THE MIGHTY OAK
Weekly Calendar
Sept 15- Oct 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month
October is National Principal's Month
Next Week
October 5.........................KidzLife
October 6.........................Boosterthon Fun Run!
October 7.........................Art Club, Robotics Club
October 8.........................Robotics Club
October 12-16.................Fall Break
Specials Rotation
October 5.............................Day 5
October 6.............................Day 5
October 7.............................Day 6
October 8.............................Day 6
October 9.............................Day 6
Don't forget Picture retake day is on Wednesday October 7th
Back to School Forms
Boosterthon!
Help us reach our $50,000 goal! Get a NEW $70 donation this weekend for a BONUS prize! Sign up at MyBooster.com!
Also, the top donating class this weekend gets to go on a secret mission with the booster team!
If we can reach our $50,000 goal on Mybooster.com, Mrs. Mcdonald will be getting Duct Taped to a wall!
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
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.
Clinic Needs
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!
Science Fair
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.
Gwin Oaks PTA
Gwin Oaks PTA presents…
Popsicles on the Playground!
When? Has been postponed due to weather!
Where? Gwin Oaks Playground (behind the school)
Meet new friends and enjoy a free treat!
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.
Save the Date! BINGO Night is coming!
Friday, October 23, 2026
6pm - 8pm
Brookwood High School cafeteria
Tickets are $15 and include 10 rounds of bingo!
Ticket sales will open for PTA Members on October 1.
General ticket sales will begin on October 9!
Don't wait! Prices will go up the day of the event.
Come join us for some spooktacular fun!
Staff Shoutouts!
Help us celebrate the amazing people who make our school shine.
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:
Thank you for being such an active and supportive part of our school family!
Media Matters
TUTORING HELP WITH GWINNETT COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Brainfuse from the Gwinnett County Public Library. Brainfuse offers live tutoring and study tools for K-12.
BEANSTACK READING CHALLENGE
The first Beanstack Reading Challenge will start on Sept. 8 and end on Oct. 2. Students will set a goal to read for at least 10 days or 10 consectative days and answer a couple of questions related to each book.
How to log in on Beanstack
On the Browser
Go to Launchpad
Click on Library Resources
Click on Beanstack
On the App
Download the Beanstack app
Search for your school
Type in your child's credentials:
Username = student number
Password = Four digit birthdate, i.e. mmdd
For example, if their birthday is February 4, my 4 digit birthdate would be 0204
There will be 5 reading challenges. Students who complete 4 out of the 5 reading challenges will attend a Glow in the Dark Reading Celebration in May. If you have any questions, please contact Sharon Amolo through Parent Square.
Play2Learn
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.
Car Rider
Morning Car Rider Reminder
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.
Gwin Oaks Counselors
October is Bullying Prevention Month
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.
Gwin Oaks Celebrates RED Ribbon Week - Really Excellent Decisions
Gwin Oaks Celebrates RED Ribbon Week - Really Excellent Decisions
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.
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.
Raising Resilient Kids Workshop
Checking out Students
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!
Community
ONE-DAY STUDENT VACCINATION OPPORTUNITY
FREE REQUIRED SCHOOL VACCINES
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Details: Parents of students who need required school vaccinations are invited to take advantage of this special one-time opportunity.
Locations by Grade Level
Elementary School Students
Location: Department of Health
Address: 455 Grayson Hwy, Lawrenceville, GA 30046
Middle and High School Students
Location: Mobile Vaccine Clinic — Discovery High School
Address: 1335 Old Norcross Road, Lawrenceville, GA 30046
Benefits
Meet school immunization requirements
Protect your child and others from preventable diseases
Convenient one-day opportunity
Registration / Sign-Up Information
REGISTER TODAY!
Elementary Sign Up: [Scan Elementary QR Code]
Middle and High School Sign Up: [Scan Middle & High School QR Code]
Presented in Partnership with GNR Public Health
Book it for the Bus
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!
ABOUT US
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.