|
HORNET HAPPENINGS
May 3, 2019
 
Our AWESOME Halley Girls on the Run
practicing for the 5K!
The 5Ks are the culminating event of our Girls on the Run program and is a tangible way to see how their passion for fitness aligns with teamwork and fun.
This year's 5K will be on Saturday, May 18th at Pfitzner Stadium, Woodbridge, VA. 8:30am Start
Principals' Message
Happy May!
As we move into May, we continue to strive for excellence! There is a busy month ahead of us. We are looking forward to celebrating our staff next week during Teacher Appreciation Week! We hope that our awesome Halley Hornets will find a moment to write a note of thanks to the teachers who have been supporting them this year. Next week officially starts testing season as we kick off SOL’s with our fourth graders taking their reading test on Tuesday, May 6th (you can find the entire testing schedule here). Please remember that is important for students to be well rested and have a healthy breakfast the day of testing. If they are not feeling well, it may be best to keep them home and we will find an opportunity for them to make up the test when they feel better. The students have been working hard all year and we are confident that they are ready to show what they know and rock out these assessments!
We hope you are enjoying this beautiful weather and all the extracurricular activities that this wonderful season has to offer. As you reflect and plan for fourth quarter, this is the perfect time to discuss perseverance with your child. Please let us know how we can continue to partner with you.
Dr. Simpkins, Mr. Salerno and Mrs. Peerman
Please join us!
South County Pyramid Art Show
May 1- May 5
Several Halley students will have their work showcased! This will be an awesome celebration of their artistic creativity.
Heads Up: 2019-20 School Year Calendar Changes;
Notable Dates…
New Virginia legislation requires that schools opening prior to Labor Day must be closed the Friday immediately preceding Labor Day. As a result, FCPS’ 2019-20 Standard School Year Calendar has changed and Friday, August 30, is now a holiday for students. In addition, the School Board voted to move the March school planning day to Tuesday, March 3, 2020, to accommodate the 2020 presidential primary.
Other notable dates include the first day of school, August 26; Thanksgiving break, November 27-29; Winter break, December 23, 2019-January 3, 2020; Spring Break, April 6-10, 2020; and the last day of school, June 12, 2020. See the 2019-20 school year calendar.
Mental Health Awareness Month
and Wellness Week
May is National Mental Health Awareness month. Many students struggle with emotional and behavioral issues that can affect their learning and overall wellness. Schools are often the place where these kinds of issues as well as other mental health needs are discovered and where school-based supports can be provided. FCPS wants all parents and guardians to know that your school psychologist, school social worker, and school counselor are available for consultation and support on concerns such as anxiety, peer relationships, depression or other social and emotional issues. They can also provide a list of mental health resources. Please contact your child’s school to connect with one of the mental health providers. Please click on the following links to learn about resources and ways to foster resilience in your child. Mental Health and Resiliency and Student Wellness: Tips and Strategies.
Yearbook Sale!!
It’s time for the annual Halley Elementary Yearbook sale!
Sale begins Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Yearbooks will be sold online only through myschoolbucks.com. The sale will begin on Wednesday, May 1, 2019!! Please sign in or create a new account to order your yearbook. The cost of each yearbook is $20.00. The online sale will end on May 31, 2019. No yearbooks may be ordered online after that date.
Below are the instructions on how to use this online payment feature:
- Log In to MySchoolBucks (www.myschoolbucks.com)
- Click on “SCHOOL STORE”
- Click on “VIEW ALL”
- Click on ‘‘YEARBOOK” icon VIEW DETAILS
- Put Student’s Name
- Select Teacher Name
- ADD TO BASKET
- Check out and pay
A special distribution day for our 6th grade students will be Monday, June 10th.
All other grade levels will be distributed on Wednesday, June 11th.
Standards of Learning Test Schedules for Students Observing Ramadan
This year, the main Standards of Learning (SOL) testing window has significant overlaps with Ramadan, the Muslim holy month marked by daily fasting. The SOL testing window begins for high schools on Monday, April 29, and for elementary and middle schools on Monday, May 6. All schools must complete SOL make-up tests and retakes by Friday, June 7. Ramadan begins the evening of Sunday, May 5, and ends with Eid-al-Fitr on Wednesday, June 5.
FCPS welcomes and encourages engagement with parents and guardians of students affected by this overlap. School staff will work with parents and guardians to make schedule adjustments or determine how best to address students’ needs. For example, it may be possible to schedule testing early in the day when energy levels are likely to be highest.
If you have a child who will be fasting to observe Ramadan this year, notify one of our Halley Principals or school counselors to take advantage of possible scheduling options.
Tdap Notice for Parents
of Current 5th Grade Students
Virginia Law requires that all students entering sixth grade receive a booster dose of the Tdap vaccine prior to the beginning of school. The Tdap vaccine protects against tetanus (lockjaw), diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough) and is usually given around the age of 11, although it can be given as early as seven years of age.
In order for your child to begin 6th grade you will need to submit a copy of your child’s immunization record showing the Tdap vaccine before the first day of school. It is recommended that all paperwork is submitted to the school office by June 13, 2019.
A Tdap Notice was sent home with all 5th Grade students in the progress report envelope on Thursday, April 25th. Thank you to those parents who have already submitted proof of Tdap to the school.
CALLING FOR PTO NOMINATIONS
The PTO needs members to fill critical board positions for next year. Kindly consider volunteering for one of the following positions: 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. For more information on the positions, click here: https://www.halleypto.com/pto/members/documents/Halley ES PTO Nomination.pdf
CONGRATULATIONS TO PRINCIPAL PEERMAN!!
Ms. Peerman was acknowledged as a First Class Educational Leader committed to Inclusion and Access for all students at the 14th Annual FCPS Special Education Conference held at Lake Braddock Secondary in early April. What a phenomenal honor!
2019 TEACHER & STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK
Please join us on the week of May 6 to celebrate our wonderful teachers and staff! Halley teachers & staff make the world go around and we want everyone to know it! Here are our daily themes. Just bring items to your teacher(s) each day. These items do not need to be expensive and you can pick and choose which days you join in. For more information and a schedule of daily events, click HERE.
SAVE THE DATE EVENTS and REMINDERS:
· May 6-10, 2019 – Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week –If you would like to donate or volunteer, please contact Mayumi Whitley at 1stvp@halleypto.com. A Signup Genius has been set up: https://tinyurl.com/halleyappreciates2019. Let's show Halley teachers & staff the appreciation they deserve!
· May 21, 2019 – 6:45 p.m. PTO Meeting. Elections will be held to fill board vacancies for expiring terms for 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer positions.
· Other everyday fundraising opportunities –
o Giant Rewards (School ID 03257)
o Amazon Smile (ID William Halley PTO)
o BoxTops Spring Challenge (coming soon)
May - (SOL Testing Schedule: here )
May 6-10 —Teacher Appreciation Week
May 16– Interims go home (for students needing improvement)
May 27—Memorial Day / No School
May 28 —Band Spring Concert
May 31 --
Looking Ahead to June
June -- Chorus & Strings Spring Concert
June --Awards Ceremony
June – Field Day
June 13-Last day of school; Dismissal at 1:05pm
Looking Ahead to August
August – Open House /Back to School Night
August 26– School Begins
|
