Fairhill Forum March 16, 2021

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News from Fairhill

Dates to Remember:

March 8th:  FCPS Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback questionnaire opens

March 19th:  FCPS Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback questionnaire closes

March 22nd:  Picture Day at Fairhill, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

March 22nd:  PTA Doughnuttery Delivery Picture Day Fundraiser

March 26th:  Deadline to submit all yearbook photos

March 26th:  End of 3rd Quarter, 2 Hour Student Early Release

March 29th-April 2nd:  Spring Break, no school

April 5th:  Student Holiday, no school

April 6th: Registration for elementary magnet school lottery closes, 4:00 p.m.

April 8th:  PTA Meeting,  6:30 p.m.

April 10th:  PTA Dinner Night Carry Out, Chipotle, Mosaic, 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

April 12th: Kindergarten Virtual Orientation

April 21st: Fairhill Coffee Talk - Math Strategies with Mrs. Hartman, Mrs. Santiago, Ms. Chen and Mrs. Deneault, 6:00 p.m. 

April 21st:  Purple Up Day for Military Kids, wear purple to show your support

FCPS Principal Evaluation

Dear Fairhill Families,

Fairhill Elementary parents/guardians will be contacted through email with a link to the FCPS Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback Form Online. This questionnaire is part of the Performance Evaluation Program and offers parents/guardians an opportunity to provide anonymous input about various topics related to our school. These topics include instructional leadership, school climate, human resources management, organizational management, communication and community relations, and professionalism. Additionally, the survey is used to assess my impact and effectiveness as principal. Understanding that this has been an unusual year, the impacts of COVID-19 will be taken into consideration when reviewing the feedback.

The questionnaire was sent on Monday morning from FCPSSurvey@fcps.edu. Please take a few minutes to complete the questionnaire. Reminders will be sent periodically to only those parents/guardians who have not complete the questionnaire.

Your opinions matter and I look forward to reviewing the feedback. 

If you have not received a survey link and wish to provide feedback, please email FCPSSurvey@fcps.edu and Shelli Wayland will send you a link

I am extremely grateful for your time and support. Take care. Stay healthy. 

Kindly,

Candace Hunstad

Principal

Picture day is coming to Fairhill on March 22nd Lifetouch will have 2 photographers at Fairhill, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on March 22nd. Families can purchase pictures online by going to mylifetouch.com and using the picture day ID found in the flyer. Click here for more information and to access the Fairhill picture day ID (EVTHDWR7B. Please click here to access the Sign Up Genius for a time slot. Can't make it to Fairhill for Picture Day?  You can still submit a photo using the Yearbook submission form right here.  The deadline to submit a photo is March 26.

Youth Winter Coats Available! Please contact the Fairhill Main Office if you need a winter coat for your child.  We have a number of youth sizes available. We also have some winter gloves.

Updated Technology Supports for Families    Parent Help Guides and Video Tutorials-access videos and resources to help your student in the virtual learning environment. Parent Technology Help Desk- (1-833-921-3277) available to support families 7 days a week from 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. Fairhill Parent/Student Support Request- this form should be completed when help is needed from Fairhill. Fill in all of these fields so that the Technology Team at Fairhill can reach out to you with solutions or schedule a time to get help with equipment. Walk-in hours are, Tuesdays 8:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. and Thursdays 10:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m., but appointments are preferred.

A message from the Library  If you have library books you’d like to return and your child will be doing in-person learning at the school, please allow your child to return the books in his/her backpack. If your child will continue learning remotely at home, you may return books any time Monday-Friday from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at the front entrance to the school. Thank you.

2020-2021 Fairhill Yearbook The 2020-21 school year has and will always be a year like no other. To help us capture and celebrate these moments for all time, please consider submitting a candid photo of your students for our FES yearbook. Consider capturing memorable moments throughout the school year such as spirit days, school activities, and more!  Please submit your photos by March 26th to ensure they will be included in the yearbook. Click here to submit 20-21 yearbook photos. Your submission will be sent to Ms. Florjancic, our yearbook sponsor. Yearbook sales are also open!  click here for more information or click here to order your yearbook directly.

PURPLE UP DAY! FOR MILITARY KIDS, April 21, 2020

April is the Month of the Military Child, https://www.fcps.edu/event/month-military-child, providing an opportunity to recognize and honor the service of Virginia’s youngest heroes, over 80,000 military connected children.

Let's remember to show support for the annual Purple Up Day for Military Kids celebration by wearing purple on April 21.

SPRING SCHOOL-BASED AAP SERVICES NEWSLETTER ARTICLE

ADVANCED ACADEMIC PROGRAMS (AAP)

SCREENING FOR SCHOOL-BASED (LEVEL II-III) SERVICES

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) offers a continuum of advanced academic services for all students in grades K-8.  Learning experiences are designed to develop higher-level thinking through enrichment, acceleration, and extensions of the Program of Studies (POS).  Teachers, administrators, and advanced academic resource teachers (AARTs) work together to provide the following levels of school-based services in each elementary school:

• Critical and Creative Thinking Lessons, Grades K-6 (Level I)

All students in kindergarten through grade six receive level I services which consist of model lessons that are designed to teach critical and creative thinking skills.  The lessons are modeled in all classrooms by AARTs and the thinking strategies are then used throughout the year by classroom teachers and other teachers who work with students. Student responses to these model lessons are used as part of the identification process for AAP services.  Parents may also practice the thinking strategies during family conversations and activities.  A description of the nine critical and creative thinking strategies can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary-school-academics-k-6/advanced-academics/critical-and-creative-thinking. 

