Gunston Gazette 05-21-2020


A Message from the Principals

Good Afternoon Gunston Families,

We cannot believe how quickly the end of the year is approaching.  We miss our students so much and love watching them show off their thinking in class each day.  We continue to be impressed with the student experiences in the virtual classrooms.  We want to thank all of our families for their support during these times.  We could not have been able to make this happen without your support.  As a school community, we always look forward to the end of the year events which have become our traditions such as the variety show, class picnics, and staff ice bucket challenge.  We are doing our best to plan opportunities for our staff and students to participate in as many of the events virtually this year.  We will be sharing more information about each event in future Gunston Gazettes.  Please be on the look out for Variety Show information, we are excited that our talented eagles will still be able to show off their acts virtually!  Sixth grade students will be receiving information about their virtual promotion ceremony.   We are looking forward to enjoying these last few weeks together before summer begins with our virtual celebrations!

Sincerely,

Ms.Rucinski and Mrs. White


Save the Date - Friday, May 29

Curbside Pick Up of Student Belongings

  • Classroom teachers have packed students' bags with items from their classrooms.
  • Your classroom teacher will be communicating your assigned time and location of pickup (front door or kiss & ride door) next Wednesday.
  • Please arrive at your assigned time (not early) as we will be staging bags according to time.
  • We have bags for family members grouped together so no need to come more than once.
  • Library books and Patrol belts will be collected from you when you drive up.  If you signed out a laptop it only needs to be turned in if you are moving out of our boundaries at a later date (after June 12th). 
  • It is not necessary for students to be in the car.
  • Please stay in your car at all times.
  • Please contact the classroom teacher if you have any questions about items being packed.
  • IF YOU WISH TO OPT OUT OF PICKING UP BELONGINGS....Please email Lynn Warner (lawarner@fcps.edu) noting your student's name and teacher, to let her know and we will dispose of items for you.

Gunston Virtual Variety Show

We are excited to announce that we will be accepting submissions for the 30th Annual Gunston Variety Show. This year it's going to look a little bit different since it will be done virtually, but we know that our eagles are resilient and extremely talented and are up for the challenge. The Variety Show is a
chance for all students in PreK-6th grade to display their talents. Some act ideas include skits, magic, dance, singing, playing  instruments and showing artwork. Below are the performance guidelines. Please be sure to read ALL of the guidelines carefully so we can accept your submission for the
show.


Virtual Parent Coffee - Thursday, May 28th

We will be holding a Virtual Parent Coffee on Thursday, May 28th at 6:30 pm with our social worker, counselor and school psychologist. This is a time for us to support each other as a school community by sharing resources, tips, and strategies as families adjust during these times. We would like to give you the opportunity for input on what topics we will discuss. Please complete this form by Tuesday, May 26th.

https://forms.gle/AkYQKCBacwgMHtwv5


Tips for Gunston Families

The student support team wants you to know that we miss you and we are here for you! We know how challenging this time is for our students and parents so we wanted to offer some resources to help during this time.

Student Wellness Tips

Let’s make sure we are trying to keep our immune systems as healthy as possible during this time. Try to keep a healthy diet and work some fruits and vegetables into each meal. It can also help to stick to a routine bedtime/wake time to ensure kids are getting the sleep they need (8-10 hours). Try some mindfulness videos or soothing music as you (or your student) is getting ready for bed to try to unwind your brain and prepare for sleep. Try to get outside as much as possible! Vitamin D can make a huge difference in our mood and is important to building our immune system. Bring your lunch outside and have a picnic, take the dog for a walk together, play tag, or just sit outside and take some deep breaths. Make sure to model the self care that you need so that your kids can see how important it is!

https://www.fcps.edu/student-wellness-tips

Supporting Executive Functions at Home: A Webinar for Families

On May 26, 2020, 10:00 a.m.-noon, the FCPS Behavior Intervention Services team will provide resources to help families support the growth of student executive functioning skills during this time of distance learning and beyond.

