A Note from the Franconia Student Council Association:

Hello! My name is Jessica Lee and I am your Student Council reporter.  Currently, we are collecting supplies for Tanzania.  Students may donate hygiene products or art supplies.  Fliers went out in Wednesday folders, so please donate.  Students may drop their donations in their classroom bins. 

We completed the Marine Marathon Mile Clean-up in downtown D.C.!  We raised $900 for Franconia Elementary!  It was great to cheer on the runners, while helping to keep our city clean AND earning money for our school!

I’m excited to keep the Franconia community informed of everything the SCA will be doing this year.  Keep an eye out for the next SCA newsletter to get all the latest news!

NO SCHOOL

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27-29

Thanksgiving Holiday

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

Every Day Counts!

Absences Add Up

FCPS is looking forward to a great school year!  Regular attendance is essential for students to form positive peer and adult relationships and to learn.  In fact, when students miss significant amounts of instructional time, they tend to lose momentum academically.

We do monitor each child’s attendance daily and will contact a parent if a child does not arrive at school or class as expected.  Of course, there are times that students may have health or other concerns that may prevent them from being present.  Please contact the school by using its attendance telephone line, email, or online form if your child will be absent.

More information about FCPS’ attendance expectations is available online here.

Telephone Parent Information Line Available in Eight Languages

Parents who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese can call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS and to receive support if they are having difficulty communicating with their children's schools due to a language barrier.

We invite you to a

Thanksgiving Luncheon/Veterans Day Program

Monday, November 11

The annual Thanksgiving Luncheon will take place on Monday, November 11.  This is a time for families to come up to the school and have a special lunch with their children.  New this year will be a Veterans Day Program.

The schedule is below:

VETERANS DAY PROGRAM DETAILS:

The Franconia Music Department has planned a student presentation to celebrate Veterans Day. It will take place in the gym before your child’s scheduled lunch.

***We invite all veterans and current military service members to dress in uniform.

Please note, each class will be dismissed from the gym one at a time. When your child’s class is called, you will be invited to join them to go to the cafeteria for lunch.

THANKSGIVING LUNCHEON DETAILS:

Adult meal ~ $4.50

Child meal (up to age 18) ~ $3.25

Franconia students may use their meal account to purchase the Thanksgiving meal (for Franconia students not using their meal account, a ticket must be purchased).

All adults and visiting children must purchase a ticket (only Franconia students may use their meal account to pay for the Thanksgiving lunch).

PAYMENT ACCEPTED: cash or check (payable to Franconia ES)

Tickets can be purchased at the door on the day of the event

***Students who will not be eating the Thanksgiving meal, should bring a lunch from home.

***Franconia students who qualify for free meals will receive the Thanksgiving lunch for free.

Tuesday, November 12 7pm in the Library November's guests: 4th grade team to talk about the VA Studies curriculum For any further questions, contact the PTA President, Heather Viehl.

The Read-A-Thon runs

October 30 - November 14

PTA Restaurant Night

IHOP - November 19, 4:00-8:00pm

Join the PTA for their restaurant night at the IHOP by the Manchester Lakes shopping center.  Our school will receive a percentage of the proceeds sold during that time period.

For additional information or questions, contact Jennifer Deems at jenniferdeems@gmail.com.

Family Life Education Materials Parent Preview Night

Monday, November 25, 2019

6:30pm - Franconia ES Library

Parents and guardians are invited to attend a material preview night at Franconia Elementary School to learn about the Human Growth and Development curriculum.

We will be teaching Human Growth and Development Lessons at Franconia ES in 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th grade classrooms during the months of December & January.

This meeting is an opportunity to preview the materials we will be using.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Advanced Academics Program Info

If you missed the recent Advanced Academics Program (AAP) presentation at the PTA meeting, you may be interested in watching it online.

The AAP office has provided the presentation in both English and Spanish

You can see the video slideshows by going to fcps.edu and searching for “AAP” and scrolling down to the “Parent Presentation” tab.

As always, Mrs. Fouad, our AART, welcomes all your questions.

Email her at jpfouad@fcps.edu.

GOT RECYCLABLES?

The STEAM lab is always looking for unconventional building materials that you might have in your household or classroom!

If you happen to come across these items at home or in your classrooms and were about to throw them into recycling, consider saving them and donating them to the STEAM lab for repurposing.

Items can be dropped off at the office.

Materials include:

• (Small) Cardboard boxes and tubes
• Tissue boxes
• Paper towel rolls
• Shoe boxes
• Empty tape rolls

• Plastic bottles and caps

• Water and soda bottles
• Empty sanitizing wipes bottles

• String, rubber bands
• Bread twist ties
• Aluminum foil and bottle caps

Thanks for your support!

Lindsay Snyder, M.A.T.

STEAM Resource and Robotics Teacher

Mustang Wall of Fame

This Month's Wall of Fame Students*

Each month, 1 student from each grade is RANDOMLY selected to be part of the Wall of Fame.  Next time you visit the office, take a look at the Wall of Fame pictures!

We ask each Wall of Fame student 3 questions:

• What is your favorite school subject?
• What is your favorite activity outside of school?
• Why do you love being a Franconia Mustang?

Here’s what they had to say:

Kindergarten – Henry D.

• Art
• Go to the Capitol
• I love so [many] things, I can't say

1st grade – Cody L.

• Art
• Playing with my friends
• Because I'm a horsey and they teach me how to read

2nd grade – Aubrey A.

• Writing
• Soccer
• Because I can be me

3rd grade – Angel N.

• Math
• Playing soccer
• Because they teach me a lot

4th grade – Pajja J.

• PE
• Playing video games
• The friendly staff

5th grade – Priscilla H.

