THE NORCROSS ELEMENTARY EAGLE

Dear Families,

We’ve had a wonderful start to the school year! September was filled with joyful moments, and one of my favorite highlights was seeing our students deeply engaged in learning—both collaboratively with their peers and independently. I’ve also been especially grateful for the many acts of kindness our Eagles have shown throughout the month.

Looking ahead to October, you’ll have the opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher during parent-teacher conferences. These meetings are a valuable time to hear about your child’s strengths and areas where they may need additional support. Please be on the lookout for sign-up information, which teachers will be sending home soon.

Thank you for your continued partnership!

We look forward to welcoming you into our building to learn, connect, and volunteer alongside us.

#NorcrossStrong

Sincerely,

Dr. Kassia Sutton
Proud Principal of Norcross Elementary

On Friday, September 19, in celebration of Digital Learning Day, we hosted our first Parent University class.
Parent University is a collaborative space where teachers offer families timely training on the standards students are currently learning in class, along with strategies to reinforce previously taught concepts at home.

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible specials team for planning and hosting such a vibrant and joyful event in support of building our school track. Your creativity and dedication made it a memorable experience for our students!

We also extend our deepest appreciation to our amazing parent volunteers—your support helped make the day run smoothly and added to the fun. Thank you for being such an important part of our school community!

Please read and review our student handbook.

October 6, 7, & 8 - 3rd -5th Grade students take District Assessments (DA)

October 8: Fall Picture Retakes

October 9 - 13: Fall Break

October 11: Chairs for Charity

October 16: 50th Day of School

October 17: Freddie the Falcon visits

October 18: Volunteer Gwinnett- Courtyard Clean-up

October 22: Early Release Day at 12:50pm

October 23: Early Release Day at 12:50pm/Book Fair Begins

October 24: Drive Thru Pantry at Paul Duke High School

October 27 - 31: Red Ribbon Week

October 30: Monster Math Night at 5:30pm

October 31: Book Character Dress Up Day/ Student of the Month

November 2 : Time Changes; Fall Back 1 Hour

November 4 : Election Day & Digital Learning Day

November 7 : Progress Reports Go home

November 11: Veteran's Day

November 12 : Holiday Family Lunch (Grades 1,3,5 & ASD)

November 13 : Holiday Family Lunch (Grades 2,3 & 4)

November 14 : Local School Council

November 15 : 4th Grade Fieldtrip to Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Ctr.

November 21: Student of the Month/Drive-thru Food Pantry at Paul Duke High School

November 24-28: Thanksgiving Break

It's time for the 3rd annual Pedal Norcross Bicycle Giveaway Poster Contest! A message went out to families on ParentSquare. We have 4 bikes for students to give away AND 1 adult bicycle for a staff member! Posters are due to Ms. by October 8th!

Pedal Norcross is taking place on Saturday, October 18th! See info here: https://www.norcrossga.net/2263/Pedal-Norcross

And sign up to volunteer for the event here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945ABA828A5FECE9-57395854-pedal#/

Teachers will send home work, assignments and resources for the day.

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

Below are the future dates:

• Tuesday, November 4th
• Friday, February 6th
• Friday, March 13th

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Please join us for our Local School Council Meeting on Friday, November 14 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

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

Below open the attachment for news from the Parent Center.

Use the link to access the Media Center News.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rnXDSI8MLENjXvVUaAie2YHR3m_4WIde/view?usp=sharing

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

Have a great summer!

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

1. Set Clear Rules: Establish guidelines about what is appropriate to share online and who they can communicate with.

2. Use Privacy Settings: Ensure all devices and apps have privacy settings enabled to protect personal information.

3. Monitor Activity: Keep computers and devices in common areas and regularly check browser history and social media profiles.

4. Educate About Risks: Talk to kids about the potential dangers online, such as cyberbullying and inappropriate content.

5. Use Parental Controls: Utilize parental control software and apps to filter content and monitor usage.

6. Encourage Open Communication: Make sure kids know they can come to you if they encounter anything uncomfortable or suspicious online.

7. Limit Screen Time: Set time limits for internet use to ensure a healthy balance between online and offline activities.

8. Review Apps and Games: Check the apps and games your kids want to download for safety and appropriateness.

9. Teach Safe Sharing: Explain the importance of not sharing personal information, such as addresses or phone numbers, online.

10. Update Software: Keep all devices updated with the latest security software to protect against malware and other threats.

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.

MTSS is a system or framework that integrates assessment and intervention within a school-wide, multi prevention system to maximize student achievement and reduce behavioral problems. It promotes systems alignment to increase efficacy and effectiveness of resources. (Adopted for National Center on Intensive Intervention).

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.

Arrival

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

Dismissal

• The Day ends at 3:20pm

LOCAL SCHOOL COUNCIL (LSC)

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.

September 2025 Family Newsletter:https://secure.smore.com/n/g4wrm

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. K/2/4 - Ms. Shelby Gonzalez (shelby.gonzalez@gcpsk12.org)

Counselor Gr. 1/3/5 - Mrs. Amy Crapo (amy.crapo.@gcps12.org)

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