Principal's Page

February 2, 2026

Happy February, John H. Bayne Families and Community,

February is here, and we made it through a stretch of snowy and icy days together! Thank you for your patience and flexibility during the winter weather. We are grateful that everyone stayed safe, and we are excited that our students are back in the building and learning continues strong.

I am proud to share that our January attendance rose to 90.7%, an increase of 0.2% from December. That may seem small, but growth is growth, and it matters. Our goal is 93%, and with steady effort, we can continue to climb. At the same time, chronic absenteeism has risen by 1.9% and is currently at 37.5%. Chronic absenteeism means a student has missed more than 10% of the school year. Our goal is to reduce this number to below 30%. Winter illness, weather, and disruptions can make consistency harder, but daily attendance remains one of the strongest predictors of student success. Let’s continue working together to build strong routines and keep our students in school every day.

A special shout-out to our 5th grade team and students, where chronic absenteeism is at 25%. This is below our school average and shows that improvement is possible. Keep up the good work!We would also like to share our sincere gratitude to Dr. LeTrecia Gloster, Associate Superintendent of Innovation and Performance, for visiting our school. Her time, insight, and support of our students and staff were truly appreciated, and we are thankful for her partnership.The second quarter has ended, and report card grades are now available in ParentVUE. It is critical that every family has an active ParentVUE account. ParentVUE allows you to monitor grades, attendance, and important school information so you can stay informed and suport your child’s learning. Our goal is to reach 90% ParentVUE access for our families. If you need help setting up or accessing your ParentVUE account, please use the link below for support:
https://www.pgcps.org/offices/information-technology/technology-training-and-instructional-technology/parentvue-support-for-parents-and-guardians#existing-families. 

Thank you to all of the families who joined us for January’s BEAR University focused on DreamBox. Your partnership in engaging students in online interventions at home is making a meaningful impact on student learning and growth. Building on that momentum, we invite you to join us for this month’s BEAR University, which will focus on the 5 Love Languages for Children. Understanding how your child best receives encouragement and support can strengthen communication, improve behavior, and positively impact learning. This engaging virtual workshop will take place on February 25, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. You will walk away with practical strategies you can use right away at home. Your presence matters, and we look forward to continuing this important partnership with you. The link can be found on ClassDojo. Be sure to contact Mrs. Virginia Walker, Parent Engagement Assistant, if in-person support is needed. February is Black History Month, a time to honor, reflect, and celebrate the rich history, resilience, and contributions of African Americans. Additionally, this month, we are also showing appreciation for our dedicated staff during Cups Full, Village Strong Month. It truly takes a village to educate our children, and we are grateful for the care, commitment, and hard work shown by our teachers, support staff, and partners every day.Thank you for your continued partnership and trust. Together, we will keep moving forward, learning from challenges, and supporting every child’s success.With appreciation,
Erica K. Bennett
Principal