Meadowcreek Community Newsletter

November 11- Veterans Day

November 11- Multilingual Learners' Parent Workshop 11:30AM-12:30PM (ESOL)

November 12- Spirit Night @ Raising Cane's 4:00-8:00 PM

November 12- "Unlocking the Future: Supporting Student Success” 6:30PM- 8:00PM via Teams

November 17- Local School Council Meeting 9:00-11:00AM

November 23-27- Thanksgiving Break

Today, we honor and thank all who have served in the United States Armed Forces. GCPS recognizes the countless sacrifices made by veterans everywhere. Thank you for your service, courage, and dedication!

🎉🎉Please join us in welcoming Dr. Jennifer Ohene Marfo as our new Assistant Principal! Dr. Ohene Marfo has been an integral part of the Mustang family since 2015 and we are excited to see the impact she will continue to make in this new leadership role! Welcome, Dr. Ohene Marfo! 💙

Please check out the October Academic Support for Families Newsletter. This newsletter is designed to help you support your child’s learning at home. In this newsletter, you will find instructional reading and math videos and resources to use at home!

Dear Parent/Family,

Every child will have many teachers before they walk across the stage on graduation day. They’ll learn about reading, math, science, art, and so much more. They’ll learn how to interact with others. They’ll learn about life.

But a child doesn’t meet their first teacher inside a school building – they meet them inside their home. Parents and families have an immense, lasting, and irreplaceable impact on a child’s education. The month of November is Family Engagement Month in our nation, a time to collectively recognize and honor the contributions of parents and families to student success.

Meadowcreek Elementary is committed to educating the whole child. We strive to provide high-quality programs that improve teaching and learning across and equip our school with the information and resources we need to help parents actively engage in their child’s academic achievement.

Family engagement is a shared responsibility in which schools and other community organizations are committed to communicating with, reaching out to, and building ties to engage families in meaningful ways.

Research on family engagement suggests that when schools, families, and communities support each other, students of all backgrounds and abilities achieve at the highest levels.

First and foremost, to every parent and family member who pours their time, resources, efforts, and hours into their child’s education: thank you. Nothing could be more important than your engagement and involvement with your child’s education and in their school.

I want to invite you to join the celebration throughout November and all year round, as schools and districts across the state plan special events and recognitions to honor the crucial role parents and families play in students’ education.

For ideas on how you can get engaged, please visit the information for families on our school’s website at: https://meadowcreekes.gcpsk12.org/. Here you can access an array of resources including our Social Emotional Learning Hub (SEL), Technology information as well as our Plan/Promise for Family Engagement and upcoming events.

Again, I want to personally thank you as a parent or family member of a child in Meadowcreek Elementary.

Thank you for entrusting us with your child’s education. We could not do the work of educating Georgia’s future without you.

Best regards,

Judy Peńa-Perez

Parent Instructional Coordinator

March 19, 2026

Friday, September 18, is a Digital Learning Day for all students. Students will access lessons in Google Classroom through their Learning Space but will not have virtual class time with their teachers.

Student Launchpad & Google Classroom Instructions (English)

Student Launchpad & Google Classroom Instructions (Spanish)

To ensure that students have a nutritious meal to fuel their learning, our bus drivers will be on the road and at every bus stop to deliver meals prepared by the School Nutrition Program staff.

Families should expect buses to run their routes from approximately 10:45 a.m. to noon, beginning at the first stops on the route. These delivered meals are provided at no cost to families and are provided to anyone 18 years old and under.

You’re Invited! Join us for our Multilingual Learner Parent Workshop on Wednesday, November 11 from 11:30AM-12:30PM. Come discover effective strategies to support your child’s English language growth and connect with other families in our community. We will serve coffee and donuts! We look forward to seeing you there!

🎉 Join us for Spirit Night at Raising Cane's! Wear your mustang spirit Wear & Mention the fundraiser at the Restaurant or apply code RCFUND96 to online or app orders at checkout and Cane’s will donate 15% to our school!

📆 Thursday, November 12 4:00-8:00PM
📍2110 Pleasant Hill Rd Duluth, GA 30096

We hope to see you there!

🎉🎉Each month, our teachers proudly recognize a PBIS Star Student of the Month from their class. For October, our Character Strong trait was Responsibility, and these Mustangs shine by consistently showing responsibility and modeling our school-wide PBIS expectations—being respectful, responsible, and problem solvers every day. Way to go, Mustangs!

