THE MIGHTY OAK

October is National Principal's Month

Next Week

October 12-16..............Fall Break

The next Week

October 19-23.............National School Bus Safety Week

October 19...................Kidz Life

October 20...................Dogwood Pizza Spirit Night

October 21...................ARt Club, Enviromental Club, Jr. Beta Meeting, Robotics

October 21...................Unity Day

October 22...................All Pro Dad's Breakfast

October 22...................Crochet Club, Robotics

October 23...................Hat Day

October 23...................PTA Holloween Bingo Night (at Brookwood High School)

October 12-16.................Fall Break

October 19.............................Day 7

October 20............................Day 7

October 21.............................Day 7

October 22.............................Day 8

October 23.............................Day 8

Our PBIS Team is collecting individually bagged candy and small treats to help recognize and reward students for their positive behavior choices. If you would like to support this effort, please consider donating and dropping your items in the Candy Monster bin located in the school vestibule.

Mark your calendars for a fun, community-wide event supporting literacy in our district!

Date & Time: Saturday, October 31, 2026 at 8:30 AM

Location: J. Alvin Wilbanks Instructional Support Center (ISC)

Registration: Sign up today at bookmobile5k.com

The school with the most participants will win a visit from the book mobile!

Unity Day is coming up on Wednesday, October 21. This is a day where our entire school community wears the color orange to show that we are all united in standing against bullying and promote kindness, acceptance, and inclusion! Please orange on Wednesday, October 21.

United Way is coming to Gwin Oaks. We are raising money for a good cause, and half the money raised by students will come back to our school. On Monday, October 19th, Students will be able to purchase Pumpkin drawings for $1 in the Art Room. The winning class, who have purchased the most pumpkins, will win a classroom trophy and get to pie Mr. Fields (Art Teacher) in the face. The last day to purchase will be Friday, October 30th. Let’s have fun raising for United Way…and remember…United is the Way!

-Mr. Fields

United Way Impact:

These aren’t just numbers. They’re our neighbors. In the past year...

34,148 children became strong learners.

82,310 youth had paths opened for higher education and high growth careers.

61,356 people received access to health care, improving their economic stability and quality of life.

13,539 lives improved because of community-led solutions.

Our goal

To help every child unlock their full potential by improving education, healthcare, and economic mobility in the communities where they live.

Friday Oactober 23rd is Hat Day at Gwin Oaks. Bring a $1 and wear a hat all day long

We look forward to welcoming you for our Visitor Lunches! Please adhere to the dates for your child's grade level. A valid photo ID is required for entry into the building.

Parents are invited to enjoy lunch with their child in the foyer outside the cafeteria or in the designated courtyard areas. To ensure student safety and maintain an orderly lunch environment, visitors may not dine inside the cafeteria. For your child's lunch time, please contact your child's teacher.

Birthday celebrations are a special time, and families may arrange a class snack with the teacher. Snacks should be delivered to the front office and will be enjoyed in the cafeteria. We ask that items be store-bought and limited to one treat (such as cupcakes or cookies), with optional boxed drinks (no red juice or sodas).

For simplicity, please pre-slice large items if needed. Families may also choose to purchase ice cream for the class. To help maintain a safe and organized environment, we are unable to distribute goodie bags, balloons, or flowers.

To help promote inclusion and kindness, invitations to private parties may be distributed at school only if all students in the class are included.

The school clinic is running low on extra clothing items for students! If you have any gentle hand-me-downs you'd like to clear out, we are currently collecting:

• Pants & Shorts: Boys & Girls (K–5)

• Underwear (New/Unopened): Boys (K–5) & Girls (3–5)

• Sneakers: Gently used (K–3)

Drop-offs can be made at the front desk. We greatly appreciate your support!

Ignite your curiosity and showcase your inner innovator at this year’s Science Fair! Explore the Science Fair Website and sign up in the Parent Square on the site if you are interested.

Tickets are officially on sale for BINGO Night!

Bingo! Prizes! Costume Contest! So much fun!

You don't want to miss it!

October 23, 2026

6:00pm - 8:00pm

Brookwood High School Cafeteria

Cost: $15

Get your tickets now before the cost goes up the day of the event!

