PUMA PRESS – School News & Information: February 21, 2025
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PUMA PRESS – School News & Information: February 21, 2025 Important Dates- February 24th - 3hr Early release
A huge thank you to everyone who helped make our Black History Month Guest Reader project a success! It was inspiring to see students so engaged with their guest readers and heartwarming to watch community members truly immerse themselves in the experience. Enjoy the photos of our amazing guest readers! 😊
🌙 Join Us for an Iftar Celebration at Colin Powell!You're invited to a fun and festive Iftar event at Colin Powell on Thursday, March 6th, from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM! This special evening is open to everyone—Muslims and non-Muslims alike—as we come together to celebrate, share, and enjoy our beautiful community.
🎉 Event Highlights: ✨ 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Family-friendly activities including face painting, henna, and crafts, plus a brief presentation about Ramadan—perfect for learning and celebrating together! 🍽️ 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM: Potluck buffet/Iftar showcasing delicious dishes from the many cultures that make up our Colin Powell community.
📍 Everyone is welcome! Bring your family, friends, and neighbors for an evening filled with joy, togetherness, and cultural connection.
Want to bring a dish or lend a hand? Sign up using the link below to share your favorite dish or volunteer to help set up and clean up. Please RSVP by February 28th, so we receive an accurate headcount for the event.
We can’t wait to celebrate with you—come for the food, stay for the fun, and leave with new friends! 🌙✨
Sign Up Here.
See you there!
FCPS CaresDo you have a staff member who has made a positive impact on your child's life? Show your gratitude by leaving a recognition on FCPS Cares.
Every Day Counts at Powell ES!To ensure transparency and celebrate our progress, we will be sharing weekly attendance data in our newsletter. By highlighting this important information, we aim to keep our families informed and energized about our collective efforts to reduce absenteeism and prevent students from becoming chronically absent.
Chronic absenteeism is when a student has missed 10% or more of the school days in the school year. This includes all absences, regardless of whether they are excused and unexcused. Research shows that students who are chronically absent are at higher risk of falling behind and dropping out of school.
We care deeply about all of our students and aim for success for each student. Our partnership to support regular school attendance is critical to that success. Please follow the health policy and send your children to school every day.
February 21st Attendance Update:K-6- Number of students present EVERY DAY: 109 – That’s 13%
- Number of students NOT currently chronically absent: 786 – That’s 91%
- Number of students currently chronically absent (missed 10% of the school days so far this year): 75
- Number of unexcused & travel related absences: 1,003
We continue to welcome parents to join their kids for lunch during the school year. We ask that parents refrain from bringing outside (restaurant) food during lunch. We also ask that restaurant food is not dropped off during your student’s lunch time.
Thank you for understanding.
YouseumThis week, our YOUseum display is courtesy of Ms. Lansdowne, our school-based technology specialist. The Lansdowne and Washington families have deep roots in Loudoun, Prince William, and Fairfax counties, purchasing land in western Prince William County at a time when few African Americans owned land. The family is proud of its legacy of faith, family, education, and stewardship of the “homeplace” properties in Prince William County. Countless relatives became educators, working at levels from preschool/PreK through high school.
A cousin, Harry Hatcher, served in World War I, is buried in France and his name is included on World War I memorials located near the courthouses in Fairfax and Prince William County. Six great-uncles served in World War II and went on to earn college degrees upon returning home from the war. Another cousin is a graduate of Virginia Military Institute and currently works as an NFL official, a side judge.
Ms. Lansdowne’s family has a rich oral and recorded history passed down through the generations, there is much to be proud of as we celebrate Black History Month, only a small few are highlighted in the YouSeum with QR codes available to learn more
Diversity Night!You're invited! Join us on Friday, April 4th from 6:30-8:00pm for an evening of celebration. Families will have the opportunity to sign up to create a display of what makes their family unique, to include food samples, crafts/games, traditions, and more. We invite everyone to dress in any traditional attire (or any clothing that makes you unique!) for a diversity parade during the event. We hope to see you all there!
2025 Kindergarten RegistrationWe're looking forward to welcoming our new kindergarten students in the 2025-26 school year! Registration for new kindergartners is now open!
WHO: Parents or guardians of rising kindergartners—children who will be five years old on or before September 30, 2025.
WHAT: Register your child for the 2025-26 school year in an easy, two-step process.
WHY: Completing registration early will help us be ready to welcome your new kindergartner and make sure your child is eligible for summer enrichment activities.
HOW: Much of the registration process, including the uploading of documents needed for registration, can be completed online.
WHERE: Registration is on the FCPS website. Go to
https://www.fcps.edu/online-registration
Residency Attestation form is mandatory and can be found here https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/se304.pdf
Spring Picture day is coming soon!13340 Leland Road, Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Phone: 571.522.6000