All families are invited to join the November EEE Session “Unlocking the Future: Supporting Student Success” on November 12, 2026, from 6:30PM- 8:00PM via Microsoft Teams for an engaging virtual evening designed to help families support student success at home and at school! Learn about the different Academies and Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) pathways available across GCPS, explore the Multilingual Learner Program, and discover literacy strategies and resources available through our schools and the Gwinnett County Public Library. Together, we can build strong partnerships, support learning at home, and unlock a bright future for our students! Let's partner together to unlock the future for every student!

Interpretation will be provided in Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, and French!

Please use this link to register: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/f3d406cf-8380-4ceb-b758-7f6b971c457c@7de65cf9-3f2e-4e67-a469-965b0d085fbb

Families, please join us for our Local School Council Meeting on Tuesday, November 17 at 9:00 AM in the Media Center. School Council meetings provide an opportunity for families and community members to learn more about what is happening at our school and to hear updates about school initiatives and goals.

If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Tanya Mason at Tanya.Mason@gcpsk12.org.

We look foward to seeing you there!

Our local McDonald's is partnering with us to host a Shoe Drive!
Bring in any brand new shoes to the McDonald's location listed below, and you'll receive 10% OFF your order as a thank-you for supporting our Mustang community!

📍 Drop-off Location: McDonald's — 1650 Indian Trail Lilburn Road, Norcross, GA
📅 Dates: November 6 – November 20


Thank you for your support!

Paying for school meals, fees, exams, and activities online helps speed up lines, ensures the safety of your payment, and is convenient and easy, whether using the MyPaymentsPlus website or App.

All parents are encouraged to create a MyPaymentsPlus account to:

• View student cafeteria balances anytime, from anywhere.
• See what your student is purchasing in the cafeteria.
• Set up alerts so you know when the balance is low.
• Make payments to your student’s cafeteria account.
• Pay school fees (field trips)
• Register for AP Exams
• Access important school information
• Complete forms and applications

How to Create a MyPaymentsPlus Account:

The most convenient and user-friendly way to create a MyPaymentsPlus account is to download the app. Search for MyPaymentsPlus in the App Store or Google Play Store and download the app to your phone.

Assistive videos and instructions are linked below on how to register in MyPaymentsPlus (English and Spanish).

MyPaymentsPlus Parent Account Creation VIDEO (English)

MyPaymentsPlus Parent Account Creation Instructions (English)

MyPaymentsPlus Parent Account Creation (Spanish)

MyPaymentsPlus Parent Account Creation Instructions (Spanish)

Meadowcreek Elementary families have the opportunity to connect with the Family Center in person, by phone, or Teams to become familiar with:

• School procedures
• Check out free educational games and resources to help your child at home
• Familiarize yourself with the new communication tool ParentSquare
• Navigate ParentVUE
• Complete free/reduced lunch application online
• Support your child with Google Classroom
• Make payments on MyPaymentsPlus (cafeteria, school field trips, etc.)
• Anything else that you may need support with!

In-Person: Parents may visit the Family Center Monday - Friday during school hours

Virtual: Use this link from 1:00pm - 2:00pm on Wednesdays & Thursdays

Phone: Ms. Solano: 770-638-2374 or Ms. Pena-Perez: 770-381-4248

We look forward to serving you!

iReady MyPath and Imagine Learning are additional resources that students can complete at home at any time.

Imagine Learning Information

Imagine Learning is an adaptive, interactive program that teaches language and literacy concepts at your student's level and helps them practice what they've learned. Your child can access Imagine Learning through a web browser at login.imaginelearning.com using any computer or tablet, using their Student ID as the username and password and site code 1302550 or you can scan the QR Code. Letters with login information were sent home. If you have any questions about your child's login information, please reach out to your child's teacher via ParentSquare. Your student can access Imagine Learning in a web browser from any computer or tablet or you can download the Imagine Learning Student application to iPads from the App Store, and to Android devices (tablets) from Google Play. Please note that Imagine Learning does not work well on phones as phones are not supported devices. It is recommended to use a computer, iPad or other tablet.

Instructions for Accessing iReady and Imagine Learning at Home:

How to Access iReady and Imagine Learning at Home (English)

How to Access iReady and Imagine Learning at Home (Spanish)

Meadowcreek Elementary School

2026-2027

• Arrival: 7:40-8:10am

• Dismissal: 2:45pm-3:10pm

• Students may not enter the building until 7:40am.

• Students may not be checked out after 2:15pm.

Transportation:

• Students must have a car rider, bus, or daycare tag attached to their bookbags at all times. Please refrain from parking your car and walking your student to the front of the building. If your child is a car rider, he/she must be dropped off in the car rider lane.

• Any changes in transportation must be made in person, with a valid ID. Excessive changes will not be permitted.

