Our School
- Who is Anne E. Moncure?
- House System
- School Hours
- Mission and Vision
- Quality Profile
- School Improvement Plan
- School Policies
Who is Anne E. Moncure?
Career in Education
Miss Anne E. Moncure’s teaching career began in Alexandria in 1917. At that time, she taught approximately 125 first graders. Working south towards Stafford County, Miss Moncure later taught Kindergarten and primary classes at the U.S. Marine Corps School at Quantico. In 1931, Miss Moncure completed her move back to Stafford County as a first-grade teacher at Stafford Elementary School (a position she held for three years). In 1934, Miss Anne E. Moncure accepted the position of Superintendent of Elementary Education; a title she held until her retirement in 1960. Miss Anne E. Moncure’s highest praise came in 1966 with the dedication of a school in her name.
During an interview with The Free Lance-Star, Miss Anne E. said, "It's very grand! It's wonderful," but added, "I think I wouldn't be very much at home there." She went on to explain that the new school’s air conditioning, carpeting, and gadgets were wonderful, but they were a far cry from the one and two-room schools from the "old days." With the 2019 opening of this building, Miss Anne E. Moncure’s love for books lives on as the heart of this building. What a wonderful tribute to a great woman!
Thank you, Miss Anne E. Moncure, for your commitment and lasting effects throughout Stafford County.
Mobile Library
Miss Anne E. Moncure developed a name for herself by creating a library when there was none. She loaded up her large station wagon as a library and provided children in the area with opportunities to read and exchange books from her original “bookmobile.”
Interesting Facts about Miss Anne E. Moncure
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Miss Anne E. Moncure was born with a dislocated hip.
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In her later years, Miss Anne E. lived alone in her family’s home; a big, white house that stood where Aquia Towne Center was located.
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Kate Waller Barrett (a leader in the women's suffrage movement, a medical doctor and one of only four women at the signing of the Treaty of Versailles) was the aunt of Miss Anne E. Moncure.
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Miss Anne E. taught basic living skills in addition to traditional subjects. She taught her students how to make change, how to order from the Sears catalog, and how to use indoor plumbing.
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Her relative John Moncure, was the first pastor of Aquia Episcopal Church.
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Miss Anne E. Moncure is famous for caring about her students, believing in them, encouraging them, and helping them become successful adults. She provided many children with what they needed at the time--shoes, toys, a ride to the doctor's office, etc.
House System
The House System at Moncure Elementary School is an exciting, lively way to produce a positive climate and culture in our school. The Houses allow students to build relationships across grade levels and form a community with one another. Throughout this relationship-building, stronger character and school spirit is built.
Houses create a sense of belonging.
How does it work?
The Moncure House System has three pillars that operate in our school during the year:
- House Points- Students earn house points in three possible ways:
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Going above and beyond the Vital 40.
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Spinning the Wheel at House Celebrations.
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Coming to community events.
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House Celebrations- Our entire school gets together and celebrates accomplishments from all our houses. We hear cheers from each house and watch a student in each house spin the wheel.
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House Meetings- Individual houses meet with all students (K-5) and build community, learn house chants, and celebrate accomplishments.
Vital 40
Here at Moncure, we hold everyone in our building to high standards! The Vital 40 function as the backbone to this "Moncure Way of Life". These 40 expectations are required of every Bear in our school! All staff, teachers, and students are involved in this belief system.
- Bear of the Year
- Yuukanna House
- Ziddi House
- Josaja House
- Mukhtahria House
- Kibinadamu House
- Soñador House
Bear of the Year
- Bear of the Year 2025
- Bear of the Year 2024
- Bear of the Year 2023
- Bear of the Year 2022
- Bear of the Year 2021
- Bear of the Year 2020
Bear of the Year 2025
Bear of the Year 2024
Bear of the Year 2023
Sabrina is our Bear of the Year. Sabrina is kind and thoughtful in her behavior toward others.
Some traits that helped distinguish Sabrina include:
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Sabrina shows her Moncure spirit through her ability to uplift others around her.
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Sabrina chooses to be the first to help, not for the praise or attention, but for an earnest desire to help others.
