|
Calendar Reminder: FCPS Schools and Offices Closed on May 31 for Memorial Day Holiday
As a reminder, schools and offices will be closed on Monday, May 31, for the Memorial Day holiday. Students are not expected to complete asynchronous assignments that day. Classes will resume on Tuesday, June 1.
See the complete 2020-21 school year calendar.
All Students to Be Virtual on June 8 Due to Democratic Primary Election
Tuesday, June 8, is the Democratic Primary Election. Because the Fairfax County Electoral Board and City of Fairfax Electoral Board will be using 165 school facilities as polling locations, June 8 will be a virtual synchronous learning day (no in-person classes) for students.
Get more information about the primary elections.
COVID-19 Vaccine Available to Children 12-15
Vaccine providers in Virginia began vaccinating teens between 12-15 years old, following federal approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine last week. Fairfax County Health Director Dr. Gloria Addo-Ayensu and FCPS Superintendent Scott Brabrand sent a joint letter to parents stressing the important role that vaccinating young people plays in keeping our schools a healthy place to learn. Check out FCPS teens from Justice High School who are sharing why they are getting vaccinated.
Vaccines are widely available now:
- To learn how to get a vaccine at a Health Department clinic site, including the Fairfax County Government Center, George Mason University, and the Tysons Community Vaccination Center, go to the Fairfax County COVID-19 Vaccine webpage or call the Fairfax County Health Department vaccine call center at 703-324-7404. You can schedule directly, and you don’t need to pre-register.
- Walk-in appointments are also being offered at the Tysons Community Vaccination Center Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. This center is in the former Lord & Taylor site at Tysons Center at 7950 Tysons Corner Center in McLean.
- To schedule an appointment at Inova’s Stonebridge site at 5001 Eisenhower Avenue in Alexandria, go to the Inova COVID-19 scheduling webpage.
FCPS Hosts COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics in Schools—Register Here!
FCPS is scheduling free COVID-19 vaccination clinics for students ages 12 and up at some high schools between May 25 and June 4.
Vaccinations are free, transportation will be provided to and from the clinic from the student’s base school, and registration is required.
Interested families must complete a parent/guardian consent form in order to participate. This form must be received by 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 20, for your student to participate. Please register now at https://redcap.link/FCPSvax. A letter was sent to all families of 7th-12th graders on Monday, May 17, announcing these convenient vaccination opportunities.
Information about Eating Disorders
The Code of Virginia, 22.1-273.2 requires Virginia Public Schools to provide, on an annual basis, parent educational information regarding eating disorders for pupils in grades five through twelve. According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA 2020):
Eating disorders are serious but treatable mental and physical illnesses that can affect people of all genders, ages, races, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, body shapes, and weights. While no one knows for sure what causes eating disorders, a growing consensus suggests that it is a range of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors. Eating disorders are not fads or phases, and can have serious consequences for health, productivity, and relationships.
Eating disorders can develop or re-emerge at any age. Eating disorder specialists are reporting an increase in the diagnosis of children, some as young as five or six. Many eating disorder sufferers report that their thoughts and behaviors started much earlier than anyone realized, sometimes even in early childhood. Although most people report the onset of their eating disorder in their teens and young adulthood, there is some evidence that people are being diagnosed at younger ages.
In collaboration with the Fairfax County Health Department, FCPS has developed eating disorder documents with detailed information to be provided to parents and guardians of Fairfax County Public Schools. The letter and fact sheet have been translated and posted on the following webpage: http://fcpsnet.fcps.edu/ssse/translations/dss-healthmedical.htm.
End of Year Recognition Ceremonies
Information and Schedule
Below are our in-person ceremony attendee guidelines:
- Limit of TWO visitors per student – do not come with more than two visitors; they will not be admitted.
- Virtual students are invited to participate in person as well – come to the gym at your designated time. Transportation will not be provided for students who are currently virtual.
- Parking for all visitors will be in the parking lot at the back of the building off Kathmoor Dr by the Kiss & Ride loop.
