A message from Principal Eborn:
Greetings Simon Family!
I hope this letter finds you and your families in good health and well rested. I also hope that you and your student(s) have made some wonderful memories this summer and are excited for the upcoming school year! I am ready to continue our partnership and ensure that all our children succeed fearlessly!
The first day of school is Monday, August 29th, 2022, for grades K-5.
The first day of school is Thursday, September 1, 2022, for PK3 and PK4. Doors will open @ 8:30 AM daily!
As you know, we are the Simon Lions and we R.O.A.R! This year’s theme is “Putting B.A.S.S. in our R.O.A.R”, which means we are taking Big Actions to ensure Student/Staff Success! Won’t you help us, help your child by being an active participant in their learning? I know you can, and I know you will! It is going to be a momentous year here at Simon Elementary School!
Please continue reading for some pertinent information pertaining to the start of school...
We have several new staff members joining us this year. We are happy to welcome the following:
·Jonee Jennifer, SPED Inclusion
·Nicole Mammah, SPED Coordinator/Inclusion
·Stephaie Howell, CES (Communication and Education Supports) Aide
·Anastashia Matta, 4th Grade Math
·Tina Merrit, 4th Grade ELA (English Language Arts)
·Stephen Newbold, Art
·Kaitlin Hoekzema, 3-5 CES Teacher
·Courtney Mathis, ELA Instructional Coach
·Jordan Mallory, CES Aide
·Mianna Marshall, CES Aide
·Antonio Jones, Custodian
We also have returning staff that have a different role this year:
·Amelia Bernard, 1st Grade Math Teacher
·Marian Rallos, 1st Grade ELA Teacher
·Kathy Thomas, 2nd ELA Teacher
·Sarah Hardman, CES Aide
·Davette Hunt, OUR ONLY Registrar 😊
As we begin our work this year, I would like to share with you “What’s New” at Simon and/or DCPS:
1. Schools will open fully in-person on August 29, 2022, for ALL STUDENTS AND STAFF. There are no virtual options for SY 22-23.
2. Due to the ongoing COVID pandemic, and now the monkey pox virus, parents/visitors are still prohibited from entering the school past the main office. Changes to the protocol will be communicated from central office if/when updates are available.
3. “No Shots. No School” Policy will be enforced this year for ALL STUDENTS. Please ensure your students are up to date on all required vaccinations prior to the first day of school. If students are not up to date by the 21st day of school, they will not be permitted to enter the building until they are in compliance. To assist families with getting their children vaccinated we will have a vendor present at our Welcome Back Carnival on 8/19/22 to provide on-site vaccinations! Please take advantage of this opportunity!
4. We are pleased to announce that Simon will be partnering with Champions to provide after-care for students! Refer to previously sent out information regarding registration.
5. Simon will be partnering with Catholic Charities, Show Up Stand Out, and the A.T.T.E.N.D program with The Office of the Attorney General to combat our chronic absenteeism issues.
Simon’s major priorities for SY 22-23 will include the following…
1. Building relationships, routines, and resiliency with and among our students, staff, and parents.
2.Creating/fostering a continuum of learning from PK-5th grade.
3.Utilizing MTSS and Panorama to address the needs of the “whole-child”.
4.Implementing structured literacy instruction aligned to the Science of Reading best practices.
5.Promoting school-wide mathematical fluency.
6. Increasing our daily In-Seat-Attendance.
I know that you may have lots of questions as we embark upon a new year of teaching and learning. I am hopeful that many of those questions have been answered with this communication. However, if you still have questions, I invite you to reach out to me directly via email, text, call, Class Dojo, etc. Additionally, we have two upcoming outreach efforts to help acclimate you to the new school year...
1.Please join us next Friday, August 19, 2022, from 1-4 pm for our Welcome Back Carnival! This will be a chance for you to complete your enrollment, sign up for after-care, meet the staff, meet our community partners, meet other families, and have an enjoyable time overall!
2.Our “Back to School Night” will take place on Thursday, September 8th, 2022 @ 6:00 p.m.
Take care, enjoy what is left of the Summer. See you on Friday, August 19, 2022, at 1:00pm for our Welcome Back Carnival!
Best,
Mrs. Franchita J Eborn, Principal