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Coates Families,
The new school year will be starting soon, and we’re so happy to be back to a much more normal situation for parents, students, and teachers! Please read the important information below so that you can mark your calendars for key dates and know what to expect in about a month! Important school info can always be referenced on the Coates website, and our social media (Facebook, Twitter & Instagram) are great for keeping parents engaged. We also hope that you’re subscribed to our News You Choose emails.
Enjoy the remainder of the summer and get excited for the 2021-22 school year!
Jesse Kraft, Principal (jkraft@fcps.edu)
Jessica King, Ass’t Principal (jaking@fcps.edu )
Important Dates
Aug. 19: Back to School Night for K & 1st Grade Families, 6-7:30 PM
Aug. 23: FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL for all students
Aug. 24: Back to School Night for 2nd & 3rd Grade Families, 6-7:30 PM
Aug. 25: Back to School Night for 4th, 5th & 6th Grade Families, 6-7:30 PM
Aug. 31: Parent Coffee, 9:15-10:15 AM
Sept. 3: Labor Day Holiday
Sept. 6: Labor Day Holiday
Oct. 11: Student Holiday
Coates Bell Schedule for 2021-22
First Bell: 9:00
Late Bell: 9:15
Dismissal Bell: 4:00
This is a return to our pre-pandemic bell schedule
Coates Supply Lists
This year, all major supplies for students (pencils, notebooks, folders, etc.) will be provided by us. We ask that all students come to school with the following items:
- Backpack
- Water bottle
- 1 box of tissues
- 1 can of cleaning wipes
Any family that needs help with getting these supplies may contact our parent liaison, Solangie McPherson at svmcpherson@fcps.edu . Solangie provides reminders to families in need and those needing English to Spanish translation via the Remind app. If you download Remind, you’ll get her text message updates (Sign up using Class Name: Coates ES4 ; Class Code: coateses4).
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FCPS Returns to 5 Days in the Fall
We are excited to welcome back students for five full days in the fall. FCPS has shared important updates for what fall will look like and reflections from parents who have already returned students to school. We anticipate that students and staff will continue to be required to wear masks while inside the school and that hand-washing and reasonable distancing measures will be in effect. FCPS works closely with the health department to develop safety measures, and these measures may be revised based on data.
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Class Placements & Bus Schedules
All Coates parents will receive a message via email by Aug. 16 that will tell you your child’s teacher’s name and contact information and will provide you with your bus schedule.
If you don’t receive an email or other message with this information by 4:00 on Aug. 16, please contact the school office at (703) 713-3000.
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No More BBCU or Google Classrooms – Now Using Schoology
FCPS will begin using Schoology as an online platform for many student assignments. It has many similar features to Google Classroom, and students should be able to navigate it easily to find and submit assignments after their teachers show them how to use it in school.
We anticipate continuing to use FCPS laptops in school for many assignments, especially in the upper grades. However, being back to in-person school allows for the many important paper-and-pencil activities that support learning as well.
When it’s necessary to hold virtual meetings with parents or students, we will not use BBCU. FCPS now uses Zoom (and, in some cases, Google Meet).
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Immunization Requirements
Effective July 1, 2021, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) will require new school entry immunizations. All grade levels will be affected by these additional immunizations. Please send any updated records to Ms. Marney in the Coates office.
Required for School Entry:
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A minimum of two doses of Hepatitis (A) vaccine are required: For SY 2021/2022, Kindergarten students must have two doses of Hepatitis A.
- A minimum of two doses of Meningococcal (MenACWY) vaccine are required: For SY 2021/2022, 7th grade students must have one dose and 12th grade students must have one dose.
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A minimum of one dose of Rotavirus (RV) vaccine is required: One dose is required for students less than eight months of age.
Recommended but NOT REQUIRED for School Entry:
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A complete series of Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is recommended the minimum age for the initial dose is nine years. The first dose is recommended for ALL (boys and girls) students entering 7th grade. The parent or guardian, at their sole discretion, may elect for the student not to receive the HPV series. Parent/guardian HPV opt-out documentation is not required.
Have You Moved? Are you New?
If you recently moved outside of the Coates boundary, please register at the main office of your new school and let us know that you’ve moved! Call 703-713-3000 or email ajmarney@fcps.edu . Do this immediately.
If you or a neighbor are new to Coates, you must come to school to register. To make the process easier, you can start on our website before coming.
It is critical that parents register or report moving to use immediately. FCPS allocates staffing to each school based on enrollment projections. Late registrations can balloon enrollment, causing school to hire more teachers late and re-assign students to new classes (this can happen through September). Unexpectedly low enrollment may cause a teacher to lose his/her position at Coates and for his/her students to be reassigned.
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