Dragon Digest

A weekly newsletter curated by our Family Liaison

September 12, 2023

Dear Yu Ying Families,

The first two weeks of school are down in the books! Thank you so much for your patience, cooperation, and feedback! Most importantly we want to thank you for supporting your kiddos by getting them to school every day and on time!

Did you attend our New Family Orientation or Open House? Let us know your opinions with this survey about orientation and open house.

If you have any unique needs that we can work through to help support your child, let us know. We are available, and I am always happy to help connect families with the right people at Yu Ying who can help! We have many many resources available, including but not limited to:

Resources to support your child’s educational growth and development;
Resources to navigate the school community and online platforms;
Resources to support your child’s access to the school programs; and
Resources to support your family’s connection with other YY families.

Read on for more information about school communication, health and safety, and upcoming events!

Cheers,

Ayanna Free, Family Liaison

Email: ayanna.free@washingtonyuying.org

Phone: 202-635-1950, ext. 204

Mobile: (443) 422-3633

Virtual Office Hours (Online via Google Meet): Every Friday, from 2 - 4 p.m. On Fridays, please send a text message to let me know you’d like to meet with me right away. I am also available outside of general working hours by request on Thursdays 8pm-9pm. Video link: https://meet.google.com/puf-nxfb-uuh.

Privacy and Security Disclosure: Allow 5-10 minutes for a response, just in case I am in a meeting with another family. With discretion, I may ask security questions to verify identity before discussing student information.

**ATTENTION, PLEASE!** ACTION ITEMS

If you haven’t signed up for Toddle, please do so! Click here for the website, here for Apple devices; or here for Android devices.
Make sure your child is up to date on all vaccinations and has submitted all required health documentation. Contact Malayssa Smith-Woods at enrollment@washingtonyuying.org with any questions.
Complete the Free and Reduced Meals application (English/Spanish)even if you think your family may not qualify. This form can also be updated throughout the year if your family’s information changes.

NEWS YOU CAN USE

School Communication

We sincerely appreciate your family taking time to learn, download, and use the Toddle App. Toddle is our primary communication tool and one of the easiest ways to stay up to date with your child’s academic experience.
¡Si tiene un preferencia a leer comunicaciones de la escuela en español, Toddle App tiene la habilidad para traducir al instante!
If you have not accessed Toddle, you can access Toddle by :

- Creating an account on the web by clicking here; or

- Downloading to your Apple device by clicking here; or

- Downloading to your Android device by clicking here.

You will need your child’s unique family code to access your child’s account. Let us know if you are having any challenges with using Toddle.

Health Forms

DC has a No Shots, No School policy. Proof of vaccinations/immunizations is a requirement to attend DC public schools. Your student will be able to attend school for only 20 days if we don’t have up to date records on file for your student.
We must have your child’s current health certificate and oral health assessment, which can be found below:

District of Columbia Universal Health Certificate, which includes proof of vaccinations/immunizations
District of Columbia Oral Health (Dental Provider) Assessment Form

DC Health has created a 2023 Pediatric List of Vaccination Locations.
Send all required forms and inquiries to Annie Schleicher and Malayssa Smith-Woods at enrollment@washingtonyuying.org.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND EVENTS

METROLift Program: Metro provides reduced fares for adult SmartTrip cards
Kids Ride Free: Metro provides free metro cards for students 5-21 enrolled in school. Cards issued last school year will expire on September 30. Request your new card (or report a lost card) by emailing reception@washingtonyuying.org
Mayor Bowser released her Back to School Guide! Read it for how-to’s on everything from how to get inexpensive internet access and funding for out of school time activities!

UPCOMING EVENTS AND IMPORTANT DATES

Tuesday, September 12: Grades 3-5 Back to School Parent Sessions (Zoom)
Wednesday, September 13: PK3 & PK4 Back to School Parent Sessions (Zoom)
Thursday, September 14: Grades K-2 Back to School Parent Sessions (Zoom)

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August 8, 2023

Happy School Year 2023-2024!!

Dear Yu Ying Families,

Welcome to School Year 2023-2024! Campus has been buzzing with preparation for the return of over 630 students and more than 150 staff!

Over the next few weeks I’ll be sending notices about events, reminders about important school procedures, and providing surveys for feedback. Information from these surveys will help us guide communications, plan for school events, and better support families!

Listed below is information about this year’s arrival and dismissal process, school communication, health form requirements, and more! Feel free to contact me directly with any questions; I will do my best to find an answer or route your question in the right direction!

