RAVENS' NEST 03/16/2022

Upcoming Events

 

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March 18th – Read 4 Ravensworth PJ Day 

March 23rd - Parent Seminar: What is ESSER Funding?  Learn about Ravensworth’s School Improvement and Innovation Plan. From 7:00-8:00 PM in cafeteria

March 25th - Spring Spirit Wear Day 

March 26th - FCPS Special Education Conference (see bellow)

March 29th - Kindergarten Orientation virtual option 7:00 to 8:00pm (Zoom)

March 30th - Kindergarten Orientation in person option 6:45 to 8:00pm (Cafeteria)

March 31st - 2-Hour Early Release (Students Dismiss at 1:20 pm)

April 1st - Teacher work day (Student Holiday)

April 4th- 8th – Spring Break

FCPS 2021-22 School Year Calendar

 

A Message from Mrs. Aspuria

Dear Ravensworth Families,

News reports of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia have caused fear and anxiety for many families in our community for many different reasons. Some are worried about friends and family living overseas, or the potential of a loved one who serves our country being sent overseas. Others fear escalation that could impact the safety of nearby countries and the global economy.

News coverage can also be triggering for families who have experienced violence here at home or war in other parts of the world. Many of our own FCPS families have left countries in conflict, fleeing war and violence, often leaving loved ones behind in the process of seeking safety. This comes at a time when our country is still recovering from a pandemic that has disrupted our daily lives for two years.

Across FCPS, we stand in solidarity with all nations in conflict, seeking freedom from war, violence and oppression. We are here to be a safe space for our children to speak freely about their concerns and to provide support for families who are struggling.

As parents and caregivers, there are things you can do at home to support your children. The American Psychological Association suggests that you process your own emotions first so that you can talk calmly with your child. Anticipate their questions and start by asking what they have heard and how they feel about it.

Reassure your child that they are safe and to focus on the helpers. Just like a trusted adult at school, there are humanitarian workers, world leaders and others who are busy working on a solution to resolve this conflict. Children can be helpers too - give them the opportunity to do so in an age appropriate way. For young children, that may simply involve drawing pictures, writing notes about peace, or making friends with a student who is new to their school. 

Monitor media exposure and ask your older children what they have seen or heard on social media. This is an opportunity to talk about ways to distinguish between reliable news sources and misinformation.

Finally, give your child ways to manage stress such as breathing exercises or short walks. If your child needs additional help, please do not hesitate to reach out to our counselors: Todd Austin WTAustin@fcps.edu or Dana Smith dmsmith@fcps.edu who can check in with your child at school. 

Thank you for being a part of our school community and know that we are here to support your family in any way that you need.

Sincerely,

 

Erika Aspuria

Principal

 

Arrival and Dismissal

Several of our neighbors have reached out about our families blocking their driveways with their cars during arrival and dismissal.  Please be mindful of where you park when coming to the school.  The safest way to drop off and pick up your child from school is through our Kiss and Ride.  Thank you for your support.

 

Lost and Found

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At the end of each quarter items from Ravensworth Los and Found are donated to charity. Prior to donation, parents and guardians may check Lost and Found for items belonging to their children. This quarter’s Lost and Found items will be made available for parents and guardians (only) in front of the school during he week of March 28 from 7:45 am and 4:30 pm. Items not claimed by March 31st will be sent to donation.

 

FCPS Special Education Conference

 

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Register Now for the FCPS Virtual Special Education Conference on March 26

FCPS’s 17th Annual Special Education Conference will be held virtually on Saturday, March 26, with a combination of synchronous (live) and asynchronous (recorded) sessions supporting the conference's theme: Bringing our Inclusive Community Together: Affirming, Assessing, Advancing. Welcoming ceremonies, guest speakers, FCPS presentations, and an exhibit hall are included. Registration for this free conference is now open online.

  • Parents and community members will be able to register online.
  • FCPS educators, administrators, and preservice teachers will be able to register online and earn recertification points for attending the conference.
  • Individuals needing foreign language interpretation (Spanish, Amharic, Arabic, and Korean), American Sign Language (ASL), or Cued Language Transliterator (CLT) interpreters for the live sessions may request this on the registration form. 

