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Summer Panther Press: July 21, 2024

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.

Parklawn Summer Library Time: Two More Weeks!

The Parklawn Elementary Library is open for summer library hours on Wednesdays, 7/24 and 7/31. Join us anytime between 2:15-4:15 for story hour, crafts, and book check out. We hope to see you there!

Parklawn Welcomes Ambassador Teachers

FCPS is in its second year of its Global Exchange Program. The goal of the Global Exchange Program is to provide a diverse workforce as well as differentiated and culturally responsive learning environments which align with the pillars of our strategic plan. The program also supports FCPS Portrait of a Graduate objectives, such as helping students to be ethical and global citizens. In order to participate in the program, ambassador teachers must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in teaching or education, two years of teaching experience, a driver’s license,  be fluent in English, and commit to teaching here for five years.

Parklawn will be welcoming five ambassador teachers to our family this year:

Natasha Barrow (3rd grade): from Barbados

Nunally Broomfield  (5th grade)– from Jamaica

Kimeka Hayles-Watson (4th grade): From Jamaica

Mae Cielo Pajaron (4th grade): from Philippines

Ryan Smith (1st grade): from Barbados

They will be arriving in the U.S. this weekend and preparing for their program orientation. We can’t wait for them to join us!

Kindergarten Playdate is July 30

Kindergarteners are invited to a Summer Play Date! Join us at the Parklawn Elementary playground on Tuesday, July 30 from 10-11 am, weather permitting.. Meet new friends and enjoy a popsicle. We hope to see our kinders and their caregivers there!

Popsicles on The Playground is August 7

 

We invite all of our Parklawn Panthers, PreK-5, to Popsicles on the Playground! This is a great chance to reconnect with one another as we look forward to a new school year. Thank you for having a parent/care giver join your child for this event on Thursday, August 7 from 3:30-4:30 pm, weather permitting. We hope to see you there!

Panther Prowl: Staff Community Bus Tour is August 15!

On Thursday, August 15th, our Parklawn staff will taking a bus tour through our community! We will stop to visit Parklawn families at four summer hot spots:

9:35-9:50      Stop #1 Glasgow Park

10:05-10:20 Stop #2 Oakview Gardens

10:35-10:50 Stop #3 Skyline Park

11:05-11:20 Stop #4 Arbor Park 

Our times are approximate, thanks for your patience!

Parklawn Family Reunion is Friday, August 16!

We are looking forward to welcoming all of our students and families during our Family Reunion! Our Meet the Teacher/Open House event is being held on Friday, August 16. For parking purposes, we suggest families come during the following times:

Last names A-K: 10:30-11:30

Last names L-Z: 11:30-12:30

Parklawn PTA Message: School Supplies!

The new school year will be here before we know it, so take a moment to get a head start on back-to-school planning and order a school supply kit through Campus Survival! This is a helpful fundraiser for our PTA, with a portion of sale of each kit coming to the PTA to support our programs throughout the year. Each Campus Survival kit has all of the individual and classroom supplies your student will need for the 2024-2025 school year. Kits will be delivered directly to your student's classroom, ready for them on the first day of school.

Didn't order your school supply kit by July 15th? No worries - the ordering deadline has been extended through July 31st so you still have plenty of time to save yourself the hassle of fighting the back-to-school crowds. Plus your student's teachers will appreciate getting their classroom supplies delivered in handy bulk packaging that can easily be stored for use throughout the school year. Order online at  www.campussurvivalkits.com/parklawn. You can also fill out the order form sent home the last week of school and drop it off, with payment, to the Parklawn school office. Can't find the order form? Don't worry-- there are extra copies in the school office that you can complete. Please plan to drop off paper order forms by Tuesday July 30th so we have time to provide them to Campus Survival.

Kit pricing (tax included; a portion of each sale will come to Parklawn PTA to support our programs!):

Kindergarten: $63

1st grade: $57

2nd grade: $70

3rd grade: $63

4th grade: $70

5th grade: $64

Upcoming Dates

Tuesday, July 30: Kindergarten Play Date; 10-11 am

Wednesday, August 7: Popsicles on the Playground, PreK-grade 5: 3:30-4:30

Thursday, August 15: Community Panther Prowl!

Friday, August 16: Parklawn Family Reunion!

              10:30-11:30   Families with last names A-L

              11:30 -12:30:  Families with last names M-Z

Monday, August 19: First Day of School!

4116 Braddock Road Alexandria, VA 22312  |  Phone: 703.914.6900

Attendance: [email protected] | Web | Twitter

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Panther Press: 6/30 Summer Edition! Parklawn is a Summer Meal Site!

Fairfax County Public Schools is providing free meals this summer to all children and teens 18 and under at select schools.

The meals will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis regardless of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), or disability. 

The breakfast menu includes milk (fat-free or 1 percent), fruit (apple, orange, or banana), and cereal (Cheerios, Chex, or reduced-sugar Cinnamon Toast Crunch).

Lunch items vary throughout the week. Examples include a sandwich or build-your-pizza, fruit, a raw vegetable, and milk.