Cheers,

Ayanna Free, Family Liaison

Email: ayanna.free@washingtonyuying.org

Office Phone: 202-635-1950, ext. 204

Mobile Phone: (443) 422-3633

**ATTENTION, PLEASE!** ACTION ITEMS

Make sure your child is up to date on all vaccinations. If you haven’t already, submit immunization records to enrollment@washingtonyuying.org. A listing and calendar of free vaccination sites hosted by DC Health can be found here.
Be on the lookout for an invitation to Toddle, YY’s communication app.
If you have further questions about REEF, Yu Ying’s before and aftercare program, please email reefadmin@washingtonyuying.org.

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Health Forms

Proof of vaccination/immunization is a requirement to attend DC public schools. Your student will be sent home after 20 days if we don’t have up to date records on file. Send all required forms and inquiries to Annie and Malayssa at enrollment@washingtonyuying.org.
We must have your child’s current health certificate and oral health assessment, which can be found below:

District of Columbia Universal Health Certificate, which includes proof of vaccinations/immunizations
District of Columbia Oral Health (Dental Provider) Assessment Form

Toddle

Toddle is the platform that will be used to communicate with families and organize educational progress for all students. Look out for more information on the Toddle App! You will receive an invitation to sign in to Toddle.

Arrival and Dismissal

Read this flyer and download the SchoolPass app. Show your SchoolPass during arrival and pickup.
Drive legally and safely in the community. Park legally in the neighborhood. Do not park in the apartment complex parking lots. You may be ticketed/towed.
Pk-K families driving in for drop off should use the entry gate on Taylor Street. 1st-5th families should use 2nd Street Nature Center carpool lanes.
Regular morning drop off is from 8:05-8:30 AM. Children must be dropped off by 8:30 AM to be considered ON TIME.
Car Gates close at 8:25 AM. Families must park legally in the neighborhood, walk and sign their child in after gates are closed.
Gates open to begin dismissal at 3:35 PM. Complete pickup by 3:55 PM everyday. Students not picked up on time will be sent to “late pick up” and will be charged late fees.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND IMPORTANT DATES - SCHOOL CALENDAR

Saturday, August 12, 2023: Pre-K Playdate @ Yu Ying 9:30-11:00 AM
Saturday, August 19, 2023: New Family Orientation @ Yu Ying 9:00-1:30 PM
Friday, August 25, 2023: SY23-24 Open House 1:00-4:00 PM
Monday, August 28, 2023: First Day of School (K-5)
Monday, August 28 - Wednesday August 30, 2023: PK3-PK4 Visit Days
Thursday, August 31, 2023: First Full Day of School (PK3 & PK4)
Monday, September 4, 2023: LABOR DAY - SCHOOL CLOSED

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August 2, 2023

SAVE THE DATE: YU YING NEW FAMILY ORIENTATION 8/19/2023!!

Dear New Yu Ying Families,

Welcome to School Year 2023-2024!

Before school begins, we would like to invite you to New Family Orientation. The event is a pilot event that merges new parent education about essential elements of YY’s program with forward facing scaffolds to school-based, government-based, and community-based supports.

It also includes dedicated time and tutorials to get the basics all set up and squared away before day 1. We will help families with the installation and use of our core communication apps and walk through all of your questions for a smooth day 1, week 1.

Who is invited: New families and returning families with new siblings enrolled

Where: Yu Ying’s Campus (220 Taylor Street NE)

When: Saturday, August 19, 2023

Time: 9:00 AM -1:30 PM

To provide flexibility, we are offering two options for families. There will be one in the morning from 9:00-11:30 and an afternoon option from 11:00-1:30 PM.

Families should RSVP to attend a Morning Session or an Afternoon Session.

The core essentials will be offered at both sessions so you only need to attend one block.

However, we know life happens (especially life with little ones) so have structured the day with repeated content in case you end up running late, get swept up in a great discussion with a new family or want to engage longer on a particular topic.

We will also have a Circle of Care Resource Room for families to connect with community based organizations. This will be open for drop in from 10:00 AM-1:30 PM.

Morning Session

09:00 - 09:30 Arrival/Breakfast A-La Carte/Meet and Greet

09:30 - 09:45 Morning Introduction: Passport to Yu Ying

09:50 - 10:25 Morning Workshop I: Get Here - Transportation and Attendance

10:30 - 11:00 Morning Workshop II: Stay Connected - Use of School Apps

11:05 - 11:30 BREAK - Guided Walk / Circle of Care Resource Room

Afternoon Session

11: 00 - 11:30 Arrival / Lunch A-la-Carte / Meet and Greet

11:30 - 11:45 Afternoon Introduction: Passport to Yu Ying

11:50 - 12:30 Afternoon Session I: Get Here Transportation and Attendance

12:35 - 01:10 Afternoon Session II: Stay Connected - Use of School Apps

01:05 - 01:30 BREAK - Guided Walk / Circle of Care Resource Room