A Letter from Dr. Polly Tennies, Our Principal
Greetings from the T!
March was a busy month. Thank you for your continued support of so many initiatives. We have had visitors for STEAM Night, the chorus concert, and Internet Safety at East. In addition, we had our book fair, art show, teacher appreciation week, Hugger campaign and Duck Dive. Through your support we are able to do so much more for our school. Thank you for partnering with us as a school in all that we do.
How exciting it is to be ready for Spring Break. I am so proud of all that our students, staff and families have accomplished so far this school year.
Forsyth County Schools will be closed next week: April 1-5. Some of you may be traveling, while others will have the luxury of a “staycation” (my favorite!). Many parents will continue a work schedule. In the words of Dr. Bearden, our school superintendent, I encourage everyone to “find your beach” next week. Take the week to rest, recover, and relax. It’s important as a parent/ guardian to take care of yourself. It’s also important to model this for our kids.
Together, We are Chestatee!
Kindly,
Dr. Polly Tennies
Principal
Feeling under the weather? Here’s what you need to know:
Students MUST stay home or will be sent home if they have:
- A temperature that is 100.4 or higher
- had vomiting in the last 24 hours
- had diarrhea in the last 24 hours
- a rash with itching or fever
- pink eye (if drops are prescribed, child may return after 24 hours of treatment).
- strep throat
- ring worm (may return after 24 hours of treatment and area musted be covered with a bandage while in school until area is resolved).
- A frequent/persistent, or disruptive cough
- Frequent/persistent complaints of pain/discomfort
- been on antibiotics for contagious symptoms less than 24 hours
- the need to see a physician
Your child may return to school when:
- no fever of 100 degrees of greater for 24 hours without fever reducing medicine.
- Diarrhea and /or vomiting must have stopped for a full 24 hours with the aid of medication before returning to school.
If your child has seen a physician and has been ordered antibiotics, please keep your child home for 24 hours after you have started the antibiotic.
These protocols are in place to protect the wellbeing of our student body.
Kristen Knottek, BSN, RN
School Nurse
Chestatee Elementary
770-887-2341 ext. 722151
f41520@forsyth.k12.ga.us
School Pay
School Pay is a new program we will use for all payments EXCEPT meals. My Payments Plus will still be used for cafeteria accounts. Click here.
Our PTO is a Great Way to Get Involved!
Our PTO board members raise money to help teachers and our school.
You can support our PTO through our fundraisers, Spirit Nights, events, and spirit wear.
There are no membership dues this year.
Contact our PTO at chestateeelementarypto@gmail.com any time!
Dear Families,
The main reasons for keeping your child at home are as follows:
- If he/she is too sick to be comfortable at school
- If he/she will spread a contagious illness/disease to another child
Remember: Students must be fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications before returning to school. Students must also be vomiting and diarrhea free for 24 hours before returning to school.
Kristen Knottek, BSN, RN
School Nurse
Chestatee Elementary
770-887-2341 ext. 722151
f41520@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Happy April! It’s hard to believe that it is already Spring Break. Before we know it, school will be getting out for the summer. I hope next week is good for you- whether you go on vacation, stick around town, or continue to work. Slowing down and having a little less to do is always nice.
During the last two months, we’ve had several groups reading Stolen Focus by Johann Hari. One group met weekly while another met monthly. We even had a One East group. It was great to connect with other adults to read, learn and discuss together.
As we head into Spring Break, I wanted to share some of the key lessons we have learned through our book club.
Technology is designed to be addictive.
Our brains were not designed to handle the level of input that comes with technology today.
Our brains were designed to monotask- not multitask.
Reading is a great way to build focus because you cannot multitask while reading.
Jumping from a task to check our phones is called switching. Every time we switch, we lose productivity and efficiency with the task at hand.
Mind-wandering is actually good for our brains and helps build focus.
Getting outside, exercising, and enough sleep also help us build our focus.
“Unplugging” will not only help relationships, but it will also help one to be present.
These are just a few of the lessons that I’ve learned from the book, Stolen Focus.
But the main lesson that I’ve learned from reading this book is that by unplugging and spending less time on my phone and technology, I am becoming a better parent, wife, and friend. By giving my full attention to a task at work, I’m becoming a better worker. More importantly, by being more present, I’m becoming a better person. If you are interested in borrowing one of Chestatee’s books, please let me know. This book is worth reading!
Together WE are Chestatee!
See you soon,
Meg
Meg Killingsworth
770-887-2341 ext. 723002
Kroger and Publix will donate money too...
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!
Chestatee Elementary School
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