EAGLE FLYER
February 2024
Happy Birthday, Rosa Parks!
Hello Golden Eagle Families,
This month brings three incredible opportunities to celebrate the spirit of our school. While her actual birthday is on Sunday, February 4th, we will have the opportunity on Friday, February 2nd, to recognize the brave and inspiring woman, Rosa Parks, in our school assembly highlighting her incredible accomplishments. Her quiet act of courage decades ago helped spark a movement for equality that continues to impact our world today.
Next, in February we will have the 100th Day of School! Right now, the 100th Day of School is planned for February 7th, however, this can be impacted by snow days. This milestone is a wonderful occasion to reflect on all the learning and growth that happens within these walls. Our classrooms will be buzzing with creative projects, many of which involve counting or collections of 100 items. It’s a time to be proud of how far we’ve come and excited for the adventures that still await us!
Finally, the second week of February marks Virginia’s Kindness Week. This is a dedicated time to focus on spreading kindness throughout our school and community. We’ll have activities planned, but the real magic happens in the everyday, spontaneous acts of caring we offer to one another. A simple smile, a helping hand, or a kind word can brighten someone’s day and make our school a more positive place.
To learn more about Virginia’s Kindness week, complete with resources and activities for families, please check out - https://www.doe.virginia.gov/programs-services/student-services/integrated-student-supports/virginia-kindness-week
Let’s embrace these opportunities to learn, honor, and grow together. Happy February!
Your partners in education,
Kat Ngo, Principal
Maria Menjivar, Assistant Principal
VDOE Kindness in Our Schools Week
Virginia's Department of Education has designated February 11th thru 17th as Kindness in Our Schools Week! Please help us promote Kindness in Our Schools by encouraging your children to participate in the 28 Day Kindness Challenge. (Teachers will provide a copy of the challenge to each student.) Any student who completes 10 or more acts of kindness by the end of the month will receive a Kindness Certificate. Certificates will be given on the "honor system" as students will self-report their acts of kindness. These kindness activities can be completed at school or at home.
Our 'No Place For Hate' group will sponsor our annual community Food Drive February 1st thru 16th! The grade level with the most donated items in measured linear feet will select Kindness Ambassadors to help pack the donated items. All donations will go to supporting our Catholic Charities, which is the organization that provides our weekend food kits for RPES and other PWCS schools.
As part of our Kindness Campaign this month, the 4th and 5th grade representatives for our ‘No Place for Hate’ group will teach our Rosa Parks students to use sign language to sign ‘The Song of Peace’ at our Rosa Parks birthday celebration assembly on February 2nd.
IB LEARNER PROFILE ATTRIBUTE: Principled
Principled students act with honesty and integrity. They have a strong sense of fairness and respect for others. Principled students take responsibility for their actions and accept consequences for their choices.
Literature Connection: Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes
Lilly brings her most prized possessions to school. Her teacher has to take away her purple purse and Lilly becomes angry. She must deal with her strong emotions and choices.
Historical Connection in Virginia: Sophie Gooding Rose Meredith (1851–1928)
Sophie Gooding Rose Meredith was a leader in the Virginia woman suffrage movement. In 1915, she organized and became chair of the Virginia branch of the Congressional Union for Woman Suffrage. She began to become an education activist when she joined the Richmond Education Association.
Rosa Parks Elementary School students learn leadership, teamwork, and trust through The Edge
George Mason University's Edge on Wheels rolled into Rosa Parks Elementary School for some experiential learning lessons for the students. They participated in hands-on learning activities that developed team building, community building, and conflict resolution skills.
REMINDER - BIRTHDAY POLICY
Birthdays and Treat Policy: In lieu of birthday treats, we invite parents to consider a gift of motivational pencils; a book for the class library; a board game; 10 minutes of extra recess; or a read aloud of a book for the class. Families can choose only one option for a birthday celebration, not multiple. Birthday treats must be store bought and prepackaged (no cakes.) Students sometimes choose to bring birthday invitations to school. If a family chooses to invite students while in school, all students must be invited in the class. Teachers cannot hand out invitations.
CAFE CORNER - February 2024
February’s Local Harvest of the Month is Butternut Squash!
You may have had butternut squash roasted or in a soup, but have you ever tried it on a salad?! We are serving a new salad recipe in February featuring butternut squash combined with kale, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds!
It will be on the menu the following dates:
Elementary Schools: Wednesday, February 28th
Middle Schools: Thursday, February 22nd
High Schools: Friday, February 16th
Want to recreate this menu special at home? Here is the recipe from the PWCS Food and Nutrition Department!
You are Invited to the PWCS Food and Nutrition Department’s Food Show!
Are you interested in shaping the future of school lunch at PWCS?! The Food and Nutrition Department is hosting their Annual Food Show on Thursday, March 7th, from 6-8pm at Colgan High School! Students, families and PWCS staff are encouraged to attend this free event to taste test new recipes and provide their feedback! If you are interested in attending, RSVP using the following link: https://forms.office.com/r/0ChRCBHyb7 or call 703-791-7314.
NEWS FROM SUPERINTENDENT'S ADVISORY COUNCIL ON INSTRUCTION (SACI)
Have you been wondering if your child may need more support? Maybe you’re concerned about their academic progress, behavior at home or at school, or they seem to always be bored. Maybe it’s even all of the above! Here are some variables to consider for special education and/or gifted services and how to start those identification processes.
NEWS FROM THE PTO
Our Spring Book Fair is February 26th through March 1st. Students will preview the book fair with their classes on Monday February 26th. Evening hours will be on February 27th and February 29th 5pm-7pm for families to come to the book fair together.
CALENDAR DATES
February 7 - 100th Day of School
February 7 - School Counselors' Appreciation Day
February 8 - Food Bank Family Market
February 13 - Advisory Council Zoom @ 6:15pm, PTO Zoom @ 7pm
February 14 - Marking Period 2 Report Cards posted in ParentVue
February 19 - No School - Presidents' Day Holiday
February 21 - 2nd Grade Water Safety - Virtual Parent Information Night @ 5pm
February 26 thru March 1 - Spring Book Fair
(Book Fair Evening hours on February 27 and February 29 @ 5:00-7:00pm)
February 29 - Literacy Night @ 5:30-7:00pm
March 5 - No School - Election Day
March 6 - Class Picture Day (DATE CHANGE)