March 26, 2021
Principal's Message
My Dearest Sleepy Hollow Family,
We hope this newsletter finds you in the best of health and in great spirits. Thank you, PTA, for sponsoring our STEAM Assembly this past Monday: The Secret World of Robots with David Jack! Mrs. Collins, STEAM Coordinator, was exceptional as always. We had over 230 students attend this virtual assembly. Now, many inquiring little minds want to know how they, too, can build/program robots. That’s awesome!
Wishing you a Spring Break week filled with Amazing Grace, peace, joy, happiness, kindness, and LOVE!
~ The supreme happiness of life consists in the conviction that one is loved. ~ Victor Hugo
~Love is energy of life. ~ Unknown
~The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard but must be felt with the heart. ~ Helen Keller
All the best,
Mattie Fallen, Principal
Important Dates
Sunday, March 28 – PTA Plant Sale closes
Wednesday, April 7: NNAT Testing – Grade 1: Cohort A In-Person Students will test in their classroom
Thursday, April 8: NNAT Testing – Grade 1: Cohort B In-Person Students will test in their classroom
Monday, April 12: NNAT Testing – Grade 1: Virtual Students will come to school for testing (10:00AM-11:00AM)
Religious and Cultural Observances
Monday, March 1 – Wednesday, March 31 – National Women’s Month
Saturday, March 27- Sunday, April 4: Passover
Sunday, March 28, Psalm Sunday
Sunday, March 28, Magha Puja Day
Friday, April 2, Good Friday
Sunday, April 4, Easter
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Student Holidays/Early Release
Monday, March 29 – Friday, April 2: Spring Break – No School
Monday, April 5: Student Holiday (Teacher Workday)
Monday, May 31: Memorial Day Holiday
Friday, June 11: - Last Day of School (Early Release)
PTA News
The Sleepy Hollow Elementary School PTA 2021 PTA Plant Sale closes on March 28th!
Don't miss your chance to help the Dolphins and make your yard a little more colorful this Spring. We will aim for plant delivery in mid-April.
Please use the link to access the virtual sale and to pay for your plants: https://sleepyhollow.memberhub.store/store?category=Sleepy%20Hollow%20Elementary%202021%20Spring%20Plant%20Sale
SHES Year in Pictures
The 2020-21 school year has been a unique experience for everyone. What did your student's(s') school year look like? How did they learn? How did they play? We are collecting images of Sleepy Hollow students -- learning, living and growing from Sept 2020- April 2021 -- to create a collage of memories to mark this unforgettable time!
Please send your images -- JPG or PNG format only -- to this address: shesteacherappreciation@gmail.com The PTA's Teacher Appreciation Committee will be using these images to create a special teacher and staff gift. We will also be sharing it with the Sleepy Hollow family community! Deadline: Friday, April 16.
Send images to: shesteacherappreciation@gmail.com
Note: Please include your student/s name and grade (this will not be included in the final presentation.
Join SHES PTA –each membership counts!
Please join the SHES PTA! Join here: shespta.org/membership.
Spring Season – Safety Mitigation
It’s officially spring! Many of us and our children have allergies that can resemble Covid-like symptoms. Please notify your child’s teacher if your child has allergies and if he/she is exhibiting symptoms. Please adhere to the Health Screening Commitment form guidelines before sending your children to school each day. This document confirms that as a parent/caregiver/guardian, you will complete a daily health screening and will keep your child/children home when he/she/they are ill. Also, as a measure of caution, please keep any/all children home if he/she/they have been exposed to others in the home with Covid-like symptoms. Please contact the school to let us know your child(ren) will be participating in virtual learning and why. Let’s work together to STOP THE SPREAD! Thank you!
Library News
Hello from the SHES school library! Students are SO excited to check out library books! Lots of in-person students have borrowed books and we’ve seen an increase in virtual students putting books on hold too – yay!
To continue the book excitement, we’ll be focusing on book talks the next few weeks – especially of titles that are new to our collection. Students are being reminded that we have all different types of books – wordless, picture, chapter, graphic/comic, board books, quick reads, funny, adventure . . . there is truly something for everyone’s interest.
Please help your child remember the difference between books bought from a book store (to keep forever) and books borrowed from a library (need to be returned). In library lessons for all students, we are reviewing this concept as well as the need to take good care of borrowed books, and your help in reinforcing these messages is very much appreciated.
If putting books on hold isn’t working for your family, please feel free to simply send an email to our librarian at beoswalt@fcps.edu if you want your child to pick up books following our curbside and neighborhood checkout schedule:
Mondays 10-12 at SHES Door #1 (call library at 703-237-7012 when you arrive in front of the school)
Wednesdays 4:00-5:00 at SHES Door #1 (librarian will be out front with books)
Fridays 11:40-12:00 at 2909 John Marshall Drive (next to FCPS food delivery school bus)
All students, whether in-person and online, can take advantage of checking out library books! Please reach out to our librarian if you have any questions about putting books on hold or how our library works during hybrid learning – happy reading!
FCPS Updates
Meal Distribution During Spring Break
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. Extra meal distribution begins March 22. See the food distribution web page for more information.
Additionally, the United States Department of Agriculture recently announced that no-cost breakfast and lunch meals for all students have been extended through September 30.
Family Guide for Return to School
Fairfax County Public Schools is partnering with families to ensure we keep students and staff safe and healthy as we return to school buildings for learning. Working together, we will follow recommended health guidance that focuses on student and staff health, safety, and emotional well-being.
The FCPS Family Guide for Return to School provides information on topics such as concurrent instruction, lunch and recess, the mandatory mask policy, laptops, and health protocols.
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)
Get into step. Let’s go! 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 and Workshop
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!Monday, April 5, 2021
- Two time slots are available: 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. Sessions run 1-1.5 hours
- Presented by FCPS School Social Work Services
FCPS – Family and School Partnerships
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
- 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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