Cougar Weekly Update
March 13, 2020
Principal's Message
Dear Cougar Community,
MPCS SCHOOLS WILL CLOSE AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL DAY TODAY, FRIDAY, MARCH 13.
Because of the rapidly changing nature of the circumstances surrounding COVID-19, Manassas Park City Schools and surrounding divisions will be closing for the next three weeks. At this time students will not report back to school until April 14, 2020.
All student activities – including SAT testing at MPHS on Saturday, March 14 – are cancelled until further notice. There will be no MPCS facility use during this closure.
Please follow www.mpark.net and MPCS social media channels for the most up-to-date information. We have access to the latest information and recommendations from federal, state, regional, and local authorities. We will continue to rely on them and other public-health experts to inform our decision-making as circumstances change. Our highest priority is the well-being of students and staff.
At this time, there are no known cases of COVID-19 in the Manassas Park community.
Enhanced cleaning products and increased frequency of cleanings had been occurring on a daily basis in all of our buildings and on all of our buses. We will continue deep-cleaning efforts with CDC-recommended products during the closure.
INSTRUCTION WILL CONTINUE
MPCS staff and students are well versed in online and virtual instruction and these lessons will be grade/class specific.
(COUGAR & MPE): Online learning information letters have been sent home with your student. At Cougar, students will be able to access SmartyAnts and DreamBox. MPE’s programs are Achieve3000 and Imagine Math.
Beginning Monday, March 16, parents can expect a notification from the school by 1:30 pm that contains information on the school work that should be done with their child(ren). Any issues with the distance learning platform can be directed via email to your child’s teacher.
(MPMS & MPHS): Instruction for students will continue through Canvas. Students and teachers have used this platform in class and will begin the distance learning plan from offsite locations. Students will bring laptops home, and can also access Canvas on smartphones through the Canvas App.
TALKING TO CHILDREN ABOUT THE VIRUS
While we are all appropriately concerned and arming ourselves with information to help limit the spread of COVID-19, be aware of ways in which children watch us respond to the news around us. Here are a few little things you can do to reduce anxiety in children. This is particularly important for children who may already feel stressed or in recovery from a stressful or traumatic event:
- Stay informed but limit information gathering to when children are outside earshot distance.
- Reassure children of their immunity more often than reminding them of the risk of illness.
- Limit conversation about the spread of this virus to a few minutes with an emphasis on “less is more” for children. They just need to know they and their parent(s) will be okay and are doing everything required to stay healthy and safe.
- Do most things the same (routine) so their homes remain a respite from external stress and a protected space from frightening world events.
- Be vigilant about cleaning but be mindful a hypervigilant parent can cause children to feel uncertain. Children have fewer resources than adults to cope with uncertainty and cannot exercise the kind of critical thinking that we can. They need our words to feel secure and our ‘wise brain’ to reassure their ‘feeling brain!’
- Reassure them with the facts of the flu and the low risk of serious illness this virus poses to children. Just like in the past, they may get sick and they will recover.
- Remind them that the hand washing, hand sanitizing, and other precautions are important to protect the community, but these efforts do not imply they will become seriously ill if they “forget.” That is, these precautions are a community effort to mitigate the risk of healthy individuals carrying the virus and exposing a vulnerable individual.
- Explain that community responsibility is the reason for these precautions versus a fear that they or their parent will become seriously ill.
- Children are watching and listening! Let them see grown-ups “got this” and will inform them if there is a reason to worry. Until then, keep up the play and maintain a relaxed and calm environment at home so they can bring their worries to you and not worry that you’re too worried to hear about it!
The health and wellness of our community continues to be of the utmost importance. If you would like more information about COVID-19, contact your health care provider or refer to the Virginia Department of Health or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention websites.
Also, be sure to check the division website and social media channels for the most up-to-date information as this situation evolves.
We sincerely appreciate the support and feedback received from the community.
Mrs. Gwynn
It’s Time for 19-20 Yearbook Sales!!!
Check for PTO Fundraiser Order Forms in Friday Folders!
Upcoming Events
PTO School Store Open Wednesday Mornings!
March
19 - MPCS Family Market (Stay tuned for more information).
April
1-3 Project Up
6-13 Spring Break, no school
15 PTO Spirit Night, Preston's Pub
16 Family Market at MPHS
24 PTO Spirit Night, Betty and Marie's
30 Fine Arts Night
Division Calendar 2019-2020
Please download and refer to the Division Calendar for important dates and times of school holidays and early closings.
My School Bucks
Manassas Park City Schools now offers MySchoolBucks. This convenient online payment service provides a quick and easy way to pay for school-related purchases. You can now pay for items such as meal payments, fieldtrips, and more using your credit/debit card or electronic check. Register for your FREE account today at https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/login/getmain?requestAction=home.
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 https://twitter.com/CESMiniCougars
- Following MPCS on Twitter @MPCSchools https://twitter.com/MPCSVA
- Liking and following the Manassas Park City Schools Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/MPSchools/
- Checking the MPCS website frequently at www.mpark.net
- Following the Manassas Park PTO Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/ManassasParkCougarPTO/
Other information:
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