Pajama Day - J.F. Cook Campus
NEW! Family Handbook Updated
Health & SafetyNEW! Masks Continue to be Required at Mundo Verde
Changes to Covid-19 Policies - An Overview and Recording Available
Weekly Covid Dashboard
Weekly Class Status
Events & ActivitiesEngagement Opportunities, 2022: Meet Board Members
This Week Coffee with Principal Netta - J.F. Cook Campus March 11
Coffee with Principal Jenn - Calle Ocho Campus, March 25 - Submit Questions in Advance!
MealsSnack Fees
Communications, Information & QuestionsFamily Portal is Your Resource - You Will Find the Family Handbook Here!
Extended Day ProgramNEW! Additional Second Grade Extended Day Class at J.F Cook Campus
NEW! Extended Day Program Partnerships
Student & Family SupportsNEW! Wellness Wednesdays and Tools for Parents and Families
NEW! Virtual Support Group for Parents/Caregivers of Students with Disabilities
Community AnnouncementsBlack History Month - Last Event!
NEW! Immigration Advice and Referrals by Ayuda
School Calendar and Upcoming EventsACADEMICS
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
Mundo Verde is aware some jurisdictions are starting to remove mask mandates and that the DC Department of Health may make updates to their current guidelines for schools. We are still seeing positive cases in our community, among vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, and will continue to implement layered mitigation strategies, including masks, to maximize the time spent in person as we know that is the most beneficial for our students. If/ when the DC Department of Health does make updates, within two weeks of their release, we will review and evaluate them using our community values of safety and equity, and we will subsequently communicate any changes to our policies.
Masks continue to be required for all individuals at Mundo Verde, both indoors and outdoors except when actively eating or drinking. This includes arrival and dismissal. Students are allowed designated mask breaks when physical distance can be maintained, which could be during recess or at certain times inside.
Beginning March 15, we are excited to share some upcoming changes to outdoor mask use (only). Please read this update sent on March 4 with details on this and other ways we are adjusting our policies.
Masks are an important layer of safety!
High filtration child size masks are available for families at the front desk as part of a collaboration and fundraising between families and Mundo Verde. Please stop by on Wednesdays from 1:15- 5:00pm.
The city is also providing free child-size N95 masks to district residences with proof of residency at all DC Health centers. For details, visit the DC Health website here.
For those who wish to contribute to continued stocking of masks at Mundo Verde, please donate here.
An Overview and Recording Available
Mundo Verde has carefully reviewed the updated guidance released by the DC Department of Health on January 31, and details of adjustments Mundo Verde has made can be found in our Updated Health & Safety Routines. As a reference, please find our previous Covid-19 Guidance here. You can also find a brief Overview here and a Recording (password: X*79^dFq).
Key changes include:
Test-To-Stay program available for eligible PreK-3 and PreK-4 students, so that students in these grades may remain on campus even after a positive case may be identified
Reduction in class threshold from 70% to 50% for Kinder-5th grade, so that more classes can remain open even after a positive case may be identified
Requiring booster shots for those who are eligible, so they can then be considered fully vaccinated
Reduction in quarantine time from ten to seven days for anyone who tests positive for Covid-19 and remains asymptomatic (without symptoms)
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
Meet Board Members
Board Meeting with Public Comment - March 10, 6:30-8:30pm
The Mundo Verde Board of Directors will host its next meeting on Thursday, March 10 from 6:30-8:30pm. In an effort to further connect with our school community, the board is opening this meeting to public comment, providing an opportunity for families to share thoughts and concerns directly with board members. To read the letter sent by our board president, Dr. Alicia D. Williams, on March 2, click here.
To ATTEND the Board meeting, please RSVP here by Wednesday, March 9 at 12:00pm.
To make a Public COMMENT in person or send a written comment, please RSVP here by Tuesday, March 8 at 12:00pm. Please read this document to learn about guidance and deadlines.
For questions related to the meeting or to submit written public comment, please email board@mundoverdepcs.org.
J.F. Cook Campus
March 11, 11:00am-12:00pm
J.F. Cook Campus families and caregivers are invited to join Principal Netta on Friday, March 11, 11:00am-12:00pm for a virtual coffee.
Principal Netta looks forward to defining Restorative Practices explaining how it is used in school, discussing how parents/caregivers can support students at home. 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 using this google form. We look forward to seeing many of you there!
Zoom link will be shared this week.
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
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
In March, we will open a second grade class in extended day - 2B at J.F. Cook Campus. Families who are invited to join the program will have the opportunity to start the week of March 14. Please be on the lookout for an invitation if you are a second grade family at J.F. Cook Campus!
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
Last Event!
February might be over, but the celebration of Black History Month isn't yet! Join us for the final event (Zoom link here):
A Night of Gee's Bend Quilting - Tuesday, March 8, 6:00-7:00pm
Each student will create a unique quilting square using different color construction paper supplied by the school. If you are interested in helping assemble and hang the quilts, please provide your contact information here. We look forward to seeing you there!
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 10 - Board Meeting with Public Comment
Mar 11 - Coffee Principal J.F. Cook Campus
Mar 25 - Coffee Principal Calle Ocho Campus
Apr 8 - Coffee Principal J.F. Cook Campus
Apr 11-14 - Spring Break
Apr 15 - Holiday, SCHOOL CLOSED