For questions, please contact specialedconf@fcps.edu

Visit the Special Education Conference webpage for more information and to register

 

Special STEM Session for Grades 3-6 Students

 

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The Future Brighter has arranged a special STEM session with the Lawrence Livermore National Lab (LLNL) team on Friday, March 18th, from 4:15 - 5:15 pm ET. They will talk about fun science topics to spark interest in students possibly wanting to pursue a career in that field. Here is a link to learn more about them: https://www.llnl.gov/

The LLNL team is also giving away gift bags with a NIF (National Ignition Facility) comic book and a 101 Great Science Experiments book - making this a must-sign-up event! Here is a link to sign up for this event: https://tinyurl.com/LLNL2022

 

Lulu Delacre visiting Ravensworth Elementary

 

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Bilingual author, speaker, and New York Times bestselling illustrator of children’s books, Lulu Delacre will be visiting our K-3 students on Wednesday, March 23rd!  We’re so excited to have the opportunity to hear from a talented author/illustrator!  Lulu aims to empower Latinx children by instilling pride in their heritage while also working to create books that expand the horizons of those unfamiliar with Latino culture to help foster understanding.  Lulu was born in Puerto Rico and developed a love of creating art at an early age.  After attending school in Puerto Rico and then in France, she knew she wanted to illustrate children’s books and dreamed of creating books inspired by her heritage.  We’re very grateful to the PTA for making this special event possible!  If you’d like to learn more about Lulu Delacre’s books, you can find them here.

 

Kindergarten Registration for SY2022-23

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We are starting to prepare for the 2022-23 academic year. Children who will be five (5) years old on or before September 30, 2022, are eligible to attend kindergarten next fall. If you have a child who will attend kindergarten at Ravensworth next school year, and you have not already been in contact with our registrar, Teresa Dunbar, please complete this survey and return it to the school via email to: tdunbar1@fcps.edu

Please spread the word to your neighbors who don’t already have a child at Ravensworth. Feel free to pass this form along or have neighbors with rising kindergarteners call the office at 703-426-3600 to be added to our kindergarten mailing list. Registration information will be provided to all families who complete and return this survey. If preferred, you may request a mailed packet of registration forms by calling the office or emailing our registrar.

A child’s record of immunization, physical examination (within 12 months prior to entering kindergarten), proof of residency, and original birth certificate must be submitted when registering the child.  For more information regarding kindergarten registration, you may visit the Fairfax County Public Schools’ website at https://www.fcps.edu/registration/general-registration-requirements

The information on this survey will help the school plan for adequate facilities and personnel for the 2022-2023 school year. We thank you in advance for returning the form no later than March 31, 2022.

A virtual Kindergarten Orientation is scheduled for March 29th from 7:00 to 8:00pm on Zoom. On March 30th, an in person option will take place in the cafeteria from 6:45 to 8:00pm. Both presentations will be the same.

 

Supporting Early Learners: Growing the Caregiver’s Toolbox: A Webinar Series for PreK-2 Families

 

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  • 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

 

Positivity Project

 

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Those who exemplify love of learning are intrinsically motivated and engaged in a topic regardless of achieving an external standard. They enjoy learning simply for the sake of learning. They don’t need a prize or a high grade as a reward. Their reward is the process of doing the work and improving.

People who love learning experience positive feelings in the process of acquiring skills, building on existing knowledge, or learning something completely new. Over time, individuals with this strength may develop deep and wide knowledge. Their knowledge enables them to make significant contributions to others’ understanding.

 

PTA News 

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PTA Yearbook

 

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Want to capture those memories? Childhood doesn't last forever!  Celebrate this year at Ravensworth Elementary School by ordering your 2021-2022 Ravensworth Yearbook. (Price is $20).  You can order by clicking on the following link: https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/Order/LookupJob?jobNumber=4882622

 

Join the PTA or Renew Your Membership

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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.com/store ($10 individual and $20 family).

 

Show Your School Spirit on March 25th!

 

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Let’s kick off Spring by showing our school spirit – wear your Spirit Wear on Friday, March 25! Place your order by 3/22 to get your items in time for Spirit Wear Day: https://ravensworth.memberhub.com/store (youth and adult sizes available). Contact Dori Sophia at spiritwear@ravensworthpta.org if you have any questions. 

 

Follow Ravensworth on Social Media

 

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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