Spring SOL Testing Begins on Tuesday, April 27
Grades 3-6
Dear Parents and Guardians:
Across Virginia, students will be taking Standards of Learning (SOL) tests this spring. Federal and state education departments have decided not to cancel this year’s assessments. In Fairfax County Public Schools, testing for grades 3-8 will be scheduled between April 26 and June 4, 2021.
To adhere to state and local social distancing requirements and to reduce the spread of COVID-19, schools will follow the FCPS Student Health and Safety Guidance (https://www.fcps.edu/return-school/student-health-and-safety-guidance-document) and Health and Safety Protocols for Assessments (https://www.fcps.edu/node/41890).
If your child is taking the SOL, we ask for your support to prepare him or her for this assessment. It is important that your child attend school on these days. If possible, please avoid scheduling trips or appointments that would take your child out of school during this time period. It is also important that your child has had a good night’s rest and a healthy breakfast before testing.
Remember that if the student is feeling ill on the day or their scheduled test, they should not come to school, and we will schedule a make-up session on another day.
If you have questions about state assessments for your student, please contact their teacher or Michael Wilson, Assistant Principal/ School Test Coordinator.
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 on the FCPS AAP Website.
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.
School-Based Screening (Levels II-III and Young Scholars)
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. Our school-based screening will take place in May. All students will be screened during our Spring School-Based Screening. At all other times of the year, parents can initiate a referral by submitting the AAP School-Based Services (Level II-III) Referral Form . If you have any questions, please email me at seterrone@fcps.edu or visit the Advanced Academics site for more information. 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 Sarah Terrone, AART.
If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Terrone, at seterrone@fcps.edu.
VKRP Testing - Kindergarten
The Virginia state government expects all schools to take part in the Virginia Kindergarten Readiness Program (VKRP). The VKRP assesses literacy, mathematics, self-regulation, and social skills.
Kindergarten students in Fairfax County Public Schools take the iReady universal screener reading test for VKRP literacy. Teachers interview students using the Early Mathematics Assessment System (EMAS) for VKRP mathematics. After observing the student 3-4 weeks, teachers complete the Child Behavior Rating Scale (CBRS) for VKRP self-regulation and social skills.
VKRP assessments are given in the fall and spring of kindergarten. Students will take the reading test in the fall, winter, and spring. Schools set specific testing dates for each class.
VKRP is designed to help state officials understand school readiness and student success across Virginia. VKRP results also help teachers, school leaders, and parents know how to support each child's learning and development.
If you have questions about VKRP assessments, please contact your child's teacher or the school's test coordinator, Mr. Wilson.
6th Grade Virtual Fundraiser
Washington Mill Elementary School 6th grade class Krispy Kreme fundraiser is live!
The Washington Mill PTA Treasure PayPal is treasurerwmespta@gmail.com!
This is a virtual fundraiser - you can use the vouchers at any Krispy Kreme, even if you aren't close to school.
Please see attached flyer plus more information and the sign up can be found at:
Krispy Kreme Fundraiser
Positivity Project
Each week, students at Washington Mill are introduced to a new character trait on the WMES Morning News Show from the Positivity Project. Administrators give a brief explanation of the character trait to the school community, and each classroom is assigned a character trait to present to the school community. In the past students have created videos, read books, talked about their personal experiences with the character trait, and illustrated pictures.
For the week of April 26th - April 30th, we will be focusing on
Connection/ Purpose
with Ms. Habib's 3rd Grade Class.
WHAT DOES CONNECTION/
PURPOSE MEAN?
You have beliefs about the meaning of life
and your life’s purpose. You seek to be part
of something greater than yourself.
Connection/purpose gives individuals the sense that they
are put on this earth for a reason and that they are
somehow connected with humanity or the universe. People
who possess a sense of purpose believe that they were put
on earth for a reason. That reason can have all kinds of
variety. It could be to create a unique invention, to bring joy
through art or music, or to raise their children to become
good people. These people have a true calling.
WHY DOES IT MATTER?
Having a clear sense of purpose in life, and a belief that
you’re connected to a larger meaning, gives individuals
strength. It allows them to persevere and find courage in
trying circumstances, or lead with kindness and love even
when it’s not reciprocated. Those with a sense of purpose
have more meaning in their life – and are more fulfilled.
THANK YOU to the Washington Mill ES Office Staff!
Parent Resources
 This picture shows what our completed school will look like at the end of renovation.
FCPS Grab and Go Meals
Meals will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. As a reminder, it is important to follow social distancing guidelines. Be sure to stand a minimum of 6 feet apart from others and practice regular hand washing, including prior to leaving a residence to pick-up meals, upon returning home, and before consuming food. Please wear a mask when picking up meals.
For more information, visit FCPS' Food Distribution Site.
PTA INFORMATION
|
Teacher Appreciation Week is May 3-7. Like last year, we will be collecting pictures and short videos (10 seconds) to compile for our teachers. Please email your child's submissions to washingtonmillpta@yahoo.com no later than Wednesday, April 28
|
We are looking for nominations and/or parents interested in being on the PTA board next year. There are several positions that will have to be filled due to tenure limits or being vacant this year because of COVID. Please contact us if you would like to volunteer or help with nominations!
|