- Visitors will need to electronically - a link will be sent out soon - and there will be a QR code posted outside of the gym entrance and inside the gym.
- Visitors will wear masks at all times while in the building.
- Visitors will enter and exit through the rear gym doors.
- Programs will be limited to approximately 30-40 minutes maximum.
- No food, drink, or gifts (no balloons, etc).
- If you wish to take your child home with you at the conclusion of the program, you must sign them out with a Franconia employee stationed at the exit of the gym.
- Please communicate with your child’s teacher your intention to attend in-person or participate virtually.
- More information for virtual login, etc. will be communicated by your child’s teacher.
Please direct any questions to your child’s teacher.
Tuesday, 6/1 (first grade)
- 10:45 - Bolden
- 12:15 - Frakes
- 1:15 - Ibrahim
- 2:15 - Kennedy-Labat
Wednesday, 6/2 (second grade)
- 10:00 - Dennison
- 11:00 - Octaviano
- 1:00 - Webbs
- 2:00 - Yortzidis
Thursday, 6/3 (third grade)
- 9:15 - Endicott/Haffner
- 10:15 - Pina
- 12:00 - Stump
Friday, 6/4 (kindergarten)
- 9:30 - Allen
- 12:00 - Branson
- 1:00 - Channon
- 2:00 - Tran
Wednesday, 6/9 (fifth grade)
- 9:30 - Smith
- 11:00 - Strei
- 1:30 - Thompson
Thursday, 6/10 (fourth grade)
- 9:30 - Blum
- 12:30 - Rim
- 2:00 - Younger
Friday, 6/11 (sixth grade) Bridging Ceremony will be hosted in the cafeteria. More information regarding grade 6 to come soon.
- 9:30 - Bensinger
- 11:00 - Hicks
- 12:30 - Morrison
Medication Pick-Up From Health Room
DEADLINE - Friday, 6/11, 1:30pm
The school health room is reminding parents and guardians that all medication stored in the health room must be picked up no later than the student dismissal time on the last day of school.
Medication left in the health room after that time will be discarded. It is school policy that medications must be picked up by the parent or guardian. Medication cannot be sent home with your student.
Medication authorization forms for next school year may be obtained from the school or online at https://www.fcps.edu/resources/student-safety-and-wellness/school-health-services. A medication authorization form is required for any medication, prescription or over-the-counter, to be kept at school. Please be sure medication orders are clear. All information on the form must be completed. Part I must be signed and dated by the parent or guardian. Part II must be signed and dated by your physician. Over-the-counter medication given for headache, muscle pain, orthodontic pain, or menstrual cramps and antibiotic or anti-viral medication do not need a physician signature. More detailed information is available on the back of the medication authorization form.
Over-the-counter medication must be in the original container and clearly labeled by the parent or guardian. All prescription medication, including physician’s samples, must be labeled by the pharmacist or physician. Please make sure that the label clearly states your student’s name, the name of the medication, the dosage of the medication, and the time interval for administration.
If your child will be enrolled in a summer program sponsored by Fairfax County Public Schools, your existing long-term medication authorization form(s) may be used for the summer program. Please let the health room know if you would like a copy of the form(s).
Your cooperation will ensure that we can safely give your student his or her medication. If you have any questions, please contact your school health room aide LaQuasha Eason, at 702-822-2210, or your school public health nurse Laura Lux, at 703-704-6093.
Exciting Announcements!
Tribute to Students
Franconia strings teacher, Brad Johnson, recently participated in a recording project, along with several other FCPS music teachers, students of the JMU School of Music, and others.
The selection is a tribute to the graduates (of all levels of schooling) of 2021 – "You’ll Never Walk Alone" and "Climb Every Mountain."
Even though Mr. Johnson teaches strings, his instrument of choice is actually the French horn! Look for him in the video at the link below.
https://youtu.be/xgs7qxAJ2rA
Franconia Choir Sings with Edison Choir
On Thursday evening, the Edison Choir Department hosted its annual "Night on Broadway" event, including year-end awards and recognitions. Students from some of the area elementary school choirs participated in a (video recording) of "When I Grow Up," from the Broadway show, "Matilda."