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Sabrina takes care of her school and treats everything with gentleness and kindness.
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Sabrina works hard in class and shows by example how to lead and treat others with respect.
Bear of the Year 2022
Blair is our Bear of the Year. Blair works hard in every task she undertakes. She leads the way in all of her endeavors in class or outside of school.
Some traits that helped distinguish Blair include:
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Blair consistently shows outstanding citizenship by caring for her class and school communities.
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Blair shows self-reflection and humility by always pushing to be her best in everything she does.
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Blair's positivity and kindness is well-known throughout the school as she demonstrates it daily.
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Blair repeatedly goes far out of her way to ask questions, make connections, and show others the way through her example in class discussions.
Bear of the Year 2021
Callie is our Bear of the Year. Callie is a third-grade student who consistently demonstrates the Vital 40 throughout her actions and character.
Some actions that helped distinguish Callie include:
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Callie puts her entire effort into all of her assignments every single day.
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Callie goes out of her way to make connections, ask questions, and lead by example in class discussions.
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Callie exhibits rules 16 and 33 throughout her day. She is kind and helps others feel special. She, also, is consistently positive and puts in the effort to enjoy life.
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Even while wearing a mask, Callie's smile and positivity are evident.
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Callie puts in the extra effort to complete challenges when presented with them. She goes the extra mile to go beyond what is expected and leads those around her by example
Bear of the Year 2020
Emma is our Bear of the Year. Whether leading her house, mediating her peers, or helping staff, Emma is not only a joy to be around but a true asset to Moncure.
Some actions that helped distinguish Emma include:
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Emma wrote and helped teach the rest of her large house a chant.
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Emma helps our youngest bears to keep calm during fire drills.
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Emma helped students she does not know in the hallway carry their things.
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Emma has on many occasions mediated between her peers helping to solve conflicts in her class.
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Emma consistently helps wherever she can without needing to be asked; she picks up after herself and others. For example, she has stayed after house celebrations and swept the whole gym.
Yuukanna House
Yuukanna is the House that originates from Japan. A group of individuals that understand that strength in character is used to defend all that is true and just. The members of the House of Yuukanna are known for the valiance they use to help everyone around them.
As the first house champion, Yuukanna was able to lead the way in Moncure’s House system with courage and boldness. The Yuukanna House yearns to promote justice and kindness in each year’s house competition. Incoming members have a heart of courage — even if they do not even see it within themselves in the beginning! Valiance to be bold and courageous does not grow overnight. This strength comes from the understanding that some things are more important than fear and it grows over time. But Valiance does not equal brute strength or harming others. Valiance means stepping in and defending others, taking care of them and seeking what is best for others as well as ourselves. This is why the dragon is Yuukanna’s symbolic animal. Filled with ancient power and wisdom, it is fierce when the time calls.
- Spirit Animal: Dragon
- Power: Courage, Boldness, Valiant pursuit of justice
- Heritage: Japan
- House Championships Won: 2020, 2025
- Bears of the Year: Blair Hill (2022)
- Language: Japanese
- First House Leads: Mrs. Abdallah (Atkinson) and Ms. Bokum
- First House Ambassadors: Ellie Zbewlski and Jackson Barr
- Current House Leads: Mrs. Atkinson and Mrs. Olivarez
The Crest:
- The Barnacles- Barnacles date back as a symbolism of service and devotion. Loyalty and the service of others is important to the Valiant House, as truly valiant individuals serve those in need.
- The Lampstands- The Yuukanna crest has two lampstands flanking the dragon and crest. The lampstands represent fire and light. Fire and light serve as symbols for glory, and burning devotion for truth. Fire and flame represent zeal and passion. Light is used to find and reveal the truth in dark situations. As members of the Valiant house it is our job to be the light in those times.
- The Knight Helmet- The Knight helmet represents the protective nature of the Yuukanna House. Knights symbolize protection and invulnerability. As valiant individuals, it is our duty to protect those experiencing injustice or who cannot defend themselves
- Valiant- “Yuukanna” means “Valiant” in the language Japanese. Valiant means having the courage and boldness to stand up for what is true and right even in the face of difficulty and challenge.
