Lamont Elementary School Updates

Dear Lamont Families:

Thank you to everyone who attended last month's Back to School Night. We appreciate your attendance and your support as we navigate this new school year!

In the absence of a school nurse, we want to thank the Office Team, and especially AP Shields for navigating the changing landscape as we work through the processes for handling Covid and Covid-like cases at our school with meticulous focus and grace. She has provided families with current guidance in a timely manner and she has worked well into the evening to ensure she has connected with families, and completed required documentation. We thank her for her perseverance and diligence.

PGCPS also provides updates for the district when schools have Covid positive cases. Families can access this information by clicking the link https://www.pgcps.org/coronavirus/resources/covid-19-cases. Later in this issue, families are provided the most recent updates regarding Covid protocols and processes.

Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) continues to follow the state and local guidance in the collection of student and teacher attendance. Administrative Procedure 5113 identifies this process for lawful and unlawful absences. PGCPS is responsible for identifying, collecting, and transmitting data to local, state, and federal agencies for purposes of compliance, accountability, and school system funding for student attendance. Strong monitoring of systems, implementation of a streamlined process, and using objective and accurate data related to attendance collection is crucial. Physical attendance of staff and students will be collected in the 2021-2022 school year and daily attendance procedures will be communicated so all stakeholders are aware of PGCPS’ definition of being considered present.

Students returning to the school building for regular in-person learning must adhere to the attendance administrative procedure. Daily attendance is expected of all students unless there is a lawful reason for the student’s absence. In the event of each absence, the parent/guardian must communicate the reason for the student’s absence with written documentation upon the student’s return to school. Students will be permitted to make-up missed assignments in accordance with the administrative procedure for all lawful absences.

Remember school hours are 7:45am to 1:55pm. Students can enter the building at 7:30am, as breakfast is served for all students between 7:30-7:45am. The breakfast line closes at 7:45am, and at that time the student is considered tardy. Please make sure your student is at school, on time, daily. We can't teach them, if they are not here.

The PGCPS Office of Communications and Community Engagement will continue to deliver timely communication that achieves our goals of safety, equity, and excellence. Please use these methods to get accurate and timely information.

Communication Tools

The Office of Communications and Community Engagement uses five key tools to reach audiences:

School Messenger

○ Email

○ Text/SMS

○ Robocall

Websites

○ PGCPS (www.pgcps.org)

○ PGCPS en español (www.pgcps.org/es)

Newsletters

○ Engage PGCPS (families and communities), weekly

○ Acción PGCPS (Spanish-speaking families and communities), weekly

○ Partner PGCPS (business, faith-based and nonprofit

groups), monthly

Social media

○ Facebook (@PGCPS)

○ Facebook en español (@PGCPSenespanol)

○ Twitter (@PGCPS, @DrMonicaCEO)

○ Instagram (@PGCPS)

○ LinkedIn

○ YouTube

PGCPS-TV

○ Verizon 38

○ Comcast 96

○ YouTube

○ Video-on-demand

We realize this is a tough time for families. However, our priority and directive is to follow the guidance provided by the health officials in the best interest of the safety of our students and staff. We are doing our best to provide up-to-date information as we receive it, thus I am providing the current guidance as of September 21,2021, regarding Covid cases.

Definitions

Close Contact

• Being 3 feet or less away in the classroom for 15 or more minutes during a 24-hour period regardless of mask use.
  
• Being 6 feet or less away in any areas other than the classroom for 15 minutes or more during a 24-hour period regardless of mask uses.
  

Isolation

• Required when an individual has tested positive for COVID-19 or has one or more of the COVID illness symptoms
• Individuals should remove themselves or be removed from situations where others could be exposed/infected.

Quarantine

• May be required when an individual has had a close contact.
• These individuals shall remove themselves from situations where others could be exposed/infected, and self-monitor for symptom development.

International Travel

There is no current guidance regarding international travel. However, it is recommended by School Health in collaboration with the health department that families take a Covid Test on day 5 of their return to the state.

Pool Covid Testing

• Begins September 27, 2021
• 10% of the student population tested
• Consent forms are needed
• Process for testing is forthcoming and will be shared with schools

Positive Covid Cases

• Positive case is isolated for 10 days

• If symptomatic - 10 days start from when symptoms begin

• If no symptoms - 10 days from date of positive test

• Can return on day 11 when

• Released by the Prince Georges County Health Department

• Symptoms have been resolved

• No test needed in order to return

Exposure and Identified as Close Contact of Positive Case

• Unvaccinated

• Quarantine for 10 days, no exceptions

• Return on day 11

• Health Department release

• No negative test needed

Thank you for partnering with us as we work towards building academic excellence and strong character for all students.

In Service to our Scholars,

Principal McClain and AP Shields

The Principal's Book of the month for October is "Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters" by John Steptoe. Please encourage your scholar to take advantage of this reading for pleasure opportunity as we work towards building academic excellence and strong character.

October 14 - School Planning & Management Team Meeting; Parents are welcomed, 2:15pm

October 21 - Unity Day (students and staff are encouraged to wear orange)

October 25-29 - Red Ribbon Week

October 28 - Principal Chat 'N Chew, 6pm

October 1 -- Professional Development; Schools Closed For Students

October 11 -- Parent-Teacher Conferences; Schools Closed for Students

October 15 -- Professional Development Day; Schools Closed for Students

If your child has any of the following COVID-19 symptoms (a new onset cough or shortness of breath, fever of 100.4 degrees or higher, chills, shivering, muscle pain, sore throat, headache, loss of sense of taste or smell, or gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting or diarrhea), he/she must not come to school.

