The Cougar Connection

We are off to a great start at Cougar Elementary! Our students are settling into their new routines and procedures, learning what it means to be respectful, responsible, and ready to learn each day. We appreciate the patience and support of our families as everyone gets comfortable with the rhythm of a new school year.

A special thank you to our PTO for organizing Chalk the Walk! Our students were so excited to see the colorful chalk messages welcoming them to school on Monday morning. It was a wonderful way to kick off the school year and remind our students that they are part of a caring Cougar community.

As always, safety continues to be our #1 priority. This was reiterated during our 2nd Grade Family Meetings, where we discussed how we can work together to ensure our students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. Our Kindergarten and 1st Grade Family Meetings are coming up next week, and we will continue to focus our conversations on safety and our 3Rs: Respectful, Responsible, and Ready to Learn. Be sure to check out the 3Rs matrix later in this newsletter for more information about what these expectations look like throughout our school.

Friday, September 4th - No School (Labor Day)

Monday, September 7th - No School (Labor Day)

Wednesday, September 16th - Early Release (Professional Development for Teachers)

Monday, September 21st - No School (Yom Kippur)

Monday, October 12th - No School (Indigenous People Day/Columbus Day)

Wednesday, October 21st - End of 1st Quarter

Dear Families,

This week, our school will be participating in an age-appropriate emergency safety lesson using the ALICE framework. To help students understand these concepts in a gentle, non-frightening way, we will be reading and discussing the book “I’m Not Scared, I’m Prepared” by Julia Cook. During this initial lesson, we will introduce basic safety steps (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate), review designated emergency exits, and discuss our off-campus meeting spots (rally points).

This is the first in a series of safety lessons and drills planned throughout the school year. In upcoming lessons, we will continue building on these foundational skills to prepare for various emergency scenarios—including drills for weather events such as tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes—ensuring students feel confident and prepared.

Our primary goal is to empower students with clear, calm instructions while reassuring them that our school is a safe place with trusted adults dedicated to keeping them secure.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our safety protocols and rally point locations, please reach out to Katy Reardon (703) 392-1317 . Thank you for your continued partnership and support in keeping our school community safe!

Hi Families! Please take a look at our school matrix below, which explains the 3R expectations by location in our building. Our teachers have taken time the last several weeks to teach, model and practice how to show Respect, Responsibility, and Ready to Learn behaviors. We encourage you to review this with your child as well to build their confidence in showing 3R behavior in school.

Warmly,

Your CES School Counselors

Mrs. Griffin (PreK and second grade counselor) brie.griffin@mpark.net

Ms. Bates (Kindergarten counselor) michaela.bates@mpark.net

Ms. Bobbitt (First grade counselor) anna.bobbitt@mpark.net

Learn More. Connect. Lead.

Applications are open for the second year of the Manassas Park Parent and Community Leadership Cohort!

Participants will learn more about how our schools operate, connect with district leaders, and explore ways to make a positive impact. The cohort is a wonderful opportunity for anyone passionate about education or considering future service on the School Board, a PTSO, or in another civic leadership role.

Meetings will be held at 6:00 p.m. on October 13, December 1, January 5, February 2, March 9, April 20, and May 17.

Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeR0MkCEWPaHg0rFbdT42VBroiK1U_9ybZABk3HWDylbXvp6g/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=114644080006833800330

YOUR VOICE. YOUR IDEAS. OUR COUGARS.

We’re building something new and we want YOU to be part of it! The Little Cougars PTO is a Parent Teacher Organization serving Cougar Elementary School & Manassas Park Elementary School. Our goal is to build a stronger school community and create fun, meaningful experiences for our students and families. Whether you have 10 minutes, a few hours, or want to be more involved, there’s a place for YOU!

Ways you can help: 💡 Share your ideas 🎉 Help with school events 🙌 Volunteer when you’re available 📣 Help spread the word 🎨 Share your talents and skills 🍪 Help with fundraisers & activities 📸 Help capture and share special moments ❤ Support our teachers, staff & students More information about PTO meetings, volunteer opportunities, and upcoming activities are coming soon! Facebook & Instagram @LittleCougarsPTO Scan the QR code to follow us and stay up to date on: 🐾 PTO news & announcements 📅 Upcoming events 🙋 Volunteer opportunities 💡 Ways to get involved 🏫 School & community activities

More information about PTO meetings, volunteer opportunities, and upcoming activities are coming soon!

Facebook & Instagram @LittleCougarsPTO

President: President.littlecougarpto@gmail.com

Treasurer: Treasurer.littlecougarpto@gmail.com

PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW WHEN YOUR CHILD IS ABSENT:

1. You must call or send an email to notify the school of your child’s absence. A note MUST be sent in with your child when they return for the absence to be excused.

   • Call the front office by 9:30am (703) 392-1317

   • Send an email to the absence email address by 9:30am (CESattendance@mpark.net)

2. If we do not receive a phone call or email letting us know the student will not be attending that day, you will receive a call from the automated system notifying you of your student’s absence.

3. Parents must contact the school within one three days from the date of the absence, explaining the absence

4. It is the student's responsibility to make up all missed assignments within a reasonable amount of time. Assignments that are not made up will be reflected in the student's grades.

5. When a student misses three or more consecutive days of school due to illness, a parent/guardian is encouraged to call the teacher and request class assignments.

EXCUSED ABSENCES:

The following are the only legitimate excuses for absences from school:

1. Personal illness
2. Death of a family member
3. Medical or dental appointment
4. Court appearances
5. Observance of religious holiday

The following may be excused by the principal with written permission:

1. Illness of a family member
2. Emergencies
3. Trips/activities which enhance or extend the student’s education

If the parent has not informed the school with a written excuse of the student's absence, the absence will be unexcused.

UNEXCUSED ABSENCES:

If a student is absent from school for any reason other than listed above even with a parent’s note, the absence is unexcused unless approved by the principal in advance (Pre-Arranged Absence Form).

If the parent has not informed the school with a written excuse of the student's absence within three days of the absence, the absence will be unexcused.

If a student misses school with more than five unexcused absences, the parents/guardians will be contacted in order to set up a meeting to discuss an attendance plan.