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Dear Fox Mill Families and Friends,
This has been an exciting week at FMES! Twelve exchange students from Yabe School in Japan joined us to learn about education and life in the United States. Fox Mill students in 5th and 6th grade applied to host these special guests and welcomed them into their homes and family life for the week. In June, 2020 these same FMES students will travel to Japan for a week to get a similar experience at Yabe School. All the Fox Mill students have enjoyed meeting our new friends and learning about Japanese culture and education.
On Thursday, 10/24/19 the Japanese Embassy brought the 2020 Olympic Torch to Fox Mill and presented facts about it and the games which will take place in Tokyo next summer. The torch is made from recycled materials and has a Cherry Blossom shaped opening from which the flame is ignited. It was exciting to see up close a piece of history.
We will everyone a wonderful fall weekend.
All the best,
Mr. Moose Ms. Greene
REMINDER: STUDENT-PARENT SURVEY FOR FEDERAL IMPACT AID WENT HOME IN THURSDAY’S TAKE-HOME FOLDERS!
Beginning on October 21, FCPS will be asking all families to fill out a Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid.
Returning this form is important because information from this survey results in an additional $3 million in grants each year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.
For each school-aged child in your household, please complete, sign, date, and return the survey to your child's school. If sections 1 and 2 of the survey do not apply to you, just check the box in Section 3. All forms must be signed, dated, and returned by October 30. All results are CONFIDENTIAL.
Video link - https://youtu.be/QN_Xup7BgoE
MONDAY: “Team Up Against Drugs!” = wear team or Fox Mill gear
TUESDAY: “Be a Buddy not a Bully!” = twin/triplet/friend day
WEDNESDAY: “We are all tied together!” = Wear a tie
THURSDAY: “Get on the Peace train!” = Wear peace signs or tie dye
FRIDAY: “Follow your dreams” = wear pajamas
Many students struggle with emotional and behavioral issues that can affect their learning and overall wellness. If you have any concerns about anxiety, peer relationship problems, depression, or other social and emotional issues your child may be experiencing, please contact your school psychologist, school social worker, or school counselor. They are available for consultation and support.
Visit: https://www.fcps.edu/resources/student-safety-and-wellness/mental-health-and-resiliency?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term= and https://www.fcps.edu/student-wellness-tips?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term= to learn about mental health resources and fostering resiliency in your child.
International Jubilee 11/08 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
The Diversity and Inclusivity Committee (DNI) would like to invite FMES families to participate in our International Jubilee to be held on 11/08 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at the school. This FREE event celebrates the wonderful tapestry of cultures that makes up our school community. Families can volunteer to represent their culture, a culture near and dear to their heart, or join an established team (Afghanistan, Brazil, China, Columbia, France, Germany, Ghana, India ,Iran, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Lesotho, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Serbia/Latvia, Sweden, Trinidad and Tobago). We also have volunteer opportunities for set up, helping in the International Cafe', and many other areas. If you'd like to join or have questions, please contact Allie Greene (greene.allie@yahoo.com), Lavanya Ravulapalli (lavanya.ravulapalli@gmail.com) or Amy Fujii (wooster92@yahoo.com). #BringYourCulture International Jubilee
HELP THE HOMELESS WITH AN EVENING OF FAMILY FUN!
Please join us for a FREE EVENT
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29TH 5:00-7:30 PM
- COSTUME PARADE!
- PLAY GAMES AND WIN PRIZES!
- BRING FOOD DONATIONS/ NEW or GENTLY USED TOWELS/ WASHCLOTHES FOR THE FOOD PANTRY & SHELTER!
- FOR THE BRAVE OF HEART, TOUR MOOSE MANOR!
- FUN FOR ALL AND SERVICE TOO!!
Help us make a POSITIVE impact for the homeless in our community by coming out to support a fun evening!
Pizza and Baked goods available for purchase in the cafeteria
For questions, please contact Michelle Lawrence (Troop 3076) at runnergirl107@hotmail.com
Helping the Anxious Youth
By Linda G. Ritchie, Ph.D.
When it comes to taking care of our children, every parent wants to do the right thing. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that more than 9 percent of teenagers have an anxiety disorder, with symptoms commonly emerging around age 6. The right treatment for treating a child’s anxiety is what works best for that child. With treatment, the prognosis for anxiety disorders is very good, but left untreated, the interference from anxiety will become increasingly disabling over time.
There are a wide variety of anxiety disorders and include:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Panic Disorder Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD, and Social Phobia (or Social Anxiety Disorder) Collectively, anxiety disorders are among the most common mental disorders experienced by Americans. There are hundreds of research studies that show Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to be the treatment of choice for anxiety and there is significant evidence for it’s lasting success with children. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is problem-oriented, directive, and psycho-educational with the goals of changing thoughts, improving skills, and modifying emotional states. It is a collaborative approach to therapy with the therapist, the child and the parents working together to identify and solve problems
Cognitive distortions typically play a key role in propelling anxiety as these distortions lead to misinterpretations of environmental threats and undermine a child’s coping abilities. Another primary factor in maintaining anxiety in a child is behavioral avoidance. Avoidant behavior is triggered by a distressing event and then is reinforced by the reduction in the feelings of anxiety that follows. The cycle is perpetuated and reinforced by continued avoidance, withdrawal, and catastrophic beliefs.
Using CBT techniques, a therapist strives to teach the child or adolescent new approaches to behaviors, concrete problem solving skills, and strategies for challenging maladaptive or unrealistic anxious thoughts and beliefs. CBT addresses most anxiety disorders with four main areas of interventions.
- Psychoeducation: Children need an explanation for how anxiety is triggered and maintained and how feeling anxious does not accurately reflect the danger or risk in a situation.
- Cognitive Restructuring: Anxious children have anxious thoughts and their first automatic thought is typically about the most awful thing that could happen in a situation. Cognitive restructuring helps a child to challenge that first automatic thought and replace it with a more realistic, proactive one.
- Breathing and Relaxation: Anxious thinking will cause the body to rev up. Learning to breathe and relax will help a child feel less anxious.
- Imagined and In-Vivo Exposure: This technique helps a child approach previously feared situations with their new skills.
If you think your child has an anxiety disorder, the first step is to consult with a mental health professional. You should feel comfortable talking with the professional you choose. As a parent, you will work collaboratively with the therapist and your child to help him or her overcome the anxiety.
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