January 18, 2021
Principal's Message
My Dearest Sleepy Hollow Family,
We hope this newsletter finds you in the best of health and in great spirits. This is a short school week, but as you know learning doesn’t stop when the bell rings and the school day ends--learning is continuous.
In today’s polarized society, let us focus our learning on one of Dr. Martin Luther King’s most famous quotes: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." Dr. King’s message teaches and reminds us to look to the light and to look to love when dealing with those with whom we disagree. What a great reminder and honor to his legacy and to humankind.
Thank you for your continued support as we work to keep the main thing, the main thing—our children. It is truly our parents, staff members, and community working together that allows us to maintain the successes we have achieved—especially during these unusual times.
As always, thanks for your grace and flexibility.
~Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning how to dance in the rain. ~
All the best, Mattie Fallen, Principal
Important Dates
Monday, January 18: Martin Luther King Holiday – All Offices and Schools Closed
Wednesday, January 20: Inauguration Day Holiday – All Offices & Schools Closed
Thursday, January 21: Strategies for Increasing Replacement Behaviors:
Parent Resource Center Webinar@ 10:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Friday, January 22: Two-Hour Early Release- Teacher Workday
Friday, January 22: Supporting Your Grade 3-6 Children in Math:
Parent Resource Center Webinar @ 10:00 – 11:30 only
Monday, January 25: Teacher Workday – Student Holiday
Wednesday, January 27: Holmes MS – Virtual Curriculum Night – Rising 6th Graders
Saturday, January 30: Progress Reports in ParentVue
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PTA News
Want to show your Dolphin Pride with a Sleepy Hollow mask? Visit our store to purchase child and adult masks: https://sleepyhollow.memberhub.store/store?category=Face%20Masks
- All purchases help support the SHES PTA!
- Items will be available for contactless porch pickup near SHES.
- Contact Kim Bailey at vicepresident@shespta.org with any questions or if payment by cash/check is preferred.
Please join the SHES PTA! Join here: shespta.org/membership.
STEAM Event
February 22, 2021 @ 6pm
Virtual Event
(BBCU link to be shared closer to the date)
Sign up to participate here: https://forms.gle/og3HGzGR5pMyvcpN9
Or by emailing Ms. Collins - jacollins@fcps.edu
Is your child inquisitive, resourceful, imaginative, creative, or likes to ask “why”? Invention Convention is the perfect opportunity for learning and fun? We are pleased to announce the Sleepy Hollow Invention Convention will be held on Monday, February 22nd at 6:00 pm.
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FCPS - Return to School Updates
FCPS Meal Distribution Plan - Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to providing all students access to meals January 18-26 where there are two school holidays and one student holiday/teacher workday. The following plan will be in place. Meals will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. It is important to follow safety guidelines when picking up meals. Please wear a mask, stand a minimum of six feet apart from others, and wash your hands before you arrive and when you return home. Go to the Return to School/Food page for more information or call the Office of Food and Nutrition Services at 703-813-4800.
Health Screening Commitment Form Required Prior to Student Return to School Buildings
As students return to school, parents/caregivers will be asked to acknowledge a Health Screening Commitment form before their student(s) return to school buildings. This document confirms that a parent/caregiver/guardian will complete a daily health screening and will keep their children home when they are ill.
The Health Commitment form can be submitted electronically through in ParentVUE (PVUE) beginning January 4, or via hard copy. Please contact your child’s school to have a hard copy sent to you.
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Calling All Rising Kindergarteners
Do you have a child or know of a child that will be turning 5 years of age by September 30, 2021? If yes, they are the eligible age to attend kindergarten for the upcoming 2021-2022 school year. Please contact Sleepy Hollow Elementary School at 703-237-7000 so we can add you to a mailing list and later in the Spring send you information on how to register your child for school. We can’t wait to see what new little dolphins will join our pod! Thank you, Heather Schwartz, Student Information Assistant (SIA).
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Walking Wednesday (Every Week)
Bundle up, take a break, and take a walk with the family. Have fun! Don’t forget to send in a photo of you and your child/family walking.
