Classroom News and Updates, Week of March 31st

DCPS is hosting three spring engagement sessions for the public to share feedback and learn more about our strategic priorities. Upcoming Sessions: Graduation Success (Thursday, April 3 at 12 p.m.; Virtual), and Sense of Belonging  (Wednesday, April 9 at 6 p.m.; Virtual). 


Classroom News and Updates, Week of March 10th


MATH NIGHT IS GOING TO BE OUT OF THIS WORLD! 

Get ready for one of the most exciting events of the universe! It is time for our annual Math Night Event- Out of this World. Students and families will be over the moon as we engage in math games, STEM activities, raffle prizes, Pizza Pi(e), Dessert Pi(e), and more!   

Join us March 12, 2025, from 5:30-7:30pm at 2425 N St. NW. This event is open to all our PreK-8 grade students and families. It will be light years of fun! 

Additionally, we are seeking support from our families to host this event. Please consider signing up to donate a Pie and/or donate items from our Amazon Wishlist. We appreciate the support and look forward to seeing you there! 



DCPS is hosting three spring engagement sessions for the public to share feedback and learn more about our strategic priorities. Session topics include: Academic Success  (Tuesday, March 25 at 6.p.m.; Patterson Elementary School), Graduation Success (Thursday, April 3 at 12 p.m.; Virtual), and Sense of Belonging  (Wednesday, April 9 at 6 p.m.; Virtual). 


Attendance Policy:

Your child’s regular prompt attendance at school is crucial to their success. Please send your child to school daily and ensure they are on time. A written note must be provided if your child is out for an excusable reason. A written note may be submitted via email. All written notices must be dated, include the reason for absence, and specify the dates your child was or will be out of school. Please submit documentation to the SWWFS Attendance Point of Contact, Dawn Vest (dawn.vest@k12.dc.gov) and Ms. Watson (rahshita.lowe-watson@k12.dc.gov). Thank you! 


Classroom News and Updates, Week of February 24th


Click Here to Purchase a Ticket Please share the link with family and friends, it's a performance that you don't want to miss. 


We are excited to invite you to a special "mini act" performed by our talented kindergartners in celebration of Black History Month! Join us as our young stars showcase their creativity and honor the contributions of African American history. 

We would love to see you there! Light refreshments will be served. If you would like to contribute any treats or snacks for the event, please let us know. Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our school community. 

Kindergarten Mini Act and Showcase

Date: February 27

Time: 9 AM

Location: Kindergarten Classrooms/Commons Area


Click Here to Schedule a Parent-Teacher Meeting Time  



Attendance Policy:

Your child’s regular prompt attendance at school is crucial to their success. Please send your child to school daily and ensure they are on time. A written note must be provided if your child is out for an excusable reason. A written note may be submitted via email. All written notices must be dated, include the reason for absence, and specify the dates your child was or will be out of school. Please submit documentation to the SWWFS Attendance Point of Contact, Dawn Vest (dawn.vest@k12.dc.gov) and Ms. Watson (rahshita.lowe-watson@k12.dc.gov). Thank you! 



Classroom News and Updates, Week of February 3rd


For more details, please check out the vendor flyer. We look forward to your participation in this exciting event! 


John Francis Dining for a Cause @ Chef Geoff’s in West End on February 12!

All John Francis families and community members are invited to dine out at Chef Geoff’s in West End (2201 M St NW) on Wednesday, February 12th between the hours of 5-8pm to enjoy community together and raise money for our school. Reservations are encouraged and can be made here (be sure to select “Chef Geoff’s - West End and make a note that you are coming in for the “John Francis Education Campus Fundraiser”), but walk-ins are also welcome. Mark your calendars and make your reservations today and we will see you on the 12th!



Message from Ms. Ogunshakin (Media Club Coordinator): The Media Club’s Sweet Expressions Valentine’s Day fundraiser is in full swing! This is the last week to order a photo along with your child’s Valentine’s card and treat. Students who purchased a photo will have their photoshoot on Thursday, February 6th (ECE, ELEM) and Friday, February 7th (Middle School). They will receive a schedule this week. They should bring their Valentine’s Day attire to school to change. During the week of February 10th, the Media Club will continue to offer Valentine’s candy and card orders. Don’t miss out on this special keepsake! Thank you for supporting the Media Club and helping us spread the love this Valentine’s Day. If you have any questions, reach out to Ms. Ogunshakin at cicely.ogunshakin@k12.dc.gov. 




