Mrs. Bright’s kindergarten students work on building their phonemic awareness skills by completing a fun, fall themed letter/sound correspondence activity! #thePark
about 15 hours ago, SPES Admin
Two young children sit at a round classroom table working on a fall-themed craft. They each have a paper tree in front of them with leaves labeled with letters, and they are gluing small paper leaves onto the branches. One child is holding up their hand excitedly, while the other is focused on gluing.
A young child wearing glasses sits at a table in a classroom, working on the same fall tree activity. They are holding a glue stick and smiling, with small cut-out leaves scattered on the table.
Two young children sit together at a table with their fall tree activity sheets. Both are smiling and gesturing playfully toward the camera. The table has glue sticks, pencils, and paper leaves spread out for the project.
In art class with Mrs. Rizzo, 3rd graders have been working through all parts of the artistic process to create these awesome lion paintings! Students brainstormed and sketched lions, traced over their sketches with crayon and are now exploring adding color with a new medium this year: tempera paint cakes! #ArtAtThePark
2 days ago, SPES Admin
Students in a classroom working at tables, sketching and coloring animal face designs on paper using pencils and crayons.
Students proudly displaying or working on drawings of lions, with details like manes, crowns, and sunglasses.
Students painting their lion drawings with bright watercolors at tables, with trays of paints and brushes spread out
Ms. Sullivan, manager of the attenance team the O’s, is running an attendance incentive for each class’ chance to win icy pops for fun Friday…..this week Mrs Smith’s 3rd grade class won! Remember that attendance is important at #ThePark and you should try to come to school everyday!
4 days ago, SPES Admin
A joyful group of elementary school students in a classroom, many wearing pajamas, smiling and holding colorful freeze pops in the air. Two teachers stand with them, also smiling and celebrating. The classroom has bright posters, bookshelves, and signs in both English and Spanish.

We love sharing our learning in Ms. Walker's 3rd grade classroom! This week we practiced our weekly vocabulary words by working in groups to complete 4 squares that include defining, understanding, drawing a picture and describing what the word means. Then each group presents their word to the class, as mini teachers to encourage public speaking and team building. Maybe there are some future teachers in class at #thePark!