Library News
Please remember that with no school on Monday 1/18 or Wednesday 1/20, we will not have curbside checkout at SHES on those days; we will still have delivery of library books to the Willston neighborhood on Friday 1/22. If you were hoping to pick up on Monday or Wednesday, please just reach out to our librarian Barbara Oswalt at beoswalt@fcps.edu to work out a pickup time. Happy reading!
Holmes Middle School Virtual Curriculum Night January 27– 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Attention Rising 6th grade parents and students, this curriculum night is open to all parents and students to learn about core course offerings, elective choices, and course sequencing for the 2021-2022 school year.
Take Care of Your Health and Wellness
It is more important than ever to get your flu shot
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Health Department Clinics in Mt. Vernon, Herndon, and Fairfax City (Willard) are providing flu shots for those on Medicaid, Medicare, and who are uninsured. Please call 703-246-7100 to make an appointment.
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Senior Centers are making appointments for flu shots too. Call 703-246-6010 to make an appointment.
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Neighborhood Health, primarily serving eastern Fairfax, will provide flu shots to its patients (and will enroll new patients). Call 703-535-5568 to make an appointment
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Healthworks primarily serving western Fairfax will provide flu shots to its patients (and will enroll new patients). Call 703-481-8160 to make an appointment
For those who are insured, please visit:
- Your primary care physician
- Just about any pharmacy
- Grocery stores
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FCPS Technology Resources
FCPS has developed multiple resources that can help with basic technology issues to support learning at home:
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The Parent Technology Help Desk (toll free) at 833-921-3277 is available for technical support questions about online parent accounts, your student’s FCPS laptop, or your student’s online applications.
- If there is a problem with your Sleepy Hollow issued laptop, you may enter a support request ticket via Parent and Student IT Portal
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FCPS' Parent Technology Resource page includes tip sheets in multiple languages that provide answers to basic questions about FCPS technologies.
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Laptop/MiFi problems supported by our Sleepy Hollow Technology Team will be addressed by APPOINTMENTS Only. If responding to Request IT tickets via the Parent and Student IT Portal, a technology team member will contact you. Please, NO Walk-In support requests. Thank you for your understanding.
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FCPS’ YouTube channel has videos on basic technology topics that highlight some of the key FCPS tools, such as Google and Blackboard. These videos are designed to provide solutions for quick, simple questions.
Other inquiries about FCPS programs or resources for families may be directed to the Parent Resource Center at 703-204-3941 or use one of our eight Parent Information Phone Lines for information in multiple languages.
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Parent Resource Center Webinars
Encouraging Positive Behaviors at Home Series
Thursdays September 2020 through April 2021 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
In collaboration with FCPS Behavior Intervention Services, the Parent Resource Center brings you Encouraging Positive Behaviors at Home Series of Webinars. This series will provide families with strategies and positive supports to help encourage social, emotional, and behavioral growth. For more information about each session visit: https://bit.ly/3hahky7
- 01/21/21: Strategies for Increasing Replacement Behaviors
- 02/18/21: Teaching your Children to Follow Directions
- 03/18/21: Effectively Communicating with Your Child
- 04/22/21: Minimizing Prompts and Maximizing Your Child’s Independence
Register online: https://bit.ly/3hahky7
Community Resources
Warmline Available to All Virginians Struggling to Cope
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused upheaval and unexpected stress in the lives of so many people. To support Virginians, the VA C.O.P.E.S. (compassionate, optimistic, person-centered, empowering support) warmline is available to offer support. The mental health tip line started in May 2020 and, thanks to new funding, the service will be extended through May 2021.
Any Virginian can make a confidential call and speak to a crisis counselor about what's bothering them. The line is available Monday-Friday 9am-9pm and 5pm-9pm on the weekends by phone or text at 877-349-6428. Spanish counselors are also available.
The warmline is available to residents who may be struggling to cope with the effects of the pandemic including isolation, fear, grief, and anxiety. Not only will callers be provided a supportive compassionate ear, but they will also be provided additional information, resources, and referrals as needed.
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Upcoming Events
January 18: Martin Luther King Holiday – No School
January 20: Inauguration Day- No School
February 15: Presidents’ Day Holiday – No School
Monitor you student's academics with a SIS Parent Account
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