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Dear Freedom Hill Community,
We hope that all of our families have enjoyed Winter Break. It always seems to move rather quickly! School has been cancelled tomorrow (Monday) due to inclement weather. As we transition back to the building on Tuesday, we know there is some apprehension about the current surge of COVID-19 cases in our nation. We are providing some special Q&A updates at the bottom of the newsletter today to help families navigate any situations that arise.
As we return from winter break, please make sure you health screen your child before sending them to school on Tuesday, January 4. If your child does not feel well or presents with any COVID-like symptoms, please keep them at home and seek medical advice. Here is the Daily Health Questionnaire that should be used each morning. Children also should not come to school while awaiting test results or if a member of the household has tested positive. We appreciate your support in keeping the Freedom Hill community healthy!
A variety of testing options are available in the community You can view information and schedules for our regular drive-through diagnostic testing, which starts January 3, on our website. If needed, other local providers are available for testing and vaccinations.
With the increased COVID transmission in our community, we will be limiting visitors inside the building for the time being. Please be sure visitors have a scheduled appointment prior to arriving to the building. We want to do everything possible to keep our students and staff healthy at school.
Wishing you and your family a very safe and happy 2022! See everyone on Tuesday.
Nicholas Zapadka, Principal
Eric Kopacz, Assistant Principal
2021-22 FCPS School Calendar
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January 3 - Weather cancellation - school closed
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January 4 - Students return to school
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January 6/7 - FCPS Religious/Cultural Observance Dates (no new content taught)
No outdoor lunch this week
As a community, we are truly lucky to have the best teaching staff in Fairfax County working with our students each day! Each one of our staff members is deserving of recognition for their part in educating our students during these uncertain times.
This year, we additionally recognize educators who were nominated by peers, students, and parents to receive our Outstanding Staff Awards for 2021-22. Congratulations to the following staff members!
Outstanding New Teacher: Emily Boomer (Enhanced Autism)
Outstanding Professional Employee: Taylor Coleman (School Counselor)
Outstanding Operational Employee: Seham Wooten (Kindergarten Assistant) and Katie Lacroix (Special Education IA)
Outstanding Teacher: (We had a 4-way tie!)
- Marissa Stewart (3rd Grade)
- Mary Gutenson (Head Start / FECEP)
- Alyssa Shultz (Special Education Teacher / Dept. Lead)
- Teri Ruttenberg (Kindergarten Teacher)
If you child is experiencing any of these symptoms, please keep your child at home! In addition, if any member of your household has been diagnosed with COVID-19, your student may not report to school. Please contact our school clinic or the health department for next steps. |
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 When and where can I get my child tested for COVID?
For drive-through diagnostic testing information and schedules starting January 3rd, visit the county's website. For information about other testing opportunities in Fairfax County, please visit the Fairfax County Health Department’s website.
What if my child is not feeling well when school starts on Monday?
As you have done all school year, please keep your child home if they are not feeling well. This includes having a fever, cough, runny nose, and/or vomiting. We want our students in school, and we must encourage students and families from contributing to the spread of this illness.
What happens if I send my child to school with a runny nose, cough, or other COVID-like symptoms?
Your child will be sent to our Care Room, and we will call you to come pick up your child. In order to return to school, your child will need documentation of either a negative COVID test or clearance from your healthcare provider.
What if my child recently tested positive for COVID? When can they return to school?
At this time, the return to school policy is still the same even if they are vaccinated: A student must stay out of school for 10 days beginning from the start of their symptoms. Therefore, if they start showing COVID symptoms on January 1st and then test positive, they can return on January 11th. They will need a note from either the Fairfax County Health Department or their healthcare provider that clears their return to school. If FCPS changes this policy, we will communicate it promptly.
My child does NOT have COVID. But they were close to someone who tested positive. What should I do? When can they come to school?
First, call us to share that your child is a close contact.
Here are the options:
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) will allow your child to resume in-person learning and activities when your child meets one of the following quarantine periods explained below.
How to Return to In-Person Learning and Activities
If your child is fully vaccinated, please complete the COVID Contact Vaccination Verification survey. Fully vaccinated students do not need to remain home as long as they do not have symptoms. The Health Department must verify the vaccination after you submit the above survey.
For students who are not fully vaccinated:
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DAY 8 RETURN: Following seven days of quarantine, your child remains symptom-free AND you provide both: a negative COVID-19 test (Rapid Antigen (not a home test) or PCR) taken on day five of quarantine or later, as well as a copy of the FCPS pause letter indicating the return to school date; or
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DAY 11 RETURN: Following 10 days of quarantine, your child remains symptom-free AND you provide a copy of this FCPS pause letter indicating the return to school date; or
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DAY 15 RETURN: Following 14 days of quarantine and you provide a copy of the clearance letter (SARA-Alert) from the health department.
I still have questions. Where can I get answers?
The first place to go for answers is the FCPS website.
This is a lot of information to digest, and our staff at FH is here to help you. Do not hesitate to reach out.
As we move through January, it is likely that some teachers may be out because of their own illness or a family member’s. We will work to make sure instructional momentum continues. As always, we are grateful for your continued support, communication, and flexibility. Our hope is that 2022 will bring us all health, happiness and a hopeful return to normalcy! Happy new year!
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Welcome back families! We hope you had a restful holiday break. Tune in below to get back into the swing of things of what's coming around the corner!
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SPELLING BEE IS BACK After a year hiatus, we are so excited the Scripps Spelling Bee is coming back to Freedom Hill! Big Thanks to Thyaga Nandagopal for organizing it. You should have received a flier before break with all the words your child can review - if you need it, here are the words! Classrooms will do their own spelling bees. Then the top 2 spellers will proceed to a school-wide bee scheduled for Friday, Feb. 11th. The winner advances to the Fairfax County Spelling Bee. Contact Thyaga with questions.
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SPRING ENRICHMENT IS COMING Spring Enrichment activities are around the corner. They will take place from Feb. 14th to April 29th. There are lots of options to choose from like PE Club (it's back!), Fencing, Basketball, Spanish, Kids on Canvas, Soccer, Chess, Discover Magic, Little Coders Animation and business oriented ones like My First Lemonade Stand and Bulls & Bears. Registration opens on January 12th at 9am! Visit enrichmentmatters.com/freedomhill for more info.
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JANUARY 20th PTA MEETING at 7:30PM Join us for our PTA meeting on January 20th to hear the latest with what's going on with school, get an update from Dr. Z and see what's going on in the community. Join us here or call 301-715-8592 and use ID: 982 8767 8486.
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TEACHER APPRECIATION LUNCHEON Thanks to those who help contribute to our Teacher Appreciation Luncheon the last day before holiday break. Sechin Lee and Sarah Lyon got some incredibly yummy food from Olive Garden for our teacher team and staff and a pie to take home. See here!
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