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Red- The color red, our house color, is often associated with “boldness”. It is the color of fire and has a history of representing life, health, vigor, courage, and love.
Yuukanna Crest
Yuukanna.png
Ziddi House
The Ziddi House originates from the country of Pakistan. Members of our house are known to be tenacious, passionate, and unstoppable! ZIDDI in the language of origin, Urdu, means “Relentless”. Each member has unyielding determination to accomplish all their goals. Callie, one of our 1st House Ambassadors, is a wonderful example of how ZIDDI members are relentless in their pursuit of excellence. She won Bear of the Year for the 2020/2021 school year.
Our house members take great inspiration from its symbolic animal, the Lion. Known to be fierce and protective, Lions are the kings and queens of the jungle. In many cultures, they're an important figure representing strength, courage, and royalty. Our house color, Green, is often associated with “life”. It has strong connections to nature and growth. We believe all ZIDDI members will grow to exhibit these characteristics which will serve them well as students and in their future endeavors.
The Ziddi House members are RELENTLESS in pursuing their goals with zeal and fervor.
- Spirit Animal: The Magnificent Lion
- Power: strong perseverance, unyielding determination
- Heritage: Pakistan
- House Championships Won: 2023
- Bears of the Year: Callie Bowman (2021)
- Language: Urdu
- First House Leads: Ms. Shires and Mrs. Habina
- First House Ambassadors: Callie Bowman, Amelia Price, Piper Tyler, and Domofo Botchway
- Current House Leads: Mrs. Culley and Mrs. Habina
The Crest:
- The Majestic Lion- In the middle of our crest is the majestic lion. Known to be fierce and protective, lions are the kings and queens of the jungle. Our ZIDDI members will find strength and strength, courage, and royalty.
- The Fasces- The Fasces dates back in ancient history, and symbolizes strength through unity. In many cultures they're an important figure representing perseverance in their unity as a house.
- The Deodar Tree- The Deodar tree is the national tree of Pakistan, and is known for the great heights in which it grows. It not only represents our country of origin, but the great growth our ZIDDI members will achieve!
- Pakistani Flag- The Pakistanian flag represents our of origin. The star and the crescent serve as symbols. The crescent represents progress and the star light and knowledge.
- Relentless- "ZIDDI" means "relentless" in the language of Urdu.
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Green- The color green, our house color, is often associated with “life”. It has strong connections to nature and growth.
ZIDDI House Crest
ZiddiHouseCrest.png
Josaja House
The Josaja house originates from the country of Korea. Members of our house are known to be curious, questioning, and passionate learners! In Korean, Josaja means “Inquisitor”. We have an undying desire to know and understand about whatever draws our attention, and will let nothing come between us and what we seek.
Our house members are not satisfied with partial understanding. We are driven by our spirit of the Phoenix to rise to incredible heights, burning with the desire to find answers, understand meanings, and dive to incredible depths of knowledge. Even in the face of a challenge, when we are knocked down and just don’t understand something, we rise from the ashes of confusion and find strength in the challenge to burn brighter, and come back at it harder and more determined than before.
The orange of our house represents the fire that burns within each and every one of us, though in Josaja members, it allows us to push through challenges and emerge stronger in the end. Just like fire tempers steel, the toughest challenges create a strength of character that cannot be broken! Even when we feel knocked down, and burned up in the fire of challenge, we emerge from the ashes stronger and more confident and ready to ask the next question! All Josaja Phoenixes have a fire within them, it’s up to us to encourage and fan the flames to forge stronger and more confident Inquisitors! With this foundation of spirit, our members will go on in life ready to achieve great heights!
Josaja are curious curious about the wonders of the world and seek new discoveries.
- Spirit Animal: The Rising Phoenix
- Power: Discovery seekers, Wonderers, Insatiable Learners
- Heritage: Korea
- House Championships Won: 2024
- Language: Korean
- First House Leads: Mrs. Alexander-Flores and Ms. Hempe
- First House Ambassadors: Lilly Phillps, Nataly Salome Sabines, and Lily Hotchkiss
- Current House Leads: Mrs. Alexander-Flores
The Crest:
Inquistor: "Josaja" means "Inquisitor" in the language of Korean.