6 days ago, SPES Admin
Three students sit at a round table with bright colored mats, while other students in the background work in groups.
A group of four students stand at the front of the classroom presenting to their classmates, who sit at desks watching.
Two students sit at a desk; one writes on a paper while the other listens attentively, with water bottles lined up on the desk.
Three students sit at a smaller round table, discussing and writing on a paper, with colorful mats under their work.
Four students present at the front of the classroom holding papers, while classmates at desks watch them.
A group of students presents in front of the whiteboard, while the rest of the class listens from their desks.
Four students present together at the front of the classroom, smiling as they share from their papers.
Another group of students presents at the front of the room near the whiteboard, while their classmates look on.
Five students line up at the front of the class giving a presentation, while classmates watch from their desks.
Mr. Jennings' class used their knowledge of Geology, and the layers of the Earth, to create clay models of our planet! Lots of hands on learning at #thePark.
6 days ago, James Dugger
A student in a black hoodie works with yellow modeling clay at a desk with a pencil and paper.
Two students at desks shape yellow and red modeling clay, with water bottles and pencils nearby.
Two students sit at a desk; one works with yellow clay while the other looks at the camera, with red clay pieces also on the desk.
A student with glasses shapes blue and green modeling clay while an adult and another person observe nearby.
Two students at a desk shape blue and green modeling clay, resembling a model of Earth, with pencils and paper on the desk.
Ms. Hofmann’s students are busy exploring shapes and structures! Using marshmallows and toothpicks, they practiced building both 2D and 3D designs while learning about problem-solving and creativity. 🏗️✨ #STEM #HandsOnLearning #FutureEngineers #ThePark
7 days ago, James Dugger
Students at desks building structures with marshmallows and toothpicks, smiling and focused on their projects.
A student in a red shirt grins while showing marshmallow and toothpick shapes on the desk
A student displays an elaborate marshmallow and toothpick design across the desk with a big smile.
A student in a pink sweater concentrates on assembling a 3D marshmallow and toothpick structure.
A student proudly holds up a small triangular marshmallow and toothpick structure in their hands.
On this Pajama Day, Ms. Tewari's fourth grade class spent the afternoon doing a Relax and Read! They brought blankets and stuffed animals and spent time reading by themselves and with their classmates. Mrs. Carter even popped in to do a read-aloud!
8 days ago, SPES Admin
A classroom scene where a teacher is reading aloud from a book while students sit or lie on the floor with blankets. A large digital timer with “2:00” is projected on the board.
Two girls lying on a rug, smiling and reading chapter books. They are wrapped in blankets and look cozy in pajamas.
A boy in a yellow shirt and patterned shorts sits on a red plaid blanket, reading a comic-style book with colorful illustrations.
A boy in pajama pants with dinosaurs on them sits cross-legged on a red plaid blanket, reading a nonfiction book about sharks and ocean animals.
A student in glasses and a black hoodie sits on the floor near a desk, focused on reading a large picture book.
Two boys lie side by side on the floor with a pillow and blanket. Both are reading books, one wearing a red plaid shirt and the other in a black t-shirt.
Three boys sit together on a blanket, each reading a different book. One holds a graphic novel, another reads a picture book, and the third looks at a nonfiction text.
Mrs. Berrios’ class recently conducted a zip line experiment to explore the effects of gravity. They also enjoyed a field trip to Luck Stone Quarry in Culpeper, where they had the exciting opportunity to see real dinosaur tracks. #ThePark
9 days ago, James Dugger
Three students gather at a blue table, building small parachute projects with cups and strings.
A teacher helps a student test a parachute project while classmates watch from the carpet.
A class group poses outdoors in front of a rock cliff with teachers and chaperones.
A group of students crouches around fossil-like markings on rock, guided by a teacher.
Students sit on rocky ground outside, coloring paper with crayons during a field trip.
A student in a red shirt points to a fossil or marking on rock at an outdoor site.
A student in a yellow shirt tests a homemade parachute by holding it high in a classroom.
Lots of things happening at #ThePark this week! Attached you will find our Title 1 Newsletter. Also, please don't forget that Back to School Night is tomorrow from 6-7pm. Lastly, tomorrow is also dress like your teacher or principal day and Friday is PJ day! What a great week! #ThePark
10 days ago, James Dugger
English Title I Newsletter with welcome message, student pictures, attendance reminder, and Back to School Night details for September 18.
English Title I Newsletter with bus safety reminders, introduction of Dean Mrs. Baird, and social media information with family/student photos.
Spanish Title I Newsletter with welcome message, student pictures, attendance reminder, and Back to School Night details for September 18.
Spanish Title I Newsletter with bus safety reminders, introduction of Dean Sra. Baird, and social media information with family/student photos.
Mr. Bell has 2nd grade students playing "Clean out the Backyard" in PE this week! #thePark
11 days ago, SPES Admin
Elementary school students are playing a game in a gymnasium. Several children are running toward balls placed on the floor between colorful cones, while others watch or wait for their turn. The gym has a basketball hoop, stage with a dark blue curtain, banners on the walls, and bright overhead lighting. The activity looks energetic and engaging, with students smiling and moving quickly.
In our little corner of the world, we’re growing social skills, honoring sensory needs, and practicing emotional regulation; finding gentle ways to move through each day together. It’s in the small moments; the calm, the laughter, the connection; where the magic truly happens. #thePark
13 days ago, SPES Admin
A young child with beaded braids and a pink bow plays in a sensory bin filled with sand and colorful toys, while an adult's hand helps scoop with a toy shovel.
A girl in a pink shirt and a boy in a plaid hoodie sit on mushroom-shaped stools playing together at a toy kitchen set, near a wall decorated with a “You are my Sunshine” poster and a neon “good vibes” sign.
Two children stand at a table with Play-Doh and a mood flip chart, exploring emotions in a creative learning space.
Two boys in plaid and fleece jackets play with a wooden dollhouse under a classroom poster with affirmations like “I am strong” and “I am kind.”
A boy in a red shirt sits in a black hanging chair reading a “Mood Flip Book” in a cozy, colorful classroom corner.
Two children work together with a broom in a classroom play area, surrounded by colorful lights and decorations, under a poster that says “You are my Sunshine.”
Mrs. DeNicola from Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation stopped by Mrs. Carrow’s fourth grade class to discuss the major products that grow in each of the five regions based on the soil of the region. We can’t wait for her to come back in October for an activity on watersheds! #ThePark
14 days ago, James Dugger
A large floor map showing Virginia’s regions with toy food items placed on different areas.
Students sitting on the floor in front of a colorful Virginia regions map with objects representing crops.
Two students sit near the map of Virginia’s regions, studying the objects placed on it.
Mrs. DeNicola stands at the front of the classroom, teaching while students watch the Virginia regions map activity.
Students seated and engaged as Mrs. DeNicola explains the regions activity using the floor map.
The class raises hands with excitement as Mrs. DeNicola leads a discussion about Virginia’s regions and products.
Students stand and participate while Mrs. DeNicola continues the soil and water conservation lesson with the floor map.
Mrs. Boyd’s class has been learning all about shapes. Circles, triangles, rectangles, and squares! The students have learned how to count the number of sides and vertices for each shape. Today they listened to the story, The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza, and then made their own shape pizzas. The kids had so much fun adding their shape toppings. #ThePark
15 days ago, SPES Admin
A student glues a yellow square onto a paper pizza decorated with circles, squares, and other shapes.
A smiling student in a blue-and-white dress sits at her desk with a shape pizza and a worksheet titled “My Shape Pizza Has.”
A student in a pink Hello Kitty shirt adds shapes to her paper pizza while smiling at the camera.
A student in a light purple top smiles with her shape pizza and worksheet on the table.
A student in a black shirt proudly shows his glue stick and shape pizza covered in colorful shapes
A student in a red plaid shirt concentrates on gluing shapes onto his paper pizza
🎉 Spirit Week is here! 🎉
Attendance Matters & So Do You! Join us in showing school spirit September 15–19.

