THE NORCROSS ELEMENTARY EAGLE

Dear Families,

It is hard to believe that we have already completed the first quarter of the school year! This milestone provides an opportunity to reflect on the growth and accomplishments our students have demonstrated during the first nine weeks of learning.

Our teachers have spent the quarter building relationships, analyzing student performance, and identifying each student's strengths and opportunities for growth. We look forward to sharing this information with families during our upcoming parent-teacher conferences. These conversations are an important opportunity to celebrate successes, discuss progress, and collaborate on next steps to support every child.

We are proud of the growth our students have already made. As we move into the second quarter, our school will continue to strengthen its focus on:

⭐ Grade-level appropriate assignments that challenge students to think critically and apply their learning

⭐ Strong, high-quality instruction that engages students in meaningful learning experiences

⭐ Deep student engagement where students are actively participating, collaborating, and taking ownership of their learning

⭐ High expectations for all students as we believe every child can achieve success with the right support and opportunities

Together, these areas will help ensure that all students continue to learn, grow, and reach their full potential.

🎉 Celebrating Growth

We are excited to recognize the hard work and perseverance our students have shown during the first quarter. Every day, we see students:

• Building strong academic skills
• Developing positive learning habits
• Demonstrating resilience when faced with challenges
• Working collaboratively with their peers
• Taking pride in their accomplishments

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Working together, we can ensure that every student has a successful and rewarding school year.

We look forward to seeing you at conferences and continuing our journey of learning and growth together!

Focused, Locked In & Soaring Forward,

Dr. Kassia Sutton

Proud Principal of Norcross Elementary

#NorcrossStrong

Thank you to our Parent Volunteers for supporting our Color Run on Friday, September 25. They are the VIPs and we are incredibly grateful for their help. Thank you for your leadership and service.

October 2: Drive Thru Pantry at Paul Duke High School

October 2: Schoolwide Fire Drill

October 3 -4: Chairs for Charity

October 6 - 8: 3rd -5th Grade Students take District Assessments (DA)

October 8: Fall Picture Retakes

October 12-16: Fall Break

October 11: Chairs for Charity

October 22: Monster Math Night

October 26-30: Fall Book Fair

October 28: Early Release Day at 12:50pm

October 29: Early Release Day at 12:50pm

October 29: Send Home Progress Reports

October 23 - 31: Red Ribbon Week

October 30: Book Character Dress Up Day/ Student of the Month/Career Day

Early Release Conference Days are Wednesday, October 28, and Thursday, October 29. On these days, students will be dismissed from school at 12:50 p.m. Please make note of these dates and the early dismissal time.

Your child's teacher has either sent home or will be sending information regarding parent-teacher conference sign-ups. If you have not received this information, please contact your child's teacher directly.

Thank you for your partnership and support.

Families, please remember that applications for free and reduced-price meals must be completed each school year. If your family may qualify, we encourage you to submit an application as soon as possible.

If you need assistance completing the application, please do not hesitate to contact the school. We are happy to help.

Link to application

https://www.nlappscloud.com/Welcome.aspx?api=78f8fee54716f21218e523747d37a13c#loaded

Get mental health support, education, and advocacy from NAMI—the nation's largest grassroots organization for people affected by mental illness. https://www.nami.org/

The 2026 NAMIWalks Georgia takes place on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at Assembly Park in nearby Doraville, Georgia.

Event Details: NAMIWalks Georgia 2026

• Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026 [1]
• Time: Check-in and registration begin at 8:30 AM, the opening ceremony starts at 9:30 AM, and the walk begins at 10:00 AM (concluding around 12:00 PM). [1, 2]
• Location: Assembly Park, 2582 Assembly Blvd, Doraville, GA 30360. [1]
• Route: 2.4-mile route consisting of two 1.2-mile loops around Assembly Park. [1]
• Cost: Free to register and attend; official event T-shirts are provided to participants who self-donate or raise $100 or more. [1, 2]
• Logistics: Free parking is available in the parking garage off Motors Industrial Way (accessible via I-285, Exit 31A). The site is also accessible via MARTA or rideshare services. Note that only service animals are permitted (no pets). [1]

November 3: Digital Learning Day

November 6: Drive Thru Pantry at Paul Duke High School/Progress Reports Sent Home

November 7: Extended Learning Time (ELT)

November 13: Local School Council Meeting at 7:30am

November 14: Extended Learning Time (ELT)

November 16 - 20: American Education Week

November 16: Hearing and Vision Screening for 3rd Grade students

November 18 & 19: Holiday Luncheon

November 20: Student of the Month/Counselor Advisory Council at 7:30am

November 23 -27: Thanksgiving Break

Please read and review our student handbook.

Please join us for our Local School Council Meeting on Friday, November 13 at 7:30am in the Media Center.

Below is a link to learn more about the purpose of the local school council.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o0ss24hVtveiv--DPoKph7UsqN5Vc_m2/view?usp=sharing

Teachers will send home any assignments and resources for the day.

Meals will be provided via bus distribution for all scheduled SY26 Digital Learning Days.

Below are the dates for the DLD:

• Tuesday, November 3rd
• Friday, March 19th

Andrea Eberhart and Venice Hinds are our instructional coaches. Their role includes supporting teachers and students.

Eduardina Checo, Parent Liasion

See the green button below.

Improving student academic and behavior outcomes is about ensuring all students have access to the most effective and accurately implemented instructional and behavioral practices and interventions possible. Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) provide an operational framework for achieving these outcomes.