Personal Electronics:

• Students may not use cellphones during the school day. This includes bus rides to and from school.

• Any electronics brought to school must remain off and in students’ book bags. The school will not be held responsible for lost, missing, or stolen items.

• Phones and personal devices of any kind should be, “Off and away during the school day!”

School Electronics:

• Electronic devices will be assigned to each student. Damaged or lost devices will result in a repair or replacement fee.

Dress Code:

• Students will not be permitted to wear hoodies over their heads in the hallway or in the classroom.

• Students will not be permitted to wear spaghetti strap shirts or crop tops.

• All shorts, skirts, and dresses must fall to the knee.

• Students may not be permitted to wear clothing with inappropriate imaging including drugs, violence, or profanity.

• Hats will only be allowed during spirit weeks. These days will be announced in advance.

• Students may not wear clothing that is deemed inappropriate or revealing. Students with inappropriate clothing will be sent home to change clothes or provided proper attire if available at the school.

Birthday Celebrations:

• Cakes, cupcakes, and other desserts may not be brought to the school for any occasion, including birthdays. Additionally, balloons and flowers may not be brought to school.

• If you would like to purchase a school ice cream for each student in the class, the teacher will ensure the birthday is celebrated at lunchtime. Ice cream can be purchased for $1.00 each.

Lunch Visitation:

• Parents/ guardians are welcome to eat lunch with their student, starting September 8th, 2026, during his/her designated lunch time. Please sign in at the front office and meet your child in the lunchroom.

• Visitors are not permitted to go to a classroom or to recess with students.

• No outside food can be brought and dropped off for students. Students may eat a school lunch or items packed in their lunchbox.

Upcoming Events:

• Scavenger Hunt - August 18, 5:30 PM- 7:00 PM

• Field Day- October 7-9

• Fall Break- October 12-16

• Early Release- October 28 and 29

To help our students have a successful, safe, and positive school year, we have created a series of short informational videos covering key school expectations and procedures. These videos are available in both English and Spanish to ensure all families have access to the information they need.

Please watch the videos to learn more about:

• Cafeteria: Expectations and daily routines during meal times.

• Attendance: Policies for absences, tardies, and staying on track.

• Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): How we support student well-being and growth.

• Media Center: Library expectations and book checkout procedures.

• PBIS Store & Mustang Bucks: How students earn rewards for positive behavior.

• Clinic Procedures: Clinic protocols and medication rules.

• Specials: What to expect in Art, Music, Computer Science, PE, Health, Social Emotional Learning, and Media Specials classes.

Thank you for partnering with us to support your child’s learning and success at Meadowcreek!

📘 November Newsletter Focus: Gratitude

Learn how to help your child practice gratitude by choosing to appreciate the people, things, and emotions in our lives. This edition includes:

✨ Conversation starters and emotion check-in prompts

✨ Family gratitude jar and appreciation challenges

✨ Book recommendations to read together

We are excited to partner with families as we help our students grow socially and emotionally each month!

The Evolv weapons detection system has begun during morning arrival as part of a pilot program. Our school will also be staffed with School Safety Officers (SSO). SSOs are security personnel whose primary responsibility will be to operate the Evolv system during the school day, after morning arrival. This pilot program builds on the district’s existing safety measures, including the use of Evolv at our middle and high schools, and is designed to be fast, non-invasive, and effective.

What to Expect:

• Students and visitors will walk through Evolv scanners at designated entry points.
• Phones, keys, and wallets can stay in your bookbags, pockets, and purses.
• If an alert is triggered, staff will conduct a brief secondary screening.
• Please arrive a few minutes early to allow for smooth entry.

Thank you for your continued support as we implement this important safety measure.

Students in grades K–8 may bring personal electronic devices to school, but they may not access or use them during the school day. All devices must be stored in backpacks and must be powered off. Personal electronic devices include items such as:

• Cell phones and smartphones
• Smartwatches and smart eyewear
• Tablets and e-readers
• Personal laptops, earbuds, and headphones

This expectation applies from the first bell to the final bell, including lunch, recess, transitions, and assemblies. When students do not meet expectations, we will address violations in a fair, age-appropriate manner.

To help your child be ready, please review these expectations together before school begins:

• Bring devices only if needed.
• Make sure devices are powered off before the school day begins.
• Wait until after the final bell to turn devices back on or use them.

If your child has a documented medical need, an Individualized Educational Plan, a Section 504 Plan, or another approved support requiring a device, those accommodations will continue as outlined in the student’s plan.

If you need to reach your child during the school day, please call the school office directly. Our staff will make sure messages are shared quickly and safely.