• Math & PE
• Dancing hip hop, reading, and playing with my dogs
• My teacher is super nice and she always makes me feel welcome.  I like that my school is against bullying and all the teachers are always ready to help you.

*Students are randomly selected to have their picture displayed in the office for a month.

Notes from the School Counselors

Hello Parents,

In the month of September, our school reflected on the character trait, "kindness" - being friendly, considerate, and willing to help others."  Students had the opportunity to vote for students in their class that demonstrated school spirit.  The names of those students who were nominated are:

Kindergarten - Thomas, Alana, Freddie, Nathan

First Grade - Rosalie, Jacey, Victory, Zoe

Second Grade - Natalie, Carlos, Ava

Third Grade - Hortordo, Asimina, Jack

Fourth Grade - Sophia, Mira, Sophia, Aubrey

Fifth Grade - AJ, Judy, Priscilla

Sixth Grade - Camryn

The next character trait we will focus on will be, "gratitude" - the feeling of being thankful or showing appreciation towards others.

4^th Annual Supply Drive

Sponsored by the Franconia Student Council Association (SCA)

For the fourth year in a row, the Franconia SCA is teaming up with Paint the Globe Foundation to provide school/art/personal supplies for kids in need across the globe. This year we will be collecting supplies for the United African Alliance Community Center (UAACC) in Arusha, Tanzania.  UAACC’s mission is to provide programs and projects for the enrichment of the Arusha community, improving the lives of children from extremely disadvantaged homes, and those who, for various reasons, have not been able to continue their formal public education.

All donations will be delivered to Tanzania and will be used to support the children who attend classes at the UAACC.  Please consider donating items from the list below.

Items will be accepted 10/2-11/13 - collection bins are located inside the main entrance of the school and in each classroom:

• Water color paints
• Paint brushes
• Acrylic paints
• Colored pencils
• Pencil sharpeners
• Markers
• Scissors
• Soap
• Feminine products
• Toothbrush/paste

For additional information about Paint the Globe Foundation, or to make monetary donations, please visit:

www.painttheglobefoundation.org

With your help, we can make a difference….AGAIN!!!

Mustangs making a difference!  We will be the CHANGE we want to see in the WORLD!

FREE TUTORING

Richard Byrd Public Library

Our mission is to provide quality educational assistance to kids who could benefit from it!  GROWTH AND INSPIRATION THROUGH VOLUNTEERING AND EDUCATION TUTORING

Who: Elementary school students

What: Free tutoring by high school students

Where: Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St, Springfield, VA 22150

When: Saturdays (starts om 9/29), 2:30 - 4:30pm

Why: This is a FREE and fun way to stay ahead in the classroom!

How: Register online at giveyouth.org or email RichardByrd.Center@giveyouth.org for more information.

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 - November

Special Education: Understanding the Process and Collaborating with Your School

Topics Include:

• What is Special Education?
• How do children qualify for services?
• What is Least Restrictive Environment?
• What is the difference between accommodations and modifications?
• What is an IEP?
• What are the roles and responsibilities of IEP team members?
• How can I work with the school team to develop an IEP?
• How do I advocate for my child at school and in the IEP process?

Wednesday, November 13, 2019, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Register for Special Education: Understanding the Process and Collaborating with Your School

Building Success in Physical Education

Learn fun activities for the whole family to get your child moving while reinforcing a wide range of skills needed to participate in physical education.

You will learn how to:

• Motivate your child to be physically active
• Modify games to enhance success
• Reinforce the adaptive skills students need to be successful in PE:
  • Taking turns and following rules
  • Participating in group games and interacting interact with peers

Presented by Phyllis Orner, FCPS Adapted PE Specialist, Manda Tirado and Christy Stone, FCPS Adapted PE Teachers

Friday, November 15, 2019, 10 a.m.-noon.

Register for Building Success in Physical Education

Parenting Through Challenging Times: Supporting Your Child Through Life’s Ups and Downs

Transform feelings of being overwhelmed, anxious and stressed to calm, confident and compassionate. Learn tools and techniques to navigate turbulent waters and times of change within your home and family life.

Major Life Changes can make you feel out of control:

• A Job Change/Loss
• A Move
• Divorce/Separation
• Addition of a family member or sibling to the home
• Death
• Mental/physical illness
• Child leaving the home

Presented by Corinne Coppola, M.A., and Well-Being Professional.

Friday, November 22, 2019, 10 a.m.-noon.

Register for Parenting Through Challenging Times: Supporting Your Child Through Life's Ups and Downs

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.

Upcoming Mustang Events:

WEEK OF 11/11

• 11/11: Thanksgiving Programs and Luncheon

• 11/11: Safety Patrol mtg [officers only] (12:00-12:30pm in gym)

• 11/12: PTA mtg [4^th grade – VA Studies curriculum] (7:00pm in library)

• 11/13: Progress reports sent home

• 11/13: SCA mtg (8:45-9:15am in cafeteria)

WEEK OF 11/18

• 11/19: PTA Restaurant Night at IHOP (4:00-8:00pm)

WEEK OF 11/25

• 11/25: Safety Patrol mtg [all patrols] (12:00-12:30pm in gym)
• 11/25: Parent Preview of Family Life Education materials (6:30-8:30pm in the library)
• 11/27-11/29: NO SCHOOL - THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

Mustang Mainstays

Click on a link for information

Franconia Elementary School website

• Attendance
• Health Room
• Parent Resources (registration, SIS Parent Vue/Blackboard 24/7, Cafeteria, and BYOD)
• Safety
• Transportation
• PTA
• Inclement Weather
• Blackboard 24/7 and SIS Parent Vue
• School Menus
• 2017-2018 School Calendar
• FCPS Main Website

6301 Beulah Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22310 | Office: 703-822-2200

Attendance: 703-822-2222 |  | Web | Twitter