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March 26 - End of 3rd Quarter--2 Hour Early Release
March 27-Passover Begins
March 29-Apr 2 - NO SCHOOL - Spring Break
April 2- Good Friday
April 4- Easter
April 5 - NO SCHOOL - Teacher Workday
April 12- Ramadan Begins
April 21 - Purple Up Day in Support of Military Kids
April 27- Theravada New Year
May 31 - NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day
June 11 - Last Day of School
2020-21 Standard School Year Calendar.
Mr. Hirsch and I have been amazed that this year is moving so quickly. We have enjoyed engaging students virtually and at school. Thank you to our incredible staff for figuring out how to build relationships, encourage and teach in this atypical year. They have proven that Mighty Red Birds always soar!
We hope that each of you enjoy a week of relaxation and family time. Please know that our staff will be off this week and we ask that you email them after the break. The office will be closed March 29-April 2, but please feel free to contact me at fmdrake@fcps.edu.
Felicia Drake, Principal and Keith Hirsch, Assistant Principal
FCPS is committed to providing all students access to meals March 26 through April 5 when there is one early release school day, the week of spring break when schools are closed, and one teacher workday when students are not in school. See the food distribution webpage for more information.
Stop the Spread: Protect Yourself and Slow the Spread of COVID-19
Your actions keep all of us healthy, and we need to keep it up and continue working together to help slow the spread of COVID-19. There are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your family. Testing, contact tracing, and staying home and away from others when sick or after contact with someone who is sick, are also critical to help “box in” COVID-19 and prevent it from spreading further in our community.
Please visit the FCPS Guidance on School Health Practices to become familiar with county procedures to keep our students and staff safe and healthy.
Attendance
If your child is going to be absent or late, call the school office at 703-923-5252. When leaving a message, please spell the first and last name of your child or you may submit through https://cardinalforestes.fcps.edu/attendance-form. If the school does not receive information regarding your child's absence by 10:30 a.m., you will receive an attendance phone call to verify why your child is absent.
Bus Riders
FCPS requires all Kindergarten students who ride the bus to have a parent accompany them each day to and from the bus stop. FCPS requires ALL students in grades K-6, to wear a mask, to practice social distancing from others while riding, entering and exiting the bus. While at the bus stop, practice 6 ft. social distancing from other families, and mandatory mask wearing for all students and parents.
School Entry: Students are required to wear masks and practice 6 ft. social distancing.
Walkers and Kiss and Ride
As we are welcoming our 3rd through 6th graders back to school on Tuesday, March 16th, we have a few announcements regarding arrival and dismissal:
- If your students are listed as a “walker” this means that they are walking to school. If you need to drive to school use Kiss and Ride. Please DO NOT park in the school parking lot OR inside the condominium complex off of Royal Ridge Road (This is private property and you will get a ticket or towed if you park or wait in the condo complex). We now have more students, cars and busses traveling through the lot. To make sure we are safe, here are your options:
- Kindergarten and 3rd-6th grade enter and exit at Door 2- (Cafeteria)
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1st and 2nd grade- Door 8 (small playground) You can park down Oakford Drive and walk across the street with your child (we have a crossing guard at that time).
- If you are using the Kiss and Ride we ask for your patience as we will have an unusual amount of cars because many families are not using the school bus as an option this year. Our staff members are quickly becoming more comfortable with the process but patience is needed. A reminder that we will be letting students enter the building at 9:35 and dismissing Kiss and Ride students at 4:10 (but it takes them a few minutes to reach their destination). If arriving from Rolling Road, in order to avoid blocking the intersection, please proceed past Cardinal Forest, and enter the back of the Kiss and Ride line. Please do not get out of your cars to help your child into the car. We will have staff members and a few students helping with the process.
Dear Parents/Guardians,
We need your help in projecting the Kindergarten enrollment for the 2021-2022 school year. Virginia Law, section 22.1-254, requires that children who will reach their fifth birthday on or before September 30, 2021, must be enrolled in Kindergarten for the 2021-2022 school year unless the parent or guardian notifies the school in writing that they do not wish the child to attend school until the following year.
If you have a child who will be five years old on or before September 30, 2021, please complete this form and return it to the school office.
If any of your neighbors have children who will be eligible for Kindergarten, please share this information with them, as we are especially interested in reaching those Floris families who do not have children currently attending our school.
Please email the completed form and any questions to Karen Stephens, Registrar, at kdstephens@fcps.edu
West Springfield has just announced it’s Girls Basketball camp dates: July 26 thru July 30th, for rising 3rd thru 9th graders. For more information contact Coach Gibson at: wrgibson@fcps.edu .
Tech Support: Do you need tech support for your child's laptop? Go here: https://itweb.fcps.edu/itsupport/
Turn on Chrome Sync
As part of FCPS’s ongoing effort to support student use of technology, Chrome Sync and the ability to save passwords will be available as an option starting on February 18th. Students are not required to use Chrome Sync and save passwords, but may choose to use them in order to:
- reduce their log-in time.
- access bookmarks and extensions across devices.
Chrome will remember and offer saved passwords when students are logging into different instructional applications. Chrome will also make bookmarks and extensions available on any device in which the student logs into Chrome and turns on Sync.
If your student would like to use Chrome Sync and save passwords, support resources, including translated directions and videos, are available on the FCPS website. If your child is already logged into Chrome now, they may need to log out of Chrome and log back in to see the new features, such as the option to turn on Sync.
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!
We are excited to continue the Positivity Project at Cardinal Forest. This week our classes explored the character trait Humor. 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
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.
Amazon Smiles
Already shopping with Amazon?? We get a percentage if you choose Cardinal Forest PTA as your charity. https://smile.amazon.com/ch/54-1111422
Looking to connect with CFES? Here are the main avenues you can check for information!
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Follow Our Twitter Page @CFESRedBirds
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Follow our Facebook Page: Cardinal Forest Elementary
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