The Falcon Pride Parent Newsletter

Happy Spring! Happy Earth Day!! Hello Warm Weather Soon! Big smile. Who knew March could be so “brutal”? Oh boy didn’t our March weather live up to the old saying...”March ROARS like a Lion!” Did you know the very first Earth Day was in 1970? And it focused on air and water pollution? Well, I vaguely remember commercials about air pollution and water pollution from that long ago but time goes by really fast when you are having fun. Fast-forward and the theme for 2022 is “Invest in Our Earth”. Earth Day is Friday, April 22, 2022, and we must take steps to care of our planet. It’s the only planet that we have so here is an invitation from our county neighbors at the Prince George’s County Department of the Environment (DoE). The DoE is gearing up to sponsor a county-wide program called “Growing Green with Pride”. This event is being held on Saturday, April 23, 2022, and all county residents are encouraged to participate. Help keep our neighborhoods clean by doing your part to invest in our earth. The word is “Sustainability”. Please see the DoE Flyer below to learn all about the new PGC LitterTrak App. We got this! For more information visit www.princegeorgescountymd.gov.

Your Partner in Education,

Mrs. Tarver-Smith,

Parent-Community Outreach Coordinator, PEA, ESP

The new Hyattsville Library is beautiful and it had its Grand-opening on Wednesday, March 30, 2022, at 10 AM with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, tours, scavenger hunts, and it boost 40,000 square feet of reading, study, and event space. Located at 6530 Adelphi Road in Hyattsville, this modern building's sustainable designed community hub is top of the line in services. This branch is equipped with 84 public computers, the most out of any library in the Prince George’s County system. It also has an outdoor garden, a two-sided fireplace, and a children’s area called the Discovery Village. I hope you will plan to make time to see what the library has to offer soon. For a schedule of events and a full list of services visit https://www.pgcmls.info/branch/location/Hyattsville

The Nicholas Orem Middle Parent Academy Presents…. A “Virtual Resource Fair” hosted and facilitated by our very own Community Schools Coordinator Ms. Jenny Matias-Velasquez aka Ms. Matias. Do you need valuable resources? We can help with that! Information is power! So please plan to join us on Thursday, April 28, 2022, at 6 PM via Zoom. Please see our Parent Academy Flyer at the end of this April edition of the Falcon Pride and add our virtual resource fair to your April calendar. Zoom information will be posted in your child’s google classroom.

Attention!! ALL Parents the State Board of Education (SBOE) President and the MSDE (Maryland State Department of Education) invites your input and is asking that we make available the link for the 2022 Annual MSDE Survey for Families. The MSDE Survey is available in English, Spanish, French, Urdu, Korean, Arabic, Vietnamese, and Chinese. Please “CLICK” here: marylandpublicschools.org/survey

Need to check on your child's grades and attendance ?

Click here to create an account or reset password https://www.pgcps.org/schoolmax-support/

Remember: Attendance is top priority to ensuring that your student earns the “very best” grades possible. However, if your student is unable to attend classes. Please email our Attendance Secretary, Ms. Ferrufino at sor.ferrufinosanchez.org as soon as possible as well as your child’s teacher.

Regarding Parent Academy Meetings -

Please remember all NOMS Parent Academy will remain virtual until further notice. Please check your child’s google classroom for Monthly Zoom information.

Show your Falcon Pride and consider subscribing to Our NOMS YouTube Channel. So you can watch our outstanding “Falcon Morning Show” our students produce a world-class morning show under the guidance of our very equipped technology-savvy media specialist Ms. Soni Woodley. You will be pleasantly pleased and become a dedicated and loyal Falcon supporter/follower.

Please “CLICK” on the link below for our Nicholas Orem MS YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiTujJOlPGklf4C-xQ0TD6g

The start of April hopefully brings us some Spring-like weather. It also means the approaching of Spring Break! Spring break is a great opportunity to spend time with your family and allow your child an opportunity to reset. It is a great time to take care of your physical health. There is a strong connection between your body and mind. If caring for your body, you'll think and feel better too! Focus on healthy sleep habits, hydrating properly, and exercising! It is also a great time to spend some quality time with your family. Take time away from social media and technology and spend time together outside!

Kaitlyn Sphon, Ed.S., NCSP

School Psychologist

Prince George's County Public Schools

Nicholas Orem Middle School

Robert R. Gray Elementary School

Visit my Parent Support Website!

If you need help now:

Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
Prince George's County Crisis Services (Mobile Crisis Team): 301-429-2185
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 1-800-273-8255 (TALK)
Maryland: Call 2-1-1 or Text your zip code to 898-211
Safe Schools Maryland Tip Line: Call 1-833-MD-B-Safe or Download the app

April is National Poetry Month, National Assistant Principal’s Week, National Library Week & National “STRESS” Awareness Month

April 3 – First Day of Ramadan (starts at sunset 4/2)

April 3-9 – National Library Week

April 7- End of Third Quarter (44 days)

April 4-8 – National Assistant Principal’s Week

April 8- Professional Day for Teachers – 2 Hr. Early Dismissal for Students

April 11-14 – Spring Break – Schools Closed for Students and Teachers

April 15 & 18 – Spring Break & Easter Holidays – Schools and Offices Closed

April 16-23 – Passover (starts sunset 4/15)

April 28 – The Parent Academy Presents A “Virtual Resource Fair”

Need support in locating food distribution sites near your home? Interested in language classes? Need assistance in locating free Immunization clinics?

Please reach out to Jenny Matias, Community School Coordinator, regarding additional support and resources! Please send an email to Ms. Matias at jenn.matiasvelasquez@pgcps.org or call/text 202-798-2862. We can fill out a referral form together and provide support for many of your basic needs. Or you can fill out a form for yourself using the same link as your student. CLICK! here REFERRAL FORM and Ms. Matias will reach out to you as soon as possible.