If your child does come to school with any of these COVID-19 symptoms, you will be called to immediately pick up your child and he/she may have to quarantine between 10 and 14 days.

Please make sure that your scholar is well rested and has had a healthy breakfast so that they can do their very best on this State Assessment!

September 8 - October 10 -- Kindergarten Readiness Assessment

September 20 - October 20 -- MCAP ELA/MATH Early Fall Assessments (Grades 4-5)

September 20 - October 27 -- NWEA MAP Reading Fluency (Grades K-2, 3rd Grade New to PGCPS)

September 20 - October 29 -- Early Fall DLM Alternative Assessments (CRI, Grades 4-5)

October 25 - October 29 -- Reading Inventory (Grades 2-5)

October 25 - October 29 -- TAG Assessment (3rd Grade new to PGCPS)

As written on www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov, "Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.

The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period."

For Hispanic Heritage Month activities in the county go to: https://www.pgparks.com/2855/Hispanic-Heritage-Month

Greetings!

I am so excited to be working with all of you this year. I am Ms. Mack, your Professional School Counselor. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any concerns about your scholars. Thank you and I look forward to work with you.

October is Bullying Prevention Month

What to Do If You’re Bullied

There are things you can do if you are being bullied:

• Look at the kid bullying you and tell him or her to stop in a calm, clear voice. You can also try to laugh it off. This works best if joking is easy for you. It could catch the kid bullying you off guard.

• If speaking up seems too hard or not safe, walk away and stay away. Don’t fight back. Find an adult to stop the bullying on the spot.

There are things you can do to stay safe in the future, too.

• Talk to an adult you trust. Don’t keep your feelings inside. Telling someone can help you feel less alone. They can help you make a plan to stop the bullying.

• Stay away from places where bullying happens.

• Stay near adults and other kids. Most bullying happens when adults aren’t around.

Ready to Help Prevent Bullying? Here are Two Ways You Can STOMP Out Bullying!

1. Report IT.

2. Don't be afraid to tell an adult. Telling isn't tattling! You are helping someone.

Contact Ms. Mack for Bullying Reporting form.

Red Ribbon Week is October 25-29. It is the week dedicated to providing students the education and confidence to avoid drugs. Red Ribbon Spirit Week days will be posted to Class Dojo. We want everyone to participate!

• Research shows that students who are present at school regularly achieve at higher levels than students who do not have regular attendance

• Attendance is an important factor in student achievement.

• Every single school day counts in a student’s academic achievement.

• Poor attendance has serious negative impacts for later academic outcomes.

• When students are absent, the effects of the absence build up, one day at a time.

Hi I’m Ms.Johnson! I help students with their overall mental health through fun and creative therapy sessions. I focus on helping students overcome behavioral, social or emotional struggles that may interfere with success at school and at home. I also provide services to the parents and guardians of our students, services such as family therapy for family conflict and grief and loss. Ask Ms. Mack about accessing my services, or complete the Community Schools Referral Form.

Hello Families,

I am so glad to be at Lamont again this year! I am here to assist students and families that are in need of resources such as assistance with obtaining health services, job and career readiness resources, food resources, economic resources, clothing, grief support, mental health/behavioral health therapy (for student, parent or family) and more.

If you need access to such resources, please complete the Community Schools Referral Form in the Button Bar below.

There are lots of wonderful things happening this fall, so let's begin!

We are gearing up to offer programs to our students and community, to include wellness workshops and English language classes for parents. Be on the look for more information posted to Class Dojo and through School Messenger.

We are also collaborating with PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support) to provide a robust programs for our students to participate in this year. Students will be able to earn rewards and recognitions by accumulating Class Dojo points. Parents and guardians you can help your scholar obtain Class Dojo points by making sure they attend school everyday, stay on task, return documents that were sent home, and participating in class. If you are interested in learning more about PBIS, ask your classroom teacher for more information.

Stay tuned!

Hello Families!

My name is Ms. Hernandez and I am your Parent Engagement Assistant. I work with parents/guardians, students, Mrs. Brown and the community to help support learning. I help families like you understand the educational system so you can become better advocates for your children's education. I work with all families and am fluent in English and Spanish.

If you are experiencing school related issues, please call the Main Office at (301) 513-5025 to make an appointment. All parents must have an appointment to be seen.

I will be assisting families with completing the Free and Reduced Meals (FARMS) application daily from 8:30am - 12:45pm. Please make an appointment if you would like help. Applications are due October 31 and can be found in the button bar.

Our job is to work together so that we can give our students and their families the support that they need. Don't be shy to reach out to us, we're waiting to hear from you!

Ms. Hernandez ahernand@pgcps.org

Mrs. Brown india3.brown@pgcps.org

Click on any of the buttons below to access PGCPS and Lamont Elementary resources.

Sign up for text messages and email alerts here:

https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/PGCPS/subscriber/new?qsp=PGCPS_9

Connect with us. Get the latest information on Class Dojo. Questions? Visit our school's website or email your child's teacher.

Email: mass.washington@pgcps.org
Website: www.pgcps.org/lamont
Location: 7101 Good Luck Road, New Carrollton, MD, USA
Phone: 301-513-5205
Facebook: facebook.com/LamontElementarySchool
Twitter: @LionsofLamont