Chris Yung Elementary
Full STEAM Ahead
October 2019
Principal: Kathy Notyce
Assistant Principal: Ann Quattrone
Mission: Working collaboratively to achieve success.
Vision: A World Class school committed to excellence.
Mark Your Calendars
Oct.4: Field Day: PK-2nd @ 9:30-11:45 & 3rd -5th @ 12:30-3:00
Oct.10: Hearing/Vision Screening: K-3rd
Oct.14: Professional Development Day: School Closed
Oct. 15-18: Book Fair Week
October 15: Book Fair Family Night 3:30-6:30
Oct. 15: Advisory Council Meeting @ 6:30 & PTO Meeting @ 7:00
Oct. 21-25: Character Count/ Red Ribbon Week
Oct. 25: All Pro Dads @ 8:00
Harvest Glow Dance @ 6:30
Oct. 28: Principal's Coffee @9:30
Nov. 1: End of 1st Quarter
Nov. 4: Teacher Workday: School Closed
Nov. 5: Parent/Teacher Conference Day: School Closed / Election Day
Nov. 11: Veteran’s Day: School Closed
Principal's Message
The fall season is finally upon us though the temperatures still feel like summer. It has been a wonderful opening and it is great to have our school filled with the laughter and smiles of children. I enjoyed the opportunity to visit with many of you during our Open House and Back to School Nights. I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me about your children and their needs. I’m always interested in hearing feedback and ideas on how we can partner together to support our children.
Students have been very busy learning routines and expectations, setting goals and staying engaged in a variety of learning opportunities. We have fully implemented a Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) system that addresses the expectations in our school and on the bus.
Our top priority will always be to ensure the safety of our students. During the month of September, we held bi-weekly fire drills and lockdown drills to make sure that students are familiar with protocols in the event of an emergency. When you visit the school, please have your photo ID available as it is required in order to enter the school.
Students have taken assessments in both reading and math to determine their current levels in these content areas. This baseline data will be used by teachers to plan appropriate instruction to meet the individual needs of our students. We are implementing Standards-Based Grading in all PWC elementary schools. If you have questions or need additional information on the new grading system, you may contact your child’s teacher or an administrator.
During the past four years we have seen a great deal of improvement in our overall scores in both Literacy and Math yet there is still room for continuous improvement. We are focusing on helping students to develop a love for reading and writing. Research shows that when students read because they see reading as fun, they become lifelong readers. I have purchased Benchmark Literacy and DreamBox which students will be using in the classroom and will have access to at home. I’m sure teachers shared login information during their Back to School Night presentations for the programs. However, if you need additional information, please contact your child’s teacher. Both programs are designed to meet students at their present reading and math levels and will continue to build their skills in these areas. Research shows that students who used these programs consistently demonstrate huge gains with reading and math.
There are many exciting activities coming up so make sure to check out the upcoming events. I wish you and yours a beautiful fall season and an October filled with lots of good books, warm fires and memories to treasure.
Principal's Coffee
I will be hosting a Principal’s Coffee on Monday, October 28 at 9:30. These informal gatherings will take place throughout the school year. My goal is to use the Principal’s Coffees as a forum to discuss information regarding programs, practices and upcoming events. Dates for future coffees will be announced in the monthly STEAM Engine Newsletters. Come and enjoy a cup of coffee, refreshments and meet other members of our school community.
Parent Teacher Conference Day: November 5
We are looking forward to seeing you at the Parent Teacher Conference Day on November 5. The conferences will provide the opportunity to celebrate your child’s academic progress and discuss goals for the remainder of the school year. If you were unable to sign up for a time during the Back to School Nights, please contact your child’s teacher. Letters will be sent home soon to confirm your conference time. Interpreters will be available to assist parents who speak languages other than English.
Impact Aid
Federal Impact Aid is designed to assist United States local school districts that have lost property tax revenue due to the presence of tax-exempt Federal property, or that have experienced increased expenditures due to the enrollment of federally connected children, including children living on Indian lands.
Pre-printed forms will be going home with your students during the week of October 7. Please fill out the forms according to the directions included on the form and return to the school by the date indicated on the bottom of the form. We look forward to have 100% return this year.
Visitors
Just a reminder that in order to enter Chris Yung Elementary School, you must ring the bell located on the brick post outside of door #1. Once greeted by the office staff, they will ask you to show your ID to the camera before buzzing you in. Please keep your ID out to present directly to our staff once you have entered the building. We truly appreciate partnering with you to keep our children, staff and visitors safe and secure.
Naglieri and CogAT Tests
The Naglieri is designed to assess the development of reasoning and problem-solving skills for second-grade students. During this online test, students are asked to solve a series of non-verbal logic problems. The test provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate reasoning skills, without relying on language. The results of these assessments will be used in combination with other classroom achievement information to assist teachers in understanding the learning strengths and needs of each individual student.
The CogAT is designed to evaluate the cognitive development of third-grade students. Results from the test will be used in combination with other classroom achievement information to assist teachers in understanding the learning strengths and needs of each individual student. The testing window is October 24 through November 21. A schedule will be provided with the testing dates.
Advisory Council News
The Advisory Council is a collaborative effort of parent representatives, teachers, and school leadership, working to support our school. Significant activities of the Advisory Council include participation in establishing the long-term Continuous Improvement Plan, reviewing the Budget, and acting as an interface between the general community and the school. The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 15 at 6:30 in the school library. The topic of discussion will be on Standards-Based Grading so come and learn more about the new grading system in all PWCS.