📅 Here’s what’s coming up:

Monday, Sept. 15 – Team Work makes the DREAM Work! Wear your team’s colors or jersey.

Tuesday, Sept. 16 – Warming up before a big game/school day! Wear athletic wear.

Wednesday, Sept. 17 – Home Run Hair Day! Wear a baseball hat or style crazy hair.

Thursday, Sept. 18 – Attitude reflects leadership! Dress like a teacher or principal. (Back to School Night, 6:00–7:00 PM)

Friday, Sept. 19 – Rest is BEST before a big game or school! Wear pajamas.

💙 Let’s have fun and show Panther pride all week long!
16 days ago, SPES Admin
A colorful flyer titled Attendance Matters & So Do You! Spirit Week September 15–19th. Each day lists a theme: Monday: Team colors or jersey (with images of jerseys). Tuesday: Athletic wear (with icons of sports clothes). Wednesday: Baseball hat or crazy hair (with hat and curly hair illustration). Thursday: Dress like a teacher or principal (with teacher and kids illustration). Friday: Pajamas (with children in pajamas). The bottom notes Back to School Night, Thursday 6:00–7:00 PM.
A colorful flyer titled Attendance Matters & So Do You! Spirit Week September 15–19th. Each day lists a theme: Monday: Team colors or jersey (with images of jerseys). Tuesday: Athletic wear (with icons of sports clothes). Wednesday: Baseball hat or crazy hair (with hat and curly hair illustration). Thursday: Dress like a teacher or principal (with teacher and kids illustration). Friday: Pajamas (with children in pajamas). The bottom notes Back to School Night, Thursday 6:00–7:00 PM.
Ms. Alexander’s students learned how to identify and describe physical characteristics using monsters. They created monsters, gave their monsters a name and wrote about what they looked like. They were excited to share their creations with staff around the school! #ThePark
16 days ago, SPES Admin
Two children stand side by side in a hallway, each holding up large black construction paper with colorful monster artwork covering their faces. The child on the left holds a pink monster with big eyes, teeth, and spiky hair, while the child on the right holds a red monster with striped horns, wide eyes, and green legs.
The same two children stand in a school lobby showing their monster artwork to a sheriff’s deputy seated at a desk. The deputy smiles and talks with them while another adult kneels nearby, engaging with the students.
The two children display their monster artwork inside a school office, standing in front of a counter where two smiling staff members watch. The staff appear amused and encouraging as the children hold up their large pink and red monster creations.
Math learning in action! 📚✏️

