Principal's Message: Celebrating Diversity at FHES

On Friday we will celebrate our annual International Day!  Participating students will parade around the soccer field for the school to enjoy.  There will also be a food sampling option during lunch for students.  Check out last year's blog post about the event here!  Thank you to FHES PTA coordinator Yelena Peden for her coordination efforts.  Every day I have the pleasure to be part of the microcosm that is FHES.  Our community represents the real world and seeing our students embracing one another by demonstrating acceptance, understanding, collaboration, and kindness warms my heart.  Here's to another memorable International Day!  One love.

In an article published by The Connection Newspapers in 2012, I spoke about the positive impact of our rich diversity.  Check the article out here! Scroll down a little to see my particular contribution.  

Purple Up Day is Wednesday!

A message from our coordinator and 1st grade teacher Mrs. Jackson: This tradition began in the early 1980's with then Secretary of State Casper Weinberger.  Purple is the color that symbolizes all branches of the military as it is a combination of green (Army), blue (Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy) and red (Marine Corps).  As you know, our FHES military children face many challenges that are unique to their family situation, such as having a parent deployed for extended periods of time and moving frequently.   To recognize and support our military children, certificates will be presented to them.  We are encouraging all teachers, staff and students to wear something purple on April 11th in observance of Purple Up For Military Kids Day!  It would be great if we could have a sea of purple all across our school on April 11th as a tangible salute to these remarkable kids!

Announcements & Reminders

• End of the 3rd quarter - 2 hour early release for students on Friday and no school for students Monday, April 16th.
• Variety Show is Wednesday afternoon!  We can only accommodate families of the participants because it is a school-wide assembly (space limitations).  We will be tweeting and blogging though!  
• International Day is Friday morning!  Look for a flyer to come home with your child.  There will be a parade and food sampling to celebrate our diversity!
• Ice Skate Night! Saturday – Skatequest, Reston 6:10-8:00 PM
• Update - Vienna ES Boundary Study / Possible Impact on FHES: There will be no adjustment made for the 2018-19 school year.  
• Picture Day reschedule (again!) to Wednesday, May 2nd!
• Additional Book Fair info (flyer)
• Parent Coffee - Learn about affordable summer camps and programs!  April 17, 9:30 AM. 
• SACC Flyer 
• Kindergarten Orientation for parents and students (incoming K for the 2018-19 school year) will be Monday, April 16th from 9:00-10:00.  
• Advanced Academic Orientation (AAP) will be Thursday, April 26th from 8:00-9:00 AM.  This orientation is very important for newly eligible level IV students currently in 2nd grade.  
• The book fair is coming! It runs from April 9-April 13.  Proceeds go towards growing many different genre areas in the library.  The first time for purchases will be at Family Night on Tuesday, April 10th from 5:30-8:00 pm. After that, we’ll be open for sales from 8:50-4:10 on Wednesday; 7:45-4:10 on Thursday; and 8:50-2:10 on Friday.  We’ll send a letter and flyer home in folders  on Tuesday, April 3rd. 
• Registration is open for Creative Writing Summer Camp
• Particpa will start on 4/26 at the Tysons Regional Library
• SOL Testing Schedule: Grades 3-6
• Camp Invention this summer at Spring Hill ES - find out more here!
• PTA: Mother’s Day 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run! Sponsorship Opportunities
• Testing Information for Parents/Guardians
• Box Tops for Education – Support FHES!
• Follow us and many other staff members on Twitter!  https://twitter.com/FreedomHillES
• School website - https://freedomhilles.fcps.edu       

Staff Birthdays!

Tuesday - Tina Tingler, Special Education teacher Thursday - Lindsay Simmons, GMU teacher intern Saturday, Sandra Owusu - Special Education assistant

Photo of the Week!

1945 Lord Fairfax Rd, Vienna, VA 22182 | Main Phone: 703.506.7800
Attendance: 703.506.7878 | Website | Twitter