Cougar Weekly Update
August 14, 2020
This newsletter can be translated into different languages!
¡Este boletín se puede traducir a diferentes idiomas!
اس نیوز لیٹر کا مختلف زبانوں میں ترجمہ کیا جاسکتا ہے!
يمكن ترجمة هذه النشرة الإخبارية إلى لغات مختلفة!
ይህ በራሪ ጽሑፍ ወደ ተለያዩ ቋንቋዎች ሊተረጎም ይችላል!
این خبرنامه را می توان به زبان های مختلف ترجمه کرد!
Bản tin này có thể được dịch sang các ngôn ngữ khác nhau!
Look for "Translate Newsletter" and click
Principal's Message
Dear Cougar Community,
As we enter our new virtual year I am excited and heartened by the dedication of the our teachers and staff here at Cougar. When teachers returned on Tuesday they did so with their usual care and concern for their students. This week has been filled with training and planning to ensure that the school year is off on the right foot to ensure student success. While we have much to learn about this new environment I am confident that our teachers will get it done!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Gwynn
Technology Survey
As MPCS readies itself for a virtual learning environment we want to ensure all students are sufficiently prepared for new modes of teaching and learning. The preparation begins with adequate tools. Please complete the survey in your PowerSchool parent portal so that we can support every student from the first day of learning forward. This information will be used to supply devices, enable internet access, and answer VDOE-related statistics.
We ask that every family take the time to respond to this survey for each child. The survey can be found at the top of the page in your PowerSchool parent portal after logging in.
Kindergarten Requirements
Kindergarten is a time of exploration and learning many new things. Even though we will begin the year virtually there are several things you MUST DO in order to ensure a smooth transition to kindergarten. Please make sure these things are completed and submitted to the Cougar Office. Your student will not receive a chromebook to start school on time without these being completed.
1.Your child must have a 5 Year Physical completed within the last year (print form below). All shots must be up to date. These include:
- (5) DTP
- (4) OPV
- (2) MMR
- (3) Hep B
- (2) Varicella
- TB test and date (must show with low risk or negative
2. Powerschool Enrollment - Online Returning Student Data Verification
- Parents of returning students must access the PowerSchool Enrollment online forms through the PowerSchool Parent Portal at https://ps.mpark.net/public. The online forms contain demographic and emergency information you entered last year. During this process, you will verify the information is accurate or update any information that has changed. Parents will also electronically sign annual agreement forms for school district policies.
- At least one parent is required to create a PowerSchool Parent Portal account. If you have multiple children in Manassas Park City Schools, you must verify information for each student, however only one parent account is necessary.
- · If you have created a PowerSchool Parent Portal account in a previous school year, please use that account to log in. Please do not create a new account.
- · If you have not created a PowerSchool parent account, directions can be found at http://www.mpark.net/parents/directions-for-parent-portal.
- If you have questions about your account, please contact your child’s school for assistance.
- In preparation for the 2020-2021 opening and to make the process as smooth as possible, please login to verify your existing PowerSchool Parent Portal account or create a new PowerSchool Parent Portal account if not already created prior to the end of the 2019-2020 school year.
These items must be completed in order for your child(ren) to start Kindergarten.
Online Returning Student Data Verification is OPEN
Parents of returning students must access the PowerSchool Enrollment online forms through the PowerSchool Parent Portal at https://ps.mpark.net/public. The online forms contain demographic and emergency information you entered last year. You must verify the information is accurate or update any information that has changed. Parents will also electronically sign annual agreement forms for school district policies.
At least one parent is required to create a PowerSchool Parent account. If you have multiple children in Manassas Park City Schools, you must verify information for each student, however only one parent account is necessary.
- If you have created a PowerSchool Parent Portal account in a previous school year, please use that account to log in. Please do not create a new account.
- If you have not created a PowerSchool parent account, directions can be found at https://www.mpark.net/parents/directions-for-parent-portal.
If you have questions about your account, please contact your child’s school for assistance.
The completion of this process is required for all returning students. The online forms are now open. Please complete by July 31, 2020.
How do I get started?
Visit https://ps.mpark.net/public and sign into your PowerSchool Parent Portal
- Select the student you wish to verify data at the top
- Click the ‘Registration’ link on the left side navigation menu
Family Support Classes from the Virginia Department of Education
The Virginia Department of Education's (VDOE) English Learner Instruction Program will offer a new series of webinars geared to support families as they prepare for the upcoming school year, specifically supporting learning at home.
The links below are for the respective Zoom sessions:
- English: August 26; 5:30 p.m.
- Spanish: August 27; 5:30 p.m.
- Urdu: August 31, 5:30 p.m.
- Arabic: September 1, 5:30 p.m.
- French: September 2, 5:30 p.m.
- Vietnamese: September 3, 5:30 p.m.
No registration is required; families join live.
Yearbooks from 2019-2020
Dear Families,
Yearbooks are a tradition for schools throughout the US and Canada. At Lifetouch, we are humbled to be a part of providing that tradition. We know how important yearbooks are - especially in times like these.
We want to take a moment to acknowledge this year’s delayed yearbook delivery is not what you, as our customers expect, nor deserve, from Lifetouch.
We want you to be aware that our primary yearbook production facilities are located in some of the states that are being hardest hit by the pandemic. We have prioritized the safety of our employees; and we are following all state and local health guidelines to create a safe working environment. Social distancing requirements mean that there are fewer people available to work at any given time. These changes have impacted our production schedule in meaningful ways.
We realize this has created a lot of frustration since we are currently unable to provide an estimated delivery time frame for your school’s yearbook. Please know our teams are doing everything possible to get your yearbook to you. Shipping is monitored daily. As soon as your yearbook ships, your school will receive tracking information so they can arrange to distribute the yearbooks to the students and families in a manner that is best suited for everyone’s safety.
As we navigate COVID-19, our intent is to provide you with a yearbook that your student will treasure for a lifetime. We thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate this unprecedented time together.
Sincerely,
Lifetouch
Smoothwall a Problem Logging in on an MPCS Device?
Internet with Cell Phone Companies
Some families have expressed that they may not have high-speed internet access at home. If you have a cell phone, your carrier may have provided you with additional hotspot data for free, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please check with your cell phone provider to see what options are available to you.
Verizon Wireless - https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/covid-19-faqs/#hotspot
AT&T - https://about.att.com/newsroom/2020/att_consumer_connected_together.html
Sprint - https://www.sprint.com/en/landings/covid-19.html
T-Mobile - https://www.t-mobile.com/support/account/covid-19-updates
Cricket Wireless - https://www.cricketwireless.com/newsroom/blog/cricket-health-and-safety-update.html
Algunas familias han expresado que no tienen acceso a internet de alta velocidad en casa. Si usted tiene un teléfono celular, es posible que su proveedor le haya proporcionado datos de puntos de acceso adicionales en forma gratitua, con respeto a la pandemia de COVID-19. Por favor consulte con su proveedor de celular para ver qué opciones tienen disponible para usted.
Verizon Wireless - https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/covid-19-faqs/#hotspot
AT&T - https://about.att.com/newsroom/2020/att_consumer_connected_together.html
Sprint - https://www.sprint.com/en/landings/covid-19.html
T-Mobile - https://www.t-mobile.com/support/account/covid-19-updates
Cricket Wireless - https://www.cricketwireless.com/newsroom/blog/cricket-health-and-safety-update.html
Need IT Support?
Please email it.support@mpark.net.
Please make sure the student includes their name, the device type, and a detailed description of the problem.
Stay Connected
You can stay connected by:
- 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:
School Board Meetings and Work Sessions
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