Lesley Grimes
6th Grade and Connections Assistant Principal
Greetings Parents,
​
Thank you to all the parents/guardians that were able to make our student-led conferences. The students did an excellent job sharing their successes, areas of growth, and goals for the remainder of the year. The students truly benefit from this opportunity.
​
Next week we will start taking interim assessments. Please encourage your student to review as this assessment covers material from the beginning of the semester. The teachers use this assessment to determine areas each student needs to work on in addition to providing students feedback on their current progress. We will be taking the Milestone State Assessments after spring break, and this interim will help everyone understand what our students need to reach mastery. It is important that all of us work together for our students’ achievement, and you are a vital part of the team.
Please don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
​
Lesley Acree Grimes
6th Grade and Connections Assistant Principal
770-736-4465
Lesley Grimes
6th Grade and Connections Assistant Principal
Greetings Parents,
​
Thank you to all the parents/guardians that were able to make our student-led conferences. The students did an excellent job sharing their successes, areas of growth, and goals for the remainder of the year. The students truly benefit from this opportunity.
​
Next week we will start taking interim assessments. Please encourage your student to review as this assessment covers material from the beginning of the semester. The teachers use this assessment to determine areas each student needs to work on in addition to providing students feedback on their current progress. We will be taking the Milestone State Assessments after spring break, and this interim will help everyone understand what our students need to reach mastery. It is important that all of us work together for our students’ achievement, and you are a vital part of the team.
Please don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
​
Lesley Acree Grimes
6th Grade and Connections Assistant Principal
770-736-4465
Lesley Grimes
6th Grade and Connections Assistant Principal
Greetings Parents,
​
Thank you to all the parents/guardians that were able to make our student-led conferences. The students did an excellent job sharing their successes, areas of growth, and goals for the remainder of the year. The students truly benefit from this opportunity.
​
Next week we will start taking interim assessments. Please encourage your student to review as this assessment covers material from the beginning of the semester. The teachers use this assessment to determine areas each student needs to work on in addition to providing students feedback on their current progress. We will be taking the Milestone State Assessments after spring break, and this interim will help everyone understand what our students need to reach mastery. It is important that all of us work together for our students’ achievement, and you are a vital part of the team.
Please don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
​
Lesley Acree Grimes
6th Grade and Connections Assistant Principal
770-736-4465
Lesley Grimes
6th Grade and Connections Assistant Principal
Greetings Parents,
​
Thank you to all the parents/guardians that were able to make our student-led conferences. The students did an excellent job sharing their successes, areas of growth, and goals for the remainder of the year. The students truly benefit from this opportunity.
​
Next week we will start taking interim assessments. Please encourage your student to review as this assessment covers material from the beginning of the semester. The teachers use this assessment to determine areas each student needs to work on in addition to providing students feedback on their current progress. We will be taking the Milestone State Assessments after spring break, and this interim will help everyone understand what our students need to reach mastery. It is important that all of us work together for our students’ achievement, and you are a vital part of the team.
Please don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
​
Lesley Acree Grimes
6th Grade and Connections Assistant Principal
770-736-4465
Lesley Grimes
6th Grade and Connections Assistant Principal
Greetings Parents,
​
Thank you to all the parents/guardians that were able to make our student-led conferences. The students did an excellent job sharing their successes, areas of growth, and goals for the remainder of the year. The students truly benefit from this opportunity.
​
Next week we will start taking interim assessments. Please encourage your student to review as this assessment covers material from the beginning of the semester. The teachers use this assessment to determine areas each student needs to work on in addition to providing students feedback on their current progress. We will be taking the Milestone State Assessments after spring break, and this interim will help everyone understand what our students need to reach mastery. It is important that all of us work together for our students’ achievement, and you are a vital part of the team.
Please don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
​
Lesley Acree Grimes
6th Grade and Connections Assistant Principal
770-736-4465
Jennifer Vaughn
7th Grade Assistant Principal
The month of March is packed with exciting events for students!
​
-
Thursday, March 12th is our PBIS celebration. Students will be able to redeem their Star Bucks to participate in a social event and enjoy a 'walking taco'!
-
Thursday, March 12 - Thursday, March 19th is interim testing. Interim assessments mark the halfway point in the semester. Students will be able to show what they've learned since returning from winter break and teachers will use that data to make adjustments to instruction, as needed.
-
Friday, March 20th is Career Day. Students will participate in a career fair to learn more about exciting new careers.
-
Friday, March 27th is SMS Fun Day! For $10 students can participate in carnival-style games, prizes, and concessions. Proceeds will benefit both Relay for Life and the Aimee Copeland Foundation. All payments must be made on MyPaymentsPlus.
-
Monday, March 30th - Friday, April 3rd is SPRING BREAK!
​
Ms. Jennifer Vaughn
7th Grade Assistant Principal
770-344-3879
Testing Corner
​
Standardized Testing Information
Students will have opportunities to practice for the GMAS- Georgia Milestones Assessment System in class and at home.
