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Volume 3, Issue 25; March 1, 2020
 Happy first week of March!
Tomorrow, in conjunction with Read Across America Day, we will be hosting a Pajama spirit day!
Tech Talk: Technology & Executive Functioning
Many different technologies can be used to facilitate executive functioning skills. (excerpted from FCPS website)
In order to manage tasks and succeed in goal-directed activities, executive function skills are required. In Ellen Galinsky’s book, Mind in the Making (2010), she suggests that we should think about executive function as managing, not ordering. In the book Executive Skills in Children and Adolescents (2010), Dawson and Guare discuss two dimensions of executive skills: thinking and doing. Thinking skills help students select and achieve goals and solve problems using strategies like prioritizing, planning, organizing, self-monitoring, and metacognition. Doing skills help students accomplish those tasks and involve skills such as response inhibition, emotional control, sustained attention, task initiation, persistence toward achieving a goal, and flexibility. Most academic tasks require students to coordinate and integrate many different skills. Weaknesses in executive function skills may have a significant impact on the accuracy and efficiency of students’ performance. Many different technologies can be used to facilitate executive functioning skills. For additional information on executive function and to experience what it may be like for your child with attention and learning difficulties, please visit Through Your Child's Eyes.
To learn more about apps that can support these skills, click here!
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Counselor Corner: Planning & Prioritizing
As adults, we are well aware that planning and prioritizing are essential to initiating and following-through on a task or project. Having a good plan can help maximize how time is used, including prioritizing action items which can enable us to meet deadlines. The same is true for students. When students are able to create plans for accomplishing their goals, they are better able to manage the competing demands of school, homework, and extracurricular activities. To further develop these skills at home, consider trying the following:
- Create a task list for chores. Check things off once completed.
- Make a to-do list for morning and/or bedtime routines.
- Create a calendar of your schedule for the week. Prioritize activities and tasks. Ask your child to consider how time needs to be used to meet the demands of his or her schedule.
- Make a list of assignments and due dates. Highlight the most important items that need to be addressed first. It may help to create a list of supplies that will be required, too!
If you have an idea that you feel works particularly well, please share it with the Flint Hill community by emailing our counselors, or feel free to tweet using the hashtags, #FHESfamily or #GritGraceGoals.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions regarding this important topic.
Mrs. Williams & Ms. Tran, Flint Hill School Counselors
DedicatED
Since it is Read Across America Day tomorrow, we are highlighting a wonderful online resource that is updated frequently with a variety of popular children's books read by famous actors.
Storyline Online aims to instill a love of reading (and listening) for children of all ages to enjoy!
Happy reading!
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Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten registration is upon us! We welcome parents of rising kindergarten students to register their child at their earliest convenience. This helps us get acquainted with our new students and allows us to have our numbers so we can best staff our kindergarten classrooms. Please don't hesitate to share this information with a neighbor, friend, or colleague who lives within our boundaries. We want to ensure we get students registered as early as possible--in addition to registering for our Bridge to Kindergarten program this summer!
Bridge to Kindergarten: Year 3!
We are excited to share with you our plans for a two-week kindergarten induction program held here at Flint Hill! This program will run from July 13th-24th, and from 9 am-12 pm. During this two week window, students become acclimated to Flint Hill, learn kindergarten expectations, and participate in a variety of games and other endeavors that support social emotional growth and the development of friendships. If you are interested in enrolling your son or daughter, please complete this Google Form. In addition, we hope you will share this information with families who may be new to the Flint Hill community!
Gentle Reminder: Your child needs to be registered to attend this program. Please see Mrs. Shirley Eason, our Student Information Assistant, to submit registration paperwork.
Kindergarten orientation is on April 13th, from 1-3 pm.
Help Us Personalize Our Yearbook!
In an effort to continue to personalize the yearbook and highlight this year's theme, #GritGraceGoals, the Yearbook Committee is extending an opportunity for students to send in quotes, poems, and artwork. Please note that not every submission will be placed in the yearbook. Deadline to submit ideas and illustrations is March 6th. Submissions can be placed in the basket located in the front office.
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February Appreciation Luncheon
Thank you to our 3rd grade families for contributing to an incredible luncheon on Friday! Mrs. Molivadas and Mrs. Moore, your orchestration of these monthly luncheons is greatly appreciated!
 We continue to highlight learning experiences that support the acquisition of Portrait of a Graduate attributes and skills across our classrooms.
Ms. Burch's 6th graders evidenced every Portrait of a Graduate skill while researching renewable and nonrenewable energy sources. Lots to look forward to as they learn more about wind power!
For more information on Portrait of a Graduate, ask your child how they are a communicator, collaborator, critical and creative thinker, goal-directed and resilient individual, or ethical and global citizen. Or, click here!
Please click on our hashtag, #FHESfamily, for more awesome highlights from Flint Hill! There are just too many to highlight them all!
Tweet, tweet, Flint Hill family!
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Art Gala
Join us to celebrate the arts and talent of our Flint Hill Falcons!
Our first Flint Hill Art Gala will be held on March 4th, from 6 pm to 8 pm, at Flint Hill Elementary School. Every student, K-6, will be represented in the art show. You will have the opportunity to enjoy 2-D and 3-D artwork, interactive art displays, and refreshments! Dress your best as you will be welcomed on our red carpet in Hollywood style! We can't wait to see you there!
Want to help with logistics? Contact Pam Erickson.
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Staff vs. 6th Grade Basketball Game
It’s Game Time!
The annual Staff vs. 6th Grade basketball game is here! Come out and support your favorite teachers and friends as they go head-to-head in friendly competition on March 18th, 2020 at 6:00 pm in the Madison High School Gymnasium. Tickets are $5.00 at the door (cash only) or pre-purchased through Venmo, @FHES6basketball (check-in at the door). Snacks and water will be on sale for $1.00 each. There will also be a raffle during the game for a highly coveted parking spot for the 6th grade promotion ceremony! Tickets for the raffle are $5.00 each.
The 6th grade students will be wearing their brand new class of 2020 T-Shirts! Who will persevere to win? Only time will tell...
See you there!
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Please Mark Your Calendars!
Great news! Flint Hill Elementary School's events are now easily added to your own personal calendar. To find out how to download our calendar feed, please go here.
March 2nd: Pajama Day/Read Across America Day
March 3rd: Primary Elections Day, no school for students
March 4th: FHES Art Gala, 6:00 pm
March 18th: 6th Grade Basketball Game, 6 pm, Madison High School gym
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Recognizing employees who go above and beyond
FCPS Cares is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize those who go above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story so we can all acknowledge the outstanding work of FCPS, and more specifically, Flint Hill employees.
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Falcon Feedback
To provide feedback directly to Ms. Hertzberg, please use the QR code, or click on this link. Thank you, in advance, for sharing your thinking!
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