HORNET HAPPENINGS
May 20, 2022
Dear Halley Families,
FCPS has seen an increase in COVID-19 cases recently as the county has transitioned to the medium community level. Schools continue to apply layered prevention strategies to maintain a healthy work and learning environment. However, each of us has a responsibility to do our part to help keep ourselves, our students, and our colleagues safe. As we enter the final weeks of the school year, we must stay vigilant so we can all enjoy the events and milestones ahead and be ready for a relaxing and healthy summer.
Easy ways to “Do Your Part” include: staying up to date on vaccinations and boosters, considering when and where to choose to mask up, practicing good hygiene, and monitoring symptoms daily.
It is increasingly important to stay home if you feel unwell and testing is a critical strategy to slow transmission. Visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for information about COVID testing and testing sites. At-home testing is also a good option. Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order a third round of free at-home COVID tests; visit COVID.gov for details.
Blessings, Mrs. Peerman, Mrs. Johnson-Tyler, and Mrs. Zamora
Mental Health Acceptance Month and Day of Action
May is Mental Health Acceptance Month. “The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a serious toll on the mental health of children in Virginia as young people continue to face physical isolation, ongoing uncertainty, fear, and grief,” says the Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (VA-AAP). “Even before the pandemic, mental health challenges facing children were of great concern, and COVID-19 has only exacerbated them.”
Between March and October 2020, the percentage of emergency department visits for children with mental health emergencies rose by 24% for children ages 5-11 and 31% for children ages 12-17. There was also a more than 50% increase in suspected suicide attempt emergency department visits among girls ages 12-17 in early 2021 as compared to the same period in 2019. Read more in this news release from the VA-AAP.
Mental wellness is key to student success and the pandemic has added to mental health challenges facing children of all ages. We are joining the Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and pediatricians across the Commonwealth in calling attention to this issue by participating in “Wear Green Day of Action” for mental health on Friday, May 20.
Join us in “Wear Green Day of Action” this Friday to call attention to this important issue. For resources to support the students in your life, visit our website
Library News
Calling for all library books! All library books are due Friday, May 27.
We have 531 books currently overdue from the library, so please check with your student and ask them to return any overdue books they may have out.
All hornets can log in here to check their accounts. Simply click “login” at the top right hand corner of the screen, then click “My Stuff,” then “Checkouts” to see what is on your account. See attached picture for guidance.
If you are unable to locate the book, please consider replacing it using the attached PDF options. Questions or need some help? Contact Ms. Hall cghall@fcps.edu
Come join us for our live performances!
Wednesday, June 1st
Band Concert
6:00-6:30pm
Chorus and Strings Concert
6:45-7:30pm
Halley Elementary Gym
Call times:
5:30pm- Band students to gym
6:15pm- Strings students to cafeteria
6:15pm- Chorus students to Mrs. Poblete’s room
Dress code: Students should wear a white top, black pants or skirt and black shoes.
Questions?
Chorus:
Mrs. Poblete cepoblete@fcps.edu or Mrs. Gordon smgordon@fcps.edu
Strings: Mr. Johnson ahjohnson@fcps.edu
Band: Ms. Hinkle dfhinkle@fcps.edu
Our South County Pyramid Art Show is finally here!
The show will be open for visits on May 25-June 4!
This show exhibits 20-25 masterpieces per school in our pyramid! Come support our talented students by visiting The Workhouse in Lorton! We will have the artwork of several Halley students featured!
Thank you Mrs. Willis!
Attention Parents of Current 6th Grade Students
Please join us in celebrating as we send our 6th graders off to middle school!
Each 6th grader has been issued 2 tickets for the ceremony, which will be distributed to each sixth grader on Monday, June 6th. To maintain social distancing during the event, families are limited to 2 guests per 6th grader. There will be no exceptions to this limit. Tickets will be required for guest admittance.
After the grade level promotion ceremony, each classroom will present awards.
We are excited and look forward to this event!
Field Day Volunteers Needed!
On Friday, June 3rd, Halley ES will celebrate FIELD DAY! To make this amazing event successful, we need parent volunteers.
Please consider signing up to support our Field Day on June 3rd, by using this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4BA8A62EA7FD0-halley1. You can sign up for one session or for the full day.
Grades K, 1, & 2 from 10:00 – 12:00
Grades 3, 4, 5, & 6 from 1:00-3:00
Remember, we need you for this fun day, so please consider signing up and hanging out with your favorite HORNETS! On this day, we will have a modified lunch schedule to accommodate our field day activities. Students can either receive a bag lunch from school or pack a lunch from home. Please indicate if your child will bring a lunch from home, so we know how many bagged lunches to plan for. Thanks for your support on this!
Sing, Dance, and Design with
FCPS Summer Programs
All students with an interest in continuing to explore the arts are eligible for two summer enrichment programs. Registration is now open for the Elementary Institute for the Arts (E-IFTA) and Institute for the Arts (IFTA) Summer enrichment programs.
Elementary Institute for the Arts (for rising 3rd through 6th graders) and Institute for the Arts (for rising 7th through 12th graders) will be held July 5-29 at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Classes are offered every day related to dance, music, theater, and visual art. Both programs have fees. Waivers are available for students eligible for free and reduced-price meals.
For more information or to register, visit the Summer Learning webpage.
Medication Pickup
The school health room is reminding parents and guardians that all medication stored in the health room must be picked up no later than the student dismissal time on the last day of school June 10, 2022.
Medication left in the health room after that time will be discarded. It is school policy that medications must be picked up by the parent or guardian. Medication cannot be sent home with your student. However, with parent or guardian permission, a high school student may transport over-the-counter medications to and from the school health room.
Medication authorization forms for next school year may be obtained from the school or online at https://www.fcps.edu/resources/student-safety-and-wellness/school-health-services
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Monday, 05/30: Memorial Day Holiday; Schools and offices closed
Wednesday, 06/01: Band Concert 6:00-6:30pm; Chorus & Strings Concert 6:45-7:30pm; Gym
Friday, 06/03: Field Day: Grades K,1,2 from 10:00am-12:00Noon; Grades 3,4,5,6 from 1:00-3:00pm
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Save the Date!
Last PTO Meeting of the Year:
Thursday, May 26th
6:30 – 7:30
This meeting will be held virtually (link will be shared). If you have any proposed items you would like to be added to the agenda, please share here!
Seeking Board members for Next Year: If you wish to sign up for a position but a name is listed, please email williamhalleypto@gmail.com There will be a vote if more than one person wishes to be in one position.
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