Dear Beech Tree Families,
Thursday evening, our PTA held a virtual meeting where upcoming events were shared:
Election Day Bake Sale
*Donate individually wrapped homemade or store bought desserts and snacks on Monday to school office or drop off on Tuesday at the sale.
*Sign ups coming! Sign up to donate or work a shift. Shifts run from 6:00am – 7:000pm
Virtual 5K Race
*Sign up by 11/11 at https://beechtreepta.memberhub.com/store
*Wear your shirt to school on 12/14.
Book Fair
*November 11-13
*Kids shop on Thursday & Friday.
*Family Day is Saturday
*Info on Virtual Wallet coming (or send cash with kids)
*Sign up coming for shifts
At Thursday night’s PTA meeting, I shared some information about our Care Room and students who are identified as close contacts to someone who tested positive for Covid. While our Covid numbers have remained low, the impact of pausing is still a harsh reality for our students and families. It is often 14 days of pause from face to face instruction, during which time the teacher provides live streamed or recorded Math and Language Arts focus lessons and asynchronous assignments, along with quick check-ins every other day. Students who go to the clinic with symptoms that fall under the possible Covid symptoms are send to the Care Room, which is the principal’s conference room, where Ms. Lopez or I put on a paper mask and plastic gown and supervise the child until the parent comes to pick them up. Please continue to come quickly to pick up your child if they are in the Care Room. One child in the Care Room could just have a cold, but another could have Covid. Should your child have a diagnosed illness by a doctor, please send the note in to the clinic. That note could keep your child from being sent to the Care Room and then home.
This week, Beech Tree will host a virtual AAP Info Night and our first Saturday Morning Family Field Trip of the year! We will have two buses available and will have the windows down, so please dress accordingly. At the end of the month we will celebrate “Red Ribbon Week!” More information can be found here: https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/get-involved/red-ribbon-week Additionally, we plan to carry on with our annual tradition of a Character Day Parade. This year, we will hold our parade outside. For the safety of our students, they will walk through the bus loop at the front of the school and the Kiss & Ride loop at the side of the school. Our students and staff who will be members of the audience will use the sidewalks on school property. For any parents or community members who wish to see the parade, we ask that you remain on the sidewalk across from the school building by the front parking lot. I’ll try to take good pictures to share with you via Twitter, too! Students and staff enjoy dressing up as a character from one of their favorite books. Ms. Lopez and I are still trying to decide what our costumes should be. I really do hope we will be able to hold on to some of our traditions this year. I appreciate everything you’re doing to help us make this year special for our students!
Fall Picture Day has to be post-poned, but we are working with Life Touch to reschedule. Additionally, this year, yearbooks will need to be pre-ordered for $10.00 each at this link:
https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/Order/LookupJob?jobNumber=14478822
Upcoming Events:
10/21 = AAP Info Night
A private Zoom link will be shared the day of via eNotify. Ms. Settel would also like to invite you to consider the following opportunity: Student Enrichment Opportunities - Registration is now open: Virtual Fall Enrichment Opportunities – William & Mary
10/23 = Beech Tree Saturday Morning Family Field Trip
Rain or Shine, we will Leave Beech Tree at 9:30am
Must wear a MASK on bus.
10/23 – 10/29 = RED RIBBON WEEK
- 10/25 = Team up Against Drugs
(Wear sports T-shirts/ Jerseys)
- 10/26 = Put A Cap on Drugs
(Wear your favorite hat)
- 10/27 = I Dream of a Drug Free World
(Wear your Pajamas)
- 10/28 = To Affirm Commitment to Live Drug Free
(Wear Red)
- 10/29 = Sign Pledge Cards
10/29 – Beech Tree Character Day Parade
Bus Loop and Kiss & Ride Loop – Parents may watch from the side walk located across the street from the school. Students and staff not participating in the costume parade will be using the sidewalks at the Bus Loop and Kiss & Ride.
As a reminder, “Thank you” goes a long way for our amazing staff. Please and thank you for taking a moment to recognize them through our FCPS Cares Program: https://www.fcps.edu/careers/employee-recognition-programs/fcps-cares-program Thank you for taking the time to do so.
As we keep making memories with our families, here’s link for some Virginia Fun with Kids: https://www.virginia.org/things-to-do/things-to-do-with-kids/
As always, I thank you for your trust. Let me know if you ever have any questions or concerns.
