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To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.
Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.
ይህንን ዜና መፅሄት በሌሎች ቋንቋዎች ለማንበብ፤ እባክዎን ድረ ገፃችንን ይጎብኙ።
اس نیوزلیٹر کو دوسری زبانوں میں پڑھنے کیلئے ، براہ مہربانی ہماری ویب سائیٹ ملاحظہ کیجیئے۔
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A Message from Mr. Morris
Our teachers continue to build community, remind students of expectations, complete beginning-of-the-year assessments, and dive deep into curriculum and instruction. You can learn about what your student is learning in class by reviewing our weekly newsletters that our teachers send to families. Our teachers send learning targets and topics for instruction each week. You can also learn more about our curriculum and instructional programs by visiting the Stratford Landing website and clicking on Academics.
The Stratford Landing administration team continues to support our students and teachers in various ways. We attend Collaborative Team meetings (grade level team meetings). We have attended classroom Morning Meetings to build relationships with students and teachers. We support our students and teachers during lunchtime in the cafeteria. We conference with teachers one-on-one and in small groups to help solve problems and implement effective teaching and learning strategies. This week we met with our New SLES Staff Member Cohort, a cohort of staff members new to Stratford Landing this year. The formation of this cohort helps us provide direct support to our newest staff members as well as offer our new staff members time to connect with their colleagues and build positive relationships with one another. Additionally, we met with our SLES Core Team. This team is made up of school leaders and grade level lead teachers that advise and inform the SLES administration team on timely and critical needs and focuses for our teachers and our school.
We continue to focus on Tier 1 Behavior Supports and Management for our teachers and students. Tier 1 means (for all …). We want to be transparent with our families, so they are aware of the exact steps we are taking to support our teachers as they build positive relationships with students and manage student behaviors. Here is some information for our families regarding our behavior support and expectations for teachers and students.
- Stratford Landing is a Responsive Classroom (RC) school. RC is our Tier 1 Behavior Management expectation for all staff and students.
- When we say Responsive Classroom, Tier 1, we mean …
- Dolphin Decree & CARES
- Distinguished Dolphin (returning soon)
- SLES Behavior Matrix
- Morning Meetings / Wellness Wednesdays
- The 3 Rs, Reminding, Reinforcing, and Redirecting Language
- Specific feedback and positive praise
- Hopes and Dreams - connecting all year long
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Logical Consequences - “You made the mess, you clean up the mess.”
- The First Six Weeks of School
- Expected Classroom Procedures and Expectations
- Chime and Respond
- Take a Break Space
- Buddy Teachers and Classrooms
- For some students, more (Tier 2 or Tier 3 behavior supports) may be needed. When we say Tier 2 or Tier 3 behavior supports, we mean …
- Data Collection
- Goal sheets
- Sticker charts, token economies, earned rewards
- Daily school / home communication (behavior chart, etc.)
- Task/Reward contracts
- Behavior Contracts
- Additional support (mentor, monitor, IA, wellness intervention)
If you have any questions regarding the management of student behavior at Stratford Landing, please reach out to the SLES administration team to address your questions or concerns.
Until next time,
Kevin Morris, Principal
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Importance of Strong Attendance Habits
September is Attendance Awareness Month. Some of the ways parents can help their children create healthy routines and a habit of getting to school on time every day include:
- Set a regular bedtime and morning routine. (Need help? View this morning checklist, available in English or Spanish.)
- Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
- If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make them feel comfortable and excited about learning. Our school counselors, Mrs. Shaker and Mrs. Roop, can be reached at mshaker@fcps.edu and rroop@fcps.edu.
- Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
- When possible, avoid medical appointments or extended trips when school is in session.
Visit our website for more attendance resources. Attend today, Achieve Tomorrow!
Check out the Attendance Works Handout for more tips!
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Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) Elementary Parent Information Meetings
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is committed to challenging all students through talent development efforts and differentiated instruction to meet the needs of advanced learners.
FCPS offers a continuum of advanced academic services for all students in Grades K-12.The continuum of services approach recognizes unique student needs and focuses on matching services, not labeling students.