Parklawn ES will be a meal site July 8-26.  Breakfast will be served 9-10 a.m.; lunch is noon-1 p.m. Meals will not be served on July 4 and 5.

Parklawn Summer Library Time

The Parklawn Elementary Library is open for summer library hours on Wednesdays (7/10, 7/17, 7/24, 7/31) throughout the month of July! Join us anytime between 2:15-4:15 for story hour, crafts, and book check out. We hope to see you there!

School Office Closed July 3-5

Parklawn’s summer office hours are 9-2 through August 2. However, the office will be closed on Wednesday, July 3-Friday July 5. Happy Independence Day!

Message from the PTA: School Supplies Ordering!

We hope you are all enjoying the warm months, but the new school year will be here before we know it! Get a head start on planning, and support our PTA, by ordering your student's school supplies through Campus Survival.  No need to spend time running to multiple stores and fighting crowds-- Campus Survival has put together all of the supplies your student will need for the 2024-25 school year. Plus, a portion of the price for each kit will come to our Parklawn PTA to support programs for families, students, and staff next year.

Order online at www.campussurvivalkits.com/parklawn. You can also fill out the order form sent home the last week of school and drop it off, with payment, to the Parklawn school office. Can't find the order form? Don't worry-- there are extra copies in the school office that you can complete. Order by July 15!

Kit pricing (tax included; a portion of each sale will come to Parklawn PTA to support our programs!):

Kindergarten: $63

1st grade: $57

2nd grade: $70

3rd grade: $63

4th grade: $70

5th grade: $64

Upcoming Dates

Friday, August 16: Parklawn Family Reunion!

              10:30-11:30   Families with last names A-L

              11:30 -12:30:  Families with last names M-Z

Monday, August 19: First Day of School!

4116 Braddock Road Alexandria, VA 22312  |  Phone: 703.914.6900

Attendance: [email protected] | Web | Twitter

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Panther Press for June 9, 2024

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

Last Week of the 2023-2024 School Year!

The 2023-2024 school year went by so quickly! We have made so many happy memories, shared so many wonderful times, and learned so much together as a Parklawn family.  As the summer approaches, we will take time to pause, reflect, and celebrate as we prepare for the 2024-2024 school year. We wish our everyone a wonderful summer full of fun!

This will be the last “official” weekly Panther Press for the 2023-2024 school year. However, there will be summer editions of the Panther Press to share important updates. Stay tuned for information such as welcome back events and our Family Reunion in August!

 

Last Day of School (Early Dismissal)

The last day of the 2023-24 school year is Wednesday, June 12, and students will be dismissed early.  Parklawn’s dismissal time is 1:25.

Summer Office Hours

During the summer, there will be modified school office hours. Beginning June 24 – August 2, our school office will be open from 9 am -2 pm. Please see below for additional holidays:

June 17 School Office Closed - Eid-al-Adha

June 19: School Office Closed – Juneteenth

July 4-5: School Office Closed – Independence Day Holiday

August 5: Office Hours return to 8 - 4:30 pm

Reminder Message from the PTA

Get a head start on preparing for the 2024-25 school year by ordering your student's school supply kit through Campus Survival! The kits include everything that students will need, and will be delivered to the classroom before school starts. A portion of the price comes back to Parklawn PTA to support activities like treats at the Family Reunion picnic, staff appreciation events, and next year's Bingo Night! You can order online (www.campussurvivalkits.com/parklawn) or return the order form (sent home last week) with payment to the school. Please place your order by July 15!

📈 SOL Scores Posted in SIS ParentVUE

Families can find Standards of Learning (SOL) reports for spring testing in the SIS ParentVUE Documents section on or before the last day of school. Log in to your ParentVUE account to access the following:

• For all students – the official SOL Score Report with overall and reporting category performance for all spring tests.
• For grade 3-8 students – the SOL Growth Parent Report shows performance over time for state reading and math tests completed this school year.

Visit the FCPS website for additional information about spring assessment reporting practices and timelines.

Need help creating a SIS ParentVUE account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.

INOVA Back to School Pediatric Health Fairs

Inova Cares Clinic (ICC) will provide children ages 5 and older with free school entrance physicals and immunizations at summer health fairs for children on Medicaid or who are uninsured. The clinics will take place 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on the following dates:

• Saturday, June 29, at ICC for Children - Manassas
• Saturday, July 20, at ICC for Children - Herndon
• Saturday, August 17, at ICC for Children - Falls Church

Appointments are required; no walk-ins will be allowed. Call 703-698-2550 for an appointment.

Virtual Mental Wellness Consultations

This summer, the FCPS Office of Intervention and Prevention Services will offer virtual Mental Wellness Consultations from Monday, June 24, through Friday, August 2. Any FCPS parent or secondary student will have an opportunity to schedule a 45-minute consultation with a school psychologist or school social worker by phone or videoconference. 

Parents of students in any grade level can request a consultation to receive guidance on how to support their child’s social, emotional, and academic success. Information about community resources will also be provided.

Students in middle or high school can request a consultation to receive guidance and support for concerns related to anxiety, mood, behavior, peer or family interactions, or school transitions and changes. Strategies and tools can also be provided to address academic challenges such as organization and time management.

