by Pacesetter's PR for this Run & See Georgia Grand Prix event. We welcome runners, walkers, those with strollers. . . come one and all! Registration is $15 through September 5, and $20 thereafter through race day. There is also a $45 family registration available for pre-registrants. For more information, a registration form, and/or to become a CREATE 5K sponsor, visit www.graysonelementary.org/create5k.htm. Questions: Contact Dean Looney at GES 770.682.4255, 770.963.7189 or dean_looney@gwinnett.k12.ga.us back to top |
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Reflections 2009 
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Box Tops for Education 
We are looking forward to another successful year at Grayson Elementary with the Box Tops for Education program.
Last year the school raised just over $1,100. 00 with this program and since 2002, our school has raised over
$6000.00. Please continue to save your box tops as we begin our campaign for the new school year! FLOAT TO THE TOP OF YOUR CLASS with Box Tops for Education, Look for Box Top Collection Worksheets to come home with your students as a fun way to collect them for our school. If each student could complete one of these sheets, we will be well on our way to a successful box top campaign. Prizes will be awarded to the students and classrooms that turn in the most box tops. GOOD LUCK TO ALL! For more information about the Box Top for Education Program, contact their website at www.boxtops4education.com. REMEMBER, THE SKY'S THE LIMIT WITH BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION! Thank You, Wendy Carriere back to top |
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Community Outreach
Grayson Elementary
"Compassion in Action"
celebration for The Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative 
Where: On the Campus of Community of Grace -1200 Athens Hwy (Hwy 78) - Grayson, GA 30017
When: October 3 2009 11 am until 2 pm What will be happening? You are invited to come out and see the Cooperative that provides food, utility assistance, and other services to people in need. The Coop serves people in Grayson, Loganville, and Snellville. October will be our month to fight hunger right here in our community please plan to attend the celebration on October 3 and participate in our food drive during the month of October. back to top |
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Counselor's Corner Welcome to Grayson Elementary School! We are so excited about another great year at Grayson. Dr. Edwards will work with Kindergarten, 2nd, and 3rd grade students and Ms. Ruffner will work with 1st, 4th, and 5th grade students. Below is our contact information. We will teach classroom guidance lessons, lead small counseling groups, work with individual students and consult with parents and teachers. We are so glad you are here and we look forward to working with you this year! Dana_Edwards@gwinnett.k12.ga.us 770-682-4160 RoseMary_Ruffner@gwinnett.k12.ga.us 770-682-4156 back to top |
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V.I.P Volunteer Opportunity Grayson Elementary School PTA is pleased to offer a new volunteer opportunity to all of our G.E.S. parents. The V.I.P. (Very Involved Parents) committee will assist all G.E.S. teachers with classroom tasks such as assembling books, preparing workbooks, cutting, bulletin board creation and die-cutting so that our teachers can focus on efficient and creative instructional time. Committee volunteers will pick up work requests and materials from the V.I.P. mailbox, complete tasks in the designated V.I.P. workspace and return completed projects to the mailbox. Volunteers will agree on their own day, hours and schedule - a consistent weekly, bi-weekly or monthly time to provide a valuable service to our wonderful teachers. If you are interested in joining the V.I.P.'s, please contact Lora Thompson lora_thompson@gwinnett.k12.ga.us or Christine Scartz tcscartz@comcast.net. Thank you in advance for all of your help! back to top |
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Advertisers Click the images below to be transferred to the business' web-sites. |
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Would you like to support our PTA by advertising your business in the monthly e-Ram Reader? If so please contact Jennifer Sutton at graysonespublications@yahoo.com Thank you e-Ram Reader Business Advertisers! |
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Grayson Elementary School - 460 Grayson Parkway - Grayson, GA 30017
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