Summer Program Week 4

Dear 2021 Summer Program Families,

This is our 5th and last communication to you after the launching of the 2021 Summer Program on Thursday, July 8! Please be reminded that the program ends Wednesday, August 4. We ask you to pick up your child on time. We are reminded of the anxiety children experience when they are the last ones to be picked up after pick-up time has ended. They begin to wonder what has happened to their caregiver and seek consolation from us. 

Thinking about next fall, please know you will receive important information about starting school in the fall including details about signing up for the before and after school programs.

End of program celebrations

It is our hope that your children have enjoyed our summer program! Classroom celebrations will take place on the last day to highlight children’s participation.

Rising PreK-Kinder

This grade group plans to celebrate the students by recognizing their achievements which include, for example, learning the hand signal used at Mundo Verde to request a bathroom break. Parents can expect their children to bring home the many crafts they have made.

Rising 1st-2nd 

Students in this grade will be celebrated for their participation in a special way. You can expect to learn from the teaching team your child’s reading achievements. You will learn from the Springboard Site Leader as well as from the ¡Adelante! Program Coordinator, how your child has progressed in each language. You can also expect to receive information about how you can continue to support your child’s language skills in both English and Spanish at home.  

Springboard Families are reminded to join the weekly workshops. Questions: email Kelley Ukhun at kukhun@mundoverdepcs.org. 

Rising 3rd-6th 

Students in this grade will also be celebrated for their participation and unique reading achievements! Most students have read up to 230 pages of the 300 page chapter book “Root Magic” by Eden Royce! They have played word games, puzzles and jeopardy around specific text words. They have also practiced foundational math specific to their grade level. You may need to help them finish the novel at home to satisfy their desire to learn what happens to Jez and Jay Turner.

Student Support  Team

The Student Support Team (SST) has been privileged to serve you and your children through the Extended School Year (ESY) Program. As we near the end of the program, please be reminded of the importance of regular student attendance and that every day matters. You will receive an ESY IEP Progress Report within the next few weeks. Please direct any questions/concerns/ESY Program feedback to Norma Villanueva, Director of Student Services, nvillanueva@mundoverdepcs.org

Wednesday Field Day

Our summer plans to spend time at the neighborhood parks were derailed by severe heat alerts. This has not thwarted the children from having water fun with Mundo Verde’s water hose! While we don’t know for sure what next Wednesday’s weather will be (Aug 4th), we can share that the children will still have the opportunity to play outside!  

We thank you for being part of the 2021 Mundo Verde Summer Program!

Sincerely,

Gloria Quirarte

Director of Extended Day Programming

Summer Program Week 3

Dear 2021 Summer Program Families,

This is our 4th communication to you after the launching of the 2021 Summer Program on Thursday, July 8! Only 8 days of summer programming remain. Please be informed that the School Leadership Team held a meeting on July 21, 2021 to begin designing what Extended Day Programming (before/after) will look, feel and sound like in the Fall. We ask you to stay tuned for forthcoming details! Below learn more about what your child is up to in the summer school program!

Rising PreK-Kinder 

Students in these grades begin their day with friendly, fun welcome morning circles that include singing and movement. They are learning about the animal world and trees around them. They play outside and engage in open ended crafts inspired by the book “Cardboard Creations”. Did you notice the cardboard creations they made this past week? They made the letter of their first name. They made colorful donuts and ice cream cones! 

Rising 1st-2nd 

Students in these grades are receiving small, focused group instruction and their language skills are being assessed. Springboard parents are reminded to complete the SLA Questionnaire and to LOG their children’s RAZ reading times in the Springboard Connect Application. Remember to join the upcoming Springboard family workshops on July 28 and Aug 4 from 5:00-6:00pm to learn how to better support your child’s reading at home. Questions: email Kelley Ukhun at kukhun@mundoverdepcs.org. Students are also receiving similar Spanish language support through the ¡Adelante! Program. To learn more about your child Spanish language skills email Dahiana Alcantara at dalcantara@mundoverdepcs.org.

