Cougar Weekly Update
January 18, 2018
Principal's Message
Dear Families,
Winter weather has arrived! It is important to keep safety as our first priority especially during periods of extremely cold weather. This is a great list of things to keep in mind.
- Dress for winter! Students who walk to or wait at school bus stops should dress appropriately for cold, icy weather. Proper outerwear includes warm coats, gloves, hats and waterproof footwear.
- Safety First! Passengers should wait for the bus to stop completely before approaching the bus to get on, as well as before standing up to get off. Always use caution when stepping on or off the bus and wait for the driver's signal to cross in front of the bus when loading and unloading.
- Stay alert! Stop, look and listen is important for school children. Hoodies, headphones and portable electronic devices can distract students from paying attention to surrounding traffic.
- Remember the Danger Zone. This is the area extending 10 feet in all directions from the school bus. Loading and unloading is the most dangerous time when riding the bus. Staying out of the Danger Zone will help ensure the driver is able to see you and make loading and unloading safer.
- Make the School Bus Your First Resource. On mornings when the weather is bad, but school is in session, please let your children ride the bus.
- Delays can happen. In the PM as temperatures drop, roads may become icy & delay students’ arrival times.
- Plan ahead. Students should never run after the bus. Plan ahead and allow sufficient time to get to the bus stop. As the weather gets colder, many families try wait inside until the bus gets to the stop. Please remember, however, when the bus waits on your student to run to the stop from inside, the bus falls behind on the route and it forces all of the other students on that route to have to wait in the cold.
- Make arrangements. Consider child care options in the event that school is closed for the full day. Likewise, consider arrangements if school dismisses early, such as:
- Talk with your child’s daycare provider regarding their severe weather policy.
- Talking with a neighbor about checking in on your child
- Make plans to have an adult in the home after dismissal
- Ensure your child has a key to get in the house
- Communicate with your school. If you plan to pick your child up from school, make sure the school is notified in advance. Normal school procedures must be followed in picking up children from school.
- Follow Dr. McDade on Twitter for the first notification of school closings and delays! @MPCSmcdade
Sincerely,
Ann Gwynn
Principal
Student Bucket Fillers of the Month for January
Pre K
Mrs. Warren – April Castillo
Mrs. Brooks – Elizabeth Jimenez
Mrs. Hardegree – Camila Martinez
Mrs. Blumenstein – Ethan Iraheta Alvarenga
Ms. Davis – Angela Escalante
Ms. Vencil – Cataleya Barksdale
Mrs. Griffith – Adrian Salazar
Ms. Eltaher – Paul Orndorff
Kindergarten
Ms. Fromm – Geovany Sanchez
Mrs. Woolley – Ashley Callejas Cedillos
Mrs. Latiff – Nathan Barahona
Mrs. Martin – Anthony Tum
Mr. Greco – Calmila Alvarado
Ms. Eaton – Ayla Javed
Ms. Sanders – Kaydee Figueroa
Ms. Taylor – Shanaya Garg
Mrs. Fletcher – Genesis Alvarez
Mrs. Gilbert – Leighlani-Avery Chia
Ms. Koenigsburg – Mina Mosaad
Mrs. Jones – Melany Santos Gil
First Grade
Mrs. Jackson – Gysabella Cargo
Mrs. Rogers – Alexia Gonzales Oveido
Ms. Kent – Maico Saucedo Delgadillo
Ms. Schmidt – Kayla Quinde Rodas
Ms. LaCorbiniere – Zina Abbassi
Ms. Meloy – Daniel Vale
Ms. Rossi – Jeremy Martinez Mejia
Ms. Shisler – Josue Martinez Umanzor
Ms. Schaefer – Noely Martinez Marroquin
Ms. Leonard – Johan Marquez
Mrs. Prince – Sophia Gonzalez
Mrs. Gladney – Christoher Diaz Guzman
Ms. Urban – Sydney Cadle
Ms. Witt – Maria Mendoza Vasquez
Ms. Serio - David Quinteros
Second Grade
Mrs. Tickle – Irvin Constanza
Mrs. McKone – Madison Newberry
Mrs. Acosta – Ethan Pauly
Ms. Thomas – Jezebel Amaya
Ms. Mulhern – Brianna Argueta Batres
Ms. Miles – Eileen Rodriguez
Ms. Gaffney – April Munoz Pacheco
Ms. Barton – Jonathan Kwosah
Mrs. Shaw – Kendra Zeledon Arguello
Ms. Mayewski – Taylor Ewell
Ms. Washburn – Jennifer Carbajal
Ms. Edwards – Mariah Cox
Ms. Perry – Christian Vasquez Cortes
Ms. Mejia – Sinsana An
Mrs. Curtis is our January Staff Bucket Filler of the Month
Cougar Elementary Car Rider Guidelines
Safety is always our number one concern. It is important that guidelines are followed in order to make sure that everyone is safe. If you only have students who attend MPE you must drop them off at the MPE drop-off area off Cougar Court. Do Not Drop Students Off in the Brandon Street Lot.
