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February 15 - NO SCHOOL - President's Day
February 23 - PTA (Virtual) Meeting (Rescheduled from Jan 19)
March 5 - 2 Hour Early Release
March 8 - NO SCHOOL - Teacher Workday
March 26 - 2 Hour Early Release
March 29-Apr 5 - NO SCHOOL - Spring Break
Cardinal Forest has made the transition from BBCU to Google Meets in anticipation of the concurrent learning model that will take place when students return to in person learning. In correlation with this migration we have created schoolwide guidelines that will be shared soon with the students. We wanted to share with our community as well. Below are the guidelines for all grade levels.
As you know, FCPS has put a pause on the draft schedule for students returning to in-person learning as well as the update bell schedule, though the superintendent did provide an updated proposal this week. It can be viewed below. While these plans won’t be solidified until the February 2nd School Board Meeting, we wanted you to have this information on your radar. We will communicate with grade level families directly after timelines are confirmed, so please be on the lookout for more information. We will continue to keep you informed as soon as we have information.
The superintendent shared the updated draft return-to-school dates with the School Board on 1/21. This plan will be further discussed at their next meeting on 2/2.
Family Guide to Return to School
Return to School Guide is a great resource.
REQUIRED FORMS
Health Commitment Form - MUST BE TURNED IN TO ATTEND IN PERSON LEARNING!
Health Information Form (Clinic)
Digital Resource Permission
Identification of Military Connected Students
Students Rights and Responsibility (SR&R)
OPTIONAL FORMS
FLE Opt-Out
Survey of Homeless Students
FCPS Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms
Free/Reduced Lunch Application
Literacy Footprints Week, February 1-7
Every student at Cardinal Forest has a personalized bookshelf on the Pioneer Valley Literacy Footprints website. This is a digital reader with loads of quality books that are “just right” for your child. During Literacy Footprints week, we will be trying to read more from our digital shelves than ever before! Help us reach our school goal of 2,000 books read! Classes with the most books read (K-1, 2-3, 4-6) will be celebrated on the news show. Students could even win a prize in a drawing! 25 lucky winners will win a free book of their choice from Amazon, up to $10, just by reading from their Literacy Footprints shelves, or completing special projects! (Thank you, PTA!) Stay tuned for more information… Here is a brief video that explains how to access and use the Pioneer Valley Literacy Footprints program from home: Pioneer Valley for Parents. Happy reading!
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Literacy Footprints Family Night, Tuesday, February 2, 6:30-7:15 pm.
As part of our special week, we will be hosting a remote family night. Join us over BBCU to explore the Pioneer Valley Literacy Footprints website. Guest teachers will read aloud from the digital shelves and then guide parents in accessing the digital bookshelves to read with their children. To attend, please use this link: http://bit.ly/CFESFamilyNight. See you there!
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We have been excited to let you know that Cardinal Forest will have the opportunity to open a Local Level IV Advanced Academic Program next year starting with grade 3. In December, we had a presentation which explains the program in a little more detail. Below are the links of the Parent Information Presentation for you to review or refresh your memory. In addition, we are extending the survey date so we can get as much input as possible.
For our planning purposes, we are asking that families please fill out the quick survey.
Parent Survey: https://forms.gle/BfsFRGuJyv9vr3As8
The recording can be viewed at https://youtu.be/eJcfMEwgoBI . Here is the slide deck as well. CFES_Exploration of Local Level IV Presentation for Families.pdf Please let us know if you have specific questions bout this fantastic opportunity.
From February 15 -March 18, sixth-grade students at Cardinal Forest Elementary School will receive two lessons on the topic of sexual harassment. These lessons seek to provide students with the necessary information, resources, and strategies to help prevent occurrences of sexual harassment as well as outline the steps to take if they feel they or their peers are targets of these behaviors. In addition, the lessons share how schools support targeted students so that they are able to continue to focus on learning in an environment that feels comfortable and secure. Parents/guardians may review the lessons through their ParentVue accounts, which may be activated at www.fcps.edu/it/MyParentAccount. Parents/guardians may choose to opt their child out of the two sixth-grade lessons on the topic of sexual harassment. Please see email from your child's teacher with more information on how to opt your sixth-grade child out of the lessons about sexual harassment. If you did not receive the email or have any additional questions, please contact Cardinal Forest Elementary School at 703-923-5200
Virginia Law requires that all students entering seventh grade receive a booster dose of the Tdap vaccine prior to the beginning of school. The Tdap vaccine protects against tetanus (lockjaw), diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough) and is usually given around the age of eleven.
