SCHOOL UPDATES
Thursday, 3/3 - 2-hour early dismissal
Friday, 3/4 - NO SCHOOL
FRANCONIA CELEBRATES
READ ACROSS AMERICA
3/7 - 3/11
Read Across America week is a time to bring extra attention to and opportunities for diverse literature, diverse readers, and diverse writers.
Franconia will be celebrating the week of 3/7 - 3/11 and each day will have an opportunity for students to participate in different ways.
Here are the focuses for each day:
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Monday, March 7: Cuddle Up with Fiction -> Pajama Day
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Tuesday, March 8: Comics Vs. Graphic Novels -> Dress up like your favorite superhero
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Wednesday, March 9: Hats Off to Poetry -> Wear a FUN hat
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Thursday, March 10: Nonfiction Teaches -> Dress up as your favorite person or thing to learn about
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Friday, March 11: Celebrate Cultures and Diversity -> Wear or bring something from a special place or culture
Parents as Educational Partners Program
Tuesday, 3/8, 7:00pm
Please consider joining us virtually for our Parents as Educational Partners (PEP) program on Tuesday, March 8th at 7 p.m. We are excited to pioneer this program here at Franconia!
WHAT: PEP is a parent-teacher organization for parents of students from Kindergarten to Sixth Grade of any language or cultural background.
WHY: The mission of PEP is to increase the academic achievement of students by developing and maintaining strong school-home partnerships tied to improved student achievement.
HOW: During our meetings, we will create a safe, informed space through which we can empower families to seek information to best support their children's educational journeys.
WHEN: We plan to meet every other Tuesday at 7 p.m. Our introductory session will take place tonight, February 22nd.
WHERE: We will meet virtually via this Zoom link. **Please first log into your student’s gmail account for easier access to the Zoom meeting.
Your PEP teachers are specifically prepared to provide you with accurate information about Franconia Elementary. Some of the topics that we may cover during class include:
- School Personnel and the School Day
- School Procedures
- Parent-Teacher Conferences
- Report Cards and Curriculum
- Special Education and Advanced Academics
- Study skills/Homework
- School Health Procedures
- Other school-specific topics that are of interest and benefit to the group
If you have any questions, please email Ms. Branson at cebranson@fcps.edu.
YEARBOOKS ON SALE NOW
Sale ends March 11
$15.00
To reserve your yearbook now, go to http://YEARBOOKORDERCENTER.COM and use the school code for Franconia Elementary School - 21927.
Any additional funds received from yearbook sales will go towards our summer reading book grab!
Fairfax County Health Department
Immunization Clinic
The Fairfax County Health Department will be offering a special Immunization Clinic for Fairfax County Students to complete their school vaccine requirements. Call for an appointment.
Saturday, March 12, 2022, 8am to 12pm
Annandale District Office
7611 Little River Turnpike, #400-E
Annandle, Virginia 22003
To make an appointment please call our Fairfax County Health Department Clinic Service’s Appointment Line:
703-246-7100
GUIDANCE LESSONS FOR MARCH
Kindergarten - Identifying feelings
1st & 2nd grade - Zones of Regulation: Strategies to deal with strong emotions.
2nd-3rd grade - Using "I" statements to solve conflicts
6th grade - Learning how to view other’s perspective and solve conflicts from a positive approach.
From our Franconia School Counselors:
Veronica Guillion - vguillion@fcps.edu
Leslie Fry - lrcalhounfry@fcps.edu
UPDATE FROM
FRANCONIA MUSIC DEPARTMENT
Spring Concert
Tuesday, April 26, 7:00pm
Gymnasium
We are thrilled to announce that a bit of normalcy returns to Franconia this spring! We will hold our annual spring concert featuring our band, strings and chorus members on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at 7:00pm in the Franconia gym. Mark your calendars!
Here are a few details of what to expect:
There will be a schoolwide assembly during the school day on April 26, time TBD.
ALL musicians need to wear a plain white top and black pants / skirt with black shoes to BOTH the day and night performances.
Skirts should be below the knee.
Musicians are expected to report to their music classroom locations at 6:30pm fully dressed for warm up and attendance.
Gym doors will open at 6:45pm for friends and family.
We will offer a Zoom option for those who cannot attend. The link will be sent before the performance.
If you have any questions, please email Ms. Lucius at jdlucius@fcps.edu.
EDISON THEATRE COMPANY
Presents
High School Musical!
Join us for all the fun at this family-friendly musical production - all ages welcome! Get’cha Head in the Game!
