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Thank you to everyone that supported our attempt to win money through the WTOP Click for Kids contest. Although we fell short of our goal of winning some funding, we had a lot of support. We still want to try to have a track installed around the field to help keep everyone healthy and will try to find other ways to fund this project. One way we will work towards this is designating any profits we earn from our annual volleyball game against Centreville Elementary towards the track. Be sure to mark your calendars for Friday, April 26, for this event. If you have ideas or want to send in money for this project, please feel free to contact the office.
Hope to see many of you at the PTA STEAM Fair and Carnival this Saturday from 4:00 - 7:00 PM. Many fun activities are planned so please come and support this wonderful activity.
Lifetouch will be back on Tuesday, March 26, to finish taking club and candid pictures. If your child is in band, please have them wear their red music shirt to school that day.
Even though Monday was a short day, it was full of fun as our 6th grade students pitted their volleyball skills against our staff. It was a great event and there was a lot of skill, cheering, and sportsmanship evident during the games. Click on the picture below to see more.
 Thank you to the Watch D.O.G.S. that came in to volunteer this week. Thanks go out to Mr. Milla, Mr. Vickers, Mr. Helgason, Mr. Kirkpatrick, Mr. Velt, Mr. Novack, Mr. Gross, M. Cavalieri, Mr. Birnbaum, and Mr. Wright. 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 the kindergarten hat parade, the 1st grade field trip, and fun in PE.
 Have a great weekend and hope to see many of you Saturday.
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.
Free Farmer's Market this Saturday
There is a free Farmer's Market from 10:00 AM to 12 noon on Saturday, March 16, at Centre Ridge Elementary. This event is sponsored by McLean Bible Church and is open to all.
Upcoming Autism Awareness Event - Volunteers Needed
The PE department is excited to host The Autism Awareness Stations again this year! The event will take place on Wednesday, April 3, and Thursday, April 4, during PE classes. Students will experience how people with differing abilities think, learn, and play. We could not run these great stations without help. The Lorigo family has been an amazing leader and supporter of this program for many years. If you are able to join us to supervise a station, please contact Heather Lorigo at heatherlorigo@hotmail.com or Ben Lorigo at belorigo@gmail.com. Thank you for your support!!
World Down Syndrome Day - Thursday, March 21
Having an inclusive school is one of the hallmarks of Union Mill. To that end, we plan to share information about Down Syndrome on World Down Syndrome Day next Thursday, March 21. Please encourage your child to wear yellow and blue, the colors that represent Down Syndrome and pair that with brightly colored or crazy socks. Information will be shared about Down Syndrome on the morning news next week.
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
Saturday, March 16 - PTA Spring Fling STEAM Fair and Carnival
Monday, March 18 - SCA Animal Shelter Drive Begins
Family Fitness 4 a Cause - 4:00 - 5:00 PM
Tuesday, March 19 - Statewide Tornado Drill - 9:45 AM
Pyramid Band Concert - 7:00 PM CVHS
Wednesday, March 20 - 3rd grade field trip
1st Grade Feed the Need Assembly - 9:00
Thursday, March 21 - World Down Syndrome Day - wear yellow and blue with crazy or brightly colored socks
Monday, March 25 - Family Fitness 4 a Cause - 4:00 - 5:00 PM
Tuesday, March 26 - Club and Candid Photos
Thursday, March 28 - 6th Grade Field Trip - McLaughlin, Hoernke, Kalthof
Centreville Pyramid Art Show - 4:30 - 6:30 - CVHS
Friday, March 29 - SCA Spirit Day
Saturday, March 30 - All County Chorus - 3:00 PM - Hayfield Secondary
Monday, April 1 - Rising Kindergarten Orientation - 4:00-5:00 PM
Tuesday, April 2 - 6th Grade Battle of the Books - 2:00 PM
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