Minnie Notes
Volume 5 -February , 2024
Soaring for Excellence through Commitment, Collaboration and Community
Administrative Greetings!
Dear Minnieville Elementary School Families:
We have reached the midpoint of the school year and last week we celebrated the 100th day of school. I hope you have had the time to log into ParentVue and look at your child’s report card for the second quarter. As we enter the third quarter, we want to continue to build upon the great academic, social and emotional strides our students have made. We do still need your support because together we can make certain our students SOAR for EXCELLENCE in all areas! If you have any questions about your child’s progress please reach out to the classroom teacher.
Historically we have noticed that after winter break families tend to transition in and out of our attendance area. It is important to update your child's emergency information (to include address and phone numbers). In the unlikely event of an emergency, the front office must be able to contact the parents/guardians in a timely fashion. Updating all phone contacts will assist us with that effort. Please contact Ms. Ross if you need to update your information.
So that we can begin planning for next school year we will be sending home a Minnieville Student Intent form so that you can let us know if you have moved or are moving and/or whether your child will be returning to Minnieville in the fall of the 2024-2025 school year.
We still have a large collection of coats in our lost and found. At the end of the month all unclaimed items will be donated. We plan to have these items on display at our Friendship Dance on February 23, 2024.
We feel privileged to serve as the administrative team at the best public school in Prince William County! Please feel free to contact us at 703.670.6106 or by e-mail at ellisdt@pwcs.edu and singletl@pwcs.edu
Sincerely,
Deborah Ellis, Principal
Tyese Singleton, Assistant Principal
We Believe Every Child is Gifted!
Gifted Education & Talent Development
At Minnieville Elementary, we all share a love of learning. Share this fun February thinking calendar challenge with your family. How many of these tasks can you complete during the month of February? Feel free to send your creations and ideas to Ms. Goins at goinsbx@pwcs.edu! Let's exercise our creative thinking skills together this month!
Thinking about your Career Begins in Elementary School
VA Wizard Information from the Counselors
Our students at MNES use the Virginia Education Wizard to develop their Academic and Career Plan Portfolio. The Wizard provides valuable career exploration and awareness resources for both students and parents. Each student has a personal Wizard account in which to develop their career exploration with their school counselors from 2nd grade through 5th grade.
School counselors deliver the following progression for students at the elementary level for this school year:
- Students in grade 2 explore 8 Career Cluster videos, many of which align with their Social Studies Community Helpers Unit.
- Students in grade 3 explore the remaining 9 Career Clusters through the Wizard during classroom instruction with their school counselor.
- Students in grade 4 begin to explore and identify their personal skills and values and how those may connect with the world of careers.
- Students in grade 5 will identify possible career choices through exploration activities, set a personal SMART goal, and self-reflection through work skills and work values.
Prince William County Public Schools is excited about the opportunities the Wizard provides students and families, and the alignment this online tool has with our current Virginia school counseling career counseling standards.
Be on the lookout in the coming weeks for a chance to sign up for our career day in May. More information will be provided at a later date. If you have any questions, please contact the school counselors at 703-670-6106.
Preschool School Peer Models
Next school year (2024-2025) Minnieville Elementary School is looking for peer models for the Preschool Classes. Our Preschool Program at Minnieville Elementary School will serve children ages three and four years old with developmental delays, along with their appropriate peer models. There will be openings for children ages three and four years of age to serve as peer models during the 2024-25 school year. If interested, please contact Ms. Dye DyeJX@pwcs.edu or call 703-670-6106 for more information.
Advisory Council
Our next Minnieville Advisory Council meeting is on Monday February 26, 2024 at 6:00 pm. We will be discussing preliminary school budget forecast, as well other 2023-2024 school wide initiatives. Our Advisory Council is open to the public and is a wonderful opportunity to hear about our school wide plan and voice any questions. We will send home more information closer to the date.
Each and Everyday Our Minnieville Students and Staff Soar for Excellence!
Attendance Matters!
At Minnieville Elementary we take pride in SOARING for EXCELLENCE. This applies to attendance too!
Student attendance continues to be a concern for some of our students already this school year. If a student misses 10 or more days excused or unexcused this may be a cause for student retention.
At the 5th unexcused absence, administration will meet with the parent to develop an attendance plan.
Further absences will involve the county attendance officer.
