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The 2019-2020 staff at Franconia Elementary welcome you to another great school year!
Principal's Corner
A note from Mr. Smith
Dear Franconia Parents,
What an amazing kickoff to our new school year! Our Mustangs have been revisiting and learning school-wide expectations while connecting with new and familiar friends. Over the first few weeks of school, we will focus on…
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Safety – Required fire drills (every week for the first month of school) and lockdown drills (two during the first month of school) are being practiced. Please talk with your children about the importance of practicing these drills and knowing what to expect in certain situations.
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Classroom community – Every classroom begins their day with Morning Meetings, a structure that builds community and sets a positive tone and purpose to each day.
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Routines and procedures – Efficiency in transitions and expectations maximizes learning time!
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Assessments – We want to know RIGHT where you children are. Assessments will be conducted in all forms, shapes, and sizes to ensure we know your children. This information is what drives our instructional planning.
Arrival
Now that we are in our third week of school, students have learned to navigate their mornings here at school. All students should go to their classrooms individually, with friends, teachers, or student patrols. Parents are asked to not accompany students to their classrooms.
Big Events!
- Picture Day (Tuesday, 9/17, at school)
- First PTA Restaurant Night at Chuck E. Cheese (Tuesday, 9/24, 3:00pm until close)
- Back to School Night (Thursday, 9/26 @ 6:30 pm)
How can you help at home?
This time of year can be exhausting for our children… following expectations all day long and being challenged with new learning curriculum and experiences. Your home routines can play a big part in setting our students up for success! Staying true to routines and home can be a relied upon foundation for children to recharge, rest, and be ready for the daily rigors of school. What do your evening routines look like?
- Do you eat dinner at the same time?
- Is bedtime consistent?
- Do you have an “electronics use policy” in the home?
- Do you have a designated reading time with your child?
Creating a plan of action and consistently following a family routine can set our children up for a great school year!
The staff at Franconia and I look forward to an exciting and productive year!
Warmest Regards,
Mr. Andrew Smith, Principal
IMPORTANT ATTENDANCE INFORMATION
Please submit attendance information (absences, late arrivals, and early pick-ups) via one of the following methods:
Online attendance portal
Call 703-822-2222 (school attendance number)
franconiaelem.attendance@fcps.edu
FALL PICTURE DAY
Tuesday, September 17
All students will have their picture taken for the school yearbook. Prints are also available for purchase (envelope order form should be in today's yellow Wednesday folders).
If you are purchasing prints, please have your child bring in the completed order form, along with payment inside the envelope, on Tuesday. Cash or check (made out to Scherling Photography) are accepted with paper orders.
***IF PAYING IN CASH, SEND EXACT PAYMENT AS THERE IS NO ACCESS TO CHANGE.
Instead of cash or check, you can place your order on-line. Once completed, print out the receipt and place inside the payment envelope to send into school with your child on Tuesday. All order forms should be turned into your child’s classroom teacher.
***USE ONE ORDER FORM FOR EACH STUDENT – DO NOT DOUBLE UP BY USING ONE ENVELOPE FOR MULTIPLE STUDENTS.
Online orders can be placed at: www.scherlingschoolpics.com and the access code is FM330568.
If your child is absent on Tuesday, the make-up picture day will be on Wednesday, October 30.
Franconia PTA Spirit Wear
Order deadline is Thursday, September 19
Franconia Spirit Wear is now available for purchase online!
Deadline for orders is September 19.
http://www.awabylisa.com
All orders will be online.
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PTA Restaurant Night
Chuck E. Cheese's - Tuesday, September 24
On Tuesday, September 24, the PTA is hosting a restaurant night at the Chuck E. Cheese's in the Kings Crossing shopping center on Richmond Highway (6301 Richmond Highway, 22306) from 3pm until close. Our school receives 15% of the proceeds sold during that time period.
Back-To-School Night
Thursday, September 26, 6:30-8:30pm
Please join us for the 2019 Back-to-School Night at Franconia Elementary. Grade level teachers will be presenting information about your child's class and an overview of the year. Specialist teachers will be on hand to talk about PE, art, music, guidance, and library. Community representatives will also be on hand as well as the Franconia PTA.
Look for more information and a full schedule next week and on the Franconia website here.