The awards given will be as follows: 

These awards will be acknowledged with students standing from their seats with a round of applause: 


These awards will be acknowledged on Stage: 

 






Attendance Policy:

Your child’s regular prompt attendance at school is crucial to their success. Please send your child to school daily and ensure they are on time. A written note must be provided if your child is out for an excusable reason. A written note may be submitted via email. All written notices must be dated, include the reason for absence, and specify the dates your child was or will be out of school. Please submit documentation to the SWWFS Attendance Point of Contact, Dawn Vest (dawn.vest@k12.dc.gov) and Ms. Watson (rahshita.lowe-watson@k12.dc.gov). Please ensure documentation is sent to Ms. Vest. Classroom teachers cannot excuse absences. 

Important Notice Regarding Elementary School Attendance for SY24-25 

DC Public Schools (DCPS) elementary schools will implement the "60/40" attendance policy as required by the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). 

Click Here: Important Notice Regarding Elementary School Attendance SY24-25 



Classroom News and Updates, Week of January 13th

    Data will be shared upon grade-level completion. Information about the following assessments can be found 

    on our classroom newsletter's Home page. 

iReady ELA Assessment—On Wednesday, January 15th, Students will complete the beginning-of-year iReady ELA assessment. This adaptive assessment identifies students' phonological awareness, vocabulary, and reading comprehension skills. 

iReady Math Assessment—Students will complete the beginning-of-year iReady math assessment on Monday, January 13th. This adaptive assessment determines students' current understanding of Kindergarten math topics and will be used to plan and adjust instruction based on individual student's needs. 

DIBELS Assessment, ongoing throughout September—DIBELS is a quick assessment that determines students' foundational reading skills, such as phonemic awareness, alphabetic principle, accuracy, and fluency. Dibels assessments will begin on January 21st and end on February 3rd. 


Classroom news and updates, week of December 16th

We are always in the spirit of encouraging kind words and actions here at John Francis Education Campus! Through our Gift of a Compliment Project, kindergarten wants to extend this "bucket-filling" concept to homes this winter break. The children have received the name of their gift partner. If you do not have the name of your child's gift partner's name, please email me. On Wednesday, December 18th, we will exchange compliment gifts. 

Here are a few guidelines regarding the compliment "gifts:"

Here are some ideas that students have done in the past:

·        Write a card or letter

·        Draw a picture and write a compliment on it.

·        Write a postcard

·        Make a collage

·        Write a poem

·        Make a diorama featuring that person

·        Cut and paste magazine/newspaper pictures about their secret person

·        Design an advertisement describing why this person is awesome

·        Use the computer to make a special compliment 

·        Make a flyer

·        Make a sculpture out of clay


We are excited to announce JFEC Mystery Readers! This is a time when family and community members can sign up to read a book to a class for 20-30 minutes. Mystery Reader sessions will take place on Fridays from 2:00-2:30pm This may be a book from the classroom, a book from home, a book in another language, etc. Each guest will be a "mystery" until they arrive! We look forward to having our mystery readers join us as we develop a love of reading and a collaborative school community! Please send me an email if you would like to read to our class. 


Homework will not be sent home on Monday, December 16th. However, on Wednesday, December 18th, students will receive a work enrichment packet to work on during winter break. Please return winter enrichment packets on Thursday, January 2nd.  


Please note that if your child is absent from school, the home page of this digital newsletter has links to our latest math workbook and literacy activities you can practice at home. 


News You Can Use

The Read-A-Thon may be over, but don’t stop reading! DC Public Library holds a winter reading challenge from 12/9 to 2/28 for kids and teens. Sign-up is available online or at your neighborhood library, and participants can win fun prizes, like Washington Wizards tickets. This is a great way to engage with your local public library! 

