Panther News!
One School, One Purpose: Together We Can!
Monday, October 16, 2023
Bi-Weekly Update from Ms. Merica
Dear Parents/Guardians,
I am pleased to announce the newest member of our Administrative Team, Ms. Morgan Lowry. Ms. Lowry joins us from Saunders Middle School where she has served as a special education teacher. Prior to her experience at Saunders, she served at Rippon Middle School in the special education department. She has worked in an administrative capacity at each school and is eager to join our team. Ms. Lowry will officially join us on November 6, 2023. Please give Ms. Lowry a warm Parkside welcome!
We are looking forward to welcoming you to our Welcome to Our House night on Thursday, Oct 26th. This event will run from 5:30-7:00 and is open to the whole family so feel free to bring younger siblings as well. All students received their house shirt last week and are encouraged to show their house pride and wear their shirt to the event.
In previous communications, I have shared that we have been practicing entering the building through our security screening system. We will go live with the system tomorrow. Our students have done an excellent job of ensuring their computers are out of the backpack and passing around the scanning station. I anticipate a bit of a slow down with the process this week as our students get used to what is detected and what is not. Our doors will open at 7:40 to expedite our students' entrance into the building.
We are excited to share with you that our school community will be celebrating Unity Day this Wednesday, October 18th. Unity Day is an annual event occurring during National Bullying Prevention Month that promotes joining together to create healthier communities through kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. Typically we ask for everyone to wear orange but we are also celebrating our Pink Out football game so we are asking everyone wear Pink this Wednesday! We hope you’ll take this opportunity to talk to your children about bullying prevention and all the positive things we can do to make healthier communities.
I hope you have a wonderful week and we will see you next Thursday at our Welcome to Our House night.
Respectfully,
Ms. Merica
"One School, One Purpose; Together We Can!"
Impact Aid Information
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The Impact Aid survey is now open and available for completion in ParentVUE. All parents should complete this survey as soon as possible. Please visit the PWCS Federal Impact Aid website for instructions on how to complete the survey. For assistance with your ParentVUE account, please contact the school.
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VGA Information for Parents
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Dear Parkside Parents,
Your student will bring home their score report from our fall Math and Language Arts VGA testing. The letter below gives more detail regarding the testing. If you have further questions, I would encourage you to visit the VDOE website.
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HOUSE POINTS! - WAY TO GO DOWNING IN RETAINING THE HOUSE POINT LEAD!
Counseling Info and Classroom Lessons
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Upcoming October Classroom Counseling Lessons:
7th Grade Lesson- Signs of Suicide
Through PE classes on Monday, October 16th and Tuesday, October 17th
This program teaches students about depression and how to ACT (Acknowledge, Care, and Tell a trusted adult). At the end of class, students will complete an exit slip which will ask them if they want to talk to an adult about any concerns. If you would like to opt your student out of this presentation, please complete the form below before Monday, October 16th. Signs of Suicide Opt Out Form
8th Grade Lesson- Strengths Explorer-
Through Social Studies classes on Thursday, Oct 19th
Students will take the Strengths Explorer self-assessment through Naviance. Students will explore their results and review their top three themes and be able to see related career pathways. They will be able to review the “Plan of Study” to see a sample high school schedule.
8th Grade Lesson- PWCS Specialty Programs-
Through Social Studies classes on Friday, Oct 27th
Students learn about PWCS Specialty Programs. They will be able identify their currently assigned high school. All Specialty Programs will be reviewed, and interest meeting dates will be shared.
Requests to see the School Counselor:
Students are able to request to meet with their counselor throughout the year. They can submit a request through the School Counseling canvas page. The school counselor will triage the requests as they come in and will send for the students when available.
Families can also request a check in for their student by reaching out to the school counselor directly.
High School Specialty Programs-
High School students have an opportunity to apply to High School Specialty Programs available based on their interest. The Parkside School Counselors will be giving an overview of the programs available later this month. The county also offers information sessions of each program and application process for families. Please check out the High School Specialty Program Website for more information.
Upcoming General Information Sessions for Specialty Programs:
October 10, 2023, 6:30 p.m. on Zoom (Register) (Interpretation Request Form)
November 16, 2023, 11 a.m. on Zoom (Register) (Interpretation Request Form)
To request American Sign Language or language interpretation services, please complete the Interpretation Request Form.
Students will see the Counselor According to Their Last Name:
A-Do : Laura Pelczar
Du-La: Clifton Gorham
Le-Ra: Maureen Andrada
Re-Z: James Jackson
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PTO News and Glow Dance
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NEXT UP - Join Parkside PTO for a Glow Party!!
Friday October 20, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Parkside Tennis Courts
Admission: $10 per ticket
Purchase tickets online today! --> https://pto-glow-party.cheddarup.com
Ticket Sales: Online 10/10-20
& at student lunches 10/16-20
Glow Dance Permission Form (English)
Glow Dance Permission Form (Spanish)
There will be NO ticket sales at the Door! Ticket sales are available now until Friday 10/20 at 2pm.
Concessions: Concessions will be CASH ONLY. We will have pizza slices, popcorn, candy, chips, soda and water. Prices are $1 - $2 per item.
Glow items will be available to purchase at the event!!
Drop Off/Pick Up: This is a PTO sponsored event - there is no school transportation. Parents must drop off students at Parkside and pick them up at 8pm. As we expect a lot of attendees, carpooling is strongly encouraged.
Party Monitors: Volunteers are needed to ensure every event is safe, successful and memorable to all! We cannot do this without you! Sign up now to volunteer -> https://bit.ly/3rJb0c4
This event is for current Parkside students only.