We encourage all families to take advantage of this service. Request a consultation or call and leave a message at 703-503-2520.

Summer Fun for All! Summer Camps and Adapted Recreation

The Family Resource Center (FRC) has a list of dozens of summer camps including general camps, camps for students with a variety of needs, and camps for children of military personnel. 

They’ve also prepared a list of adapted resources, sorted by activity, that are inclusive for children and adults of various physical abilities. 

Learn more by calling 703-204-3941, emailing [email protected], or visiting the FRC webpage.

4116 Braddock Road Alexandria, VA 22312  |  Phone: 703.914.6900

Attendance: [email protected] | Web | Twitter

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Panther Press for June 2, 2024

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.

Last Day of School (Early Dismissal)

The last day of the 2023-24 school year is Wednesday, June 12, and students will be dismissed early. Our dismissal time at Parklawn will be 1:25.

Summer Reading Kickoff: June 5!

Please join us for Parklawn’s annual Summer Reading Kickoff in the cafeteria on Wednesday, June 5th from 6:00-7:00.  Every child will receive a free book to begin summer reading.  We will also have information about ways to support your child with reading over the time away from school. Bring a beach towel to read on the front lawn of the school after choosing a book.  We will have popsicles too!

Field Day for Second and Third Grade Rescheduled to June 5

On May 29, our field day began with smiles and sunshine! Students in kindergarten, first grade, fourth grade, and fifth grade had a great time during their activities. Unfortunately, a thunderstorm began just as our second and third graders were about to begin their fun. Since these students were not able to participate, we have reschedule the second and third grade field day to Wednesday, June 5 from 1:30-3:00. We are hoping for sunny skies!

💪 Let's Finish the School Year Strong!

Student attendance at school is important all year long, up to the last day of school. Attendance has an effect on student performance and on school accreditation. See how to:

• Check your child’s attendance record.
• Help your student stay engaged at school.
• Report future absences.
• Understand the FCPS school calendar.

Learn more about attendance resources.

LGBTQIA+ Pride Month

In the month of June, we recognize the resilience and determination of the many individuals who are fighting to live freely and authentically. We stand with those facing an ongoing struggle against discrimination and injustice. This Pride Month, we affirm our obligation to uphold the dignity of all people. Each individual in our school community should feel valued for who they are. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.

Caribbean American Heritage Month

FCPS celebrates the rich diversity and honors the many contributions of immigrants of Caribbean heritage to our nation during the month of June. Caribbean individuals are some of the most ethnically diverse in the world. There are more than 8.5 million individuals in the United States born in the Caribbean or of Caribbean ancestry. Learn more about Caribbean American Heritage Month.

School Board Votes to Adopt Fiscal Year 2025 Approved Budget

The Fairfax County School Board voted to adopt Fairfax County Public Schools’ (FCPS) Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Approved Budget at their last board meeting. The FY 2025 Approved Budget totals $3.7 billion — a net increase of $233.2 million or 6.6% over the previous year. 

The FY 2025 Approved Budget focuses on providing educational excellence for all students and ensuring that employees’ hard work and dedication are acknowledged through competitive compensation. Both of these efforts fully align with the FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan.

Nearly 86% of the Approved Budget is targeted at instruction. Key budget highlights include funding for a 4% compensation increase for all employees; maintaining existing class size formulas and providing necessary support to all students; and expanding athletics offerings, additional athletic trainers, and enhanced stipends for fine and performing arts.

☎️ Family Information Phone Lines Available in Eight Languages

Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.

Message from the PTA

The school year is winding down, but we are already preparing for the fall! Get a head start on preparing for the 2024-25 school year by ordering your student's school supply kit through Campus Survival! The kits include everything that students will need, and will be delivered to the classroom before school starts. A portion of the price comes back to Parklawn PTA to support activities like treats at the Family Reunion picnic, staff appreciation events, and next year's Bingo Night! You can order online (www.campussurvivalkits.com/parklawn) or return the order form (sent home last week) with payment to the school. Please place your order by July 15!

Congratulations for our newly elected PTA officers! The incoming President is Rayne Yates. Rayne has experience in fundraising, event planning, community engagement, and bookkeeping and has supported a number of organizations. Robin Troutman was reelected Treasurer. Robin has served as Treasurer for the past three years and has managed our budget and all financial requirements for our PTA. Rayne and Robin will join Beth Hughes, our current Secretary, to lead the Parklawn PTA in the new school year.

Upcoming Dates

June 3: Band/Strings Night Concert

June 5: Summer Reading Kickoff; 6-7 pm

June 5: Last Day of PreK

June 12: Last Day of School; 2-hour early dismissal (1:25)

4116 Braddock Road Alexandria, VA 22312  |  Phone: 703.914.6900

Attendance: [email protected] | Web | Twitter

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2024-2025 Assistant Principal Update

Dear Parklawn Family,

As we look forward to the 2024-2025 school year, I wanted to share some wonderful news. One of our assistant principals, Ms. Alison Meadows, will be transitioning into the new role of MTSS Coordinator at Parklawn. Ms. Meadows has been an amazing assistant principal for the last six years, and we know she will be fantastic in serving our community in this new role.