Here are some parent resources from the GaDoE –Georgia Department of Education website:
​
Georgia Milestones EOG & EOC
Middle School Schedule Spring 2020
All grades will take ELA and Math
8th grade will take ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies
April 9 - 14, 2020 6th grade Math & ELA
April 15 - 21, 2020 7th grade Math & ELA
April 22 - 28, 2020 8th grade ELA, SS, & 8th grade Algebra
GMAS EOC - Online
April 29 - 30, 202 - Algebra I
May 4 - 5, 2020 - HS Physical Science
Dr. Twanitta L. Martin
8th Grade Administrator
Standardized Testing Coordinator- CogAT, PSAT, Milestones
Title IX Coordinator
Snellville Middle School
3155 Pate Road Snellville, GA 30078
​
770-972-1530
​
Lesley Grimes
6th Grade Assistant Principal
Greetings Parents,
​
Our students have done an excellent job taking the Math portion of the Milestone End of Grade Assessment. Next Wednesday through Friday will be the Language Arts portion of the assessment. It is important that the students get plenty of rest each night. This is a great time for students to demonstrate academic mastery at Snellville Middle School.
During the last weeks of school, the students will take district post-tests in each of their content areas. This will be over the whole semester and will count for a grade. The students will continue to review in class as well as finishing culminating projects to tie up their learning from this semester. As many learned from last semester, it is often difficult for students to stay focused at the end of the year.
You can help by encouraging your student to review his/her notes for 10-15 minutes per subject each night. Many families have a set time and place that students must do this review. Consistency helps ensure that the practice will continue despite the weather getting warmer. Extra time now will benefit the students in the future.
I look forward to seeing the progress and growth of each student this year. Please do not hesitate to call if you have any questions or concerns. The parent, student, school partnership is vital to student success.
​
Lesley Grimes
6th Grade Assistant Principal
Lesley_Grimes@gwinnett.k12.ga.us
770-736-4465
Luevenia Holloway
7th Grade and Connections Assistant Principal
Greetings Parents,
Spring is a glorious time of year. Students return from spring break renewed and focused on continuing the academic requirements as a 7th grade student. Eighth grade is just a few months away! With less than 60 days remaining students still have an opportunity to reach higher levels of academic excellence. In order to be eligible to participate in the end of the year awards ceremony all NTI assignments must be completed and turned in to the appropriate content teacher by April 19, 2019. Snellville Middle School will begin Milestone testing on April 9, 2019. Students are encouraged to review practice assignments provided by their teachers. Students should get at least 8 hours of sleep and eat breakfast each day. It is important that our students arrive daily Respectful, Responsible and Ready to excel on the required assessments that will be administrated over the next three weeks.
7th Grade Content
​
Math students are receiving a study guide full of examples, vocabulary terms and "how to's" to help them prepare for Milestone's. Students will be given daily practice problems similar to the ones they may see on the GMAS to expose them to the types of questions they may see. Students should be studying using their study guides nightly.
Connections:
​
Art
7th and 8th grade art students have been working on creating paper mache masks during the month of March. Students began by constructing their three dimensional designs using poster board and hot glue. They then covered over their armatures (a framework for a sculpture) with newspaper and adhesive. The final stage is to paint their paper mache masks and add final touches like hair, feathers, and other accents. You can find some of the completed works hanging in the 7th and 8th grade halls.
Spanish
​
The Spanish classes at Snellville Middle School are filled with cultural activities, hands-on learning, and lots of verbal activities in a second language! Our lab activities and group work accelerate the process of comprehending and speaking in a foreign language. Students enjoy making pinatas, learning how to have many conversations in Spanish and what kinds of holidays are celebrated around the world in Spanish-speaking countries. It is an exciting journey filled with surprises and loads of fun!
Comet Buddies/Peer Leaders
​
Ms. Christie is supporting Milestone Test prep by conducting follow the directions activities with my leaders, so they can become accustomed to reading the instructions before just going into auto-pilot and answering questions.
​
Regards,
Ms. Luevenia Holloway
7th Grade and Connections Assistant Principal
Luevenia_Holloway@gwinnett.k12.ga.us
770-344-3879
April 22 - 28, 2019
Weekly Calendar
Comet Academy for Rising 6th Graders
​
Snellville Middle School is providing a four day academy for our rising 6th graders this summer. The dates are June 10-13, 2019, Monday-Thursday, from 8:30 am-12:30 pm.
​
Students will also have an opportunity to get to know their new school while having an opportunity to preview the upcoming academic, knowledge and skills that they will be mastering during the upcoming school year.
​
All students who attend Snellville Middle’s Comet Academy must register in advance in order to accommodate everyone. Click here to open the registration form. Registration should be completed by Friday, May 17, 2019.
Caleb’s Cause Fun Run and 5K
The Caleb’s Cause Fun Run and 5K Road Race helps bring support, assistance, and encouragement to local amputees and wounded veterans. The race is Saturday, May 12th starting at Snellville Church of Christ. Go to www.calebscause.org for more information.
Snellville Middle School Council Nominations
The purpose of the Snellville Middle School Council is to encourage the participation of parents and others within the school community to improve student achievement and performance. In addition, the School Council maintains a school wide perspective and serves as a link between the Snellville School Council and the community. If you would like to learn more about how you can participate in the School Council click the links below.
