First Graders Help Forestdale Grow
Last week, all four first grade classes took their learning outside to plant seven new trees in front of the school with the help of a grant from the Tree Preservation and Planting Fund through the Fairfax County Urban Forest Management Division. The students even made the news! Check out the article here.
What’s next for our little arborists? They will integrate this hands-on experience into their continued science exploration of plants and use what they learned to write “How To” books about planting trees and why they are important. Thanks for taking care of this place, Falcons!
Celebrating the Gift of One Another
With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season upon us, the upcoming winter break offers us the opportunity to slow down with our loved ones and enjoy the best gift of all, time with one another. What might that look like in your home this winter? Perhaps it’s sharing a family recipe with your child, inviting him or her to bake a special treat with you to turn around and share with others. Or are you excited to spend some quality time curled up and cozy, reading a good book together--or each reading your own? Maybe you will explore volunteer activities, teaching your loves ones how to take care of one another, and in the process, how good it feels to do so. Whatever winter break brings for you, we hope it is full of big and small moments together in which you can cherish the gift of family and friends. The Forestdale Family wishes you a very special holiday season and a wonderful winter break. We look forward to an amazing new year when our Falcons return!
Student Holidays in December
Mark your calendars! The Forestdale school office will be closed from December 23 to January 3. The office will reopen on Monday, January 6, 2020.
Holiday Support Available
If your family needs assistance during the upcoming winter holidays, schools can help. Contact the school counselor, Sofia Echaide at scechaidevia@fcps.edu, or our parent liaison, Rosario Carrasco, at rdcarrasco@fcps.edu or 703-313-4301. Requests are confidential.
Join Us for a Parent Coffee on December 10
All parents are invited to join the Forestdale staff for a Parent Coffee on Tuesday, December 10 from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. in the SACC room. Nicole Campbell, school psychologist, Amity Kim, school social worker, and Sofia Echaide and Stephanie Felix, school counselors, will be presenting on the topic of “Enhancing your Child’s Self-Esteem.” Light refreshments will be provided. If you need an interpreter, please contact our parent liaison, Rosario Carrasco, at rdcarrasco@fcps.edu or (703) 313-4325. We hope you can join us!
AAP Level IV Referral Deadline is January 9
This is a friendly reminder that the deadline for referring students in Grades 2-7 for AAP full-time Level IV consideration is due no later than January 9, 2020. Parents are welcome to submit early, but no late referrals will be accepted. We advise parents not to wait for pending abilities test scores or staff referrals if they would like their student screened. While the Grade 2 screening pool casts a starting point for screening some students, test scores are only one factor in the eligibility decision.
If you would like more information about Level IV AAP services or the screening process for Level IV, there are two parent presentations available on the AAP public website that have the same information that was shared at our local school information meetings.
Referrals can be submitted to the Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, Katelyn Spengler, at any time up through January 9.
Spanish Level IV Advanced Academic Information Night on December 11
On December 11, Katelyn Spengler, the Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, in collaboration with Rosario Carrasco, our Parent Liaison, will be hosting a repeat of this past Monday’s Level IV Full-Time Advanced Academic Program Information Night for Spanish-speaking families. Parents of students in grades 2-6 who are interested are welcome to attend. Ms. Spengler will cover the referral process including deadlines, work samples, and the role parents play in the process. As a reminder, the deadline for referring students for the Level IV Service is January 9, 2020.
Yearbook Cover Contest Deadline Extended to Friday, December 20
This year’s yearbook cover will feature student-drawn artwork. The deadline for submitting a yearbook cover submission has been extended to Friday, December 20. This year’s yearbook cover theme is “Forestdale has 20/20 Vision.” The artwork contest is open to ALL Forestdale students. More information and specifications regarding artwork submission can be found on the flyer that went home in this week’s Thursday folder.
Lice Prevention and Treatment Resources
The cold weather of the winter months is accompanied by coats, hats, gloves, and scarves in school. And with all that winter gear comes the possible spread of head lice. In collaboration with the Fairfax County Health Department, FCPS has outlined some important reminders for parents regarding the prevention and treatment of head lice, which can be found here.
International Heritage Night Moved to April 24, 2020
Forestdale’s third annual International Heritage Night, which was originally scheduled for Friday, December 13, has been moved to April 24, 2020. More information about this special night in which we honor and share our cultures with one another will be forthcoming in the new year!
PTA Corner
Boosterthon Fun Run Coming in February
Boosterthon is a hassle-free school fundraiser that raises on average over 50% more than other school fundraisers. The Boosterthon Fun Run theme this year “Mind Spark Wild West,” a sequel to last year’s theme. This year’s theme infuses a western theme into character building lessons around growth mindset, zest, integrity, teamwork and citizenship.
Our Boosterthon will kick-off on February 4, 2020 with a pep rally and culminate in the Fun Run on February 13, 2020. This is our biggest fundraising event of the year! As you see relatives this holiday season, your child can ask them to sponsor them in the Fun Run. Sponsors donate a certain amount of money per lap the student runs. Most children run 30-35 laps. This year we are raising funds for gym equipment (P.E. wall mats and installation) and updating our courtyard to become an outdoor classroom. More details about Boosterthon will be coming home soon!
In Need of Boosterthon Business Sponsors
In order to make Boosterthon a HUGE success for ALL students, we need sponsorships from local (or nonlocal!) businesses. Each student is given a FREE Boosterthon t-shirt to record the laps they will run as a part of their fundraising efforts. These shirts will cost the PTA $2000, which is taken out of the profits from the Fun Run—that is, unless we can get businesses to sponsor the cost of these t-shirts! Each business that sponsors the cost of the shirts will have their logo displayed on the back of the t-shirt. The larger the donation, the bigger the logo will be. What a great tax-deductible way to support schools while promoting your business! In order to display your logo on our shirts you must make a sponsorship of $250 or more.
We are counting on our community to help support our Forestdale ES Boosterthon. If you are interested in becoming a Boosterthon sponsor, please contact PTA Treasurer, Jessica McCarl at jfmccarl@fcps.edu by December 20, 2019. We are looking forward to an amazing fundraising event and are so thankful to our generous sponsors!
Upcoming Dates:
December 9— PTA Meeting, 6 p.m., library
December 10—Parent Coffee, 12-1 p.m., SACC room, more information above
December 11—AAP Level IV Information Night- for Spanish-speaking families
December 12—Interims Go Home
December 16- 20—Human Growth & Development Lessons, Grades 4-6
December 20—Pajama Day Spirit Day
December 23- January 3—Student Holidays, School Office is Closed
January 6—Students Return to School
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