January 18-22, 2021
from The Principal's Desk
Continued Communication
Please ensure you read all of the contents of this newsletter as some of the items are time sensitive. Here are a few reminders. Some of them have been shared in other places, but in case you missed them, I am adding them here. The first is a TIME SENSITIVE reminder about the Federal Impact Aid Grant. Please complete the survey as soon as possible, if you have not already done so.
Many of you may have missed the retirement announcement about our former Assistant Principal, Mrs. Mason. She has been retired since December 1, 2020. I spoke with her recently and she is definitely enjoying retirement.
We have many testing dates in the coming days. We ask that all parents please work to create and protect the integrity of the testing environment in your homes. The various assessments that students will take are NOT FOR A Grade and the results are used to both monitor progress and to help teachers prepare appropriate instructional lessons. While you may assist should any technology issues arise, there aren't many other reasons to engage with your children during this time. You should not give any assistance, including reading to or offering hints to help with answering the questions. I want to personally thank you for helping us to best gauge the instructional levels of your children in these not so routine testing conditions.
I hope each of you takes this Monday, when there is no school for students, to recall, reflect and share out the importance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The many contributions he made to the entire world are still being felt today. My favorite quotes by Dr. King are many. Above all I love that his story will forever be remembered as one of courage and truth. As you are sharing with your children about the significance of this day off from school, include the stories of his life and legacy that were not shown in the great light of the media, rather held within the personal memories of those closest to him. I wonder if he were still with us today, what would his message to our nation be? This is certainly a great place to begin dialogue with our children and a wonderful conversation starter. No matter what you love and cherish most about his legacy or how you choose to honor it, I encourage you to ensure that you do so and take your children along for the journey.
Continue to be safe and keep practicing all of the safety protocols set forth as we navigate through the current crises of our day.
Federal Impact Aid-Time Sensitive
The U.S. Department of Education requires all school systems that receive federal funding to survey each student every year. The need for federal grant funds to support our schools is needed now more than ever.
We are pleased to announce that the annual Impact Aid Survey has gone digital! As you may be aware, information regarding the procedures for logging in and completing the survey was sent to families via the Scrib Order Family Dashboard on December 1, 2020. Because it is digital, schools will not need to monitor or collect any information. https://pgcpsmdc.scriborder.com/family
In order to complete the survey, parents will use their existing Scrib Order family dashboard account. If they do not have a dashboard, they will need to create an account before they can access the survey. Additionally, they must update their student’s profile page to the current grade level. Families, you can now complete the form online through January 15, 2021.
In case you missed it, Mrs. Mason is happily enjoying retirement and is no longer working with our school district. She has been retired since December 1, 2020. We hope to have a new AP in the position soon.
Thank you for your continued support.