We understand that students do get sick and we want to make sure our students are healthy and fever free before they come to school to protect all of our students. With that being said, let’s please do all we can to make sure our students are washing their hands, having scheduled visits to their pediatrician, eating healthy and getting plenty of rest.
Absences must be reported by the parent or guardian. Failure to notify the school of an absence within 5 days results in an unexcused absence.
We understand emergencies happen but please limit family vacations during the school year because many of these absences are unexcused.
Please continue to work with our office staff and your child’s teacher to make arrangements that limit your child’s time out of school. Our job is to do everything we can to give your child the best possible educational experience possible and great attendance will allow us to meet our goals!
Congratulations to our MNES Super Spellers!
MNES Spelling Bee
On February 7, 2024 we held the Minnieville Spelling Bee. Each class, grades 1-5 held classroom spelling bees and the class winners took part in the Minnieville Elementary Spelling Bee.
Congratulations to Natasha , a fourth grader in Ms. Blose’s class, our champion and Janice Boamah, a fifth grader in Ms.Paloma ‘s class, our runner up. Natahsa will represent Minnieville Elementary at the Prince William Spelling Bee in March at Garfield High School.
First Grade
Leo M., Janelle N., Matias S. Soliana G., Sophia S.
Second Grade
Cheryl O., Amaya M. Bryan S., Amira C., Zachary R.
Third Grade
Nathan K., Isai A., Abigail E., Muluwork S.
Fourth Grade
Natasha M., Makbel S., Ahmed B., Audrey M.
Fifth Grade
Sofia E., Aiden S., Janice B., Sofia Grace W.
Friendship Dance
Dance on February 23rd
Please join in the fun at Minnieville's Friendship Dance on Friday, February 23rd from 6:30-8 pm.
Tickets: Admission Only $2 per person. Admission + Dinner $5 per Person. All students Must be accompanied by a parent/guardian during the dance.
Reminder: Parents and students need to purchase tickets to the dance.
Reminders: Arrival and Dismissal
Students should arrive on time and be dropped off while there is adult supervision. School starts at 8:45 a.m. unless your child is eating breakfast. Breakfast begins at 8:30 a.m.
Photo Identification is required for student pick-up.
Although we realize emergencies happen, early dismissal or pick-up should occur before bus arrivals (3:00 p.m.). We will not change dismissal after 3:00 pm.
Reminders: BUS TRANSPORTATION AND CONDUCT
All adults listed must have identification. At times a substitute driver will be on the bus route and they will not release children to persons not listed on the authorization form.
Please remind your child to use responsible behavior at the bus stop. There should be no foul language, running or playing at the bus stop or on the bus. Please help to ensure the safety of all of our students!
It is our expectation that all Minnieville students abide by the PWC Code of Behavior. The quality behaviors that students display in the classroom are also expected when riding the bus to and from school.
Kindness Matters
Parents, we know that you are your child's first teacher. We are asking that you continue to remind your children that kindness is as important as reading, writing and math. Many times children are used to playing rough and name calling at home with siblings and cousins. This is unacceptable and hurtful behavior at school.
Show School Spirit Every Friday!
Quarter Nest Celebration
On Friday Feb. 9 we had our quarterly nest celebration for students who SOARED for Excellence in the 2nd Quarter. Students could watch a movie, play bingo, play Minecraft (3rd-5th grade only) or do arts and crafts.
No School Monday February 19, 2024
UPCOMING DATES
February
Monday Feb, 12- Feb. 16 Kindness Week
Monday February 19, 2024- No School Presidents Day
Friday February 23, 2024 Friendship Dance 6:30 pm
March
Tuesday March 5, 2024- No School Presidential Primary Voting
Wed. March 6, 2024- Spring Pictures and Class Pictures
Thursday March 14, 2024- Social Emotional Wellness Night 6:00 pm
Thursday March 21, 2024- Field Day Grades 3-5
Friday March 22, 2024- Field Day Grades K-2
March 25-29 , 2024- Spring Break
Minnieville Elementary School
Assistant Principal- Tyese Singleton
Email: ellisdt@pwcs.edu
Website: pwcs.edu
Location: 13639 Greenwood Drive, Woodbridge, VA, USA
Phone: 703-670-6106
Facebook: facebook.com/MinnievilleES/
Twitter: @mnesthebest