Good morning Freedom Hill families,
Welcome to June! This week is the last week of the 2020-2021 school year! Please be reminded that Tuesday, June 8th is a virtual, synchronous day. There will be no in-person learning at school this day, but please plan on having your child log on at 9:45 for a full day of online learning! Additionally, the last day of school is Friday, June 11th and students will be released 2 hours early (2:15pm).
This week in the newsletter, we are sharing the bittersweet news of transitioning staff. We say goodbye (or see you soon!) to wonderful educators who have served our community for many years. We're also excited to share some information on the experienced, passionate, and diverse staff members who will be joining us next year.
Wishing your family a wonderful final week of the school year! Enjoy the celebrations as we reflect on a year of success despite the many challenges involved.
Dr. Nicholas Zapadka, Principal
Eric Kopacz, Asst. Principal
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June 2 - 10 - Classroom/Grade Level Celebrations
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June 8 - Virtual instruction for all students (Election Day)
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June 10 - 6th Grade Promotion Ceremonies
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June 11 - Check the Lost and Found! Items will be donated after this date
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June 11 - Last Day of School - 2 hour early release
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June 14 - 17 - Laptop Return Week for Virtual Students
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August 23 - First Day of School 2021-22 (Calendar)
We are not saying "Goodbye" to these staff members, because we'll be insisting that they visit Freedom Hill very soon! Please click the hyperlink on their name to see a photo and read their farewell messages to our community. We will miss them very much next year, but we are thankful for their many years of wonderful service to our students.
Retirements:
Ms. Jean Witt - Pre-K Teacher
Mrs. Cristye Miller - Kindergarten Assistant
Mrs. Cindy Beaman - Kindergarten Assistant
Promotions:
Ms. Beth Curtis - our Intellectual Disabilities teacher was promoted to School-Based Technology Specialist (SBTS) at Key Center
Departures:
Ms. Melanie Callihan - our 1st Grade Teacher is relocating home to Charlottesville and will be teaching in Albemarle County
We are very pleased to announce our new staff members for the 2021-22 school year! Click on their name for a picture and a short bio.
Ms. Anna Gionfriddo - Pre-K Teacher
Ms. Hena Hasan - 2nd Grade Teacher
Ms. Randi Greene - Intellectual Disabilities Teacher
Mrs. Jennifer Kronzer - Kindergarten Assistant
Mr. Jeff Wade - Instructional Assistant
A special THANK YOU to the following staff members (photos here) who served in one-year instructional assistant positions this year at Freedom Hill. Each of them was an indispensable member of our team as we began to reopen our school. We hope to see them again!
Mr. Samy Gergess Mekael
Ms. Shaniqua Hairston
Ms. Shawn Saunders Carson
Ms. Nagham Al-Wawi
Ms. Evelyn Arevalo Ruiz
Any medications left in clinic need to be picked up by dismissal on the last day of school or they will be disposed of per clinic protocol. Any questions, please call Mrs. Berg at (703) 506 -7810.
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In person students will return their laptop and charger during the final week of school. Virtual students will return their laptop and charger the following week, June 14th through June 17th. Students who are participating in ESY should NOT return their device.
If you are moving or leaving before the last day of school, please drop your device off beforehand.
Steps for Return: Wrap the charger neatly. Lightly clean the surfaces with a cleaning wipe. Leave name tags and bar codes on the device.
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This year students and staff utilized Imagine Learning, Pioneer Valley, ST Math, and other digital resources. All current students will continue to have access to programs for most of the summer. Moving forward, the County has renewed our contracts for next school year.
Our FHES Digital Learning Tools webpage, https://freedomhilles.fcps.edu/digital-learning-tools, provides quick access for students.
We're happy to announce that Freedom Hill has been awarded an ENERGY STAR award for this school year, signifying that our was among the most energy efficient schools nationally. Thank you to our staff and students! We're looking forward to rebooting our Green Team next year. |
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Due to Election Day, instruction for all students in Fairfax County Public Schools on Tuesday, June 8th will be virtual and synchronous (live) for EVERY student. Students will not attend school in-person on June 8th.
On the last day of school (June 11) all students will have a 2-hour early release.
Parent Technology Help Desk 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS)
Parent and Student Technology Support Portal
Freedom Hill Digital Tools Webpage
FCPS Parent Resource Center
FCPS Return to School
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PTA MEETING RECAP
Congratulations to our new PTA Board that was elected. For all the details, check out the powerpoint and the recording. To access the recording, click on this link (Access Password is: yj3nAVg.) Also big props to our Harriet Best award winners: Ms. Lisa Bliss and Neda Sarafrazi! Congratulations to Mary Gutenson for winning the VA PTA Distinguished Service award! And a huge shout out to all the room parents, PTA Chairs, current and outgoing PTA board and departing 6th grade parents. Thank you for everything you do!
PTA CHAIR POSITIONS OPEN
We'd love to get our PTA back up to full swing but need YOUR help with volunteers. We are looking for people to help with the events: Back to School type event, Teacher Appreciation Chairs, International Celebration, Community Bingo Night, Science Fair, Enrichment Activities, Fundraiser type of events (like Readathon or 5K type of events), Field Day and more. COVID-19 has made us rethink so many aspects of life so with that in mind, just because something has been done a certain way before - doesn't mean it has to be done the same way again. Contact us to talk through the planning process and think through ideas at our info email.
PICTURE BOOKS NEEDED!
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As our 2020-2021 school year comes to a close, please consider donating gently loved books to the Freedom Hill Bookmobile. In past years, FHES staff have been able to give away hundreds of books to students through the Bookmobile. FHES is especially looking for picture books, including fiction and nonfiction. We will also collect board books, chapter books, and young adult books. You can leave your donated books OUTSIDE the BLUE BIN in front of school. Please contact Freedom Hill’s reading specialist, Mrs. Rossman at Melissa.Rossman@fcps.edu with any questions.
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