Hornet Happenings

March 8, 2019

Spelling Bee Success!

Representing Halley and moving on to the district

Spelling Bee Competition…

Riya N. (2^nd Grade)!

We are so proud of her!

Congratulations to all of our phenomenal

Halley Hornet Spelling Bee Participants!

Your Views and Opinions Are Important to Us!

This spring all Halley parents will be contacted through email or text message with a link to the FCPS Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback Form Online. This survey is part of the Performance Evaluation Program and offers parents an opportunity to provide anonymous input about various issues related to our school. These issues include instructional leadership, school climate, human resources management, organizational management, communication and community relations and professionalism.

The survey will be collected online between March 13 and March 27. When you receive an email or text message from FCPS Surveys, please take a few minutes to complete the survey. Your opinions matter!

It's not too early to sign your child up for summer learning and summer camps. Fairfax County Park Authority already has them available for you to register. Click here to see what is being offered!

More Communication Regarding the Momo Challenge

and Digital Citizenship Resources

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

Mrs. Peerman, Mr. Salerno and Dr. Simpkins

Calendar Reminder:

Students Dismissed Three Hours Early

on March 11

As a reminder, students will be dismissed three hours early on Monday, March 11, for a staff development day. Classes will resume on Tuesday, March 12. See the complete 2018-19 school year calendar. 

Daylight Saving Time Begins:

Move Your Clocks Ahead One Hour on Sunday

This Sunday, March 10, at 2 a.m., daylight saving time begins. Don’t forget to move your clocks ahead one hour! As a result of the time change, many students will be walking to school or to bus stops in the dark.

Help your child stay safe by having him or her wear reflective clothing and bright or light colors, or add reflective items to their backpacks or clothes. Also, encourage your child to be especially alert for cars that are turning or backing up and not to run or dart into the street or cross between parked cars.

A heartfelt THANK YOU to all the students and families for all the generous donations during our Halley winter sock drive. We collected almost 1,000 socks to help support families and people in need of warmth through Lorton Community Action Center (LCAC).   Thank you for your generosity and support!! Mrs. Vanderhoff's class collected the most socks and earned a pizza party.   Special appreciation to Mrs. Johnston and Mr. Norlin for helping to coordinate this wonderful effort.  #OtherPeopleMatter 

Registration for the 2019-2020 school year is now open for our new kindergarten students.

1. Contact the registrar, Nicole Kendall at 703-571-5700 to be added to our Halley list of incoming kindergarteners.
2. Fill out and SIGN all registration forms. Information and registration forms can be found at: https://www.fcps.edu/registration/kindergarten-registration . Packets are also available in the school office.
3. Please call for an appointment and bring completed registration paperwork to Halley. 

• bring proof of residency (lease, deed or mortgage statement)
• yellow physical form and shot record signed by doctor
• your child’s original birth certificate

4. Attend Kindergarten Orientation for incoming kindergartners and parents: Tentative Date April 26^th

Professional Development, 3-hour Early Closing, Monday, March 11^th

                                                            ^{(Main Office closes at 1:30pm)}

Student Showcase & Pi Night, 5:45pm - 7:30pm, Thursday, March 14^th

8850 Cross Chase Circle, Fairfax Station 22039  |  Phone: 703.551.5700

Attendance: 703.551.5757 or email HalleyES.Attendance

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