|
Good Afternoon Waples Mill Families,
Here are this week's updates:
Calendar Reminders: Early Release on 3/31, Student Holiday on 4/1, and Spring Break
Tomorrow, Thursday, March 31st is the last day of the third quarter. It is also an early release day and students will be dismissed at 2:00 p.m.
Friday, April 1 is a Student Holiday/Teacher Workday. There is no school for students on this day.
April 4-8 is spring break, and these days are holidays (no school) for students and staff.
Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) Screening for School-Based (Level II-III) Services
Screening for school-based services is done schoolwide in the spring to determine services for the next school year. It important to note that at Waples Mill all students are screened for school-based services every year. Parents or guardians may submit the AAP School-Based Services (Level II-III) Referral Form (https://www.fcps.edu/registration/advanced-academics-identification-and-placement/elementary-school/current-fcps) to Carrie Bannon, AART, if they would like. However, parents do not need to submit a referral for their child to be screened. Multiple criteria are reviewed holistically to determine eligibility for all FCPS advanced academic services. Parents or guardians will be notified if their child is found eligible by the end of the school year.
For more information, please visit the AAP website at: https://www.fcps.edu/academics/academic-overview/advanced-academic-programs or contact Carrie Bannon, AART cmbannon@fcps.edu.
Spring Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener Information
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) commits to supporting all students’ mental wellness and social and emotional learning (SEL). The spring SEL screener window occurs from April 12-May 6. You can find more information about the screener and the importance of social-emotional learning here.
An eNotify message containing more information about the SEL Screener was emailed to parents/guardians on September 10th of this school year. If you have not yet completed an opt-out form for your child and you would like to opt your child out of the SEL Screener, please return the opt-out form no later than April 11. The form only needs to be returned if you DO NOT want your child to participate in the SEL screener. If you already completed an opt-out form for the SEL screener earlier this school year, the opt-out is valid for the complete school year and you do not need to submit another opt-out form at this time.
More information, including a short video about the SEL screener in FCPS and the screener questions, can be found on the SEL Screener webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/43892). Please contact the school's test coordinator (Joan Olinger - jcolinger@fcps.edu) with questions.
WMES PTA Fun Run Color-A-Thon Event on May 14th!
The Waples Mill PTA Spring Fun Run is BACK! Due to FCPS policy, the color spray part of the color Fun Run will not occur. Instead, each grade level will wear a different color:
Preschool/Kindergarten – Purple
1st – Orange
2nd – Yellow
3rd – Green
4th – Blue
5th – Red
6th – Black
The PTA is working extra hard to make this event a fun and memorable day for our students. In addition to the fun run, they will also have food trucks, Kona Ice, a DJ, and much more!!
Save the date: Saturday, May 14th at 8:30 am. Rain date: May 21st. Let’s Go Waples Mill!!
Reach out to waplesfunrun2022@gmail.com with any questions!
FCPS Parent Resource Center
The FCPS Parent Resource Center has a wealth of resources.
FCPS Parent Resource Center staff are available by phone 703-204-3941 or email prc@fcps.edu to help!
Supporting Early Learners: Growing the Caregiver’s Toolbox: A Webinar for PreK-2 Families
- 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
FCPS Family Engagement Survey Open
The Family Engagement Survey was sent to parent email addresses the afternoon of Sunday, March 13. Please participate—your feedback is critical in helping to inform and improve FCPS’ practices to best support our students.
Taking this survey will also help strengthen the partnership between your family and your school. When that partnership is strong, students can experience a range of benefits including improved school readiness, higher student achievement, and better social skills and behavior.
FCPS is partnering with independent firm K12 Insight to administer the survey, and it will be available in eight languages. For more information, please watch this short video from Superintendent Brabrand and visit the Family Engagement Survey webpage. Your voice matters!
Upcoming Webinar - Covid Learning Gaps and Screen Time Overload: Strategies to Get Kids Back on Track
Presenter: Ann Dolin, M.Ed
Our kids are now well into their third school year filled with Covid disruptions. They’re building resiliency to deal with the constant changes, but many students are also struggling with issues like Covid learning gaps and a greater dependency on electronics. As parents, you want to help! But how? It’s all uncharted territory for families. As the virus continues to evolve, so do the impacts of the pandemic on students. With no clear roadmap to follow, Educational Connections Founder and President Ann Dolin, M.Ed. is here to help! At this virtual parent event, you will learn:
✔️ The lasting impacts of the prolonged period of virtual learning on elementary schoolers
✔️ How to help close some of the most common learning gaps K-5 students are struggling with
✔️ Sneaky strategies to incorporate learning at home and build your child's executive function skills, even if there's little to no homework (and over the summer)
✔️ Ways to get your child interested in offline activities
✔️ When to leave things up to your child, step in to support, or recruit outside help
Please register in advance so we may send you the webinar link. If you can't make it, no worries! Please still register and we will send you the replay video to watch at your convenience.
Date: March 30th at 7:00 p.m.
Registration Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VAauatIrSFCRpULxEUICwg
Kindergarten Registration for 22-23 School Year
Kindergarten Registration for the 2022-2023 school year is open! FCPS is conducting its annual Survey of Preschool Children. If you have a child eligible for Kindergarten this August (rising Kindergarten students need to be 5 years old before September 30, 2022), please complete the form that was sent home and return it to our office by March 31st. If you have no need for the form, please check with your neighbors who may have children eligible for kindergarten and give the form to them. Questions? Please contact our registrar, Carla Collins at 703-390-7700 or via email at chcollins@fcps.edu.
FCPS CARES Program
The FCPS CARES Program 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. We invite you to submit your story, so we can all acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees.
Daily Health Screening Questionnaire Reminder
Parents/Guardians are strongly encouraged to monitor their children for symptoms of infectious illness every day through home-based symptom screening and students who are sick should not come to school.
Please review the daily health screening questionnaire before sending your child to school.
Any student, staff or visitor demonstrating symptoms of illness should stay home to help “Stop the Spread” of COVID-19.
Important Calendar Reminders
March 31: End of 3rd Quarter, 2-Hour Early Release (Dismissal at 2:00 p.m.)
April 1: Student Holiday/Teacher Workday (No School for Students)
April 4-8: Holiday (Spring Break)
(Standard School Year Calendar)
|
