Franconia students and their families cleaning up after this year's Marine Corps Marathon.  Oorah!

Impact Aid Forms - UPDATE

Forms Due Back to School ASAP

Impact Aid programs and grants are designed to assist local school districts that enroll federally connected students.

FCPS uses the Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid to identify federally connected students and to support our request for Impact Aid resources.

Forms can still be turned into the office.  Even if you are not military-connected you MUST still fill out the form and turn it in.

Click here for further information about the Impact Aid Program.

Picture Re-take Day - 11/1

On Thursday, 11/1/18, Scherling Photography will return to Franconia for Picture Re-take Day.

Students who missed the picture day in September, as well as students who are new to the school since then, will have their picture taken.  Any student wishing to have their September picture re-taken can have that done on 11/1 as well.  They will need to bring their original picture package to give to the photographer.  Picture packages will be sent to Franconia a few weeks after 11/1.

Students who will be getting their picture taken for the first time have been sent home with an order envelope.  This will need to be turned in when their picture is taken.  Cash or checks are accepted.  No credit cards or online ordering is available.

These pictures will be the student pictures in the yearbook.

Contact Melissa Anderson, in the school office, with questions at maanderson1@fcps.edu.

SCA Report by Tavia Schleich

Today's report is about what has and is going to be happening.  First, we raised $450 from the Marine Marathon Mile Clean-up.  Thank you to everyone who came out and helped clean the trash up!

Next, the SCA store will be opening on Tuesday, November 13.  Come and look at all of the new things we have for this year!

Also, the food drive to benefit the Capital Area Food Bank, starts on November 8 and ends on November 16.  We are asking Franconia Mustangs to bring in donations of non-perishable food items.  We will donate the profits from the first two days the SCA store is open as well.

Thank you so much for reading this and I hope that you tune in next time!

Yearbook Cover Design Contest ***Extended deadline Entries are now due by Friday, November 9.

Our new Assistant Principal, Leeanne Pinski, reading with a 3rd grader.

Thanksgiving Open House & Luncheon

Monday, November 12

The annual Thanksgiving Open House and Luncheon will take place on Monday, November 12.  This is a time for families to come up to the school and have a special lunch with their children.

• Tickets will only be sold at the door on the day of the event.
• Tickets: Adults-$4.50 and Children (up to age 18)-$3.25
• Cash or checks (made payable to Franconia ES) will be accepted.

Franconia students may use their meal account to purchase the Thanksgiving meal.  For Franconia students not using their meal account, a child's ticket must be purchased.  Franconia students not purchasing the lunch at all will need to bring in a lunch from home.

All adults and visiting children must purchase a ticket at the door.  Only Franconia students can use their meal account to purchase a Thanksgiving lunch.

Franconia students who qualify for free meals will receive the Thanksgiving lunch for free.

Contact the office at 703-822-2200 with questions about the event.

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VOLUNTEERS ARE GREATLY NEEDED for the Thanksgiving Luncheon!

There are many areas in which to help: ticket table, in the kitchen, in the cafeteria, and in the gym.  Please consider helping for an hour or two in order to make this annual event a success!

Here is the link to sign-up to volunteer: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b084fa5ad2da5fd0-franconia1

(Be sure to check the schedule below for your child's or children's open house and lunch times so you don't sign-up to volunteer during one of them.)

Contact Theresa Fuller at Theresa.c.fuller@gmail.com with questions about volunteering.

PTA MEETING Tuesday, November 13th 7pm Library

PTA Restaurant Night

Silver Diner - Wednesday, November 14th

On Wednesday, November 14th, the PTA is hosting a restaurant night at the Silver Diner by the Springfield Towne Center from pm-pm.  Our school receives a percentage of the proceeds sold during that time period.

Family Life Education Materials Preview Night

Wednesday, November 14, 2018
at 7:00pm in the Bush Hill ES Library

Parents of 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students are invited to attend a material preview night at Bush Hill Elementary School to learn about the Human Growth and Development curriculum.  We will be teaching Human Growth and Development Lessons at Franconia in 4th, 5th, and 6th grade classrooms during the month of January. This meeting is an opportunity to preview the materials we will be using.  We look forward to seeing you there.

The school is located at:
5927 Westchester Ave
Alexandria, VA  22310

Please RSVP by calling 703-924-5600.

