From The Principal's Perch
Every Child. Every Day. Whatever it takes!
AMPLIFYING STUDENT VOICES AT EMES!
All schools are not the same. The most successful schools understand the importance of creating a culture and environment where every student and adult feels included, accepted, respected, loved and a true sense of belonging. This is the only environment where students can truly learn. Author Zaretta Hammond in her book Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain reminds us that to set the stage for learning for all children we must understand that "The brain seeks to minimize social threats and maximize opportunities to connect with others in community." Hammond goes on to explain "It is not enough to have a classroom free of psychological and social threats. The brain needs to be part of a caring social community to maximize its sense of well-being. Students need to feel affirmed and included as valued members of the learning community."
This is precisely the environment we are creating at EMES. We are not perfect, and there are bumps along the way, but we are committed to this journey. In fact, we find great joy in this journey! One of the ways we are accomplishing the goal of creating an environment where all students feel affirmed, included and valued is through the creation of a student led advisory council called the Python Advisory Council or PAC. The PAC's mission is highlighted below. This incredible group of young people, comprised of fourth and fifth grade students reflective of our school's population, met for the first time in January to begin discussing what we are doing right as a school, what needs to change, and what we are missing. Their initial primary focus is on the physical environment of our school. On the Monday prior to Spring Break, the PAC completed our first building audit. The students were tasked with walking the school building with an adult facilitator and assessing what is on the walls of the common spaces in our building including the main entrance, hallways, gym, cafeteria, and library. Their feedback was invaluable and will lead to changes in what you see in our building at the start of the 2021-22 school year!
I have included the members of the PAC below. The PAC is comprised of 12 student members, however due to the pandemic not all members have been able to participate thus far. The names below reflect the members who have been able to participate in at least one meeting this year. I have also included the names of the adult facilitators of this group. I could not be prouder to be a part of this work. We are committed to making Evergreen Mill Elementary School a place where all are accepted, included, valued and where all students experience deeper learning. We will not rest until this is the case!
Mission of the PAC
The Python Advisory Council (PAC) is a school based team of people (EMES students/LCPS staff) who are interested in and committed to promoting equity in our school. The purpose of the PAC is to assist the principal in making the changes necessary within our school to ensure that every student and adult who walks through our doors feels included. In addition, the PAC will make recommendations with regards to academic programs and instructional resources that are currently being used, or should be considered for use, to ensure that all students in our school feel a sense of belonging, are engaged in learning, and are connected to peers and adults in our building.
Members of the PAC
Paige Bianchini - Grade 4
Daetreon Hillsman - Grade 4
Anushka Iyengar - Grade 4
Nelson Lopez - Grade 4
Sofia Valenzuela - Grade 4
Clark Harlan - Grade 5
Bellen Woodard - Grade 5
Vivien Wyshinski - Grade 5
Dan Lani (Principal)
Jennifer Haggerty (Assistant Principal)
Jill Rodeffer (Gifted Specialist, Equity Lead)
Kim Woodward (Lead Counselor)
Wei Lo (School Psychologist Intern)
Dr. Charles Barrett (LCPS Psychologist, advisor)
Check out the video below for more info!
Expecting success,
Daniel Lani
Principal
SPRING TESTING WINDOWS
As referenced in the March edition of From the Principal's Perch linked here, https://www.smore.com/91t7b, we are beginning to plan and prepare our students for the LCPS and Virginia end of year assessments. The windows for these assessments are listed below and specific information regarding test schedules by grade level will be provided by our Assistant Principal and Site Testing Coordinator Mrs. Haggerty. We have not received any guidance on CogAT testing for grade 2 students as of this time and will keep you posted on any future developments as we become aware of them.
Spring MAP Testing (Grades 2-5) - April 5 - April 30
Dates To Remember
April 5 - Classes resume
April 6 - Autism Awareness Day - Light it up Blue (See Below)
April 9 - End of Grading Period
April 12- Planning/Records Day for Teachers (no school for students)
April 12 - PTA Meeting @ 7 PM
April 16 - Asynchronous Learning Day for all Students
April 19 - Report Cards Available on ParentVUE
April 20 - Transition to 4 days a week for Hybrid Students
April 20 - Spirit Night @ Solo Pizza
April 22 - April 23 - Hearing/Vision Screenings at EMES
April 26 - Grade 5 virtual visit to Simpson MS
April 30 - Spirit Day
EMES CELEBRATES AUTISM AWARENESS DAY ON APRIL 6, 2021
REGISTERING YOUR CHILD TO ATTEND EMES IN THE FALL
EMES is growing! We are adding additional class sections in grades 2, 3 and 5 for the 2021-22 school year. Now is the time to register your rising kindergarten student for school! Now is also the time to register for school next year if you are new to LCPS or if you have withdrawn from LCPS due to the Pandemic and are looking to return to our school next year. Registration appointments can be booked via email with our Register, Mrs. Peggy Eder, at peggy.eder@lcps.org.
