Third Graders Journeyed Around the World
Before winter break, third graders participated in a Project-Based Learning (PBL) unit in which students collaboratively researched a continent of their choice, created a video tour highlighting its geological and geographical features, and then presented their videos to their audience at a movie premiere. The red carpet was literally rolled out as each V.I.P. group of researching movie producers shared their work!
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Brrr… It’s Cold Outside!
Forestdale families, there is no doubt that winter is here! Winter Break was mild, but the cold weather has arrived!
With the ever-changing and unpredictable weather, it is not hard to believe that our little Falcons are having difficulty with their clothing and outerwear choices. Surprisingly, with temperatures below freezing, students are coming to school in shorts, t-shirts, no socks and sweatshirts in lieu of winter weather gear. We know it is hard to predict what kind of weather we will have, and we need your help in talking with your child at home about what he or she should and should not wear to school. It is a good idea to layer up. It is a lot easier to remove an article of clothing when warm than to not have the necessary clothing item when it gets cold. If your family is in need of assistance with clothing or outerwear for the cold weather, contact our school counselors, Sofia Echaide at scechaidevia@fcps.edu or Stephanie Felix at ssfelix@fcps.edu.
Students participate in all classroom activities, including recess. Classes still go outside for recess, even during cold spells; therefore, it is important that students are dressed appropriately (jackets, gloves, hats). We do not have additional personnel available to monitor students during recess, so all students go outside. However, during a National Weather Service (NWS) issued Wind Chill Advisory, outdoor activity will be limited to no more than fifteen (15) minutes. During a NWS Wind Chill Warning, students will not participate in outdoor activities including general and physical education classes, recess, and scheduled non-emergency fire drills. This does not include students walking to and from school, students waiting at bus stops, or student patrols.
January is just beginning and we are starting to see the impact of inclement weather on our school schedule. We have already had our first two-hour early closing, two-hour delay, and snow day this year!
As a reminder, FCPS has several schedules established when inclement weather strikes. These schedules are: 1) keep schools closed all day; 2) open schools two hours late; and 3) close schools two hours early. More information regarding FCPS weather cancellation policies can be found here. For information on how FCPS makes closing decisions, watch the FCPS Decisions Decisions video.
• If schools open two hours late, Forestdale’s hours are:
Monday-Friday: 10:50 a.m.-3:35 p.m.
• If schools close two hours early, Forestdale’s hours are:
Monday-Friday: 8:50 a.m.-1:35 p.m.
Please note that the school office staff and teachers follow the same schedule as students. When schools are closed, they do not report. When there is a delay, their arrival is delayed as well.
Parents can stay informed by checking Twitter (@FCPSNEWS), the FCPS Facebook site, local radio or television stations, FCPS emails, or going to www.fcps.edu.
Stay safe and warm this winter season!
Mark Your Calendars for Student Holidays
Don’t forget that Monday, January 20 is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and there is no school.
The last day of the second quarter is Thursday, January 24. There is no early release that day.
Monday, January 27 and Tuesday, January 28 are teacher work/staff development days, and students do not report to school. School will resume on Wednesday, January 29.
Keeping Students Safe at Kiss and Ride
In an effort to get students into the building as quickly and safely as possible, we have streamlined entrance procedures for students so that they have the shortest route into the building with the most staff present. All students will now enter the main building through Door 6. Please see the following important reminders to help us keep our students, staff, and families safe during Kiss and Ride.
- The Kiss and Ride lane is one-way. Cars enter off of Elder Avenue and exit through the back gate near Starbucks. Cars should never enter through the back gate or turn around in the Kiss and Ride lane.
- Be sure to pull all the way up in the line. Students should not be let out of vehicles before getting to the staff at the sidewalk leading to Door 6 and the modular (near the end of the Kiss and Ride lane).
- Be mindful that Kiss and Ride opens at 8:40 a.m. and closes at 8:50 a.m. At that time, families must park and walk their child into the office to sign in, as staff are no longer outside and students are tardy. If you are arriving right before 8:50 a.m., it’s a good idea to park just in case Kiss and Ride is closed by the time you get to the back of the school.
- Make sure to always walk in the crosswalks. While it may seem faster to cross the street at a place other than the crosswalk, doing so puts students and adults in danger and also models unsafe habits for students.
Thank you for your partnership as we work to ensure a safe and efficient arrival and dismissal at Forestdale!
MLK Day of Service: Care Packing in Region 3
All Region 3 schools and families are invited to participate in an MLK Day of Service at Hayfield Secondary School on Monday, January 20, 2020. On this day of service, the region is partnering with America's Adopt A Soldier ® program by collecting and packing items for our service men and women.
Forestdale families can support in multiple ways. One way families can support this cause is to send in items for soldiers. A list of suggested items can be found below. All donations can sent in with students through Friday, January 17.
Families can also help out by attending the care packing event on Monday, January 20 from 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. at Hayfield Secondary School. If you are able to send in items and/or participate in the packing event, please RSVP through this link to help the region in their planning efforts.
Thank you for your support and for partnering with us as we continue to teach our Falcons about the power of giving and service to others!
