Welcome Back!
August 6, 2024
Welcome Back!
Dear Francis T. Evans Families:
I hope this letter finds you well and that you have had a relaxing and enjoyable summer break with your loved ones. As we approach the start of a new school year, I am filled with excitement and anticipation for the wonderful journey ahead. On behalf of the entire Francis T. Evans (FTE) Elementary School staff, I would like to extend a warm welcome back to school!
Each school year brings forth changes. We bid farewell to many of our staff members from last school year and we welcome many new staff members to our illustrious team!
Our theme for this academic year is: “Together! We Will Give Our Children the Roots to Grow and the Wings to Fly.” This theme encapsulates our shared mission to provide a strong foundation for our students while empowering them to reach new heights in their educational journey. We believe that with the support of our dedicated teachers, engaged parents, and vibrant community, our children can achieve anything they set their minds to.
Key Highlights for the Upcoming School Year
1. Curriculum and Instruction
Our curriculum continues to evolve to meet the needs of all learners. We have introduced new programs that focus on literacy, STEM education, and social-emotional learning. These initiatives are designed to cultivate critical thinking skills, creativity, and resilience in our students. Our school goals remain in alignment with Superintendent House’s three priorities:
● School Climate & Culture
● Accelerating Achievement in Mathematics
● Social Emotional Learning and Mental Health
2. Parent and Community Engagement
We recognize that parents are our partners in education. This year, we are committed to strengthening our collaboration through regular communication, parent workshops, and volunteer opportunities. Join our Parent Teacher Organization! Be an active participant so we can continue to have a positive impact on our children’s education. Stay tuned for more information from our President, Mrs. Layla Boodie. She can be reached at francistevanspta@gmail.com.
Please mark your calendars for our Back-to-School Night on September 24th at 6:00 PM, where you will have the chance to meet your child’s teachers and learn more about our plans for the year.
● School Visitors/Volunteers: Safety! Safety! Safety! Prince George’s County Public Schools are open for visitors, volunteers, and one-time volunteers. Visitors and one-time volunteers must have a scheduled appointment due to the requirement of being escorted and supervised by PGCPS employees at all times. Please visit the VISITOR SCREENING PAGE on the PGCPS website to begin your approval process. https://www.pgcps.org/offices/humanresources/fingerprinting
3. Student Well-being
The well-being of our students is our top priority. Our school counselors and support staff are here to provide guidance and resources to ensure a safe and nurturing environment. We encourage open dialogue and welcome your feedback to ensure that every child feels supported and valued.
● New School Times: 7:30 a.m. - 1:40 p.m.
○ Doors will open at 7:15 a.m. ○ School instruction begins at 7:30 a.m.
○ Dismissal begins at 1:40 p.m. (Early dismissal ends at 1:25 p.m.)
○ Practice new routines prior to the beginning of school so it will not be a shock to their systems of waking up earlier.
● Have a Bus Rider? Download StopFinder: Bus info should be available the week of Aug. 19-23. Bus route cards will be mailed to the last address of record in SchoolMax. Families with students who will be riding the bus this fall can download the new StopFinder mobile app for info on bus locations and schedules. Please note that you must have an email address on record in SchoolMax to use the app https://stopfinder.com/parents/. Schools do not manage buses or assign students to buses. Transportation questions and concerns are best addressed by the PGCPS Transportation Office https://www.pgcps.org/offices/transportation or 301-952-6570.
● Immunizations
○ Remember: No Shots, No School! Make an appointment for routine immunizations today! Kindergarteners in the state are required to get a second dose of the chickenpox vaccine, while students in the seventh grade must get the vaccination for Meningococcal and Tdap, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis.
4. Community School Designation (New)
We are excited to become a Community School. The Community School Model is a national model where schools serve as the community’s hub providing academic and social-emotional support for students and their families. As defined by the Coalition of Community Schools, “A Community School is a public school - the hub of its neighborhood, uniting families, educators, and community partners to provide all students with top-quality academics, enrichment, health, and social services, and opportunities to succeed in school and life.” The goal of Community Schools is to help ensure students and their families are resilient, successful, ready to learn, and prepared to be involved in their communities.
● The Meal Benefit Application (Lunch Application) is required to determine eligibility for free or reduced-priced meals. Please fill out an application. This is how we received our Community School Status. We must complete the applications: https://www.pgcps.org/offices/food-and-nutrition/free-and-reduced-meals.
● Students not eligible for free or reduced-priced meals must pay for their meals.
Important Dates
● Orientation Day: August 23, 2024 - In person, for Grades 1-5 Sneak-a-Peak (10:00-11:30), Pre - Kindergarten Orientation (9:00-9:45), and Kindergarten Orientation (9:30-10:15) We ask that you adhere to the appointed time. We also encourage families to bring student supplies with them to orientation as parents will not have an opportunity to walk scholars to class on the first day of school.
● First Day of School: August 26, 2024
● Back-to-School Night: September 24, 2024, at 6:00 PM
● Parent-Teacher Conferences: October 7, 2024 (Schools Closed for Students)
Staying Connected
Communication is key to our partnership. Please make sure to update your contact information with our school office to receive newsletters, announcements, and important updates. You can also stay connected by following us on our school website and social media channels.
● Use your ParentVue, powered by Synergy, to stay connected. We will continue to use Class Dojo as well. You will receive an invitation from your child’s teacher to join their classroom.
● FTE remains a uniform school. We will have plenty of Spirit Days.
● Technology will continue to be a part of daily instruction. Devices will be used at school only.
● Cellphones: Our cell phone policy aligns with the policy established by PGCPS. While students are allowed to bring cell phones to school, they must remain turned off and stored away during school hours. If students need to contact their parents, phones are available for their use. The presence and potential misuse of cell phones can significantly disrupt the instructional environment, making it crucial to monitor student usage. We respectfully ask parents to support our no-phone-in-the-classroom expectation to ensure a focused and productive learning experience for all students.
Together We Thrive
As we embark on this new academic year, let us remember that we are stronger together. By working collaboratively, we can provide our children with the roots they need to grow and the wings they need to fly. We encourage our families to stay connected by joining the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) to use their talents, skills, and resources to benefit our school community.
I am truly honored to serve as your principal and look forward to an amazing year filled with growth, learning, and success.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me via sonya.gaston@pgcps.org or Assistant Principal Payne via darrell.payne@pgcps.org.
Sincerely,
S.Gaston
Sonya Gaston
Principal