February 9, 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 were able to enjoy all the different weather that Mother Nature brought our way over the weekend. Embrace it--because she’s bringing more of the mix this week. Well, it may be cold outside, but we are looking forward to the love and warmth that Valentine’s will bring. Wishing you a week filled with Amazing Grace, peace, joy, and lots of LOVE! ❤
~ Love is like a beautiful flower which I may not touch, but whose fragrance makes the garden a place of delight just the same. ∼ Helen Keller
All the best,
Mattie Fallen, Principal
Important Dates
Sunday, February 14: Valentine’s Day
Monday, February 15: Presidents’ Day Holiday – No School
Tuesday, February 16: Return to School – Group 3 (See below)
Wednesday, February 17: Sleepy Hollow Spirit Take-out Wednesday (11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.)
Wednesday, February 17: Return to School Parent Meeting (7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.)
Thursday, February 18: Teaching your Children to Follow Directions Parent Resource Webinar
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
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Group 3 (Enhanced Autism/Noncategorical/Select ELL) - February 16th
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Group 5 (Kindergarten) – February 23rd
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Group 6 (Grades 1 & 2) – March 9th
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Group 7 (Grades 3 – 5) – March 16th
Please know that we will follow strict safety and health protocols to minimize health risks for students and staff.
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Sleepy Hollow Spirit Take-out Wednesday
What: Take-out to Support SHES PTA
When: Wednesday, February 17 Times: 11am-8pm Where: Dogwood Tavern - Online ordering at www.dogwoodtavern.com/order and pick-up at 132 West Broad St., Falls Church Order lunch or dinner for your family, a neighbor or coworkers on Wednesday, February 17, and a portion will be donated to Sleepy Hollow Elementary School's PTA
** Please add the "SHES SPIRIT NIGHT PROMOTION" item to your cart before checkout -- this will flag your order as being part of our special promotion ** Feel free to order anytime during the day and schedule your pickup for whenever is convenient for you. Questions?
Call Dogwood Tavern at 703-237-8333
Sleepy Hollow Masks
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.
PTA News
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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Library News
Did you know our school’s library has thousands and thousands of books for students to borrow? We have books in all sorts of formats including board books, easy readers, long chapter books, graphic novels . . . and of different genres such as mystery, science fiction, adventure . . . and true-fact non-fiction books on so many different topics and at different reading levels. We have books in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and more! We want ALL students to be library users and try to make it easy to access the collection even during remote learning. If you want to know more about how your child can borrow books from our library, please reach out to our librarian Barbara Oswalt at beoswalt@fcps.edu. Happy reading!
FCPS Updates
Meal Distribution Update: Many Grab and Go Sites Switching to Weekly Meal Kits
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 at SHES every Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (New Time) 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 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.
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.
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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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.
SIBSHOPS: An Exciting, Virtual Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs
The Sibshop workshops are for children in grades 2-6 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools who have siblings with special needs to:
- Meet other siblings in a relaxed, virtual setting.
- Celebrate the many contributions made by brothers and sisters of children with special needs.
- Share sibling experiences and receive peer support.
- Play games and have fun!
Presented by FCPS School Social Work Services
Saturday, February 27, 2021
Two time slots are available: 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. Sessions run 1-1.5 hours
Register for SIBSHOPS: An Exciting, Virtual Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs
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
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
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