Sleepy Hollow Updates

February 1, 2021


Principal's Message

My Dearest Sleepy Hollow Family,

We hope this newsletter finds you in the best of health and in great spirits. We certainly hope that you enjoyed the gift that new fallen snow brings. Wishing you a fabulous first week of February filled with Amazing Grace, peace, joy, and LOVE! ❤

~I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. ~ Maya Angelou

All the best,
Mattie Fallen, Principal


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Important Dates

Monday, February 8: Diversity in STEMS Talk – Thomas Jefferson High School
Monday, February 15: Presidents’ Day Holiday – No School
Monday, February 22: Sleepy Hollow STEM Event: Invention Convention
 
RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL OBSERVANCES

Monday, February 1 – Sunday, February 28 – Black History Month

Friday, February 12: Lunar New Year

Monday, February 15: Nehan (Nirvana Day)

Tuesday, February 16: Shrove Tuesday

Wednesday, February 17: Ash Wednesday

Thursday/Friday, February 25-26: Purim


RETURN TO SCHOOL DATES

Group 3 (Enhanced Autism/Noncategorical/Select ELL) - Feb. 16th

Group 5 (Kindergarten) – February 23rd

Group 6 (Grades 1 & 2) – March 9th

Group 7 (Grades 3 – 5) – March 16th

These return to school dates are tentative and subject to change based on health metrics and operational requirements. Please know that we will follow strict safety and health protocols to minimize health risks for students and staff.


FCPS Fine Arts Office 13th Annual Artist Teacher Exhibition  

The Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Fine Arts Office held its 13th annual Artist Teacher Exhibition, an art exhibition recognizing the creativity and technical expertise of FCPS art teachers. Congratulations to our very own Mr. Christian Tribastone, Sleepy Hollow Elementary art teacher, for being recognized for his exceptional artwork.


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


Diversity in STEMS Talk – Thomas Jefferson High School

STEM

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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.


Library News

We love for students to borrow books from the library – these “rotating” books help feed a child’s growing reading interests and abilities!  We also love to see students get books of their own to keep, whether as a gift, from school giveaways, or a book store – these books “to keep forever” provide an ongoing source of reading enjoyment!  The beauty of the library is that once books have been read and returned, there are THOUSANDS more still to be enjoyed!  Please help your children see themselves as library users; the school’s library books are ready to be enjoyed by ALL students.  Please reach out to beoswalt@fcps.edu if you have any questions about how our library works during remote learning – happy reading!


FCPS Updates

FCPS Grab and Go food distribution sites are switching from daily food pickup to weekly Fairfax Meal Kit distribution.

Fairfax Meal Kits contain seven days of breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, and supper (at certain sites) items packed in bulk. The meal kits will be available for pick up every Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or until supplies are exhausted. Bus route pickups remain unchanged.

Go to the Food Distribution website to see if your meal site is changing.

During January and February, these sites will also be distributing fresh, local fruits and vegetables. Families that pick up no-cost meals will also be provided a fresh fruit or vegetable sourced from a local farm for each child, along with an activity sheet and recipe for that item. The item will vary each week, and will be available on the following dates: February 3, 10, 17

As a reminder, it is important to follow social distancing guidelines. Be sure to stand a minimum of 6 feet apart from others and practice regular hand washing, including prior to leaving a residence to pick-up meals, upon returning home, and before consuming food. Please wear a mask when picking up the meal kits.


Special Education Parent Newsletter

The Department of Special Services (DSS) publishes a regular electronic newsletter for parents of special education students to provide updated DSS information, tips, and ideas to support you and your family during distance learning. The latest issue is available online.


Donate to the Stuff the Bus Food Drive

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Help Fight Hunger in our Neighborhoods: Donate to the Stuff the Bus Food Drive on February 6

On Saturday, February 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., buses will be parked at locations throughout Fairfax County to collect nonperishable food donations for area food pantries as part of the Stuff the Bus Food Drive. Buses will be in less-frequented lots—including Board of Supervisors’ offices, schools, libraries, and the Pennino building—to allow donors to comply with social distancing recommendations.

For those who are unable to donate in person, monetary donations can be made by visiting the websites of the partner nonprofits serving our community.

See the complete list of food drop-off locations, what to put on your shopping list to donate, and tips for donating safely at Stuff the Bus.


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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).


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.

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FCPS Technology Resources

FCPS has developed multiple resources that can help with basic technology issues to support learning at home:

  • 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
  • FCPS' Parent Technology Resource page includes tip sheets in multiple languages that provide answers to basic questions about FCPS technologies.
  • 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.
  • 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.


FCPS – Family and School Partnerships

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FCPS – Family and School Partnerships

Music, Attention and Learning

  • Music’s beneficial effects on mental health are well known. Some sing the praises of music for its soothing nature. Sporting events provide music to stir enthusiasm. Children can use music, in part, to learn rhymes and poems or to help focus while studying. Pairing music with rhythm and pitch enhances learning and recall.
  • Music can also help children and adolescents with attention problems.
  • Music may enhance attention to tedious academic tasks such as memorization. Songs, rhythms, and dance or movement can enhance learning. Also, playing background music may help attention to the task.
  • Music can be used to take a break for desired behavior. For example, for paying attention to homework for 10 minutes, a child can be rewarded with the opportunity to listen to music for 5 minutes.
  • Musical cues can be used to help organize activities – one kind of music for one activity like studying, another kind of music for a different activity like dinner, and a third kind for bedtime.
  • Calming music can promote social behavior and decrease impulsive behavior.
  • Music can inspire a feeling of happiness and optimism. It can relax and calm.

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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

  • 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


Warmline

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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Monitor you student's academics with a SIS Parent Account