Date: March 3, 4 and 5 at 7 pm, and Saturday March 5 at 2 pm
Tickets: Tickets are just $5 and can be purchased at the door or in advance at www.edisontheatrecompany.org
Address:5801 Franconia Road, Alexandria, VA 22310
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EdisonTheatre Company presenta: ¡High School Musical!
Únase anosotros para toda la diversión en esta producción musical familiar: ¡todas lasedades son bienvenidas! ¡Pon tu mente en el juego!
Fecha: 3, 4y 5 de marzo a las 7 de la noche, y sábado 5 de marzo a las 2 de la tarde
Entradas:Las entradas cuestan solo $5 y se pueden comprar en la puerta o por adelantadoen www.edisontheatrecompany.org
Dirección: 5801Franconia Road, Alexandria, VA 22310
HAYFIELD SECONDARY
CRAFT FAIR & SILENT AUCTION
SATURDAY MARCH 19, 9am-3pm
7630 Telegraph Rd. Alexandria, VA
FREE ADMISSION!!!
Indoor Craft Fair
- 80+ AWESOME vendors offering all handmade items for your home, kitchen, office, pets and family/friends! for you
- Food and beverages available
- FREE kids craft corner hosted by KidCreate Studio!!!!!
HUGE Silent Auction
- Extensive selection of autographed/authenticated sports, movie and music memorabilia
- Gift certificates and handmade craft items from our vendors
- Capitals and Nationals tickets
INTERESTED IN BASEBALL?
Pioneer Baseball is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that offers recreational baseball for boys and girls from ages 5 (Tee Ball) through 15 (Babe Ruth) and travel team opportunities for certain ages.
At its core, though, Pioneer is a community recreational league - we rely on volunteers to coach and we play games and practice at Clermont Park, Lee Rec Center, and Virginia Hills. Board members volunteer their time.
Pioneer takes steps to keep costs low. There is a multi-player family discount, a refer-a-friend discount, and financial aid is available on a case-by-case basis.
In addition, Pioneer participates in the Washington Nationals' Team Up program through which the Nationals provide free uniforms, free admission to a game, other discount ticket opportunities, and more. Pioneer does its best to make a great experience for the children.
Register at http://www.pbsl.org/
HORIZON 2 ASSESSMENTS
Grades 3-6
February 7 - March 31
Horizon division assessments will be administered to grades 3-6 students February 7-March 31. The division assessments include Reading, Math (3-7 regular/advanced) and Science (grade 5 only). These assessments provide a formative measure of current learning to inform reteaching, remediation, or support prior to spring SOL exams.
For more information, please contact your child’s teacher - staff directory.
VOLUNTEER HELP
The Franconia School Librarian, Mrs. Vandersande, is looking for more parent volunteers to help in the library.
If you are interested, please sign up at the SignUp Genius link below:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040e4caead2faaf49-library
For any questions, please contact Mrs. Vandersande at dmvandersand@fcps.edu.
Please remember to notify the school office of any of the following changes that come up for your child.
Notification should be made by 9:00am on the day of the change.
- Absence
- Late arrival
- Planned early pick-up or mid-day appointment (pick-up and return)
- If your child needs to be picked up unexpectedly, please call the office (703-822-2200) in advance of your arrival
- This allows the office to contact your child’s teacher to prepare your child for their departure
- For early pick-ups after 3:00pm, please park on Kathmoor as the school buses start to arrive for dismissal at that time
Below are the 3 options by which to notify the school office (choose one option):
Please do this IN ADDITION to contacting your child's teacher. There could be times when the teacher is absent and, by also contacting the office, the information will be properly noted.
To email your child’s teacher, click HERE.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
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
Dunn Loring Center for Parent Services
2334 Gallows Road, Entrance 1, Room 105
Dunn Loring, VA
The FCPS Parent Resource Center (PRC) offers a welcoming and engaging environment for families, educators, and community members.
PARENT RESOURCE CENTER CONTACT INFO:
Email: prc@fcps.edu
Phone: 703-204-3941
Web: https://www.fcps.edu/resources/family-engagement/parent-resource-center
Twitter: @prc_fcps
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fcpsprc
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FCPSParentResourceCenter
FREE CONSULTATIONS:
- The PRC offers free, confidential in-person, videoconference, and phone consultations for families and FCPS staff.
- Appointments are highly encouraged.
- They can brainstorm strategies and possible solutions to help you address your concerns by drawing upon resources and support from FCPS, as well as community, state, and national centers.
TUTOR LIST:
- The PRC maintains a list of current FCPS employees who hold a valid and current teaching license in VA and want to tutor after their contracted school day.
