Back to school Preview

Hello families! We are excited to share the supply lists for our wonderful students in grades 3, 4, and 5. We worked to keep the required items on the lists under $25.00. The only item the school will not purchase throughout the year are headphones. Please make sure you label the headphones to assist your child in keeping track of them. Please note that teachers have requested you not purchase earbuds for two reasons: they are easily lost, and many do not work with the Chromebooks. The detailed lists are attached to this newsletter. Let's get ready for an amazing year filled with learning and fun!

I hope this letter finds you and your family well.

I want to take this opportunity to introduce our new cell phone policy to you prior to the start of

the school year.

To help create the best possible learning environment for all students, the MCPS School Board

has adopted a new policy regarding cell phones and other smart devices, effective immediately.

This policy states:

“Cell phone use by students during the school day, including but not limited to class time,

examinations, and other educational activities, is strictly prohibited. Cell phone use is prohibited

during the school day at all school-sponsored activities, both on and off school premises, unless

expressly permitted by a staff member with prior permission granted from the school principal

for educational or emergency purposes.”

To summarize, the use of cell phones and other electronic devices, including smart watches, by

students is prohibited during the school day. These devices may only be used for educational

purposes with prior written permission from the school’s principal.

This measure taken by the MCPS School Board coincides with Virginia Governor Glenn

Youngkin’s Executive Order 33 promoting a “cell-phone free education” for students in the

Commonwealth.

We understand that this is a significant change, but when students return to school on August

13, 2024, it is expected that all electronic devices will be turned off and put away during the

school day.

Thank you for your support in helping make MCPS a great place for our students to learn.

Sincerely,

Dr. Bernard F. Bragen, Jr.

Superintendent

Car riders will be dropped off each morning by the cafeteria doors. Our car rider line can get busy, and we will exit students from approximately eight cars at a time. Due to limited space, we kindly ask that you have your child ready to exit the car when the Coyote Crew signals. Please ensure your child exits on the right side of the car. This allows us to see your child the entire time and keeps them as safe as possible. Thank you for your cooperation.

Car riders will be dismissed (by the cafeteria) with vehicle traffic only. This process will take about 15 minutes total after the first few days. We ask for your patience as we get the year started. You will notice this process gets quicker every day. After the first week all students should be picked up by 4:00.

Walkers will be dismissed at the car rider door. Students who are not walkers will not be dismissed to parents/guardians on foot in the car rider line and will not be dismissed via the office without prior arrangement.

All students will be released according to the transportation arrangements we have on file. If your child has a change in transportation, please call the main office by 3:00. Do not contact the teacher, as they may still be teaching, and your child will not get home as you intended. We cannot just take the word of your child, as students do not always relay information accurately. This ensures we provide the most secure environment for your child to arrive home safely.

Please make sure to prepay for your child's lunch. In addition, please complete the free and reduced lunch forms. This is important for two reasons: we are a Title 1 school, and some of our funding depends on the number of students who receive Free or Reduced lunch. Additionally, any outstanding balances must be paid by the school at the end of the school year. Whenever your child's lunch balance exceeds $10, we will reach out to see how we can assist in keeping the balance low.

Christy Sparks, Assistant Principal csparks@mcps.org

CES Phone Number: 540-382-5172