When parents and schools collaborate, they create a supportive environment that enhances students’ academic and social development. Strong parent-school relationships promote a sense of community and shared responsibility, encouraging students to strive for excellence and feel supported both at home and in school.

We invite you to get involved at Chris Yung Elementary School!

1. Join us on Tuesday, September 10th for our first Parent Advisory Council meeting of the 2024-2025 school year. The purpose of the Parent Advisory Council is to provide opportunities for members of the school community to participate in the decision-making process at the local school level. A primary function of the council is to serve as an advisory body to the principal and school leadership team. All parents are invited to join us for the monthly meetings which are held in person and on Zoom. This Tuesday's meeting will begin at 6:00 PM in the school Library. To join by Zoom, follow the link:

https://pwcs-zm-edu.zoom.us/j/83015526857?pwd=kB9LUPCwaxUrxSKuVVbrT0DLcp3UbN.1

Meeting ID: 830 1552 6857

Passcode: 4827

2. Join our Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). The PTO meets each month immediately following the Parent Advisory Council Meeting. PTO provides a platform for parents to collaborate with school staff to organize/support school events. Election of officers will take place at the meeting on Tuesday.

3. Volunteer. Parents can offer their time to help with school events, classroom activities, or field trips. This not only supports the school but allows parents to engage directly with their child's learning environment. Reach out to your child's teacher to learn more about volunteering.

4. Attend Family Engagement Events. Our Family Engagement calendar will be coming out soon! Join us for great engagement activities all year long, such as Family Reading Night, STEAM Night, and International Night.

5. Communicate with teachers and staff. Maintaining open lines of communication with teachers allows parents to stay updated on their child's academic performance and any areas needing attention.

By actively participating in these ways you can significantly contribute to your child's success. We look forward to collaborating with you this year!

I hope to see you Tuesday evening!

Warm regards,

Stephanie Downey, Principal

downeysp@pwcs.edu

Code of Behavior - This past week, all Chris Yung students attended an assembly during their Encore time on Tuesday. During the assembly, Ms. Quattrone, Ms. Watford, and Ms. Downey shared the guidelines and expectations for student conduct. A student friendly version of the Prince William County Code of Behavior was shared with all students. You can learn more about the PWCS Code of Behavior here.

Green Club Sign Up - The Green Club empowers 4th and 5th grade students to help the environment through waste reduction, recycling, and energy conservation. Participants will engage in hands-on labs to learn about renewable energy, sustainability, and conservation. Students will also have the opportunity to monitor school grounds for litter, recycling, and more as part of their efforts to make Chris Yung Elementary a greener place.

Green Club Sign-up Link: https://forms.office.com/r/AF1VzRpUM4

Battle of the Books Sign-Up - The PWCS Elementary Battle of the Books is an extracurricular club where 4th and 5th graders explore various genres, read ten selected books, and form teams to compete with other schools on their knowledge of the books. This fun and educational competition fosters teamwork and a love of reading. The semi-finals are scheduled for mid-March, with the finals to be held at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in April.

Battle of the Books Sign-up Link: https://forms.office.com/r/dDLKXdBpP4

Assessments: At this point in the school year, we begin administering a number of required assessments that help us to understand the needs of our students:
September 3rd - September 27th - Virginia Language and Literacy Screening System (VALLSS)

We will be administering the VALLSS to all 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade students in Prince William County Schools.

Approximate testing windows are listed below:

3rd Grade: September 9 - September 27

2nd Grade: September 9 - September 27

1st Grade: September 3 - September 23

Make-up testing will continue throughout the testing window as needed.

For more information, visit the PALS Legacy website at https://literacy.virginia.edu and click on the tab “Families +”.

Please feel free to contact Melissa Morgan morganml@pwcs.edu or Lauren Kjono kjonoln@pwcs.edu if you have any questions about VALLSS testing or procedures.

September 16th - October 4th - Virginia Kindergarten Readiness Program (VKRP)

This assessment is administered to all Kindergarten students in Prince William County

For questions contact Pam Hoyle hoylepj@pwcs.edu

For additional information and to view the PWCS Testing Calendar, click the link: https://www.pwcs.edu/departments/accountability/testing/testing_calendar