We are excited to welcome Ms. Liana Diaz-Rivera to Parklawn as our new assistant principal in the 2024-2025 school year! Ms. Diaz-Rivera is currently an assistant principal at Glasgow Middle School. She is already a member of the Justice Pyramid and will bring a wealth of instructional and leadership experiences to our school.  We cannot wait to introduce Ms. Diaz-Rivera to our school community as she continues her personal and professional journey in FCPS.

Liana Diaz-Rivera has 15 years’ experience in the field of education and four years in administrative leadership. Her educational background includes Bachelor of Music in Classical Voice from University of the Arts, a M. Ed. in Special Education from Grand Canyon University and a second M. Ed. in Educational Administration from Grand Canyon University.  She is passionate about creating a supportive and engaging learning environment where all students can thrive. Her strengths lie in communicating with all stakeholders, fostering collaboration amongst staff and a data driven approach to education. She is beyond ecstatic to join the Parklawn community!

 

Sincerely,

Rebecca Forgy

Proud Principal

Parklawn Elementary

(703) 914-6900

4116 Braddock Road Alexandria, VA 22312  |  Phone: 703.914.6900

Attendance: [email protected] | Web | Twitter

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Panther Press for May 26, 2024

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.

Memorial Day Holiday

All schools and offices will be closed on Monday, May 27, for the Memorial Day holiday. Learn about the history of Memorial Day. See the complete school year calendar.

Field Day is Wednesday!

Our annual field day will be held on May 29.  Thank you for having students attend school in “PE clothes” and sneakers.  

There will be three sessions :

Field Day Schedule:

9:05-10:45 – K and 1st

11:00- 12:40 - 4th & 5th

  1:15-3:00 – 2nd & 3rd

Summer Reading Kickoff: June 5!

Please join us for Parklawn’s annual Summer Reading Kickoff in the cafeteria on Wednesday, June 5th from 6:00-7:00.  Every child will receive a free book to begin summer reading.  We will also have information about ways to support your child with reading over the time away from school. Bring a beach towel to read on the front lawn of the school after choosing a book.  We will have popsicles too!

☀️ Enjoy Learning, Fun, and Helpful Information at the Extravaganza!

Stop by Woodson High School on Saturday, June 1, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., for the FCPS Summer Extravaganza! Families are invited to take part in engaging educational activities designed to spark curiosity and inspire growth. In addition to learning activities, enjoy tips and helpful information for families. Enjoy face painting, food, music, a moon bounce, a petting zoo, storytime, and student performances — all at no cost!

Visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage for more details and register to attend. Registration is not required, but it's helpful for planning purposes.

📝 Student Testing Results Coming Soon

Later this month, you will begin receiving your child’s spring assessment results. If you aren’t sure what assessments your child took this year, view this list of tests by grade level on FCPS’ website. 

How the results are delivered depends on the test. Scores will be posted in SIS ParentVUE, or sent by mail or from the school or testing organization. Learn what to expect regarding assessment reporting practices and timelines. 

Visit FCPS’ website for additional information about student assessments, including what each assessment is testing for and how to interpret the test results. Caregivers should contact their children’s teacher with any testing questions.

📈 New SOL Growth Reports for Grade 3-8 Tests

Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) test results, along with other student data, help demonstrate in which subjects or topics students may need additional academic support.

In order to help interpret SOL results for parents, the Virginia Department of Education has released new Standards of Learning Growth Parent Reports for families of students who took grade 3-8 SOL math and reading tests this spring. 

The Growth Parent Report ties together scores from fall and winter Virginia Growth Assessments (VGA) with the student’s current spring SOL results to show their trend in academic progress this year.

Support Your Child’s Success in SIS ParentVUE

Signing up for a SIS ParentVUE account helps you to support your child’s academic success. Caregivers can view important information in ParentVUE such as attendance, grades, progress reports, and assessment scores. 

Once you have activated a ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same ParentVUE account. A SIS ParentVUE app is available for Apple and Android devices. 

Need help creating a SIS ParentVUE account? This video explains the steps. Find out more. To create a new account, please contact Lanh Nguyen, our registrar at Parklawn, for an activation letter. 

If you already have an account, be sure your contact information is up-to-date. Parents/guardians can update their phone numbers or email addresses in the Parent/Guardian section. View more information.

Upcoming Dates

May 29: Field Day

June 3: Band/Strings Night Concert

June 5: Summer Reading Kickoff; 6-7 pm

June 5: Last Day of PreK

June 12: Last Day of School; 2-hour early dismissal (1:25)

4116 Braddock Road Alexandria, VA 22312  |  Phone: 703.914.6900

Attendance: [email protected] | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Panther Press for May 19, 2024

 

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.

Memorial Day Holiday

All schools and offices will be closed on Monday, May 27, for the Memorial Day holiday. Learn about the history of Memorial Day. See the complete school year calendar.

Summer Reading Kickoff: June 5!

