Principal's Message Oct 10-14
Dear Peabody and Watkins Community,
I hope all caregivers and teachers had a meaningful experience at the caregiver-teacher conferences this week. As the barriers to communication and connection with school come down from the height of the pandemic, we are very encouraged to have so many caregivers at school and connecting with our teachers this week both in person and virtually. Our Family Engagement Team's vision is for caregivers to feel empowered to partner with school staff to support the academic success and overall wellness of their children. I hope this week we were able to take some steps closer to achieving that vision. If that's not the case, please connect with your school leader and teacher to better understand how we can partner to support your child.
One recent change that will help our Early Childhood families is the fact that DCPS has reverted to it's pre-pandemic visitor policy. This does not change our practice at all at Watkins. At both of our schools, visitors are welcome to drop in to classes or meet with staff in person so long as an appointment is made with teachers or the appropriate staff member.
However, our morning arrival procedure will change slightly at Peabody. Starting on Tuesday:
Caregivers can enter the school and accompany their child to their child's classroom door until 9am. From 8:30 - 8:45, students wait in the foyer of each floor. Parents are welcome to join their child until teachers open their doors at 8:45.
Caregivers that arrive after 9am will not be permitted into the building and students will continue to be escorted to class by our team. This change should enable a brief touchpoint for caregivers and teachers at the classroom door. Please note that caregivers are not allowed to enter the classroom and should not expect to have a full conversation with teacher. The beginning of the day is important for teachers to welcome each child and begin the morning routine. Instead of hugs and kisses goodbye outside, caregivers are welcome to do so at the classroom door.
There are some students are caregivers who will not want to change from our current practice, and that's ok. Students will still be escorted and monitored by Peabody staff from the building door to their classroom door if their caregivers don't enter the building.
Key Dates for Families
Oct 12: Walk to School Day!
Returning Aftercare Program: Music Kids- Please complete Interest Survey
We’re working with one of our school’s enrichment partners, Music Kids, to survey parents about which musical instruments they’d most like to see offered at Peabody and Watkins for the upcoming 2022-23 school year. Please take a brief moment to indicate your interest using the Instrument Preference Poll link below. For Music Kids to properly staff the program, and for us to know whether we’ll have enough enrollment for them to do so, it will really help to hear from as many families as are interested so we can plan accordingly.
Music Kids offers the convenience of on-site classes for students as young as three years old. They offer instruments including Guitar, Piano and Violin, where students get to learn alongside a friend or two from school. Take-home instruments, learning resources for parents, and virtual support are all included. For new families, the link below also includes a short summary of what the program is all about. For returning families who were enrolled in the program last year, you should still fill out the survey as well.
https://form.jotform.com/musickids/instrument-preference-poll
For any additional information about Music Kids including packages, pricing and more please visit their website at www.musickidsprogram.com or contact them at office@musickidsprogram.com
FoodPrints Caregiver VOlunteer Sign Ups
For the Watkins schedule, the 1st-3rd grade classes will go in the afternoon, so look for your child's afternoon teacher, not homeroom teacher on this schedule.
sy 22-23 emergency preparedness DRILL SCHEDULE
As required by DCPS, we will follow the below emergency preparedness drill schedule to ensure all students and staff are prepared in the event of an emergency.
All of the fire drills excluding the 1st one of the school year are unannounced. Dates for alternate drills (alert status, earthquake, lockdown, severe weather, shelter in place, 500 ft evacuation, and reverse evacuation) will be communicated to the school community in advance.
SY 22-23 Drill Schedule
Oct: Fire Drill & Earthquake Drill
Nov: Fire Drill & Lockdown Drill
Dec: Fire Drill & Alert Status Drill
Jan: Fire Drill & Severe Weather Drill
Feb: Fire Drill & Shelter in Place
March: Fire Drill & 500 ft evacuation/ relocation Drill
April: Fire Drill & Reverse Evacuation Drill
May: Fire Drill & Lockdown Drill
June: Fire Drill & Shelter in Place
October Lockdown Drill
Oct 12 at Peabody around 2:15
Oct 13 at Watkins around 9:30
Watkins
Welcome our new LIbrarian!
Ms. Langley will begin her orientation to Watkins next week and we will soon resume book circulation and begin library class for all homerooms.
Watkins Celebrates Hispanic Heritage
October 26, 6-7pm
The celebration includes live performances! "Vivir me Vida" - a song and dance by 3rd-5th graders and "Mi Gente" by 1st & 2nd graders. Hispanic biographies and artwork will also be showcased. There will also be a guest musician, Juan Hernandez, and mini salsa lessons for caregivers and students alike!
