Chris Yung Newsletter
September 2020
September 29, 30 and October 1
School Motto
Power of Positivity: Virtual PE
Mark Your Calendar
Sept. 21: International Peace Day Celebration @ 3:00 (Virtual)
Sept. 22: Virtual Advisory Council Meeting @ 6:30 & PTO Meeting @ 7:00
Sept. 29: Virtual Back to School Nights: 4th Grade @ 5:00 & 5th Grade @ 6:00
Sept. 30: Virtual Back to School Nights: 2nd Grade @ 5:00 & 3rd Grade @ 6:00
Oct. 1: Virtual Back to School Nights: Kindergarten @ 5:00 & 1st Grade @ 6:00
Principal’s Message
Welcome to the start of the 2020-2021 virtual school year! It was great to see such eager and happy faces on our students during their Zoom lessons this week. Additionally, it was a joy to meet and greet those students who are at school for in person learning. Whether your child is participating in blended learning or 100 percent virtually, they will receive quality instruction from teachers who are committed to their success. Students will receive instruction by interacting live with their teachers and by independently completing assignments and projects throughout the school day. Ultimately, the location of your child’s learning will not determine their success. Instead, it will be determined by the effectiveness of the instruction and being present for learning each day. The staff is committed to planning quality instruction and delivering it with clarity and with a strong emphasis on student engagement.
Assessments will be administered starting next week to determine student reading and writing levels. This data will provide a baseline to plan instruction that is differentiated to meet the diverse learning needs of each student. The full implementation of the Virginia Standards and the Prince William County Curriculum will continue to ensure high levels of engagement and learning. We’ve spent the past week getting to know our new students and reuniting with those returning. Though the academics are extremely important, as a staff, we recognize the importance of investing in strong relationships with our students. We have amazing children, parents and teachers so I’m excited about the awesome things that we will accomplish this year.
I’d like to express my sincere appreciation to all parents. We know the strain that virtual learning has placed on you as you try your best to juggle work schedules and schoolwork. I praise you for the effort that you are putting forth to help your child log in to their classes and maneuver through Canvas. We simply can’t provide the high-quality education for your children without your support. Virtual learning requires a strong partnership with home and school. We encourage you to continue to reach out if you need assistance with technology. Additionally, I appreciate the families who have donated new and used laptops to our school. You continue to amaze me with your generosity and kindness. We anticipate a shipment of laptops within the next few weeks and hope that we may satisfy all computer needs. We welcome your involvement and support as we embark upon a new school year. It is a privilege to be part of the Chris Yung community and have a hand in shaping the futures of our children! Please contact me if you have questions or feedback at 571.598.3500 or by email at notycekd@pwcs.edu. Together We Can!
Attendance
A reminder that our school hours are 9:20 am-4:00 pm. Students need to be logged in by 9:20 am and attendance will be taken shortly thereafter. Please remember to send an email indicating why your child is absent to both Vicki Corder @ CorderVS@pwcs.edu and Maria Marmol @ marmolMM@pwcs.edu.
Literacy Corner
We appreciate your patience as we all learn this new temporary normal. Beginning September 14 through October 16, students will work one on one with their teacher to take a short reading assessment. All students K-3 will also work with a reading teacher one on one at other designated times for our yearly PALS assessment. PALS is a phonological state mandated assessment that we can administer virtually. These assessments will help us better plan
our small group reading time. You are welcome to sit with your child during this time, however, please do NOT assist them in any way. Our knowledge of what each child knows and is still learning will be crucial to our daily instruction. Teachers will be sending a letter with additional PALS information in the near future. You will receive the results of your child’s assessment by the end of the first quarter. Thank you for your help and please don’t hesitate to reach out should you need anything.
Mrs. Melissa Morgan
Reading Specialist
Emergency Cards and Annual Acknowledgements and Consents Now Electronic
The Return to Learn Packet refers to the process at the beginning of the school year, where parents can review emergency cards and contact information for their students and complete any annual policy reviews and acknowledgements, including receipt of information about the Code of Behavior, legal responsibilities as a parent under Virginia Code §22 1-279.3, attendance, and release of student directory information.
In past years, our schools have sent home a “First Day Packet” with the Emergency Cards and required forms to be completed. This year, we will be providing this information virtually, via the Return to Learn Packet, now available in ParentVUE.
It is extremely important that all families complete the Return to Learn Packet prior to the end of the second week of school. The information you provide will allow school staff to have the most up-to-date contact information and ensure the safety of your student this school year. Prior to completing this packet, please review the Attendance and Code of Behaviors tabs. You will be asked to acknowledge you have read these policies and documents in the online Return to Learn Packet.
Free and Reduced Lunch
A new application for free and reduced lunch must be completed each year. Applications are available online at www.pwcs.edu under the “Parents” tab and can also be picked up in the CYES Front Office. Please complete applications as soon as possible to determine if your child qualifies for free or reduced meals.
Virtual Back to School Nights: September 29-October 1
You are invited to attend our “Back to School Nights” which are held virtually on the following days and times:
September 29: Fourth grade @ 5:00 & Fifth grade @ 6:00.
