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I hope this newsletter finds you well and remembering a wonderful Thanksgiving and restful break. I want to thank all those who are supporting the PTA Read-A-Thon that ends today. We had a great kick-off event with a very nice turn out; and most of all, fun was had by all! Please click on the picture below to see some of the fun.
 PTA is hosting another great event tonight - their 3rd Annual Holiday Bazaar. Please come by between 5:30 to 9:00 for some holiday shopping. All the support you give to our PTA benefits your children by providing educational author visits, subsidizing field trip costs, offering after school programs, and so much more. Please visit the PTA webpage to learn more.
Now that the cold weather is upon us, please send your children to school with appropriate clothing so they can enjoy outside recess. We try to get outside as much as possible as children need the fresh air. Remember to put your child's name on coats, hats, gloves, etc. so misplaced items can be returned to the correct child. Our Lost and Found continues to grow so please check it if your child is missing something. Cold weather also increases traffic at our Kiss and Ride. Remember, children that are not in the classroom by 8:45 are considered tardy and remember it is illegal to block the crosswalk at any time.
This week, we revisited the #OtherPeopleMatter mindset with a focus on how our actions and words impact others. This means that everything we do, say, text, tweet, snap, or post can positively or negatively impact other people. This is huge as we are seeing out-of-school technology use impacting our school day. It is important that parents monitor what children are doing online and with their phones. If your child has a phone, iPad or other device, you should think about taking it away from them in the evening. Staying up late at night to play Fortnight or other video games or sending texts in the middle of the night are not positive for anyone. Back in the day, TV stations used to run a public service message that said, "It is 10:00, do you know where your children are?" Unfortunately, just because your child is at home at night, this does not mean they are doing things that would meet your approval or are safe. Please continue to have conversations with your children about responsible use of technology. We have been teaching Digital Citizenship at school; your support of responsible use at home is also important. The Positivity Project message is needed now more than ever as children are constantly exposed to a society where negativity is everywhere.
Thank you to the Watch D.O.G.S. that came in and volunteered with us last week and this week. Thank you Mr. Harvey, Mr. Hallatt, Mr. Tobin, Mr. Brosnan, Mr. Bruchey, Mr. Parrott, Mr. Curzio, Mr. Wickman, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. McCoy, Mr. van de Graff, Mr. Lyons, Mr. Divack and Mr. Martin. Remember, if you plan to come in as a Watch D.O.G., you must wear the Watch D.O.G.S. shirt so students and staff know you are a Watch D.O.G. If you need help ordering a shirt or have any other Watch D.O.G. questions, please contact Megan Bennett in our front office. Click on the picture below to see some of the D.O.G.S. from the past two weeks. It goes without saying, our students LOVE our Watch D.O.G.S.
 Click on the photo below to see more from the last two weeks including nutrition facts from P.E., FF4aCause at the Drumstick Dash, chorus and band rehearsals, and prepping for Battle of the Books.
 Hope to see many of you at the PTA Holiday Bazaar tonight.
Have a great weekend,
Kathy
Advanced Academic Programs Level IV Referral Deadline
The deadline for submitting an AAP Level IV referral is January 10, 2019. Exceptions to the deadline are not made so if you are considering referring your child for Level IV placement, you should not wait for ability test scores to come in because of the tight timeline. To learn more, plan to attend the Level IV Advanced Academics parent meeting on Tuesday, December 4, at 6:00 PM. Additional information can also be found on the Advanced Academic Programs website under Full-Time Level IV Services and Screening Procedures. Please contact the office if you have any questions.
e-Notify Emergency Messages Will Be Communicated via New Vendor Beginning December 14
Fairfax County Public Schools will be moving to a new vendor to provide emergency and essential email, text, and phone notifications beginning December 14, 2018.
Parents and guardians who have included a cell phone number (in the cell phone field) on a student’s emergency care card will receive a text message on December 14 to confirm the account is set up to receive text messages from FCPS. You do not need to do anything when you receive the text message from the new vendor, School Messenger, on December 14. If you do not receive a text message, please check the contact information listed on your child’s emergency care card in weCare. Your cell phone number must be listed in the cellphone field in order to receive text messages from FCPS.
New this year, parents can enter their student’s cell phone number in weCare so that their student will also receive text messages for delayed openings, school closings, and late bus notifications. The student’s cell phone number will need to be entered in Section 4, under Additional Information. If the student’s cell phone is listed in weCare, they will also receive the text message on December 14.
If you currently receive emergency and essential communications via email, text, or phone, you do not need to do anything as you will continue to receive this information.
Emergency and essential information includes: emergencies; delayed openings/school closings; attendance; early release; buses running late; low lunch balance; power, telephone, internet outages or facility repairs, back to school information, and important testing dates.
If you have recently changed your contact information, please be sure to update the emergency contact information in weCare.
As a reminder, in addition to email and text messages, all FCPS weather delays and openings are also posted on Twitter, Facebook, FCPS website, school websites, and local radio and television broadcasts.
Read more about Weather Cancellation Procedures.
Calendar Reminder: Students Dismissed Three Hours Early on December 14
Students will be dismissed from school three hours early on December 14 for a school planning day. Classes will resume on Monday, December 17. See the complete 2018-19 school year calendar.
In Case You Missed It: 2019-20 School Year Calendar Announced
In case you missed the announcement over the summer, the School Board adopted the calendar for the 2019-20 school year. The first day of school will be Monday, August 26, 2019, and the last day will be Friday, June 12, 2020. Notable dates include a three-day break for Thanksgiving (November 27-29, 2019) a two-week winter break (December 23, 2019 to January 3, 2020) and a one-week spring break (April 6-10, 2020). See the complete 2019-20 school year calendar.
From the Healthy Minds Blog: Things to Consider When Getting a New Phone, Computer, or Gaming Device for Your Child
The holiday season is upon us, and many look forward to this time of the year—visits with family and friends, a festive atmosphere around town, and gift-giving to celebrate the season. Often, parents see this as a great time to buy their child a new phone, computer, or gaming device as a gift. A little planning ahead of time can go a long way toward ensuring that new device provides enjoyment for your child and minimal stress for parents and caregivers.
Some questions you might want to ask include: Are there parental controls and how do they work? Will this device be allowed in my child's bedroom? What sort of time limits should I set? Should we agree on consequences for misuse ahead of time? Are there times when a device will not be allowed?
FCPS has resources to help you think about devices with health and safety in mind.
Note: The Healthy Minds blog is for parents, educators, and community-based providers who are interested in supporting student mental health and wellness. It represents a collaboration between FCPS’ Office of Intervention and Prevention Services and the Fairfax County Government.
Upcoming Events
Friday, November 30 - PTA Holiday Bazaar - 5:30 - 9:00 PM
Monday, December 3 - PTA Sponsored Author Visit for K & 1st - Laura Murray
Family Fitness for a Cause - 4:00 - 5:00 PM
Tuesday, December 4 - Level IV Parent Information Night - 6:00 PM
PTA Meeting - 7:00 PM
Wednesday, December 5 - Chorus and Advanced Band Concert - 7:00 PM
Friday, December 7 - 4th Grade Colonial Day
Monday, December 10 - Family Fitness for a Cause - 4:00 - 5:00 PM
Thursday, December 13 - 5th Grade Battle of the Books - 2:00 PM
Friday, December 14 - Students Dismissed at 12:30 (3-hours early dismissal)
Monday, December 17 - Family Fitness for a Cause - 4:00 - 5:00 PM
December 24 - January 4 - Winter Break - classes resume Monday, Jan. 7
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