Thank you for partnering with us to support a focused, positive start to the school year.

✈️🎟️ Earn Rewards by Getting Involved! Turn attending school events into an exciting adventure with the Family Academic Learning Passport!

Bring your passport flyer to our upcoming family academic workshops throughout the year, collect stamps for each event you attend, and unlock awesome prizes for your student along the way!

🏆 Rewards Checkpoints:

2 Workshops: Small Prize (School supplies, books, or sweet treats!)
4 Workshops: Free Family Engagement Yard Sign + Recognition in our newsletter & school broadcast!
6 Workshops: Family Academic Partner Certificate + Entry into our Grand Prize Drawing for a Cash Gift Card!

Make sure to grab your passport and get it stamped at the back of the flyer during each event. Let’s learn together and grow together!

📘 Preorder Your 2026–2027 Yearbook: Yearbooks are $35.

Please complete the form below to be placed on the waiting list for the Play2Learn 2026-2027 school year. Once accepted, you will receive a call from Ms. Pena-Perez with instructions to register your child at the school.

We are so excited to offer Little Learners Academy for our early learners at Meadowcreek Elementary! This program is open to all families and will be held the last Wednesday of every month from 11:00AM-12:00PM. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Pena-Perez at 770-381-4248.

Who: Children birth to five years old and their parent or caregivers

What: 60 minute session, learn to be your child's first and best teacher!

Why: Engage with your child through PLAY! Get your child READY FOR SCHOOL!

Dates:

November 18, 2026

December 16, 2026

January 27, 2027

February 24, 2027

March 31, 2027

April 28, 2027

Regular school attendance is vital to your student’s success. At Meadowcreek ES, our goal is to ensure that all students fully benefit from their education by getting to school on time (in class by 8:15) and attending school regularly. Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school—and themselves. You can help your student learn that going to school on time, every day is important. Consistent attendance will help children do well in high school, college, and at work.

Below are the times we expect students to be at school:

• Students arrive no earlier than 7:40 am
• The bell rings and instruction begins at 8:15 am. Attendance is taken in class.

WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU:

• Have your child ride the bus as this assures your child will get to school on time. If you have to drive your child to school, leave yourself extra time in case of traffic or inclement weather. Our doors open at 7:40, so you can drop your child off starting then.

• An unexcused tardy means your child arrived in class late (after 8:15) because of sleeping in, traffic, missing the bus, running late, etc. Examples of excused tardies are illness, health condition, medical appointment, and family emergency. You must come inside the building to sign-in your child with the reason why your child was tardy.
• Arriving late to school/class impacts a student’s learning as well as the classroom atmosphere. Being on time for school/class is a positive goal for each of our students. Research has shown that your child's attendance record may be the biggest factor influencing his/her academic success.

If your student is going to be absent or late, please contact your child’s teacher. If your student is absent, you will need to send in an excuse letter for the absence.

Meadowcreek is tracking students with perfect monthly attendance! Students with perfect attendance will receive a certificate of perfect attendance by the end of each month. If your student receives a perfect attendance certificate, their name will be entered in a drawing for a NEW BIKE! We will pick the winner at the end of the semester. Good luck!

Starting Monday, September 14th, our school is kicking off the “We Are Here!” Attendance Competition to encourage students to be present and on time every day.

Here’s how it works:

• Each day a class has perfect attendance, they earn a letter toward spelling “WE ARE HERE.”

• The first class in each grade level to complete the phrase wins a popcorn party and a shout-out on the Morning News and Social Media!

• Once a grade level has a winner, only that grade level starts over and begins a new round—so every student has multiple chances to win throughout the year!

Thank you for supporting us in making sure our students are HERE every day, ready to learn and grow!

MES Counseling Department

Don't miss out on emergency messages or important alerts! GCPS staff and families have access to the ParentSquare app! Download it and adjust the settings for your use. Please visit the ParentSquare page on the district website to learn more.

The ParentSquare app is a great way to stay informed when inclement weather results in changes to the school schedule. You can find more information about GCPS' inclement weather policy here.

Once you download the app, you can login with your phone number as the username. If you don't know your password, you can reset it. If your phone number has changed, you will need to let us know. If you need support, please visit the Family Center. Thank you for your continuous support.

ParentVUE and ParentSquare are tools we encourage you to use to support your student’s learning. Think of ParentVUE as a tool you use to view and update student records. Think of ParentSquare as the place you go to engage with teachers and staff. Please see the guide below from the GCPS International Newcomers Center to help families understand the difference between ParentSquare and ParentVUE. If you need any support with these platforms, please visit our Family Center.