Orange: The color orange, our house color, is often associated with "fire". It has strong connections to confidence, entusiasm, & vivaciousness.
The Rising Phoenix: In the middle of our crest is the phoenix rising from the flames. Nothing stops the Phoenix from its goal, not even death. When a challenge seems too great, they burn to ash and rise up again, renewed and stronger than before, ready to continue their pursuits.
The Hammer and Anvil: Dating back to the middle ages, Blacksmiths used fire, hammers and anvils to create tools. They took raw materials and put them through great heat and stress to become stronger and more refined. The end result is high quality and meant to last. This symbolizes the determination and everlasting need to discover what comes after the next challenge.
Feathers: In the Korean culture, feathers symbolize a yearn for successfulness.
Josaja Crest
JosajaCrest.png
Mukhtahria House
The Mukhtahria house originates from the Middle Eastern region of the world. In Arabic, Mukhtahria means “Innovator”. We look for new ways to approach problems and challenges.
Our animal is a hawk and hawks are symbols of nobility who possess a natural sense of strategy. A hawk’s incredible sense of vision lends itself to the various ways our house members approach challenges and are not locked in to doing things the same way they’ve always been done. They want to make things better with an eye towards making their space and community better at every time.
Our color yellow is a color that inspires the mind and spirit to soar to new heights. It is an indication of a sharp mind and someone who is not content to just hear the answers to their questions, but to understand and improve on what they can. Nothing is beyond their reach and at times they may find themselves flying too close to the sun, but if they get burned they regroup, find clarity and new ways to approach their challenges and come at it again with a renewed sense of purpose and peace.
The sun is the source of energy for the entire world, and in Mukhtahria it is the symbol of our inspiration and the fact that each day presents new opportunities to make a difference. We rise to great heights and will find ways to bring the entire Bear Nation with us!
Mukhtaria recognize opportunities to engineer creative designs to current and future challenges.
- Spirit Animal: The Tenacious Hawk
- Power: Creative Problem Solving
- Heritage: Middle Eastern
- Language: Arabic
- Bears of the Year: Sabrina Rojas (2023), Regina Alvarado-Barrera (2025)
- First House Leads: Mrs. Skeer and Mr. Vita
- First House Ambassadors: Julisa Rodriguez, Greidy Villatoro-Granados, Jayden Herriot
- Current House Leads: Ms. Robens and Ms. Heatwhole
The Crest:
- Innovator: “Mukhtahria” means “Innovator” in the language of Arabic.
- Arabic: In the Arabic culture, honor and respect for family and community take priority.
- The Tenacious Hawk: In the middle of our crest is the hawk rising in the sunlight of a dawning day. They are constantly looking for ways to improve a situation, and when faced with challenges they use their keen vision to approach challenges from different directions and accomplish their goals.
- The Sun: Dating back to ancient times the sun has been featured in countless histories symbolizing vitality, willpower and the source of life for all things. It renews the spirit of all that it touches and even when it seems dark the light always returns. With a new dawn comes clarity.
- Yellow: The color yellow, our house color, is representative of restorative energy, life, and light.
- Rocks: The rocks stand for the strength of purpose and a strong foundation of support for the community as a whole.
Kibinadamu House
In Swahili, Kibinadamu means “Humanitarian”. Members of our house are known to be leaders, curious, questioning, and passionate learners!
The color purple is often associated with nobility, power, creativity, wisdom, dignity, devotion, peace, pride, and independence. Also, purple is said to represent an artistic and unique individual, who is often very intuitive and heavily invested in uplifting others to ensure they feel a sense of pride in themselves and their community. Kibinadamu Panthers are good at thinking on the spot and can adapt to change easily with a heart of love, service, and unity; it is our joyful duty to take care of our school community by spreading kindness and awareness through service to our Bear Nation! We take pride in serving our community members who need protection and courage, and those who need help with conquering their fears.
K-i-B-i-N-A-DA-MU!!
Kibinadamu are compassionate and selfless while advocating for others.
