March 9th Panther Press


Dear Spring Hill Families and Staff,

 

As COVID-19 circumstances continue to evolve, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is working with the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) to implement sound public health recommendations and share updated information with the community, as it becomes available. We learned yesterday at the FCHD briefing that the risk to the general public remains low – even though we have two confirmed cases in the county.

Please continue to stay informed by accessing the following resources: FCPS coronavirus webpage. The page also contains fact sheets, videos, and other resources that you may find useful.  Additional information is available from the Fairfax County Health Department  and the CDC .

I want to assure you that we are putting measures in place to support our students and our staff. We will increase opportunities for students to wash hands, as this is the most effective way to prevent the spread of viruses and germs. As additional measures for Spring Hill, I will share with the staff and students the following safety protocols. I will go on the morning news to share these items with students that will be reinforced throughout the school day:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Our custodial team continues to use hospital grade disinfectant as part of their cleaning operations and will continue to do so.

The Fairfax County Health Department has not advised FCPS to cancel or reschedule community events or programs with large crowds. In preparation for our annual Fun Fair, we have a full team of custodial support ready to provide ongoing cleaning routines throughout the day as well as an extensive clean after our event before opening school on Monday. In addition, we will continue to reinforce the use of proper hygiene practices.

As you aware, things could change rapidly, and I will continue to communicate should changes be made.

In addition to talking with children about the importance of washing hands, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when they are sick, there are a number of resources to support families and staff in talking with children about COVID-19. Consider sharing resources with families and staff to support healthy discussion at home and in the classroom :

https://www.fcps.edu/blog/talking-children-about-coronavirus

https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-climate-safety-and-crisis/health-crisis-resources/talking-to-children-about-covid-19-(coronavirus)-a-parent-resource

https://www.schoolcounselor.org/school-counselors/professional-development/learn-more/coronavirus-resources

School nurses, school counselors, school psychologists, and school social workers can support these discussions and follow up with students who may need additional support.

Thank you for your continual support of our school community.

 

Sincerely,

Sarah C. Aiello

Proud Principal

Spring Hill Elementary School

 

In this issue:

Handwashing & Infectious Disease Prevention

Kindergarten Orientation

Lost & Found

Instruments on Buses

Parking Reminders

Family Engagement Policy Meeting

School Health Services Survey

Science Fair Winners

PTO Fun Fair

Quick Links

Calendar


Handwashing and Infectious Disease Prevention

FCPS is working closely with the Fairfax County Health Department to monitor the latest updates about the coronavirus (COVID-19). We are reinforcing the importance of students following proper handwashing procedures and our outstanding custodial teams following standard cleaning protocols by using hospital-grade disinfectants on high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, faucet handles, and handrails. We realize that time is a valuable commodity during the school day, and in today’s environment, hand washing should be a priority, so we are encouraging staff to provide ample time for students to wash their hands.

Here is additional information about flu virus prevention from the Fairfax County Health Department:

Hand hygiene saves lives! Did you know that proper hand hygiene may prevent up to 80 percent of infectious diseases? Germs get on your hands and on items you touch throughout the day.

Stop the spread: Without realizing it, people frequently touch their eyes, nose, and mouth AFTER touching contaminated objects, such as doorknobs, handrails, desks, and hand-held devices. 

What can you do? The first line of defense is handwashing which is easy, cheap, and effective in preventing the spread of germs. When done correctly, handwashing is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of contagious diseases. 

Simple steps to practice proper handwashing are:

  • Wet hands
  • Lather with soap
  • Scrub for 20 seconds (Have fun and sing a song)
  • Rinse 
  • Dry

Lead by example! Remember, children imitate what you do. Remind your kids to wash their hands:

  • Make it part of your routine prior to eating and after using the bathroom
  • Here’s a fun video featuring staff and students at Springfield Estates Elementary School: 

Baby Shark Handwashing Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J54zD_nVZco


Kindergarten Orientation Date Change

The planning has begun to welcome the new class of 2033!  Pass along the word across our community that our Kindergarten Orientation will be held on April 13th 8:30-10:30 AM We invite students and parents in to experience kindergarten. More details to come!


Lost & Found

Lost & Found

Please make sure to collect all your child’s lost & found by Friday, March 13th. All clothing that is not claimed will be donated.

Thank you,


Instruments on Buses

Carry-On Items Policy

Space on buses can be tight, with limited available seat width for students. Large instruments and projects are allowed on buses if they can be safely carried in the student’s lap. Otherwise, large items, which are extremely dangerous in the event of a crash or sudden stop, must be transported by the parent.

Lost items will be held on the bus or returned to the school office. Unclaimed and unlabeled items are donated to charity.

 

Thank you for your cooperation,

FCPS Transportation


Parking Reminders

no parking

As a reminder,

Do not block our neighbors’ driveways along Lewisville Road. The police will be called and cars will be towed and/or ticketed.

Thank you for your cooperation.


Attend a Family Engagement Policy Open Meeting

FCPS is hosting several open meetings to receive feedback on the draft version of our new Family Engagement Policy. We invite parents, staff, students, and community members to attend one of the meetings. The purpose of the Family Engagement Policy is to promote effective and meaningful family-school partnerships–inclusive of all families–as an essential element in supporting student success.

View the Family Engagement Policy meeting dates, times, and locations.


