Happy Sunday, Freedom Hill Community!
We hope that you are enjoying these chilly Fall days! We have had the opportunity to sit in on several parent-teacher conferences over the past few days and are so grateful to have such a supportive community as we navigate through these unprecedented times. We are working hard to finalize schedules and class assignments for our Pre-kindergartners, Kindergartners, 1st Graders, and 2nd Graders as we transition into a combination of 100% virtual learning and the concurrent learning model (2 days/week in-school, 2 days/week concurrent).
We will communicate any changes to class rosters and schedules as soon as possible. We are trying our best to limit teacher changes. Please know that our staff is exceptional and that they’ll be ready to establish great relationships with new students and build joyful, new classroom cultures. All of our teachers are members of a grade level team. They plan lessons together, solve problems together, and advocate for kids together. We are confident that a new teacher, should your child have one, will continue the great work her/his teammate has started this Fall.
Changes to classes may be necessary due to the many factors involved in shifting to an in-person program for approximately half of our students. We must honor all parent choices while at the same time protecting staff members with health conditions or with other circumstances that make working from home necessary. We will ensure that siblings are scheduled to attend school in-person on the same days. We appreciate your patience and flexibility.
The table below includes important dates to note:
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Grade Level:
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PreK, K, Specialists
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Grades 1 & 2
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Grades 3-6
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Teacher Assignments Mailed Out:
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11/9
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11/23
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12/14
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Teacher Planning Days (Asynchronous Days for Students)
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11/9, 11/12, 11/13, 11/16
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11/16, 11/20, 11/23, 11/24
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TBD
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Students return:
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Week of 11/16
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Week of 11/30
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Week of 1/4
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In advance of the return dates, teachers will be provided time to plan for the change (listed in table above). On these days your children will engage in asynchronous work. Teachers will also be planning opportunities to connect with new students prior to class changes. We will communicate this shortly.
Wishing you safe week,
Nicholas Zapadka, Principal
Eric Kopacz, Asst. Principal
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November 9 - FHES Virtual Bedtime Stories
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November 9, 12, 13, 16- Independent Learning Days, Kindergarten, Specialist Teachers
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November 11 - Veteran's Day Early Release (1:15)
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November 11 - Curbside Library Pickup, 2:00-6:00
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November 16 - Week of school return for Pre-K and kindergarten
Join us on November 9th from 7:30 – 8:00 pm to celebrate “Children’s Book Week” with Dr. Z, Mrs. Doherty reading the Day The Crayons Quit, Mrs. Trott reading My Tooth is Lost! and Mr. Fenton reading Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads. You’re never too old to listen to a read aloud! So, be sure to join us in your coziest pajamas as we launch our new Eagles Read! monthly bedtime story-time program and start our week together as a K-6 Freedom Hill community. Look for a link on Monday, Nov. 9th in your email. Mark your calendars for upcoming Eagles Read! dates: Nov 9th, Dec 7th, Jan 11th. |
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New employment opportunity in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS)!
FCPS schools and centers will be hiring classroom monitors to provide in-person classroom assistance for students when a staff member remains virtual. If you would like more information about the position, please review the job description and qualifications online and apply if interested. Please feel free to share information about this opportunity with anyone else you think may be interested. Please also contact the front office with your information.
FPCS is seeking individuals to serve as substitute teachers!
Are you or somebody you know interested in substitute teaching with FCPS? Apply here or attend one of our Friday information sessions to learn more! To sign up for a session, visit our substitute information page here. Say Yes 2 FCPS!
For students who are returning for in-person learning, families must complete the Health Screening Commitment form prior to the first day of when your student will return.
Please email the Health Commitment Form to ssujoromero@fcps.edu or drop off to the front office between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Again, we need the form prior to the student’s return to school.
Health Commitment Form- English
Health Commitment Form- Arabic
Health Commitment Form- Chinese
Health Commitment Form- Farsi
Health Commitment Form- Spanish
Health Commitment Form- Urdo
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This week, we are focusing on Bravery. You act with mental, moral, or physical strength even when you know things are difficult or scary.
“Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’ ”
~Mary Anne Radmacher
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Questions you might enjoy talking about:
- What are some situations that may call for bravery?
- What are the differences between moral, mental, and physical bravery?
- Why is it sometimes difficult to be brave?
Parent Technology Help Desk 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS)
Parent and Student Technology Support Portal
Freedom Hill Digital Tools Webpage
FCPS Parent Resource Center
FCPS Return to School
Dr. Z Q&A RECORDING AND PTA MEETING ON NOV. 19TH If you missed the Q&A with Dr. Z and Mr. Kopacz, here you go:
presentation, recordingand Google Q&A. Our next PTA meeting takes place on Thursday, November 19th. Meeting info will be coming soon.
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ART FUNDRAISER
Today is the last day to upload your art for our art fundraiser! Purchase gifts for everyone on your holiday shopping list! The Art Fundraiser is 3 easy steps:
- Create Art
- Photograph & Upload your art to Square 1 Art
- Shop for keepsakes!
Art upload deadline is today, 11/8, parent order deadline is 11/18, and deliveries should be received the week of 12/7. More information, including directions and project lesson plans are located on the Art Fundraiser page of the PTA website including the template art paper and do's and don'ts. Questions? Reach out to Art Fundraiser coordinators Amber Halaka and Jennifer Liu.
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TEACHER APPRECIATION DONATIONS UNTIL TUESDAY Please help the Teacher Appreciation Committee thank FHES' wonderful faculty/staff for going above and beyond as we continue with virtual learning. They are working day and night for the benefit of our children. We’d like to show our gratitude with a small tokens of our appreciation to be delivered to their school mailboxes before the Thanksgiving holiday. BY NOVEMBER 10TH, please consider donating money toward these gifts by visiting www.pay4schoolstuff.com or mailing a check to the Freedom Hill PTA (you can also drop the check off in the main office): 1945 Lord Fairfax Rd, Vienna, VA 22182. Questions? Contact Angela or Ina.
ENRICHMENT REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! Enrichment activities for Session 2 opens today, November 8th. The schedule for session 2 is up on our Enrichment Matters. There are classes like acting, science club, chess, comic book drawing, money matters, pottery, tennis fitness doodlers, entrepreneurs club, guitar club, hip hop dance, lego engineering, python coding and magic academy. Classes and times are here. Registration will be open from 8 am on Sunday, Nov. 8th and run until midnight, Nov. 13th. Some classes include a mailed supply kit. These classes will close on November 11th to get the supplies to you in time.
CHIPOTLE FAMILY DINNER OUT - NOV. 17TH Save the date for Tuesday, November 17th to stop by Chipotle and pick up some food. Be sure you say FREEDOM HILL to help us earn dollars for the PTA. Thank you Jennifer King for arranging it.
UPDATE YOUR DIRECTORY INFO Please update the AtoZConnect directory! You should have gotten an email which will prompt you to update the Freedom Hill Directory with your current information. Take 2 minutes to update your info for your child, teachers, and contact info.
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