Dear Chestatee Families,

The end of the school year is quickly approaching. Before May 23rd, we have a lot of celebrations planned on our campus. We look forward to seeing families for these exciting events.

May 8th- Field Day for K, 2, and 4

May 9th- Field Day for 1, 5, and 3

May 15th- The Fifth Grade History Museum

May 15-20th- End of Year Celebrations by grade level for Pre-K- 4th grade

May 21st- Fifth Grade Celebration

May 22nd- Fifth Grade and Senior Walk

Safety is always our number one priority. We will continue to use our Raptor system to check in all guests. Please remember these tips when visiting:

• All visitors need to come through our front office, sign in and wear a badge while on campus.

• Pre-register all your guests if you can. This will help speed up your check-in process.

• Bring your photo ID, so we can verify your badge or print you one.

• Come early and be patient.

• If you plan to check your child out after a party, you will checkout in the main office as usual. Our office staff will move quickly. This process takes time. Again, thank you for your patience.

We are excited to make great memories this month. Together, We are Chestatee!

Sincerely,

Jennifer Williams

Principal

We are excited to announce that Mrs. Sara Thompson will be joining the Chestatee team next school year as our new Assistant Administrator!

Mrs. Thompson began her journey with Forsyth County Schools in 2012 and brings a wealth of experience and heart to our community. She spent six years at Whitlow Elementary and four years at Silver City Elementary, serving as a teacher and Department Chair. For the past three years, she’s been the Assistant Administrator at Whitlow, where she has supported multiple grade levels as well as the IRR and ESOL teams.

Mrs. Thompson has great experience with PBIS and MTSS which will be very beneficial to Chestatee. She is also known for her strong communication skills and her commitment to building positive, supportive relationships with students, staff, and families. Her passion for collaboration and student success aligns perfectly with our mission at Chestatee.

We are thrilled to welcome Mrs. Thompson to our admin team and look forward to the energy and experience she brings. Please help us to give her a warm Chestatee welcome to the T!

Thursday, May 8th (K, 2, 4)

8:15-10:30 – Kindergarten

8:15-10:30 – 2nd Grade

10:45-11:45 – Lunch/Volunteer Rest Break/Event Set-Up

12:00-2:00- 4th Grade

Friday, May 9th (1, 5, 3)

8:15-10:30 – 1st Grade

8:15-10:30 – 5th Grade

10:45-11:45 – Lunch/Volunteer Rest Break/Event Set-Up

12:00-2:00- 3rd Grade

We have a plan if it rains.

We will preprint volunteer badges. All other guests need to sign in at the front office before heading outside.

Little Mill Middle School had their parent night on April 17th. Look for more opportunities to visit this summer. They will have Mustang Camp! North Forsyth Middle School has a special event on May 8th! See the details below.

• Please remember to send in your child’s excuse within 5 days.
• Families can send up to 10 notes from home for absences before doctor notes are required.
• On email excuses to the teacher, it’s easy to add Ms. Stacey (Sholbrook@forsyth.k12.ga.us) to make sure she gets the excuse.
• Any time you go to see the doctor, please ask for a school excuse. If you forget, contact the doctor and ask them to email or fax the excuse. Fax: 770-781-2281.
• Georgia law requires the school to send attendance letters after 5 or more unexcused absences.
• If your child is checking out from the clinic, the absence is excused.
• When you check your child in/ out on Checkmate, the absence will be unexcused. Please provide a medical excuse if you'd like the absence excused.

Thanks to Aubrey, Elsa, and Skylar for representing our school at the Science Fair!

Students can be "written up" for showing the Chestatee Way! Ms. Williams calls each student to the office to get a prize and picture. She loves seeing these role models in her office.

Each month, we have a ceremony to recognize students in each classroom for showing the Chestatee Way. Families are invited for these special events. We love when students are responsible, respectful, problem solvers.

We need your input! Please let us know if there is a staff member who is making a difference for your child!

Important Dates

May 5: Live to Give Club- dismissal at 3:15

May 6: Input Form Due for Class Placement (optional) Link

May 7: Enrichment/ Please send a snack/ dismissal will be at 4:00

May 8 and May 9: Field Days

May 9: LSC Nominations due: LSC Nomination Form

May 12: PTO General Meeting- 8:00-8:30/ Cafeteria

May 14: Enrichment

May 17: Community Resource Day 10-11 at Chestatee

May 22: 5th Grade and Senior Walk- 10:30 AM

May 22: Early Release and Last Day of School

May 23: Summer!

President- Kandi Wetzel

Co-Vice Presidents- Jennifer Grindle, Liana Hall, and Nicole Tierney

Secretaries- Meg Killingsworth and Christy Pittman

Treasurer- Emily Morgan

Parliamentarian- Julia Weart

Contact our PTO here!

Boosterthon Fundraiser- over $30,000

Successful School Events, Biscuit Tuesdays, Spirit Nights

Well Established Board

Volunteer and Family Involvement

Items Purchased with PTO Funds 2023-24

2 Water Bottle Fillers

New Stage Curtains

Decorated and Designed Staff “Haven”

Decorated and Designed Professional Learning Room

$4000 in Teacher Grants

Refreshed Reading Garden and Kindergarten Garden

Carline Upgrades/ Pavilion

Clinic Supplies

Supported Vertical Alignment and Family Events

Indoor Recess Games for ALL Homerooms

Staff Morale/ Teacher Appreciation

Items Purchased So Far with PTO Funds 2024-25

4th grade STEM bins for entire grade level

Over $3000 in teacher grants so far (11/24)

Bus driver appreciation

New Camera in newsroom

Refreshed Outdoor Gardens

Staff Morale

Teacher Appreciation Items

It's been a great year of Watchdog Dads! Thanks to all the guys who took a day to come and join us. Look for another sign up in August. We usually start up the program in September and will welcome WDs back.

The Anxious Generation isn't an easy read. When it comes to technology, the internet, and smart phones, I have done some things wrong with my kids. In saying that, I can also say this is an important book. We had a great book club this year and will be reading and discussing this book again. Look for information in August and mark your calendars to attend! We'll meet the first Wednesday of the month. If you are interested in reading and discussing this book, let me know. Here is more information about the book.

Meeting Dates

August 6- intro and chapter

Sept. 3- chapter 2 and 3

October 1- chapter 4

November 5- chapter 5

December 3- chapter 6

January 7- chapter 7

February 4- chapter 8 and 9

March 4- chapter 10

April 8- chapter 11

May 6- chapter 12

Sincerely,

Meg Killingsworth

Family Engagement Coordinator

mkillingsworth@forsyth.k12.ga.us

If you ask to connect your Kroger Plus card to Chestatee Elementary, they will donate a certain percentage of the profits to our school. You can find out more about how to do this if you CLICK HERE.

Publix Partners with Chestatee also. You only need to put your phone number in as you checkout. Publix will donate a certain percentage of their profits to Chestatee from your purchase!

We love our Partners in Education!

Email: chestateees@gmail.com
Website: http://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/site/default.aspx?domainid=260
Location: 6945 Keith Bridge Road, Gainesville, GA, United States
Phone: 770-887-2341
Facebook: facebook.com/ChestateeES
Twitter: @chestateees