September 30: Second grade @ 5:00 & Third grade @ 6:00.
October 1: Kindergarten @ 5:00 & First grade @ 6:00.
All parents are highly encouraged to take advantage of these meetings to get an overview of the educational programs and expectations for the school year. This year we will continue to implement Standards-Based Grading so teachers will review the grading process.
Nurses Corner
Hello Chris Yung Families. I hope this message finds you all happy and healthy. I just want to remind all new families that though students are learning virtually, we need copies of your child’s immunization and physicals. Many thanks to those parents who have already turned them in for enrollment to our school. This is also a great time to get health treatment plans filled out by the doctor for this school year. You can access all the health treatment plans from the CYES home page, under the Nurse’s Corner. Hopefully, we’ll be able to start in-person learning soon. If you have questions or concerns, please call me at 571-598-3500, (Monday-Friday). I am currently in the building from 8:30 – 4:30. Together we can do great things.
Mrs. Vicki Shipley
School Nurse
PTO and Advisory Council Meeting
The first PTO and Advisory Council meetings will take place virtually on Tuesday, September 22. The Advisory Council meeting will be at 6:30 followed by the PTO meeting at 7:00. Elections for both organizations will take place at the beginning of each meeting. Please visit the PTO website @ chrisyunges.pwcs.edu/about_us/chr_yung_p_t_o and the Advisory Council website @chrisyunges.pwcs.edu/about_us/advisory_council to see the available positions and a description of the duties. After the elections, there will be discussions about plans for the school year. All parents are invited to attend the meetings to become familiar with the goals and plans for the school year.
Mrs. ter Weele, Advisory Council Chairperson
Mrs. Christina Zell, PTO President
STEAMonthly
We have an exciting twist on STEAM at Chris Yung this year!
CLICK THE VIDEO BELOW to learn more information about where Mrs. Chidester has been hiding and what she'll be up to this year.
Who can find me first? I'll be popping up, ready to ZOOM FULL STEAM AHEAD in a virtual classroom near you! Keep an eye out!
Also, stay tuned for more information about October STEAM Events for parents!
Feel free to reach out to with questions or comments through Class Dojo or email: chideskw@pwcs.edu.
Kaitlin Chidester
STEAM Coach
COUNSELORS’ CORNER
As we begin a school year like no other, please be assured that your counselors remain incredibly committed to supporting our students' social and emotional well-being. Although our delivery of services will initially look different than what we are used to, we are excited to use innovative and fun ways to support our students. Dr. McClurg and Ms. Poore will be attending class zoom meetings, running small groups, teaching monthly guidance lessons and supporting our students in a variety of ways.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us. We are excited to continue our work on mindfulness this year and believe it will serve as a strong foundation for our CYES family while we continue on this unpredictable journey together. By incorporating mindfulness into our daily routines and classroom guidance lessons, we hope to nurture students’ self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making. In turn, we are hoping to foster a kind, caring, and calm community. Mindfulness can be especially beneficial in helping children cope, which is another reason we feel it’s so important. If you would like to implement mindfulness practice at home, please reach out to Dr. McClurg or Ms. Poore for some family-friendly ideas.
Small Group Counseling
During the month of September, we will begin small groups that focus on Social Skills, Coping Skills and supporting new students. The purpose of small groups is to provide a safe environment for sharing, giving and receiving feedback, practicing new skills, and increasing awareness so that students can continue to be successful in school. Small groups will meet virtually on Mondays during school hours for 30 minutes for six to eight sessions. If you feel that your child could benefit from small group counseling, please contact Dr. McClurg or Ms. Poore.
Stay in Touch
We miss seeing our students daily and providing counseling services in our traditional manner, but we are confident our Steam Engines will embrace this new way of learning. We have faith that our students will continue to excel on all levels and we remain available to assist with any challenges that impact students' availability for learning. As we begin to settle into the new school year, please continue to be vigilant in keeping yourselves happy, healthy and mindful. As always, reach out to the counselors at any time and let us know how we can support you.
Dr. McClurg (Grades 3, 4, 5): mcclurlm@pwcs.edu
Ms. Poore (Grades K, 1, 2): poorepb@pwcs.edu
571.598.3396
Dr. McClurg is on Twitter! Follow me @CYEScounselor to stay up-to-date on all things related to CYES School Counseling.
Strings Coming Soon
Mr. Ohmart is in the process of planning Strings classes for our 4th and 5th graders. Information was sent out to parents recently and you are reminded to return the form by Friday, September 18. Click on the link if you need another copy. https://tinyurl.com/yyq3k76h
Mr. Jeffrey Ohmart
Strings Teacher
Art Corner
Chris Yung is celebrating the International Day of Peace for the 6th year. The celebration this year will be virtual, and I can’t wait to see what the students create. Children are making “Pinwheels for Peace” in Art. We will have some students reading their own writings about Peace, and how to make our world a more peaceful place.
Please join us virtually on September 21st at 3:00 in the Art Room.
Ms. Faith Broome
Art Teacher
Virtual All Pro Dads Coming Soon
I am happy to announce that the All Pro Dads Club will be returning soon. Information will be sent out soon and it will also be posted on our website.