Rising 3rd-6th 

Students in these grades are reading about the lives of Jez and Jay Turner in the novel “Root Magic” which is set in 1963 during school integration in South Carolina. Jez and Jay are only 11 years old and are fascinated by the root magic of their Gullah heritage, as they learn about the culture and history of their grandparents. In 3rd Grade, students are complimenting their English reading with select Spanish books. This week they read “Cuando Sofía Se Enoja, Se Enoja de Veras” by Molly Bang. Ask your children: What does Sofia do when she gets upset? Where does Sofia go and how does she calm down? In 4-5 grades children are learning Spanish vocabulary through crossword puzzles!

Student Support Team

The Student Support Team is an invaluable part of the 2021 Summer Program. We are grateful for Norma Villanueva’s leadership and boundless expertise. We are grateful for the dialogue between the teaching teams, the dedicated aides, the ESY Case Managers and Coordinators who creatively bridge language barriers in order to differentiate and customize student learning targets. Kudos to Ashley Brice, a Kinder dedicated aide who actively uses google translate to speak with the Kinder lead teacher and to understand the classroom directives!

Cooking and Gardening

During the Cooking & Gardening special this summer, students continue to learn about the many creatures who call our outdoor spaces home. Students explore life in the compost, from worms, to cockroaches, to roly polys. Students observe carpenter bees hard at work and rest. They have watched tired baby birds learning to fly and take a rest under the shade of the fig trees. Students observed the solitary leaf cutter bees who have recently made themselves at home in our garden bee house. Some of our groups made infused olive oil with herbs growing in the garden, and others have worked together to gather mint and hibiscus flowers to make a refreshing hibiscus tea.

Wednesday Field Day

Due to the high temperatures and poor air quality both the July 14 and 21 Field Days have been cancelled. For those of you who may want to know how we determine when to cancel Field Day, please know that we utilize the WBGT Heat Index or Wet Bulb Globe Temperature Index which takes into account the impact of temperature and relative humidity on the body. Follow this link to learn more.

We appreciate your continued communication around your child’s attendance. If your child will be absent or if you need to pick her/him up early please email attendance@mundoverdepcs.org.  

Sincerely,

Gloria Quirarte
Director of Extended Day Programming

Summer Program Week 2

Dear 2021 Summer Program Families,

This is our 3rd communication to you after the launching of the 2021 Summer Program on Thursday, July 8! Some of you have asked me when the first day of the school year will be. We are working to share with families the SY21-22 calendar next week. Others have asked me if there will be after school programming during the upcoming school year. Please know that there will be an after school program and it will continue to prioritize at risk students (city definition). This is different from past years. More details are forthcoming. Turning to the 2021 Summer Program please know the following.

ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL

Thank you for helping us with traffic safety by not blocking the street at the J.F. Cook Campus main entrance. We very much appreciate you pulling your car up to the top of the sidewalk in order to allow other cars to come up behind you and walking your child to their respective door. As of Friday, July 16 Drop-off and Pick-up were smooth and fluid!

NEWS FROM THE SPECIFIC GRADE BANDS

The 2021 Summer Program continues to prioritize at risk (city definition) and students with disabilities. We feel strongly that students participating in our summer program will be in practice and have more language skills in preparation for the upcoming school year!

Rising PreK-Kinder 

The students are learning Spanish!! We have evidence of students using their Spanish in the classroom and activating their words such as “buenos dias”, “hola” and much more. One student could name two animals that fly in Spanish “la mariposa” and “el murcielago”. The program in this grade band is full Spanish immersion.

Rising 1st-2nd 

Teachers are working one-on-one with students, assessing their language skills in English via the Springboard Program and their Spanish language skills via the ¡Adelante! Program.  The program in this grade band is half in English and half Spanish with focus on phonics, decoding, context clues and fluency in each language.

Rising 3rd-6th 

The children are reading the novel “Root Magic” by Eden Royce. If you want to know more, ask your children to tell you about the protagonist Jez and Jay Turner and their beloved grandparents. The program in this grade band is half in English and half in Spanish with focus on fluency and comprehension while enrichments and recess are in Spanish.

WEDNESDAY FIELD DAY

Our best intentions are to provide the children with as much outside time as possible!  However, student safety comes first at all times. While our July 14 Field Day was cancelled due to the city wide heat alerts, we will try again on July 21 to take the children to New York Park and the Kennedy Recreation Center. When Field Day is cancelled, the children will play on the campus outside stations and teachers will provide alternate play activities in the classrooms.