- Spirit Animal: Panther
- Power: Kindness and Purity of Heart
- Heritage: East Africa
- House Championships Won: 2021 and 2022
- Bears of the Year: Emma Baker (2020)
- Language: Swahili
- First House Leads: Ms. Brooks, Ms. Oliver, and Mr. Fields
- First House Ambassadors: Trinity Shelton, Mason Panholzer, Gary Nibblins, and Ashlyn Culley
- Current House Leads: Ms. Hill and Ms. Ross
The Crest:
- Humanitarian: “Kibinadamu” means “Humanitarian” in the language of Swahili. The image of the hands shows the value in lending strength and protection to those in need.
- Color, Crown, and Stones: In African culture, purple is the color of nobility but also in healing. The stones show strength yet a beautiful clarity - both in purpose, and their mission to support others.
- The Kibinadamu Panther: In the middle of our crest is the panther, a symbol of inner knowing that comes from a sense of strength of protective instinct. The panther does not fear the darkness, whether it is uncertainty or turmoil, as it knows it will come to the other side with strength and confidence.
- East African Flags: Historically 5 nations made up those that spoke Swahili and many still do to this day. Linguists have referred to it as a bridge language that helped allow communication between various other regions with different languages as trade spread throughout the land. This is reflected in Kibinadamu’s innate desire to help others no matter their differences.
- Helping Hands and Heart: Panthers can be fiercely protective and help those to find their own strength and voice.They lend out their courage to others as needed to help everyone find their strength of purpose and true self.
Kibinadamu Crest
KibinadamuCrest.png
Soñador House
In Spanish, Soñador means “dreamer”. Dreamers aspire to greatness and are never deterred from their goal. Members of our house are known to be supportive, loyal, and creative!
The blue color of our house represents tranquility, freedom, imagination and inspiration. It also instills confidence and passion while releasing all fears and anxiety. The spirit of the wolf fosters a sense of loyalty and teamwork in our house. Members of Soñador know they have the freedom to explore their dreams but will alway have the support of the pack behind them.
Additionally, we are driven by the crescent moon as it symbolizes making our dreams into a reality. Our house members are persistent in pursuing their visions. We are driven by optimism and are as hopeful as our ancestors were, looking to the stars for guidance. As leaders of the pack, we shine our light and guide others to achieve their goals. The members of Soñador see the endless possibilities in the world, just like the infinite stars in the sky.
Soñador are visionaries and inspire enthusiasm in others.
- Spirit Animal: The Wild Wolves
- Power: Unlimited Vision in the Pursuit of Dreams
- Heritage: Spain
- Language: Spanish
- First House Leads: Mr. Frikker and Mr. Salyars
- First House Ambassadors: Kylie Culley, Yoselin Castro Avelar, Dami Ilesanmi
- Current House Leads: Mrs. Anderson and Mrs. Tipple
The Crest:
- The Crescent Moon: The crescent moon symbolizes new beginnings and the making of dreams into reality.
- The Eight-Pointed Star: The eight-pointed star represents a symbol of hope. The native peoples from North America referred to this symbol of hope as Star Knowledge.
- The Wild Wolf: In the middle of our crest is the wolf. The wolf represents loyalty and teamwork. It puts its pack first, above its own interests. The wolf also represents freedom. This is the freedom to roam and explore your dreams.
- The Nebula: Nebulas, which are able to glow with their own light, are the birthplace of stars. Just like in a nebula, adding a bit of pressure and direction to our dreams allows for new stars to shine.
- Dreamer:
Our name, "Soñador", comes from the Spanish for "dreamer".
- Blue: The color blue instills confidence and passion while releasing all fears and anxiety.
Sonador Crest
SonadorCrest.png
School Hours
Anne E. Moncure Elementary School operates from 8:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
- Doors open for Buses and Car Riders at 8:25 AM.
- School Begins at 8:45 AM - Students should be seated in their classrooms at this time.
- Students arriving at 8:44 AM or after must be checked in at the front doors with an adult present. Your help in ensuring all students are ready to begin instruction at 8:45 AM is appreciated.
