|
Principal's Message
Montclair Families,
We have had a wonderful start to this school year! I have enjoyed getting to know our new students and families as well as seeing all of returning cardinals! This was a different kind of summer with the construction and being "housed" at Pattie Elementary, so we are just very glad to be back "home" enjoying the renovations. The office area is receiving final touches and the first big move of our classrooms will be happening this Friday. Four of our classroom teachers and Ms. Sobers will be packing up and moving to the newly renovated rooms so that their current classrooms can be renovated. This construction will continue through the month of October and then the crews will move on to four new room locations. Your child's teacher will communicate information when it is their turn to move classrooms. We are very excited about this renovation project and our new spaces!
Our staff has worked collaboratively on establishing our new PBIS expectations in all classrooms. We hope that students have come home talking about their Monty Pride Pass or Monty Gotchas! Parents will learn more about PBIS and all of the ways we are celebrating our students this year during Back to School Nights. The format is a little different this year as we value your time and our goal is to make the evening meaningful and engaging for all families. Please be on the lookout for a PowerPoint being emailed from your child's teacher with information that you can review at your convenience. This allows our teachers to focus on information during Back to School Night that is connected to their individual classroom and student learning. You may come at 5:30 on BTSN to meet our specialists, check out information from PTCO, or sign up for Parent Portal. You may also complete Free/Reduced Lunch forms at this time. We hope to see you this week!
On a personal note, I wanted to share some exciting news for my family. We are expecting Baby Parks #2 in early April! I will communicate more information with you regarding principal coverage as we approach the spring, but I know that everyone here will be in good hands while I am out!
AssistantPrincipal's Place
“I want to compliment our 5th grade Safety Patrol students for doing a great job keeping our students safe each day. Approximately 20 new parent volunteers completed our initial training sessions. We are grateful for the support of our community.”We were grateful to have over 100 father figures attend our annual WatchDOGS Pizza Night. We hope to see all of them volunteer at Montclair this year.
Safety and Security
Your child(ren)’s safety is a top priority for us at MontclairElementary School. We pride ourselves in the safe learning environment that we provide here (and our parent survey results concur). Your help in following our procedures for arrival, early dismissal, and dismissal assists that all children remain safe from the minute they leave home until they return home every day.
Front Door Buzzer:
The front door is locked daily right after students arrive. All visitors is must “buzz” to alert our office staff who has a camera on their desk to see who is at the door. The office staff will “buzz/unlock the door” for visitor entry.
Arrival Procedures:
If you drive your child(ren) to school:Drop-off is ONLY in the upper parking lot at the top of Tallowwood Drive, just past the school.Staff members are on duty to assure safely walking down the steps, around the corner, and into the front door . If you come into school,PARKING IS IN THE UPPER PARKING LOT.Checking in at the office for a visitor’s badge is required at every PWC school. A picture ID is required following PWCS policy. We ask that you have a prearranged time set to meet with your child’s teacher to avoid interruptions in the instructional day, which begins when our front doors open at 8:50 a.m.
Tardy after 9:00 a.m.:
Being on time is an important skill to teach our children. If, for some reason, your child arrives after 9:00 a.m., he/she is considered tardy. You must walk your child into the front office to sign them in and receive a tardy pass.
Early Dismissal:
If your child needs to leave school early either for a prearranged appointment or because he/she is sick, you must sign him/her out in the office. This year, due to dismissal routines and safety procedures,we will NOT dismiss individual students for early dismissal between 3:20 - 3:40so we ask that parents come to the officebefore 3:20 p.m.
Dismissal:
We begin dismissing our KG students at 3:35. After KG, car riders are called to the cafeteria to begin lining up. Walkers are dismissed next and exit through doors #20 and #21 (straight down their hallways). Only KG students are required to have a parent or sibling pick them up at the walker door. All other students will be able to begin walking home using all sidewalks. Students are not permitted to use the playground after dismissal unless accompanied by an adult to ensure we account for all students getting home safely. SACC, daycare vans, and bus riders are dismissed after walkers.Please do not park on Tallowwood or Wintercress during dismissal!
If your child has achange in his/her dismissal routine, you need to send in a note that morning so that it is initialed by the office staff. This way, we know if children are riding a different bus or walking home with a friend. Following these routines helps us assure the safe departure of our students.If you need to make dismissal changes for your child, please do so by 2:30 pm.
Parent Portal Registration
In order to log into your child’s teacher’s webpage, update your child’s emergency information, view your child’s grades you will need to set up an account.
To set up a new account, go to Montclair’s homepage: http:montclaires.schools.pwcs.edu and click on Parents Audience Icon (Top right of screen). Look under Parent Resources to find the Parent Portal link.
After you register online, 2-3 days later, you will receive an email confirmation. You must bring theemail confirmationand apicture IDto the school office to complete your registration.
IF YOU ALREADY HAVE AN ACCOUNT, YOU DO NOT NEED TO SET UP A NEW ONE.
*You may register for Parent Portal during Back to School from5:30 to 6:00p.m. in the Computer Lab.
Nurse's Nook
Attention Montclair Families,
Lions Club, a volunteer organization, recently visited Montclair Elementary School on September 18th. All KG, 3rdgrade and students new to Prince William County Schools had their vision screened. Please note that this was not a professional eye examination, but only a screening. Over the next three weeks, hearing screenings will be completed on KG, 3rdgrade, and new to the county. Hearing and vision screens are mandated by the state of Virginia.
If your child does not pass the hearing or vision screening, a letter will be sent home encouraging you to follow up with a pediatrician or optometrist.If you have financial difficulties and are unable to pay for an eye or hearing examination, please contact me atsuttoncr@pwcs.edu. I may have resources available to assist you.
Family Life Education Opt-Out Forms
The parent letter/opt-out form is part of the PWCS student “Code of Behavior & Forms.” Objectives by grade level are posted on the Science and Family Life Education Web page at science.departments.pwcs.edu (choose the Family Life Education button). Parents should visit the site and review the objectives for their child’s grade level or course. Parents may exercise opt-out for any of the FLE sensitive content by returning the opt-out form to the appropriate teacher any time during the school year but preferably within the first month of school.
Questions about the FLE program or the opt-out procedure may be directed to Kathy Keesee, administrative coordinator, Science and Family Life Education, at 703.791.78487 or lanzafk@pwcs.edu.
You may also call the school counselor, with questions.
Cafeteria Corner
Free and reduced price meal applications were mailed by the school division to all families registered in Prince William County Schools. The application includes information in English and Spanish. If you did not receive an application and feel that your family may qualify for meal assistance, please contact Mrs. Goodman at (703) 878-2930 and a form will be sent to you.If your child(ren) qualified for free or reduced meals last year, you MUST reapply ASAP.Food Services Staff will review the application and notify you if you are approved. Please follow this time-line so your child is able to get meal assistance ASAP.
You may, also, apply online by going to the Montclair Website, click on “Our School” ,“Cafeteria Corner" , and “Online Meal Application Form”.
You may apply during Back to School Nightfrom5:30 to 6:00p.m. in the Computer Lab.
Check Out our Weekly Monty Pride Pass Winners
 
 
Attention Dog Owners
Due to the high volume of students, buses, cars, and parents during arrival and dismissal, we ask you to leave your dogs at home. If you choose not to follow this safety procedure, you will be asked to stop at the corner of the bus circle and NOT bring your dog onto school property. This will assist our children who are fearful of animals and ensure less disruption to our arrival and dismissal routines. Thank you for using the lifeskills of cooperation and caring.
|