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Dear Union Mill,
Congratulations to our PTA for winning the two categories they were nominated in at Sunday's NOVA District PTA Annual Meeting and Awards Celebration. Our PTA was named the Outstanding PTA of the Year and they were honored for Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion! The officers and members of the PTA have worked hard in this most unusual year to stay engaged with all stakeholders, communicate in multiple formats, and give students multiple opportunities to shine with activities and contests throughout the year. Thank you to our PTA for all you do for the Union Mill community and congratulations!!!
Our 3rd and 4th grade students are taking the math SOL this week and our 5th graders will close out SOL testing with the Science SOL next Monday and Wednesday. All students must bring their FCPS laptop to testing sessions and the computer should be fully charged. The remaining testing dates are listed at the bottom of this newsletter. If you have any questions about SOL testing, please contact Ashleigh Long at amlong1@fcps.edu (grades 3 & 4) or Jennie Skerker at jpskerker@fcps.edu (grades 5 & 6).
We are excited to welcome all incoming kindergarten families to our virtual Kindergarten Orientation on Tuesday, May 25 from 6:30 - 7:30 PM. All families that have registered through our office will be sent a link for the orientation on Monday.
As a reminder, there will be no in-person instruction on Tuesday, June 8, due to the Virginia Democratic Primary Election. Since schools must be open to the public during an election and because 165 school facilities are used as polling locations, all students will participate in synchronous, on-line instruction on the 8th.
It is hard to believe it is time to start planning for end of year activities. Parents of 6th grade students should mark their calendar for Monday, June 7, as the day we will celebrate our 6th grade students through a virtual promotion ceremony at 9:30 AM and we will continue our celebration of our 6th grade students with a drive through celebration from 1:00 - 3:00 PM that afternoon. Details will be shared through classroom teachers as the day gets closer.
As we shift gears to start planning for next year, parents have an opportunity to provide input into the class placement process. If you are interested in providing input, please complete this Google form by Friday, May 21.
Have a great rest of the week and thank you for your continued support.
Best,
Kathy
#UMES2021United
College and Career Week
We are excited to celebrate college and career diversity this year at Union Mill from June 1st-4th! While we are unable to host a large, in-person career event, we would like to introduce the world of work to our students. Students will have the opportunity to learn more about different careers from our parent, teacher, and school community - and to think about their own future plans! Our plans include:
- A choice board with college and career activities
- Parent-submitted Flip Grid videos highlighting various career options
- UM staff college/career guessing game
- Various dress-up days to celebrate college and career fun!
Update on Return to School for 2021-2022 School Year
FCPS believes that in-person instruction is the best model for students and planning is underway for five days of in-person instruction as the primary mode of learning for all FCPS students during the 2021-22 school year. Data throughout the pandemic has shown that students do best socially, emotionally, and academically with in-person learning, while the recent return to school survey found that the largest percentage of students who report satisfaction were experiencing all face-to-face instruction, with 91% of families and 88% of staff saying they were satisfied with in-person instruction.
Virtual learning options for next year will be limited to those who need to remain virtual due to health reasons. FCPS shared details on plans for virtual learning at the Tuesday, May 4, School Board Work Session. Families that chose the virtual option for this year will be receiving additional information today from the county.
Centreville Pyramid Art Show
The Centreville Pyramid art teachers have joined together to hold a virtual art show to share some of the amazing artwork produced by students this year at 7 pyramid schools. To view students' masterpieces, please click on this link:
https://sites.google.com/fcpsschools.net/centreville-pyramid-art-show/home
Parent Input Opportunity
If you would like to provide input on the class placement process for your child for the 2021-2022 school year, please complete this Google form by Friday, May 21.
Kindergarten Registration for Fall 2021
Do you have a child that will attend Kindergarten in the 2021-2022 school year? If so, please go to our Union Mill Elementary School Website.
https://unionmilles.fcps.edu/
Under Announcements, click on:
Kindergarten and New Student Registration for 2021-2022 School Year
We will be holding a virtual Kindergarten Orientation on Tuesday, May 25, from 6:30 - 7:30 PM. All families that have registered for kindergarten for next year or have reached out to our registrar will receive a link to the meeting on Monday, May 24.
Attendance Reminder
All students must to log into Morning Meeting on Mondays at 9:05 and/or complete asynchronous learning each Monday. Failure to do so will result in an unexcused absence. This procedure is in response to the Virginia Department of Education attendance requirements. If you have questions about this procedure, please reach out to your child's teacher or call the school office.
Leaving Union Mill? Please Let Us Know
If you need to withdraw your student from Union Mill Elementary School, please click on the link below to fill out the form.
https://forms.gle/ePhEJQdzyrmXTcbSA or go to the UMES website https://unionmilles.fcps.edu/. This form can be used for students who have an end date for this school year OR if a student will not be returning in the fall.
Permission to Return to School Form
The Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD), in collaboration with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), has developed the Sick Student Notification and Permission to Return to School/Child Care forms to be used when a student is:
Sent home due to COVID Like Illness (CLI)
Reports a positive COVID-19 test
Is instructed to quarantine by a medical provider or the FCHD
The Permission to Return to School/Child Care form must be completed prior to the student’s return to in-person instruction.
Sick Student Notification: This form will be completed by the School Public Health Nurse (PHN), School Health Aide (SHA), or FCPS staff member and is retained by the parent/guardian.
FCPS has developed and translated information for parents/guardians on how to use this form.
Permission to Return to School/Child Care Form:
This form will be completed by the child’s healthcare provider and returned to the school. This form will be filed in the child’s cum folder. Copies of SARA alert forms provided by the FCHD upon request by the parent/guardian, or a healthcare provider note will also be accepted. These documents should be stapled to the Return to School Form and will also be placed in the cum folder.
Click here for a copy of the form. If you need translated copies of the form, please call the office.
PTA News
Congratulations to our PTA for winning the 2 awards they were nominated for by the NOVA District PTA - Outstanding PTA and Excellence in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Congratulations to all and thank you for supporting our school and students! Learn more about our PTA by clicking on the latest newsletter. The PTA is always looking for more volunteers, find out more information by going to their website.
Photos from the Week
Please click on the photo below to see more pictures from this past week including continuing to celebrate our teachers and staff during Teacher Appreciation Week, kindergarten learning and fun, a 1st grade author visit by Sarah Hwang, and more.
Upcoming Dates
Ongoing - SOL Testing - schedule below
Monday, May 24 - Asynchronous Day - Morning Meeting for grades K - 4 & 6
Tuesday, May 25 - Virtual Kindergarten Orientation - 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Monday, May 31 - No School, Memorial Day
June 1 - June 4 - College and Career Week
Tuesday, June 1 - Show your spirit by wearing UM colors - red and black
Wednesday, June 2 - Your future looks bright so wear sunglasses and neon colors
Thursday, June 3 - Dress for an interview or your future job
Friday, June 4 - Wear a college or armed services shirt or a shirt that shows where you want to work in the future
Monday, June 7 - 6th grade virtual promotion ceremony - 9:30 AM; Drive by celebration - 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Tuesday, June 8 - No In-Person Instruction; Synchronous Learning Day County-wide - Primary Election
Friday, June 11 - Last Day of School - 2 hour early closing
SOL Testing Schedule
| 3rd Grade Math |
Fri., May 21 |
In person students |
| 5th Grade Science |
Mon., May 24 |
Virtual Students |
| 5th Grade Science |
Wed., May 26 |
In person students |
Make-ups will be done during the testing window.
There will be no expedited retakes this year.
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