Counselor's Corner
Classroom Counseling Lessons
This month in classroom counseling lessons, our focus will be on communication, cooperation, and teamwork. Related library book suggestions include: Swimmy by Leo Lionni, Stone Soup by Jon Muth, The Crayon Box that Talked by Shane DeRolf, How the Crayons Saved the Rainbow by Monica Sweeney, and Teamwork Isn’t My Thing and I Don’t Like to Share by Julia Cook.
Small Groups
The purpose of small group counseling is to provide a safe environment for sharing, giving and receiving feedback, practicing new skills, and increasing awareness so that students can continue to be successful in school. Small groups typically meet once per week for six to eight sessions during the school day at a time that is agreeable with the teacher. Possible topics include coping skills, changing families, work habits, friendship/social skills, etc. If you feel your child could benefit from small group counseling, please contact Dr. McClurg (grades 3-5) or Ms. Poore (K-2nd grade).
Looking Ahead:
November 14 – 6:30pm – Social Media Night at Piney Branch Elementary School (guest speaker from The Center for Missing and Exploited Children - learn how to protect your children from the dangers of social media. This event is for adults only).
Your school counselors are on Twitter! Follow us @CYEScounselor to stay up-to-date on all things related to CYES School Counseling.
Dr. Laurie McClurg, Ph.D., NCC
Ms. Trish Poor
School Counselors
Book Fair Time
It’s That Time!
The Fall 2019 Book Worm Central Book Fair is right around the corner. Chris Yung Book Fair will run the week of October 15 - 18. Our Family Night will be October 15th from 4:00 – 6:30 PM. Please come out and support your library. The hours of the fair are:
At the beginning of the fair we will be pre-viewing books with classes on Tuesday, October 15th. So please look for your children to be coming home with their “Wish Lists” containing some of the wonderful titles we will have available. The Friday, October 11, we will be sending home flyers, so don’t forget to check students’ “Friday Folders” that weekend to get a glimpse of some of the great books that will be at the fair.
VOLUNTEERS! We would love to have your help at the book fair, so please give me a call if you would like to help out at 571-598-3518 or email masterba@pwcs.edu.J
As always, this fundraiser is not only an important way to keep your child excited about reading but is also a vital way for Chris Yung to be able to purchase new books for the library! We look forward to the amazing support of our Chris Yung families.
Thank you!!!
Betsy Masterson
Trish Davila
Character Counts and Red Ribbon Week
Character Counts and Red Ribbon Week
October is a special month because we celebrate both Character Counts Week and Red Ribbon Week. This year, these two national initiatives overlap so we are having a joint spirit week based on this schedule:
Monday, October 21 - "Character Kick-off"- Team up with your grade level and show your support
of the six pillars of character
K - Purple (citizenship)
1 - Yellow (respect)
2 - Orange (fairness)
3 - Red (Caring)
4 - Green (Responsibility)
5 - Blue (Trustworthiness)
Tuesday, October 22 – Hats off to being trustworthy– crazy hat day
Wednesday, October 23 - Get Red of Drugs / Red Out for the Caring Pillar – dress in red.
Thursday, October 24 – We Shine Bright with Character / We’re too Bright for Drugs – dress in neon colors.
Friday – Dress for Success / Respect and Responsibility - dress up and look your best
Middle School Specialty Programs
Now is the time for 5th grade students to begin thinking about middle school. There are many middle school specialty programs in PWCS. In October, PWCS is hosting two general information sessions (October 14 and 15) at Kelly Leadership Center. We recommend you attend one of the sessions if you think your child may be interested in one of these programs. The application deadline is February 01, 2020 for most programs. Please note that the application process may take some time to complete therefore it’s recommended that you begin the process early.
Art Corner
Attention 4th and 5th Grade Artists
The fall Art Club will begin Wednesday, October 23. Permission slips will go home October 7th and must be returned by October 18th.
Students who participate in Art Club will work together to help beautify the school campus. They will design and paint a “Little Library” and signs for our Learning Garden.
Art Club will meet Wednesdays, October 23 through December 4 from 4:00—5:00. There is no activity bus for this club. Parents need to pick up their children promptly at 5:00.
Ms. Broome,
Art Teacher
STEAMonthly
Who? What? Why? When? How? Where?
Questioning is a key piece of thinking creatively and critically. As CYES engineers, we find problems in the world in which we live and turn them into questions that need to be answered.
Each time students enter the STEAM Lab they are met with a driving question to help them focus their learning in a real-world setting. That questioning continues throughout the engineering design process as they imagine, plan, create, test and improve. Your students are learning that when given a driving question their next step is to begin asking questions of their own. “What do you need to know?” Leading with an inquisitive mind allows the students to see the world around them as a place where they can make a difference and be a force for change.
You can help foster creative and critical thinking at home through questioning as well! Next time you are out and about start asking questions about how things work, what you see or wonderings that you may have.
Here are some great open-ended questions you can start asking at home:
Kaitlin Chidester
STEAM Coach
Stay Connected
Communication is very important to your child’s success at school and we want to keep you informed of what is going on at Chris Yung. Please remember communication is a two-way process and you are encouraged to get in touch with your child’s teacher or administrators as needed. We will use electronic communication frequently, so if you do not have access to a computer at home, please be sure to contact your child’s teacher to let them know, so they can send you information in your child’s backpack. We don’t want you to miss important information.
Below are a few ways to stay informed about Chris Yung and PWCS:
Facebook: Chris Yung Elementary School
Twitter: #CYESsteamengines
ClassDojo: See your child's teacher to set up an account
Where's My Bus: Herecomesthebus.com
For an inside look at what is going on in PWCS please visit the following site:
Chris Yung Elementary School
Website: https://chrisyunges.pwcs.edu/home
Location: 12612 Fog Light Way, Bristow, VA, USA
Phone: 5715983500
Facebook: facebook.com/ChrisYungElementarySchool
Twitter: @CYESsteamengines