POWELL ES: Puma Press, August 2, 2024

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Uniquely You Banner

As August begins, we're filled with excitement for the start of a new school year! We look forward to warmly welcoming back our returning Powell Pumas and to extending a heartfelt greeting to our incoming students.

This year, we're embracing the theme, "Uniquely You." We believe in celebrating the individuality and special talents that make each of our students extraordinary. Our goal is to foster a nurturing environment where students can confidently explore their passions and discover their full potential.

Stay tuned for more details on how we will weave the "Uniquely You" theme throughout our curriculum, events, and classroom activities. 

Let's create an unforgettable year together!

Warmly,

Ms. Luerssen, Ms. Cho & Ms. Jewell


Open House

Thursday, August 15

We are thrilled to announce our upcoming Open House event!

All families are invited to start in the gym by visiting information tables about Kiss & Ride, Specials, Area 3 Transportation & Buses, PTA, and more! Families will then be dismissed to find your classroom, meet your teacher and drop off your school supplies. 

  • PAC & Kindergarten 
    • 9:45 Visit information tables in the gym
    • 10:00-10:45 Meet the teacher & supply drop-off
  • Grades 1 & 2 and Ms. Logan's EAC 
    • 10:30 Visit information tables in the gym
    • 10:45-11:30 Meet the teacher & supply drop-off
  • Grades 3 & 4 and Ms. Leeder's EAC 
    • 11:15 Visit information tables in the gym
    • 11:30-12:15 Meet the teacher & supply drop-off
  • Grades 5 & 6 and Ms. Hunt's EAC 
    • 10:30 Visit information tables in the gym
    • 10:45-11:30 Meet the teacher & supply drop-off

After visiting your classroom, families are invited to join our fabulous PTA on the playground for popsicles and mingling! 


Back-to-School Night

Wednesday, 9/4 & Thursday, 9/5

Back-to-School Night is an opportunity for parents to attend an informational session presented by the teacher to learn about the year ahead and the grade level expectations. This event is intended for parents/guardians only.

New this year, each BTSN presentation will be given twice so it occurs during Session A & B on the scheduled night for the grade level. This will provide flexibility for parents needing to attend multiple grade level sessions or multiple sessions within a grade level such as immersion and non-immersion or immersion and local level-IV.

  • Wednesday, September 4
    • PAC, K, 1, 2 & 6
      • 6:00-6:45 Session A
      • 7:00-7:45 Session B
  • Thursday, September 5
    • EAC, 3, 4 & 5
      • 6:00-6:45 Session A
      • 7:00-7:45 Session B

Community Peers - Application open for 3½ to 5 year olds!

We are pleased to announce that Powell ES will have community peers in our preschool autism program again this year. This means that we will be teaching preschoolers with and without delays in the same classroom providing young children with a stimulating environment, teaching skills for coping with different situations, and providing the opportunity to learn appropriate social skills. 

To begin the selection process, we are asking any interested parents of typically developing 3½ - 5 year old to apply.

Our program will invite a limited number of community preschoolers (1-2 per class), who are aged 3 ½ -5 years, to participate in our daily preschool activities. Community peers will join our preschool autism classrooms (PAC) on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. Depending on the success of this program, we may increase the length of the time in the classroom.

The children from the community will have the opportunity to make new friends and share experiences with current early childhood special education students. Our students will, in turn, benefit from being with community peers who can model appropriate language, motor, and social skills.

Please reach out to Jamie Luerssen, principal, with any questions by emailing jbluerssen@fcps.edu

DEADLINE: Interested parents should SUBMIT INTEREST BY SUBMITTING THIS FORM AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE. We are screening candidates on a rolling basis until all seats are filled.


Multilingual Learners Summit

Thursday, August 8

All multilingual learners and their families are invited to attend a summit on Thursday, August 8, 2024 from 5-8:30 p.m. at Annandale High School. The summit will be primarily geared for secondary multilingual learners, but all are welcome to attend. The goal of the summit is to foster an environment of empowerment where multilingual students and their families can establish meaningful connections, engage in active listening, and openly share their experiences, cultivating mutual support and a deeper understanding of educational pathways within FCPS.  

This event will begin with a table fair showcasing many opportunities available within FCPS and the wider community that support paths to graduation and future careers for students.  Additionally, a keynote will be presented by Dr. Jose Luis Zelaya who will share a message about the power of community and resilience.  A student panel will dialogue with Dr. Zelaya following the keynote.  

Refreshments and light food will be served. Language and childcare services will be available.  All secondary level multilingual learners have been invited centrally from FCPS via email.  Registration is open for students, families, or staff planning to attend.    


ACTION ITEM: Parent Digital Consent

Student consent forms currently available on ParentVue will be moved to the Parent Digital Consent System (PDC). Families can log into the PDC using their ParentVue credentials to complete consent forms assigned to their child.  If you have a new ParentVue account, you must wait 24 hours after it is created to use the PDC.

Forms available include:

School Counseling Opt-out
Digital Resources Consent 
SEL Screener Opt-Out
Family Life Education Opt-out
SOL Retest Permission
Objection to Release of Directory Information to the Public
Objection to Release of Information to Outside Organizations

SIGN IN HERE TO PROVIDE PARENT DIGITAL CONSENT


Stop by Powell ES on August 13th from 3:00-3:30 for popsicles and pencils in the parking lot with the Liberty MS staff!

Liberty invitation for popsicles and pencils