For your child to begin 7th grade you will need to submit one of the following documents before the first day of school. It is recommended that all paperwork be submitted to the school office by July 31, 2021.
Acceptable documentation can be one of the following:
- A copy of your child’s immunization record showing the Tdap vaccine.
- A note on a healthcare provider’s letterhead stating the date the Tdap vaccine was given.
- A healthcare provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption.
- A notarized Religious Exemption Form which is available online at:
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/support/health_medical/certificate_religious_exemption.pdf
The Tdap booster is available from your child’s healthcare provider or the Fairfax County Health Department. The Health Department Clinic locations and hours are available online at: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/clinics or by calling 703-246-2411. Please note that students receiving immunizations at the Health Department must be accompanied by an adult and should bring their immunization records with them.
Seventh grade students will not be allowed to begin school in August 2021 without submitting proper documentation.
Our Technology Specialist is Mrs. Nadia Anwar. Please contact Mrs. Anwar at nanwar1@fcps.edu for any technology questions you may have or to schedule an appointment.
Also, to support families who are working with their children during distance learning, FCPS has launched a new Parent Technology Help Desk. The help desk can be reached at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS) and will be answered by staff members between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., seven days a week.
Parents or guardians can call this number for basic tech support with parent accounts, help with FCPS student devices and technical assistance with other FCPS applications. If help desk staff members are unable to solve the issue, they will enter a support ticket on behalf of the parent/guardian to escalate the issue to the appropriate FCPS team. Parents who need help in a language other than English can inform the help desk staff when they call of their preferred language, and an interpreter will join in on the call.
FCPS has also set up Parent and Student Technology Support portal at https://itweb.fcps.edu/itsupport/ to allow older students and parents/guardians to request technology help directly. When a support request ticket is entered through the portal, it is auto-routed to the TSSpec at the appropriate site to expedite service.
For more information, please go to:
https://www.fcps.edu/return-school/technology-support-families
 Clearing the cache can help your computer run smoothly. This quick fix can solve issues with frequently used sites like ST Math and Imagine Learning.
Is Your FCPS Laptop Running Slow or Having Connectivity Issues?
- It is important to RESTART your FCPS laptop daily. If possible, go to an FCPS site once each week or every other week, log in and restart your laptop twice. Doing this at an FCPS location on the FCPS network allows your computer to get valuable and necessary updates.
- More help for troubleshooting other issues you may experience can be found on FCPS’s website: Tech Support for Families. It may behoove students to bookmark this site, as it will help solve most common problems. Obviously we want our students to have the best experience possible in this virtual environment!
The PTSA Diversity Committee of the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology will hold its second Diversity in STEM Talk in February! This series is especially for elementary and middle school students in grades 4-8.
Join us Monday, February 8, at 6 p.m. to hear from Anthony Nunez, CEO INF Robotics Inc. and Carla Rodriguez, Head of Operations INF Robotics Inc. Mr. Nunez graduated from George Mason University with a degree in Applied Information Technology and from Worchester Polytechnic University with a masters degree in Systems Engineering. Mr. Nunez is a published author in robotics, holds two robotics patents and has over a decade of experience building all forms of land, air and water robots in addition to working for DARPA Autonomous Vehicles programs, where he worked on the early versions of autonomous cars. Mr. Nunez has successfully lobbied Congress as part of the National Robotics Week Advisory Council to have the second week in April recognized for robotics and STEM education importance in the U.S. Ms. Rodriguez has worked as Vice President of Infamous Robotics where she grew the company's curriculum offerings and expanded on key partnerships with the Smithsonian, the U.S. State Department and others. Ms. Rodriguez is a key architect of the Robotics Inventor curriculum and has experience building everything from snake robots to autonomous robots for healthcare. She has been a key mentor for children building their first robot for years, helping them get over roadblocks and build confidence around themselves and STEM. Through their current work at INF Robotics Inc., dba INF Care, Mr. Nunez and Ms. Rodriguez are bringing robotics and assistive technologies to older adults to improve their health and aging in place experience. Some questions we'll explore are:
- What sparked their interest in STEM?
- What is happening in the field of robotics?
- How are robotics and technology used in health care?
Parents, register at this Zoom link: http://bit.ly/TJStemTalk2
Submit questions in advance here: https://bit.ly/tjdiversitytalks
We are excited to continue the Positivity Project at Cardinal Forest. This week our classes will be exploring the character trait Prudence. We encourage you to go to the Family Resources page to learn more.
