Cooking & Garden Class - Calle Ocho Campus
Family Handbook Updated
Health & SafetyNEW! Department of Health Covid-19 Updates
Weekly Covid Dashboard
Weekly Class Status
Events & ActivitiesNEW! Family/Caregiver Collaboration
Materials from Coffee with Principal Netta - J.F. Cook Campus
Coffee with Principal Jenn - Calle Ocho Campus, March 25 - Submit Questions in Advance!
MealsSnack Fees
Communications, Information & QuestionsNEW! March Possip Survey Results
Family Portal is Your Resource - You Will Find the Family Handbook Here!
Extended Day ProgramExtended Day Program Partnerships
Student & Family SupportsWellness Wednesdays and Tools for Parents and Families
Virtual Support Group for Parents/Caregivers of Students with Disabilities
Community AnnouncementsNEW! Goodbye (for now?) HenVogue
NEW! Recreating PADRES - Looking for Volunteers!
Immigration Advice and Referrals by Ayuda
School Calendar and Upcoming EventsParent/teacher conferences, student success, extended day, summer plans, safety; we know you care about these and many other aspects of your child’s education and we want to hear from you! Especially if you have not completed one of the regular Possip mini-surveys, now is the time to tell us what you’re thinking. Our mid-year survey of families, with about 20 questions, was sent to you last week. It is your opportunity to help design the educational experience for your child. The survey closes at the end of the day Wednesday, so please take a few minutes NOW to share your thoughts on these and other important issues. To take the survey NOW, click on either the English or Spanish link.
Please do it NOW!
For those of you who have already done the survey, we thank you.
ACADEMICS
Premised on the foundational concept of crew, that none of us are passengers along for the ride, but rather all active participants, this Family Handbook explains in detail the school rules, norms, protocols and procedures. In English and Spanish, it speaks to our collaborative vision for learning; teachers, students, and parents/caregivers, all working together as a synchronized crew to support students to grow more than they think possible.
As members of the Mundo Verde community, we all strive to embody the characteristics of Community Stewardship by practicing six community-building values and virtues in our everyday operation (known by the acronym ESPICA). We understand that we matter; our actions, attitudes and priorities today will leave an imprint on generations to come. We are charged with caring for the world around us so as not to sacrifice the needs of others in the present or those in the future.
Recently updated to reflect our growth over the last two years, we recognize that due to the pandemic some pieces of our program and school services are not happening as they would in a regular school year. Families will find those aspects of our program highlighted in gray, indicating that due to pandemic conditions, that content is likely not applicable to this current school year 2021-22.
HEALTH & SAFETY
The new guidelines released on March 8, 2022, provide significant flexibility for schools in the District to choose what policies work best for them, including whether or not to require indoor masks, depending on the community level of Covid-19 transmission. Following this new guidance, Mundo Verde leaders are reviewing and discussing these guidelines now. We have had discussions with other schools to align policies and protocols where possible to ease the burden on families with multiple children in different schools, while also compassionately and fairly balancing the diverse needs of our stakeholders. Our phased approach to the changes we decide to make to Covid-19 policies and practices will be shared with staff and families this coming week, in addition to our recent announcement of making outdoor masks optional effective March 15, that will take effect immediately. If you have not read our most recent update from March 4 on masks and other Covid-19 protocols, please click here.
For up-to-date information and statistics on how we are containing the spread of Covid-19, visit the Health & Safety section on the website.
EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
Through creation and development of a number of groups, families, and caregivers have been working hard to expand connections across our community. These efforts encompass the recent initiative to reinvigorate PADRES as well as the ongoing work of classroom liaisons to keep families connected and informed. Related specifically to equity, the Parents & Caregivers of Black Students has been meeting regularly, as have campus-focused equity teams at Calle Ocho (Comunidad) and J.F. Cook (Juntos). With the support of our partner Kindred.
To support and enrich communication both among these groups and with the school, we invite everyone to four upcoming “Engagement Conversations”. Please join us to explore and design effective ways of collaborating that build on the momentum these groups have already generated. By working together, we can ensure that robust discussion is not only diverse and inclusive, but also generative of actionable steps the school can implement to more effectively serve its students and meet the needs of families and caregivers.
Save the date!
Wednesday, March 30, 5:30-7:00pm
Please keep an eye out for sign-up information and details. If you have questions or suggestions, please contact either Cristina Faz (cfaz@mundoverdepcs.org).
J.F. Cook Campus
Thank you to those families who were able to join us on Friday. Please find the link to the recording and the presentation from the Coffee with the J.F Cook Principal on Friday, March 11 below:
Calle Ocho Campus
March 25, 9:00-10:00am
We Invite you to Submit Questions in Advance!
Calle Ocho Campus families and caregivers are invited to join Principal Jenn on Friday, March 25, 9:00-10:00am for a virtual coffee.
Principal Jenn looks forward to connecting with Mundo Verde families! We will also have time to answer questions that have come to us from parents and caregivers. To help us use our time together most efficiently, we invite you to submit questions in advance using this google form. We look forward to seeing many of you there!
