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NOTES FROM MUSIC TEACHER
Students in grades 3-6
According to the Fairfax County General Music Program of Studies, soprano recorder is offered beginning in your child’s third grade year and used through grade six. The study of soprano recorder involves mastering appropriate fingering and blowing techniques, reading music from the staff, and an ensemble performance experience. Students also learn to clean and care for their instruments.
Please purchase a soprano recorder and have your child bring it to school by September 20th. You can find these on Amazon, music and arts, and other music stores. If you already have a recorder at home, you’re all set! If you are using an old recorder, please make sure to wash it thoroughly before bringing it to school (take the recorder apart, wash in warm soapy water and dry completely before assembling it back together).
The recorders will remain in the classroom for the duration of the school year (possible exceptions during holiday breaks), then sent home with students in June for their continued use during their elementary school years (grades 3-6).
Please sign the recorder form at this link and have your child return it to Ms. Lucius, the Franconia music teacher.
For any questions, please contact Ms. Lucius at jdlucius@fcps.edu.
Hello Penguin Families!
We hope that you and your family are off to a great school year! Our Student Services team (which consists of the school counselors, social worker and school psychologist) is asking families to complete an optional needs assessment.
The survey is to gain an understanding of the social, emotional, and academic needs of our Penguins so we will know how to best address them.
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Guillion at 703-822-2200. Please click the link below to begin the survey. If you have more than one child, please complete the survey for each child. We appreciate your help and support.
Click here for survey
In classroom guidance this month, students will learn about the role of the school counselor and how we are here to support and teach social/emotional and academic skills.
We are also available if they need someone to talk to at school. Classroom guidance is held once a month and is a service that all students receive. We are so excited to connect with our Penguins and begin our journey of helping our students to grow socially, emotionally, and academically!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Guillion
Back-to-School Night
NEW DATE: Tuesday, 9/21, 6:00-8:00pm
Learn more about your child's teacher and class and all the exciting things happening this school year.
Teachers will email parents a link to register for the Zoom sessions. After parents register, they will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Parents will be able to join the meeting starting at 5:45pm and will be muted upon entry with the camera turned off. The teacher will turn on chat/microphone/camera when it's that time in the presentation.
Please join your child(ren)’s teacher(s) on Tuesday night, 9/21, from 6:00-8:00pm for a VIRTUAL Back to School Night. We will host two sessions for parents of more than one child. Sessions will be recorded and available from teachers as soon as possible.
- Session 1, 6:00 – 6:45 pm
- Session 2, 7:00 – 7:45 pm
You will hear more information about curriculum, schedules, expectations, and communication methods.
To maximize time with teachers, please view these welcome messages from our School Board representatives:
- Rachna Sizemore Heizer
- Abrar Omeish
- Karen Keys-Gamarra
Magisterial
- Tamara Derenak Kaufax
- Karen Corbett Sanders
Please email teachers directly with questions. Contact information can be found on the staff directory.
The Latest on Bus Transportation
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Thank you for your patience and understanding these first few weeks of school as we work to address the impact the national bus driver shortage has on FCPS and your students. On the first morning of school FCPS saw 7,000 bus runs with just a handful of delays.
However, if these delays impacted you or your family, we understand your frustration. As we continue to recruit drivers and make adjustments to routes to be more efficient, there are three 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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LIBRARY NEWS
From Mrs. Vandersande, School Librarian
LOOKING FOR PARENT VOLUNTEERS
Mrs. Vandersande is looking for parent volunteers to help in the library.
If you are interested, email her at dmvandersand@fcps.edu.
Character Trait of the Month
September’s Character Trait is Penguin Pride - to show excitement about coming to school. It also means following class/school rules and procedures.
Have you shown Penguin Pride this month? Share your story on flipgrid. Videos are due by Friday, 9/24.
For any questions, please contact the School Counselors, Mrs. Guillion (vguillion@fcps.edu) or Mrs. Fry (lrcalhounfry@fcps.edu).
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 start of the school year is a great time to acknowledge someone who has helped to make your child's return to school amazing.
Learn how you can acknowledge an FCPS employee for their great work.
FCPS Parent Resource Center
FREE Webinar Classes
How to Improve Your Child’s Executive Functioning Skills Without All the Arguments This School Year
Do you have any homework?” “I’m not sure…” “What do you mean you’re not sure? Where’s your agenda?” “I think it’s in my room...somewhere.”
Sound familiar? If you’re having this conversation multiple times each week, you’re not alone. Whether your child is in elementary school or preparing to graduate from high school, you want them to be ready and on top of their priorities.
So why do they keep missing deadlines, losing assignments, and starting things the night before they’re due? It’s because executive functioning skills, like time management or prioritization, take time to learn.
Webinar Highlights:
- Ensuring kids stay on top of their schoolwork without feeling like a nag
- Using Site maps, Google calendars, and other tools for staying organized
- Identifying smart strategies for tracking assignments
- When to leave things up to your child, step in to support, or recruit outside help
- Keeping kids engaged
- Opening the lines of communication
Join Ann Dolin, M.Ed. educational consultant and award-winning author to learn how you can help your child develop critical executive functioning skills this school year. Ann is the President and Director of Educational Connections, Inc.
September 9, 2021 6:30-8 p.m.
September 10, 2021 10-11:30 a.m.
Register for How to Improve Your Child’s Executive Functioning Skills Without All the Arguments This School Year
Military-Connected Students and School Transition: A Family Webinar
Did you know military-connected students experience different “seasons” as they navigate their school years?
Using tools from her book, “Seasons of My Military Student,” Stacy Allsbrook-Huisman will offer relevant support for the start of the school year.
Highlights include:
- Season of Arriving and Season Growing - What parents need to know.
- Shared experiences of moving through a pandemic and housing shortage
- Education Binder and how to build one
- Parent-Teacher Conferences - what to ask
- New to Fairfax County? Connecting with your school community, other families and finding student peer support?
Join Stacy Allsbrook-Huisman for our first of a 4-part series supporting military-connected families.
September 17, 2021 10-11:30 a.m.
Register for Military-Connected Students and School Transition: A Family Webinar
5 Ways to Stop Anxiety, Power Struggles, & Behavior Issues: A Webinar for Families
How can you help your kids transition back to school?
Learn how to:
- Stop battles over homework and screens.
- Overcome anxiety over school, tests, and social skills
- Stop meltdowns and power struggles.
- Improve focus, impulse control, and executive function.
Celebrate Calm Founder, Kirk Martin will show you how to create stress-free mornings, school, dinner, and bedtime. We promise you will laugh and leave with a dozen practical strategies that really work.
September 23, 2021 6:30-8 p.m.
September 24, 2021 10-11:30 a.m.
Register for 5 Ways to Stop Anxiety, Power Struggles, & Behavior Issues: A Webinar for Families
Penguin Points
Click on a link for information
Franconia Elementary School website
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