Francis Scott Key Parent Newsletter
August/September 2021 (SY21/22)
Welcome KEY Parents!
Great Day KEY Parents!
We are less than a few weeks away from the return of scholars and I hope all of our KEY kids have stayed safe and had a great summer. Things have been pretty busy at the KEY as we are making preparations for the start of the school year. Between professional development, teacher interviews, summer school, building preparations, and a family "girls only" trip with my girls and mom, I have had a few moments to catch my breath and fully recharge for a year that will be like none other. We are excited to welcome each of your families back and I look forward to an amazing year. Though it will take some time to get back into a normal routine, my staff and I are prepared for the "new normal" and will diligently strive to provide quality instructional experiences for your children.
To provide clarity for this year’s expectations, teachers will conduct virtual orientation in select primary grades (Prek-2) and/or school based meetings with you and your children prior to our first day of school. Please be sure to attend to familiarize yourself with the framework for this endeavor.
Our school's vision is wrapped around allowing our scholars to, “persevere through challenges, think critically, and make positive contributions to their school and community.” The staff and I are filled with excitement as we prepare to start this year and look forward to achieving this vision with your support. Know that we are all in this together and will support one another through this journey.
In preparing for the new school year, there are a few important facts to remember. Please take note of the following:
SCHOOL BEGINS Wednesday, September 8, 2021. All students should be ready to begin IN-PERSON learning.
KEY Community Town Hall will be held virtually on Wednesday, September 1. Orientation will be on Friday, September 3, 2021, for K-2 scholars according to last name. Details in the flyer below.
SUPPLY LISTS can be found on the website.
MASKS & PPE
Students and staff are required to wear masks inside of schools, administrative buildings and on school buses, regardless of vaccination status. Extra face masks, hand sanitizer, paper towels, toilet paper and soap will be available throughout the day.
SOCIAL DISTANCING
At least 3-feet of social distancing will be maintained in classrooms and other areas where possible.
VISITORS
Visitors must make an appointment with the school prior to arrival and will be required to wear masks and practice social distancing. Conferences with parents and other meetings that do not need to be held in person will be held virtually to limit the number of visitors entering school buildings.
SCHOOL BUSES
Face masks are required while riding the school bus. To improve airflow, windows may be open to the maximum extent possible when weather permits. Buses will be cleaned and sanitized at the conclusion of each run, in between morning and afternoon routes and at the conclusion of the day.
CLEANING & DISINFECTION
Buildings will be thoroughly cleaned using CDC approved disinfectants at the end of every school day. Cafeterias and other eating locations will be cleaned and disinfected daily. All touch points, door knobs, sinks, health rooms and locker rooms will be cleaned and disinfected daily. Restrooms will be inspected twice per day and sanitized when necessary.
AIR QUALITY
Airflow in buildings will be increased by opening classroom windows, running exhaust fans before/after occupancy and increasing HVAC hours of operation by 4 hours before and after occupation and /or increasing the intake of outside air where possible. MERV-13 filters have been installed in HVAC systems per CDC guidelines. PGCPS will continuously replace HVAC equipment and clean ductwork and coils throughout systems to remove contaminants and improve airflow.
VACCINATIONS
PGCPS recommends everyone 12 years and older to get a COVID-19 vaccination to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our schools and our community. All staff are required to be vaccinated or undergo weekly testing.
QUARANTINES
The school will provide written notification to staff or families following exposure to a confirmed or probable COVID-19 case. If there is a confirmed COVID-19 case at a school or in a classroom, the employee or student with COVID-19 will be required to quarantine at home for at least 10 days and be symptom free before returning to a PGCPS building. Employees or students who were in close contact with the COVID-19 positive individual must quarantine for at least 10 days if not fully vaccinated; fully vaccinated individuals do not need to quarantine following exposure to a person with confirmed or probable COVID-19 but should monitor for symptoms for 14 days.
In the event a single positive case of COVID-19 is confirmed, PGCPS will close the exposed area of the facility. If multiple positive cases of COVID-19 are confirmed in one site within three days (minimum), PGCPS will close the entire facility to clean and sanitize all areas.
TRANSPORTATION:
You can expect to receive bus route information the week of August 23. All students will be required to wear a mask when riding the school bus. Also be sure to download the StopFinder school bus app from the App Store or Google Play to view student routes and bus location once school begins. Families must have an up-to-date email address in SchoolMax to activate the subscription.
With KEY pride,
Principal Mboma
Francis Scott Key....Where We Unlock Scholar Potential To Soar To New Heights!
Uniforms for SY21-22
Uniforms are required at school (and virtually) per the district policy.
Mask Policy Enforced (Prek-5)
FREE Meals for ALL Scholars
Meals will be free for all students regardless of meal benefit status for school year 21-22.
