 Friday, September 2, and Monday, September 5, are part of the Labor Day holiday for all FCPS employees and students. Virginia legislation requires that schools opening prior to Labor Day must be closed the Friday immediately preceding Labor Day.
We hope everyone takes the long weekend to celebrate a strong start to the school year and enjoy time with family and friends.
One of the most important things your child can do to achieve academic success is also one of the most basic: going to school every day. In fact, research has shown that your child's attendance record may be the biggest factor influencing his or her academic success. By attending class regularly, your child is more likely to keep up with the daily lessons and assignments, which will leave them better prepared to demonstrate their understanding on tests and quizzes. And while your child may be able to make up the work, they are still missing roughly six hours of instruction for every day they are absent from school. This is valuable differentiated and often individualized instruction that is extremely difficult for a teacher to make up during regular school hours.
Regular school attendance can also help students with language acquisition while supporting the development of social skills. Just by being present at school, your child is learning and practicing the communication and collaboration skills necessary to succeed in our world today. Through daily interactions with their peers and the school community, they are learning to be good citizens by participating in school events and activities as they grow and develop a broader world view.
Your commitment to school attendance will send a message to your child that education is a priority for your family, going to school every day is a critical part of educational success, and that it's important to take your responsibilities for learning seriously.
What you can do?
- Plan Ahead
- Teach your child how to set and use an alarm clock and set up a morning routine for them to follow.
- Anticipate bad weather or any car problems that might delay you in the morning.
- Have your children’s clothes laid out, lunches prepared, and backpack ready to go the night before.
- Schedule routine check-ups and other medical appointments well in advance for student holidays and for late afternoon times that will limit the impact on instruction for your child.
- Plan holiday celebrations or family trips during weekends or school vacations. In the case of family emergencies or unexpected trips, talk to your child's teacher as far in advance as possible and set up a way that your child can work ahead or bring important homework on the trip.
- Stay Involved and Informed
- Be aware of your child’s attendance record and report absences promptly to the main office via phone (703-713-3030) or the online form.
- Stay involved with your child's daily experiences at school by asking how the school day went, and then listening carefully to what your child shares with you about both the successes and struggles. This will help you identify any anxieties your child may have about coming to school and will allow you to prepare them for attendance both physically and mentally. If you need support for dealing with anxieties about coming to school for your child, please schedule a conference with your child’s teacher or school counselor.
- Check homework completion each night to gage your child’s understanding of assignments and communicate regularly with your child’s teacher to learn how best to support specific learning needs at home. Homework is designed for students to practice what is learned in school and there will typically be an element of “productive struggle” as students practice new skills. Remind students that it is ok not to know everything, but that their effort is what is most important.
- Practice a Healthy Lifestyle
- Make sure that your child eats a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.
- Make sure that your child has opportunities to exercise every day through sports or playtime outside.
- Make sure your child gets at least 9 hours of sleep each night so they can wake up feeling refreshed in the morning.
- Establish a bedtime and a routine that will allow your child to relax before they go to sleep. Keep the more stimulating activities, like television, to the early evening hours and encourage your children to read before going to sleep each night.
By making your child's school attendance a priority, you will be taking an important step in supporting your child's school success, while setting a great example each day. We appreciate your attention to this matter and we are here to help w/ planning and solutions that will lead to a consistent attendance record and overall academic optimism here at school.
Families, We Need Your Consent for Select Digital Resources.
At Coates, our teachers will use a variety of digital resources to support student learning and promote communication and collaboration with students and families. Some of the digital resources your child may use this year will require your consent before they can be used. You can find our school’s list of the resources that require parental consent here: Adopted digital resources.
Additionally, you can find more information about approved digital resources in FCPS here: FCPS Digital resources.
Included on this page is also a link to a form where the enrolling parent or guardian will need to indicate whether or not their student is allowed to use the list of digital resources this year. This page also provides more information about how FCPS carefully reviews digital resources for approval and why we must request your consent before using certain tools. We encourage you to complete the parental consent for digital resources form as soon as possible, as your child will not be able to use the digital resources listed until we have received your permission. Please reach out to your child’s teacher if you have questions or concerns about the digital resources we’ve chosen to use this year.
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Please save the date for a very special event! Dr. Michelle Reid, FCPS superintendent, will host a Community Conversation at Westfield HS on 9/20/22, 6:30-7:30 p.m. This event will be a unique opportunity to help Dr. Reid get to know our school community and learn more about her vision for our district.
Language interpretation will be provided, as available, as well as child care and light refreshments. Please register to attend.
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COVID-19 diagnostic testing is available at no cost for all currently enrolled FCPS students on select dates throughout the year when transmission may be highest. Diagnostic testing is provided at designated times and locations for those who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19.
Testing will be available September 6-8 and 12-14. Visit the testing website for information on locations and how to register for an appointment.
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Coates is proud to have a wonderful Parent Teacher Association (PTA) that works with the principal to make Coates a great school. PTA volunteers can help in many different ways. Some help out with planning community events for the school, some give a few hours to help the office or library staff with tasks, and some help raise money to buy things the school needs. Any parent can help!
For years, the Coates PTA has helped the school by providing community events for our families, subsidizing the overall costs of field trips, raising money for technology for students, and boosting teacher morale. Typical PTA events include our annual Fall Festival, Family Movie Nights, International Night, Spelling Bee, Teacher Appreciation Week, and more!
Join! Become a member of PTA! Complete the form and send to coatespta@gmail.com or drop off at the school office. Pay the membership fee by check or cash (bring to school) or PayPal (see directions below).
Contact us at coatespta@gmail.com.
Paying PTA Membership with Paypal:
- Go to www.paypal.me/coatespta
- Enter the amount you want to pay and click next
- It will prompt a login window. Login to Paypal with your credentials
- Once you log in, you will see the amount you entered. Add a note to say PTA membership dues for <Student / Family name>
- Verify your Shipping address and mode of payment and click "Send Payment Now"
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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, specifically at Coates. |
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September:
2nd-5th- Labor Day Holiday (no school)
26th- Student Holiday (Rosh Hashanah)
30th- PTA Meeting- 6:00-6:30pm
30th- Advanced Academic Program Parent Orientation- 6:30-7:00pm
30th- Family Movie Night- 6:30-8:00pm
*The full FCPS 2022-2023 calendar can be accessed here.
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