Teachers, Advanced Academic Resource Teachers (AARTs), and school administrators work together to provide the following levels of service at the elementary level:
- Access to Rigor, Grades K-6 (Level I)
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Subject Specific Advanced Differentiation, Grades K-6 (Level II)
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Part-Time Services, Grades 3-6 (Level III)
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Full-Time Services, Grades 3-8 (Level IV)
The following parent information meetings will be held on
Wednesday, September 28.
General Information Meeting in Stratford Landing cafeteria on Wednesday, September 28 from 6:00-6:45 pm. The AART will provide information about levels of service, explain the screening processes and answer questions about advanced academic services.
Level IV Full-Time Referral Process Information Meeting in Stratford Landing Cafeteria also on Wednesday, September 28 at 6:45-7:30 pm. The AART will provide information about Level IV services, explain the Level IV screening process for 2nd-6th grade parents and answer questions.
Parent Information Coffee: If you are unable to attend the previous meetings, join us in room E320 on Wednesday, October 19 at 7:45 am-8:30 am to learn about AAP Levels of service and the referral processes.
Important Level IV AAP Referral Deadlines
Screening for full-time services occurs during specific screening cycles:
- Fall screening is available for students who are new to FCPS since January.
- The fall screening referral window is from the first day of school - October 15.
- Spring screening is available for any Grade 2-7 FCPS-enrolled student.
- The spring screening referral window is from the first day of school - December 15.
Please do not wait for test scores before submitting a referral for your student in Grades 2-7. Referrals submitted after the full-time services referral windows noted above will not be accepted.
Referral forms for all advanced academic program services are found at https://www.fcps.edu/node/38893.
For more information, please visit the AAP website or contact our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, Tene' McBee-Pittman, at dtpittman@fcps.edu.
SLES Family Directory 2022-2023
The PTA is excited to offer families a SLES Family Directory this school year! The Directory will feature your child's name, teacher, and the parent or guardian's primary registered email address so families can connect.
Inclusion in the Directory is OPTIONAL but you must opt-out! If you would NOT like to have your child's name and the parent or guardian's email address shared with other SLES families, please return the form on pages 13 AND 14 in the 2022-23 Annual Notice: Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms. Details about your opt-out options also are available on pages 6-8 of this booklet.
The deadline to return the opt-out forms is Friday, October 14.
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SR&R Signature Sheet Due September 30
FCPS’ updated Student Rights & Responsibility booklet is available online and in the ParentVUE section of the Student Information System (SIS). The SR&R booklet explains expectations for student behavior, and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment.
Each year, we ask parents to review, sign, and return the SR&R to their child’s school. In ParentVUE, you may now download and digitally sign the SR&R. Every parent/caregiver with a ParentVUE account will see the SR&R upon login to ParentVUE until the SR&R acknowledgement has been completed.
Your name in the digital signature box must match the parent/caregiver’s first and last name in SIS exactly before the signature will be accepted.
Please take a moment to log into ParentVue in your child’s SIS account to access the SR&R. Signatures are due by September 30.
Visit the SIS Parentvue Account Overview page for help logging in to your account. Please contact Barbara Flores Rocha at bdfloresroch@fcps.edu or 703-619-3601, if you are having difficulty accessing the booklet.
Superintendent Community Conversations
Please save the date for a very special event! Dr. Michelle Reid, FCPS superintendent, will host a Community Conversation at West Potomac High School on Thursday, October 27, 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.
If you would like to attend on a different date/location, click here to see the list of dates and locations.
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Parental Consent for Digital Resources
At Stratford Landing Elementary, 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 permission before they can be used. You can find our school’s list of the resources that require parental consent here.
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 until we have received your permission. We are currently at a 50% completion rate for the school and have a goal of 100%.
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.
National Hispanic Heritage Month
From September 15 to October 15, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories, cultures, and contributions of the members of our community whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
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Understanding the Dangers of Opioid Use
As we begin the 2022-23 school year, public schools nationwide face a growing student wellness crisis. Our students' wellness challenges impact their ability to perform at their best in the classroom and may lead to other destructive behaviors.
