Cougar Weekly Update
August 14, 2020
This newsletter can be translated into different languages!
¡Este boletín se puede traducir a diferentes idiomas!
اس نیوز لیٹر کا مختلف زبانوں میں ترجمہ کیا جاسکتا ہے!
يمكن ترجمة هذه النشرة الإخبارية إلى لغات مختلفة!
ይህ በራሪ ጽሑፍ ወደ ተለያዩ ቋንቋዎች ሊተረጎም ይችላል!
این خبرنامه را می توان به زبان های مختلف ترجمه کرد!
Bản tin này có thể được dịch sang các ngôn ngữ khác nhau!
Look for "Translate Newsletter" and click
McDade Minute
Principal's Message
Dear Cougar Community,
During the week of August 24th you will learn who your child(ren)'s teacher is (are). Someone will reach out to schedule a Virtual Orientation with you and your child to help ensure that you can log on, find programs, and access resources necessary to participate in virtual school. This important meeting will begin with a phone call and transition to Zoom.
Virtual Orientation Schedule
2nd Grade
August 31
September 1
1st Grade
September 2
September 3
Kindergarten
September 8
September 9
This meeting is critical. I ask that you make every effort to be ontime and ready to participate! Virtual School requires a true partnership between home and school. Virtual Orientation is the beginning of this relationship.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Gwynn
Distribution Days
In order to participate in virtual learning all students will need devices. All students MUST have an MPCS issued device. Most first and second graders already have their devices from earlier in the summer. Students who are new to Cougar will receive their devices before their Virtual Orientation Dates on the dates below. This pick-up is a joint effort with MPE to minimize trips to school for families. During this time students will also be given a Learning Box with supplies necessary to participate in online learning. During this time students will also pick-up items from their desks from last school year. All students will need to come to school to pick-up materials for school.
Please place a sign in your car window with your student's name(s), and grade.
Device and Learning Box Pick-Up Dates
August 25
1st and 2nd Last Names That Begin with A-F
9:00 – 11:00 AM
5:00 – 7:00 PM
August 26
1st and 2nd Last Names That Begin with G-N
9:00 – 11:00 AM
5:00 – 7:00 PM
August 27
1st and 2nd Last Names That Begin with O-Z
9:00 - 11:00 AM
5:00 - 7:00 PM
Kindergarten (All Names)
September 2
9:00 – 11:00 AM
5:00 – 7:00 PM
Please note the following important details:
- A parent or guardian will need to be present to sign out the Chromebook(s) if needed.
- Families should enter the elementary campus using Cougar Court, behind MPE.
- Follow volunteer directions and plan to remain in your car throughout the process.
- Please wear a mask and bring a pen to use to sign out the Chromebook(s).
- Families may pick up items for all 1-5 children at the same time.
Please continue to practice physical distancing and wear a mask.
I look forward to seeing everyone during these dates!
Cougar Bell Schedule 2020-2021 for September
11:00 - 12:00 Kindergarten Lunch/Recess
12:30 - 1:30 1st Lunch/Recess
1:00 - 2:00 2nd Lunch Recess
3:30 - End of School
Specific Teacher's Schedules will be shared during Virtual Orientations.
MAP Clinic Manassas
Manassas Park Community Center
99 Tremont Street
Manassas Park, VA 20111
Free School Physicals for Uninsured Families
(Exámenes físicos escolares gratuitos para familias sin Seguro)
Manassas MAP Clinic
(99 Tremont Street, Manassas Park, VA)
Every Tuesday/Cada Martes
9:00am
No appointments/Sin Citas
Maximum 20 Patients Each Day
(No mas de 20 pacientes por dia)
Kindergarten Requirements
Kindergarten is a time of exploration and learning many new things. Even though we will begin the year virtually there are several things you MUST DO in order to ensure a smooth transition to kindergarten. Please make sure these things are completed and submitted to the Cougar Office. Your student will not receive a chromebook to start school on time without these being completed.
1.Your child must have a 5 Year Physical completed within the last year (print form below). All shots must be up to date. These include:
- (5) DTP
- (4) OPV
- (2) MMR
- (3) Hep B
- (2) Varicella
- TB test and date (must show with low risk or negative
2. Powerschool Enrollment - Online Returning Student Data Verification
- Parents of returning students must access the PowerSchool Enrollment online forms through the PowerSchool Parent Portal at https://ps.mpark.net/public. The online forms contain demographic and emergency information you entered last year. During this process, you will verify the information is accurate or update any information that has changed. Parents will also electronically sign annual agreement forms for school district policies.
- At least one parent is required to create a PowerSchool Parent Portal account. If you have multiple children in Manassas Park City Schools, you must verify information for each student, however only one parent account is necessary.
- · If you have created a PowerSchool Parent Portal account in a previous school year, please use that account to log in. Please do not create a new account.
- · If you have not created a PowerSchool parent account, directions can be found at http://www.mpark.net/parents/directions-for-parent-portal.
- If you have questions about your account, please contact your child’s school for assistance.
- In preparation for the 2020-2021 opening and to make the process as smooth as possible, please login to verify your existing PowerSchool Parent Portal account or create a new PowerSchool Parent Portal account if not already created prior to the end of the 2019-2020 school year.
These items must be completed in order for your child(ren) to start Kindergarten.
School Supplies
Returning Forward Plan
Health Plan
Online Returning Student Data Verification is OPEN
Parents of returning students must access the PowerSchool Enrollment online forms through the PowerSchool Parent Portal at https://ps.mpark.net/public. The online forms contain demographic and emergency information you entered last year. You must verify the information is accurate or update any information that has changed. Parents will also electronically sign annual agreement forms for school district policies.