Please join us for Parklawn’s annual Summer Reading Kickoff in the cafeteria on Wednesday, June 5th from 6:00-7:00.  Every child will receive a free book to begin summer reading.  We will also have information about ways to support your child with reading over the time away from school. Bring a beach towel to read on the front lawn of the school after choosing a book.  We will have popsicles too!

Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow. We All Belong Here!

In FCPS, we all belong. From the first day of school, to the last day of school, every child matters. If your student is having a hard time finishing the year strong and attending school, please contact a trusted adult at the school—a teacher, counselor, or administrator. Visit FCPS’ website for more attendance resources.

Lost and Found

Throughout the year, the Parklawn Lost and Found has been housed in the cafeteria. At family events, we have put items on display. We are glad many items found their way back to their owner! We are going to have one final walk-though of classes on Monday for children to see if there are any lost items. We will then be packing up the remaining items for donation.

Register Today for FCPS Summer Camps

Registration for FCPS Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA/E-IFTA) camps closes on Friday, June 7. Tuition is waived for students eligible for free and reduced-price meals. Bus transportation is available from select FCPS high schools and middle schools. Learn more about Summer Learning and Fun for Students. 

☀️ Enjoy Learning, Fun, and Helpful Information at the Extravaganza!

Stop by Woodson High School on Saturday, June 1, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., for the FCPS Summer Extravaganza! Families are invited to take part in engaging educational activities designed to spark curiosity and inspire growth. In addition to learning activities, enjoy tips and helpful information for families. Enjoy face painting, food, music, a moon bounce, a petting zoo, storytime, and student performances — all at no cost!

Visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage for more details and register to attend. Registration is not required, but it's helpful for planning purposes.

Upcoming Dates

May 22: Artful Spring Sing; 6:30-8 pm

May 27: Memorial Day Holiday; No School

May 29: Field Day

June 3: Band/Strings Night Concert

June 5: Summer Reading Kickoff; 6-7 pm

June 5: Last Day of PreK

June 12: Last Day of School; 2-hour early dismissal (1:25)

4116 Braddock Road Alexandria, VA 22312  |  Phone: 703.914.6900

Attendance: [email protected] | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Panther Press for May 12, 2024 Happy Mothers' Day

Happy Mothers' Day to all the moms and caregivers in our Parklawn Family!

Class Placement 2024-2025

We are already working on our plans for the 2024-2025 school year!  Class placements are an essential component of learning and building community. If you have information that you would like us to consider as we determine placements, please share your input by answering a few questions completing the form at the following link: Class Placement 2024-2025 Form We know that a good teacher-student match and a productive mix of children are ingredients for success, and we carefully consider each child’s strengths and needs during this process. Please do not request specific teachers, as this does not take into account the many variables we must take into consideration. It is far more valuable to share particular academic or behavioral information.

Completion of this form is optional.  If you would like to provide input, you may use this online form by May 24, 2024. This is a hard deadline. Please know that input from forms turned in over the summer are difficult to honor since the grouping process has already started. Please fill out one form per child. Thank you! We know that a good teacher-student match and a productive mix of children are ingredients for success, and we carefully consider each child’s strengths and needs during this process. Please do not request specific teachers, as this does not take into account the many variables we must take into consideration. It is far more valuable to share particular academic or behavioral information.

Message from the PTA

Bingo Night is Friday, May 17, from 6:00 - 7:30! Please join us for an evening of Bingo and raffle drawings for great prizes. This year's raffle will include gift cards from Glory Days restaurant, Get Air Trampoline Park, and many other prize baskets! And all Bingo winners will be able to select a prize. 

Also, please join us on Thursday, May 16, at 4:30, in the library for our last general PTA meeting of the school year. We will be holding elections for three officer positions: President, Vice President, and Treasurer. All PTA members are eligible to run for office and vote at the meeting. If you would like more information about the positions, or if you are interested in running, please email current PTA president Joselle Shea at [email protected].

Upcoming Dates

May 16: PTA Meeting; 4:30 pm in the library

May 17: PTA Bingo Night

May 22: Artful Spring Sing; 6:30-8

May 27: Memorial Day Holiday

May 29: Field Day

4116 Braddock Road Alexandria, VA 22312  |  Phone: 703.914.6900

Attendance: [email protected] | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Panther Press for May 5, 2024

May is a national month of recognition of the history of Jewish contributions to American culture, acknowledging the diverse achievement of the Jewish community in the U.S. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.

People with ancestral roots in Asia and the islands of the Pacific have been integral to the story of America. In 1992, May was designated Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month to celebrate their heritage and contributions. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.

Message from the PTA

Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week is May 6 - 10! The Parklawn PTA will be providing treats to staff this week to thank them for their tireless efforts to teach, nurture, and support students and their families. Students can also show their appreciation:

Monday: Bring or draw a picture of a flower to give your teachers

Tuesday: Give a high-five to all the teachers and staff you see

Wednesday: Write adjectives describing your teacher to make a poem—use this worksheet from the National PTA to get started!

Thursday: Draw a picture of you and your teacher in class

Friday: Write a thank you note for a teacher or staff member who has helped you

Bingo Night is Friday, May 17! Mark your calendars and come for an evening of games and raffle prizes. We are looking for volunteers to help during the event—check out our sign-up sheet and let us know if you can help. All volunteers will receive five raffle tickets for each 30-minute slot they sign up for!

