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Principal’s Message
Families,
Happy Holidays! Can you believe that we’re nearing Winter Break? This year is flying by. Let’s make the most of it! I have a few announcements below. As always, I hope you continue to feel comfortable coming to me or our staff with any questions.
We held our second of three parent partnership meetings last night, and the PTA board and I were proud of the attendance from parents and teachers and the value of the conversations. We already have great ideas for improving our school, thanks to the conversations and input we received. This whole process concludes at our final meeting on January 15. At that time, we’ll take the key understandings we’ve gained and develop a home-school compact. This will put teachers and families on the same page and help everyone understand our roles in making our kids successful!
2nd Quarter Interim Reports go home in Thursday Folders on Dec. 19. Unlike last quarter, teachers will only send home an interim report to students who have an area of improvement. If you don’t see an interim in your child’s folder and think they should have gotten one, contact your teacher. Interim reports are not the official end-of-quarter progress reports (report cards). They are a middle-of-the-quarter report that signals everyone about areas of needed improvement. We hope that students and parents use the interim to focus efforts so that grade improve by the end of the quarter.
I want to thank our teachers who volunteered their time to run some Before-School Clubs for older students this fall. This was a new idea for us, and it was a great success for those who participated. Some students learned debate skills, some formed a community service organization, some created jewelry, and others learned to play chess. These clubs are ending this month, and we hope to offer more in the spring. Watch Thursday Folders for announcements!
I began teaching my “Talk Like a Boss” public speaking class to grades 4-6 this month. If your child’s class has not yet met with me, they will before the end of January. I love my time with them, and it’s exciting to see them learn to present themselves as the intelligent, positive people they really are! Watch your teachers’ weekly correspondence to hear about the specific skills they’ve learned. I’d love if you promoted these skills at home.
We have a long break from school coming soon. Have fun, keep your kids reading, and know that we’ll miss them during that time.
Jesse Kraft, Proud Principal
From PTA
Join us for Family Movie Night on Friday, Dec. 13 @ 6:00 to view
Toy Story 4
Free Admission
Food Available for Cost
All Coates Families Welcome!
Advanced Academics News
Mrs. Mani, our AAP resource teacher, recently held information sessions about Advanced Academic Programs in FCPS. If you’d like more information, please check out: https://www.fcps.edu/academics/academic-overview/advanced-academic-programs
For parents interested in the level IV referral form, it can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/registration/advanced-academics-identification-and-placement/current-fcps-students
Please note the firm deadline for parent referrals on January 9.
Questions? Contact Mrs. Mani at jtmani@fcps.edu or call (703) 713-3000.
The Positivity Project Continues!
We teach and promote these character strengths this month. Watch Thursday Folders & social media for resources to help you emphasize character at home!
Wk of Dec. 2 Kindness
Wk of Dec. 9 Humility
Wk of Dec. 16 Self-Control
Mark Your Calendar
Dec. 13—Movie Night Toy Story 4/PTA Meeting 6pm
Dec. 17– Winter Chorus Concert 7pm
Dec. 19 —Interims go home
Dec. 23-Jan 3 —Winter Break
Looking Ahead
Jan. 8—Rising 7th grade transition night 6:30pm
Jan. 15—Parent Partnership Mtg Part 3 /6:30pm
Jan. 16—Rising 7th grade curriculum night
Jan. 20 —Martin Luther King Jr Birthday/No school
Jan. 27 & 28—Teacher Workday/Student Holiday
Winter Break!
School is closed from Dec. 23-Jan.3.
Students return to class on Monday, Jan. 6.
The Coates office has limited hours of operation
from 9:00-1:00 on Dec. 23 & 30.
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