Click on the link below to see the performance, including some of our Franconia Penguins!
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1JzS2-2_DL_qnHmK-jJVfiFovySPT1s3_8Da-kxtv_cc/edit?usp=sharing
***Please register by 6/11***
Kindergarten 2021-2022
Do you have a child will be 5 years of age by September 30, 2021, and do you plan on sending them to kindergarten for the 2021-2022 school year?
If your child is ready for kindergarten, please fill out the form at this link so you are put on our list of incoming kindergarten families for 2021-2022:
Also, share this info with your neighbors who have a child that meets the above criteria.
All the forms needed for registration can be found here:
Franconia Elementary School office - 703-822-2200
LIBRARY NEWS
From Mrs. Vandersande, School Librarian
LIBRARY BOOKS - all books are due back to the LIBRARY by May 28. Please encourage your child/children to check their desks at school and under their bed at home to find all of them. Mrs. Vandersande can print out updated lists of checked out books for your child to return.
ONLINE BOOK FAIR - June 1-14 - look for more information soon!
FCPS CARES
Recognize FCPS Employees
FCPS Cares is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care.
The end of the school year is a great time to acknowledge someone who has worked with your child or family during this unpredictable year.
Learn how you can acknowledge an FCPS employee for their great work.
The Franconia Student Council Association is calling all Penguins!
Collection dates are April 28 - May 26
We need your help! We will be collecting pet supplies to benefit the animals helped by HART. This organization helps abandoned and stray animals by getting the medical care they need, and finding them a loving home.
Please consider donating items from the list provided. For every item donated, your class will receive one point. Every class that reaches 25 points will win a class party! All classes that earn 25 points will also be entered into a drawing. Each student in the winning class will be able to pick a book from the Scholastic catalog ($7 maximum value). Donations should be dropped in the bins at Franconia.
- Dawn Antibacterial Dish soap
- Greenies Dog Dental Treats
- Nature’s Recipe Easy to Digest Wet Dog Food
- Advantage II Flea Treatment & Prevention for Cats (all sizes)
- K9 Advantix II Flea & Tick Preventative for Dogs (all sizes)
Student Intention
School Year 2021-2022
Where will your child attend school next year?
Please complete the form at this link: https://forms.gle/GdNAPcVKS48fJ1mP7.
Character Trait of the Month
April’s Character Trait was responsibility - to do what is expected in behavior and actions.
Take a look at how students practiced responsibility:
https://youtu.be/G1E7dVILkTg
May’s Character Trait is resilience - when things are hard, you don't give up and quit.
Update videos of your child showing resilience to this link: https://flipgrid.com/806bbc91
Due date by Tuesday, May 26th
For any questions, please contact the School Counselors, Mrs. Guillion (vguillion@fcps.edu) or Mrs. Coleman (kdcoleman@fcps.edu).
BEHIND THE MASK
KINDERGARTEN
 |
|
Teresa Lantin
It's her 3rd year at Franconia Elementary
She's worked in 4th grade for one year and in kindergarten for two.
She is married and has 3 sons, 2 who go to Franconia and one at Edison HS. She is a baseball mom who is always at a field! She loves to cook and bake and if she ever gets free time, she loves to read and do word searches!
|
Christina Tran
This is Mrs. Tran's 5th year Franconia where she has been teaching kindergarten. She previously taught 4th grade Advanced Academics.
Mrs. Tran, her husband, and their dog (hiccup) enjoy traveling and hiking. Mrs. Tran also enjoys boxing.
|
|
 |
 Student Passwords and Access to Apps over the Summer
Student passwords will not be reset by the county until they return in the Fall. This means that ST Math, Imagine Learning, Pioneer Valley, and Waterford (Kindergarten only) will remain available to students until Friday, August 6th.
To access these applications, students can sign into Schoology, click on the app menu, and then select Clever to be taken to a sign on page. If you have questions about any of these applications, please contact your child’s classroom teacher.
Information Sessions
PEATC (Parent Education Advocacy Training Center) has some exciting virtual training opportunities for our military families who have students with disabilities coming up over the next several weeks. Below is the information about each.
