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 It's so great to be back in school! Here some third graders are enjoying being together at recess.
A Note from Mr. Gates
We did it! It was an amazing first week of the 2021-22 school year. It was incredible to see all of our students back in the building. Thank you for your continued support of all things Hollin Meadows as we prepared for this very exciting week!
Our students have been doing an excellent job at wearing their masks and washing their hands throughout the day. As a reminder, parents are expected to keep their child home if they are not feeling well and/or present with any symptoms that have been connected with COVID. You can find the list of symptoms on the daily screening form here:
If a parent keeps their child home, the child can return to school as soon as the child is feeling better. However, if a child comes to school and then is later sent home because they are showing COVID-like symptoms, they will need to get a Return to School form completed by a medical provider.
Thank you for staying in close contact with us. If at any time your child tests positive for COVID, please contact me at jmgates@fcps.edu immediately. We have an established and confidential procedure that we need to follow to ensure everyone receives the appropriate communication.
A reminder that all FCPS schools will be closed on Friday, September 3rd and Monday, September 6th for Labor Day Holiday.
Always feel free to contact me directly at jmgates@fcps.edu if you have any questions, concerns, or if there is anything our team can do to support you.
Jon Gates, Principal
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Arrival Time
Be Here, Be On Time!
Unless your child is ill, we need them at school everyday. When they are absent, they miss out on valuable learning. Our school doors open at 8:05 a.m. and students arriving after 8:20 a.m. are late. If you are walking or driving, plan on being at school at 8:05 a.m. Breakfast is available to students who are on time.
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Dismissal Time
On the first day of school, dismissal took a very long time. Buses were late arriving. The Kiss & Ride had a much longer-than-average line, and many parents were not sure where to pick up walking students. By the end of the week things had markedly improved. Thank you for your patience.
It’s important that all parents do their part to follow our dismissal procedures. Please read below:
If your child is a walker…
At dismissal time, we route walkers will exit either the front door or door 4, which is in the back of the school. Students should exit the same door that they enter in the morning. If your child walks, and you wish to pick him/her up, please meet them at either the front door in the designated meeting area or door 4.
If your child uses Kiss & Ride for Dismissal…
To reduce traffic, students who have the option to ride the bus, walk or ride a bike to/from school are encouraged to do so. #onelesscar
You may NOT leave your car. Staff will only release students to their cars when your car is in the Kiss & Ride line. Do not come to the cafeteria door.
Follow staff directions. Move your car up as far as possible in the pick-up area. Stopping short slows down the process for every parent behind you. Move forward as the staff directs you. Your child will come to you.
If you park your car somewhere and prefer to personally pick up your child (do not block driveways or park in no parking zones)…
Your child is considered a walker if you are picking them up this way. Your child will be directed to dismiss from the front door or door 4, which is in the back of the school.
There is no option for parents to pick up walkers from any other door without approval from the principal.
Be sure that your child’s teacher knows the way you want your child to dismiss every day. If you have a change in plans and want your child to dismiss in a different way, please contact your teacher in writing and call the front office at 703-713-3000.
Bus Transportation
Thank you for your patience and understanding these first few days of school as FCPS works to address the impact the national bus driver shortage has on FCPS and your students.
If these delays impacted you or your family, we understand your frustration. As FCPS continues to recruit drivers and make adjustments to routes to be more efficient, there are two things you can do:
- Check the The Here Comes the Bus® app, a school bus tracking app that can simplify morning and afternoon routines for parents and students by giving them real-time bus location and text or email notification alerts, helping them get to the bus stop on time. Here Comes the Bus® utilizes FCPS GPS data and an easy-to-use customizable map that works on one or multiple devices, such as a tablet or smartphone. More information about the Here Comes the Bus app is available online.
- Stay up-to-date on school bus arrivals with FCPS' bus delay notification system. This system provides parents with timely notification of late bus route information. Parents may access the Bus Delay Notification System online or use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app (mentioned above) to receive the delayed bus report. Morning route information will be available until noon. Afternoon bus route information will be available from 1 to 7 p.m. e-Notify (SchoolMessenger) email messages will also be sent to announce bus delays of at least 30 minutes. Need assistance or have questions? Contact the Transportation office listed for your school. For any concerns after hours (after 5:30 p.m.), contact Safety and Security at 571-423-2000.
More information about transportation to and from school is available online.
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Back-to-School Night, Tuesday, September 14
Your child's classroom teacher will present important information about your child's learning in an evening Back to School Night presentation. (BTSN). This year, BTSN will be held on Zoom. The schedule will be as follows:
- 6 —6:35 p.m.: Kindergarten & First
- 6:45—7:20 p.m.: Second and Third
- 7:30—8:05 p.m.: Fourth—Sixth
Zoom links will be emailed to parents. Sessions will be recorded and shared with parents who are unable to attend the live meeting. Additional information about BTSN will be shared next week.
Water Bottles
Students should bring a water bottle for use during the day. Due to heath precautions drinking fountains are not available. Students may use bottle fill stations located throughout the building to refill water containers.
Staff Vaccination Requirement
Last week, Superintendent Brabrand announced that FCPS is requiring all staff members to be fully vaccinated or to submit routine negative COVID-19 tests beginning in October. The vast majority of FCPS staff are already vaccinated.
FCPS continues to encourage vaccination for everyone, including students as soon as they are eligible. This summer, Fairfax County has seen vaccination rates for our young people soar. We have some of the highest vaccination rates across the country for this age group.
Among youth ages 12-15 in Fairfax County, 61.9% are fully vaccinated – up 24.2 points since July, while 75.3% have had one dose – up 19.4 points since July. Of 16-17-year-olds, 74.4% are fully vaccinated, while 84.8% have received one dose.
If you or your child would like to be vaccinated, vaccination opportunities can be accessed through the Fairfax County Health Department or Vaccines.gov. COVID-19 vaccines are accessible and free.
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