All Watkins students are preparing for this event in their Spanish, Music, and Art classes and are welcome to participate. Ask you child to share what they are learning and help them practice for the big event!
Math Team is BACK!
All Fourth and Fifth graders are invited to join the Watkins Math Team on Wednesday mornings beginning October 12th from 8:10 – 8:40AM in the 3rd Floor common space.
Please join us to solve complex tasks, new learn problem-solving strategies, and engage in healthy competition!
To join click on the sign-up link by October 7th, and have a parent or caregiver fill out the form. Questions? Contact Ms. Goedeke (Watkins’s Math Coach) at janice.goedeke@k12.dc.gov
Basketball Try-outs Coming Soon!
When: October 11, 2022 – October 21, 2022
- Girls: Oct 11, 12, 13.
- Boys: Oct 18, 19, 20.
Time: 3:30 – 4:30pm
Where: Watkins Gym
***Tryouts are held for 4th & 5th grade boys and girls. Please bring shorts, a t-shirt, and basketball shoes
***ONLY cleared /eligible athletes can try out… Email AD Drakeford for clearance status and/or the link to submit paperwork. If you have any further questions the Athletic Director and Coaches can be reached via contact information below.
AD Drakeford – Email: Latavia.drakeford-allen@k12.dc.gov
Coach Redmon: Email: jerenzo.redmon@k12.dc.gov Phone: 202-465-1504
Coach Hill – Email: Dawayne.hill@k12.dc.gov Phone: 202-276-8883
Panther PRIDE Community Meetings
It's also been a little bumpy regarding the parent access. Moving forward, this link will provide access to all of the Panther PRIDE Community Meetings.
When are the next celebrations?
5th Grade - Oct 14, 9:10
4th Grade - Oct 21, 2:30
3rd Grade - Oct 21, 9:05
2nd Grade - Oct 28, 9:45
1st Grade - Oct 28, 9:10
Fall 2022 Panorama Survey for 3rd - 5th graders
Twice a year, we ask students in grades 3 and higher to complete a survey about social emotional learning for DC Public Schools, the Panorama Student Survey, to help DCPS and school administrators better understand what students think about their school experiences and their social and emotional learning.
For three surveys in a row, Watkins students have reported an increased feeling of loved at our school! This is a key metric we plan around and have as a goal on our school plan. There are more details in the Caregiver Opt-Out Form. All 3rd - 5th students will take the survey unless we receive an opt-out form.
We are finalizing the administration schedule and will have it all done by November 4th.
Peabody
The Pizza Party is Back!
JOIN US FOR THE FIRST PEABODY PIZZA PARTY OF THE 2022-23 SCHOOL YEAR!
When: Tuesday, Oct 25th (Rain date Wednesday, Oct 26th), 5:30-7:30PM
Where: Peabody Blacktop
What: Peabody Pizza Party! (Pizza, drinks and snacks provided by the Captiol Hill Cluster
PTA)
Who: Peabody students, families and siblings
Please join us for a fun, free, relaxed evening of community, music, pizza and books to kick off the new school year.
Capitol Hill favorite musical duo King Bullfrog will perform, and the Scholastic Book Fair will be open during the party as well.
Bring a blanket and enjoy getting to know Peabody families, teachers and staff.
Don't forget to bring all your PTA questions as well! We will have plenty of information about how to get
involved with Peabody and PTA this school year!
School Meals and Milk
DCPS’ Office of Food and Nutrition Services confirmed that students are not able to only buy milk for lunch. Unfortunately, to get milk, students must purchase a full meal. Breakfast remains free for all students.
Reminder that lunch costs $3.00 for all students who do not qualify for free or reduced lunch. Families can apply for free and reduced lunch by visiting: dcps.dc.gov/farm
Students receiving school lunch must establish a MySchool Bucks account. More info can be found by visiting the DCPS Meals and Payment Page: https://dcps.dc.gov/page/meal-prices-and-payment
Having issues with the MyBucks process? Call (202) 299-2159 for support.
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage
Peabody will kick off its celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month at our whole-school Rock the Red assembly on Friday, September 16. The Equity Team and Specials Team are working together to provide a wide range of books, resources and ideas to Peabody teachers to enable them to teach, celebrate, and pay tribute to the diverse Hispanic and Latinx cultures, traditions, languages, art, literature, and heroes during this month and throughout the school year. Each grade level will have an opportunity to share their learning at our Rock the Red Assembly on Friday, October 14.
Email issues with Smore? Unsubscribed from Blackboard?
If you somehow are unsubscribed from Blackboard, please email your appropriate school inbox above and Adia.Howard-Stroud@k12.dc.gov who will fix the issue on Blackboard.