The Cobra Connection

The Sousa Middle School Family Newsletter | September 4

"Many hands make light work" (Tanzanian proverb).

We hope this finds you well-rested, healthy, and refueled after wrapping up the first week of school for the 2020-21 school year! It has been an honor being able to serve you as we all tackled something new- a virtual start to the school year. These are unprecedented times and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work in partnership with all of you.

We have some more exciting things coming this week and we look forward to engaging with you and your scholars! Keep reading to learn more!

Remember: Together, we can do anything because we are #SousaStrong!

Communication is very important in any partnership. Please make sure we have all of your up to date contact information. If you need to change it, please complete the form here. We will also continue to use our Instagram account to keep you informed about the great things going on at Sousa via @SousaSTEAMAcademy1954.

The Cobra Connection newsletter is our family newsletter. We will share important district-wide and school-specific information with you on a bi-weekly basis to make sure you are in-the-know. Until October, however, we will be reaching out on a weekly basis.

DC Public Schools will be starting the 2020-21 School Year virtually. These videos (1) (2) explain what this means when we start school on August 31, 2020.

Make sure you complete the tech survey if you need technology for distance learning.

Check out the #ReOpenStrong website for updates on virtual/distance learning.

Enroll in DCPS' Parent University sessions to receive additional guidance on what this school year will look like and the district's commitments.

Make sure you enroll your child as soon as possible! You can receive on site support M-F from 9:00 AM- 4:00 PM!

Check out DCPS' social media policy as we continue to use virtual learning for Term 1.

To learn more about our acceptable technology usage policy, click here.

Classes are happening via Canvas, so please make sure you also download the "Canvas Parent" app on the app store! You will use your scholar's log in information to see what they are working on!

Check out DCPS' grading policy for virtual learning here.

To learn more about the attendance policy, click here.

You can check your child's grades and schedule via ASPEN. Click here to access the parent portal. Click here to get help on how to access ASPEN.

Click here to learn more about Canvas and what your scholars can see from their side!

Beginning of Year Testing

Our iReady BOY diagnostics are needed this year more than ever. BOY testing will happen on September 10, 2020 with makeups happening from September 11- 15th.

Our scholars have experienced distance learning this spring, and we NEED the data to be strategic with instruction and get our scholars working on grade-level content. Please encourage your scholars to stay engaged and complete the assessment by September 15th.

If there are any questions please reach out to AP Green Brittany.green@k12.dc.gov or (202) 595-6536

See the testing day schedule below.

Virtual Schedule

Virtual Learning Tips & Tricks

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Virtual learning is new for a lot of us! The tips below should help ease some of your anxiety as you prepare your homes for a successful term of virtual learning:

Create a learning space for your child that is quiet and free of clutter.
Make sure their cameras on.
Make sure they have a strong routine and that they stick to that schedule to maximize their instructional time.
Feel free to reach out to your child's teachers if your child needs additional support.
Monitor your child's usage of social media regularly.
As they are in class, make sure you stay nearby to support them with any questions they make have. Click here to learn more about Canvas and what they see from their end!

Preparing for Virtual Learning

Tech support

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This year, all sports will be condensed into 8-week seasons. Below, you will find a list of sports we can offer based on interest:

Football
Basketball
Adaptive Basketball
Volleyball
Track and Field
Cheerleading
Baseball
Wrestling
Bowling

If you are interested in playing any sports for the 20-21 SY please complete a sports packet ASAP.

Parental Consent Form
Emergency Treatment Form
Universal Health Certificate (UHC).
Students with certain medical conditions may also need to complete an Asthma Action Plan or an Anaphylaxis Action Plan
Concussion Information Sheet

Please contact Coach K for updated information (202)657-2814

Do you have mental health concerns? The Sousa Health and Wellness Team is here for you.

The Sousa Health and Wellness team is comprised of the School Counselor, School Social Workers, School Psychologist, School-Based Therapist, and others to help support the social-emotional, and mental well-being of our students and families. The team provides supports through classroom lessons, group counseling, individual counseling, and wrap-around services.

Our team provides a wide variety of services to support the needs of our students, families, and staff including behavior support services, case management, consultation, medical services, psychological evaluations, referral to resources, social-emotional learning implementation, crisis intervention, homelessness liaison support, 504 and IEP development and coordination, test monitoring, behavioral assessments, Response to Intervention (RTI), individual therapy sessions, group trauma sessions, family engagement coordination, chronic attendance support and home visits.

If you have any mental wellness concerns or want more information, please reach out to Mrs. Batie, melanie.batie@k12.dc.gov.