Sangster News You Choose
Kindergarten Virtual Orientation Tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.
A kindergarten parent orientation will be held tomorrow, Friday August 21, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. Registered parents were emailed a link today, Thursday, August 20. If you have not received the link, please contact Lisa Reddel, Principal or Marian Hoelscher, Student Registrar.
Tips for Online Learning Success
Looking for tips for online learning success? Click this link.
Grade Level Schedules
We have posted updated grade level schedules on our website since last week. https://sangsteres.fcps.edu/announcements/sangster-virtual-grade-level-tentative-schedules . These are still in draft form and subject to be tweaked before the beginning of the year. Each grade level will have different staggered times for Language Arts, Math, Science/Social Studies, Specials and lunch. This is necessary since resource teachers such as Special Education teachers, English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teachers, Specialist teachers, and Instructional Assistants work in all grade levels. More detailed information will be coming to you from your child’s teacher in late August.
2019 – 2020 Yearbooks
As a result of the COVID-19 national pandemic, distribution of 2019 – 2020 yearbooks is delayed. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience and flexibility. We will let you know as soon as they are available.
Pick-Up of Lost and Found
Lost and Found items from the 2019-2020 school year will be on display Monday, August 17, 2020 – Friday, August 21, 2020 and Tuesday, August 25, 2020 – Wednesday, August 26, 2020, weather permitting. Items will be located along the playground fence line, near the Kiss-n-Ride lane. Parents should wear a mask and practice social distancing when looking at the Lost and Found items.
Library Books Return
Library books borrowed in the 2019-20 school year may be returned to the school beginning Friday, August 21. Please place library books in the box located outside the front entrance of the school, Monday thru Friday from 8AM to 3PM.
Class Placement Lists / Teacher Assignments
Families will receive teacher placement assignments on Monday August 31, 2020 through email. Included in this email communication will be information about Sangster’s Virtual Orientation on Wednesday, September 2, 2020.
Virtual Orientation
Please mark your calendar for September 2, 2020. Virtual Orientation is a time your child’s teacher will introduce themselves to students and parents and ensure everyone in the class can connect to the platforms used for distance learning in preparation for the first day September 8, 2020. For families returning to FCPS, we will continue primarily using Blackboard Collaborate Ultra (BBCU). Teachers will use Google Classroom to communication and organize daily announcements and assignments.
9:00 – Kindergarten
10:00 – 1st grade
11:00 – 2nd grade
12:00 – 3rd grade
1:00 – 4th grade
2:00 – 5th grade
3:00 – 6th grade
Staggered times are scheduled to accommodate for families with children in multiple grade levels. All sessions will be recorded and made available for those unable to attend. We look forward to seeing you soon!
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Attendance
Attendance is required for all students Monday – Friday. Every homeroom classroom will have a live morning meeting each day where attendance will be taken for the day at 9:10 a.m. Morning Meeting is an engaging way to start each day, build a strong sense of community, and set children up for success socially and academically. Please be sure your child is present for attendance.
Recorded Lessons
Teachers will be recording whole group instructional lessons this fall. Recordings will be posted within Google Classroom to be accessed by students who would like additional review. Small group and individual instruction will not be recorded. More information coming from your child’s teacher at Back to School Night.
Virtual Back to School Night (BTSN)
Please mark September 15, 2020 on your calendar for Back to School Night from 6:00 – 7:45 p.m. More information and virtual links coming in future weeks. The schedule for BTSN is as follows:
6:00 – 6:45 P.M. Live Session I
6:55 – 7:40 P.M. Live Session II (repeat of Session I)
The purpose of BTSN is to learn more about the year-long curriculum, grade level expectations, how the teacher will support your child, and much more. The parent/school partnership we have at Sangster is key to the success of our students and has been a critical element of our school culture. We are looking forward to the virtual evening with you.
Homework
This school year while we are in distance learning, homework will not be assigned Tuesday-Friday at Sangster. Students may have work that needs to be completed on Mondays. We are encouraging reading every night.
Virtual School Supply Lists
Each grade level has developed a virtual school supply list. They are posted on our website at https://sangsteres.fcps.edu/academics/school-supply-lists . This will help your child with virtual instructional through 1st quarter at home. There may be additional materials throughout the school year teachers will need for students to access. More information coming soon after school begins.
Technology Supports for Parents and Students
FCPS is working to support families and students with technology. Supports include:
- Providing technology access to students and families.
- Launching a help desk for parents.
- Developing a portal to allow students to request technology help directly.
- Developing methods for students to manage their Blackboard Collaborate/Google Meet class links in their Google Calendar.
New Student Registration for School Year 2020-2021
Parents who have not yet completed the In-Person Registration Appointment should please complete the following link:
https://sangsteres.fcps.edu/new-student-registration-2020-21. Our registrar Marian Hoelscher 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.
School offices remain closed except by appointment.
