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Bingo Night- Last Call!13340 Leland Road, Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Phone: 571.522.6000
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Iftar Event - Date CorrectionPlease accept our apologies for the error in the date in our previous message. The correct date for this event is Thursday, March 6. The message below is now correct.
We are excited to host a special Iftar event at Powell ES this year. The event is planned for the evening of Thursday, March 6, 2025 for all families.
To make this event a success for the school community, we are looking for volunteers to participate in different parts of the event.
If you’re interested in volunteering, please fill out this google form or if you would like more details, please contact Eun Joo Cho, Assistant Principal at 571-522-6000. Your name and number will be shared with the Iftar Parent Planning Committee.
Thank you for helping us celebrate and share this meaningful tradition!
13340 Leland Road, Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Phone: 571.522.6000
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Iftar EventWe are excited to host a special Iftar event at Powell ES this year. The event is planned for the evening of Wednesday, March 6, 2025 for all families.
To make this event a success for the school community, we are looking for volunteers to participate in different parts of the event.
If you’re interested in volunteering, please fill out this google form or if you would like more details, please contact Eun Joo Cho, Assistant Principal at 571-522-6000. Your name and number will be shared with the Iftar Parent Planning Committee.
Thank you for helping us celebrate and share this meaningful tradition!
13340 Leland Road, Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Phone: 571.522.6000
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Dear Colin Powell Elementary School Parents, Staff and Community Members:
It is with mixed emotions that we announce the retirement of our beloved assistant principal, EJ Cho, effective March 1, 2025. After 32 years of dedicated service in education, including nearly three years as part of our Colin Powell Elementary School family, Mrs. Cho is ready to begin an exciting new chapter.
Mrs. Cho has shared the following message with our school community:
“Powell families, thank you for sharing your children and your lives with me over the past three years. While I am excited to start a new chapter in my life and explore new opportunities to fill my days, I feel nostalgic as I prepare for that next phase of life. It’s been my good fortune to serve as your assistant principal as the capstone to my thirty-two year career in FCPS. I’ve enjoyed getting to know our students, families, and staff and I will miss those daily interactions. It has been a pleasure to make connections with families and establish partnerships that I will remember for years to come. I will leave remembering how the community welcomed me when I started. What resonated with me when I started was how many people stated the Powell community is like a family. Sure enough, it became my work family away from my personal family. I’ve enjoyed the many events and activities that I’ve participated in with you. I will never forget dressing up as an axolotl or sitting in a dunk tank to support school spirit. It has been my honor to be a part of and serve the Powell community.”
We wish Mrs. Cho all the best in her retirement and thank her for her dedicated service to the Powell Elementary School community.
Best,
Jamie Luerssen
Principal
13340 Leland Road, Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Phone: 571.522.6000
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PUMA PRESS – School News & Information: January 31, 2025 Important DatesPowell families,
It was an exciting day to be a Puma! A huge thank you to all our families who supported the Lunar New Year celebration in our immersion classrooms. Students enjoyed a wonderful day filled with new learning experiences, games, and delicious food. Today was also school spirit day, and many students and staff switched roles, dressing as teachers or students. We even had some classes rocking their pajamas as a classroom reward!
As has been shared, throughout February, Colin L. Powell ES will be honoring Black History Month and we invite you to share the gift of reading with our students! We are still in need of readers so that all of our classrooms can benefit from this learning experience. Please SIGN UP HERE to read a book to a class and create a lasting memory for our students.
Your Proud Principal,
Jamie Luerssen
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!
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.
January 31st Attendance Update:K-6This week, our YOUseum display is courtesy of Lincoln (6th), Iyla (5th), and Laia (K) Washington. The Washingtons have a strong Black history spanning generations. Their grandfather was the first African American to play recreation league sports in Wetumpka, Alabama in 1973; their great-grandfather was the first African American elected Councilman/Mayor of Wetumpka (Elmore County); and their uncle set an ACC and school record as quarterback at Georgia Tech in 2012. Thank you, Washington family, for sharing your family’s rich history in celebration of Black History Month.
Reading Opens the World eventFCFT will be holding another Reading Opens the World event at the Lorton Community Center on Saturday, February 8. At this event, we will be giving away over 30,000 books to the Fairfax Community, with up to 10 books for each student and 50 books for each educator to add to their classroom library.
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
13340 Leland Road, Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Phone: 571.522.6000
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Dear Families,
We are experiencing a recent uptick in the number of students that are being reported as ill or leaving school with symptoms of illness.
We are asking for parents to include symptoms when reporting your child’s absence due to not feeling well. This is helpful so the school can determine if there is a pattern or outbreak. Giving the reason of “not feeling well” limits our ability to make a determination.
The FCPS website with the chart of Should My Child Go to School? is a helpful reminder and resource for parents to reference for symptoms that may occur or following up if your child has experienced a fever.