In Northern Virginia, the opioid epidemic continues to impact communities including young adults, and sometimes school-age children. Tragically, this can lead to devastating outcomes. There are three things you can do now, to support student wellness and increase understanding of the dangers of opioids and fentanyl:
- Talk with children and loved ones in your life about the dangers of drug use, especially opioids. For more information, tips on how to recognize and prevent substance abuse, and available support services, watch this webinar.
- Safely store and dispose of medications to prevent drug misuse.
- Sign up for a Virtual REVIVE! training class to learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of opioid overdose and administer naloxone nasal spray to reverse an opioid overdose.
Learn more about the dangers of opioids and available resources on our website. Visit the Student Safety and Wellness webpage for more information about a variety of topics related to student wellbeing.
Snack Reminder
As a reminder, families should consider snacks a “school supply.” Please send your student to school with a snack every day. Our PTA supports our school with snack purchases when a student forgets their snack or is unable to bring a snack to school.
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SLES Military Family Homepage
Check out the newly updated Military Family homepage on the Stratford Landing website to stay connected and up-to-date on the latest resources, programs, and information available for our military and government service families!
If you are a military family who has recently PCSd to the area, welcome! We want to make sure you stay connected. Please send an email to military@slpta.org so you can be added to the SLES Military Families distribution list.
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Family Liaison News & Updates
Hello SLES Families! As your family liaison, my goal is to keep you informed about the valuable resources, events, and family engagement opportunities available through SLES, FCPS, and the community. Please visit the SLES Family Liaison homepage for additional information and resources.
Introducing Families as Partners Workshops at Stratford Landing!
Stratford Landing will offer FREE educational and interactive workshops for parents/guardians on various topics throughout the year. We look forward to spending time with you and providing some essential information to empower you as parents. Please make sure to register in advance.
Wellness Wednesday Informational Night
Wednesday, October 19, from 6 – 7 pm
Room 199
Join us on Wednesday, October 19th, from 6-7 pm to gain more insight from Stratford Landing’s Wellness Team. The team includes the School Counselors, Social Worker, Psychologist, and Family Liaison! Learn about their roles in the school and how they can support you and your child at the school. This is an open platform to discuss, inform, and ask any questions needed.
Click here to register for this workshop!
Meet the SPED Team and Learn about the IEP/504 Process at SLES
November TBD
More details to come!
HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters)
Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) partners with parents to prepare their children for success in school. With HIPPY, parents build on their capacity to be their child’s first teacher and strengthen the parent-child relationship.
HIPPY is a free program for parents of preschoolers who are two, three or four years old and who want to instruct their children at home.
To enroll or for more information please contact: Elisabeth Bruzon at 703-204-4350, email at embruzon@fcps.edu or Juanita Gladys at 703-204-4307, email at JGladys@fcps.edu
Gang Prevention: A Free Webinar for Families (Presented in Spanish)
Click here to register for this free webinar scheduled on September 27 from 6-7:30 pm. 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
Multicultural Celebration & Health Fair
 Free COVID-19 Testing Sites
Rosh Hashanah (Student Holiday)
Monday, Sept. 26, is a student holiday/professional work day for teachers. It is also Rosh Hashanah, the second day of the two-day celebration of the Jewish New Year. See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.
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Mark Your Calendar!
September 26: Student Holiday (Rosh Hashanah)
September 28 (6-7:30 pm): AAP Elementary Parent Information Meetings
October 5: Student Holiday (Yom Kippur)
October 10: Student Holiday (Indigenous Peoples' Day)
October 19 (7:45-8:30 am): AAP Elementary Parent Information Meeting
October 19 (6-7 pm): Wellness Wednesday Informational Night Families As Partners Workshop
October 24: Student Holiday (Diwali)
October 27 (6:30-7:30 pm): Community Conversation at WPHS with FCPS Superintendent, Dr. Michelle Reid
October 28: End of First Quarter (2-hour Early Release)
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