Updates for the week of December 2nd

Scholastic Book Fair will be held in the library from December 9th to December 13th. Students can pay using cash, credit card, or eWallet. Please consider donating to our Share the Fair fund to make books accessible to more students! Please use this link to set up eWallets and make donations. Family volunteers are also needed. Here is the link for the Book Fair Volunteer Sign-Up. Please click here to visit the Book Fair homepage.


As we approach the final week of Camp Read-A-Lot, don’t forget to follow up with family and friends about pledges for your child’s participation in the Read-A-Thon! Pledges are due by Friday, December 6, and can be submitted in the following ways:


Cash or Check: Turn in pledges to the front office or your child’s teacher. Be sure to label them “Camp Read-A-Thon.” Electronic Option: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/johnfrancis-hsa/camp-read-a-lot

Thank you for supporting your child’s reading journey and helping us reach our fundraising goal!


We are always in the spirit of encouraging kind words and actions here at John Francis Education Campus! Kindergarten would like to extend this "bucket-filling" concept to homes this winter holiday season through our Gift of a Compliment Project. I will secretly give your child the name of a classmate in their "Take Home" folder. Your child will then be tasked with creating a handmade gift for their assigned partner with as many compliments on it as possible. Then, on December 18th, we will exchange compliment gifts.


Here are a few guidelines regarding the compliment "gifts:"

Here are some ideas that students have done in the past:

·        Write a card or letter

·        Draw a picture and write a compliment on it.

·        Write a postcard

·        Make a collage

·        Write a poem

·        Make a diorama featuring that person

·        Cut and paste magazine/newspaper pictures about their secret person

·        Design an advertisement describing why this person is awesome

·        Use the computer to make a special compliment 

·        Make a flyer

·        Make a sculpture out of clay

Please note: Your child’s assigned gift partners will be placed in your child's backpack on Friday, December 6th. 


Children's National Hospital will be hosting a free health event on Saturday, December 7, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at THEARC West Building (1801 Mississippi Ave, SE, Washington, DC 20020). Please  see the attached flyer for more information. 


Attendance Policy:

Your child’s regular prompt attendance at school is crucial to their success. Please send your child to school daily and ensure they are on time. A written note must be provided if your child is out for an excusable reason. A written note may be submitted via email. All written notices must be dated, include the reason for absence, and specify the dates your child was or will be out of school. Please submit documentation to the SWWFS Attendance Point of Contact, Dawn Vest (dawn.vest@k12.dc.gov) and Ms. Watson (rahshita.lowe-watson@k12.dc.gov). Please ensure documentation is sent to Ms. Vest. Classroom teachers cannot excuse absences. 

Important Notice Regarding Elementary School Attendance for SY24-25 

DC Public Schools (DCPS) elementary schools will implement the "60/40" attendance policy as required by the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). 

Click Here: Important Notice Regarding Elementary School Attendance SY24-25 



Updates for the week of November 12th



Family Sign-up Link: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=7kagKk6zM0qSt5md8rwKMpO7iPoo4Z1NufeqFGe0fG5UOEZBRzhISkVUT1ZZUDNJNFcwOVdNU1RDUC4u


The awards given will be as follows: 


The International Committee invites you to celebrate the diversity of our school by showcasing traditional clothing from your home country.  With families from all around the globe, we want to represent the rich variety of cultures that make our community so special.  Whether you'd like to model your traditional attire or loan it for another student, faculty, or staff member to model, we welcome everyone to participate! Please click here to sign-up and for more information!  Fashion Show Rehearsal will be held one week before the show; more details about rehearsal is forthcoming. 


Updates for the week of October 28th

The International Committee invites you to celebrate the diversity of our school by showcasing traditional clothing from your home country.  With families from all around the globe, we want to represent the rich variety of cultures that make our community so special.  Whether you'd like to model your traditional attire or loan it for another student, faculty, or staff member to model, we welcome everyone to participate!  Please open the attached flyer for more details and to sign up to model or loan your country's traditional clothing.  Fashion Show Rehearsal will be held one week before the show; more details about rehearsal is forthcoming.

Thank you for your support.  We can't wait to celebrate the beauty and diversity of our school as we step into a world of fashion!   


International Food Night is quickly approaching! Join us as we celebrate Culture and Heritage- November 20, 2024- 5:30 pm. Please see the flyer attached. 


