I hope that each one of you had a great Winter Break and Holiday Season. It is hard to believe that the first semester and 2023 has come and gone. It seems like only yesterday we were greeting students and parents as they entered the doors to begin the 2023 – 2024 school year. The first semester was definitely fast paced and I don’t see the second semester slowing down. I am very proud of our students and staff for their hard work and all they accomplished during the first 18 weeks of school.

Throughout the course of the school year, we are fortunate to be able to host several different events so that our students, parents and community can be involved in a variety of activities that enhance the overall educational experience. One of our most exciting, and well-attended events, is our annual STEM night. Please make sure you have Thursday, January 18, 2024 marked on your calendar. The time of this event is from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm and a lot of work is going into this to make it our best STEM night ever. I look forward to seeing you there.

I am very excited about 2024 and what it has to hold for Walnut Grove Elementary. I am both proud and blessed to serve as the principal of such a great school that is part of such a great community. I thank you for your continued encouragement and support as we work together in “Achieving Excellence and Developing Leaders.”

Sincerely,

Dr. Dale Pugh

Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) will mail report cards the week of January 15th. Be on the lookout for your child's report card in the mail. If you want to view your child's grades before then, grades are visible in the GCPS Parent Portal.

Registration is open for our Walnut Grove Eagles Glow Run fundraiser kicking off on 01/16/2024.

Once you’re registered, you have access to all of the fun sharing & donation features to help us raise funds. Features like:

⭐️ The Student Star Video featuring YouTube Trickshot Stars, Dude Perfect!

💬 Easy Email and Texting

🍏 Automatic payment features, like Apple Pay

Don’t wait! Head to mybooster.com today. Thanks for your support!

We will begin welcoming lunch visitors again on Monday, January 8th, 2024. Thank you for understanding as we start the last half of the school year.

Reminders:

• When visiting for lunch outside food and packages are not permitted.
• Visitors are only permitted to eat with their child at the visitor's table.

International Night will be Thursday, March 21, 2024, from 5:30 - 7:30 PM at Walnut Grove.

We would love for you to share your cultural heritage at our 2nd Annual International Night by hosting a booth or workshop, spotlighting a business, preparing a student performance, or by giving a student interview prior to the event for the morning news. If you are interested in participating, please complete the form below.

If you have any questions, please email Christy.tate@gcpsk12.org

The Office of Early Learning and School Readiness is excited to support a new initiative - Bedtime with Brainy. Bedtime with Brainy is a special, monthly edition of the Gwinnett County Public Library's Goodnight Gwinnett series. Families can enjoy a virtual bedtime story before going to sleep every Thursday evening at 7:00 pm on GCPL's Facebook page and YouTube.

The Walnut Grove Elementary School yearbook order is open. There is no guarantee that there will be extra yearbooks to purchase later. Secure your yearbook by ordering one today!

Want to help keep our vending machine stocked with books for the students? You can make on donation on Mypaymentsplus ---look under Activities---WGES Books for Book Vending Machine

Treats of any kind (cupcakes, cakes, cookies, etc.) may NOT be provided for birthday celebrations. This also includes:

• balloons, candles, flowers, party favors, goody bags, or any other things that will disrupt the instructional day.
• birthday party invitations cannot be distributed at school.

• Hooray! Hooray! It's Your Birthday Certificate displayed outside child’s classroom.
• Birthday announcement on the school news.
• Ice Cream for classmates & teacher.
• Birthday sticker for your child to wear on his/her special day!

Pay online using mypaymentsplus.com (preferred), or CASH for in-school payments will be accepted.

• Note: A five (5) school day notice is required.
• No orders will be accepted after May 1, 2024.
• All birthdays occurring after May 1, 2024, through the last day of school will need to be paid before the May 1st deadline.
• Ice cream choices: Orange Sherbet Cup and Juice Rush.
• We take care of all deliveries. No refunds on birthday packages. If child is absent, we will deliver on the next available date.

January

• January 10: Little Learner's Academy
• January 11: Spirit Night at Jason's Deli starting at 5 PM
• January 15: Martin Luther King Jr. Day | No School
• January 16: Boosterthon Kick-Off
• January 18: STEM Night 5:30-7:30 PM
• January 19: Spirit Night at Jim n Nick's starting at 4 PM
• January 19: 100th Day of School
• January 24: Boosterthon Fun Run in the Gym

February:

• February 2: Digital Learning Day #3 | No In Person School
• February 5-9: National School Counseling Week
• February 7: Little Learner's Academy
• February 9: Valentine's Day Family Dance & Date Night 6-8 PM
• February 15-19: Student Holidays | No School

• Authorized visitors are welcome to sign in at the front office and join their child for lunch. However, outside food and packages are not permitted.
• Checkouts are not permitted past 2:45 PM
• Taking photos and videos are strictly prohibited.
• Outside birthday treats are not permitted, but we would love to celebrate your child's birthday through our Hooray, Hooray Birthday program. 🥳