Our next PTA Meeting will be Thursday, May 16, at 4:30 in the library. We’ll be holding elections for three PTA officer positions: President, Treasurer, and Vice President. We provided information about the President and Treasurer roles over the last two weeks. The other officer position open is Vice President. The Vice President leads PTA meetings if the President is not available and has a flexible role in helping to plan different types of events. All PTA members are eligible to run for office and vote for officers. If you are interested in any officer positions, please email current PTA President Joselle Shea to be put on the ballot.

Monthly Family Market: May 9

Come visit Parklawn’s May Family Market  from 5-7 pm! We’re partnering with the @Capital Area Food Bank to offer fresh produce and dry goods to members of the Parklawn school community, free of charge. Groceries are available on a first‑come first‑serve basis. This is our last market of the school year! We'll see you there!

Spring Picture Update

School pictures are ready! If you have not ordered pictures yet and would like to do so, log in to your account on mylifetouch.com or create an account using your student's school ID number. All families can also log on and order a FREE Digital SmileSafe card. More about the Smilesafe program here. Thank you!

Attendance Matters!

Learning at school will continue up to the very end of the year on June 12th! It is important that your child continue to be at school and on time every day through the last day. Please plan trips after that date so that your child does not miss school. Absences for travel before school ends will be considered unexcused and may result your child in being listed as chronically absent as defined by the state of Virginia. Every day of school is an important opportunity for students to learn and connect to peers and their teachers!

Social and Emotional Learning Screener Results

One of the ways FCPS supports the mental wellness of all students is the SEL Screener.

Students in grades 3-12 took the SEL Screener in March, providing information on their skills like achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. The SEL Screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to create the learning, experiences, and environments students need to be successful.

Individual student SEL Screener results should now be available to families in the Documents section of SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent via postal mail.

For more information about the screener please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. For support in understanding your individual student’s results or for ideas on how to support them at home, please review the Family Guide or contact your student’s school. 

Upcoming Dates

May 9: May Family Market – last of the year! 5-7 pm

May 16: PTA Meeting; 4:30 pm in the library

May 17: PTA Bingo Night

May 22: Artful Spring Sing; 6:30-8

May 27: Memorial Day Holiday

May 29: Field Day

4116 Braddock Road Alexandria, VA 22312  |  Phone: 703.914.6900

Attendance: [email protected] | Web | Twitter

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Panther Press for April 28, 2024

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.

May 3 Student Holiday

Friday, May 3, is Orthodox Good Friday, and a teacher work day. Millions of Orthodox Christians commemorate Good Friday, also known as “Great Friday” to remember the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion. There will be no school for students that day. See the complete school year calendar.

Family Field Trip is May 4!

We are so excited for our Parklawn Family Field Trip to Museum of American Indian on May 4! We had over 470 people send in their interest form last week coming from all of our classrooms! Since we are limited to 150 seats, we did a random selection from those families interested. We contacted families this week regarding if your family has a seat reserved for the trip. If your family was not selected, you are still welcome to meet us there. We love it when our families are able to join us!

Where:  National Museum of the American Indian:  4th St SW, Washington, DC 20560

Date:  Saturday, May 4, 2024; bus leaves Parklawn at 9:30 with approximate 10 am arrival

Monthly Family Market: May 9

Come visit Parklawn’s May Family Market  from 5-7 pm! We’re partnering with the @Capital Area Food Bank to offer fresh produce and dry goods to members of the Parklawn school community, free of charge. Groceries are available on a first‑come first‑serve basis. This is our last market of the school year! We'll see you there!

Message from the PTA

The Parklawn PTA is excited to support Family Night on May 2. There are a number of opportunities to help at various stations, such as the picnic, open mic stage, and photo booth. We are looking for volunteers particularly during the 6:45 - 7:30 p.m. time slot. This would give you an opportunity to enjoy the activities with your family, and then help out. Please review the sign-up sheet for options.

We are also organizing activities for National Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week from May 6 - 10, which will include a lunch and other treats for staff. If you are interested in helping with any of those activities, please email [email protected]. 

Mark your calendars for our Bingo Night on May 17! We are collecting many exciting items for our raffle, and all Bingo winners will be able to select a prize. This is a fun tradition at Parklawn that you won't want to miss!

Finally, we will be holding elections for the PTA offices of President, Vice President, and Treasurer later in May. Last week we shared about the role of President. Here are more details about the Treasurer position. The Treasurer maintains accurate financial records for the PTA. They deposit and withdraw funds (such as depositing membership dues, or withdrawing cash for an event). In the fall, they prepare a budget for the school year, and in June they ensure an annual financial review is completed. The Treasurer also files our tax and insurance forms so we can maintain our nonprofit status. If you are a member of the PTA and are interested in learning more about or running for any of the open positions, please email current president Joselle Shea at [email protected].

