News & Events
3 Cheers for Cheerleaders
April was a busy month for our cheerleaders. On April 14, the girls held a Zumba event to raise funds for one of our families who lost everything in a house fire. Two weeks later, on April 29, the team took first place at a cheerleading competition at Six Flags America. This is only our cheerleaders’ second competition and their second first-place win. Way to go, Eagles!
Counting Pennies for Cancer
On April 10, we once again participated in the annual “Pennies for Patients” fundraiser. We started this fundraiser three years ago, when Grade 2 teacher Jennifer Williams lost her sister to cancer. The goals for this event are to raise money to donate to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and to teach the children about the importance of helping others, being good citizens, and caring. Last year, our goal was $3,000, and this year our students raised more than $3,500.
Rewarding Outstanding Students
We recently honored our outstanding students at two important events. On April 27, at our monthly character assembly, we recognized students who exhibited the character traits “perseverance” (for students in Kindergarten through Grade 5) and “citizenship” (for middle-schoolers) during the previous month. Then, on April 30, we held our third quarter honors breakfast for 71 Honor Roll Students and 32 Principal’s List students, along with their invited guests (up to two per student). Honor Roll students received a certificate to mark their achievements, and Principal’s List students received a certificate, bookmark, and a necklace.
Veal Is Teacher of the Year
Congratulations to Trendlyon Veal, a Grade 2 Language Arts teacher, who has been selected as the 2012 Imagine Foundations Teacher of the Year. The annual Teacher of the Year award, which recognizes individuals for their outstanding work and dedication to their school community, is one of the highest honors an Imagine school can bestow on a staff member. Veal is eligible to be considered for the Maryland Region Teacher of the Year award. The regional winner will then be nominated to enter the Imagine Schools Teacher of Year award, announced later this year.
Imagine Foundations Forms a ‘Pack’
Last fall, about a dozen Imagine Foundations students became members of an elite pack — a Cub Scout pack, that is. Sponsored by the school’s PTO, Cub Scout Pack 7077 is made up of boys from Imagine Foundations (Grades 1-5) as well as Scouts who do not attend the school.
Pack 7077 is part of the Boy Scouts of America’s (BSA) Prince George’s District, under the National Capitol Area Council. One of the largest councils in the United States, the National Capitol Area Council serves more than 82,000 youth and has a strong program that includes many activities and camps.
Since its founding in October 2011, Pack 7077 has participated in several BSA-planned events, such as day hikes, a Pinewood Derby, service projects, and the BSA’s 100th Anniversary celebration. Each month pack members participate in “Go-See Outings” to various locations, and are taking part in the 2012 Cub Scout Spring Camporee and attending Cub Scout Day Camp this summer.
Pack 7077 meets every other Tuesday from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in Leland Hall, and the Committee Pack meetings are held on the first Tuesday of every month. Specific meeting dates are listed on the school’s calendar. Membership begins in September and runs through June, and the Pack participates in summer activities.
For more information about Cub Scout Pack 7077, contact Kiairah Powell, Committee Chair, at (202) 253-1859.
The MSA Is Coming!
Mark your calendars: The Maryland School Assessment (MSA) will take place on March 13-14 for reading and March 20-21 for math. This assessment, a requirement for all Maryland public school students in Grades 3-8, provides a way for the state to measure the performance and progress of our students. Please talk with your child about the importance of the assessment and why they should take pride in how they perform, and assist them with any extra assignments that they may receive. Testing will begin promptly at 8:45 a.m. on each day, so please make sure your child arrives on time. And try not to schedule doctor’s appointments and vacations for your children during that period. If you were not able to attend the MSA Family Night or have questions about how to help prepare your child for this assessment, please contact your child’s teacher.
Imagine Foundations Hosts Open House
Imagine Foundations will be hosting an Open House, on three separate nights, early in 2012. The event, which is open to the public, will feature a brief presentation of information about the school and a tour of the campus. “This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in the school to learn more about our educational philosophy and how we differ from other schools in the area,” says Principal Chenee Dwarte. The dates for the Open House are:
- January 19
- February 16
- March 13
Each event will be held from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. in the Science and Technology Building. For more information, please call 301-808-4003.
New Online Resources for Parents
The PTO Communications Committee has updated the Imagine Foundations website by adding a few new “features.” The new “School Events Calendar,” which can be found here, alongside the school’s existing calendar, will be managed by the PTO for use by the entire school community. Any groups wishing to add events and information to the calendar should contact the Communications Committee at ifpcspto_communications@yahoo.com. The PTO also created an online “Monday Folder” link (click here) to store important documents that the school staff creates to help communicate with parents regarding important school information and events.