Laptop Insurance
FCPS does not currently offer an option for families to purchase laptop insurance. For any damaged or lost School Board property, families are responsible for reimbursement in accordance with the SR&R and School Board regulations. Families may wish to check their homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies for coverage options or search online for insurance companies which offer insurance policies exclusively for student laptops.
How to Stay In-Touch at Sangster
Please stay in touch with us throughout the year by:
Sangster sends a weekly News You Choose with the latest school updates.
Need Internet Connectivity?
Cox Communication has announced new customers that qualify will receive Connect2Compete, the company's low-cost internet, for two months at no cost. New customers must sign up between July 21 and September 30 for free service, which also includes free technical support.
A summary of enhancements and benefits of Cox's Connect2Compete program include:
- 2 months of free Connect2Compete service and remote desktop and phone support through Cox Complete Care for eligible new customers who apply between July 21 and September 30, $9.95/month thereafter
- Easy referral for discounted, refurbished equipment through PCs for People
- Student and family access to the Cox Digital Academy, which provides computer literacy training and educational resources for students
- Free WiFi modem rental
- Access to over 3M+ Cox Hotspots nationwide
This summer, Cox announced a new digital learning platform available to Connect2Compete customers to keep kids engaged in academics this summer.
The Cox Connect2Compete program is available to families who:
- Have at least one child that is a K-12 student at home
- Participate in one of these government subsidies programs: The National School Lunch Program, SNAP, TANF, Head Start, WIC, LIHEAP, or Public Housing
Families can qualify for Connect2Compete easily from anywhere whether on their mobile device or desktop by visiting www.cox.com/c2c. More information is also available here:
https://www.cox.com/residential/internet/connect2compete/covid-19-response.html
FCPS Return to School Information
These webpages are continuing to be updated as the situation for the 2020-21 school year evolves. The FAQ page includes a date by each question to identify the latest updates.
Required Immunizations Remain Mandatory for School
To help parents whose children need immunizations required for enrollment in school for the 2020-21 school year, the Fairfax County Health Department is offering community childhood vaccination clinics plus expanded hours to provide the Tdap vaccine at three clinics. Vaccines are still required to enroll in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) even though all students will start the year with virtual learning.
Vaccination clinics will be held:
- Thursday, August 20, 2 to 6 p.m., Annandale District Office, 7611 Little River Tnpk, #400E, Annandale.
- Saturday, August 29, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Mount Vernon District Office, 8350 Richmond Hwy, #233, Alexandria.
- Thursday, September 3, 2 to 6 p.m., First Baptist Church of Springfield, 7300 Gary St., Springfield.
- Saturday, September 5, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., location to be announced.
Tdap vaccines will be administered at clinics through August 28 at one of three locations. More information is available online.
Childhood vaccines protect children against potentially life-threatening illnesses such as polio, measles, whooping cough, and chicken pox. Students entering seventh grade and transfer students need a booster dose of the Tdap vaccine.
The Health Department follows strict safety protocols in its community vaccination clinics to limit exposure to patients. Only a select number of appointments per site will be available to protect families. Visitors age 2 and older are required to wear face coverings that cover the nose and mouth; temperature checks will be conducted at entrances; visitors will be required to stay 6 feet apart, and partitions will separate vaccination stations. Parents can schedule an appointment by calling 703-246-6010, TTY 711. Complete information is available on the Health Department website.
FCPS Resources
FCPS website for Mental Health Resources and information for emergency mental health services:
Hello, new Sangster Elementary families! We are so happy you’re here. We want you to know we’re thinking about you, and about how to help you settle into a new school community, especially this year which may feel especially overwhelming. To help make your transition easier, the PTA is introducing resources and programs for new families.
Welcome to Our Nest
The brand-new Sangster PTA New Family Welcome Website is now online! The site includes Sangster facts, social media links, common terminology, PTA contacts and more. We hope that the information included is helpful to new families as they begin their journey as Sangster Falcons.
Falcon Family Friends
Do you have questions about your new school that you'd love to run by another parent? Falcon Family Friends is a group of veteran Sangster families that volunteered to help answer your school and community questions. New families interested in this PTA program, please sign up here.
Virtual Coffee Meet-Ups
The PTA will be hosting small-group virtual coffee meet-ups for new families soon. The hosts will be Karen Horvath, the PTA president and other long time Sangster parents. Let’s get to know each other and how the PTA can help as you transition into Sangster! Let us know if you are interested by signing up here.
We hope to start Virtual Coffees and Falcon Friends during the first week of September. If you have any questions about new family resources, please reach out to us at SangsterWelcome@gmail.com. We look forward to meeting you!
First PTA Meeting
September 10th at 7pm by ZOOM. More information and a ZOOM link will be sent later. The meeting will be streamed live on FaceBook to accommodate overflow if needed.
Sangster Falcons are Flying!
Be sure to jump in on the PTA fundraising fun and send the Sangster Falcons flying to your neighbor’s yard! Complete the form below to sign up.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfolEqoI95Jba-rya2bPQTRuy05HPmNlUFwP7p3xBB3RHJdVQ/viewform
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