Upcoming Dates

April 24: Spring Picture Day

May 2: Family Celebration Night! 6-7:30

May 3: Teacher Workday: STUDENT HOLIDAY

May 4: Parklawn Family Field Trip

May 9: May Family Market – last of the year! 5-7 pm

May 17: PTA Bingo Night

4116 Braddock Road Alexandria, VA 22312  |  Phone: 703.914.6900

Attendance: [email protected] | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Panther Press for April 21, 2024

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.

Earth Day Spirit Week!

Where  clothing that matches these colors each day!

Spring Pictures are April 24!

Group class picture and individual pictures will be taken on Wednesday, April 24.  Payment envelopes are being sent home or parents can pre-order on mylifetouch.com with the student ID or Picture day ID: EVTMTGG6W. We can’t wait to see those wonderful Parklawn smiles!

Passover

Chag Sameach to all in our community celebrating Passover! Many Jewish communities in the United States celebrate Passover, a recognition of the deliverance of Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. Passover is also known as Pesah, Pesach, or the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Many Jewish families in the United States eat a ceremonial meal known as the Seder, which involves telling the story of the exodus from Egypt as well as eating various symbolic foods, such as meat of the paschal lamb and bitter herbs, recalling the harsh life of slavery. Learn more about Passover in NatGeo Kids.  Ella’s artwork was designed as part of the FCPS Observance Design Challenge for Students. Learn more about the challenge: https://bit.ly/47oHw2j

Family Field Trip Update!

We are so excited for our Parklawn Family Field Trip to Museum of American Indian on May 4! We had over 470 people send in their interest form last week coming from all of our classrooms! Since we are limited to 150 seats, we did a random selection from those families interested. We will contact families this week regarding if your family has a seat reserved for the trip. If your family was not selected, you are still welcome to meet us there. We love it when our families are able to join us!

Where:  National Museum of the American Indian:                                          4th St SW, Washington, DC 20560

Date:  Saturday, May 4, 2024; bus leaves Parklawn at 9:30 with approximate 10 am arrival

Spring SOL Schedule

Parklawn Elementary students in grades 3-5 will participate in the Virginia Standards of Learning tests (SOLs) this spring. Here is the testing schedule for our students. Please be mindful of these dates when scheduling appointments. More information is available on the SOL assessments webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/35021)

Tuesday, May 7 – 3rd Grade Reading

Thursday, May 9 – 5th Grade Science

Wednesday, May 15 – 4th and 5th Grade Reading

Thursday, May 16 – 3rd Grade Math

Tuesday, May 21 – 4th and 5th Grade Math

Message from the PTA

The Parklawn PTA is preparing for a number of activities through the rest of the school year, which include several volunteer opportunities. We will be helping with Parklawn's Family Night on May 2-- we'll share a volunteer sign-up sheet soon. We are also organizing activities for National Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week from May 6 - 10, which will include a lunch and other treats for staff. If you are interested in helping with any of those activities, please email [email protected]. We are excited for our upcoming Bingo Night on May 17. Our planning committee has been reaching out to local businesses and organizations and has already gotten many exciting items for the raffle. In the coming weeks, we'll send a volunteer sign-up sheet to help during the event. We are also working with Campus Survival to put together school supply kits for that will give students everything they need for next school year. We'll distribute order forms next month.

Finally, we will be holding elections for new PTA officers in May. The open positions are President, Vice President, and Treasurer. Here is more information about the President position (we'll share more about the Treasurer and Vice President roles in the coming weeks). The primary responsibilities of the President are to: manage the PTA according to our established policies; lead PTA meetings; represent the PTA with the school and the larger community; and work with officers and volunteers to set goals and implement activities. If you are a member of the PTA and are interested in learning more about or running for any of the open positions, please email current president, Joselle Shea, at [email protected].

Upcoming Dates

April 24: Spring Picture Day

May 2: Family Celebration Night! 6-7:30

May 3: Teacher Workday: STUDENT HOLIDAY

May 9: May Family Market – last of the year! 5-7 pm

May 17: PTA Bingo Night

4116 Braddock Road Alexandria, VA 22312  |  Phone: 703.914.6900

Attendance: [email protected] | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Panther Press for April 14, 2024

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.

April is the Month of the Military Child!

Every year we take the opportunity to recognize military-connected youth for their service and contribution to our community. Fairfax County Public Schools is proud to have over 14,000 military-connected youth as a part of our student body. We appreciate the varied life experiences they bring to our school community and recognize their strength and resilience. To show our support for all our military-connected families, we are inviting all Fairfax County students, families, school employees, and community members to “Purple Up!” on April 17 for military children. Why purple? Purple symbolizes all branches of the military as a combination of Army green, Marine Corps red, and Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force and Space Force blue. Learn more about Month of the Military Child and FCPS’ resources for military families.

Spring Picture Day is April 24!

Group class picture and individual pictures will be taken on Wednesday, April 24.  Payment envelopes are being sent home or parents can pre-order on mylifetouch.com with the student ID or Picture day ID: EVTMTGG6W. We can’t wait to see those wonderful Parklawn smiles!

Parklawn's Spring Family Field Trip is May 4!

Be on the lookout in this week's Tuesday folder for the flyer!