Here is a link with information for families.
If you have concerns or questions regarding your child’s social, emotional, or mental health, we are here to help! Use the link below to connect with us. Our psychologist, social worker, or counselor(s) will reach out to you.
Parent Referral Form
Teen Depression: A Webinar for Families
You’re worried. Your child has been sad or irritable for days and doesn’t seem interested in activities they usually find fun. For 1 in 10 adolescents, it’s ‘depression’. NIMH conducts research studies to understand the causes of depression, how it’s affected by the teen brain, and the evaluation of new treatments.
This webinar will focus on these topics:
- What is “major depression?”
- Assessing depression in teens
- How to get help
- Treatment of depression
- Parenting a teen with depression
- Depression in teens and COVID-19
Presented by Chana Engel who is a Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in the Mood Brain & Development Unit at the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH).
Friday, February 5, 2021 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Register for Teen Depression: A Webinar for Families
From Chaos to Calm: Strategies for Families to Create Calm and Confidence in the Midst of Chaos and Uncertainty: A Webinar for Families
How are YOU doing? Really, how are you?
Trying to lead a family during these times can be exceedingly difficult. Children's mental health is declining, and parents are concerned about their own mental health.
- Are you feeling helpless and overwhelmed by the uncertainty and fear surrounding your child’s future and the impact this time is having on their ability to learn?
- Are you worried about increased anxiety and stress leaving you feeling depleted and overwhelmed?
Learn practical tools that can be applied IMMEDIATELY to restore your sense of calm and focus so you have the energy and confidence you need to cultivate joy and connection in your family.
Presented by Corinne Coppola, M.A., and Well-Being Professional.
Friday, February 12, 2021 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Register for From Chaos to Calm: Strategies for Families to Create Calm and Confidence in the Midst of Chaos and Uncertainty: A Webinar for Families
Encouraging Positive Behaviors at Home Series
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02/18/21:Teaching your Children to Follow Directions
- Parents/guardians will be provided an overview of instructional control
- Parents/guardians will review strategies to support their students with following directions
- 03/18/21: Effectively Communicating with Your Child
- 04/22/21: Minimizing Prompts and Maximizing Your Child’s Independence
Thursday February 18, 2021, 10 - 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Register for Teaching Your Child to Follow Directions
Strategies to Support Social Emotional Learning at Home: A Webinar for Families
Social and emotional learning starts at home. Parents and families are critical partners in helping their children develop social and emotional know-how. They can model the kinds of skills, attitudes, and behaviors we want all students to master.
This webinar will highlight:
- What is social-emotional learning?
- Strategies to use our children’s behavior and emotion as forms of communication.
- Strategies to create emotional safety.
- Strategies to recognizing and supporting personal and family strengths.
Join FCPS Social Worker, Jeanne Veraska & FCPS School Psychologist, Lisa Phifer for this important webinar.
February 17, 2021 6:30 - 8 p.m. or February 19, 2021 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Register for Strategies to Support Social Emotional Learning at Home: A Webinar for Families
Is it Over Yet? How to Help your Child Cope with the Pandemic and the Eventual Return to Normalcy: A Webinar for Families
Join licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Bateman for a webinar focused on parenting strategies to help children cope with the challenges of the pandemic.
Strategies include:
- Coping with general stress, changes in daily life/routine, uncertainty about the future, loss of regular activities and social interaction, virtual school, etc.
- Executive functioning to assist with the challenges of virtual school
- Managing anxiety about health and safety
- Building resilience in children to reduce risk of separation anxiety, social anxiety, etc. once the pandemic ends
Friday, February 26, 2021 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Register for Is it Over Yet? How to Help your Child Cope with the Pandemic and the Eventual Return to Normalcy: A Webinar for Families
General Meeting (Virtual) - RESCHEDULED!
Tuesday, February 23
7:00 p.m.
https://cardinalforest.ptboard.com/
Papa John's PTA Fundraiser!
Papa Johns is offering a 40% off menu price and 10% of purchase goes back to the PTA! Every Tuesday, 11am-11pm starting January 5th to the end of the school year. Use code CFES4010 when ordering - can do carryout or delivery.
Looking to connect with CFES? Here are the main avenues you can check for information!
Sign Up for News You Choose
Follow Our Twitter Page @CFESRedBirds
Subscribe to our CFES YouTube Channel
Follow our Facebook Page: Cardinal Forest Elementary
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