Principal's Message Sept 12-16
Dear Peabody and Watkins Community,
After this second week of school, our routines and procedures are beginning to take form. Students are independently navigating their classrooms, know their way around the school building and ultimately feel a sense of predictability from their school day routines. Predictability is key to creating a psychologically safe space for learning and growing and that is always the intention of opening school each year. In addition to routines, our teachers and students are continuing to build trusting relationships by getting to know one another.
Next week, we'll transition to more and more content instruction and thus increase the rigor of the school experience. This is exciting for so many students who love the challenge of learning. However it's not easy for everyone. The foundation of routines and relationships is designed to support students as the stress of learning increases this time of year. Caregivers and staff need to be aware of the signs of student stress and how that stress manifests during the school day and at home. Our Culture Team and Mental Health Team are ready to support students, classes, and families as we transition into a more rigorous and therefore more stressful school day. For educator stress, our partners at WISE are here to support our individual and collective well-being. Anyone can always reach out to school leaders, social workers, or anyone else to talk through any tough time.
The above shouldn't over shadow how much students are loving school! I've received overwhelming positive feedback from students and caregivers about how much they like their teachers and each day at Peabody and Watkins. Thank you staff for supporting such a loving, fun start to the year!
Key Dates for Families
- Sept 12, 7pm Anti-Racist, Anti-Bias Curriculum Extension at Peabody for Caregivers (read more below). Click here to join the meeting
- Sept 13, 6pm LSAT meeting (virtual)
- Sept 16th Peabody Rocks the Red
- Sept 20 Back to School Night for Watkins, 6pm
- Sept 22 Back to School Night for Peabody, 6pm
- Monthly PRIDE celebrations: 16th (5th grade), 23 (4th and 3rd), 30th, (1st&2nd) - Read More Below!
- Oct 6, Parent Teacher Conference Day
- Oct 7, PD Day is district led
Back to School Nights!
Sept 20 for Watkins, Sept 22 for Peabody
We will use the same format as last year where teachers or teams provide an asynchronous presentation that previews the year and an in-person component that is short and student led.
Asynchronous Presentations
Teams will prepare the "need to know" content for their families ahead of the in-person event. Caregivers can review the information and come with questions to the in-person portion of the event.
In-person Component
The purpose of the evening if for families to see first hand their child's space in the classroom. Families, with their students, can visit their child's classroom for 15 minutes. Ideally the visit is student-led where the student shows off specific locations in the classroom. At the door, families will be given a scavenger hunt to do during the classroom visit. Teachers will be available for some Q and A, but much of the content will be shared ahead of time.
We are staggering entry for social distancing reasons and to make the classroom and teacher more accessible to our caregivers and students. Families with more than one child can of course visit both classrooms. These times are strongly suggested but not required.
6:00 - 6:15 - last names that begin with letters A - E
6:15 - 6:30 - last names that begin with letters F - L
6:30 - 6:45 - last names that begin with letters M - S
6:45 - 7:00 - last names that begin with letters T - Z
Watkins
4th and 5th Graders: Cross Country Sign Ups
If your child plans to try out for basketball the coaches suggest signing up for Cross Country to get in shape before the start of the season.
Last day to sign up for Cross Country is Wednesday September 14
Practice begins Monday September 12, 2022
3:30-4:20
Meet Coach Drakeford in the gym.
Needs: Athletic Attire, Sneakers, Water Bottles, Stop Watch
Paperwork must be completed and submitted in order to attend practice.
Link provided below.
https://dcgov.seamlessdocs.com/f/0cnnnbhmck7h
Any questions please email Coach Drakeford at latavia.drakeford-allen@k12.dc.gov
Meet Schedule:
- September 25
- October 2
- October 21
Peabody
Anti-Racist, Anti-Bias Curriculum Extension for Peabody Families and Students
Click here to join the meeting at 7pm on September 12.