Morning
Please arrive between 7:45 and 8:05. Do not drop students off early as there is no adult supervision. The first bell rings at 8:05 bell at 8:10 the tardy bell rings. Students should be in class by this time.
Always stay in a single file line.
Stay in your car. Staff members will assist students out of the car and onto the sidewalk.
Students should exit on the curb side of the car.
Children should be able to unbuckle themselves and should be ready to exit the car when you arrive at the curb.
DO NOT have children exit the vehicle on Brandon Street. Students should be on school property before exiting the vehicle.
Once the bell rings you must park your car in a parking spot and walk your child into the building. Your student will be marked as tardy.
Afternoon
You MUST HAVE a Cougar Elementary Tag hanging in your vehicle in order to pick up your child(ren) via the Car Pickup Line. This safety protocol is for the protection of our students, your children, and we will continue to be diligent with its enforcement. If you do not have a car tag or if you have lost your car tag, you will need to come inside the building to sign out the student and/or pick up another tag. They are available in the office. Thank you for working together with us to keep our boys and girls safe.
Directions:
Complete the registration paperwork to receive a family number for car tag and backpack tag
Student must have Backpack Tag attached to their backpack when they get picked up
Car Tag must be hanging on rearview mirror for student to be picked up
Parents should not get out of the car. Teacher will open door for student and then close.
Cars must stop at designated cones.
If you have misplaced your car tag or do not have a car tag, you will need to come into the building to pick up your child and sign out in the office. If you are coming into the building, you must have identification.
BEACON English Classes
English classes will be offered Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7pm - 9pm at the MP Recreation Center. The cost is only $55 per semester, book included. Registration will take place Tuesday, February 26th, and Thursday, February 28th, from 6:30pm – 8pm at MP Parks & Rec. Attached is a flyer. Flyers will also be available in each of our school’s Main Office.
Upcoming Events
January
18 PTO Spirit Night - Betty and Marie's
21 NO School Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
24 End of Second Quarter
25 NO School - Teacher Workday
29 Mobil Dentist
February
2 Quarter Begins - Progress Reports go home
13 PTO Spirit Night - Chick fil A
18 No School-President's Day
27 PTO Spirit Night - Preston's Pub
Box Tops for Education
Free and Reduced Meal Applications
The application is open and available for all families to see if they qualify. The paperwork needs to be completed in the first 30 days of school. After this time, if the paperwork is not completed, all meals charged to start the school year will be billed as full price. I encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.
More information can be found here:
Stay Connected
You can stay connected by:
- Checking your child's Friday Folder each week
- Reading the CES weekly online newsletters emailed out each Friday afternoon
- Following CES on Twitter @CESMiniCougars
- Following MPCS on Twitter @MPCSchools
- Liking and following the Manassas Park City Schools Facebook page
- Checking the MPCS website frequently at www.mpark.net
- Following the MPC PTO on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ManassasParkCougarPTO
Principal Ann Gwynn
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