Franconia ES Wednesday Word - 3/16/22

fair

 

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

 

hayfield

music

 

Music In Our Schools Month

Spirit Week

3/21 - 3/25

Music In Our Schools Month engages music educators, students, and communities from around the country in promoting the efforts of high quality music education programs in our schools.

Franconia Elementary believes in the power of music and its positive effects in our children.  By giving our students an outlet for creativity, we give them an opportunity to relate and share memorable experiences with their peers.  Those memories will carry them on their journey to adulthood and beyond.

Music is beneficial in so many ways and we are lucky to be able to expose our community to all we have to offer musically!

We will be celebrating Music In Our Schools month the week of March 21- March 25.  Students and staff are encouraged to participate!

  • Monday: Monday Blues - wear Blue!
  • Tuesday: Broadway Tuesday - think Hamilton, The Lion King, Annie and more!
  • Wednesday: A Day at the Opera - wear your fanciest clothes!
  • Thursday: Country vs. Rock - dress like a country singer or rock star!
  • Friday: Music ties us together - wear a tie to celebrate how music brings together people of all cultures and backgrounds
notes

ghana

 

Franconia students wearing attire celebrating the nation of Ghana during Read Across America's Spirit Week.

 


YEARBOOK

 

YEARBOOK DEADLINE EXTENDED

Online ordering available until MARCH 31

$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!

PLEASE NOTE - EXTRA YEARBOOKS ARE NOT PURCHASED.

THIS IS THE ONE TIME TO PURCHASE ONE.

 


pep

Parents as Educational Partners (PEP)

Tuesday, 3/22, 7:00pm

 

Please join us for our virtual Parents as Educational Partners (PEP) meeting this coming Tuesday, March 22nd 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 next session will take place Tuesday, March 22nd.

 

WHERE:  We will meet virtually via this Zoom link.  Please first log into your student's FCPS gmail account for easier access. 

 

Your PEP teachers are specifically prepared to provide you with accurate information about Franconia Elementary.  Some of the topics that we may cover during our meetings 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 

Questions?  Please email FranconiaPEP@fcps.edu.

 


counselor

 

GUIDANCE LESSONS FOR MARCH

Kindergarten - Identifying feelings

1st & 2nd grades - Zones of Regulation: Strategies to deal with strong emotions.

2nd-3rd grades - Using "I" statements to solve conflicts

4th-5th grades - review of the character traits we have highlighted so far this school year.  Emphasis will be put on making choices that exemplify integrity, and continuing to work in support of  others, and appreciation of differences.  Regularly in my lessons this year I use a picture of an iceberg to show that what we see with people is only the top of the iceberg.  The biggest part of the iceberg is below the surface, and it is the same with people.  I feel important to remind my students that we don’t know what is in other’s “icebergs” below the surface, that it is always different and it is where our hardships and struggles can be found.  It is important to know that peers may be enduring a hardship we cannot see,  so always show empathy, kindness, understanding, and patience.

6th grade - Learning how to view other’s perspective and solve conflicts from a positive approach.

                      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CHARACTER TRAIT OF THE MONTH

January's character trait was empathy - to feel or understand what someone else is feeling.

Check out this video about empathy: https://youtu.be/we7ocDoues8

March's character trait is patience - to wait calmly without complaining.

                   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MINDFULNESS

Good News, Franconia Families!  We are excited to announce that we will be having a Mindful Movement Coach visiting our school to further augment the Mindfulness content we have been sharing all year long with your students.

Mindful movement helps to bring our attention to the present moment, tune into our bodies, check in on our emotions, and understand the subsequent effects of those emotions on the body, including the brain and nervous system. 

Teaching students to have an awareness of their mindset and feelings in the present moment facilitates a life-long practice of self-awareness and self-care.  Our aim is to further the understanding of mindful practices in personal development and understanding oneself more fully.

Plans are underway for where and how this instruction will take place during the school day.  Each student will participate in these fun coaching events for the remainder of the school year, and into next year as well.  We are excited as we know the impact this will have on student general well-being, as well as academic enjoyment and knowledge attainment.

We can’t wait to share more details with you all when we have finalized our plan and schedule.

From our Franconia School Counselors:

Veronica Guillion - vguillion@fcps.edu

Leslie Fry - lrcalhounfry@fcps.edu

 


navy

 

U.S. Navy Band

"The Cruisers"

Performing at Franconia

Tuesday, 3/23/22

We are excited to once again welcome this talented and entertaining group of musicians back to our school!

STUDENT ONLY assemblies will be held on 3/23 for the students to enjoy the band's music.

To read more about The Cruisers, please go to:

https://www.navyband.navy.mil/ensembles/cruisers

 


tiger

 

Twain MS Tiger Night

Friday, 3/25, 5:30-7:30pm

Join us as we step into Spring!

Food trucks, games, and prizes!

 


lost

 

LOST AND FOUND

Do you think your child may be missing a jacket?  A lunchbox?  All lost and found items are on a table by the office.  Please consider coming up to check anytime between 9:00am-3:00pm.

DEADLINE - March 31

All items will be donated after March 31.

 


read

 

Franconia students participating in spirit week during Read Across America.

 


music

 

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.

 


test

 

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.

 


book

 

SPRING BOOK FAIR

Monday, 4/18 - Thursday, 4/21

Mark Your Calendar Now!

Evening hours will be on Monday and Thursday

 


change

 

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.

 


cares

 

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
    1. 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:
    2. Click the CC button - make sure it is underlined in red.
    3. Click the settings button - it looks like a gear.
    4. Click subtitles.
    5. Click auto-translate.
    6. 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

 

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