FHES Weekly Update: 3/14/2021

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Principals' Message

Good afternoon Freedom Hill families,

We hope you are enjoying the beautiful spring weather. Without a doubt, our staff enjoyed having our in-person 1st and 2nd graders return to the building last week! We look forward to seeing some of our 3rd – 6th graders joining us in-person this week. We appreciate your continued support as we adapt to the concurrent learning model. We are hopeful that this is a positive new beginning for all of us as we finish out the school year.

Great news – our playground is now open for our students during recess! We will continue to be vigilant with safety measures during play. Students will use hand sanitizer immediately before and after using equipment. The playground remains closed to the public during school hours. 

As more of our students continue to transition back into the building, please read the "arrival and dismissal" information below so that we continue to facilitate safe practices when coming to school. 

3rd - 6th Grade:

  • March 15 - Asynchronous days for students after AM Meeting
  • March 16 - In-person Tues/Wed students return to building
  • March 18 - In-person Thurs/Fri students return to the building

Wishing you a great week, 

Nicholas Zapadka, Principal

Eric Kopacz, Asst. Principal 


School Arrival & Dismissal

Hours of Operation

Front Office Hours: 8:45 - 4:45

Student Hours: 9:45 - 4:15

Kiss 'N Ride Open: 9:35 - 9:45

Bus Routes

In preparation for the upcoming return to school groups, parents are asked to review their student’s route assignments using their SIS ParentVue account. As changes are being made to the routes frequently to accommodate new students returning, this information must be checked within one week of your student returning to face-to-face instruction.  

COVID-19 Arrival Protocols

Due to social distancing requirements, the Kiss 'N Ride will open each day at 9:35, and doors will not be open prior to this time. We will not accommodate early arrivals, as this could compromise our safe social distancing practices in our lobby and hallways. All students will be asked to use our hand sanitizer stands as they enter either the bus or Kiss N' Ride doors. Breakfast will be distributed via bags in the cafeteria, which students may take to their classroom.

Walkers

Students walking to school should enter the Kiss 'N Ride door near the student drop off area. Families should not walk across/along the bus lane to the main entrance. Thank you!

Car Riders

Families dropping off their children should use the Kiss 'N Ride loop (see photo below). Please do not park on the street and walk across the bus lanes. This creates a dangerous situation and delays our buses. 

Kiss 'N Ride Registration for Grades 1-6

Planning on picking your student(s) up at the end of the school day in the Kiss 'N Ride? Use the link below to register for a Kiss and Ride Number. Kiss and Ride numbers will be sent home with your student(s). Alternatively, you call the front office to receive a number. 

USE THIS LINK TO REGISTER FOR A KISS AND RIDE NUMBER.  

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Upcoming Dates for Your Calendar

  • March 15 - 16 - Family Dinner Out, Ledo Pizza
  • March 15 - FLE Preview Night, 6PM, Link
  • March 15 - Eagles Read! Bedtime Stories Night, 7:30PM
  • March 16 - Grades 3-6 in-person students begin to return
  • March 16 - PTA Meeting, 8PM
  • March 17 - Curbside Library Checkout, 2-6PM
  • March 28 - Spring PTA Spiritwear Orders Due

Return to School Updates

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


Eagles Read! Bedtime Stories

Join us Monday, March 15th from 7:30 – 8:00 pm for our fourth monthly "Eagles Read"! Bedtime Stories Night.

Mrs. Rossman will be our MC for the night as we celebrate togetherness and a positive start to our week. Staff participating on Monday will be, Mr. Fenton, Ms. Wilson, Mrs. Savage and Mrs. Trott. You’re never too old to listen to a read aloud! Be sure to join us in your coziest pajamas at our Eagles Read! monthly bedtime story-time program and start our week together as a PK-6 Freedom Hill community.

Noche de cuentos para dormir¡Únase a nosotros el lunes 15 de Marzo de 7:30 a 8:00 pm para nuestra cuarta "lectura de águilas" mensual! Noche de cuentos para dormir. La Sra. Rossman será nuestra MC por la noche mientras celebramos la unión y un comienzo positivo del semana. El personal que participará el lunes será el Sr. Fenton, la Sra. Wilson, la Sra. Savage y la Sra. Trott. ¡Nunca eres demasiado mayor para escuchar una lectura en voz alta! ¡Asegúrate de acompañarnos en tu pijama más acogedor en nuestra lectura de Eagles! programa mensual de cuentos a la hora de dormir y comenzar nuestra semana juntos como una comunidad de PK-6 Freedom Hill.


Kindergarten Registration!

We are excited to welcome our next class of Kindergarten students.  To prepare for the 2021-22 school year, we ask all parents of incoming Kindergartners to visit our registration page to register your child.  Encourage your friends and neighbors to register their incoming Kindergartners. Pass the word!  


Positivity Project: Love of Learning

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This week, we are focusing on Love of Learning. You master new topics and skills on your own or in school.

“The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.”

                                         ~B.B. King

 

Questions you might enjoy talking about:

  • What kinds of things do you like learning?
  • Do you think it’s true that you can learn ANYTHING?
  • What do you think are the benefits of loving to learn?

FLE Preview Night

We will be holding our Family Life Education (FLE) resource preview on March 15th at 6pm. FCPS implements a K-12 FLE program that adheres to state and Virginia Department of Education requirements and guidelines. There are two units of instruction that are designated as Family Life Education: Emotional and Social Health and Human Growth and Development. Staff will be present to go over the curriculum materials and answer any questions that you may have. You may join at this link. If you have any questions, please contact Eric Kopacz epkopac@fcps.edu or Ian Dowling itdowling@fcps.edu.


Family Resources

 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


Updates from the PTA

FAMILY DINNER OUT, LEDO PIZZA MAR. MON-TUE, 15-16 It's here! Go to Ledo's in Falls Church for a Family Dinner Out on Monday and Tuesday, March 15-16 from 5-9pm! Address is 7510 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. Ledo will donate a percentage to the FHES PTA for ALL SALES so tell your friends. Thanks to Jennifer King for organizing!

 

PTA MEETING THIS TUE., MAR. 16th at 8PM Join us for our PTA meeting on Tuesday, March 16th at 8pm. This will be a great opportunity to ask any Return to School questions for the administrative team and connect with other parents. Join by clicking the link or call 301 715 8592 to join. Meeting ID is: 912 5816 1423.

 

SPIRITWEAR ON SALE!  Check our online Spiritwear Stone! Place orders by Sunday, March 28th. Orders will be shipped 3 weeks after the sale ends. Click here  to place your order or see the flyer.  

 

TEACHER APPRECIATION HELP NEEDED BY MARCH 26  Help the Teacher Appreciation Committee raise funds for Teacher Appreciation! Consider contributing by March 26th - either by visiting http://www.pay4schoolstuff.com or mailing/dropping a check to Freedom Hill PTA (mark Teacher Appreciation). Q's? Contact: Angela or Ina.