In Latin class, elementary students are finishing their unit on the Aesop fable of the Monkey and the Dolphin. Interspersed are some mini-lessons on the taxonomy of local trees which are changing the color of their foliage. We will round out the month with a review of the names of the bones in human and animal skeletal systems. A sample picture is shown above! 


Join us for Camp Read-A-Lot, a fun fundraiser and friendly competition open to all students! From November 4th to December 1st, students will read to earn prizes for individual achievement and contribute to their classroom’s total reading minutes. In addition to raising funds for our school community, this is a great way to inspire a love for reading!

If you’d like to help with providing prizes, you can support us by purchasing items from our Amazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/29BB41PJ0VZUU?ref_=wl_share


Please note that there will be no school on Monday, November 4th, and Tuesday, November 5th. Additionally, I will be out of the school building from Wednesday, November 6th to Friday, November 8th. During this time, the children will be under the direction of Ms. Moore and a substitute teacher. Homework will not be sent home during the week of November 4th.


Our school costume parade is scheduled for Thursday, October 31st. ALL students in PK- 3rd grades, including CES will parade through the school to show off their costumes. Upper elementary and Middle school students will be present in the halls to welcome and show spirit as a community.   

     Costume Guidelines

Students in grades PK-3 will be allowed to wear their costumes to school. 

Students in grades 4-8 will be allowed to dress in "ALL BLACK" or school uniform for the day.  MASKS, CROP TOPS, RIPPED JEANS, HOODIES, TANKTOPS WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.

PK3-3rd- Students are welcome to wear their costumes over their uniforms and can bring a change of uniform clothes for after the parade.

Please use "safety" as our guideline. No running, no pushing etc.

No scary props, equipment or weapons, including replicas will be allowed

Masks may be carried, not worn for PK-3

Middle school students are asked to either wear all black or school uniform as this is not a dress down day.


Updates for the week of October 15th

Our class is growing! We have welcomed three new friends, Neela, Alexa, and MaKsym, along with their families. We are thrilled to have you join us. Neela's parents will be our JFEC classroom, Room Parents. More information will be shared soon. 

We'll celebrate our hard work on the beginning-of-year testing! I will provide healthy snacks for our little ones; there is no need to send anything. You are welcome to join us on Friday, October 18th, between 2 pm and 3 pm. 

Our school costume parade is scheduled for Thursday, October 31st. ALL students in PK- 3rd grades, including CES will parade through the school to show off their costumes. Upper elementary and Middle school students will be present in the halls to welcome and show spirit as a community.   

     Costume Guidelines


DC Public Schools (DCPS) elementary schools will implement the "60/40" attendance policy as required by the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). 

Click Here: Important Notice Regarding Elementary School Attendance SY24-25 


Your child’s regular prompt attendance at school is crucial to their success. Please send your child to school daily and ensure they are on time. A written note must be provided if your child is out for an excusable reason. A written note may be submitted via email. All written notices must be dated, include the reason for absence, and specify the dates your child was or will be out of school. Please submit documentation to the SWWFS Attendance Point of Contact, Dawn Vest (dawn.vest@k12.dc.gov) and Ms. Watson (rahshita.lowe-watson@k12.dc.gov). Please ensure documentation is sent to Ms. Vest. Classroom teachers cannot excuse absences. 


Click Here: The World and Me: Bat Week Extravaganza 

Saturday, October 26, 2024, 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. In-person location: Museum of Natural History The Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center, Ground Floor 


Classroom News and Updates, September 30th

Beginning of Year Assessments will be placed in your child's backpack this week. 



When: Thursday, October 10, 2024.

Conferences take place between 9 am-4 pm.

Ms. Watson's Sign Up Link- Parent-Teacher Conference-Watson .


  Students will engage in activities each week to learn more and celebrate kindness and unity.  Among 

   these activities we will have a visit from the MPD side by side band, a schoolwide lesson around 

   empathy that will include wearing mismatched shoes, kindness activities, schoolwide signing of the  

   unity pledge, launch of upstanders and more!  Wednesday, October 16th is Unity Day where we will 

   all wear orange to show solidarity. 