Thank you for your support in keeping students healthy at school!
Melanie Jewell
Acting Assistant Principal
Colin Powell Elementary
13340 Leland Road, Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Phone: 571.522.6000
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PUMA PRESS – PTA News & Information: January 29, 2025 Yearbook! Time to order your Yearbook! Visit https://www.barksdalephoto.com/ and use access code: 0036793YB before April 25th! Spelling BeeRegistration is now open for the Spelling Bee. Please use this link to register. https://forms.gle/i1WzNeuTEJZTsCcz5
Bingo Night13340 Leland Road, Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Phone: 571.522.6000
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PUMA PRESS – School News & Information: January 24, 2025 Important DatesWant to show some love for your child's amazing teacher or staff member? Let's fill FCPS Cares with positive vibes! Submit your recognition today and let them know how much you appreciate their hard work.
PARKING LOT SAFETYAs the school year continues, please help keep our school safe and welcoming for all.
Let's all be courteous and kind to one another. By working together, we can create a safe and positive environment for all students and staff at our school.
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.
January 24th Attendance Update:K-6As we approach the midyear mark we would love to have community members to help support math instruction in our classrooms. This can range from working on counting or fact fluency to supporting students with word problems and vocabulary. We are looking for parents who can commit to a set schedule. That may be one day a week for two hours or it could be multiple days a week. Please complete this interest form by February 1st. We hope to hear from you! If you have questions, please contact Powell’s Math Resource Teacher, Mrs. Bach, [email protected].
Black History Month Kick- Off Celebration SEEKING GUEST READERS FOR FEBRUARY – Sign Up Today!Throughout February we will be honoring Black History Month and we invite you to share the gift of storytelling with our students! We're inviting families to read aloud to our students from books written by, illustrated by, and/or featuring Black characters. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with your child's class (or another class if you prefer) and introduce them to powerful stories and diverse voices.
SIGN UP HERE to read a book to a class and create a lasting memory for our students. *A selection of books will be provided for guest readers from the library collection.*
We look forward to seeing you in the library in February!
13340 Leland Road, Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Phone: 571.522.6000
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PUMA PRESS – PTA News & Information: January 22, 2025 Yearbook! Time to order your Yearbook! Visit https://www.barksdalephoto.com/ and use access code: 0036793YB before April 25th! Spirit Night Tonight! Spelling BeeRegistration is now open for the Spelling Bee. Please use this link to register. https://forms.gle/i1WzNeuTEJZTsCcz5
13340 Leland Road, Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Phone: 571.522.6000
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SEEKING GUEST READERS FOR FEBRUARY – Sign Up Today!Throughout February we will be honoring Black History Month and we invite you to share the gift of storytelling with our students! We're inviting families to read aloud to our students from books written by, illustrated by, and/or featuring Black characters. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with your child's class (or another class if you prefer) and introduce them to powerful stories and diverse voices.
SIGN UP HERE to read a book to a class and create a lasting memory for our students. *A selection of books will be provided for guest readers from the library collection.*
We look forward to seeing you in the library in February!
13340 Leland Road, Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Phone: 571.522.6000
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PUMA PRESS – School News & Information: January 17, 2025 Important DatesOn the third Monday of January people throughout the United States join in honoring the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King. As we witness a world in struggle under the weight of violence, hate and poverty, today’s social, political and economic landscape reveals the relevance of Dr. King’s life and work. This history is a foundational part of American history. Students deserve meaningful, sustained opportunities to learn about the experiences and contributions of Dr. King year-round, and the celebration of this Day of Service is an opportunity to honor his work and legacy by actively participating in making our communities cleaner, safer and more welcoming.
FCPS CaresLet's spread positivity throughout our school community! Submit your FCPS Cares recognition today and let our staff know how much you appreciate them.
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.
January 17th Attendance Update:K-6We are looking for families to sign up for the YOUseum to represent their heritage and/or culture for the next few weeks. If this sounds like something you might be interested in, sign up HERE! This month, we are celebrating MLK Jr. Day, Inauguration Day, New Years, Three Kings Day, and Orthodox Epiphany.
LINK: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0849AEAD28A3FBC70-50785244-youseum#/
Thank you to Teddy Ho in 4th grade for another beautiful YOUseum display, celebrating Lunar New Year! Celebrated by many cultures across Asia and the world, this vibrant holiday marks the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar. It's a time for family gatherings, delicious food, and exciting traditions. This year, Lunar New Year is on January 29th. Check out the traditional clothing, artifacts, and decorations when you get a chance. If you’d like to sign up for our remaining YOUseum slots, click here!
It’s Not Too Early to Think about Joining the PTA!Start your New Year off by joining the CPES PTA! It’s never too late! Sign up here to support our school, students, and teachers.