ParentSquare

In ParentSquare you can connect with teachers and school staff:

• Send and receive messages from the school via email, text, or mobile app.
• Communicate in your preferred language.
• Direct message teachers, staff, and principals.
• Share pictures and files.
• See calendar items.
• Participate in group messages.

ParentVUE

In ParentVUE you view enrollment records and progress:

• See attendance records.
• Review academic progress and grades.
• Check class schedules and course history.
• See graduation requirements and status.
• Translate information into your preferred language.
• See records for all your children at any GCPS school with a single login.

It is important your contact information is up to date with your school. Both ParentSquare and ParentVue rely on your up to date contact information. If you need to update your information, please call or visit the school. ParentSquare automatically generates an account for each parent/guardian using their preferred email address and phone number listed in ParentVUE. GCPS recommends reviewing your contact information annually.

Student absence reasons can now be shared through the ParentVUE app. Families can submit information regarding recent absences directly to your child’s school, such as a doctor's note, in ParentVUE. Click here for more information about how you can use this new feature for the 2025-2026 school year.

Don’t have the ParentVUE app? Follow the instructions here to download the app from the Google Play Store for Android Devices and the App Store for Apple (iOS).

📣 Mustang Spirit Wear is here! 🩵 Our 2026–2027 Spirit Wear is now available for just $10! Cash and card payments are accepted. We also still have a limited selection of last year’s Spirit Wear available while supplies last. Show your Mustang pride and grab yours soon! 🐴🩵

Show off your Mustang pride! 🐴✨Grab your Meadowcreek keychain for just $5! Perfect for keys or backpacks! Cash and card payments are accepted! Go Mustangs! 💙

Parent Mentor Presents: “Families Engaging in Education” – 4 Session Workshop

What: Parent Mentor Presents: “Families Engaging in Education” – 4 Session Workshop

When: 9/1/26, 9/30/26, 10/20/26 and 11/17/26, 10:00 -11:30 AM or 6:00-7:30 PM

Where: In-Person registration link for 10:00am session on 9/1/26

Virtual registration link for 6pm session on 9/1/26

Please use the following link to access the parent letters

As early as kindergarten, children begin to learn to subtract. If your child seems to be having difficulty with this basic skill, there are things you can do to help.

To support subtraction learning:

• Help your child see what subtraction looks like. Suppose your student must subtract eight from 16. Make a chain of 16 paper clips. Have your child count the paper clips. Then, have your child count as you remove eight paper clips, one at a time. Now have your elementary schooler count the number of paper clips remaining. (Teachers call these visual aids manipulatives, and they often use them to help children get a clearer idea of what they’re doing in a math class.)
• Create a number line. Use a roll of paper several feet long (toilet paper or paper towels will work). Mark off numbers from one to 20. Then, to solve the problem 9 – 5 for example, have your child stand on the 9 and then hop back five numbers. Your student will be standing on the right answer.
• Give your child lots of practice in counting backwards. Say, "There are 12 cookies in this bag. If we each eat two, how many will be left?" "You have to be ready for school in 20 minutes. If it takes you five minutes to get dressed, how much time will you have to eat breakfast?"

Brought to you by:

Gwinnett County Public Schools

© 2026 The Parent Institute, a Division of PaperClip Media Inc. All Rights Reserved.

📱 Stay Connected and Empowered with Parent ProTech!

Parent ProTech is a free digital resource that helps families stay informed and equipped to support their child’s learning and online safety at home. Through your Parent ProTech account, you’ll have access to videos, guides, and tools on topics such as digital citizenship, popular apps, and technology tips for families. Getting started is easy!

1️⃣ Visit https://app.parentprotech.com/976/gwinnett-county/en/signup?source=admin

2️⃣ Create your account and select “Add Child” to customize your resources.

3️⃣ Explore the “For the Home” tab to access tools, videos, and helpful resources anytime.

If you need support, please visit the school. Let’s work together to empower our students to be safe, smart, and responsible digital citizens! 💻

Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeart Radio to hear what our students have to say! We hope you enjoy, and stay tuned for more episodes coming soon! 🎙️

Spotify: Mustang Press

Apple Podcasts: Mustang Press

iHeart Radio: Mustang Press

Home internet starting at $14.95/mo for qualifying customers.

Call 855-846-8376 for assistance.

Get news, updates, announcements, school resources, and more! Download the new GCPS App today!

GCPS Tech Tips is a place where GCPS educators offer quick tips and tricks for technology integration in the classroom. These videos focus on how to effectively use your Chromebook and other tips/tricks. Check out the entire playlist here.