RAVENS' NEST 11/23/2021

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Upcoming Events

Nov 23rd – PTA Spirit Night – McDonald’s, Kings Park, 5:00 – 8:00 pm

Nov 24th – 26th – Thanksgiving Holiday

Nov 24th – SACC Open, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Nov 25th, 26th – SACC Closed

Nov 29th – Dec 3rd – Book Fair Open – School Library

  • After-school hours, 3:30 – 5:30 pm Nov 29th through Dec 2nd  

Nov 29th – Chanukah begins at sunset Nov 28th and continues through Dec 6th 

Dec 1st – Picture Retakes – 8:45 – 10:45, Room 172

Dec 8th – Cultural/Religious Observance – Bodhi Day

Dec 16th – PTA Spirit Day – Panera, 4:00 – 8:00 pm

Dec 20th – 31st – Winter Break

FCPS 2021-22 School Year Calendar

 

Thanksgiving Messages From Mrs. Aspuria

Dear Ravensworth Families and Community,

I wanted to take a moment to wish all of you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving. Personally, I continue to be very grateful to be a part of such a supportive and caring school community. I feel confident saying that your children truly bring joy to the staff and me every day! As I walk through the halls and interact with children and hear their enthusiastic voices, I am energized and filled with renewed purpose and goals. This year my family and I will be together at my house and although this gathering will be small, we are excited to be able to come together at this time to celebrate and reconnect with one another.  Quality time focusing on family is important during the holidays and I have asked all Ravensworth staff members to keep this in mind over the break as well.  Please know that our staff will not be answering emails during the Thanksgiving break so that they can use this time to relax and recharge.  We will be ready and eager to assist you once we return.  Whatever your plans are, home or away, please have a peaceful yet festive respite and make the time to focus on your family!

Sincerely,

Erika Aspuria

Principal

 

Reminder: Window for AAP Level IV (full-time) Referrals to Close December 15, 2021

Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for full-time advanced academic programs (level IV AAP services) may submit the AAP Level IV Referral Form to Andrea Trumbull, AART, astrumbull@fcps.edu, no later than December 15th

 

The window to submit an AAP Level IV Referral Form is the first day of school through December 15th, annually.  Forms for full-time and part-time referrals are available on the AAP Forms Page. No late referrals for Level IV services can be accepted. 

 

Submitting a referral form for AAP Level IV will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of professionals from various schools review materials to determine eligibility for level IV placement.  Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of the portfolio that was submitted after they are submitted to the central selection committee by emailing Andrea Trumbull, AART, astrumbull@fcps.edu. Referrals for AAP Levels II-III (part-time services) are screened at the local school. 

 

For more information, there are parent presentations available on the FCPS AAP website (under “Presentations”) that contain information similar to our fall parent information meeting.

 

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Outstanding Employee Award Nominations- Due Today!

Every year Fairfax County Public Schools recognizes outstanding employees at all levels.  If you are interested in nominating a Ravensworth staff member in any of the following categories, please use this Nomination Link by Tuesday, November 23, 2021.

  • Outstanding Teacher (includes Librarian)
  • Outstanding New Teacher (a teacher within his or her first three years of teaching)
  • Outstanding Principal
  • Outstanding Leader (Assistant Principal)
  • Outstanding Professional Employee (School Counselor, School-Based Technology Specialist, Social Worker, School Psychologist, Technology Support Specialist)
  • Outstanding Operational Employee (Office Staff, Instructional Assistant, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, Parent Liaison)

Please contact Rebecca Gibson at RLGibson@fcps.edu with any questions.

 

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PTA Book Fair – Save the Dates!

The PTA is hosting the Scholastic Book Fair at Ravensworth in the Library.  Online Fair dates are Nov 23rd – Dec 3rd.  In-Person Fair dates are Nov 29th – Dec 3rd.  The online book fair can be reached at https://www.scholastic.com/bf/ravensworth.  You can setup your ewallet now.  This is a safe, cashless way to shop the fair.  The ewallet is easy to setup using this link eWallet.  Funds are immediately available for use at both the in-school and online Book Fair.  Plus, family and friends can contribute too!  Create an ewallet account between Nov 2nd and Dec 3rd

There are limited after school hours:

Nov 29th                       3:30 – 5:30 pm            Pre-K and Kindergartener Families

Nov 30th                       3:30 – 5:30 pm            1st and 2nd Grade Families

Dec 1st                        3:30 – 5:30 pm            3rd and 4th Grade Families

Dec 2nd                        3:30 – 5:30 pm            5th and 6th Grade and ALL Faculty/Staff Families

 

COVID-19 Screening Testing for Students

Voluntary COVID-19 screening of students.  We will have on site screening on Wednesdays from 9:00-11:00 am only for students for whom we have received parent consent.  There is no need to let us know that you do not provide consent.  