Training Events:
In collaboration with VDOE, PEATC is offering training events for both professionals and parents again this year. As much as we would like to see everyone, VDOE is requiring that these events be virtual. It will be recorded presentations that are self-paced, but we are offering one live session for each event. Please see the attached flyers for details, or you can register using the links below:
-
On the Front Lines ( for professionals including EFM and SLOs, Purple Star School POCs, MFLCs and ombudsmen, formerly EFM/SLO training) – two opportunities to participate:
- July 8-15, 2021; Live event on July 13th at 12:00 p.m. Registration: https://efmpslojuly2021.eventbrite.com
-
In the Trenches (for service members, parents, families, and caregivers only, formerly Squared Away) – two opportunities to participate:
- July 17-25, 2021; Live event on July 22nd at 7:00 p.m., Registration: https://inthetrenchesjuly2021.eventbrite.com
Sometimes military networks don’t like our registration links or will block Eventbrite links, so you may need to try registering from a home network and/or computer. If you have any trouble accessing these links or registering, please call our office at (703) 923-0010 and speak with our administrative assistant, Andersen Guske. He will be able to take all the necessary information to complete the registration for you.
Contact Info:
Amanda Raymond
Military Outreach and Family Support Specialist
Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC)
(800) 869-6782
www.PEATC.org
FCPS Parent Resource Center
FREE Webinar Classes
How to Talk to Your Children About Body Safety
There are a lot of important conversations that we need to have with our kids, and how we treat our body and allow others to treat it, is one of them. It can be challenging to figure out where to begin and what is age-appropriate. This webinar is about how to talk to our kids about body safety and a program that you can utilize to support your effort.
Join us to learn more about the following:
- Program Overview: Body Safety Education Program for children
- Parent/Caregiver Body Safety Tips
- What to Look Out For, Potential Signs of Abuse
- What Can I do as a Safe Adult?
- Resources for Families
Friday May 21, 2021 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Presented by Francesca Watson, Body Safety Program Coordinator, Fairfax County Department of Family Services.
Register for How to Talk to Your Children About Body Safety
ST Math: Help Children Love Math This Summer: A Webinar for K-6 Families
Every student has the potential to deeply understand and truly love math. This belief helps ST Math become a powerful tool many students are using in FCPS. Students develop their math knowledge through challenging puzzles, non-routine problem solving, and informative feedback.
Join us for this important webinar to learn how families can use ST Math with their children to help them develop a deep conceptual understanding of mathematics.
Webinar Highlights:
- Discover how learning occurs in ST Math
- Support students working in the program from home
- Uncover how to view student progress
- Locate additional resources for ST Math use at home
Presented by Jim deBerjeois, and Vivian Doughty, Professional Learning Specialists at MIND Research Unit.
Monday, May 24, 2021, 10 - 10:45 a.m. & 6:30 - 7:15 p.m.
Monday June 7, 2021, 0 - 10:45 a.m. & 6:30 - 7:15 p.m.
Register for ST Math: Help Children Love Math This Summer: A Webinar for K-6 Families
Parent to Parent: Surviving and Thriving During a Second COVID-19 Summer
Are you searching for peer support, advice, encouragement, and resources? This webinar will offer families opportunities to learn from each other as they grow in their parenting skills. Parents build their own sense of competence and power by building relationships and connecting with other parents who share common experiences, successes, and challenges.
Discussion Highlights:
- Parent to parent connection
- Self-care for kids
- Navigating decisions and establishing stability in uncertainty (or maybe “sanity” is a better word than stability!)
- Making plans and creating family fun in the unknown
Join Mary Elizabeth Fleming and Natalie Bailey, Fairfax County Department of Family Services Parenting Education Programs and FCPS Parent Resource Center Staff for this important webinar.
Thursday May 27, 2021 10 - 11:30 a.m. and 6:30- 8 p.m.
Register for Parent to Parent: Surviving and Thriving During a Second COVID-19 Summer
Penguin Points
Click on a link for information
Franconia Elementary School website
|
