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Hello Freedom Hill families,
We hope you are well! I want to share with you the plan we have for our school to move forward with Distance Learning. We currently plan to resume synchronous learning on Monday, April 27. We were eager for flexibility, and have empowered our grade level teams to pursue the most effective and developmentally appropriate methods for their students.
What will be different now?
What is the plan for this week?
- Grade level teams will communicate their new/modified learning plan with guidance on how to access their platform.
- Teachers are continuing to provide and post asynchronous learning activities as they have all along.
- Special education staff will be finalizing Temporary Learning Plans.
By every indication, these revamped directions will yield success. However, past experiences have taught us to be prepared. Should we experience bandwidth issues, we will immediately shift to asynchronous instruction on Monday, and FH teachers are fully prepared to immediately make that shift.
Our teachers deserve our utmost gratitude for staying focused on what’s most important- your children and their learning. I am amazed by the way they have stayed the course and shown resilience and persistence through the challenges.
Thank you for your ongoing patience, support, and willingness to adapt with us.
All the best,
Dr. Z.
- April 27 - 30 - Distance Learning (see below)
- April 28 - Virtual PTA Mtg., 8PM
- April 30 - Fogo to Go Family Dinner Out
- May 1 - Weekly Teacher Workday (students work asynchronously)
Due to last week’s pause in teacher-led “live” instruction, the third quarter has been extended until Friday, May 1, 2020.
ParentVUE/StudentVUE access will be turned off to allow for teachers to enter grades from Thursday, April 23 through Friday, May 8.
Grades will be available in ParentVUE/StudentVUE on Saturday, May 9 at 6:00 a.m.
Progress reports for printing will begin generating after 6:00 p.m. on May 12. We anticipate the printed report cards will be provided to the postal service by May 23. Actual delivery to homes will be dependent on the postal service.
FCPS continues to expand the number of locations for food sites. Please use this link as it will continue to be updated. There is also bus route food distribution that stops at Freedom Hill Monday-Friday at 10:40, as well as a few other stops in the community. Check out the schedule here.
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 FCPS is embarking on a four-tiered approach to distance learning. All work and assignments are currently optional and will not receive a grade. Our priority is to offer continued learning opportunities to all our students for the remainder of the 2019 – 2020 school year.
Part 1: Weekly Learning Packets
Beginning Monday, March 30 and continuing for the remainder of the school year, all elementary students will receive an optional weekly learning packet in the U.S. Mail. These packets were created centrally, but teachers may reference them when new learning begins on April 14. Students are encouraged to work on these packets at home next week and beyond as independent practice. Packets can also be found in Blackboard after clicking "Distance Learning Resources".
Part 2: Virtual Teaching
Classroom teachers and specialists will be either teaching live through Blackboard Collaborate Ultra or Google Classroom / Google Meet. Our plan is that core instruction (community building, language arts, and math) will begin first and we will layer in additional learning opportunities as we grow in our capacity.
Part 3: Channel 21 Programming
FCPS cable television channels are now broadcasting learning activities. New instructional videos are being recorded and will be added to the programming lineup shortly. Students can watch on their TV through Channel 21 or can use these links to view building level instructional programming. Channel 21 includes elementary school programming.
Part 4: Staff Office Hours
Beginning April 14, all staff will have regular virtual office hours to be available to work with students groups and answer student and parent questions in real-time. Staff will explore various methods of communication and accessibility for office hours and will communicate through email and post their schedule on blackboard.
Laptop distribution has been accomplished for students in grades 3-6. If you missed out on our distribution day, please email our technology specialist, Craig Fenton, to schedule a time to pick up a device. He will be holding "office hours" each Wednesday.
At this time, the Fairfax County School Board has not included grades K-2 in the laptop distribution plan. We will update the community if this changes.
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VIRTUAL PTA MEETING, 4/28 AT 8PM
We'll be having our virtual PTA meeting Tuesday, April 28th at a later time, 8pm. Our School Board Member, Karl Frisch, will join us. Let us know if you have questions for him we can submit ahead of time. Virtual meeting is here.
FAMILY DINNER OUT TO GO AT FOGO DE CHAO, 4/30 Fogo de Chão in Tysons Corner is a Brazilian Churrasceria partnering with us for a FDO/School Spirit Night. While we won't be dining in of course, it will be a Fogo To-Go night where families order take out, delivery or butcher shop options. Fogo de Chão will donate 10% of sales to our PTA and another 10% to No Kid Hungry. They have a variety of options available on Fogo To-Go & Butcher Shop Menu, starting at $7 for appetizers, $10 for sandwiches and $16 for entrees. Save the date and mention FHES.
READ-A-THON PRIZES ARE IN!
Read-a-thon prizes have arrived and a big thanks to the Camara family for sorting them! Please email readathon@thecamaras.net to coordinate read-a-thon prize pick up. Please include your student(s) full names.
TEACHER APPRECIATION MAY 4-8
We have some great, creative ideas for Teacher Appreciation week that our Teacher Appreciation Chairs have worked on. Look for more details to come from your room parents this week!
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