Little Run News: 6/17/20

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 06/17/2020 04:52 PM EDT

Dear Families,

As I reflect on the last few months, I can easily say this was not the way I would have liked to end our year together. However, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the flexibility and perseverance of our staff, students, and families during this time. Although the shift to distance learning had a few bumps, I can’t go into the summer without recognizing the herculean efforts of our staff.  I am glad you were able to witness how they continued to build community with our students, found ways to provide instruction via a completely new platform, and worked to keep the lines of communication open through weekly emails, phone calls, and sometimes even Facetime visits! It is also essential that I recognize the great shifts and sacrifices our families and students have made. Students learned a whole new way of attending school, away from their teachers and friends. Parents juggled multiple tasks, varying work situations, and stressors that might not have existed three months ago. Hats off to you all for figuring out how to wade through this messy terrain yet still remaining positive and hopeful.

Please know we remain committed to the academic, social, and emotional success of your child.  However we return to school in the fall, we will continue to nurture your child’s strengths, find ways to connect with them, and provide meaningful learning opportunities.

I hope this summer is filled with activities that bring you joy.  Stay safe, Roadrunners.

Your proud principal,

Monica Mohr

Summer Office Hours

Although the Little Run office will be closed until further notice, we are still working!  If you need assistance with anything, please do not hesitate to reach out to Monica Mohr at memohr@fcps.edu or Marianne McLaughlin at mlmclaughlin@fcps.edu. We look forward to a time when we can open our doors and serve you in person! Until then we are just an email away.

Summer Distance Learning Office Hours:

If you signed up your child for summer office hours, you will be receiving an email from the grade level teacher during the week of June 22nd. Your child will also receive a secure link for the office hours in their fcpsschools.net Gmail account, so please be on the look out for these important emails.

Homework Task Force Delayed

This year, we created a task force made up of parents, teachers and students to research and discuss the use of homework in elementary schools and draft a school-wide homework policy.  Due to Distance Learning, many of our meetings had to be postponed. Therefore, we are not yet ready to make any recommendations on a homework policy for the upcoming school year.  We would like to continue this task force after we find out the fate of our schools for the first semester.  If you are interested in serving on this task force or reading the articles we used, please reach out to Monica Mohr at memohr@fcps.edu or Colleen Vaughan CAVaughan@fcps.edu.

Progress Reports

Progress Reports for 4th quarter will be produced centrally. We anticipate they will be provided to the postal service by June 25. Actual delivery to homes will be dependent on the postal service. If you would like to see your child’s grades before the printed progress reports make it to your house, please log in to ParentVUE in SIS.   

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Fairfax County Public Libraries Virtual Summer Reading

 The virtual program will run from June 12-August 14. The theme will be “Imagine Your Story”. This summer, readers of all ages will have the opportunity to play a gameboard where you can complete a series of challenges, read books of your choice, or a mix of both depending on your interests and preferences. Youth game boards will be available in English and Spanish. These will go live on June 12. You will need to sign up online using the Summer Reading App before you can download a gameboard. Staff are available via phone or online chat to answer questions about signing up if you have trouble. As you play the game and hit milestones, you will be entered into prize drawings for one of two Amazon gift cards in each age category (preschool, school-age, teen, and adult). The 1st milestone prize is $50, the 2nd is $100, and the 3rd is $150.

For more information, view the promo video and visit Summer Reading.

Additional Resources:

  1. Ideas to support reading with specific questions to ask before during and reading to build on comprehension
  2. Ideas on how to organize your space effectively to promote learning
  3. How to set up expectations for writing at home and begin writing
  4. Questions to ask your child to promote understanding of their reading
  5. Matt Glover is an educational consultant and author. His videos will provide you with resources, help you find ideas for working with your children in reading and writing.
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FCPS Recommended Summer Reading Resources

Are you ready to dive into summer reading? Here are some resources to get you started!

  1. Summer Reading Gives You Superpowers! YouTube video by author Dav Pilkey
  2. Summer Reading Activity Board (FCPS Google account login to access)
  3. Scholastic - books, games, events, and tracking “Reading Streaks” on Scholastic Home Base
  4. Summer Reading Lists
  5. How to access Mackin e-books
  6. FCPS e-books and Databases (Passwords provided in FCPS 24-7, Continuity of Learning Resources - Distance Learning Plan, Elementary Resources, Library)
    1. www.myon.com (Log in: School name, FCPS student ID and password)
    2. TumbleBooks  
    3. TumbleBook Cloud Junior
    4. Databases
    5. Additional databases
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Frost MS Read-a-Palooza Virtual Book Fair

Let’s make this a summer of reading to remember! You’re invited to shop the Frost Middle School Read-a-Palooza Virtual Book Fair now through September 4, 2020 to support Frost and help students discover favorite characters, series, and collections all summer long.

Stocking up for summer reading has never been easier:

  • Find the same exclusive titles as our in-school Book Fair
  • Orders ship direct to home
  • FREE shipping on book-only orders over $25*
  • All purchases benefit Frost and earn our school 25% in rewards

Visit the Frost Book Fair Homepage and click “Shop Now” to get started: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/frostmiddleschool

Happy reading!

*Free standard shipping is available on book-only orders of $25 or more, after all discounts are applied. Free standard shipping (books) must be selected during checkout. Orders containing products other than books are not eligible for this shipping promotion.

Fairfax County Public Library Resources

  1. Library Cards- To access electronic books and databases. Register by filling out the form: base library is “Library Administration”. The temporary code will last at least through the summer, if not longer.
  2. Fairfax County Public Library Curbside Service (yes, you can now check out and return print books!)
  3. Read Alouds on FCPL Youtube- click “Storytime”
  4. Activities on FCPL Youtube- click “School-Age Actvitiy Time”
  5. Kid EBooks On Overdrive
  6. Kid Databases
  7. Comic Con
  8. Library Events
  9. Closure Support Website: https://research.fairfaxcounty.gov/unlimited/at-home
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Be Informed, Stay Involved!