More information about the webinar and how to register are provided in the flyer linked below.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1jMYAWgDukeUCdoGN-DmrGdj6eWk_sV5h

 


Virtual 6th Grade Promotion

promotion

Registration Process 

Staffing for next school year is supported by early registration. This helps to keep class sizes at optimal numbers for the best learning environment for all students.

Registration is open for all grade levels for the upcoming 2020 – 2021 school year. Currently, registration is occurring virtually with our registrar, Cassandra Baltimore, conducting enrollment interviews over the phone or via e-mail. If you need to register your child for school, please reach out to Ms. Baltimore at  clbaltimore@fcps.edu. 

Please note that once schools reopen to the public, parents will need to make an appointment to complete the registration and present all required original documentation (birth certificate, deed or lease, etc.).

Please share this information with friends or neighbors who also need to register!


What Gunston Library Books Does My Student Have Signed Out?

Please ue the link below to find the list of books your child has checked out from the Gunston Library.

https://search.follettsoftware.com/metasearch/ui/103873

If these instructions do not work for you, please contact Mrs. McIntyre at dhmcintyre@fcps.edu.

Any Gunston library books left in the classroom by your child will be returned to the library by your child’s teacher. Please, just do the best you can to find the library books. There are no overdue fines. Please do not send any book replacement money at this time.


LCAC

Lorton Community Action Center

Each Monday, the Lorton Community Action Center will be providing weekly packaged summer lunches & kids snacks for kids under 18 which will last through the summer.  This is open to any and all students who may need it. 

The distribution is each Monday from 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm. 

Lorton Community Action Center is located at 9518 Richmond Highway


Access Books Online Through Fairfax County Public Library

While the Fairfax County Public Library buildings are closed, you can obtain a virtual library card to use until the buildings re-open. No need to present documents. Just sign up online.

When buildings re-open, you can get a real card and account by presenting a photo ID and proof of address at the library. If you don’t get a real card, the virtual account will eventually disappear.

Already have a library card? Set up and use Libby, the Overdrive app for reading and listening to books online.

Go to this link to learn how to sign up and how to access Libby and online books.

https://youtu.be/sfyOW261Sf0

Need more help? Go to fairfaxcounty.gov/library. Go to Ask the Library and submit your question.


Has or Will Your Address Be Changing?

If you have moved or will be moving before the end of the school year, please be sure to contact Ms. Baltimore at clbaltimore@fcps.edu to let her know. This is to ensure that your family will get learning packets and other important information for the rest of the year. Please note that even if you have moved or do move out of the Gunston boundary before the end of the school year, your child(ren) can continue to access Gunston distance-learning resources through the last day of school.


Student Intention Forms for 2020-2021

We need your help in projecting our total enrollment for next school year.  For families NOT returning to Gunston Elementary School in the fall of 2020-21, please complete and return the “Student’s Intention for the Next School Year” as soon as possible.

You have two options to complete this form. Please choose ONE way to send the form!

  1. Complete the Intention Form. Please note that an individual form should be completed for each student in your household that attends Gunston Elementary School.           OR
  1. Complete the Intention Form on the FCPS Public website. A typed parent/guardian name on the Parent Signature line is acceptable.  Student ID Number may be left blank.  Save the completed form, attach it to an email and send to clbaltimore@fcps.edu.


pta

        PTA News & Information


Virtual PTA Meeting -TONIGHT

May 21 @ 7:00 pm

Please join us for our last PTA meeting of the year!  We will hold a virtual meeting via zoom, information is below.  We plan to do a short wrap up of the year and finalize any PTA business, including voting on self-nominations for officer positions and our carryover budget (which can be found in the financial documents and forms folder on our website).  

Topic: May PTA meeting 

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/3236608793

Meeting ID: 323 660 8793



wellness

Health & Wellness Tip

Childhood Vaccines

 Please ensure your children are receiving all of their recommended vaccines. 

Due to COVID-19, so many children have not gone to their primary care provider and thus, have fallen behind on their vaccinations.

Here is a link to the American Academy of Family Physicians vaccination schedule for children (birth to 18 years-old). 

If you need help with this, please email Heather Alsup-Morton, BSN, RNC-OB: helpoureagles@gmail.com