FCPS Immersion Program Registration Information
Each year, rising FCPS kindergarteners and first graders have the chance to participate in immersion programs available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish offered at: Bailey’s, Fort Hunt, Fox Mill, Great Falls, Kent Gardens, Lake Anne, Laurel Ridge, London Towne, Orange Hunt, Powell, Ravensworth, and Rose Hill elementary schools through a county-wide lottery process. Online registration for this lottery process opens on January 27.
Registration is open to all rising kindergarteners and first graders living in Fairfax County. A SIS account is required to complete the application. If a student is not currently enrolled in FCPS, registration at the base school for the upcoming school year will be required. Please be aware that FCPS does not provide transportation for students who reside outside the attendance area of the immersion schools, and a one-time fee of $100 must be paid upon acceptance of an out-of-boundary placement.
A letter containing more information regarding the immersion program and registration procedures can be found in today’s Thursday folder for all families of kindergarten and pre-kindergarten students. Information, as well as the immersion online registration, can also be found on the Immersion Registration site.
WIDA Testing for English Learners
Current federal legislation requires that all English learners (ELs) participate annually in an English language proficiency assessment. In the state of Virginia, all divisions use the WIDA Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State to State for English Language Learners® 2.0 (ACCESS for ELLs® 2.0) to monitor students' progress in acquiring academic English. ACCESS for ELLs® 2.0 is administered annually to all kindergarten ELs and all students in grades 1-12 with an English language proficiency (ELP) level of 1-5.
ACCESS for ELLs® 2.0 is aligned with the WIDA English language development standards and assesses the four language domains of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The assessment will:
- Determine students’ English language proficiency level and eligibility for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) services and testing accommodations.
- Help students and families understand students’ current level of ELP along the developmental continuum.
- Provide teachers with information they can use to plan for and support student learning.
- Assist in determining whether ELs have attained the language proficiency needed to participate meaningfully in content area classrooms without ESOL support.
Students participate annually in the ACCESS for ELLs® 2.0, even if ESOL services are declined, until they reach the criteria for ELP level 6 and are designated English proficient.
This year, the ACCESS for ELLs® 2.0, the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs®, or the ELP Checklists will be given in our school from January 21 to March 12. It will be helpful if you can avoid appointments which may take your child out of school during this time period. Also, it will help your child perform his or her best if he or she has had a good night’s rest, a healthy breakfast, and comes to school with a positive attitude.
PTA Corner
Next PTA Meeting is January 13
Come join the PTA on January 13 at 6:00 p.m. in the school library to hear about the latest happenings with the Forestdale PTA. A free pass to Flight Trampoline Park will be raffled off that night for one lucky attendee!
Boosterthon Fun Run Returns in February
Back by popular demand, this year’s main fundraiser is the Forestdale Fun Run! It’s a two-week program that kicks off with a Pep Rally on February 4. Families will then gather pledges for every lap your student runs (typically 30-35 laps) at the Fun Run, which will happen on February 13.
Students will also experience an amazing character theme, MINDSPARK: WILD WEST! Boosterthon’s most exciting theme yet combines S.T.E.A.M. skills (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) with character-building. While they're teaming up with the MindSpark Kids to save Dr. Shock, our students will learn five character traits that will help strengthen themselves and our world.
This year our goal is to raise $9,000 for gym equipment (new p.e. wall mats and installation) and updating our courtyard to become an outdoor classroom… and we need your help! So please help our school by getting pledges from family and friends. Also, all families are invited to come out and cheer on our students at the Fun Run. More details about Boosterthon will be coming home soon. Thanks so much for your support!
Box Tops Collection
Help our school earn cash this school year! Every Box Top is worth 10 cents and they are available on items you already buy. Consider asking relatives to collect them too!
Traditional Box Tops are being phased out and there is a NEW and improved Box Tops mobile app. The app uses state-of-the-art technology to scan your store receipt, find participating products, and instantly add Box Tops to our school's earnings online.
You can submit Box Tops using the app or by clipping traditional Box Tops and sending them to school- or both!
Here’s how to submit Box Tops using the Box Tops app:
- Buy Box Tops Products- You can find Box Tops on hundreds of products throughout the store. There is a new label that says “No More Clipping”. You can submit Box Tops products for these products digitally by using the app.
- Scan Your Receipt- Use the app to snap a photo of your receipt within 14 days of purchase. You do not need to clip or send Box Tops labels to school- but you can if it is a traditional Box Top.
- Earn Money for our School- Box Tops earnings are identified and automatically updated at www.btfe.com.
Traditional Box Tops clips may continue to be found on many products throughout the store as packages transition to the new Box Tops labels. You can still clip these and send them to school. Please make sure each clip has a valid expiration date. Submit traditional box tops the traditional way:
- Buy Box Tops products.
- Cut out the Box Top from each package.
- Send your Box Tops to school.
Our goal is 10,000 Box Tops this year = $1,000 for Forestdale Elementary! Thank you for your support!
Important Dates:
January 13 — PTA Meeting, 6 p.m., library
January 20 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, no school
MLK Day of Service Care Packing, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., Hayfield Secondary School
January 21 — WIDA Testing Begins for K-6 English Learners
January 22 — Grades 5 & 6 Music Program, 2 p.m., gym
January 24 — End of Second Quarter, no early release
January 27 & 28 — Student Holidays
January 30 — Progress Reports go Home
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