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It is hard to believe today is the first day of 2nd quarter. We have weathered quite a few challenges so far this year and we continue to rise above them. Our teachers have continued to rearrange classrooms to try to keep students at least 3' apart and we have worked to try to get more students outside for lunch. Our goal is to try to limit the amount of children that are identified as close contacts if there is a positive COVID case. Thank you for your continued support during this most unusual school year.
Our RULER implementation team will be presenting information about RULER at the next PTA meeting on Tuesday, November 9. Please join us as the team shares information about how our staff will be using this program to help students recognize, understand, label, express, and regulate their emotions.
Our SCA is leading a Veterans Day letter writing campaign. Students will write letters to veterans that are family members as well as those that are participating on Honor Flights. Our 6th grade students wrote letters for a recent Honor Flight and should be featured on the CBS Morning Show during the 8:00 hour on Veterans Day.
 Our amazing P.E. teachers transformed the gym into The Journey to the Great Pumpkin last week. Children enjoyed the obstacle courses with a Halloween spin. Be sure to visit our Facebook page to catch a glimpse of all the fun.
Another activity that is coming back is our Book Fair. Although it will look a little different, it will still give everyone an opportunity to add great books to your personal collection. See below for additional information about the Book Fair.
Enjoy the rest of the week,
Kathy, Ashleigh, and Jennie
#UMESBetterTogether
The Book Fair is Coming
Book Fair is Finally Coming Back!! The Book Fair will be open for parents from 2:00 - 5:00 PM on Thursday, November 11. School closes at 1:30 that day due to Veterans Day. The Book Fair will also be open for parents on Wednesday, November 17, from 4:00 - 7:00 PM. Students will visit the Book Fair during the school day.
All proceeds directly benefit the UMES library and help us buy new books for the library. Thank you for your support!
Community Review of Elementary English Language Arts Basal Instructional Resources
Fairfax County Public Schools will adopt new Elementary School Language Arts Basal Instructional Resources for school years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024. A review committee composed of community members, administrators, and teachers will meet in November and December to review the instructional materials under consideration and community feedback. Public review of the recommended materials is part of the process for selecting new resources.
Elementary English Language Arts basal instructional resources may be accessed in person and online through November 26, 2021. Digital materials for public review and comment will be available at the following link https://www.fcps.edu/node/36853. People reviewing the material online may complete an electronic comment sheet https://forms.gle/VKxcfabLedjYAZpS8. (Please use Chrome to open links.) In addition, hard copies of instructional resources will be available in the lobby of Willow Oaks Administrative Center. Willow Oaks is open each business day from 7:30 am to 3:00 pm and extended hours will be provided until 7:45 pm on November 3, 2021. All community feedback will be shared with School Board members before the vote at the School Board regular meeting.
FCPS Solicits Public Comment on K - 8 Science Basal Instructional Resources Under Consideration for Adoption
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is soliciting public review and comment on basal instructional resources under consideration for K - 8 Science. A basal resource review committee composed of community members, administrators, and teachers will meet in November and December of 2021 to review and recommend new K - 8 Science instructional resources to the School Board. Citizens are encouraged to review materials under consideration and complete the online public comment form so that valuable community feedback may be shared with the School Board and committee as part of the review process.
K - 8 Science basal instructional materials may be accessed online through November 14th. Digital materials for public review and comment will be available at the following link https://www.fcps.edu/node/39027.
We Need Your Input: Take FCPS’ 2022-23 School Year Calendar Survey
 Want to give your opinion on the development of FCPS’ 2022-23 School Year (SY) Calendar? Here’s your chance. All employees and parents will receive an email from FCPS Survey with a link to a calendar survey. The results will be used to inform and support FCPS staff as well as the School Board, as they work to adopt the 2022-23 School Year Calendar.
Your participation is critical, so once you receive the survey, please weigh in at your earliest convenience. The survey closes on Wednesday, November 10. All responses are confidential. Please email FCPSsurvey@fcps.edu with questions about the survey.
This year, FCPS is using a different process to develop the calendar. Learn about the criteria being used in the development of the 2022-23 calendar.
FCPS Cares
FCPS CARES is an opportunity for staff, parents, students, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others. Every month, a nominated employee from each region and Central Offices will be recognized as an FCPS CARES of the Month recipient. The county shares their names in Employee News, and they also have access to a new FCPS CARES banner for their profile photo in Outlook. Watch this video to learn more about FCPS CARES. If you would like to acknowledge a staff member who has gone above and beyond, please consider nominating them for FCPS Cares recognition. (Please use Chrome when opening the links above.)
Order Your Yearbook Now!
The creation of this year’s yearbook is underway! A huge thank you to Ami Schroder and Maura Quinn for ensuring our yearbook tradition will continue this year. The link to order your yearbook is: ybpay.lifetouch.com. Please use yearbook ID = 5500722.
The cost for a yearbook is $19.00 and orders will be done online (no orders will be taken at school). All yearbooks must be ordered in advance as extra yearbooks will not be available for sale at the end of the year. The deadline to order is January 11, 2022.
Don't be disappointed at the end of the year because you forgot to order your copy!
News from the PTA
Plan to join the PTA for their next meeting on Tuesday, November 9 at 7:00 PM.
Register for the UMES Walk-A-Thon
Mark your calendars and lace up your sneakers for the UMES Walk-A-Thon! We’ll see you Saturday 11/13 at 8:00 AM on the UMES back field. It’s free to participate and there will be prizes for top walkers and highest class participation! Local celebrity Brian van de Graff will MC the event! Join us for this feel-good family activity!
To sign up, please visit:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSemh_oyExq-XkzvIFLlaUdPcbSIy0-6U6tlyE5U0KCV78NPIA/viewform
If you have any questions, please email coordinator, Juliet Prillaman at julietstickley@yahoo.com.
Photos from the Week
Please click on the photos below to see more from the past week including Journey to the Great Pumpkin in P.E., pumpkin seed estimation, book character day, kindergarten spirit days, and more.
Upcoming Dates
Friday, November 5 - Make-up Picture Day
Saturday, November 6 - Daylight Savings Time Ends - Set clocks back 1 hour at midnight
Tuesday, November 9 - PTA meeting - 7:00 PM
Thursday, November 11 - Veterans Day - 2 hour Early Release; Book Fair Open for Parents 2:00 - 5:00 PM
Saturday, November 13 - UMES PTA Walk-a-thon - 8:00 AM on the field
Wednesday, November 17 - Book Fair Open for Parents 4:00 - 7:00 PM
Wednesday, November 24 - Friday, November 26 - No School - Thanksgiving Holiday
#UMESBetterTogether
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