Advanced Academics Parent Information Meetings
Continuum of Services: A voice-over video reviewing the continuum of advanced academics services can be accessed here:
A Q&A session will be held on Wednesday, October 22nd at 6:00pm to answer any unanswered questions that parents and guardians have about the advanced academic program. Please use this link to submit questions that you have and would like to discuss at the meeting: https://forms.gle/eCkw8NZjKb2Dd88YA.
Level IV Parent Information Meeting: A second meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 4th at 6:00pm to explain and answer questions about the screening process for full-time Level IV services for students in grades 2-6.
ADVANCED ACADEMIC PROGRAMS (AAP) ELEMENTARY CONTINUUM OF SERVICES
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) offers a continuum of advanced academic services for all students in Grades K-12. Learning experiences are designed to develop higher-level thinking through enrichment, acceleration, and extension of the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs). Teachers, administrators, and Advanced Academic Resource Teachers (AARTs) work together to provide the following levels of services at the elementary level. A video showing each level of service in action, as well as information about middle and high school services, can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary-school-academics-k-6/advanced-academics.
- Critical and Creative Thinking Lessons, Grades K-6 (Level I)
Level I services are provided to all students in Kindergarten through Grade 6. Level I services includes teaching students to use critical and creative thinking skills to process content. It also includes periodic opportunities to use advanced academic curriculum throughout the year. Student responses to these lessons are used as part of the identification process for Levels II-IV. Parents may practice the nine strategies during family conversations and activities. Descriptions and videos of the nine critical and creative thinking strategies can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary-school-academics-k-6/advanced-academics/critical-and-creative-thinking.
Because Level I services are for all FCPS students, there is not a screening process.
- Differentiated Lessons in Areas of Academic Strength, Grades K-6 (Level II)
Level II services are available for students in Kindergarten through Grade 6 for students with strength in a specific subject area. The AART collaborates with classroom teachers to provide additional challenges using materials from the AAP Curriculum Framework for Levels II-IV to extend and enrich in the subject area strength. Screening for this level of service is ongoing throughout the school year. Multiple criteria are used to screen for this level of service and decisions are made at the local school level.
To have your student screened for Level II services, complete the AAP School-Based Referral Form available on the Forms page: https://www.fcps.edu/node/38893.
- Part-Time Advanced Academic Programs, Grades 3-6 (Level III)
Level III services are available for students in Grades 3-6 who are eligible for part-time direct services from the AART. Students are identified by a screening committee at the local school. The AART uses materials from the AAP Curriculum Framework for Levels II-IV in the four core subject areas through either a weekly pull-out class or weekly co-teaching model with the classroom teacher. Screening for this level of service is ongoing throughout the school year. Multiple criteria are used to screen for this level of service and decisions are made at the local school level.
To have your student screened for Level III services, complete the AAP School-Based Referral Form available on the Forms page: https://www.fcps.edu/node/38893.
- Full-Time Advanced Academic Programs, Grades 3-8 (Level IV)
Level IV services are available for students in Grades 3-8 who are found eligible through a central selection process. Eligible students use curriculum from the AAP Curriculum Framework in the four academic subject areas on a full-time basis.
Multiple criteria are reviewed to determine eligibility for all FCPS advanced academic services. The countywide central selection committee determines eligibility for full-time AAP Level IV placement.
Screening for Level IV services occurs during specific screening cycles:
- Fall screening is held for students who are new to FCPS and have been referred
- Spring screening is held for any FCPS-enrolled student who has been referred
Due to the volume of files screened centrally for Level IV services, deadlines are strictly held.
- A referral form may be turned in during the referral window (beginning on the first day of school, ending on December 1, 2020)
- Students new to FCPS may be considered for Fall screening and Spring screening
- The referral form is available on the Forms page: https://www.fcps.edu/node/38893
Additional information about the holistic screening process and information used for screening can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/registration/advanced-academics-identification-and-placement/current-fcps-students.
Middle and High School AAP
Additional information about middle and high school services may be found on the Advanced Academic Programs web page:
Ability Testing
For current information on ability testing, please visit the Testing and Identification Timeline at https://www.fcps.edu/registration/advanced-academics-identification-and-placement/current-fcps-students/testing-and.
Students must have one ability test score to go through the Level IV screening process.
Free and Reduced-Price Meals
If you submitted an application for Free or Reduced-Price Meals last school year for your child(ren), please remember to submit a new application for this school year. The current eligibility status will expire on October 20, 2020.
Apply for free and reduced-price meals by visiting www.MySchoolApps.com. Eligibility may also provide your child(ren) other important benefits. Be sure your child(ren) are approved for the 20-21 school year.
The online application is available in the following languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, Tagalog, French, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Korean. Paper applications are available to complete and submit in English upon request at food distribution sites.
Veterans Day Photo Request
Veterans Day (November 11) is quickly approaching. Even though we are currently learning virtually, we still want to recognize our Gunston Elementary Veterans. We need your help to make this possible! If someone in your family has served or is currently serving in the military, we would love to include them in our slideshow. Please email the pictures labeled with names and branch of service (from a camera, phone or electronic copy of a photo) to .lmschroeder@fcps.edu no later than Friday, November 6 Thanks in advance for making this year’s Gunston Veterans Day Celebration a success!
FCPS Cares
The FCPS Cares Program is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story so we can acknowledge our Gunston staff members.
Click on this video and see if you recognize one of Gunston's "stars"!
Reporting Absences
When your child is absent or will be tardy, please let the school know by email at Attendance@fcps.edu, submitting through our online attendance form or by calling the attendance line at 703-541-3636. These options are available 24 hours.
Student Laptop Troubles?
Mic, speaker, camera? Site Logons?
Do not wait 3 days - follow these steps ASAP
We want every student have the ability to participate.
- Login and out of BBCU – Does it work now? No, go to #2
- Restart laptop and try again - Does it work now? No go to #3
- Videos, Tips, Help desk phone and Portal to submit a ticket
Gunston Library Books
coming to you!
Exciting news! There will be a rotating Monday schedule for curbside collection and neighborhood delivery Watch student and parent emails for detailed information regarding pick up.
Directions on how to borrow books and access eBooks
1) Go to Google Classrooms.
If you don’t have a method, go to Gunston ES homepage, click on “Resources” at the top, click on the Google Classroom icon.
2) Open the Specials class (if there is a join button, click that first).
3) At the top of the page, click on “Classwork.”
4) Scroll down to Library and open “library information & links” and the link it opens.
You should now be in Mrs. McIntyre’s virtual library.
Kindergarten and 1st grade have a form to fill out. Grades 2-6 have directions on how to hold books.
Check your email on Friday. You’ll receive an email Friday if you have a book delivery on Monday. Be sure to check your spam folder.
Enjoy!
Email Diana McIntyre at dhmcintyre@fcps.edu with any questions.
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Your Attention is Needed!
There are several important forms that need to be filled out as the school year begins. Please read below for more information and take action as needed.
Please visit the Virtual First Day Packet page on our school website and follow the directions for each form if applicable to your family. Forms listed there include:
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PTA News & Announcements |
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PTA Meeting Tonight
Thursday, October 15th @ 7:00pm
The link is available on the PTA website: www.gunstonpta.org.
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Join the PTA today!
Sign-up in the store on our website, gunstonpta.org
SAVE the Shoes
Our collection of gently used shoes has begun. There is a donation box near the front door of the school. Thank you for your support!
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