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Happy Friday of a full week of school! Daylight Savings Time begins early Sunday morning so don't forget to set your clocks ahead 1 hour before you go to bed Saturday night. I hope the time change and the later daylight means we are finished with snow closings and delays. A person can hope :). Remember, there is a pre-scheduled 3-hour early dismissal on Monday, March 11, for county-wide staff development.
The WTOP Click for Kids Contest started this week and runs through Wednesday, March 13. Please vote for Union Mill each and every day and have your friends and family support us as well. If we are lucky enough to win any money from this challenge, it will be designated towards building a track on our field. To vote, go to https://wtop.com/2019-click-kids-voting/, enter Fairfax and Union Mill Elementary. Please vote!!!
We certainly enjoyed our first grade performances of the Three Piggy Opera last week and Monday of this week. I know the songs have been ringing in my head and the vision of our piggies and wolves have kept me smiling for many days. Click on the picture below to see photos from Ms. Zeidman's performance.
 Click on the picture below to see photos from Mrs. Toth's class.
 Thank you to the Watch D.O.G.S. that came in to volunteer this week. Thanks go out to Mr. Velt, Mr. Fincher, Mr. Milla, Mr. Palacios, Mr. Vickers, Mr. Resnick, Mr. Nishanian, Mr. Sayen, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Bruchey, and Mr. Byrne. All of our slots for Watch D.O.G.S. have been filled for this year. If you have participated in our Watch D.O.G.S. program this year, please mark Monday, June 10, for our end-of-year Watch D.O.G.S. picnic. More details to follow later this year.
 Click on the photo below to see more pictures from this week including Read Across America activities.
 Hope you have a great weekend and don't forget to turn those clocks Saturday before you go to bed.
Warm regards,
Kathy
Important Information from FCPS on Social Media Safety
In Fairfax County schools, county agencies and families are working together to create an environment where children and youth can safely learn, work, and play. Similar to our message containing information about the 13 Reasons Why NETFLIX program and the Blue Whale Challenge, we are sending this communication to alert you to a recent rise in new games and social media challenges that encourage young people to participate in harmful behavior.
One example of this is a potentially harmful game called the “Momo Challenge" that has reportedly been posted on different social media platforms to include WhatsApp and assigns players a series of progressively more intense tasks, to include self-harm. It is important to note that the Momo Challenge is a hoax that has received a significant amount of media attention.
This hoax has been seen across the United States in recent months, targeting primarily elementary aged children. Vigilant parents and guardians in Fairfax County have also reported seeing information about the Momo Challenge or similar games on their children's phones and have alerted school authorities. Please talk to your child about this type of internet hoax, and check his or her phone or other device for signs of an app or communications with anyone telling them to do specific tasks. This provides an excellent opportunity to remind your child of best practices for internet safety and digital citizenship:
--Remind your child information shared on social media is not always true and how quickly misinformation can create a panic online.
--Children should never engage in conversations with strangers online.
--Be aware of the sites and apps your children are using and know their usernames and passwords.
--Turn off suggested autoplay on videos to stop children from viewing content they have not selected, and you have not approved.
--If appropriate, tell your children that Momo is not real and will not hurt them.
--Encourage open dialogue with them around any concerns.
FCPS has additional resources available on this website: https://www.fcps.edu/node/32086. If you have concerns about your child, please contact your school counselor. Please be aware that a number of mental health resources are available, including Fairfax County Public School resources: School Counseling Services at 571-423- 4420, School Psychology Services at 571-423-4250, and School Social Work Services at 571-423-4300 and Fairfax County resources: Crisis Link Hotline at 703-527-4077, Merrifield Emergency Services 703-573-5679 (available 24/7) or Entry and Referral during business hours at 703-383-8500. The Fairfax County Police Department non-emergency number is 703-691-2131.
More information about the Momo Challenge and other internet challenges or hoaxes is available at these links:
An article from the Ohio Department of Education contains talking points to use when speaking with your child: http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Other-Resources/News/Know-Momo-and-her-Deadly-Challenge-to-our-Youth
An article from Common Sense Media about online challenges: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/viral-youtube-challenges-internet-stunts-popular-with-kids
2019-20 Kindergarten Registration
We are currently registering new students for kindergarten for the 2019-20 school year. If your child will reach his or her fifth birthday on or before September 30, 2019, he or she is eligible to attend kindergarten in the Fairfax County Public School that serves your address. Here are the steps to register your child:
- Complete a packet of registration forms—you may obtain these in the Union Mill Elementary office or online at https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/enroll_0.pdf. Feel free to call Union Mill’s registrar at 703‑322‑8500 if you need help navigating the website.
