Karen Corbett Sanders's Newsletter
Dear Families,
I want to welcome you again to the 2017-2018 school year! This is such an exciting time for your child as well as our FCPS teachers and staff. Our teachers and staff have put forth countless hours in preparation for this school year, and I am happy to report that we have had a successful start to this exciting new year.
As we begin a new school year, I am reminded of the importance of parent involvement in the education of our children. It is a crucial part of student achievement and success. This year, please consider volunteering your time in the classroom or during a school activity. When we work together as a community, our children succeed.
As your Mount Vernon District School Board Member, I look forward to serving you and your children during this exciting year. Below
you will find information about some new programs in our schools in addition to a
few events that are happening in our schools. I wish everyone
a successful and fruitful 2017-2018 school year!
Universal screening in reading and math is providing FCPS with information about strengths and needs in students’ foundational skills, or the building blocks for reading and math success. Gaps in foundational skills are the root of many later learning difficulties; early detection and intervention in these gaps can help students reach their potential.
Basics about the Universal Screener
The universal screener provides an initial view of all students’ foundational skills to help teachers identify students who may have challenges in reading or mathematics.
The reading assessment evaluates each student’s skills in five areas:
- phonological awareness
- phonics
- high frequency words
- vocabulary
- comprehension
The math assessment evaluates each student’s skills in four areas:
- number and operations
- algebra and algebraic thinking
- measurement and data
- geometry
All students from kindergarten through sixth grades are assessed three times a year in fall, winter, and spring. In addition, students may participate in shorter assessments monthly to monitor their growth. These assessments are online and adaptive, meaning that the difficulty of the items adjust depending upon each student’s performance.
The universal screener was successfully piloted in 2016/2017 prior to division-wide roll out.
To learn more about universal screener and to watch the video, click HERE.
The School Board is accepting applications for the Student Leadership Development Program, open to any high school sophomore or junior in good academic standing. The program is for students interested in a future in law, government or public policy. Twelve students will be chosen to work closely with the School Board to how FCPS is governed and will give the students opportunities to participate on various advisory committees to the School Board, and even to seek election as the student representative on the School Board.
The Student Leaders attend and participate in:
• Group orientation (December 2017)
• School Board forum work session (January 2018)
• Mock Forum (March 2018)
• Mock Work Session (May 2018)
• Program Completion Ceremony (June 2018)
Students should submit the brief application and one-page statement of interest to their principals by October 16, 2017. Principals will submit applications to the School Board Office by October 27, 2017. Each School Board member will select one student from their magisterial district, and the at-large members will select one student from all the applications received. The selected student leaders and remaining applicants will be notified by email in late November.
For questions, please contact Barb Gibbs in the School Board Office at: bkgibbs@fcps.edu, or at 571-423-1063..
The program
information and application can be found on our website.
Support the South County Marching
Stallions on Saturday, September 30, 2017 at 7:00 pm for “The Twilight Rock n
Run 5K, 1 Mile Glow Walk and Kids Fun Run.” This is a family-oriented evening
run with music to benefit the South County High School Band.
All events begin on South County
High School’s campus and will end in the school’s stadium. The 5K race is on a
paved, mostly flat course that goes past Laurel Hill Golf Club and South County
Middle School. The overall top male and female, as well as the top 3 runners in
5 age categories and fastest team will receive awards!
To register go to: www.schsbands.org.
Parents are essential partners in the IEP process. Join us for this important
workshop to learn
strategies to support your role in your child's IEP meetings.
Highlights will include the IEP process and it's components; your role in the
IEP meeting; responsibilities of the IEP team members and planning for your
child's IEP meeting. Register now!
Friday, October 13, 2017
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Dunn Loring Center for Parent Services
2334 Gallows Road
Entrance 1 - Room 100
Dunn Loring, VA (map)
Don't miss this free Resource Fair for students with disabilities and
their parents!
Learn about vocational, residential, leisure, recreational, independent living
and advocacy options. This Resource Fair is for all individuals requiring
ongoing employment and community support services after graduation. Register now!
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
6:30 - 8:45 p.m.
Lake Braddock Secondary School
9200 Burke Lake Road
Entrance 14 or 15
Burke, VA (map)
Children
with ADHD often struggle in social situations and have difficulty with peer
relationships. Many parents feel frustrated not knowing how to help their
children make the friends they so strongly desire. Join Cathi Cohen, Licensed
Clinical Social Worker, Certified Group Psychotherapist, author and expert in
the field of social skills training for children to learn strategies to help
support your child. Register now!
Friday, October 20, 2017
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Dunn Loring Center for Parent Services
2334 Gallows Road
Entrance 1 - Room 100
Dunn Loring, VA (map)
Join staff from FCPS Career and Transition Services to learn about
disclosure, accessing accommodations, and disability support services as you
plan postsecondary education for your child with special needs. Register now!
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
9 - 10:30 a.m.
Dunn Loring Center for Parent Services
2334 Gallows Road
Entrance 1 - Room 100
Dunn Loring, VA (map)
Celebrate the launch of the NEW FCPS Online Dyslexia
Handbook, visit exhibit tables, check out NEW resources in the Parent
Resource Center library and more!
Registration opens soon.
Friday,
October 27, 2017
Dunn
Loring Center for Parent Services
2334 Gallows Road
Dunn Loring, VA (map)
October 9 - Columbus Day - Student Holiday
October 11 - PSAT Testing - All High Schools
The next School Board Meeting will be held on October 12, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at Jackson Middle School. Information about upcoming meetings and agendas can be found here.
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