Welcome to the 2021-22 School Year!
We are Returning Strong to five days a week of in-person instruction. We have a lot to be excited about and prepare for as the first day of school approaches.
If your child is starting kindergarten or if you are new to Keene Mill, please know that all school registration forms must be completed to receive class placement and a laptop. Electronic forms for new students can be found here. Parents who have questions about registration should contact our registrar, Chris Franco.
2021-22 Teacher Information
Email notification of teacher assignments for the upcoming school year will be sent out by Wednesday, August 18. Please be on the lookout for this email that will give you important information for the start of the school year.
Masks for All
As adults and students return to the school building, all will be required to wear masks. If your child is not used to wearing a mask for an extended period, now is the time to practice. Students will be allowed to take off their mask when actively eating and drinking, during outside activities, and mask breaks. Click here for more information regarding the FCPS Return to School Mask Guidance.
Physical Distancing and Material Use
The physical distancing between students of 3 feet at school will be encouraged to the extent possible with full class sizes. It’s important to realize that there will be times in which our students are closer than 3 feet. Hence, mitigation measures of mask wearing and frequent handwashing will be in place. Students will not have access to drink from communal water fountains. Instead, they should bring a water bottle to school daily. Students may fill up their bottles at classroom sinks.
When students are in the classroom, they may also share materials as necessary. Students will be asked to wash or sanitize their hands before and after using materials.
Lunchtime
Lunch at Keene Mill will look a little different from other years. The physical layout of each cafeteria varies from school to school depending on size and student enrollment. Please see below:
- Lunch will be free for all students this year.
- Students will be required to wear masks in the cafeteria when not actively eating and drinking.
- Students will need to wear their masks while going through the serving line.
- Students will put their mask back on when they finish their meal.
- Plexiglass will be placed down the center of the tables.
- Students will eat as a grade level with little overlapping with other grade levels.
- Ten students will be assigned to each table to allow for distancing.
- Cafeteria spaces will be regularly and thoroughly cleaned with a sanitizing solution.
- It is recommended that students wash their hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer before and after eating.
- Parents/guardians will not be allowed to have lunch with their children at this time.
Your Child’s Health
Get a jump start on filling out forms and make your child’s health and safety a priority.
Health Form-required
https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/se71.pdf
Other Health Forms-as needed
Medication Authorization
https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/se63.pdf
Epinephrine Authorization
https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/se64.pdf
Inhaler Authorization
https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/se65.pdf
Your child’s health needs at school are a priority. School health room services, including the administration of medication and modified first aid, are performed by the health room aide. When we return to school, prescription and most over-the-counter medications at school require strict adult supervision and should not be in the child’s possession. Please let us know if your child has special health needs that may impact learning in school as soon as possible. We will connect you with our Public Health Nurse, Christine Lewis, to develop a school plan. A letter regarding school health services will be sent home with your child at the beginning of the school year. For more information about School Health Services, click here
Beginning of the Year Forms
Below you will find links to forms parents receive at the start of school. Some are required and some are as needed/optional. Get a head start on these forms. Fill them out, print, and bring them to Open House or send them with your child on the first day of school. Paper copies will be provided to families who need them.
SR & R Parent Signature Sheet-required https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/SRRSignatureSheet.pdf
Identification of Military Connected Students-required for military families https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/se329.pdf
FLE Opt Out Forms-if needed https://www.fcps.edu/node/31710
Opt Out Form-if needed
https://www.fcps.edu/registration/opt-out-forms
Homeless Student Referral-if needed https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/se299.pdf
Keeping Your Child Safe
All exterior doors are locked during school hours. To enter the building, go to door #1, push the doorbell, and the front office will remotely unlock the door. Upon entering, please report to the office. To maintain the momentum of instruction, office staff will deliver forgotten lunches and materials, or students will be called down to the office to get their forgotten items.
For any change in a child’s typical transportation arrangements, send a note to the teacher indicating the date of the change, the duration, and the reason for the change. Students may not ride a non-designated school bus home with a friend as buses are filled to capacity. For safety, we also ask that students get off at their designated stop only.
If picking up a student before the end of school, notify the teacher and school office whenever possible to avoid confusion for your child. If a student must leave unexpectedly, alert the office at least one hour ahead of time.
New To Keene Mill Elementary School
Please join us in welcoming the newest members of the Keene Mill Family.
Linda Peace – Principal
Denise Goate - Literacy Coach
Megan Marin - Grade 1
Kendra Grogan - Grade 3
Jordan Kriegel - Grade 4 AAP
Becca Voyack - Grade 5
Gianna Scioletti - Grade 6
Ann Navarro - ESOL
Lori Luster - AART
Sherry Woodahl - IA
Chris Lewis – PHN
Daren Rowe - SHA
Town Hall with the Superintendent
Superintendent Scott Brabrand will be hosting two virtual community Town Halls next week ahead of the start of school:
Monday, August 16, from 6 - 7 p.m. (In English) where he will be joined by Dr. Benjamin Schwartz, director of Epidemiology and Population Health at the Fairfax County Health Department, Jeffrey Platenberg, assistant superintendent of FCPS Department of Facilities and Transportation, and Michelle Boyd, assistant superintendent of FCPS Department of Special Services. The Town Hall will focus on returning to five full days of in-person instruction for the new school year and layered prevention strategies that will be implemented to help keep students and staff safe. Watch the Town Hall on FCPS’ website or on Cable TV Channel 99 (Verizon Channel 11). Please send your questions in advance to returntoschool@fcps.edu or ask your question live during the event by calling 1-800-231-6359.
Tuesday, August 17 from 6 - 7 p.m. (In Spanish)
The superintendent will answer questions about returning to five full days of in-person learning and measures to help keep everyone safe for a strong return to school. The Town Hall will be streamed live on FCPS Facebook en Español. Please email your questions to returntoSchool@fcps.edu. You may also send us a message on our Facebook page or leave it in the “Comment” section during the Town Hall.
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