- Gather supporting documents—proof of residence in the Union Mill boundary, a certified copy of your child’s birth certificate, parent/guardian photo ID, and any custody orders. Certificate of physical exam and immunization will be required before your child may start school, but is not required for registration.
- Call the registrar at 703-322-8500 or email lrmilla@fcps.edu to make an appointment to bring your completed registration forms and supporting documentation to school.
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Plan to attend Kindergarten Orientation with your child on Monday, April 1, from 4:00 to 5:00. Rising kindergarten students will have the opportunity to visit a kindergarten classroom while parents attend an information session in the school cafeteria.
If you plan to delay your child’s enrollment in kindergarten by one year, you are required to notify the school in writing of your intent.
Fairfax County Government Strategic Plan–Take the Survey
The Fairfax County Government has started working on a strategic plan to set priorities for 2020 and beyond, and want to hear from everyone in our community on questions such as:
What are your hopes for the future of our community?
What are the challenges you face living here?
What are the top priorities county government should address?
Getting involved is easy: Take the short online survey. It’s just five questions. Consider sharing your thoughts in person at a community conversation. Share the survey with friends, neighbors, and co-workers and invite them along to a community gathering. Your input will help Fairfax County Government set seven to 10 initial priorities. Then, they plan to dig a little deeper for input on those issues you deemed most important. This process will help set unified goals across the county for moving forward in January 2020.
Get more information about the Fairfax County Government strategic plan.
Save the Date: Annual FCPS Special Education Conference on April 6
Registration is now open for the 2019 Special Education Conference, which will be held Saturday, April 6, from 7:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Lake Braddock Secondary School. The focus of this year’s conference is on building inclusive and post-secondary practices to support the development of 21st century skills and Portrait of a Graduate attributes.
This year’s keynoter is Dr. Mary E. Morningstar, the co-director of Portland State University’s Think College Inclusion Oregon project and a professor in the Graduate School of Education’s Special Education Department. Dr. Morningstar will be speaking about Moving from Compliance to Quality Transition Outcomes.
Get more information and register.
CENTREVILLE HIGH SCHOOL MULCH SALE
Spring has sprung! Buy your mulch and have it delivered to your house while supporting CVHS PTSA Senior Scholarships and Project Graduation, alcohol/drug free, FUN celebration for CVHS graduating Seniors. Mulch Delivery weekend is April 5-7, 2019. To place an order go to www.CVHSmulch.org (Visa/Mastercard accepted on the website). The online order deadline is Sunday, March 31st. Limited same day orders are available at CVHS on delivery days.
--Premium Double Shredded Hardwood Mulch (3cu. ft. bagged)
--Free delivery – with purchase of 10 bags or more. There is a $10 delivery charge for less than 10 bags.
--Delivery within local zip codes 20120, 20121, and 20124
CVHS PTSA is seeking VOLUNTEERS to help deliver the ~14,000 bags of mulch. This is a great way for students to earn Service Hours as well as community members to give back to the community. It takes approximately 60 students per shift and 16 adult truck drivers/navigators, plus 20 additional adult volunteer positions per shift. Please considering volunteering for this community activity at www.CVHSmulch.org. For questions, please contact us at cvhsmulch@yahoo.com.
Have You Purchased a 2018-19 Yearbook Yet?
This year’s yearbook is on sale now through Lifetouch. You can order a yearbook online at ybpay.lifetouch.com with yearbook ID code 5500719. If you’d prefer to pay by cash or check, please make check payable to “Lifetouch” and return payment and the order form to the school office.
Stay up-to-date on the FCPS budget process: FY 2020 FCPS Budget
Upcoming Events
Monday, March 11 - 3 hour early dismissal - Staff Development
6th grade vs. staff volleyball game during school hours
Tuesday, March 12 - 1st grade field trip - Toth, Hottle, Wilken
Wednesday, March 13 - 1st grade field trip - Zeidman and Vickers
Saturday, March 16 - PTA Spring Fling STEAM Fair and Carnival
Wednesday, March 20 - 3rd grade field trip
1st Grade Feed the Need Assembly - 9:00
SAVE THE DATE - Rising Kindergarten Orientation - Monday, April 1 from 4:00-5:00
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