- Contact the PRC at 703-204-3941 or prc@fcps.edu for more information.
FREE LENDING LIBRARY:
- Come explore the library for families and staff, 8:00am-4:00pm
- The library contains over 10,000 books, eBooks, DVDs, and CDs on topics related to parenting and educating all children, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities.
- Check out up to 6 items and keep them for 3 weeks. Renewals are easy - just call or email us.
- Find library resources to support your child with help from the Parent Resource Center staff.
- Call us and we can have library materials ready for you to pick up.
- Return library materials to us 24/7 in our book return or use the FCPS inter-office mail. Contact us for details.
FREE WEBINARS:
- Register here - https://bit.ly/3hSRIZW
- Watch recorded webinars - https://bit.ly3rpPl3Q
- To turn videos into preferred languages, open a video - choose any video on YouTube and follow these directions to have closed-captioning in your preferred language:
- Click the CC button - make sure it is underlined in red.
- Click the settings button - it looks like a gear.
- Click subtitles.
- Click auto-translate.
- Choose a language.
Webinar: Parenting Skills for Arabic Families 4-part Series *Presented in Arabic
Thursdays in March 2022 6:30-8 p.m.
The webinar series addresses the challenges faced by Arab parents when raising their children in the United States of America and the cultural differences between generations.
Topics include:
- Cultural, psychological, emotional, and personal differences
- Parenting strategies based on empathy and understanding
Join Sarah Amri, psychologist and Program Supervisor at Northern Virginia Family Service and Hunada Zeinedin, counselor at Northern Virginia Family Service
- 3/03/2022 Bridging Cultural and Generational Differences
- 3/10/2022 Effective Ways to Communicate
- 3/17/2022 Discipline Strategies
- 3/24/2022 Effective Parenting Styles
Register for Webinar: Parenting Skills for Arabic Families 4-part Series *Presented in Arabic
SIBSHOPS: An Exciting, In-Person and Virtual Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs!
The Sibshop workshops are for children in grades 2-6 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools who have siblings with special needs to:
- Meet other siblings in a relaxed, virtual setting.
- Celebrate the many contributions made by brothers and sisters of children with special needs.
- Share sibling experiences and receive peer support.
- Play games and have fun!
Presented by FCPS School Social Work Services Registration is free, however, donations are accepted to support the cost of future Sibshops: Donate Here
Friday, March 4, 2022. *School Planning Day – students are not attending school
Register for SIBSHOPS: An Exciting, In-person, and Virtual Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs!
Supporting Early Learners: Growing the Caregiver’s Toolbox: A Webinar for PreK-2 Families
- 3/11/22: Supporting Self-Regulation Development in Early Learners
- 4/22/22: Supporting Healthy Habits & Routines in Early Learners
- 5/20/22: Growing through Tough Moments in Early Learners
There are so many ways children learn and develop throughout early childhood. Relationships, habits, and even challenges can become rich opportunities to teach and foster lifelong learning and skills for our children. Learn more about how self-regulation, executive functioning, and routines can help your children learn and develop.
- Laura Thieman, LCSW, MPH, RPT- FCPS Social Worker Supervisor, Region 3
- Amy Sheldon, MEd, MSW, LCSW - FCPS Preschool Mental Health Clinician, Early Childhood Assessment Team
- Lori Kraden, FCPS Educational Specialist, Behavior Intervention Services
Fridays 10-11:30 a.m.
Register for Supporting Early Learners: Growing the Caregiver’s Toolbox: A Webinar for PreK-2 Families
Gang Prevention for Families and Community Members
Join us for this webinar about preventing gang involvement in Fairfax County.
- Participants will learn about programs, strategies, and supports to prevent youth involvement.
- Discussions will also include supports available to those youth who may already be involved with or are currently being recruited by gangs.
Topics include:
- What is a gang and why do youth join gangs?
- Common gang activities
- Risk factors associated with gang involvement
- Protective factors that reduce gang involvement
- Supports available in Fairfax County and FCPS
Presented by:
- Stefan Mascoll: Coordinator Student Safety and Wellness, Fairfax County Public Schools
- Kate Reen: Director of Youth Initiatives, Northern Virginia Family Service
- Francisco Klockner Gonzalez - Gang Prevention Coordinator, Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
- Dianna Sosa, LCSW, FCPS School Social Worker
Friday March 18, 2022 10-11:30 a.m.
Register for Gang Prevention for Families and Community Members
Penguin Points
Click on a link for information
Franconia Elementary School website
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