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Spring Hill Families,
It has been another terrific week here at Spring Hill. We were honored to welcome FCPS Superintendent, Dr. Scott Brabrand, last Friday. We highlighted our accomplishments and he was able to visit several of our classrooms. You can read more about Dr. Brabrand's visit below.
I am pleased to welcome Ms. Denise Barber to our office
staff. She will begin on Monday, September 24th. Please
come by and say hello!
Be on the lookout for the return of our bi-weekly Panther Press newsletters starting in October. You can also keep track of important dates and announcements at our school's website: https://springhilles.fcps.edu.
I'm looking forward to seeing many of you at tomorrow morning's PTO meeting in the large pod.
Sincerely,
Sarah Aiello
Proud Principal
Spring Hill Elementary School
Start of Year Forms
If you have not done so already, please be sure to turn in any outstanding forms from the start of the school year. This includes Emergency Care forms and SR&R signature pages. The SR&R pages are due by September 27.
Picture Day
Fall photos will be taken next week on Tuesday, September 25 in the gymnasium.
Ability Testing (CogAT/NNAT)
In the fall, the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT) is administered to all FCPS first grade students and the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT-Custom Form) is administered to all FCPS second grade students. These test scores are used for a variety of instructional purposes, including AAP placement.
During the fall testing cycle, the NNAT and/or Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) may be administered to students in Grades 3-6 who do not have an ability test score. The CogAT will be given at Spring Hill during the week of October 1st. NNAT testing is scheduled for the week of November 12th.
Parents or guardians may exercise a one-time retest option during the fall testing cycle. Please contact the school's lead testing coordinator, Amy Briggs (arbriggs@fcps.edu) or our Advanced Academics Resource Teacher, Danni James (dfjames@fcps.edu), no later than September 24, 2018 to request a one-time retest for either the NNAT or CogAT.
Lockdown Drill
All FCPS schools have crisis management and emergency preparedness plans in place. These plans are designed with the help of our school system’s security planning staff, local law enforcement, and emergency management officials. Plans are regularly reviewed and updated. The plans include procedures to respond to critical natural incidents like fires and tornadoes; we practice these drills regularly throughout the course of the school year.
In addition to fire and tornado drills, we practice lock-down drills. A lock-down is a well-established procedure designed to protect students and staff members in a case in which there might be threats of violence within a school. During a lock-down, students remain in their classrooms or are escorted to classrooms if they are in the halls, and all interior and exterior doors are closed and locked. Once the facility is rendered safe and students are accounted for, the school is returned to normal operation.
While we have no reason to believe that any threat of violence will arise, it is always best to be prepared. It is important for students and staff members to thoroughly know and practice procedures so that we can effectively implement a lock-down in the event one becomes necessary. Training drills help ensure a calmer, more effective lock-down should one occur. We will conduct our second lockdown drill of the year tomorrow, September 21, 2018.
Dr. Brabrand's Visit
Dr. Brabrand had a terrific visit to Spring Hill where he got to meet with staff and students and spend time in several of the classrooms. During his time here he got to participate in a library "breakout," practice the violin, read and write with small groups, trade glasses with a student for a new perspective, and sharpen his ping-pong skills. We were honored to welcome him and share all of the exciting activities that happen at Spring Hill every day. Check out the slideshow on our website for pictures from the visit.
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