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Kindergarten Student from Ms. Cummings Class
Weather Closings and Delays
Please check out this short video on how FCPS decides whether or not to delay or close school due to inclement weather.
2020-21 School Year Calendar Announced
In case you missed it over the summer, the 2020-21 school year calendar has been announced. For planning purposes, notable dates include: first day of school - Tuesday, August 26, 2020; Thanksgiving break - November 26-28, 2020; Winter Break - December 21, 2020-January 1, 2021; Spring Break - March 29, 2021- April 2, 2021 (Note: Monday, April 5, 2021, is a teacher workday and a holiday for students); Last day of school for students - Friday, June 11, 2021. See the complete 2020-21 school year calendar.
Absences Add Up! Schedule Family Travel During School Breaks
Fairfax County Public Schools is required to keep track of student participation in school, through attendance reporting to the state of Virginia. You may have received one or more calls or electronic messages when your student did not arrive in class on time, or when the school was not notified that the student would be absent.
It is vital that parents access the school attendance phone line or attendance e-mail when they know that their students will miss school. Knowing the reason why students are absent helps school personnel understand if a specific reason (such as illness or family hardship) is keeping them out of school.
When parents know that their students must be out for a specific period (more than a day), they can access and submit a prearranged absence form. This must be done at least three to five days in advance of the absence. This gives administrators and teachers time to consider the work, tests, and projects the student may need to turn in on the student’s return to school. Parents should avoid end-of-semester or end-of-course exam periods; state testing periods; etc., when making plans. Please make every effort to arrange travel during school breaks.
Absences add up, and research indicates that missing 10 percent of the school year, for any reason, can have a negative impact on student success. Learn more about FCPS’ attendance expectations.
Attendance Matters
Parents have a huge influence on students when it comes to attendance. Attending school regularly helps students feel better about school—and themselves. Start building this habit in preschool so they learn right away that going to school on time, every day is important. Good attendance will help students do well in high school, college, and at work.
Here’s how parents can help:
- Maintain regular bed time and morning routines to help your child develop a habit of on-time attendance.
- Talk to your child about why going to school every day is important unless they are sick.
- Don’t let your child stay home unless she is truly sick.
- If your child seems reluctant to go to school, find out why and talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make him feel comfortable and excited about learning. Keep in mind complaints of a stomach ache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home.
- When possible, avoid medical appointments and extended trips when school is in session.
- Reach out to your child’s teacher or school counselor if you are experiencing tough times such as unstable housing, transportation or health problems.
Lost & Found
Lost and found items are stored in the lobby near the front staircase. Items not claimed prior to Winter Break, Spring Break, and at the close of school in June are donated for distribution to needy families.
Elementary School Grades K-6 Parent Preview Notification Letter
Dear Parents/Guardians of Elementary School Students:
Students in grades K-6 participate in Family Life Education (FLE) instruction through their classroom teacher. Students in Kindergarten through grade three receive instruction in an emotional and social health unit. Students in grades 4-6 receive instruction in a human growth and development unit and an emotional and social health unit. For more information about the FCPS Family Life Education program, please see the detailed grade-level program descriptions at https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary-family-life-education-fle.
In addition, grade level-specific curriculum lessons are available for review in multiple locations.
- Online in FCPS 24-7 (Blackboard) Parent View - includes lessons and media titles that FCPS has streaming rights for. Any additional media or book titles that are not streamed are available at your child’s school library. Parents/guardians will need a SIS account to access FCPS 24-7. Account information is available at your local school or online at https://fcps.blackboard.com/https://www.fcps.edu/resources/technology/fcps-24-7-learning.
- Your child’s school. Please contact the school to schedule a time to review lessons and/or media.
Parents/guardians who do not wish to have their child participate in FLE instruction may choose to opt their child out of any or all of the lessons. If you would like to opt your child out of one or more lessons, please fill out the form provided to you in your child’s orientation packet at the beginning of the school year or you may access the opt out forms online at https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary-family-life-education-fle. If you have already indicated your desire to opt your child out of FLE lessons by using the form provided earlier in the school year, you do not need to complete another form. Should you opt your child out and then later decide you want your child included in FLE instruction, you must notify your child’s teacher in writing before instruction begins. Lessons in grades 4 – 6 will take place the week of December 16th.
An alternative non-FLE health instructional program is provided for children who do not take part in FLE instruction, and every effort is made to foster understanding and respect for family choices and to avoid peer pressure for or against participation in the program.
Instruction occurs at various times for the instructional units during the school year. Please contact your child’s teacher for specific dates of FLE instruction. We look forward to working as your partner in providing information that will help your child make healthy choices related to the exciting changes and new challenges he/she will be facing in the next few years.
Opt Out forms are due this Friday December 13, 2019.
Opt-Out Flier
The 2019-20 Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms flier is now online at http://fcpsnet.fcps.edu/cco/strategiccomm/pubs/optoutflier.pdf
Winter Holiday Parties – December 19th
PAC 2:00pm-3:00pm
Kindergarten 11:30am-1:15pm
1st Grade 9:00am-11:00am
2nd Grade 1:20pm-2:45pm
3rd Grade 9:00am-11:00am
4th Grade 1:15am-3:15pm
5th Grade 12:30pm-2:30pm
6th Grade 10:50am-12:05am
Save the Date:
Dec. 13 – 6th Grade Field Trip to Woodson Planetarium
Dec. 19 – Holiday Winter Parties
Dec. 23-Jan. 3 – Winter Break (Cub Run Office Closed)
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