Principal's Message April 25-29
Dear Peabody and Watkins community,
Our community achieved two significant milestones this week: we successfully complete our first week of DC Science/PARCC testing and had the first in-person Cluster Auction - both our first in three years!
Our 5th graders completed the DC Science test. It took incredible organizing on behalf of the testing team, focus of our teachers/test administrators, and most of all, perseverance from our students. Our 5th graders took the assessment seriously and used the opportunity to show their Panther PRIDE, especially their dedication to excellence. There is still more testing to come as all 3-5th graders will take the Math and ELA portions of the PARCC assessment in the coming weeks (schedule below.) I'd be remiss to not include our 2nd graders in this list of shout outs. Because of testing, they attended specials in the morning. Any schedule changes are challenging, but our teachers prepared our students and they did a great job adjusting to the change.
Our community also came out for the Cluster Auction! After being personally overwhelmed by the expanse of the event, I had a great time talking with staff and caregivers. Thank you to all that donated to our PTA so that they can continue supporting our schools and teachers. An even more special thanks to the many, many parents that organized the incredibly fun event.
Both Schools
Key Dates
- April 5- 28: Every Tues and Thurs from 4-6pm- Late enrollment days for on-site enrollment support.
- April 26-28 - PARCC for 3rd and 5th graders - Math
- April 28 - King Bullfrog Party at Peabody, 6pm
- May 3-4 - PARCC for 3rd and 5th graders - ELA
- May 6 - Race, Class, and Equity team community building event at Watkins, 3:30 - 5:30
- May 10-12 PARCC for 4th graders - Math
- May 15 - Capitol Hill Classic - community fund raiser and race
- May 17-18 - PARCC for 4th grades - ELA
- May 23 PTA meeting
PARCC is back for 3-5 graders for ELA and Math state summative assessments. 5th graders will also take the DC Science assessment. Testing will be complete before Memorial Day.
Asymptomatic Student Testing Schedule!
Every Friday: Asymptomatic COVID testing for students.
9:15 for Watkins
9:15 for Peabody (Kindergarten only - PK students all test at home weekly)
Upcoming PTA COMMUNITY EVENTS AND MEETING DATES
PTA Dates This Spring:
- Sunday, May 15 - 41st Annual Capitol Hill Classic!
- Monday, May 23 - Final PTA General Meeting on Zoom (8:00pm)
Watkins
Volunteer to Support PARCC Testing
PARCC is back! Watkins 3rd – 5th graders will take the PARCC ("Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College") assessment - DC's annual math and ELA assessment - again this spring. Please see above for the 3rd – 5th grade testing schedule.
We are asking for your help on and before testing days to support critical aspects of the testing administration! We’d love to have 3-6 caregivers' support on testing days; and 1-2 caregivers' support on prep days. While not necessary, we're hoping that volunteers will sign up for multiple time slots. These are in-school volunteer experiences and you do not need to have a 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade student to volunteer.