Panda Pride Newsletter
Parkway ES Principal's News - October 1, 2020
Principal's Message
It may be difficult to believe, but we have officially reached the midpoint of the first quarter of the school year! I think what I find most impressive about this fact is the incredible growth we have experienced and the vast amount of knowledge we have all gained in a relatively short amount of time.
Fall has always been my favorite time of year, especially the month of October. When I became a teacher, I realized one more thing to love about it: It's when the school year really starts to find it's rhythm. We begin to hit our stride. A sense of familiarity settles in, kids know the rules and routines, and the real magic starts to happen!
I am truly proud to say that even with this unusual and challenging start to the school year, we have still managed to achieve that October stride in so many ways! Our students are consistently logging in to Google Meet sessions, participating actively, and giving their best effort each day. Our teachers and staff continue to amaze me with their resilience, creativity, and genuine care for our students and families. Parents and caregivers continue to be our most valuable partners along the way.
Take a moment to recognize all of the ways that we have grown together over the past five weeks. All of the little things add up to make a big difference.
Happy October!
Yours in Education,
Mrs. Bell
Required Annual Announcements
Bullying, Harassment, and Intimidation
"Everyone has the right to feel respected and be treated with dignity. Schools must be safe, provide an optimal environment for achievement and be free from violence. Teachers establish clear behavior standards and make every effort to be aware of problems, provide proper guidance and supervision and consistently and fairly enforce policies. Bullying incidents, however, tend to occur out of sight of school staff. A comprehensive approach that includes students and parents has the most promise in reducing bullying. It is not helpful to simply tell a child to ignore bullying or encourage a child to fight the bully. It is important to report bullying because it may not stop without help. Students subjected to bullying, intimidation or harassment may file a complaint with appropriate school officials as identified in Regulation 400-48. The Regulation and reporting forms are available in schools and counselor offices and via www.fcps.org."
Student Firearm Possession
“It is unlawful for students to possess or use any weapon on school property. Students who have or use a weapon on school property will be suspended from school, and the police will be notified of the incident. A weapon is any object designed to harm another physically or an object which is used in a way that can physically harm another. This school is committed to providing each of you with a safe environment, and we will do all we can to carry out that responsibility including, if necessary, conducting searches of student lockers.”
Tutoring Spots are Still Available!
View the schedule HERE to contact a tutor today!
Interim Reports
In the coming days, teachers will issue interim reports to communicate progress and concerns for some students.
Interim reports are typically issued for the following reasons:
- A student is currently achieving at an unsatisfactory level or has a failing grade
- A student has dropped two or more letter grades in a subject area
- Significant absences are affecting progress
- A student has a number of missing/incomplete assignments
- A teacher has other specific concerns about a student's progress or performance
Interims can be a useful communication tool and are intended to start a conversation between teacher and parents/caregivers about how to best support the student moving forward.
If you receive an interim and have any questions or concerns, please reach out directly to the issuing teacher.
Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent Teacher Conferences will be held on the following dates:
Wednesday, October 21 - Evening Conferences (Virtual Learning 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM; conferences begin at 4:00 PM)
Thursday, October 22 - Evening Conferences (Virtual Learning 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM; conferences begin at 4:00 PM)
Friday, October 23 - (Virtual Learning 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM; conferences begin at 12:30 PM)
Additional schedule adjustments will be communicated by individual teachers.
General Conference Guidelines:
- All conferences will be virtual.
- Conferences are generally 10-15 minutes per student.
- Please let your teacher know if you will require an interpreter for your conference.
Counselor's Corner
Worry Warriors!
Small Virtual Counseling Group with Mrs. Roberts
September 30, 2020
Dear Parkway Families,
I will soon be offering small counseling groups called “Worry Warriors” for students who need additional support to calm fears, worry and anxiety. Over the course of 4 weeks, we will meet once per week for 30 minutes (during asynchronous instruction time 2:30-3:00), and will discuss how to recognize and manage feelings, with a particular focus on worries. Small groups are a great way for children to meet others their own age who share common concerns. In a small group, students realize that they are not alone with their feelings and experiences. The discussions we have, strategies we learn and activities we do will teach students how to mitigate their anxiety and build skills valuable for real-life situations.
If you feel your child would benefit from a small counseling group on worry/anxiety, please complete this form. Students will be selected based on need for support and behavior appropriate for learning in a small group environment. The space will be limited to 5 students per group. Groups will rotate on a 4 week schedule. I will follow-up with all interested families with information about when/if their child may participate.
Thank you for your consideration. Please contact me directly with any questions.
Sincerely,
Mary Roberts
PES School Counselor
Dates to Know and Note
Friday 10/16 ~ No School/No Virtual Learning
Wednesday 10/21 ~Evening Conferences (Virtual Learning 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM; conferences begin at 4:00 PM)
Thursday 10/22 ~Evening Conferences (Virtual Learning 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM; conferences begin at 4:00 PM)
Friday 10/23 ~(Virtual Learning 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM; conferences begin at 1:00 PM)
Friday 11/6 ~ End of Quarter 1
Parkway Elementary School
Email: nicole.bell@fcps.org
Website: https://education.fcps.org/pes/
Location: 300 Carroll Parkway, Frederick, MD, USA
Phone: 240-236-2600
Twitter: @NicoleRaeFCPS