​
Snellville Middle School Council PDF Nomination Form
​
Damian Powell
Assistant Principal
and Athletics Administrator
Title I Planning Meeting,
Dear Parents,
Snellville Middle School will host our Title I Planning Meeting on Thursday, April 25th at 5:30 pm. The event will be held in the Parent Instructional Classroom. We are hopeful that you are planning to attend this is a very important meeting because it sets the plan for our school for the upcoming year. We value your input as parents to this is a great opportunity for you to help us make decisions that impact your child's success. At this meeting, we will review Snellville Middle School data and district as a whole. We will talk about our needs as a school and establish our goals for the next school year. We really need your input when it comes to our Title I budget. How do we spend our money? What should we put on our wish list? Additionally, we have an opportunity to review the Title I budget for the whole district and discuss the best way to utilize the money that is set aside for family engagement activities. We will also work together to write our school’s family engagement documents which include the Family and Community Engagement Plan and the School Family Compact. Finally, we need your input to help us plan training for our teachers and school leaders to better assist you in supporting your Comets learning at home. The Title I Planning Meeting is one of the most important meetings of the year. It sets the tone for what the year ahead will look like. You have a unique opportunity to be a part of a meeting which will shape Snellville’s plan for the future. Signs will be posted that will direct you to the meeting location. We hope to see you there!
​
Damian Powell, Assistant Principal
Damian_Powell@gwinnett.k12.ga.us
Title I Administrator
Athletic Director
ESOL Administrator
Testing Coordinator
770-736-4469
Dr. Twanitta L. Martin
8th Grade Assistant Principal,
Testing, Special Education
Greetings,
​
Parents, we are in the middle of testing season. We have completed 8th grade social studies, 8th grade ELA, 6th grade mathematics, and 7th grade ELA. We will not finish testing until May 6 for EOGs and May 9 for EOCs. Make ups are held in the am and pm for those students who were tardy or absent.
Please communicate with your child’s teachers in regards to grades. We have 23 days before the end of this school year. I am currently getting names of possible retention and summer school candidates. Your child is getting opportunities to bring up low grades, complete assignments and yes, we still have help day on days when your child is not testing.
Attendance is very important and key to your child’s success. Students are more likely to succeed in academics when they attend school consistently. It’s difficult for the teacher to build your child’s skills and progress if your child is frequently absent.
Make sure your child comes to school Ready- to learn; Responsible: accountable for his/her academic and behavioral actions; Respectful- showing politeness to others- (Teachers, Staff, peers,)
April/May, 2019 Events to put on your calendar:
EOG/EOC GMAS Milestones- April 9-May 9*
EOG Grade 8- Mathematics- April 29-30, Science May 6
EOG Grade 7-, Mathematics –April 22-23
EOG Grade 6-, ELA- April 24-26
EOC- GMAS- 8th Algebra I- May 1-2; Biology- May 7, HS Physical Science May 8-9
-
8th grade Formal- May 4- 5:00- 8:00 pm SMS- Early Bird Tickets- $25; $30 after 4/23/2019
-
8th grade Awards Night- May 16- Invitation only
-
8th grade Fun Day May 17- $10.00- students must practice the 3 R’s to be eligible to participate
To earn promotion to the 9th grade,
-
students are required to pass five out of six subjects each semester. Language Arts and Mathematics must be two of the five subjects passed.
-
Should a student not earn promotion to 9th grade, he or she may have the opportunity to attend summer school to learn the AKS curriculum not mastered during the school year. Students may attend summer school for no more than two semester-long classes.
-
In Georgia, 8th grade students also are required to achieve Grade Level or Above on the Reading and Vocabulary domain of the Language Arts Georgia Milestones End of Grade (EOG) Assessment and achieve the performance level of Developing or higher on the Mathematics Georgia Milestones EOG Assessment. Students who do not meet either of these state promotion requirements may be required to retest after summer school.
-
A Special Education student’s promotion is determined by his or her Individualized Education Program (IEP).
-
Promotion for an English Learner (EL) or a student with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) is guided by his or her English Learner Proficiency Plan
Summer School Dates: June 10- 28, 2019.
​
Please don’t hesitate to call me at 770-736 -4471, or email me at Twanitta_pouncey@gwinnett.k12.ga.us
http://gcps-twanittapouncey.onmycalendar.com
​
Dr. Twanitta L. Martin
8th Grade Administrator
Special Education Administrator/504 Coordinator/SST Coordinator
Testing Coordinator- CogAT, PSAT, Milestones
Title IX Coordinator
Band, Orchestra, and Chorus
for Rising 6th Grade Students
​
Rising 6th grade students interested in any of our year-long music programs can get more information by clicking on this link. Band, Chorus, and Orchestra are open to any 6th grade students, no musical experience is necessary.
Stay Informed with the Parent Portal
If you are not already on the Parent Portal please stop by the office and sign up. This awesome resource allows you to track your child's grades and attendance in real time from any computer.