• Differentiated Lessons in Areas of Academic Strength, Grades K-6 (Level II)

The AART collaborates with classroom teachers to provide additional challenge through lessons and resources that extend and enrich the POS.  Level II services are part of a talent development pool.  Students are rescreened annually to make decisions about the need for this level of service.

• Part-Time Advanced Academic Programs, Grades 3-6 (Level III)

Students identified by a local school screening committee for part-time advanced academic services are challenged through models and strategies designed to extend and enrich the POS in the four core subject areas.  Students receive direct instruction from the AART at the local school using curriculum from the AAP Curriculum and Resources to Support the Differentiated Framework.  Students identified for Level III services continue to receive level III services through grade 6.

Screening for school-based services can happen at any time during the school year but is done schoolwide in spring to determine services for the next school year.  Parents or guardians may initiate the screening for school-based (level II and III) services by submitting the AAP School-Based Services (Level II-III) Referral Form (available at https://www.fcps.edu/registration/advanced-academics-identification-and-placement/elementary-school/current-fcps at the bottom of the page in Forms) to the AART at Fairhill Elementary School prior to spring screening by May 2021.   Multiple criteria are used to screen students for all levels of AAP services

If a parent or guardian wishes to appeal an ineligible decision, they may submit an appeal with new data for consideration by the local school screening committee.  This new information should be submitted to Amanda Arman. 

If you have any questions, please contact Amanda Arman.

Fairhill Town Halls/Coffee Talks Now that we have gotten into the groove of virtual learning, we are kicking off our Monthly Town Hall Meetings.  Please see our schedule below for dates, times and topics and MARK YOUR CALENDAR. Links to join will be sent out prior to each Town Hall.  April 21st at 6:00 p.m.: Math Strategies with Mrs. Hartman, Mrs. Santiago, Ms. Chen and Mrs. Deneault.  May 17th at 3:00 p.m.: Mental Health Conversations with Fairhill Mental Health Team

Weekly Character Strength: Love of Learning WHAT DOES Love of Learning MEAN?  You master new topics on your own or in school. We will continue to be a Positivity Project Partner School. Learn more about it here. Click here for the full explanation of Love of Learning and what it means in terms of P2 in the classroom.

News from Fairhill PTA

Become a Fairhill PTA Member! Please consider becoming a PTA member for the 20-21 school year.  Click this link for membership options!

PTA Meetings Mark your calendars for upcoming PTA meetings this  school year.  April 8, 6:30 p.m. May 13, 6:30 p.m.

Fairhill Family Night (Take) Out We have two yummy take out events scheduled for the spring. Doughnuttery  Families will order online and pick up at Fairhill at picture day.  See below for details. Monday, March 22 Chipotle (Mosaic):  Saturday, April 10, 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

Doughnuts for Dollars!   Make your trip to Fairhill for Picture Day a bonus!  Order donuts from the new Doughnuttery for pickup on March 22.  You'll get a sweet treat and the PTA will earn money! Click on https://www.doughnuttery.com/ordernova Choose "PICK UP OR DOUGHNUTTERY DELIVERY" Choose "SCHEDULE FOR LATER" and choose the date: March 22 at 11:15am. Click on a doughnut order and choose your flavors (We would highly recommend ordering at least the 25-piece, because these doughnuts are SMALL--think a little bigger than donut hole size) At checkout, please add FAIRHILL next to your last name, so your order will be at Fairhill for pickup on March 22. 20% will go to the Fairhill PTA. We are planning to use these PTA funds towards school assemblies, teacher appreciation week, and hopefully contributing again this year towards more technology and equipment to help our amazing teachers and staff.

6th Grade Graduation Celebration It's time to start planning the 6th grade graduation celebration.  It may take some creativity this year, but our 6th graders deserve a fun send off!  If you are interested in helping, please contact Barbara Hayes at barbannhayes@gmail.com

News from FCPS

Update for Meals Distribution 

Click here for the most up-to-date FCPS Meal Distribution.

Grab and Go Breakfast and Lunch 

Arrival times at bus stops may be delayed several minutes due to unexpected issues.

FCPS Cares Do you know a Fairhill employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way or goes beyond what is expected? If so, then click here to share with everyone.

News from the Community

Fairhill's Mission 

Fairhill Elementary fosters academic excellence in a respectful environment which instills strength of character and embraces community involvement.

Fairhill's Vision

The staff of Fairhill Elementary prepares children for a productive future by providing for successes in a positive, enriching and academically stimulating environment. We celebrate diversity, foster mutual respect and embrace collaboration as we unite to achieve common purposes and clear goals.

Our vision for the 2020-2021 school year

To be:

A place where every staff member and students feels included and loved.

A place where every student and staff member can be their best and true self.

A place where every student and staff member feels seen and valued.

A place for joy!

Important Contact Information

Fairhill Phone Numbers:

• Health Room 703-208-8110

• Cafeteria 703-208-8121

Administration e-mail addresses:

• Principal, Candace Hunstad: cjhunstad@fcps.edu 

• Assistant Principal, Courtney Korb: cbkorb@fcps.edu

3001 Chichester Lane, Fairfax, VA 22031 | Main Office: 703-208-8100
Attendance: 703-208-8181 | Web | Twitter | Facebook