Parents,
Last Saturday March 9th, we had three teams from Sleepy Hollow that participated in the “Odyssey of Mind” Tournament at Thomas Jefferson High School. I had the opporunity to observe our students as they showcased their talents and creativity. Kudos to our parents listed below that worked effortlessly to coach and support the students. There is already a buzz about next year with ideas, and we look forward to more students participating.
Primary team, Museum Makers:
Coach Kathy Kotka and co-coaches Jeff Clarke and Heidi McFadden
Maggie and Julia Clarke
Jane and Molly McFadden
Felicity Kotka
Cara Erceg-Schneekloth
Division 1 team, Hide in Plain Sight
Coaches: Kevin and Jasmine Sheriff
Kai Sheriff
Avery Russell
Naomi and Isaiah Diephouse
Kate Bailey
Carmen Venus
Ian and Riley Crane
Division 1 team, Opposites Distract
Coach: Michele Beier, Assistants: Jenny Collins and Paula Serbus
Andrew Beier
Ruarc Collins
Garrett Serbus
Clayton Heinbeck
Issac and Aaliyah Chavarria
Zane Ngyuen
Thank you,
Eric T. Johnson
Principal
Social Media Challenges
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. 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. All students are provided with internet safety lessons and digital citizenship at the start of the year but this provides an excellent opportunity for you 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.
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Only if appropriate, tell your children that Momo is not real and will not hurt them.
- Encourage open dialogue with them around any concerns.
- Monitor your child’s device usage especially if they want to watch YouTube videos or if he/she is gaming online and using a headset to talk to other players.
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 Common Sense Media about online challenges: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/viral-youtube-challenges-internet-stunts-popular-with-kids
 Thank you to our amazing Sleepy Hollow community. Yesterday the PTA held a fabulous and fun fundraiser at Dogfish Head Alehouse. The success of this fundraiser was due to the hard work of so many volunteers and Sleepy Hollow Dolphin Families.
 Do you have a child that will be 5 by September 30, 2019? If yes, please join us for our Kindergarten Orientation on Friday, April 5, 2019 from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. You can call the main office at 703-237-7000 for details and to get your child added to our mailing list.
Please keep in mind that registration paperwork will not be accepted at Orientation, please call the office to set up an appointment for a separate day to do that. We look forward to seeing you on the 5th.
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Lost and Found
Our Lost and Found cabinet is overflowing with jackets, sweatshirts, hats and mittens. If your child is missing things please come take a look and see if you can retrieve your those items. In a few weeks the remaining items will be bagged up and donated to charity. Our Lost and Found is located on the bottom level underneath the stairs.
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Join in the Fun with Kindergarten and1st Grade
All Kindergarten and First grade families are invited to sing, dance and join in the fun of your child’s music class! Come see what they have been learning, and participate in the joy of music. All classes are 30 minutes, and it’s helpful to arrive 10 minutes early to not miss any of the fun! Questions: please contact Caroline Crocker, General Music teacher – cdcrocker@fcps.edu
Schedule:
Thursday, March 28:
11:40-12:10 – Donnelly
12:10-12:40 – Michaelson
Friday, March 29:
11:40-12:10 – Vo
12:10 – 12:40 – Walrath
1:20-1:50 - Honnold
Monday, April 1
1:20-1:50 – Vu
1:50-2:20 - Minnick
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SHES Spring Concert
April 29th at 6:30 pm
Sleepy Hollow Chorus, Band and Strings students are having their Spring Concert on April 29th at 9:30am and 6:30 pm. This will be a great evening to celebrating their hard work! Students are REQUIRED to be there for the evening concert. If your student is unable to attend, please send WRITTEN notice (email or note) to your child’s ensemble leader by April 1st.
When: April 29th 9:30am and 6:30 pm
Performers MUST arrive in the gym between 5:45 and 6:00 pm!
Where: Sleepy Hollow E.S. gym
What to wear: Chorus t-shirt (if involved in chorus) white dress shirt (if not involved in chorus), black pants, closed-toed shoes.
Questions: Chorus – Caroline Crocker, cdcrocker@fcps.edu; Band – Megan Aquilina – meaquilina@fcps.edu; Strings – Anne Ray, amray@fcps.edu, Mark Deal, mvdeal@fcps.edu
March 19 - Lifetouch Spring Pictures
April 1 - Pennies for Patients Kick off Assembly
April 3 & 4 - First Grade Fire Safety
April 8-12 - Book Worm Book Fair, April 9th Book Fair Open Until 8:00 PM
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