Karim Daugherty
Principal
Beech Tree ES
703-531-2600
https://twitter.com/BeechTreeElem
https://beechtreees.fcps.edu/
“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” – Colin Powell
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Beech Tree Office Contacts
Spanish Speaking Parent Liaison: Stella O’Brien at msobrien@fcps.edu
School-Based Technology Specialist (logging on/using programs): Mike Meyer at mkmeyer@fcps.edu
Technology Specialist (laptop issues): Tom Kindregan at tpkindregan@fcps.edu
Registrar: Susan Do at sndo@fcps.edu
Attendance Secretary: Sheila Hudson at skhudson@fcps.edu
Principal’s Secretary: Esther Baca at ebaca@fcps.edu
Assistant Principal: Maureen Lopez at mmlopez1@fcps.edu
Advanced Academics Resource Teacher: Patty Settel at pasettel@fcps.edu
PTA Information
PTA Officers:
President: Megan Laboy, meganlaboy@gmail.com
Vice-President: Sonali Khadilkar, sonali@khadilkarlaw.com
Secretary: Penny Yiannarakis, pennyzoutis@gmail.com
Treasurer: Elizabeth Allison, elizabethmallison@hotmail.com
For Memberships, t-shirts, race sign-ups, etc: https://beechtreepta.memberhub.com/store
Fundraising:
Smile.amazon- Beech Tree Elementary School Falls Church VA
Harris Teeter VIC card: Must be renewed every year – our number is 4085
Boxtops- Download the app and choose Beech Tree Elementary School, Falls Church, VA
FCPS Calendar
The following link provides you with the 2021-2022 Calendar: https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/2021-22-standard-school-calendar.pdf
October 29 End of First Quarter - 2-hour Early Release
November 1 Student Holiday (Teacher Workday)
November 2 Student Holiday (Teacher Workday)
November 11 2-hour Early Release (Veterans Day)
November 24-26 Holiday (Thanksgiving)
December 20 - 31 Holiday (Winter Break) - Classes Resume on January 3, 2022
January 17 Holiday (Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday)
January 20 End of Second Quarter - 2-hour Early Release
January 21 Student Holiday (Teacher Workday)
January 24 Student Holiday (Professional Development Day)
February 21 Holiday (George Washington’s Birthday and Presidents’ Day)
March 3 2-hour Early Release
March 4 Student Holiday (Professional Development Day)
March 31 End of Third Quarter - 2-hour Early Release
April 1 Student Holiday (Teacher Workday)
April 4-8 Holiday (Spring Break)
May 30 Holiday (Memorial Day)
June 10 Last Day of School (Early Release)
Health & Safety Procedures:
Visitors in the Building
Beech Tree visitors may enter by appointment only, with limited access to the building. All must have an ID, such a driver’s license or passport, and will be asked to respond to a Health Screening Questionnaire. Parents may drop off and pick up materials, as needed, by ringing the doorbell and communicating with office staff. Office staff will then bring the materials to you at the door or receive the materials from you at the door.
Water Fountain Use
Students should bring their own water bottle for use during the day. School staff will supervise the refilling of water bottles, as necessary. Water fountains should not be used as usual. Water fountains can be used to refill water bottles when practical, but students and staff should not drink directly from any water fountains or faucets, which could contribute to illness transmission; individual water bottles should be used instead.
Lunch Time
- Students will be required to wear masks in the cafeteria when not actively eating and drinking.
- They will need to wear their masks while going through the serving line.
- Students will put their mask back on when they finish their meal.
- 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.
- FCPS Food Nutrition Services works closely with the Fairfax County Health Department to ensure proper food safety and sanitation.
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture extended the offering of no-cost breakfast and lunch to all students through school year 2021-2022. Visit the FNS website.
CDC Requirements for Playground Areas
- Face masks are not required on the playground
- Handwashing and Hand Sanitizing
- Students are to wash hands before going to playground areas and immediately following with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol is to be made easily accessible in playground areas for students and staff.
Daily Health Screening
The CDC recommends that parents, caregivers or guardians, should be strongly encouraged to monitor their children for symptoms of infectious illness every day through home-based symptom screening and students who are sick should not attend in-person instruction.
Parents/guardians are required to complete the daily health screening questionnaire prior to sending the student to school each morning. The required screening must be completed for all school-aged children in the household. In order to reduce the spread of communicable disease to student and staff, it is critical that parents/guardians accurately complete this screening daily and keep their student home from school when exhibiting any symptoms. The daily health screening questionnaire will be completed on an honor basis and will not be required to be submitted to the school.
A daily health screening questionnaire is available in the following languages: English, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese.
Parents/guardians will receive frequent reminders from FCPS via multiple modes of communication, reminding them to complete their daily health screening questionnaire and to keep sick students at home. These communications will be developed in collaboration with the Office of Communications and Community Relations (OCCR), Office of Professional Learning and Family Engagement (OPLFE) and Language Services.
All staff and visitors must complete the daily health screening questionnaire prior to arriving on campus. The daily health screening questionnaire will be completed on an honor basis and will not be required to be submitted to the school.