SCHOOL MEALS
Mundo Verde provides a healthy snack during normal school hours to all students. The snack is comprised of two components. Typical snacks are fresh fruit, vegetables, pretzels, smoothies, etc.
To support this service, families who do not qualify for Free or Reduced Meals (FARM) are charged $20/month per student. This fee is regularly added to Infinite Campus accounts on a monthly basis under “Fees”. Snack fees are shown on your invoice and are due on the 10th of each month. Students who participate in after school services receive an additional snack included in the program for no additional cost.
COMMUNICATIONS, INFORMATION & QUESTIONS
Our regular Possip survey in March focused on the heart of the school’s work: classroom learning and activities! A small plurality of respondents indicate that they are “somewhat familiar” with what students are doing in class. Slightly fewer indicate that they are “familiar,” without qualification. For more details click here.
You Will Find the Family Handbook Here!
Our website is your source for information. Visit the Family Portal (top bar on the school website, password: espica) to find the updated Family Handbook.
EXTENDED DAY PROGRAM
Focus on Social Emotional Learning with Fifth Graders
To continue working with 5th graders in the After School Program through May, we have extended our partnership with Break the Norm Leadership (BtNL). The added workshops will focus on developing greater social emotional learning and skills, managing bullying, and conflict resolution with peers. Students will work on interpersonal skills by learning how to resist bullying, engage in healthy friendships, and say “NO!” to peer pressure. Students will participate in activities that will help them further develop these skills and experience a greater sense of being empowered to stand up for themselves and others.
Double Dutch 4Fun for Fifth Grade
We have also partnered with DC Retro Jumpers to bring structured movement and team building opportunities to 5th graders. Traditionally, Double Dutch was a jump rope game played mostly by Black children in rural and urban areas. Today, it’s become incredibly popular with a wide range of children.
STUDENT & FAMILY SUPPORT
The Department of Behavioral Health has developed Wellness Wednesdays, an online parent support group for parents to learn about how to take care of themselves and how to foster resiliency for their children in these challenging times, share experiences and ask questions of school-based clinicians and early childhood specialists. Please find the updated flyer for March, available in English and Spanish, and this list of tools for families.
Dr. Michael Brachfeld from the MedStar Georgetown WISE Center will be offering a virtual support group for Mundo Verde parents/caregivers of students with disabilities. We already have a support group for parents/caregivers of students with Autism Spectrum Disorders and this will be a second non-categorical support group for parents/caregivers of students with other disabilities who have either an IEP or a Section 504 Plan. If you are interested in connecting with other parents/caregivers and discussing your experiences in a facilitated setting, please send an email to referral@medstarwise.org with "Mundo Verde Caregiver Support Group" in the subject line.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Due to fears related to High Pathogen Avian Influenza (HPAI), DC Health has placed a ban on chickens in DC. There are no chickens allowed in the schools or backyards until further notice. This means that we need to find a new home for the J.F. Cook Campus HenVogue. At this time it is unclear whether this will be a temporary or permanent situation and will need to wait for more details from DC Health and OSSE.
Hen Helper duties are paused until further notice. Please do not enter the coop area under any circumstances. Please do not handle or touch the chickens. We have no reason to believe that our hens are sick, but we must follow these new safety guidelines.
This is a very disappointing situation and we are sad to announce the departure of another family of chickens, but no matter what, HenVogue will be safe and well cared for in their temporary home.
Ms. Carissa would like to collect letters and drawings from Mundo Verde students illustrating the joy that the hen program has brought to our school so that we can remember them while they are away. If you or your child would like to share, please send your work to ctiradomarks@mundoverdepcs.org.
Thank you all for your support with this beautiful program.
Looking for Volunteers!
The Recreating PADRES group is active and eager to have more involvement!
So far, we've hosted an informal cross-grade play date and a few informal Q&As for prospective parents. We are also planning more playdates, campus-wide events, community service events, info sessions for new families, leadership/community engagement, and spring elections for a new PADRES board!
We can't do this alone. If you haven't already- Sign up here.
Remember that at Mundo Verde, we are crew, not passengers!
To stay involved, join our communication channels:
Padres email group: https://groups.google.com/g/mv-cook-pto
Facebook: Parents Group (both campuses)
WhatsApp: Padres Group
Ayuda will be offering free immigration advice and referrals over the phone on Friday, March 25. Individuals who are interested should call (202)787-5311 on March 18 between 10:00am-2:00pm to schedule a phone appointment. Flyers with more information can be found in English and Spanish. This virtual clinic is part of an ongoing effort to provide free, low-barrier consultations for clients who want immigration screening, brief advice, and referrals.
Questions about the clinic should be directed to Irfana Anwer at Irfana.anwer@ayuda.com.
Upcoming Events:
Mar 25 - Coffee Principal Calle Ocho Campus
Mar 30 - Engagement Conversations
Apr 8 - Coffee Principal J.F. Cook Campus
Apr 11-14 - Spring Break
Apr 15 - Holiday, SCHOOL CLOSED
Apr 21 - Board Meeting