PARENT WORKSHOPS IN RISING 1ST-2ND

As part of the Springboard Program in the 1st-2nd Grades, parents are invited to participate in a series of workshops designed to help them be the best “At-Home Reading Coach” for their children. Please reach out to Kelley Ukhun, the Program Site Leader for more information at kukhun@mundoverdepcs.org. Below are the dates of the next workshops which are virtual:

• July 21: Workshop #3 - “Scoop” 

• July 28: Workshop #4 - “I have another question for you”

• August 4: Workshop #5 -“Prove It” 

We appreciate your continued communication around your child’s attendance. If your child will be absent please email attendance@mundoverdepcs.org.  

Sincerely,

Gloria Quirarte

Director of Extended Day Programming

Summer Program Week 1

Dear Summer Program Families,

This is our second communication to you after the launching of the 2021 Summer Program on Thursday, July 8! On the first Thursday and Friday, the voices of children filled the hallways with joy! In the classrooms, morning circles and read alouds were underway!

As we go forward, we seek your support with the Arrival and Dismissal Process. We ask you to please ARRIVE during your designated time block and to please pick-up your child during his/her designated DISMISSAL time. Your child grade group designation and the detailed arrival / dismissal instructions can be found in the links below. 

• Child’s Grade Cohort designation 

• Arrival and dismissal procedures for the summer program at the J.F. Cook Campus.  

Here is a quick view of the time blocks for your convenience.

ARRIVAL TIME BLOCKS

La Casa:

• Rising 1st Group A & B: 8:30-8:40am

• Rising 2nd Group A & B: 8:30-8:40am

• Rising 3rd grade: 8:45-8:55am

• Rising 4th/5th/6th A & B: 8:45-8:55am

• Missed Arrival Time: 8:55am at La Casa Main Door

La Casita:

• Rising PK4: 8:30-8:40am

• Rising Kinder Group A: 8:45-8:55am

• Rising Kinder Group B: 8:45-8:55am

• Missed Arrival Time: 8:55am at La Casa Main Door

DISMISSAL TIME BLOCKS

La Casa:

• Rising 1st Group A & B: 3:15-3:30pm

• Rising 2nd Group A & B: 3:15-3:30pm

• Rising 3rd grade: 3:30-3:45pm

• Rising 4th/5th/6th A & B: 3:30-3:45pm

La Casita:

• Rising PK4: 3:15-3:30pm

• Rising Kinder Group A: 3:15-3:30pm

• Rising Kinder Group B: 3:30-3:45pm

WEDNESDAY FIELD-DAY

We will have four Wednesday Field Days during the summer program on July 14, 21, 28, Aug 4 from 9:30am-12:30pm (weather permitting). The first field day on July 14 is confirmed for all grades. Rising PK3/4-1st Grade will walk to the Kennedy Recreation Center located at 1401 7th St NW. Rising 2nd-6th will spend their morning at the New York Street Park. Students will have breakfast at school as usual before they depart for the parks. Students will have lunch at the park. 

We ask you to please equip your child with the appropriate clothes and shoes for playing at a park. Students at the Kennedy Recreation Center will have the opportunity to play with the water fountain. We ask you to pack them a 2nd set of clothes to wear in case the first gets wet. Swimsuits are an option for playing in the water fountain. Your child can come dressed in their swimsuit or he/she can change into it prior to exiting the school. Make sure your child has his/her labeled water bottle.

Parents are discouraged from attempting to pick children up from the park. If you must pick-up your child due to an unexpected early pick-up, you must first seek authorization from the school’s front desk.

VIRTUAL ART AND MUSIC SPECIALTIES

Art and Music are offered only virtually during the summer program.  Manuel Navarrete is the Art specialist. Loidmary Perenguez is the music specialist. The Gardening specialty is offered on-campus by Carissa Tirado-Marks.   