Any student, staff or visitor demonstrating symptoms of illness should stay home to help “Stop the Spread” of COVID-19.
Care Rooms
The predetermined care room is a designated location and must be separate from the health room. It may be necessary for schools to identify a second care room due to the requirement for physical distancing and room capacity.
A designated staff member must be assigned to supervise students while in the predetermined care room should the need arise. The staff member will be provided with a gown or lab coat, gloves, and a face shield as appropriate. Staff will need to be available at various times throughout the day to supervise any student exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 while awaiting pick up by the parent or guardian.
*At Beech Tree, the designated Care Rooms, so as not to impact student instruction, are the principal’s conference room and the principal’s office. The designated staff, so as not to impact student instruction, are the assistant principal, Maureen Lopez, and the principal, Karim Daugherty.
Student Return to School After Illness
In order to return to school, the parent/guardian must provide to the school, a completed SICK STUDENT NOTIFICATION and RETURN to SCHOOL FORM.
This form will be completed by the child’s healthcare provider and returned to the school.
This form is to be filed in the student’s cumulative folder.
Copies of FCHD clearance letters (SARA alert forms) provided by the FCHD or a healthcare provider note will also be accepted. These documents should be stapled to the Return to School Form and filed in the student’s cumulative folder.
The Sick Student Notification and Return to School Form is available in English, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu and Vietnamese.
*FCPS will no longer require the SICK STUDENT NOTIFICATION and RETURN to SCHOOL FORM for students who are called in absent with COVID-like symptoms/illness.
Students who have been diagnosed with COVID-19, may not return until:
- It has been at least ten (10) days since my child first had symptoms AND
- My child has had no fever off anti-fever medicines (ex: Tylenol, Ibuprofen) for 24 hours AND
- My child’s symptoms are getting better
*If someone in the household has been diagnosed with COVID-19, or the student is exposed, the student must remain home for 14 days after their last exposure to the household member.
Protocols for Potential Temporary COVID-19 Closure
- VA public schools required under SB 1303 to provide five days a week of in-person instruction.
- FCPS is committed to continuity of learning during the 2021-22 school year and the school division is using layered prevention strategies to do everything possible to ensure our schools remain safe, healthy and open. Our plan is to remain open using these strategies unless directed otherwise by health officials or Executive Order.
- FCPS has plans in place to ensure continuity of learning in the event health authorities or an Executive Order require a temporary closure to protect the health of students, staff, and the community.
INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS
Threshold to Initiate Closure: If student is directed by healthcare provider or FCHD to quarantine or isolate, or FCPS is directed by FCHD to pause that student’s in-person learning as a matter of public health, but school and class remain open.
Support: Asynchronous assignments
INDIVIDUAL TEACHERS
Threshold to Initiate Closure: If teacher is directed by health provider or FCHD to quarantine or isolate, or FCPS is directed by FCHD to pause teacher’s in-person teaching, but the teacher’s school and class remain open for students.
Support: Schools will secure a substitute/alternate coverage.
CLASS
Threshold to Initiate Closure: FCPS is directed by FCHD to temporarily close the class as a matter of public health.
Support: All students/staff in the impacted class will transition to virtual learning for that class (period for secondary students) until the class can reopen. Students would access asynchronous assignments.
SCHOOL
Threshold to Initiate Closure: FCPS is directed by FCHD to temporarily close the entire class as a matter of public health.
Support: All students and staff at the school will transition to virtual learning.
DIVISION
Threshold to Initiate Closure: FCPS is directed by FCHD or VDH, or Executive Order to temporarily close the division as a matter of public health.
Support: All students and staff will transition to virtual learning until in-person instruction can resume.
HVAC System
FCPS designs and operates many different types of equipment to maintain an acceptable indoor air temperature and indoor air quality in buildings.
- FCPS operates 220 facilities every day of the year
- At 27 million square feet of covered space, FCPS is larger than 4 Pentagons
- There are nearly 37,000 pieces of HVAC equipment in FCPS
- Including over 5,000 different types and models of HVAC equipment
- There are more than 45,000 active air filters in FCPS
- Including nearly 800 different sizes and types
- Air filters are changed every 90 days
- FCPS replaces over 180,000 filters each year
All HVAC systems are maintained and operated efficiently and effectively using the latest procedures and technology. FCPS performs scheduled preventive maintenance to all HVAC systems. OFM uses a maintenance management system that documents HVAC maintenance requests and actions.
Portable air filters (based on HEPA or UV technology) have been considered and purchased. I purchased county approved, portable air filters for the two classrooms that do not have windows and the division purchased them for our two CARE rooms which Ms. Lopez and I have to monitor when we have students exhibiting COVID symptoms, since those students may not remain in the clinic.
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