NOMINATE A FRANCONIA EMPLOYEE!

Nominations now open for the Outstanding Employee Awards

To submit a nomination for a Franconia Elementary School Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through this Google form link: https://goo.gl/forms/CVpkKwtVLZV4YJfw1.

You may nominate an employee in one or more categories.  All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category.  The google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards and the eligibility requirements are below.

Outstanding Teacher

• Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher; librarians are included in this category

Outstanding New Teacher

• Eligibility: Within their first three years of being a teacher; librarians are included in this category

Outstanding New Principal

• Eligibility: Within their first three years of being a building principal

Outstanding Leader

• Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as a Schedule-B or Schedule-C employee
• Common positions in this category: School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Assistant and Associate Principals, DSA, DSS, Assessment Coach, Career Center Specialist, Instructional Coach, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Resource Teachers that serve in an administrative role in a school

Outstanding Operational Employee

• Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee
• Common positions in this category: administrative and office assistants, custodial staff, food service staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, all parent liaisons

Outstanding Hourly Employee

• Eligibility: At least one year experience in current hourly position
• Examples of possible hourly positions: hourly office staff, hourly program assistants, other unique hourly positions as designated per school

Note: The deadline to submit a nomination is November 26, 2018.

If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Galvan at mgalvan@fcps.edu.

Mustang Wall of Fame

This Month's Wall of Fame Students*

Each month, 1 student from each grade is RANDOMLY selected to be part of the Wall of Fame.  Next time you visit the office, take a look at the Wall of Fame pictures!

We ask each Wall of Fame student 3 questions:

• What is your favorite school subject?
• What is your favorite activity outside of school?
• Why do you love being a Franconia Mustang?

Here’s what they had to say:
Kindergarten – Hana K.
  • Reading station, math station, & art
  • Kumon and exploring nature
  • It's the greatest school and I love my teachers and friends

1st grade – Asif K.

2nd grade – Analise P.

3rd grade – Kantaro H.
  • Math
  • Tag
  • Because everyone is gentle

4th grade – Valerie W.
  • Art
  • Play with my neighbors
  • Because I get to trot with pride just because I'm a Mustang

5th grade – Bao N.
  • Math
  • Basketball
  • Because Franconia is really nice

6th grade – Tsione K.

  • Math
  • Soccer
  • Because it's fun and creative

*Students are randomly selected to have their picture displayed in the office for a month.

Notes from the School Counselor

Hello Parents,

In the month of October, our school reflected on the character trait, "kindness" - being friendly, considerate, and willing to help others.  Students had the opportunity to vote for students in their class that demonstrated kindness.  The names of those students who were nominated are:

Kindergarten - Jacey, Jason, Seth, Autumn
First Grade - Natalie, Sunidhi, Ally
Second Grade - Jack, Shantany, Hailey
Third Grade - James, Lewis, Kayley, Aluko, Cameron
Fourth Grade - Campbell, Sol
Fifth Grade - Camryn, Jessica, Johnson
Sixth Grade - Nick, Nancy, Christopher

The next character trait we will focus on will be, "gratitude" - showing thankfulness and appreciation.

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Furthermore, I wanted to share with you our upcoming classroom guidance topics which includes:

Kindergarten - Book Discussion: Don't Squeal Unless it’s a Big Deal.  We will discuss the difference between tattling vs. telling

First Grade - We will begin using the curriculum: Incredible Flexible You, Book Discussion: Thinking Thoughts and Feeling Feelings, which helps students to identify his or her own thoughts and feelings and learning how to consider other thoughts and feelings (empathy).

Second Grade - "All About Me" - We will process questions such as, what is a career, what are you interested in, etc.?  We will use MYON to research books about his or her career interest.

Third Grade - Students will use Virginia Career View to complete an interest inventory which helps students to identify their strengths and interest. Based on the interest inventory, a list of careers will become available for students to research according to his or her interest. 

Fourth-Sixth Grade - Students will be able to identify what is a career and what is a career cluster and pathway.  Students will access Virginia Career View to complete an interest inventory.  After the interest inventory is complete, a list of career clusters and pathways will be researched according to their interest.

For further questions and concerns or for individual student referrals, please contact Veronica Guillion, School Counselor, 703-822-2256.

FCPS Parent Resource Center

Learn More About This FREE Resource for Parents

The Resource Center provides resources, information, and consultations to support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities.