Link: https://powell.givebacks.com/store
13340 Leland Road, Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Phone: 571.522.6000
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PUMA PRESS – PTA News & Information: January 15, 2025 It’s Not Too Early to Think about Joining the PTA!Start your New Year off by joining the CPES PTA! It’s never too late! Sign up here to support our school, students, and teachers.
Link: https://powell.givebacks.com/store
Yearbook! Time to order your Yearbook! Visit https://www.barksdalephoto.com/ and use access code: 0036793YB before April 25th! Spirit Night Spelling BeeRegistration is now open for the Spelling Bee. Please use this link to register. https://forms.gle/i1WzNeuTEJZTsCcz5
13340 Leland Road, Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Phone: 571.522.6000
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PUMA PRESS – School News & Information: January 10, 2025 Important DatesDo 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.
Baroody SYA Spring sports registration now open!13340 Leland Road, Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Phone: 571.522.6000
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PUMA PRESS – School News & Information: December 20, 2024 Important DatesTo 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.
December 20th Attendance Update: K-6Do 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.
YouseumThank you to Braden Lichstein in Ms. Hunt’s 3rd grade class for his family’s Hanukkah display in the YOUseum this week! Hanukkah is an eight-day winter festival celebrated by Jewish people. Families who celebrate Hanukkah may light a menorah, adding one more candle each night for eight nights. Children may play a game with a spinning top called a dreidel, and traditionally eat fried foods, including potato pancakes and jelly donuts! This year, the holiday begins on December 25. Stop by the YOUseum to check out the decorations, menorah, and dreidels!
Christmas Scavenger Hunt Softball Clinic Baroody13340 Leland Road, Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Phone: 571.522.6000
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PUMA PRESS – PTA News & Information: December 18, 2024 Baroody Yearbook! Time to order your Yearbook! Visit https://www.barksdalephoto.com/ and use access code: 0036793YB before April 25th! Save the Date! PTA meeting Exciting News: Follow Us on Facebook!We’re thrilled to announce that we have a NEW Facebook page www.facebook.com/CPESpta/
Follow and like us to stay updated on all the latest happenings at our school. Don’t miss out on important news and events!
We’re thrilled to announce that we have a NEW Facebook page www.facebook.com/CPESpta/
Follow and like us to stay updated on all the latest happenings at our school. Don’t miss out on important news and events!
13340 Leland Road, Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Phone: 571.522.6000
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PUMA PRESS – School News & Information: December 13, 2024 Important DatesTo 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.
December 13th Attendance Update: K-6Let's give a shoutout to our incredible staff! Share your favorite Powell moment on FCPS Cares and help us celebrate our achievements.
Advanced Academic ProgramFull-Time AAP Screening Window Closes December 15th
(Parents of current 2nd-6th graders)
If you are interested in having your child screened for full-time AAP services next year, please complete a referral package and email it to the AART, Mrs. Bach, by December 15th. The materials allowed are:
The work samples can be anything that was sent home from classroom teachers or something the child has done at home on their own or from a camp, etc.
All attachments should be either PDF or JPG emailed to [email protected]. No more than 4 pages total should be submitted.
You can also find information on the Parent Schoology site in the AAP folder.
Once you submit a referral package Mrs. Bach will confirm receipt of information and let you know if anything needs to be adjusted.
Youseum!Check out this week’s YOUseum display! Thank you to the Leeder family (Hudson is in Ms.Yoon’s Kindergarten class) for the beautiful display showcasing their countries of origin (England, Ireland, Germany), as well as Christmas decorations and traditions. In the Leeder family Christmas is a time for celebrating with family and friends and giving to those around you, coupled with time for lots of fun traditions, activities, and stories! We encourage you to explore the display to learn more.
Winter Break Countdown Library NewsThank you for supporting the library this week by shopping at the book fair. We sold over 1400 books and lots of fun stuff. Students thoroughly enjoyed the visit with Hena Khan on Wednesday and it was great to see students finding connections and being inspired during her presentations. Be on the lookout for our Spring Family Book Club signup in March. We will be reading the Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum and concluding with a movie night. Happy Reading!
Softball Clinic Theater Club Final Call!13340 Leland Road, Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Phone: 571.522.6000
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PUMA PRESS – PTA News & Information: December 11, 2024 Baroody Theater ClubWe are still accepting registration for our theater club!
Save the Date! Exciting News: Follow Us on Facebook!We’re thrilled to announce that we have a NEW Facebook page www.facebook.com/CPESpta/
Follow and like us to stay updated on all the latest happenings at our school. Don’t miss out on important news and events!
We’re thrilled to announce that we have a NEW Facebook page www.facebook.com/CPESpta/
Follow and like us to stay updated on all the latest happenings at our school. Don’t miss out on important news and events!
13340 Leland Road, Centreville, VA 20120 | Main Phone: 571.522.6000
