Opening Quote: “Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” Maya Angelou

August 30, 2020

Welcome Back!

Let me first say, welcome back to all of my awesome families who have been with us over the years. Also, let me say welcome to our awesome new families and thank you for joining us on this journey. You have selected to be a part of Cougar Nation. Our school is a place where love is, whether in person or in this virtual space. When it comes to leading with love and teaching with love… Love will go where like is afraid to tread. So, let’s be mindful of this moment in history and understand the urgency of this hour. We often hear about what the 22nd Century learner would need in order to be successful. Many believe that it is a complex matrix of ideas that will move our students further, faster. People tend to focus on some new learning that needs to take place. Truth be told, the 22nd Century skillset is really an old skillset that needs to be revisited. This is why I am so excited about our EL Reading and Eureka Mathematics curriculum choices.

The new EL Reading and Eureka Mathematics curriculum offers problem solving and critical thinking. These are skills that have always been around. Whether humans were solving the complexities of travel across the Potomac River in the 1600’s or traveling to the moon, complex real world problems have always been there. There are two essential questions that we must ask ourselves, “How do we create a learning atmosphere where children want to know? And, “How do we gain access to opportunities for every student?” We must continue to create a culture within our school where students are being prepared for careers that have not been created-even in this virtual environment.

John B. Cary Elementary School’s mission includes a commitment to engage in high quality environmental stewardship of our natural, human and material resources. To that end, we are moving aggressively to transform our elementary school campus into 22nd century model that meets its educational and community goals without degrading the ecological, social, and economic systems on which our region and all of our futures depend. In brief, we are moving our campus in the direction of leaving no carbon footprint within the next two years and peak our students interest in Green career paths early in their development. Thus, creating scientists and leaders with an eye on protecting the environment.

What an exciting year ahead!!! Key to our success in this virtual space is Communication and Collaboration. Let’s pull together and stay together; and our children will be the prime benefactors of our collective synergy. Please know that… We are made for this!

Our schools website will be our central location for up to the minute information.

Yours in Service,

Mr. Michael Powell-Principal

Mrs. Ketia Singleton–Academic Dean