Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.
English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو
PUMA PRESS – School News & Information: October 11, 2024
Important Dates
- October 14th - Indigenous People's Day, Student Holiday
- October 28th - 3 Hr Early Release @ 1 pm
- October 31st - 2 hr Early Release @ 2pm- Quarter Ends
Message from the Principal
Powell families,
Each year our SCA proudly engages in a fundraising effort to make an impact on our community and beyond. This past school year our Pumas worked hard to raise money for the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust located locally in Annandale, Virginia. While this fundraiser occurred last school year, we are just now learning of the amazing impact of the efforts of our SCA and student body and are thrilled to share with all of you!
NVCT previously held 6 parcels in the Crow’s Nest Natural Area, and since beginning their Completing Crow’s Nest campaign this year they have been able to acquire 14 more parcels through land donations and outright purchases. This has been an enormous win for conservation in the area, protecting critical tree canopy, waterways, and heron habitat.
NVCT shared with us that they couldn’t have done it without the support our school community provided! NVCT shared their gratitude for the community at Colin Powell Elementary for the energy and awareness brought to land conservation in Northern Virginia. They shared that they are always excited to engage with the next generation to teach the importance of conservation and land stewardship. They have 28 more parcels to acquire to finish the campaign, and recently launched another campaign to save a nearby 20-acre property, which will be named Tank Creek Preserve.
We look forward to engaging with our SCA throughout this school year and look forward to learning of the impact they will once again make with our entire student body!
Warmly,
Jamie Luerssen
FCPS Cares
Is there a staff member who has gone above and beyond for your child or family? Share your story on FCPS Cares and let them know they're making a difference!
Share Your Input to Help Us Celebrate What Makes Powell ES Unique and Special
We are working on developing a list for our school for our website to celebrate what makes our school unique and we would love input from you and your children that attend Powell. Please click the link below to share some of your favorite things about our school. Input from families and staff will be compiled to celebrate what makes our school unique and special!
All input shared by Tuesday, October 15th will be considered for the accolades posted on our school website.
Please share your input HERE.
Bonus Mondays
Next Tuesday, October 15, is a “Bonus Monday,” which means students in Grades K-6 will go to their Monday special(s). Please remind your student to bring any materials they need for specials that day (instrument, sneakers, etc.) Three Bonus Mondays have been scheduled throughout the year to better balance instructional minutes for Monday specials.
Bonus Mondays
Tuesday, October 15 (NEXT WEEK)
Tuesday, January 21
Wednesday, March 12
Outstanding Fairfax County Public School Employees
Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Employee Awards! To submit a nomination for a Colin Powell Elementary Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through this Google form link: https://forms.gle/ZVAb3j1nBLoGQGjB7. You may nominate one employee at our school or multiple employees.
All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. The google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards and the eligibility requirements are below. Please keep in mind, if the person you nominate gets chosen to represent our school, you must be willing to complete a detailed nomination packet and recommendation.
Outstanding Teacher
Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher or librarian
Outstanding New Teacher
Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a teacher
Outstanding Principal
Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a building principal
Outstanding Leader
Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position (Common positions in this category: Assistant Principals)
Outstanding Professional Employee
Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position (Common positions in this category: School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Instructional Coach, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Safety and Resource Teachers)
Outstanding Operational Employee
Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position (Common positions in this category: Administrative and Office Staff, Safety and Security Assistant, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, All Parent Liaisons)
The deadline to submit a nomination is Monday, October 28 at 4:00PM.
If you have any questions, contact Caryn Baptiste: [email protected].
YOUseum
Our YOUseum needs more signups! We are so excited to let you know that ALL dates are now available for the YOUseum. We cannot wait to see all the amazing displays coming up. Sign up here to showcase your family’s culture or heritage. Here is a picture of Sol, a 1st grade student in Ms. Fahey and Ms. Kim’s class, representing one of his family’s countries of origin, Argentina!
Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0849AEAD28A3FBC70-50785244-youseum#/
Books & Blankets
On Wednesday morning students celebrated completing their summer reading challenge. We had 24 students share their summer reading page with us and 15 joined us to start their day with cozy reading in the library. Happy Reading!
Kindergarten Book Character Day Parade – October 31st at 9:40AM
We are excited to announce that our Annual Kindergarten Book Character Day Parade will be held on October 31st at 9:40 AM.
Kindergarteners are encouraged to dress up as their favorite book character. Costumes must be school-appropriate and cannot include toy weapons. Costumes are permitted for kindergarten only.
Parents of kindergarteners are invited to join us by lining the sidewalk along the Kiss & Ride parking lot. The students will parade around the exterior of the building, where they will be cheered on by all of our students and parents.
Message from Our Art Teachers - Original Works Fundraiser
Chantilly High School Haunted House Event – Saturday, 10/26
Our Uniquely You artwork arrived at Original Works! They are working on scanning all the art to set up our school’s Online Gallery. Original Works will create a custom Dear Family Letter for each student that we will place in your students Tuesday folders once they have arrived at school. We have not received them yet. For more information on Original Works please visit their website at www.originalworks.com. Thank you for supporting this unique and creative program!
Any questions? Please email Margret Washington at [email protected] and Maria Gangitano at [email protected].
Mark your calendar for one of our local area’s favorite fall events - the Chantilly High School Haunted House! Along with the Haunted House, there will be games, face painting, and refreshments for sale. Proceeds benefit the Chargers Field Hockey, Girls Soccer & Girls Lacrosse programs. Tickets are $10 in advance ($15 at the door). To order your tickets, use the QR code or log on to www.CHSHauntedHouse.com
Orchestra!
Your 5th or 6th grade strings student has an opportunity to Join Area Orchestra. We meet at Katherine Johnson Middle School on the following dates (11/13, 11/20, 12/11 from 6:00-7:00 with the performance on 12/17 at 7pm at Katherine Johnson Middle School. This is a fun opportunity to learn and grow on your instrument and make new friends. Registration is in the following link https://forms.gle/EzDugDJsqbPyU4qQ9 . There is a $10 fee to be paid at the first rehearsal, checks made out to KJMS.
If you have any questions, please contact Anna Sengstack [email protected].
Northern Lights: Did your family see the aurora?
Did your family catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights this week? Check out these photos taken by some of our office staff from their homes on Thursday night!
13340 Leland Road, Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Phone: 571.522.6000
Attendance: 571.522.6060 | Web | Twitter
