Mr. Fitzgerald's students showed their excitement about his new baby by making him a "Happy New Dad" card!
The PTA Read-a-thon begins next week!
Read-a-thon Spirit Days for 3/2-3/6 are as follows:
Monday: Happy birthday, Dr. Seuss! Dress up as your favorite Dr. Seuss Character!
Tuesday: No School! Green Eggs and Ham—Wear the color green at home!
Wednesday: Wear crazy hair
Thursday: Fox in Socks—Wear your funniest mismatched socks!
Friday: Class picture day—Be yourself, brush your hair, and wear your best smile!
Positivity Project
Next week, our focus will be on the trait of Cheering Others' Success. This means that when other people succeed, you are happy for them, cheer them on, and celebrate with them.
Being happy for other people when they succeed isn’t always everyone’s initial reaction. Often, it’s easy to become jealous or envious of others’ victories – or even to experience schadenfreude, which is deriving pleasure from witnessing (or learning about) another person’s misfortune. People who have these reactions to the success or misfortune of others are colloquially known as “haters.” It’s important to note that these are natural emotions and in small doses can be helpful in allowing us to see what we care about – and motivate us to pursue those goals.
Tip: Ask your child how he/she demonstrates this trait at home and at school.
FCPS Cares Program
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 our Keene Mill staff. Go to this link if you wish to recognize one of our staff members. https://www.fcps.edu/careers/employee-recognition-programs/fcps-cares-program
Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)
Have you ever wondered how Keene Mill became a National Blue Ribbon Exemplary High Performing School? The key to our success is a multi-tiered system of support that uses students’ data to make decisions in order to provide high quality instruction and intervention.
In a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) framework, school teams make data informed decisions in order to provide high quality instruction. Some students will require additional academic, behavior, and/or social-emotional wellness support. Families are our partners in this process!
Tiers of Support: Academics, Behavior, and Student Wellness
The MTSS/RI triangle consists of three tiers. At all tiers, teachers monitor students' response to core instruction and interventions.
At all tiers, teachers monitor students’ response to core instruction and interventions.
Tier 1 - All students receive:
Evidence-based, high quality core instruction
Differentiated instruction and additional support as needed
Tier 2 - Some students receive:
Small group targeted intervention in addition to high quality core instruction
Tier 3 - Few students receive:
Intensive intervention in area(s) of need in addition to high quality core instruction
FCPS Parent Programs
Kin-ship Caregivers support group information Are you raising a child for a family member or friend? Several ongoing classes until June 11. Kinship care ARC Reflections learn how to help them cope with their emotions, ongoing classes every Thursday until April 30.
Quiere aprender a hablar Ingles? Participate in English learning classes, Beginning English classes at Crestwood Elementary School. See the flyer here.
10 Ways Executive Functioning Can Impact Education
This is an excellent article from Understood.org that explains how executive functioning can impact reading and math. Read the article at this link.
School Health Services Survey
The Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) employs school health aides and public health nurses who provide school health services to the students in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). To determine the quality of these services, a survey has been developed by the FCHD to be shared with all parents or guardians and school staff members who interact with the school health rooms.
Electronic versions of the survey forms may be accessed at:
The survey will take less than five minutes to complete and will provide the FCHD with valuable information. Your participation in this important endeavor is appreciated.
PTA Nominating Committee
The PTA is looking for volunteers to join the nominating committee. This committee will be responsible for identifying future PTA Board Members. If you are interested in participating, please contact Marie Carpizo at kmesptapresident@gmail.com.
Please sign up here to volunteer for the 6th Grade Bake Sale on March 3rd. This event cannot happen without your help.
Mark Your Calendar:
3/2-Dr. Seuss’s Birthday & Read Across America Day
3/2-3/6-PTA Read-a-thon
3/3-School Planning Day/Election Day/No School!
3/5-Interims Go Home in Thursday Folders
3/6-Class and Spring Photos
3/12-Pi Day
3/17-Chalk for Kindness. Please plan to join us during your child's specials!
3/20-5th Grade Field Trip, Science Museum, Richmond, VA