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. This may include principals, school counselors, and main office staff members. The survey has been approved for distribution by the FCPS’ Internal Survey Advisory Committee.

Electronic versions of the survey forms may be accessed at:

School Health Services Survey – Parents 2020: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/K9VWCJ6 approval # 20217  

School Health Services Survey-Parents 2020 (Spanish): https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/K7KGXTS

School Health Services Survey – STAFF 2020: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KDDYRW3 approval # 20216  

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.

Action required: To distribute the School Health Survey via electronic communication to school staff and community.

Deadline: 3/16/2020-3/27/2020


Science Fair Winners

We wanted to send out a huge congratulations to all the winners of the Science Fair! The judges were so impressed with all the projects including Bubbles, Birds, Surface Tension, Corona Virus, Archimedes’ Principle and so much more! See the list below for all the winners. Thank you to all the judges, parents, and most importantly the students who participated, and remember… Science is Fun!!

Science Fair Winners

PTO Fun Fair

Fun Fair

Fun Fair Is This Weekend!
Saturday, March 14
 10:00am - 3:00pm

 

Don’t miss the fun!  We’ll see you on Saturday at Spring Hill's 54th Annual Fun Fair!

Visit springhillpto.org/fun-fair for everything you need to know about Fun Fair. There's information about tickets, games, activities, food, the Cake Decorating Contest and Cake Walk, the Prize Raffle, the Fun with Faculty Experience Raffle, and MORE!  

 

WE STILL NEED PARENT VOLUNTEERS

We need to fill as many remaining volunteer slots as possible this week to ensure a fun and safe day for our kids! Please visit our signup genius and take a shift to help out.

 

TICKETS

Buy your tickets before Fun Fair! Early-bird pricing on tickets is still available.  $5 = 25 tickets! 

Monday, March 9th – Friday, March 13th:  8:30am – 9:00am / Front Lobby

Tuesday, March 10th – Thursday, March 12th: 3:30pm – 4:00pm / Back Door Pick Up Area (Weather Permitting)

*Tickets ordered online will be distributed to students this week. If you have any questions, please contact springhillptofunfair@gmail.com.

 

PRIZE RAFFLE AND ENTRY

The Fun Fair Raffle is the place to win prizes like an iPad, an Xbox, a Fit Bit, an American Girl doll, a free party at the Hamlet Pool, and more! Click here to check out this year's amazing prizes!

Enter the Prize Raffle early: some raffle boxes will be at the ticket sales tables this week. So buy some extra discounted tickets and enter the raffle early — you can participate even if you won’t be able to join us for Fun Fair day. 

 

FOOD

If having fun makes you hungry, stop in the cafeteria where pizza, chips, popcorn, cotton candy and beverages will be available for purchase. 

 

FREE FUN AT FUN FAIR

Visit the free activities offered this year.  Take a break in the Lego Build Area, or snap a picture with our Panther mascot at the selfie station! New this year -- Bach to Rock Herndon will entertain us with DJs and student performers in the cafeteria. You can even join in for a free Mini Jam Session on keys, guitar and drums (2nd graders and up). Younger fairgoers can check out their Early Childhood Area for some musical fun.

 

PARKING

There will be limited parking at the school and Spring Hill Rec Center. The Hamlet Pool has kindly offered additional parking.  Feel free to use the lots at these locations or consider walking, biking or carpooling. In the past, tickets have been given for parking in illegal, undesignated spots around the school and in subdivisions.

 

Cake Decorating Contest is this Friday, March 13!

cake

All Grades Welcome

Calling all bakers in K-6!! The annual Cake Decorating Contest is Friday, March 13th!  The theme is “Candy Land Fun Fair.” Award winning bakers from this contest will each receive 25 tickets to Fun Fair! All entered cakes in the contest will be winning Cake Walk prizes in the Cake Walk at Fun Fair on Saturday, March 14th! 

***Once a cake is submitted to the contest, it is a prize for Cake Walk. You may not have your cake back and all bakers and their families will not be awarded their own cake back at Cake Walk.**** For more information, please click here!

 

It's Spirit Week! 

Join in the Fun Fair FUN and show your school spirit all week long! 

Monday 3/9 – Pajama Day

Tuesday 3/10 – Crazy Hat Day

Wednesday 3/11 – Sports Day

Thursday 3/12 – Wacky Hair Day

Friday 3/13 – Spring Hill Spirit Day – wear maroon, gold, your Fun Fair t-shirts, or anything candy-themed to show your school spirit!


Quick Links


Calendar of Events

Week of March 9th:

Friday, March 13th: PTO Meeting, Lg Pod, 9-10 am

Saturday, March 14th: Fun Fair, 10:00 am-3:00 pm

 

Week of March 16th:

Monday, March 16th: 3rd GR PI Day, Cafeteria, 2-3 pm

Thursday, March 19th: 5th & 6th GR Orchestra Concert, Gym, 7-8 pm

 

Week of March 22nd:

Tuesday, March 24th: 5th GR FT (All), Reston Bowtie Cinemas, 9:30 am-12:30 pm

Friday, March 27th: 6th GR FT (All), Ethics Day, Holy Trinity Church,        9:45 am-1:00 pm

 

Full 2019-2020 calendar: click here:

https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/19-20-standard-school-year-calendar.pdf