Radloff Newsletter
Back to School Year Edition--SY 2026-27
Principal Updates
Greetings, Radloff Families,
We look forward to starting the 2026–27 school year! Our team has been busy preparing for the return of our Radloff scholars, and we are excited to continue this learning journey with both new and returning students.
Our theme for this year is “Ignite, Capture, & Share the Light.” This theme encourages our scholars to ignite their inner light, capture the moments when they shine, and share that light with others. By intentionally sharing our positive stories and celebrating our successes, we expand the light and help reshape the narrative of the Radloff community as a whole.
Open House – Friday, July 31, 2026
We look forward to seeing you at Open House on Friday, July 31, 2026.
To support our classrooms, we ask that families purchase supplies that can be shared within their child's homeroom community.
Homeroom Shared School Supplies
- 2 reams of copy paper
- 3 boxes of facial tissue
- 1 bottle of hand sanitizer
- 2 packs of lined loose-leaf paper
- 1 pack of 3" x 3" Post-it Notes
- 2 packs of pencils
Please note:
- Bring these supplies to Open House and give them to your child's homeroom teacher.
- Supplies will be collected and shared among students throughout the year.
- Please do not send permanent markers or Sharpies.
- Teacher teams will provide individualized supply lists for specific content areas during Open House.
Open House Preparation & Back-to-School Information
To help make your Open House experience run smoothly, please review the information below and complete any forms linked through the QR codes provided.
Back-to-School Guide
Student schedules will be available in the ParentVUE/StudentVUE portal on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
Away for the Day & Board Policy JCDAF
To ensure that scholars can fully engage in learning with minimal distractions, Radloff Middle School will continue implementing our Away for the Day procedure, which aligns with Georgia law and Gwinnett County Board Policy JCDAF.
This means that student cell phones must be:
- Turned off during the instructional day.
- Stored in students' bookbags.
- Kept in designated classroom storage areas throughout the day.
Please reinforce these expectations with your scholar before the first day of school. Cell phones may not be carried on a student's person during the school day. They must remain off and away in bookbags at all times.
Gwinnett County Public Schools has established an eight-step progressive discipline process to address noncompliance with this policy and state law. Scholars will learn more about these expectations and consequences during the first 20 days of school.
We encourage families to explore the resources below to learn more about the rationale behind these procedures and the impact of reducing cell phone distractions during the school day.
Additional Resources
- Academic Research: https://www.awayfortheday.org/studies-academics
- Georgia Law: https://www.awayfortheday.org/latest-news/georgia-school-districts-must-have-cell-phone-ban-policies-in-place-by-july-1
Student Accident Insurance Options
Gwinnett county provide parents an opportunity to purchase this accidental insurance policy through K&K. This is optional. If you choose to explore this insurance, check out the following website.
Thank you for your partnership and support as we begin another exciting school year. Together, we will Ignite, Capture, & Share the Light and ensure every Radloff scholar is prepared to learn, lead, and succeed.
We look forward to a fabulous year!
Sincerely,
Dr. Jennifer Callahan
Dear Families,
As we begin a new school year, we're excited to welcome your scholar back and look forward to a successful year of learning and growth. One of the most important ways you can support your scholars success is by making sure they come to school every day, on time.
When students miss too many days - whether it's a few here or there or several in a row - they can quickly fall behind in their learning. Even just two days a month adds up and can make it harder for your child to keep up with classmates, stay confident, and feel connect at school.
Good attendance helps your child do well in school now and builds strong habits for the future. If you're facing challenges that make it hard for your child to get to school, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to help.
If your scholar needs to miss school for any reason, please contact their homeroom teacher as soon as possible. When students are out, they do miss valuable instruction and classroom activities. Notifying the teacher allows us to prepare and support your scholar in catching up when they return.
Thank you for partnering with us to make this a great year!
Common Teen Excuses are Not Reasons to Skip School
Some teens are full of excuses about why they should be allowed to miss school. Many excuses are indications that your teen needs to make some changes. If your teen claims to need more sleep or more time to work on a project, suggest going to bed earlier or getting more organized. Constantly trying to stay home, however, may be a sign of a larger issue you might want to discuss with your teen's counselor.
Las Excusas de los Jóvenes No Son Motivos Válidos para Faltar a la Escuela
Algunos estudiantes tienen miles de excusas para faltar a la escuela. Muchas de estas excusas son señales de que se necesitan algunos cambios. Si su joven dice que necesita más horas de sueño o más tiempo para trabajar en un proyecto, sugiérale que se acueste más temprano o se organice mejor. Sin embargo, si trata de faltar a clase sistemáticamente, podría tratarse de un asunto más importante que debería hablar con el consejero escolar de su joven.
Click on the words "We Need Parent Volunteers" in the title, the link below, or scan the QR code to sign up.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1nx6HnTQJd23kT-rZl22bMIO-8eHZMzEv3jwiueHtU78/edit
What is Parent Square?
Here are some helpful links that explain about Gwinnett County's new Parent Square message application and how to navigate it.
Parent Portal
It is very important for you to have as a parent. You will be able to keep track of your student's grades, schedule, attendance, behavior, and email your student's teachers at the click of a finger. Furthermore, the 2nd semester schooling option survey is only present inside the Parent Portal.
To explore information about ways to sign up for the Parent Portal, click below.
Step 1: Complete application. (English)
Application (Spanish)
Other applications are available in other language through this link: https://publish.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/gcps/myhome/public/parents/content/parent-info-resources/parent-portal
Step 2: Once the application is completed. To protect your students' records, you will have to verify your identity by showing a valid ID. Your options for are as follows: 1) Come up to the school. 2) After your have scanned and sent in completed and signed application to 637.radloffeoc@gcpsk12.org . Set up virtual appointment for school to verify your identification alongside the application.
Step 3: Wait to receive email from go2gwinnett.k12.ga.us (Please check spam or junk email as the email path may take it there first.)
In order to increase the convenience for you to complete this process, we are offering the fol extended office times.
Frequently Asked Questions: https://publish.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/gcps/wcm/myconnect/f0552031-cfcc-4755-a223-066c9cca70e3/2020-21-Parent-Portal-Signup-Flyer_FINAL.eq.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CVID=nkDFt-Z
Come to the front of the school, ring the bell, and ask for a Parent Portal application.
Louise Radloff Middle School
"We are respectful."
"We are responsible."
"We don't have to get ready, because we stay ready."
Email: Jennifer.Callahan@gcpsk12.org
Website: https://www.gcpsk12.org/RadloffMS
Location: 3939 Shackleford Road Duluth, Georgia 30096
Phone: (678) 245-3400
Facebook: facebook.com/Radloff Middle
Twitter: @RadloffMiddle