Free Workshops and Consultations

Attend our research-based, professional workshops to learn the latest information to help your child succeed.  We offer supportive and confidential consultations to answer questions, find resources and discuss concerns you may have about your child.  Register for workshops at https:/www.fcps.edu/node/28279.

November’s workshops:

Introduction to Special Education

• Join us for this important workshop for parents NEW to special education.
• Friday, November 2, 2018, 10 a.m.-noon

Collaborative IEP Meetings: Parents as Partners

• Join us for this important workshop for parents of children receiving special education services.
• Friday, November 9, 2018, 10 a.m.-noon

Jack's Brain, Jill's Brain: Gender Differences and Why They Matter

• This workshop will highlight the rapidly emerging research on how the brains of females and males are developmentally, structurally and functionally different.
• Friday, November 16, 2018, 10 a.m.-noon

Dyslexia Open House

• Join the FCPS Office of Special Education Instruction and the Parent Resource Center for the 4th annual open house.
• Thursday, November 29, 2018, 10 a.m.-noon

The IEP Transition Plan: Postsecondary Planning in Middle and High School

• Join FCPS Career and Transition Services (CTS) to learn the importance of the IEP Transition Plan for effective postsecondary planning in the middle and high school.  This workshop will be held at VA Hills Administrative Center
• Friday, November 30, 2018, 10 a.m.-noon

Portrait of an ADHD Graduate: Harnessing ADHD Superpowers

• Learn the 21st century skills needed to be successful in the workforce of the future and how your child’s ADHD superpowers will help them succeed.
• Friday, November 30, 2018, 10 a.m.-noon

Lending Library

Thousands of books, DVDs and CDs on a wide variety of topics.  Check out up to 6 items and keep them for 3 weeks.  Call us and we can have library materials ready for you to pick up!  Search for a book, DVD, or CD on the FCPS website.  Search ~ Parent Resource Center library.

Tutor Lists, Resource Guides and Special Needs Summer Camps

Call our office to get the most up to date information to support students and their families.

News You Choose

Sign up for News You Choose to receive monthly emails about upcoming events.  Visit the FCPS website, search Parent Resource Center and scroll to the bottom to sign up.

Dunn Loring Center for Parent Services
2334 Gallows Road, Entrance 1 - Room 105
Dunn Loring, VA  22027
Email: prc@fcps.edu or call 703-204-3941
Monday - Friday, 8am-4pm
www.fcps.edu - search Parent Resource Center

The FCPS Cares Program

Nominate a FCPS employee for recognition

FCPS Cares is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care.  We invite you to submit your story so we can all acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees.

Please visit the FCPS Cares web page.

Mustang Events:

WEEK OF 10/29

• 10/31: PTA Read-a-thon fundraiser begins
• 11/1: Make-up Picture Day
• 11/2: 1st quarter grading period ends

WEEK OF 11/5

• 11/5: NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS/STAFF WORK DAY
• 11/6: NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS/STAFF WORK DAY
• 11/9: Safety Patrol meeting for officers only (9:00-9:30am on stage)

WEEK OF 11/12

      • 11/12: Thanksgiving Open House and Luncheon

      • 11/13: PTA meeting (7pm in library)

      • 11/14: First quarter progress reports go home

      • 11/14: PTA Restaurant Night at Silver Diner

      • 11/14: SCA meeting (8:45-9:15am in cafeteria)

      • 11/14: FLE preview for grades 4-6 (7:00-8:00pm at Clermont ES)

      • 11/15: 4th grade field trip to Jamestown

      • 11/17: PTA Family Fun Run

WEEK OF 11/9

     • 11/20: Career Week Dress-up Day

     • 11/21-11/23: THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY – NO SCHOOL

Mustang Mainstays

Click on a link for information

Franconia Elementary School website

• Attendance
• Health Room
• Parent Resources (registration, SIS Parent Vue/Blackboard 24/7, Cafeteria, and BYOD)
• Safety
• Transportation
• PTA
• Inclement Weather
• Blackboard 24/7 and SIS Parent Vue
• School Menus
• 2017-2018 School Calendar
• FCPS Main Website

6301 Beulah Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22310 | Office: 703-822-2200

Attendance: 703-822-2222 |  | Web | Twitter