ASYMPTOMATIC TESTING FOR COVID-19 WITH SHIELD T3

Mundo Verde continues to offer the asymptomatic testing for Covid-19 with Shiled T3 during the Summer Program. The Shield T3 COVID-19 is a saliva-based test developed by researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and is now used in some Baltimore public schools and several universities in the Washington, DC area. Participation is voluntary and highly encouraged. In order to participate in this testing, we ask families to complete the Consent Form: Click HERE

Process: Students will self deposit saliva into a tube, no nasal swab required. You can watch this short video  (ENG / SPA) for an example of what it will look like. 

• Process Overview Graphic (ENG / SPA)

• Good Test Sample Graphic (ENG / SPA)

• Learn more at their website

• No eating or drinking 1 hour prior to testing

To access your child test results, please review these instructions shared with families on May 30: Sheild T3 COVID-19 Test Results Parent Portal Instructions

SPRINGBOARD PARENT WORKSHOPS IN 1ST - 2ND GRADE

1st-2nd Grade families will receive specific information regarding the 1st Springboard Parent Workshop scheduled for Wednesday, July 14. A Springboard welcome and orientation will be provided by Kelley Ukhun, the Program Site Leader. 

We are committed to communicating with you on a weekly basis in this format.  If you have any questions do not hesitate to email summer@mundoverdepcs.org.

Sincerely,

Gloria Quirarte
Director of Extended Day Programming

Welcome to the 2021 Summer Program

Dear Summer Program Families,

We are super excited to see you on the first day of the 2021 Summer Program Thursday, July 8!  We have a great team who - after a short break - is ready to offer your children a unique summer learning experience!

Before focusing on reminders, I want to thank you for your patience in waiting for this letter! Next, here are the key reminders and information to help your arrival and participation.

• Find your child’s Grade Cohort designation for arrival purposes and to locate your child’s daily routine in the schedules below.

• Please review the arrival and dismissal procedures for the summer program at the J.F. Cook Campus.  

• Learn more about the meal program (especially if you plan to opt-out) Meal Schedule for 2021 Summer Program.

• Sign Up for free school meals in Infinite Campus Parent Portal if you have not yet done so (Instructions in English / Spanish). 

• Fill out the Covid-19 symptomatic and asymptomatic test consent forms (Spanish and English available) - highly encouraged and strictly voluntary.  

• Complete the community health agreement for summer if you have not done so already.

• Immunization records must be up to date before arriving on campus, please email health@mundoverdepcs.org with updated forms.

• Buy the Mundo Verde T-shirt uniform (if you do not have them) in Infinite Campus Parent Portal (discounted for FARM families). Students must wear these everyday!

• Review and practice wearing a mask. All students are required to wear a mask while on campus except for designated times such as lunch. All visitors are required to wear a mask.

PROGRAM SCHEDULES

Unlike past summer programs, this year’s program is designed to recuperate learning loss and prepare children for the upcoming school year. You will see in the schedules below, blocks of time are reserved for specific curricula activities dependent on your child’s grade.  

There is no shortage of fun as creative arts, music, and gardening enrichments, and as much outside time and play - as weather permits - are embedded in the program.  

• In Kinder, we will use Creative Curriculum in full Spanish immersion classrooms. Here is the Rising Kinder - 2021 Summer Program Schedule.

• In 1st-2nd, we will use the Springboard Accelerator Program for English phonics and fluency with added Spanish language support through Mundo Verde’s homegrown  ¡Adelante! Program. Here is the Rising 1st-2nd Grade 2021 Summer Program Schedule.

• In 3rd-6th, we will use the Cadence Learning Curriculum. Students in 3rd-4th will read “Root Magic” by Eden Royce.  Students in 5-6th will read “The Whole Story of Half a Girl” by Veera Hiranandani. Both authors of color! Here is the Rising 3rd-6th Grade 2021 Summer Program Schedule

WEDNESDAY FIELD DAYS

For Wednesday field days, your child will require: a swimsuit or clothes he/she can get wet (with your child’s name on it), a hat and sunscreen to protect him/her from the sun (sunscreen will not be shared), a water bottle with his/her name on it, comfortable clothes and shoes for playing in the park. Prior to the first field day, we will send out more information!

If you have any questions, please email summer@mundoverdepcs.org. See you on Thursday!

Sincerely, 

Gloria Quirarte
Director of Extended Day Programming