Below is a picture our PBIS Matrix

PBIS Information for Families
https://www.pbis.org/family

Positive Behavior
https://www.parentcenterhub.org/pbs-resources/

Dr. Fain is our PBIS Coach.

christi.fain@gcpsk12.org

Salo’s Tech Tip

Need help with your students' Chromebook? Visit the GCPS 1:1 Support Site. Learn about your student’s Chromebook, Google Classroom, digital resources, and more!

https://sites.google.com/g.gcpsk12.org/gcpsstudent1to1support/home

MyPaymentPlus Offers Free 24/7 Access To

• Student cafeteria balances and purchase history
• Prepayments for breakfast/lunch, with auto-pay capability
• Meet Your Teacher Day (Open House) documents
• Other fees and activities such as yearbooks, spirit wear, field trips and more!

Using your MPP Account

https://instruction.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/content/enforced/2323043-Federal_Programs_Communication_Center/MyPaymentsPlus/MPP.setup.HOW_TO.mp4?ou=2323043

Creating an Account - Spanish

https://instruction.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/content/enforced/2323043-Federal_Programs_Communication_Center/MyPaymentsPlus/Spanish%20version%20(detailed).pdf?_&d2lSessionVal=j8rIvA3AnIlKoIU3fgtWbW8eI&ou=2323043

A Parental Guide: Reviewing and Acknowledging Orientation Agreements & Title I Documents

https://instruction.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/content/enforced/2323043-Federal_Programs_Communication_Center/MyPaymentsPlus/MPP%20How%20to%20review%20report.mp4?_&d2lSessionVal=j8rIvA3AnIlKoIU3fgtWbW8eI&ou=2323043

For customer service & support on your MyPaymentsPlus account, please call 1-877-237-0946

Up-to-date Safety Equipment and Technology

Our school uses a variety of technological tools to reinforce security. These are some—but not all—of the tools in place:

• Cameras — interior and exterior
• VMS and Raptor — visitor management systems that control access doors and screen adults against National Sex Offenders Registry. Every visitor is required to show identification.
• Vestibules — Double glass door entry with bullet-resistant glass film at designated single point of entry for the school (coming soon).
• New for the 2025-2026 School Year : We have a School Safety Officer.

1. If your child has a medical alert/medical health management plan, please contact Lilana Martinez as soon as possible, and complete and return applicable forms to her in a timely manner.

2. We want our students to have a full day of learning, but sometimes illness(es) may interrupt their day. For the safety and health of your child and others, if your child gets ill at school and needs to go home, please do so promptly. If you’re unable to pick them up, please be sure that we have a current list of emergency contact(s) that we may reach out to.

We will continue our focus on the Whole Child through MTSS by using Supportive Community and Academic Press (see picture below). An example of Supportive Community is our Positive Behaviors Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Program and an example of Academic Press is the implementation of the EL Education literacy pilot for Language Arts.

Implementation of MTSS is one of our LSPI goals.

A student who leaves school before the official ending time must be signed out in the office by his/her parent or guardian. Parents must report to the receptionist, not the classroom. The receptionist will call the room for the child after a photo ID (government issued) has been shown. Please remember that each time a child checks out early, we must call the classroom and disrupt instruction for everyone. Children will be called to the Front Office where they will be released to the parent/guardian. The office will not check out students after 2:30 P.M. (11:30 A.M. on early release days). Please do not ask school personnel to make exceptions.

A child will not be permitted to leave the school in the custody of any person other than the child's parent unless that person is listed as a parent/guardian or emergency contact in the school’s database. As telephone numbers and situations change, please make sure you report this information to the school so we have the most accurate information.

• Doors open at 8:20am
• Classes begin at 8:50am

Dismissal

• The Day ends at 3:20pm

The purpose of the LSC is:

• To help the local board of education develop and nurture participation
• To bring parents and the community together with teachers and school administrators to create a better understanding of and mutual respect for each other’s concerns
• To share ideas for school improvement

PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION (PTA)

We are in need of a PTA board to support our school, our students, and our faculty. The board consists of a president/co-president, vice president, treasurer and secretary. Please contact me at kassia.morris.sutton@gcpsk12.org if you are interested.

https://www.pta.org/home/About-National-Parent-Teacher-Association/Mission-Values

Volunteer

Please partner with us and commit to volunteering at our school. Volunteer activities may include: working in the media center, laminating materials, counting out documents, cutting, and filing. Please contact Eduardina Checo (eduardina.checo@gcpsk12.org) for volunteer opportunities.

October 2026 Family Newsletter https://app.smore.com/n/7j6mv

Principal – Dr. Kassia Sutton (kassia.morris.sutton@gcpsk12.org)

Assistant Principal – Gr. 4, 5 – Mrs. Contacia Cross (contacia.cross@gcpsk12.org)

Assistant Principal - Gr. 1, 2, 3 - Dr. Katrina Bilal (katrina.p.bilal@gcpsk12.org)

Assistant Principal - K, Special Education - Dr. LaTonya Parker (latonya.parker@gcps12.org)

Counselor - Gr. preK/1/3/5 - Ms. Shelby Gonzalez (shelby.gonzalez@gcpsk12.org)

Counselor Gr. K/2/4 - Mrs. Amy Crapo (amy.crapo.@gcps12.org)

Location: 150 Hunt Street, Norcross, GA, USA
Phone: 770-448-2188
Facebook: facebook.com/NorcrossElementarySchool-GCPS