At least one parent is required to create a PowerSchool Parent account. If you have multiple children in Manassas Park City Schools, you must verify information for each student, however only one parent account is necessary.
- If you have created a PowerSchool Parent Portal account in a previous school year, please use that account to log in. Please do not create a new account.
- If you have not created a PowerSchool parent account, directions can be found at https://www.mpark.net/parents/directions-for-parent-portal.
If you have questions about your account, please contact your child’s school for assistance.
The completion of this process is required for all returning students. The online forms are now open. Please complete by July 31, 2020.
How do I get started?
Visit https://ps.mpark.net/public and sign into your PowerSchool Parent Portal
- Select the student you wish to verify data at the top
- Click the ‘Registration’ link on the left side navigation menu
Family Support Classes from the Virginia Department of Education
The Virginia Department of Education's (VDOE) English Learner Instruction Program will offer a new series of webinars geared to support families as they prepare for the upcoming school year, specifically supporting learning at home.
The links below are for the respective Zoom sessions:
- English: August 26; 5:30 p.m.
- Spanish: August 27; 5:30 p.m.
- Urdu: August 31, 5:30 p.m.
- Arabic: September 1, 5:30 p.m.
- French: September 2, 5:30 p.m.
- Vietnamese: September 3, 5:30 p.m.
No registration is required; families join live.
Yearbooks from 2019-2020
Dear Families,
Yearbooks are a tradition for schools throughout the US and Canada. At Lifetouch, we are humbled to be a part of providing that tradition. We know how important yearbooks are - especially in times like these.
We want to take a moment to acknowledge this year’s delayed yearbook delivery is not what you, as our customers expect, nor deserve, from Lifetouch.
We want you to be aware that our primary yearbook production facilities are located in some of the states that are being hardest hit by the pandemic. We have prioritized the safety of our employees; and we are following all state and local health guidelines to create a safe working environment. Social distancing requirements mean that there are fewer people available to work at any given time. These changes have impacted our production schedule in meaningful ways.
We realize this has created a lot of frustration since we are currently unable to provide an estimated delivery time frame for your school’s yearbook. Please know our teams are doing everything possible to get your yearbook to you. Shipping is monitored daily. As soon as your yearbook ships, your school will receive tracking information so they can arrange to distribute the yearbooks to the students and families in a manner that is best suited for everyone’s safety.
As we navigate COVID-19, our intent is to provide you with a yearbook that your student will treasure for a lifetime. We thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate this unprecedented time together.
Sincerely,
Lifetouch
Smoothwall a Problem Logging in on an MPCS Device?
Internet with Cell Phone Companies
Some families have expressed that they may not have high-speed internet access at home. If you have a cell phone, your carrier may have provided you with additional hotspot data for free, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please check with your cell phone provider to see what options are available to you.
Verizon Wireless - https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/covid-19-faqs/#hotspot
AT&T - https://about.att.com/newsroom/2020/att_consumer_connected_together.html
Sprint - https://www.sprint.com/en/landings/covid-19.html
T-Mobile - https://www.t-mobile.com/support/account/covid-19-updates
Cricket Wireless - https://www.cricketwireless.com/newsroom/blog/cricket-health-and-safety-update.html
Algunas familias han expresado que no tienen acceso a internet de alta velocidad en casa. Si usted tiene un teléfono celular, es posible que su proveedor le haya proporcionado datos de puntos de acceso adicionales en forma gratitua, con respeto a la pandemia de COVID-19. Por favor consulte con su proveedor de celular para ver qué opciones tienen disponible para usted.
Verizon Wireless - https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/covid-19-faqs/#hotspot
AT&T - https://about.att.com/newsroom/2020/att_consumer_connected_together.html
Sprint - https://www.sprint.com/en/landings/covid-19.html
T-Mobile - https://www.t-mobile.com/support/account/covid-19-updates
Cricket Wireless - https://www.cricketwireless.com/newsroom/blog/cricket-health-and-safety-update.html
Need IT Support?
Please email it.support@mpark.net.
Please make sure the student includes their name, the device type, and a detailed description of the problem.
Stay Connected
You can stay connected by:
- Reading the CES weekly online newsletters emailed out each Friday afternoon
- Following CES on Twitter @CESMiniCougars https://twitter.com/CESMiniCougars
- Following MPCS on Twitter @MPCSchools https://twitter.com/MPCSVA
- Liking and following the Manassas Park City Schools Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/MPSchools/
- Checking the MPCS website frequently at www.mpark.net
- Following the Manassas Park PTO Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/ManassasParkCougarPTO/
Other information:
School Board Meetings and Work Sessions
Upcoming Dates
August 25th Distribution Day A-F 9:00-11:00 and 5:00 - 7:00
August 26th Distribution Day G-N 9:00 -11:00 and 5:00 - 7:00
August 27th Distribution Day O-Z 9:00 - 11:00 and 5:00 - 7:00
August 31st and September 1st 2nd Grade Virtual Orientation (at your scheduled time)
September 2nd Distribution Day ALL of Kindergarten 9:00 - 11:00 and 5:00 - 7:00
September 3rd and 4th 1st Grade Virtual Orientation (at your scheduled time)
September 8th First Day of School for 1st and 2nd Grade
September 8th and 9th Kindergarten Virtual Orientation (at your scheduled time)
September 10th First Day of Kindergarten
Principal Ann Gwynn
Email: ann.gwynn@mpark.net
Website: www.mpark.net
Location: 9330 Brandon Street, Manassas Park, VA, United States
Phone: (703) 392-1317
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MPSchools
Twitter: @CESMiniCougars