Good afternoon Freedom Hill families,
It is a week of much excitement for us "On the Hill". Our in-person kindergarten and Head Start students will be returning to the building and concurrent instruction will begin. Our staff are excited that our extensive preparations will finally yield students returning to us. Despite our many months of all-virtual education, we're so proud that we can continue to engage with our community, whether virtually or in-person. Two opportunities for your family to join us soon include tomorrow with our SCA Eagles Read! event, and next week when author Laura Gehl visits us to celebrate Read Across America week. More information is below.
Here are a few brief updates for families by grade level:
Kindergarten and Head Start - Teacher and days of in-person instruction were emailed to families in November. Our parent liaison will be following up with in-person families on Monday with reminders on days of attendance.
1st and 2nd grade - Teacher placement letters and days of instruction for in-person students were emailed Friday. Please call the front office if you did not receive one.
3rd - 6th Grade - Teacher placement letters and days of instruction for in-person students will be emailed this Friday, 2/26.
FCPS Food and Nutritional Services will be distributing reusable, metal water bottles to children and families who pick up meals from bus routes on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 (while supplies last). The water bottles are intended to provide a refillable container for children to use when they return to in-person instruction. Each water bottle will come with a sticker to label the bottle for easy identification! We encourage all families to stop by and obtain one for their child! Meal kits can be picked up at bus stops found here.
FCPS is working hard to Stop the Spread of COVID-19. Please take a few moment to share this video related to safely returning to school with your entire family. You might wish to share this Social Story created by Sara Delia for Learning at Home or Returning to School with your child depending on your family’s choice earlier in the year.
We hope these resources are helpful. See you soon!
Nicholas Zapadka, Principal
Eric Kopacz, Asst. Principal
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February 22 - SCA Hosts "Eagles Read" for Black History Month
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February 22 - IAAT Testing, Cafeteria
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February 23 - Kindergarten & Head Start Return to School (Tuesday/Wednesday Students)
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February 24 - Curbside Library Checkout, 2-6PM
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February 24 - WIDA ACCESS Testing, Cafeteria
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February 25 - Kindergarten & Head Start Return to School (Thursday/Friday Students)
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February 26- Grades 3-6 teacher assignments emailed to families
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March 1 - Read Across America Week Author Visit
Principals' Return to School Presentation and Q&A:
Recording
Slides - This contains an updated return-to-school timeline for grades 1-2 and 3-6, and embedded community and family resources
Join us Monday, February 22nd from 7:30 – 8:00 pm for our first SCA Sponsored Eagles Read event!
In honor of Black History Month, Mrs. Canape will be hosting as we enjoy readings by African American authors and about African American historical figures. For every person who attends, SCA will donate $2 to the SEO: Sponsors for Educational Opportunity. https://www.seo-usa.org/scholars/ We look forward to seeing you! A link will be sent on Monday.
Laura Gehl is virtually visiting Freedom Hill on Monday, March 1st for a prek-6th grade event. Hooray for Books! is providing a selection of books at special discounted price for this Read Across America Event! To order, fill out and mail or return the this form with a check (made to Freedom Hill Elementary School) by Friday, March 5th. Books should be available for pickup at FHES by March 19th and will include personalized bookplates signed by the author. Books should be available for pickup at FHES by March 19th. The event will take place immediately following morning meeting on Monday, March 1st. You can learn more about Ms. Gehl and her wonderful books at https://lauragehl.com/. Contact Mrs. Rossman at Melissa.Rossman@fcps.edu with questions.
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This week, we are working on ONE of the FIVE overarching pillars of the Positivity Project. Cheering others’ success is an important test of our character every single day.
“Friends don’t get jealous of each other or begrudge the other for finding success. They celebrate every victory together.”
~Karen Kingsbury
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How to Be Happy for the Success of Others
- Be grateful. The root of jealousy is cut off when you focus on the things you DO have, not that you don’t have.
- Be inspired instead of discouraged by their success.
- Don’t compare yourself to others. Everyone is different.
- Know that your value does not come from external things.
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Imagine Learning & Literacy
Imagine Language & Literacy is an adaptive program designed to accelerate reading and language proficiency in grades K-6. Staff and students are encouraged to use this engaging and adaptive program as a component of their instructional day. Access is easy through the link our school’s Digital Learning Tools Page https://freedomhilles.fcps.edu/index.php/digital-learning-tools
ST Math is visual instructional program designed to help students build deep conceptual understanding of mathematics. Staff and students are encouraged to use this engaging and adaptive program as a component of their instructional day. Access is easy through the link our school’s Digital Learning Tools Page https://freedomhilles.fcps.edu/index.php/digital-learning-tools
If you chose for your child to return to in-person instruction this year please email the Health Commitment Form to ssujoromero@fcps.edu or drop it off at the front office between 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. It can also be completed online through ParentVue. This form is required before your child can enter the building.
Health Commitment Form- English
Health Commitment Form- Arabic
Health Commitment Form- Chinese
Health Commitment Form- Farsi
Health Commitment Form- Spanish
Health Commitment Form- Urdu
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
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We hope you all enjoyed the Presidents' Day holiday this week! In case you missed the meetings on February 10, recordings are provided below. We hope your students are engaging in meaningful learning experiences during Black History Month.
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PTA MEETING RECORDING In case you missed the February 10 PTA meeting, you can access a recording of the meeting here. The PTA meeting was preceded by the Principal's Return to School Presentation and Q&A. You can view the recording here and access the slides here.
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SESSION 4 OF ENRICHMENT MATTERS Enrichment Matters registration opens Monday, February 22 at 8 am and closes at midnight on February 24 (classes that include mailed supplies may close on February 23). Classes will run March 1–26 and include everything from art to STEM. Enrichment Matters providers have a bunch of new classes this session that will help your student continue expanding their education from home. For more information, go to Enrichment Matters or see the full schedule here.
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CELEBRATE READ ACROSS AMERICA WEEK MAR. 1 Laura Gehl is virtually visiting Freedom Hill on Monday, March 1 for a prek-6th grade event. The event will take place immediately following morning meeting on Monday, March 1. Hooray for Books! is providing a selection of books at special discounted price for this Read Across America Event! To order, fill out and mail or return this form with a check (made to Freedom Hill Elementary School) by Friday, March 5. Books should be available for pickup at FHES by March 19 and will include personalized bookplates signed by the author. You can learn more about Ms. Gehl and her wonderful books at https://lauragehl.com/. Contact Mrs. Rossman at Melissa.Rossman@fcps.edu with questions
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6TH GRADE FAMILIES - KILMER BAND! Want to have fun playing a band instrument in school every day? Make great music with your friends? Be a member of the largest team at Kilmer MS? Then you want to be in the Kilmer Band program! Whether you have never played an instrument before or you've been playing for a while, we've got a place for you in the Kilmer MS Bands. For lots of info, visit tinyurl.com/kilmermsbands. Email the lead band director, email Ms. Bonneau for any questions.
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DIRECTORY UPDATE 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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