Students will receive breakfast and lunch in school and a pre-packaged after school supper meal to take home.
Virtual students will be assigned a location to pick up a weekly meal box.
By extension, eligibility for school meals is used to determine eligibility for Pandemic-Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) and other district sponsored programs.
Please try to complete the meal benefit application online. Eligibility information may be used to qualify newly eligible children for SY21-22 and summer 2022 P-EBT benefits .
KEY Updates and Calendar Reminders
✅ August 25: Back to School Materials Distribution - FREE 12:00-3:00pm
✅ August 25: CEO Dr. Goldson Town Hall for PGCPS - 6:00pm
✅ First day for Teachers to return - August 27, 2021
✅ September 1: KEY Community Town Hall 6pm (virtually)
✅ September 3: Orientation Day for Prek - 2nd grade (we added 2nd grade to support you); details in flyer
✅ September 3: Back to School Carnival; details in flyer
✅ Download the 2021-22 school year calendar.
✅ Labor Day Holiday - September 6, 2021
✅ First day of School - September 8, 2021
✅ Back to School Night - September 14, 2021
#READY2RECONNECT: THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL IS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
Wednesday, Aug. 25, for a Back-to-School telephone town with CEO Dr. Monica Goldson. We also encourage parents and guardians to visit our website for the latest back to school updates, to sign up for PGCPS news, and to visit your child’s school website for additional information.
Last day to Apply for Virtual Learning is Tomorrow - August 20th!
KEY Community Town Hall
Please join us to review ALL things returning back to school!!
Join Zoom Meeting
https://pgcps-org.zoom.us/j/93820355799?pwd=WlErZ1RnQ1NtZUpBa1M2bFN0NEJQQT09
Meeting ID: 938 2035 5799
Passcode: eagle
Wednesday, Sep 1, 2021, 06:00 PM
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Before and Aftercare Information
Families with children attending schools with before and after care will receive details from the new Vendor Managed Childcare Program partners regarding pre-registration, enrollment and opening dates for before and after school services.
YMCA Contact: Laurence Nurse at laurence.nurse@ymcadc.org, 202.997.6750.
NO SHOTS, NO SCHOOL: DON'T FORGET ROUTINE IMMUNIZATIONS!
COVID-19 vaccination is highly encouraged for students 12 years and older but don't forget about routine immunizations for back to school! The Prince George’s County Health Department is hosting clinics in August and September at multiple school sites and the Cheverly Health Center to bring students up-to-date on vaccinations. The clinics are targeted to families with little to no access to health care. Fees are on a sliding scale. Students with an appointment for routine immunizations may also receive a COVID-19 vaccination on site.
Upcoming Clinics (All clinics are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.):
Aug. 23-25 — Bladensburg High School
Aug. 30 & 31 — Oxon Hill High School
Sept. 1 — Fairmont Heights High School
Sept. 8-10 — Bladensburg High School
Sept. 11, 18 and 25 — Cheverly Health Center
Find a Vaccination Clinic (from PGCPS)
Students ages 12 and over are encouraged to receive a free COVID-19 vaccine ahead of the return to school. Parental consent is required for vaccination. Parents/guardians are welcome to accompany their child to clinics, but are not required to do so. Students must bring completed consent forms to be vaccinated.
Upcoming PGCPS Clinics
Thursday, Aug. 19: Mary Harris "Mother" Jones Elementary School, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 30: Mary Harris "Mother" Jones Elementary School, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Find & Schedule a COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment
Prince George’s County Health Department clinics
Prince George’s County Vaccine Locator
Direct Providers
Pharmacies
Healthcare Providers
Some hospital systems in Maryland are offering vaccinations to the public. Visit the websites of MedStar, Johns Hopkins, Luminis, Adventist Health, and University of Maryland Medical System for their latest info.
Primary care physicians and other healthcare providers may also provide the vaccine. Please contact them directly for more information.
THANK YOU PTA!!
Join PTA next year and plan with us!
Parent Engagement Update from PGCPS:
“Welcome Back to School Virtual Workshops for Parents/Guardians” begin week of August 31
Parent Support Centers reopen for SY22 on Monday August 30 - will be open Mondays only from 5:00 - 8:00 PM by appointment at the nine BOE designated sites
THANK YOU Amerigroup! (Community Schools Partner)
Francis Scott Key ES
We’ve got the KEYS - Keep showing them your KEY P.R.I.D.E!
(Persevering Relentlessly in Digital Education)
Email: raeshauna.mboma@pgcps.org
Website: https://schools.pgcps.org/francisscottkey/
Location: 2301 Scott Key Drive, District Heights, MD, USA
Phone: (206) 555-1234
Twitter: @FSKeagles