Cougar Weekly Update

Tuesday, February 23rd - Day 1

Wednesday, February 24th - Day 2

Thursday, February25th -Day 3

Friday, February 26th -Day 4

English Version: https://youtu.be/zc1QDxPJ5ms

Spanish Version: https://youtu.be/VHk2RyE1Y2g

Dear Cougar Community,

It is with mixed emotions that I recently notified Dr. McDade of my intent to retire on June 30, 2021. Working with the entire Manassas Park Community has been a great joy the last five years. There is something very special about the way this community works together. I will sincerely miss the students, staff, and greater community. I am confident that the new principal will continue many of the traditions already in place here and continue to enhance the feeling of community that is strong.

As we begin the process of Returning Forward I am excited to welcome our students whose families chose for them to participate in hybrid learning to Cougar. Please read this newsletter carefully as we still have much to plan and communicate in the coming weeks. Much of what we usually accomplish during our Open House will need to be completed virtually or during our Distribution Days next week. Please make every effort to come to pick-up your child's learning materials which will include arrival and dismissal tags for each student so they are able to wear them on the first day they return.

Hybrid students will be carrying their chromebooks to and from school each day and will need a sturdy backpack.

Students should practice wearing a mask at home and bring an extra mask to school each day as they will be required to wear a mask.

Parents will not be able to join their child for lunch for the remainder of the school year.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Gwynn

For all Distribution Days please place a sign in the corner of your car windshield with your child's grade, teacher name, and student name.

February 23rd - Kindergarten 4:30 to 6:00

February 24th - 1st Grade 4:30 to 6:00

February 25th - 2nd Grade 4:30 to 6:00

March 9th - Pre K - 4:30 to 6:00

During this time hybrid students will receive their name tags which will include arrival and dismissal information.

A station will be set-up for parents to register for car tags if you are planning to drive your student to/from school.

The teachers and staff are excited to welcome back students who have chosen to return to school in a hybrid model. We will be phasing in students over several weeks to give our youngest students the opportunity to get acclimated to school.

Some students will need to change teachers based on the choice of hybrid or virtual made by families. If a student is moving to a different class, emails will be sent to each family on Friday, February 19th with the name of the new teacher.

All new class placements will start on an asynchronous basis on March 2nd. Students will start synchronously with their new teacher on March 5th.

March 2 - Zone 1 Hybrid PreK Students and Adaptive Special Education Students

March 3 - Zone 2 Hybrid PreK Students and Adaptive Special Education Students

March 9 - Zone 1 Hybrid Kindergarten

March 10 - Zone 2 Hybrid Kindergarten

March 11 - Zone 1 Hybrid 1st Grade

March 12 - Zone 2 Hybrid 1st Grade

March 16 - Zone 1 Hybrid 2nd Grade

March 17 - Zone 2 Hybrid 2nd Grade

Once a grade level starts they continue in the hybrid pattern until the end of the school year.

Zone 1 students will attend Tuesday/Thursday

Zone 2 students will attend on Wednesday/Friday.

If you need to check if you live in Zone 1 or Zone 2 please use the map linked below.

https://5share.com/5maps/public/kmlMap.html?a=mpzones

Breakfast and lunch will be provided for all students on the days they are in school free of charge.

Meal pick-up will continue on Mondays.

PreK and Adaptive Special Education

• February 23 and 24 - Virtual Instruction
• February 25, 26, and March 1 - Asynchronous Instruction
• March 2 - Hybrid students begin in-person instruction on assigned days

Grades K, 1, and 2

• February 23rd through 26th is a regular virtual week
• March 2 - Paper Pencil Activities will be provided at Distribution Days
• March 3, 4 - Asynchronous Lessons
• March 5 - Synchronous Lessons in new classroom configurations

The bus stops for hybrid students can be found at this link: http://bit.ly/CES_MPES_Hybrid_Bus_Routes

If your child is attending school in the hybrid model please take a few moments to fill out the survey linked below to help us know where your child is coming from in the morning or going to in the afternoon. This information is critical.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeiRrm9ZPfDkz-qr9JDsI5hBGuygFT0vpfRiUBT9R0KrUKA8w/viewform?usp=sf_link

o 1 box of 24 count Crayola crayons

o 1 pair of Fiskars (blunt blade) children’s scissors

o 1 plastic folder (with pockets at the bottom) *

o 1 one-subject wide ruled spiral notebook *

o Head phones* (over the ear- NOT earbuds)

o A book bag or backpack (large enough to hold a folder and a coat) *

o An extra change of clothes (stored in a gallon size Zip-lock bag) to keep at school. * (Socks, underwear, pants, and shirt)

o *Please label items with a * with your child’s name. Individual teachers may request additional items.

1. Plastic Pencil Box
2. 2 Boxes of Crayons
3. 2 Glue Sticks
4. 1 pair of Fiskars scissors
5. 3 Plastic folders with pockets and prongs
6. 1 Wide Rule Composition Notebook
7. Headphones
8. Backpack

Please label items with your child's name.

1 box of 24 count Crayola crayons OR 1 box 12 count Colored Pencils

o 1 pair of children’s scissors

o 2 folders (with pockets at the bottom) *

o 3 composition notebooks*

o Head phones* (over the ear)

o 2-count of glue sticks

o 1 pack of pre-sharpened pencils

o *Please label items with your child’s name.

o Individual teachers may request additional items.

Please email it.support@mpark.net.

Please make sure the student includes their name, the device type, and a detailed description of the problem.

March 26 - Interims available to parents

March 29 - April 5 - Spring Break - No School

May 1st - 9th Virtual Literacy Run

So many exciting things happen during the school year! You can follow Cougar and Manassas Park City School on many different platforms:

You can stay connected by:

• Reading the CES weekly online newsletters emailed out each Friday afternoon
  
• Following CES on Twitter @CESMiniCougars https://twitter.com/CESMiniCougars
  
• Following MPCS on Twitter @MPCSchools https://twitter.com/MPCSVA
  
• Liking and following the Manassas Park City Schools Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/MPSchools/
• Checking the MPCS website frequently at www.mpark.net
• Following the Manassas Park PTO Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/ManassasParkCougarPTO/

Other information:

• https://www.facebook.com/SmartBeginningsGreaterPrinceWilliam/

All School Board Meetings and Work Sessions are taped and available for viewing the day after the meetings take place. To view, visit the Manassas Park School Board Channel on YouTube. Type “Manassas Park School Board” into the YouTube search engine or visit the channel here – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCD7dQVX8-0Awc7AVgF3RSMQ.

Email: ann.gwynn@mpark.net
Website: www.mpark.net
Location: 9330 Brandon Street, Manassas Park, VA, United States
Phone: (703) 392-1317
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MPSchools
Twitter: @CESMiniCougars