See you there!

Order your yearbook today!

5th grade families have an opportunity to highlight their child in the Gwin Oaks Yearbook by purchasing an ad. Ads are limited so do not delay! This cost is in ADDITION to purchasing a yearbook.

Have you noticed a staff member modeling our core values or Ready, Respectful and Responsible? As part of our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program, we want to ensure that our staff members feel as encouraged and supported as our students do. We know our teachers and staff are doing incredible things every day—from going the extra mile in the classroom to offering a helping hand in the hallways—and we want to hear about it from you!

Why Shoutout?

Positive recognition is a cornerstone of our school culture. When parents share their appreciation, it builds a stronger community and boosts the morale of the dedicated professionals working with your children. Whether it’s a small gesture or a major milestone, no shoutout is too small.

How It Works

It is easier than ever to recognize a staff member. You don't need to write a formal letter; simply click the link below and fill out our quick recognition form.

Recognition Type .............What to Include

Teacher Shoutout .............. A classroom or school moment that made a difference for your child.

Staff Shoutout.....................Appreciation for our bus drivers, custodians, or office staff.

Submit Your Shoutout Today

Click the link below to access the form and brighten a staff member's day:

Submit a Staff Shoutout Here

Thank you for being such an active and supportive part of our school family!

Brainfuse from the Gwinnett County Public Library. Brainfuse offers live tutoring and study tools for K-12.

Do you have a child that is between the ages of birth - 5? We would love for you to join our Play 2 Learn classes at Gwin Oaks Elementary.

Come play with us in Play 2 Learn at Gwin Oaks Elementary. Parents and children ages birth - five are welcome to attend. Please contact Amy Simmon at amy.hough.simmon@gcpsk12.org for more information and to enroll.

Each morning, car rider drop-off begins at 7:45 am. We request you enter the car rider line no earlier than 7:45 am and no later than 8:05 am. This is the time frame during which the line will be moving for arrival and ensures that your child will not be tardy for school.

October is National Bullying Prevention Month, a time to encourage kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. Parents play an important role in helping children build positive relationships and create a community where everyone feels valued and respected.

How families can help:

• Model kindness and respect in everyday interactions.
• Encourage your child to include others, especially those who may seem left out.
• Talk about celebrating differences and treating everyone with dignity.
• Help your child recognize how words and actions can affect others.
• Praise your child when they demonstrate kindness, empathy, and friendship.

Teach your child to be an Upstander, not a Bystander. If they see someone being treated unkindly, encourage them to:

• Include the student who is being left out.
• Speak up in a safe and respectful way.
• Get help from a trusted adult.
• Show kindness and support to the person being targeted.

Together, we can help our children create a school community where everyone feels safe, accepted, and valued.

October 26-30

Monday 10/26 - Ready for RED Monday - Wear the color red to show you are RED-y to make Really Excellent Decisions!

Tuesday 10/27- Taste the Rainbow Tuesday - Wear bright or rainbow colors to celebrate making healthy eating choices and enjoying a colorful, balanced diet.

Wednesday 10/28 - Move your Body Wednesday - Wear activewear to celebrate how exercise helps keep our bodies strong, healthy, and ready to learn.

Thursday 10/29 - Rest and Recharge Thursday - Wear pajamas or cozy attire to recognize that getting plenty of sleep helps you feel your best, learn, grow, and stay healthy.

Friday 10/30 - Team Spirit Friday - Wear your favorite team jersey, school spirit wear, or team colors and show that we are stronger when we work together to make healthy decisions.

Final Gwin Oaks Check out time is 2:00 pm

GASP! Stay at your school

Outdoor play

Affordable tuition

Homework Help

Quick Easy Pick-up

Healthy snacks

STEM arts, crafts and karaoke

We accept CAPS

Limited Space Register Now!

www.gasp-ga.com

Gwin Oaks Elementary

400 Gwin Oaks Drive

Lawrenceville, GA 30044

Elementary 770-972-3110

The mission of the faculty and staff of Gwin Oaks Elementary is to facilitate a safe and supportive environment where excellence in learning for all children results in responsible

and productive citizens and lifelong learners.