 Recommendations:
• Contact the classroom teacher First! Most concerns can be resolved by the school personnel who are closest to the issue. Our staff members are professional educators who want to hear your concerns and have an opportunity to address. Contact the teacher by phone, email, or schedule a conference. Please allow 24 hours for the teacher/staff member to respond on school days (Communication sent over the weekend or holidays will be responded to once staff member returns to work). Most of the time, parents will find that problems can be resolved by discussing the matter with the teacher.
• If you feel the issue is an emergency or the issue continues after speaking with the teacher, you may need to discuss the matter further by talking with the Guidance Counselor or Principal.
• Contact information for teachers, the Guidance Counselors, and the Principal can be found on our website - Franconia Elementary.
Here's an update from our School Counselor:
Hello Parents,
In the month of September, our school will focus on the character trait, "school pride" - show that you are proud of your school. At the end of the month, students will have the opportunity to vote for students in their class that demonstrated school pride. The names of those students who are nominated will be posted in a future Mustang.
We also welcome a part-time counselor to Franconia ES. Lisa Heath will be joining us on alternate Mondays, and all Wednesdays and Fridays.
Class lessons for this month are:
Kindergarten-First Grade: Who's your school counselor and how can she help me at school?
Second-Third Grade: Small Problems vs. Big Problems: How can I solve small problems?
Fourth-Sixth Grade: Whose my school counselor? Wwhat situations are considered confidential vs. non-confidential?
For further questions and concerns or for individual student referrals, please contact Veronica Guillion, School Counselor, 703-822-2256.
The FCPS Cares Program
Nominate a FCPS employee for recognition
FCPS Cares is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story so we can all acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees.
Please visit the FCPS Cares web page.
FCPS Parent Resource Center
Learn More About This FREE Resource for Parents
The Resource Center provides resources, information, and consultations to support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities.
Free Workshops and Consultations
Attend our research-based, professional workshops to learn the latest information to help your child succeed. We offer supportive and confidential consultations to answer questions, find resources and discuss concerns you may have about your child. Register for workshops at https:/www.fcps.edu/node/28279.
FREE WORKSHOPS - September
Friday, September 27, 2019, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Voices from the IEP Table: Perspectives on Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Families
This workshop explores the individual perspectives of IEP meeting participants who work with students who are culturally and linguistically diverse.
Join us for this workshop to learn:
- Best practices for working with students with diverse backgrounds
- Practical suggestions for improving the experiences of teams serving students with diverse backgrounds. Including:
- Home-school communication
- IEP Meetings
- Cross-cultural interactions
Presented by Karrin Lukacs, Ph.D., Associate Professor at Shenandoah University and Sherry Steeley, PhD., Associate Professor at Georgetown University
Register for Voices from the IEP Table: Perspectives on Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Families
FREE WORKSHOPS - October
Post-Secondary Education Options: Parent Coffee & Conference
Join FCPS Career and Transition Services to learn about postsecondary concerns for students contemplating college.
Highlights will include:
- Disclosure
- Accessing Accommodations
- Disability Support Services
- Differences Between High School and College
Wednesday, October 2, 2019, 10 a.m.-noon.
Register for Post-Secondary Education Options: Parent Coffee & Conference
From Chaos to Calm: 10 Ways to Stop Power Struggles
Please join Celebrate Calm Founder, Kirk Martin, for a laugh-out-loud funny presentation filled with practical, concrete strategies to restore calm in your home and stop the power struggles.
Perfect for parents of children ages 2 – 22!
- Get your kids to listen the first time.
- Stop defiance, disrespect, and yelling.
- Stop whining, tantrums, and sibling fights.
- Get kids off screens without a fight.
- Create stress-free mornings, homework time, and bedtime.
Thursday, October 3, 2019, 10 a.m.-noon and 6:30-8:30 p.m.
This session is full. Register for the waitlist for From Chaos to Calm 10 a.m.-noon
This session is full. Register for the waitlist for From Chaos to Calm 6:30-8:30 p.m
Mastering the Process of School: Helping Students Build Study and Organization Skills
Executive Functioning (EF) skills, such as time-management, materials organization, planning, and prioritization, and initiating and completing work, are critical for student success in school and in life. Students with executive function challenges can have difficulty fully demonstrating their knowledge and strengths.
Join us for this workshop to learn:
- What is Executive Functioning?
- What strategies can I use to help my child develop stronger Executive Functioning skills?
This session will both define and provide explicit strategies to help bolster these essential skills for students accessing a challenging curriculum or high-incidence support.