FOR 2021-22 KINDERGARTEN ENROLLMENT -- Pre-registration is currently open for the 2021-22 school year and can be accessed by clicking on this link: https://www.lcps.org/StudentRegistration
The student's 5th birthday must be no later than September 30, 2021. Exception possible for active military children. Contact the Senior Registrar at 571-252-1238. There are NO other exceptions to this Virginia State law.
If you have questions about the registration process please email peggy.eder@lcps.org
COUNSELOR'S CORNER!
Congratulations to our amazing counseling department including Mrs. Kim Woodward and Mr. Noah Kachman for being recognized by LCPS for our outstanding Virtual Career Day. Check it out here: https://www.smore.com/4mf8p.
The Character Counts Award for February/March is given to a student who demonstrates CARING in the classroom. Here are the winners:
Kindergarten
Chesney - Zachary Geaneas
Griffith - Mayden Broeske
Hughes - Emma Bennet
Ludington - Ellie Smith
First Grade
Chambers - Shane Norton
DeGroat - Collin Dean
Lazzaro - Jeffrey Orellana
Wright - Maddie Poggi and Vincent Manas
Second Grade
Ruddy - Grace Turner
Walley - Morgan Campbell
Washington - Zoe Portillo
Young - Evelyn Lascurain
Third Grade
Buser - Owen Peterson
Jarman - Hank Mann Lemus
Mehaffey - Lola Golston
Peterson - Mauricio Cortes
Fourth Grade
Ferranti - Lucas Pho
Hawes - Claire Bender
Hicks - Kylie Simon
McCracken - Lyla Reynolds
Nazionale - Armaan Mustafa
Fifth Grade
Blakeney - Andre Bell & Mia Ambalong
Davis - Angie Soriano
Fangio - Owen Jansen
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING (SEL) SPOTLIGHT!
EMES ADDS THE REMIND APP!
PTA News and Notes
Here are our updates from the PTA for March!
PTA for your child!
Want to find out more about the PTA, maybe get involved in a small (or BIG) way? Join us at our virtual PTA meeting on Monday, April 12 at 7pm! Use the Zoom Link below. We would LOVE to have you!
What's coming this Spring? Event committee needs!
Spring Community Event! Where is Piper?
The PTA is planning an amazing spring event to include a scavenger hunt around Leesburg in search of our very mascot Piper, a CAR-nival at EMES, and even a dunk tank featuring some of your favorite EMES staff members! Want to help in planning for or as part of the on site set up team? Please reach out to PTA President Chi Burton at chi2cecile@gmail.com.
Important Dates:
Monday, April 12 @ 7pm PTA meeting
Tuesday, April 20 4 PM - 9 PM Spirit Night at Solo Pizza!
PTA Meeting Virtual Zoom Invitation Details:
Daniel Lani is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Daniel Lani's Personal Meeting Room
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us05web.zoom.us/j/6654692164
Meeting ID: 665 469 2164
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,6654692164# US (New York)
+13017158592,,6654692164# US (Washington DC)
Mr. Lani's Office Hours
ParentVUE
Need Assistance? We Can Help!
If, due to a disability, you need assistance to enable you to participate meaningfully in any meetings or activities at Evergreen Mill Elementary, please call Daniel Lani at 571-252-2900 at least FIVE WORKING DAYS prior to the event.
Our Parent Liaison, Elizabeth Haralson, is also available to assist you with filling out forms, registering for events, and can connect you with numerous community resources to support your family. Please call Mrs. Haralson at 571-252-2900 or email her at elizabeth.haralson@lcps.org if you need assistance. Her office schedule is listed below.
Evergreen Mill Parent Liaison Schedule
Monday - 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday - 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday - 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Thursday - 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Friday - 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
TO REGISTER FOR OUR BACKPACK BUDDIES PROGRAM PLEASE CLICK BELOW
Do We Have Your Email Address?
FIRST FRIDAY FOCUS - SPANISH LANGUAGE SESSION
Friday, May 7, 2021, 11:30 AM
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FIRST FRIDAY FOCUS - ENGLISH LANGUAGE SESSION
Friday, May 7, 2021, 12:00 PM
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Evergreen Mill Elementary School
Email: daniel.lani@lcps.org
Website: https://www.lcps.org/evergreen
Location: Evergreen Mill Elementary School, Evergreen Mills Road, Leesburg, VA, USA
Phone: 571-252-2900
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/940201543127264