 

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Picture Retakes Scheduled for Wed, Dec 1st

Lifetouch picture retakes will be taken Wednesday, December 1st in the Library between 8:45 and 10:45 am.  If you would like your child’s pictures retaken or taken for the 1st time if your child was not in attendance on the original picture day, please reach out to your child’s teacher for a form to complete.  You can also go online to mylifetouch.com with the picture day ID# EVTWJ7MXI and order.  You must send the original pictures (if taken) back to school to be returned to the photographer. 

 

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Preparing for the Unexpected: Challenges of the Military Family

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:

  • Mental Health of Military-Connected Kids and Teens
  • Storms in Any Season- What parents need to know about
  • Deployments, Injuries, Separations, and Loss
  • Known and little-known resources for military families to get you through storms and everyday life
  • How to Prepare for an Off-Cycle Move

Join Stacy Allsbrook-Huisman for our second of a 4-part series supporting military-connected families.

Friday, December 3, 2021, 10:00-11:30 am

Register for Preparing for the Unexpected: Challenges of the Military Family

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SCA Food Drive

The SCA is facilitating a food drive throughout the month of November to practice the value of giving to others.  Please consider donating canned food or dry food this month.  You can place your donations in our collection box located in the front lobby.  Thank you for donating!

 

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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. We’ll share their names in Employee News, and they will also have access to a new FCPS CARES banner for their profile photo in Outlook. Watch this video to learn more about FCPS CARES. We also encourage you to acknowledge a staff member who has gone above and beyond!  We love our Ravensworth staff members, let's tell them how we feel!

 

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Positivity Project

This week’s trait is Gratitude.  You are aware of and thankful for good things that happen. You are thankful, pleased and satisfied.  Be grateful even for challenging situations because they help us learn and grow

Parents can learn more about P2 https://posproject.org/p2-for-families/. Enjoy discussing this week's Character Strength with your children at home!

 

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PTA News 

PTA School Supplies Program Provides Staff with Additional Wipes and Hand Sanitizer

The student School Supply program had extra credits and provided classroom staff with additional hand wipes and hand sanitizer.  They are both in your mailboxes.  Thanks PTA!!!

 

PTA Yearbook

Want to capture those memories? Childhood doesn't last forever!  Celebrate this year at Ravensworth Elementary School by ordering your 2021-2022 Ravensworth Yearbook. On sale for only $18 until January 31st, 2022. (After that they go up to $20).  You can order by clicking on the following link: https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/Order/LookupJob?jobNumber=4882622

 

PTA Spirit Day

Tuesday, November 23rd:  McDonalds (Kings Park Shopping Center)

If you’re not familiar with spirit days, they are a simple, fun, and delicious way to make money for the PTA. We partner with local restaurants and businesses to receive a portion of their sales on a given night or day. It costs you nothing more than the regular price of your meal, and the Ravensworth PTA can make hundreds of dollars for our programs!

 

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Get Your Spirit Wear Today!

Check out the PTA MemberHub website at https://ravensworth.new.memberhub.store to purchase Spirit Wear items and/or join the PTA; youth and adult sizes are available for the items. Contact Dori Sophia at spiritwear@ravensworthpta.org if you have any questions. Show your Raven pride! 

 

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Join the PTA or Renew Your Membership

Now is the time to join the PTA or renew your membership!  Your annual membership fees directly support the programs at the school. You can join the PTA here https://ravensworth.memberhub.store/store?category=Memberships ($10 individual and $20 family).

 

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Follow Ravensworth on Social Media

Are you connected to Ravensworth Elementary School and the Ravensworth PTA on Social Media? The PTA’s Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/ravensworthelementarypta and the school’s accounts are https://www.facebook.com/RavensworthElementary and https://twitter.com/RavensworthES