Presented by Lindsey Thoms, M.Ed., Kathy Essig, M.Ed., and Deborah Rosen of The StudyPro.
Friday, October 11, 2019, 10 a.m.-noon.
This session is full. Register for the Waitlist: Mastering the Process of School: Helping Students Build Study and Organization Skills
Moving on to Life in the Community: A Resource Fair for Students with Disabilities
Don’t miss this FREE Resource Fair for students with disabilities and their parents!
Learn about vocational, residential, leisure, recreational, independent living and advocacy options. This resource fair is for all individuals requiring ongoing employment and community support services after graduation.
- 6:30-6:45 p.m. Registration - Participants and Adult Service Providers
- 6:45-7:15 p.m. Overview Presentation (Little Theater)
- 7:15-8:45 p.m. Adult Service Provider Fair/Exhibits (Cafeteria)
Tuesday, October 15, 2019, 6:30-8:45 p.m. at Lake Braddock SS
Register for Moving on to Life in the Community: A Resource Fair for Students with Disabilities
Knowing the Signs: Substance Abuse and Today’s Youth
It can be so hard to watch someone close to you destroy themselves with drugs and alcohol. Learn how to deal with being hurt by your loved ones and how you can support them in their darkest moments.
- Local substance abuse expert, Sam Lucania, with support from FCPS Office of Student Safety and Wellness, will share some of his life experiences and lessons learned.
- Learn how to improve your ability to handle the unexpected influences in your child’s life.
- He will have you learn that there is indeed hope in recovery and that we can turn our lives around when we take the right steps.
- Learn the signs and strategies to support and help your child.
Friday, October 18, 2019, 10 a.m.-noon.
Register for: Knowing the Signs: Substance Abuse and Today’s Youth
Dyslexia Open House
Browse exhibit tables and learn about next steps for FCPS students with dyslexia.
Thursday, October 24, 2019, 10-11 a.m.
Register for Dyslexia Open House
Helping your Child Cope with Stress
As parents, we want to shield our children from stress and adversity as much as possible. However, we cannot protect them from everything; everyone will face challenges in his or her life. What we can do is give them the skills necessary to face those stresses and challenges head-on, to learn from them, and to grow in strength and maturity as a result.
Join Dr. Lisa Bateman, Clinical Psychologist, in this important session that will focus on:
- Recognizing stress in children
- Building resiliency skills
- The role of mindfulness and executive functioning skills
Friday, October 25, 2019, 10 a.m.-noon.
Register for Helping your Child Cope with Stress
Future Quest: College and Career Conference for Middle and High School Students
Future Quest is a FREE college and career conference held every two years for middle and high school students with disabilities, young adults with disabilities, their families, and professionals who work with them. The conference is organized by George Mason University and the Northern Virginia Transition Coalition. One of the largest events of its kind in Virginia, Future Quest features more than 40 workshops and 40 exhibits related to a successful life after high school.
Saturday, October 26, 2019, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at George Mason University Johnson Center
Register for Future Quest 2019
Lending Library
Thousands of books, DVDs and CDs on a wide variety of topics. Check out up to 6 items and keep them for 3 weeks. Call us and we can have library materials ready for you to pick up! Search for a book, DVD, or CD on the FCPS website. Search ~ Parent Resource Center library.
Tutor Lists, Resource Guides and Special Needs Summer Camps
Call our office to get the most up to date information to support students and their families.
News You Choose
Sign up for News You Choose to receive monthly emails about upcoming events. Visit the FCPS website, search Parent Resource Center and scroll to the bottom to sign up.
Dunn Loring Center for Parent Services2334 Gallows Road, Entrance 1 - Room 105Dunn Loring, VA 22027Email: prc@fcps.edu or call 703-204-3941Monday - Friday, 8am-4pmwww.fcps.edu - search Parent Resource Center.
WEEK OF 9/16
- 9/16: Safety patrol meeting for officers (12:00pm in gym)
- 9/17: Picture day - individual student pictures
- 9/19: Deadline for PTA spirit wear orders
WEEK OF 9/23
- 9/24: PTA Restaurant Night (Chuck E. Cheese, 3pm until close)
- 9/26: Back-to-School Night (6:30-8:30pm)
WEEK OF 9/30
- 10/4: PTA Fall Festival (6:00-8:00pm on blacktop and in gym)
Mustang Mainstays
Click on a link for information
Franconia Elementary School website
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