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Happy Labor Day, Freedom Hill Families!
From all of us at Freedom Hill, we wish your family an exciting, successful first day of school tomorrow. This first day would not have been possible without the extraordinary efforts of many this summer, from FCPS administrators, Freedom Hill teachers, our wonderful support staff, and our families that have done much to adjust to a new way of approaching the school year.
As we begin virtual learning tomorrow, we recognize that this will be time of rapid learning and growth for all of us. Please know that we also recognize that all students are unique and will respond to distance learning differently. If your student needs to stand up at the desk, that is fine. If you student needs to take a break in the middle of instruction, that is fine. If your student experiences some sad feelings or anxiety about doing school from home, they are not alone! This will be a time period where communication is so important. Please share with your child's teacher how things are going at home and, if needed, advocate for how we can help. Freedom Hill has many dedicated professionals ready to help your child - please let us know what we can do.
We look forward to sharing in our community's successes and growth this year. Have a wonderful first day!
Nicholas Zapadka, Principal
Eric Kopacz, Assistant Principal
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September 8 - First day of school for students!
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September 9 - Additional Laptop Distribution, Sign Up
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September 10 - Band/Strings Q&A for Families (click for flier)
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September 24 - Back to School Night - Part 2, 6:00PM
The many smiling faces of our front office (Kelly, Sey-Lu, Katherine, Jessica, Vania) continue to be here for you! As always, please use the attendance line or attendance email below when your child is not able to attend school on a given day:
Office Hours: 8:30 - 3:45
Attendance Line: 703-506-7878
Attendance Email: FreedomHillElem.Attendance@fcps.edu
Last week, we spent 4 days distributing laptops, school supplies, student belongings from 2019 – 2020, and materials provided by the school to support distance learning. It was a lot of fun to see our Eagles and their families. If you were not able to pick up your supplies, please contact the front office to schedule a time to visit us. We will hold another laptop checkout day this Wednesday. Sign Up for a time at this link.
Freedom Hill is excited to get library books back into student hands this fall! We will offer curbside pickup service to families each Wednesday during distance learning from 2:00-6:00 pm, starting September 16. Students will log in to the Destiny Discover library catalog, find books they want to read, place holds on them, and then wait for a confirmation email. Library books can be returned during the same window of time as pickup. Returned books will be quarantined for at least 72 hours before becoming available again. Have questions? Email librarian Katherine Trott at sktrott@fcps.edu
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Many of our Digital Resources used this year require parental consent. Please take a look at the digital resources and privacy/security agreements for these items. A consent form and information on the resources can be found on our school website.
FCPS has created a new Parent Technology Help Desk. If you need support with technology, you should reach out to the Parent Technology Help Desk. The number is 1-833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS). It will be answered by staff from 7 a.m.to 11 p.m., seven days a week. If the help desk is unable to solve the issue on the phone with the parent or guardian, they will enter a ticket on the parent’s behalf and the request for help will be transferred to the appropriate FCPS team. FCPS also has existing parent information phone lines, available in eight different languages, that can assist with general questions about FCPS. An online portal is also available to allow older students and parents and guardians to request technology help directly.
Below are several links that will help to answer many of your technology-related questions:
Parent and Student IT Support Portal homepage
Self Help Hub
Password Management
Tips for Online Learning Success
Friday, September 18: FCPS Parent Resource Center Free Webinar: 10 Ways to Stop Power Struggles & Start Motivating Your Kids (10:00-11:30a.m. OR 6:30-8:30 p.m. - Register Here)
Thursday, September 24: FCPS Parent Resource Center Free Webinar: Encouraging Positive Behaviors at Home Series - Setting the Stage for Good Behavior: Routines, Procedures, & Expectations (10:00 - 11:30 a.m. OR 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. - Register Here)
Please note that your student will be involved in one of these scenarios during the small group time built into our reading and math blocks. Students should be available for learning at these times:
- Students may be working with their teaching in a small group
- Students may be directed to work with peers in a small group
- Students may be assigned independent asynchronous work
Q&A with DR. Z AND TEAM
A big thanks to Dr. Z, Mr. Kopacz, Tara Fredericks, Melissa Rossman, Tim Scesney and Emily Angle for joining our open Q&A with over 35 parents on Thursday, Aug. 27th! It was a great informative discussion and we even got to try out a new tech tool the students will use called PearDeck. You can see my screen view of it in the recording. Here's the recording. Password is: THD2+$Nb
JOIN THE FHES PTA TODAY!
The Freedom Hill Elementary School Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) is a volunteer-driven organization that facilitates exciting programs, activities, and traditions that are not otherwise funded by FCPS. Even though we are not physically together at this time, we still plan to support all student(s) and the school community through the following activities: *Materials for students to use during virtual learning *Reading materials and digital resources *Staff development *Grade level wish list items from teacher teams and staff and more
Check out the NEW PTA membership form for families or for teachers and join today! You can join on Pay4SchoolStuff by check via mail/school drop off. Q's? Contact Kerrey Olden.
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GET CONNECTED WITH FHES ONLINE Communication will be so important this year. Please make sure your friends and neighbors are subscribed to the newsletter and in the Freedom Hill ES Community group if they are on Facebook. We need to get everyone in the loop especially now that we are kicking off school virtually!
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Questions? Contact our Freedom Hill PTA President, Sahar Javadi at president@freedomhillpta.org
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