A permission form MUST be signed by a parent or guardian in order to purchase tickets!
A wristband will be your ticket. Wristbands will be picked up at student lunches on Friday 10/20.
If it rains the event will be moved inside the school.
Any questions please contact ptoparksidemiddle@gmail.com
Would you like to receive more exciting news & updates directly from the PTO?? ----> Subscribe to the PTO email list today! ---> https://forms.gle/vwFYEDABvkh78Qdk7
We hope everyone has a great week! Thank you again for supporting Parkside PTO!
-Parkside Board of Directors-
House Night is Coming!
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Operation Turkey Drive! Help Parkside Help Those in Need!
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Parkside is participating in a Fall Food Drive to help PWCS families in need. I have attached the flyer with more information on what you can donate. Please consider dropping off donations in the cafeteria or in Room 823.
Students will also be participating in the drive. More information is posted on their House Canvas page and will be in the announcements this week. NJHS will be sorting these donations later this month.
If you do decide to donate, please mark your name on your donations so you can receive LiveSchool points.
Thank you for your support!
Important Dates
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Monday, October 16, 2023
Boys Soccer vs Hampton @ Home – 5:15 PM
Volleyball vs Hampton @ Home – 5:15 PM
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
Traveling Europe Interest Meeting – Library 6:00 PM
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Boys Soccer vs Manassas @ Manassas – 5:15 PM
Football PINKOUT Game vs Saunders @ Home – 5:15 PM
Volleyball vs Manassas @ Manassas – 5:15 PM
School Board Meeting @ KLC – 7:00 PM
Thursday, October 19, 2023
Field Trip – World Language – Washington, DC – Maibeth
Girls Track vs. Lake Ridge @ Home – 5:15 PM
Friday, October 20, 2023
School Picture Day – During PE Class
Field Trip – Band Trip – Osbourn Park High School – 4:30 PM
PTO Glow Dance – 5:00 PM
Monday, October 23, 2023
School Picture Day – During PE Class
Faculty Meeting – Cafeteria – 3:15 PM
Boys Soccer vs Benton @ Benton – 5:15 PM
Volleyball vs Benton @ Benton – 5:15 PM
Football Game vs Manassas @ Manassas – 5:15 PM
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
School Picture Day – During PE Class
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Boys Soccer vs Beville @ Home – 5:15 PM
Volleyball vs Beville @ Home – 5:15 PM
Thursday, October 26, 2023
Girls Track Regionals @ Manassas Park – 1:00 PM
Welcome to Our House Night – 5:30 PM
Monday, October 30, 2023
Naglieri Testing – During the Morning
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Happy Halloween!
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
Football vs Lake Ridge @ Home – 5:15 PM
Friday, November 3, 2023
Fall Sports Award Ceremony – Parkside Cafeteria – 5:00 PM
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School Picture Day
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School Picture Days are Coming!
They are scheduled to occur during your child's PE class beginning on the following dates:
- Friday, October 20, 2023
- Monday, October 23, 2023
- Tuesday, October 24, 2023
All picture information is being sent out by Jostins via email and through electronic methods this year. No school picture forms will be available through hard copies. Please check your email for more information.
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Security Screening System Coming
September 29, 2023
Dear Parkside Middle School Families,
As part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring a safe and secure learning environment for all students, we are pleased to announce that we will implement new safety screening technology starting October 17, 2023. This advanced technology will enhance our existing security protocols and help us quickly identify potential threats, ensuring the safety of our students and staff.
We appreciate your patience and understanding during the implementation as we work together to adjust to new patterns and routines.
· The building will open to students at 7:40, 30 minutes prior to the start of the school day.
· We will have 2 entries into the building while all other doors will be locked. Those entries will be:
- Door 2 - Parent drop-off
- Door 2- Bus riders
· Once the school day begins, all visitors and students arriving after the bell will enter through Door 1 and will go through the screening.
To prepare ahead of the use of the technology in your school, families are encouraged to help reduce the possibility of “false alerts” on everyday items.
While none are prohibited, using these guidelines will ensure a quick entry for everyone:
- Select clear and plastic school supplies over covered/concealed and metallic when applicable.
- Use three-ring binders with plastic spines/rings (non-metal).
- Use plastic (versus metallic) BPA-free water/coffee bottles.*
- Use hard plastic eyeglass cases (versus metal).
- Students should pack lightly and limit the number of items in bags or other equipment.
- Keep superfluous metallic items home (game consoles, beauty products, USB drives).
- Laptops and umbrellas will be passed around the technology via a staffed table.
- *SPARK, the education foundation for PWCS, has worked with the Prince William County Service Authority to provide free, reusable water bottles to each school for students on a first-come, first-served basis. See the front office for more details.
Watch this video to learn more about entry through the system.
Our staff will receive training before the screening technology is active and will be working with students to ensure a smooth implementation.
Further Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding this screening technology can be found on the PWCS website.
If you have any questions or concerns about this new security measure or any other aspect of our school’s safety protocols, do not hesitate to contact us. Your partnership and support are vital in making our school community safe and conducive to learning.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. We look forward to working together to create a safe and nurturing environment for all our students, staff, and families.
Sincerely,
Ms. Erin Merica
Principal,
Parkside Middle School
Parkside Cambridge International Middle School
One School, One Purpose: Together We Can!
Email: MericaEM@pwcs.edu
Website: Parksidems.pwcs.edu
Location: , 8602 Mathis Ave, Old Town Manassas, VA, USA
Phone: 703-361-3106