- All notes about pickups or afternoon transportation need to be in before 2:20 pm on the day that is impacted. Please email the front office at mefrontoffice@staffordschools.net.
- Please refrain from office pick-ups after 2:50 pm each day this will assist with the reduction of instructional time disruptions and the decrease in office chaos resulting in fewer dismissal confusions for staff and students.
- Dismissal is at 3:15 PM for both bus riders and car riders.
- Office Hours - 8 AM - 4 PM daily
Mission and Vision
Quality Profile
School Improvement Plan
Goal 1: For the 2025–2026 school year, at least 70% of all students will pass the Reading, Math and Science Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments.
- Reading: EOY benchmark testing, and all students (grades 3-5) will demonstrate a minimum of 51st percentile growth on the NWEA Reading MAP assessment. K-2 students tested in Dibels* will demonstrate a minimum of ‘average’ or higher growth on the benchmark Dibels assessment.
- EOY benchmark testing, and all students (2-5) will demonstrate a minimum of 51st percentile growth on the NWEA Math MAP assessment.
- Strategy 1: Teachers will provide clear learning goals connected to standards and assessments, use explicit instruction with frequent checks for understanding, deliver timely and specific feedback, and ensure consistency through collaboration and communication with students, staff, and families.
- Strategy 2: Reading Specific Strategy
- Implement with fidelity a foundational skills routine (OC or MegaWords)
- Implement with fidelity a Close-Read routine with Into Reading
- Strategy 3:: Math Specific Strategy
- Mathematics routines will be planned and delivered and will include an entry point for all students, allow for students to reason about the mathematics, and allow opportunities for student discourse.
- Math Workshop Structures in place
- Strategy 4: Science Specific Strategies
- Provide staff with Foss professional learning.
- Provide professional learning in the most effective way to navigate the latest adopted curriculum materials and resources.
- Strategy 5: Teachers will implement daily academic discourse routines across reading, math, and science so that students regularly explain their reasoning, use academic vocabulary, and engage in meaningful discussions with peers. Discourse will be explicitly taught, modeled, and scaffolded through sentence stems, questioning strategies, and structured talk routines. Progress will be monitored through classroom observations, student work samples, and common assessments, with the expectation that stronger discourse skills will contribute directly to achieving the school goal.
- Strategy 6: Implement inquiry-based learning across reading, math, and science by engaging students in questioning, exploration, and problem-solving. Teachers will use inquiry cycles and collaborative planning to build deeper comprehension, critical thinking, and application of knowledge, leading to improved performance on SOL, MAP, and DIBELS assessments.
- Strategy 6: Yearlong inquiry-based learning structures (Plan, Model, & Practice):
- Structured
- Controlled
- Guided
- Strategy 7: In grades 3–5, teachers will departmentalize for reading and math, and in grades 4–5 for science, with three teachers each teaching their content area to two classrooms. This structure allows for weekly planning with content specialists, a stronger instructional focus, and improved student outcomes.
School Policies
Car Rider Lane Guidelines
- Car riders may only be dropped off and picked up within the designated car rider zone (By the main school entrance).
- Morning, student drop-off begins at 8:00 (when staff is present and on duty). This ends at 8:25 as that is when Instruction begins inside the school. School staff must come inside at that point to assist with instruction.
- Drivers should remain in cars.
- Students MUST wait for clearance from School Staff to proceed to and from vehicles.
- All students should be loaded and unloaded through passenger side doors (Curb Side). This is very important!
- Passing is Not Permitted in Car Rider Zone. Like school bus loading and unloading zones, violators will have license plates turned over to the Stafford County Sheriff’s department.
Restricted Afternoon Office Pickup Times
A few years ago, Moncure followed several other county schools by initializing a late afternoon no pick-up policy. Although this change caused an initial adjustment, the reduction of instructional time disruptions and the decrease in office chaos resulted in fewer dismissal confusions for staff and students. With the emphasis of maintaining the focus of this initiative and the safety of our students, we ask all families, to refrain from office pick-ups after 2:45 pm each day. All notes about pickups or afternoon transportation need to be in before 2:15 pm on the day that is impacted. Please email the front office at mefrontoffice@staffordschools.net.