Mrs. Dodson and Mrs. Carter are engaging students with hands-on problem solving, small-group collaboration, and lots of critical thinking. From reviewing word problems to practicing with calculators, our students are working hard and growing their math skills every day. 👏 #ThePark
17 days ago, James Dugger
A classroom teacher, Mrs. Dodson, stands at the front of the room leading a math lesson displayed on a large screen while students sit on the carpet and at desks, listening and writing in notebooks.
Mrs. Carter sits at a round table with a small group of students. They are working on math problems using worksheets and calculators, with Mrs. Carter writing on a small whiteboard.
A close-up of Mrs. Carter leading a group discussion at a round table. Students are engaged with calculators and pencils while looking at worksheets.
Mrs. Dodson leads a math review in front of the class. Several students sitting on the carpet have their hands raised to answer a question displayed on the screen.
Mrs. Abel’s students use a mirror to practice making faces to match emotion words. #ThePark
18 days ago, SPES Admin
Student in a striped shirt holding a whiteboard with a black strip, smiling in a classroom with colorful posters in the background.
Student in a red striped shirt laughing while a whiteboard is held up in front, with a lunch tray and milk carton on the desk.
Student in a white t-shirt looking down at a small board while sitting at a table with a lunch tray.
Student in a striped shirt holding up a whiteboard while practicing sounds, mouth open mid-speech.
Student in a red striped shirt resting head in hands at a table with toy trains and a lunch tray.
Student in a gray patterned shirt smiling and holding a small board, with lunch items and a colorful bracelet on the table.
Student in a white t-shirt squinting while a whiteboard is held in front, lunch tray with fruit cups and milk on the table.
Student in a red "Level Up" shirt with mouth open wide, sitting at a desk with pizza and school supplies
Student in a dark shirt holding a fork with fruit cup, covering face with one hand, lunch tray with cereal and milk visible.
📚 Our students are growing as confident readers!

This week in Mrs. Chapman's class, students practiced fluency by reading passages with a partner. They helped each other with tricky words and focused on reading with expression. 🎭

We love seeing their teamwork and excitement for reading! 💡❤️

#ThePark
19 days ago, SPES Admin
A group of elementary students sitting on a classroom rug, smiling and holding up red folders.
Two children sitting on a rug, reading from papers inside red folders.
Two children sitting on the floor, facing each other, reading from red folders.
Two children sitting by classroom lockers with backpacks behind them, reading from red folders.
Two children sitting against lockers, reading from papers. One has a bright green reading sheet.
Ms. Racey’s 2nd grade students enjoyed partner reading around the room! 😊 #thePark
21 days ago, SPES Admin
Two children sit on the floor next to a classroom bulletin board, looking at a paper in a clear sleeve; one child holds a stuffed bear.
Two girls sit on a rug with smiley faces, one holding an open book while the other looks toward the camera.
A girl and a boy sit against a classroom wall, the boy reading a book aloud while the girl listens.
A girl and a boy sit together on cushions in front of a bookshelf, reading a book together; the girl holds a stuffed toy.
Two children sit on the floor near cubbies, reading a book together.
Two children sit on cushions against the classroom wall near a poster about articles, one holding a book while both smile.
Mrs. Anderson's first-grade class was learning about right angles. The students got the chance to go on a right-angle scavenger hunt around the room, using right-angle fish they made to help them find right angles. #thePark
22 days ago, SPES Admin
A young girl wearing a Stitch and Angel shirt holds up a blue paper fish labeled right angle fish next to a classroom calendar display.
Three students sit at desks coloring paper fish cutouts with crayons, with pencil boxes and water bottles on their desks.
A group of four students at a table coloring paper fish cutouts, with one smiling at the camera holding a red fish.
Five students sit at a table coloring fish cutouts, with a teacher sitting nearby assisting.
Four students at a table work on coloring and cutting fish cutouts, with supply boxes and crayons scattered on the desks.
Two girls stand by a classroom kindness poster; one is taping a paper fish to the wall.
A smiling boy wearing a navy blue sweater places a red fish cutout on the classroom calendar board
A boy in a blue shirt and glasses places an orange and yellow fish cutout on the classroom board.
A boy in a red Spider-Man shirt holds a blue fish cutout next to a classroom number chart and calendar.
A girl in a pink shirt and jeans attaches a multicolored fish cutout to the wall near a number chart.