Sangster News You Choose
Upcoming Events
June 11th - Virtual PTA Meeting Tonight (see below)
June 12th - Last Day of School
Message from the Principal
Dear Sangster Families,
As we wrap up this unbelievable, memorable, and most challenging school year, we want to thank you for your patience, your persistence, your compassion, and grace as we all navigated these unchartered waters together. Our teachers and staff have completely redone the way they teach in a very short amount of time. They have worked tirelessly and passionately and for their efforts, we are grateful.
Last March seems like a long time ago, and yet it has only been nine weeks. We have faced a global health pandemic that has drastically changed our way of living. It has impacted people in our own community with their jobs, health, food and in many other ways. Sangster was not immune to its impact.
I also want to acknowledge the pain that exists in our nation and in our community. Systematic racism and oppression will not be ignored. Our students, families, and staff members have experienced it. Schools are a microcosm of society. We will speak up when we see injustice and we will not tolerate racist acts. While I grieve with you, I am also hopeful for a better tomorrow.
We are leaving for the summer with many unknowns. Governor Northam provided guidance for the state of Virginia on Tuesday. Our FCPS School Board will hold work sessions on June 15 and June 23 about possible scenarios for reopening schools in the fall. We expect that our school division will make a decision about the reopening of schools at the end of June. Schools will then need time to plan and will not have answers the next day. As soon as we have information and a plan, we will continue to communicate with you through News You Choose, Twitter, our website and email. More information will be forthcoming in July and August. (Twitter: @Sangster_ES)
To our friends, family and staff who plan to travel and move to new places this summer, thank you for your years at Sangster. A piece of your heart will remain with us. I wish you and your family a wonderful, healthy and peaceful summer with many hours of rejuvenation. For those of you returning to Sangster, we will see you in August in some new way and form. We are all looking forward to a wonderful 2020-21 school year. We are Sangster Strong! #OtherPeopleMatter
Sincerely,
Lisa M. Reddel
Sangster Loves to Read
FCPS Summer Learning Opportunities
There will be access to a variety of instructional experiences across all school levels during the summer between June 29 and July 31. Important details about the FCPS Continuity of Learning plan are below:
- Each elementary student will receive mathematics and language arts centrally created workbooks for the summer.
- There will be one teacher at each grade level to hold an hour of virtual office hours per week to address student questions.
We know that you may have already planned a busy summer for your families, and that it is your choice whether you encourage your children to partake in these experiences. We also understand that children may need a break from online instruction, and that you may too. Just know that no matter what you decide, we will support you. We are prepared to return in the fall, to whatever model of instruction is determined, with renewed energy, enthusiasm, and determination to make it a great year!
If you intend to have your child access the Sangster Continuity of Learning Summer Office Hours for support as they utilize the mathematics and language arts workbooks provided by the county, please complete the following form no later than June 12: Sangster ES Continuity of Learning Form
PTA Virtual Meeting - Tonight
Please join us for Sangster’s June PTA Meeting tonight, Thursday June 11th at 7:00 pm. We will elect our new board as well as continue our discussion of budget and fundraising plans for the 2020-2021 school year. We still have openings for board positions and committee chairs that we hope to fill. If you are interested in a position as our PTA Vice President, Fundraising Chair, or another committee chair please email our PTA president (President@SangsterPTA.org) or vice president (VP@SangsterPTA.org) in advance of the meeting by June 10th. Sangster PTA needs you!
Please join us on the online platform Zoom. When you open Zoom choose “Join” and you will be asked for a meeting ID. Our PTA meeting ID is: 815 9626 6211. Our meeting password is: 149283. When joining our meeting please name yourself with the following format:
- Full name - parent/teacher grade level.
- For example:
- Julie Green - parent 6th/2nd grade
- John Brown - teacher art
Free/Reduced Meals Eligibility Applications and Letters
During our current school closing, many families are requesting Free/Reduced letters to assist them with receiving additional benefits. If you are in need of a replacement letter of eligibility, please contact the Office of Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) at: fcpsmealsaps@fcps.edu or 703-813-4800.
Food and Nutrition Services continues to accept and process new applications for free and reduced-price meals. Electronic applications are accessible via: https://www.fcps.edu/resources/student-safety-and-wellness/food-and-nutrition-programs/free-and-reduced-price-meals. Paper copies are available at all FCPS emergency meals distribution sites (including bus stops).
iReady Reading and Math Lessons Available Now through July
Lessons in iReady are available during June and July of 2020 at no cost to families. This resource is being turned on to provide optional individual practice to students. Students may access iReady instruction now. Lessons are based on current grade-level content. Access to iReady will be turned off August 1, 2020.
Students will access iReady instruction through the FCPS public Universal Screener website, where they will enter their FCPS login credentials. A short presentation on how to access this resource is located here and on our Sangster website. If you have any questions or require any support, please contact your child's classroom teacher or Debbie Tannenbaum, our School Based Technology Specialist at dltannenbaum@fcps.edu.
Summer Reading and Math Programs
Sangster encourages all Falcons to enjoy reading and practice real-world math skills over the summer. Please encourage your child(ren) to participate in both the Sangster Summer Reading Challenge and Sangster Summer Math Bingo. Students who return their completed cards at the beginning of the new school year will receive recognition and have the opportunity to win a prize. Our Summer Reading Challenge and Math Bingo cards are posted on our Sangster website.
Sangster Distance Learning Feedback
FCPS is working on a “return to learn” plan for the fall that will be presented to the School Board in June. While we are all waiting and wondering what the fall semester will look like, Sangster would like to collect feedback regarding the positive experiences you and your child(ren) have had during distance learning. This will enable us to build upon our current practices if we need to continue with distance learning in the fall. Please share your feedback via this Google form: Sangster Distance Learning Feedback Form.
Summer Reading Opportunities
Sangster Summer Reading Challenge
Fairfax County Public Library Summer Reading Adventure
The Brown Bookshelf Generations Book Club
Scholastic Summer Read-A-Palooza
Important Survey Coming Soon
Be sure to watch your email for an important FCPS survey about distance learning and returning to school this fall. FCPS wants feedback on your distance learning experience this spring and your views about proposed return to school options. Your voice matters; please share your thoughts with us as we plan for fall 2020.
Yearbook Update
Families will be notified when yearbooks become available. Thank you for your patience!
Technology@Home
FCPS' Technology@Home program provides an opportunity for FCPS students and staff to purchase technology products from companies such as Adobe, Microsoft, Dell, and Hewlett-Packard at discounted rates. More information is available online.
FCPS Offers Free Online Summer Arts Enrichment Program
Fairfax County Public Schools will offer a free online arts enrichment program for current K-12 students for five weeks from July 6 to August 7. A variety of classes will be offered in art, music, theater, and dance. Students may participate in as many classes as they wish, continuing to take their favorite art classes or trying something new. Registration is not required. More information is available online.
Parent Resource Center Webinars Available Online
The FCPS Parent Resource Center (PRC) has made many of its popular parenting webinars available online. Two examples include:
New Student Registration for School Year 2020-2021
NEW STUDENT REGISTRATION for School Year 2020-2021 (Kindergarten-6th Grade) - Parents who have not yet completed the In Person Registration Appointment, please complete the following link: https://sangsteres.fcps.edu/new-student-registration-2020-21. Our registrar will be in contact with you.
If you know of a new student that needs to register for the 2020-21 school year, please refer them to the Sangster website or contact Marian Hoelscher at mthoelscher@fcps.edu for more information.
Additional Resources
FCPS Mental Health & Community Resources: found here
Mental Health Emergency Numbers: found here
FCPS Technical Support: found here
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