Acting Up, for a Good Cause
Two fundraisers held on campus in January not only showcased the artistic side of the Imagine Foundations student body but also demonstrated their ability to support a good cause. In mid January, the Student Council sponsored its first Talent Show. The evening event featured a variety of performances, including students who could sing and dance, play piano and guitar, etc., and raised more than $1,000 for the school. Later in the month, the Imagine Foundations Drama Club held its first presentation, “Aladdin Jr.” Also a Student Council-sponsored event, the show served as a fundraiser for the PTO.
Time to Restock?
It’s the half-way point in the year: Parents, do you know how many pencils your child has? February is a good time to replenish any school supplies that may have dwindled since August, such as crayons, composition books, paper, and dictionaries. To download a complete list of supplies your child needs, broken down by grade level, please click here.
PTO Supports Angel Tree Program
This year, the Imagine Foundations PTO is participating in the The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program. From November 14 – 22, we will be collecting items from the wish lists of children from 8 families (17 children total), ranging in ages from 1 – 11 years old. We hope all parents, students, and school staff will assist us in making this a successful event by donating items (new and unwrapped) for each child, including: bikes, toys, sports equipment, musical instruments, books, electronic games, and clothes. Each class will receive a list of specific items requested by the children. Monetary donations and gift cards are acceptable, as well. The PTO will purchase anything from the lists not received. Questions should be directed to Katedra Nixon at imaginefoundationspto@yahoo.com.
First Fall Festival Raises $5,000
For the first time in our five-year history, Imagine Foundations held a Fall Harvest Festival. On November 5th, students and their families, along with teachers, staffers, and others — more than 350 people all told — gathered on campus from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to participate in numerous activities, including 3 moon-bounces, 2 clown performances, pony rides, face painting, hay rides, carnival games, sack races, and much more. The debut appearance of our Imagine cheerleaders was a big hit, as well. In addition to the activities, there were lots of good things to eat, including hamburgers and hot dogs, cotton candy, candy apples, chips, soda, and more. A silent auction, featuring baskets of items created and donated by each homeroom class, also was held.
All teachers at Imagine Foundations were involved, in one way or another, along with many parent-supported “volunteer squads,” in what all hope will prove to be the largest fundraiser of the year. All told, the school raised $5,000 during the event.
Here are some photos from the Fall Harvest Festival, held on campus on November 5. Click on the images to see a larger view.
October Character Recognition Awards
Each month at Imagine Foundations we hold a character recognition assembly. The teachers select students who demonstrate the character trait for each month and reward them with a certificate and a gift. The character theme for October was trustworthiness for students in Kindergarten though Grade 5, and respect for Grades 6-7, and students dressed like their favorite characters. The assembly also was held during “Red Ribbon Week,” which is the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation. By wearing red ribbons and participating in community anti-drug events, young people pledge to live a drug-free life.
Foundations Students Walk for the Homeless
Sometimes, the simplest act — like going for a walk — can make a big difference to others, especially those who are less fortunate. Students at Imagine Foundations learned that lesson first-hand on October 14, when they participated in a “Walkathon for the Homeless.”
For the event, technically a “Mini-Walk” affiliated with the large-scale annual Fannie Mae “Help the Homeless” walkathon in DC, students and teachers in grades K-7 donned official T-shirts and walked a designated path around campus. They also solicited donations from family and friends in accordance with the distances they would travel. As a result of their efforts, participants raised a total of $1,110 for Community Crisis Services, Inc., an organization that supports the “Warm Nights” program, which provides overnight shelter for people during the winter. Fannie Mae also donated a portion of the proceeds to the organization.
Here are some photos from the “Walkathon for the Homeless,” held on campus on October 14. Click on the images to see a larger view.
Parent Room Representatives
A critical part of Imagine Foundations PTO is the PTO Parent Room Representative, who plays a significant role in bringing the activities and benefits that the PTO provides to the children who attend Imagine Foundations. If you are interested in becoming a Parent Room Representative, please download and fill out the Acknowledgment Form and return it to the Imagine Foundations PTO Box or email it to imaginefoundationspto@yahoo.com.
The PTO Welcomes You!
Welcome to a new and exciting school year at Imagine Foundations. The PTO has some exciting plans for this school year. We will be adding new committees, and we need parents to volunteer and commit to specific tasks. We added three teachers to the PTO board. And we have committed to help with the school’s fundraising efforts to cover some of the unexpected expenses from renovations – renovations necessary to provide you with the best possible school.
The PTO will be establishing weekly communications with parents via email, and all documents will be uploaded to this website. In order for us to reach you, please submit your 2011-2012 membership form. And you may contact the PTO at imaginefoundationspto@yahoo.com.
Making Headlines
Imagine Foundations is making headlines. Click on the links below to read about the exciting achievements and honors earned by students, teachers, and the school.