Where:  National Museum of the American Indian                                       4th St SW, Washington, DC 20560

Date:  Saturday, May 4, 2024

Time:  Leave Parklawn at 9:30 A.M.

            Depart from Museum at 12:30 P.M.

**Transportation Provided by FCPS Bus

***Families are welcome to take their own transportation and meet us there!

A diverse and multifaceted cultural and educational enterprise, the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) is an active and visible component of the Smithsonian Institution, the world's largest museum complex. The NMAI cares for one of the world's most expansive collections of Native artifacts, including objects, photographs, archives, and media covering the entire Western Hemisphere, from the Arctic Circle to Tierra del Fuego.

Students MUST be accompanied by their parent or guardian at all times during the field trip*

*Space is limited for bus transportation! Return this form and  RSVP by Friday, April 19. A lottery process will be used to draw names for 150 participants.  A permission slip will be sent home for the 150 selected people on Tuesday, April 23 to complete and confirm attendance.  If you would rather meet us there, you do not need to sign up!

Our Parklawn family had so much fun enjoying the eclipse together this week!

Autism Acceptance Month

April is Autism Acceptance Month. One in 44 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder in the United States, according to the CDC. Our schools and staff play a vital role in creating and ensuring inclusive environments that accommodate and affirm autistic students.

PTA Meeting this Thursday!

Please join us for our next general meeting on Thursday, April 18, at 4:30 p.m. in the library. We'll discuss Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week activities and hear updates from the Bingo Night planning committee. We'll also discuss officer elections, which will take place during our May meeting. Serving as a PTA officer (President, Vice President, or Secretary) is a great way to plan meaningful activities for the school community and work closely with school administrators. We hope you can join us!

Upcoming Dates

April 17: Purple Up! Wear Purple to honor the Month of the Military Child!

April 18: PTA meeting; 4:30 pm in the library

April 23: Volunteer Breakfast, 9:15-10:15

April 24: Spring Picture Day

May 2: Parklawn Family Celebration Night!

4116 Braddock Road Alexandria, VA 22312  |  Phone: 703.914.6900

Attendance: [email protected] | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Panther Press for April 7, 2024

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.

Solar Eclipse is April 8!

A solar eclipse is happening on April 8, 2024. It's a rare and exciting astronomical phenomenon, and one that requires important safety reminders.

Looking directly at the sun, even during an eclipse, can permanently damage your eyes. At Parklawn, we have been able to collect approved eyewear so that students can safely view the eclipse ONLY while wearing the eyewear. We are providing a school-wide learning experience and viewing opportunity.

Here are some important reminders:

• Don't look at the sun without approved eyewear. This applies to students and staff, and we encourage you to reinforce it at home. 
• Regular sunglasses are not good enough. We will be providing eyewear that has been approved for viewing.
• Eclipse timing: The eclipse starts around 2:04 p.m., peaks at 3:20 p.m. (which coincides with dismissal for Parklawn), and ends around 4:32 p.m. If you have concerns about your child walking or riding the bus home, please arrange for alternative transportation.

For more details, visit the FCPS Solar Eclipse webpage.

Calendar Reminder: No School on Wednesday, April 10

Eid Mubarak to those in our Muslim community celebrating! This year's Eid al-Fitr artwork was created by Mark Twain Middle School student Tazrian S. In Islam, Eid al-Fitr is a 3 day festival to mark the end of Ramadan. Muslims dress in new clothes, give charity, and pray in congregation. Eid is celebrated with the exchange of presents and delicious food with family and friends.

Monthly Market is Thursday!

Come visit Parklawn’s November Family Market this Thursday, April 11 at 5 pm! We’re partnering with the @Capital Area Food Bank to offer fresh produce and dry goods to members of the Parklawn school community, free of charge. Groceries are available on a first‑come first‑serve basis. We'll see you there!

April is the Month of the Military Child!

Every year we take the opportunity to recognize military-connected youth for their service and contribution to our community. Fairfax County Public Schools is proud to have over 14,000 military-connected youth as a part of our student body. We appreciate the varied life experiences they bring to our school community and recognize their strength and resilience. To show our support for all our military-connected families, we are inviting all Fairfax County students, families, school employees, and community members to “Purple Up!” on April 17 for military children. Why purple? Purple symbolizes all branches of the military as a combination of Army green, Marine Corps red, and Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force and Space Force blue. Learn more about Month of the Military Child and FCPS’ resources for military families.

Happy Arab American Heritage Month! In April we recognize and celebrate the contributions of Arab Americans, whose ancestry from the world’s 22 Arab nations spans northern Africa through western Asia.

Muslim American Heritage Month is a time for celebrating the history, contributions, culture, and an enhanced understanding of the diverse population of Muslim Americans. View the Fairfax County School Board resolution honoring Muslim American Heritage Month.

Upcoming Dates

April 8: Solar Eclipse!

April 9: Progress Reports go home

April 10: Holiday; Eid al-Fitr

April 11: Monthly Market, 5-7

April 17: Purple Up! 

April 18: PTA meeting; 4:30

April 24: Spring Picture Day

4116 Braddock Road Alexandria, VA 22312  |  Phone: 703.914.6900

Attendance: [email protected] | Web | Twitter