Panther Press For January 29, 2023

To read in other languages please view it on the Parklawn website .

Para leer en otros idiomas, puede verla en el siti website de Parklawn

language

February is Black History Month!

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.

Black History Month

Parklawn Family Field Trip is Saturday!

museum

Thank you, Parklawn families! We had an overwhelming interest in traveling with us for the family field trip. Currently, there are no more available seats on the school buses. Our office team has begun calling those interested to share whether you are confirmed for a slot. If you sent in a form and did not hear from our office team, please call the school at (703) 914-6900 to confirm. Families that are not able to take the bus are still welcome to join us at the museum! We typically arrive at opening, 10 am. It is a “self tour” of the museum, and it is fun to see panthers out and about! We hope to have another opportunity for a family field trip later in the spring.

Where:  National Museum of American History 1300  Constitution Ave. NW,  • Washington, D.C., 20560

Date:  Saturday, February 4, 2023

Time:  Leave Parklawn Elementary at 9:30 A.M.

Depart from American History Museum at 12:30 P.M.

**Please Note: If there is a weather cancellation, a message will be sent out via Talking Points


Strategic Planning Community Forum: Mason District is February 2!

FCPS is hosting a series of Community Forums in each of the magisterial districts as part of the Strategic Plan development

The Community Forums will provide families, students, staff, and community members the opportunity to review student achievement, access, and perception data and identify strengths and challenges.

In small groups, participants will use research-based strategies as a framework to transform their observations into recommended goals for the strategic plan. The data from the Community Forums will be synthesized and shared with the Core Planning Team to incorporate into the final strategic plan goals.

In-person forums will be held throughout the community. Childcare and interpretation services are available - be sure to pre-register. Virtual opportunities are also available.

The Mason District Community Forum is scheduled for Thursday, February 2nd. Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid, Regional Assistant Superintendent Dr. Fabio Zuluaga, and I will be in attendance.

Thursday, February 2, 2023

6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

Mason Crest Elementary School Cafeteria

Register for the February 2nd meeting at Mason Crest ES

Virtual Registration Options:

February 8th (Spanish-language only), 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.

February 9th, 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.

February 11th, 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.

Interested parties may attend any or all of the forums. The full schedule is available on FCPS' Strategic Planning webpage.


February Webinars and Events for Parents

family

FCPS’ Parent Resource Center (PRC) is dedicated to helping adults support the success of all students. The PRC will present the following webinars in February: 


Positivity Project for January 28-February 3: Forgiveness

P2 Forgiveness

This week our school community will be focusing on the character strength of Forgiveness.  Forgiveness means you forgive those who have done wrong and you accept that people make mistakes.

Forgiveness is the ability to move past being injured, and allow yourself to reconcile with the person who hurt you. Forgiveness can often be seen as a selfless act, but it also carries many benefits for those who practice it. Those who demonstrate forgiveness have the ability to move forward after someone has hurt them. Forgiveness is often rooted in the idea that all people are valuable and worthy of a second chance. Many who forgive have the ability to consider things from another’s perspective.

The ability to reconcile differences and move forward positively is a trait of any effective group. When people work together, conflict is inevitable. However, when people value each other’s contribution and believe in the group’s goal, they become more capable of moving past conflict toward genuinely positive behavior. A group member’s willingness to forgive imperfections of both other members and the group as a whole contribute to overall success.

To practice and encourage the character strength of forgiveness with your child, please visit the Positivity Project’s P2 for Families (password: P2) where together you will watch a video, read a quote and talk about the answers to three questions. Have a wonderful week!


Message from the PTA

PTA

Thank you to everyone who attended our PTA meeting earlier this month! We discussed several activities that we are planning for the spring, which leads to our PTA new year’s resolution #3: volunteer to help with one of our activities! Here are some ways you could get involved: 

School Supply Kit Coordinator– We are looking for an individual to help coordinate our school supply kits. This person will gather school supply lists from teachers, communicate with our vendor, share information about ordering kits with the school, and track orders received. This activity takes place in the spring and summer.

Science Night Planning Committee– We received a grant from the National PTA to hold a science night, scheduled for May 4. We are looking for 3 - 4 individuals to help plan the event, including ordering supplies, developing a flier to promote the event, identifying individuals to staff the activity tables during the event, and set up/clean up on the day of the event.

Bingo Night Planning Committee– We are excited to hold our family Bingo Night in early June! We are looking for 3 - 4 individuals to help plan the event, including reaching out to local businesses for raffle donations, developing a flier to promote the event, ordering supplies and Bingo prizes, and helping during the event.

Staff Appreciation Committee– We are looking for 2 - 3 individuals to help plan activities during National Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week (May 8 - May 12). This may include coordinating with local restaurants to provide breakfast or lunch for staff, sharing ideas for students to show appreciation, and organizing other treats.

If you are interested in helping with any of these activities or would like more information, please email us as parklawnpta@gmail.com by February 10 so we can begin planning! Thank you!


Upcoming Dates

February 2: Mason District Community Forum, 6:30-8 pm

February 4: Family Field  Trip

February 7: Progress Reports Sent Home

February 20: Presidents Day: Student and Staff Holiday