Sept 24 Special Delivery 1.pdf


   

Click Here: The World & Me: Bat Week Extravaganza

Join us for a special program celebrating Bat Week alongside some of our friends from the U.S. Forest Service & some of our very own arachnid scientists! Sat. Oct.26, 2024, 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. National Museum of Natural History- 10th St. & Constitution Ave. NW Ground Floor.


Author Visit and Book Purchase

A colleague in education Mrs. Rashaun Latimore has written a book, A New Word for Jas. This book will remind students how to persevere when facing challenges.  There is an opportunity to host Mrs. Latimore at John R. Francis for an author talk and reading. To support this opportunity her author fee is to purchase 30 books. A wish list has been created on Amazon. The book will come to the school. If purchasing a book, please list your student's name in the gift note section for tracking purposes. 

Amazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2LMSU4OFR5YIC?ref_=wl_share

Deadline for purchase is October 15 to ensure on-time delivery of the anticipated visit on October 21st. 


Reminders!

We will be having Fall Picture Day on Wednesday, October 2nd! Please see Fall Photos 2024 for photo flyer. Students should wear school uniforms - black or burgundy polo shirts and khaki bottoms. All photo package purchases will be hosted online. In 3-4 weeks, families will receive an email alert and photo link indicating their child's gallery images are ready for viewing. All orders will be mailed directly to residences. They will not ship to the school.


Homework is assigned on Mondays or the next school day (if Monday is a holiday). Please return homework by the following Monday. Students have one week to complete assignments. Take your time!


Classroom News and Updates, September 16th


Please visit this link to see more information about the fair, and to set up an eWallet for your child’s
purchases. We highly recommend use of the eWallet to make the book fair experience as seamless as
possible. Thank you so much for your support!


We will be having Fall Picture Day on Wednesday, October 2nd! Please see Fall Photos 2024 for photo flyer. Students should wear school uniforms - black or burgundy polo shirts and khaki bottoms.

All photo package purchases will be hosted online. In 3-4 weeks, families will receive an email alert and photo link indicating their child's gallery images are ready for viewing. All orders will be mailed directly to residences. They will not ship to the school.


Our 2024-2025 community handbook can be found here and on our school's website at swwfs.org. Important school information and expectations are found in this convenient digital book for your access.


Homework was placed in backpacks on Monday, September 16th. Students received (1) math practice worksheets and (2) a reading log. Please return homework assignments by Monday, September 23rd. 


We are still in the process of conducting our beginning of year testing. Once we complete this assessment, You will receive the testing data to help you understand your child's progress. 


The FoodPrints program integrates gardening, cooking, and nutrition education into the curriculum. This is done through standards-based lessons, cafeteria connections, and food access. Expert educators teach hands-on lessons that get students excited about growing, preparing, and enjoying fresh, local whole foods. The goal is to improve the health outcomes of children and families by bringing science, math, and social studies to life. Students will have an opportunity to participate is these fun sessions throughout the school year. Our first FoodPrints class will be on Wednesday, September 18th. You can learn more about FoodPrints at https://www.freshfarm.org/foodprints.


Classroom News and Updates, September 3rd

    Data will be shared upon grade-level completion.

iReady ELA Assessment—On September 4th, Students will complete the beginning-of-year iReady ELA assessment. This adaptive assessment identifies students' phonological awareness, vocabulary, and reading comprehension skills. 

iReady Math Assessment—Students will complete the beginning-of-year iReady math assessment on September 3rd. This adaptive assessment determines students' current understanding of Kindergarten math topics and will be used to plan and adjust instruction based on individual student's needs. 

DIBELS Assessment, ongoing throughout September—DIBELS is a quick assessment that determines students' foundational reading skills, such as phonemic awareness, alphabetic principle, accuracy, and fluency. It will take place over the next two weeks. 


    Back to School Night will be held on Tuesday, September 10th, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. We look 

    forward to seeing you!  


Your child’s regular prompt attendance at school is crucial to their success. Please send your child to school daily and ensure they are on time. A written note must be provided if your child is out for an excusable reason. A written note may be submitted via email. All written notices must be dated, include the reason for absence, and specify the dates your child was or will be out of school. Please submit documentation to the SWWFS Attendance Point of Contact, Dawn Vest (dawn.vest@k12.dc.gov) and Ms. Watson (rahshita.lowe-watson@k12.dc.gov).


The building will open at 8:30 a.m. for all students. Students will enter through the East Wing (cafe doors) at 8:30 a.m. and proceed to the cafeteria (assigned seating). Breakfast will be consumed from 8:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. In-seat attendance and instruction start promptly at 8:45 a.m. Students are dismissed at 3:15 p.m. 


Kindergarten students will depart at the main entrance at 3:15 p.m. Please note that repeated late student pick-ups will be referred to school leadership.



Pre-K—5th graders should wear a black polo shirt, khaki bottoms (e.g., pants, skirts, shorts), khaki jumper dresses, and closed-toe shoes. Children should always wear closed-toe dress shoes or sneakers for safety, and sneakers should be worn on Physical Education days. Our Physical Education days this semester are Monday and Tuesday each week.


Please visit our school's website, www.swwfs.org, under the "For Parents" tab, for Wonder's before and after-care services. Care programming includes supervised activities, instructional homework help, arts and crafts, and tons of other fun and play opportunities. Program Director: Stephanie Dyson Phone: (240) 274-0508 Email: johnfrancis@wonderslearning.org  


    Our classroom newsletter will be sent bi-weekly. The newsletter will include learning goals, curriculum  

    information, online learning details, our class schedule, classroom activities, updates, reminders, upcoming 

    dates, field trip information, pictures of your child engaged in school lessons, and more. Please complete the 

    Picture and Video Permission Form you have received or will receive. Our newsletter will be shared on 

    Monday unless it falls on a holiday or a no-school day, in which case it will be shared on the next business  

    day.


Homework will begin the week of September 16th. Students will receive (1) math practice and (2) a reading log. Homework will be sent home on Monday. Please return homework assignments by the following Monday. If Monday is a Non-School Day, homework will be sent on the next school day. Homework aims to review, reinforce, and practice skills presented in class. It helps children learn self-discipline and allows them to take responsibility for their learning. Homework allows you to see what is being learned in school. 


Each child will be responsible for a Take-Home Folder.  This folder will include items such as homework, assessments, school notices, and important reminders. Please be sure to go through your child’s Take-Home Folder every day after school and return it with any required forms or notices as soon as possible.


Please consider joining the Home and School Association (HSA) and participating in school-wide functions sponsored by our parent/family board and faculty. Daaiyah Bilal-Threats, HSA President, will provide additional information regarding parent involvement and other community supports during our Back to School Night on September 10th. You can find more information about the HSA at www.swwfs.org or by clicking here.



SWWFS was identified as a Title I school and confirmed that all students would receive FREE breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks. Please note: Kindergarten students eat breakfast and lunch in the cafeteria, not our classroom. 


    Birthdays and holidays will be celebrated in our class. If you would like to bring in treats for the   

    class, they will be welcomed and enjoyed in the afternoon. For planning purposes, please let me   

    know if you are bringing treats at least two days in advance. To ensure the safety of the children,  

    please be mindful of students with allergies and/or dietary restrictions and consider healthy   

    treats. 


    Here at SWWFS, we strive to promote academic excellence as well as stellar behavior.  School   

    rules include the 5 R’s, which will be reiterated to students daily.  Please talk with your child   

    about our school’s expectations.

5 R’s:

1.     Respect for Self.

2. Respect for Others.

3. Respect for Property.

4. Respect the Rights of Others to Learn.

5. Respect for Racial Differences.

We also live by the 7 Habits of Happy Kids

*Habit 1, Be Proactive – (You’re in Charge of Your Actions, Attitudes, and Moods)

*Habit 2, Begin with the End in Mind – (Have a Plan and Set Goals)

*Habit 3, Put First Things First – (Work First, Then Play)

*Habit 4, Think Win-Win – (It’s Not Just About You, Everyone Can Win)

*Habit 5, Seek First to Understand, then to be Understood – (Listen Before You Talk)

*Habit 6, Synergize – (Working Together is Better)

*Habit 7, Sharpen the Saw – (Balance Feels Best)


Field Trips:


If you are interested in supporting our class through volunteering or field trip chaperoning this school year, please complete the requirements. Please complete the Volunteer Fingerprinting Application.