|
UPCOMING EVENTS
-
Thursday, 10/6 and Friday, 10/7- Book Fair Week
-
Friday 10/7 - Fall Festival 5:30-8:30
-
Friday 10/7 - Chili Cook Off 5:30-8:30
-
Monday, 10/10 - Student Holiday, Staff Development, Indigenous People's Day
-
Wednesday, 10/12 - Parents as Educational Partners (PEP) meeting 6:00 pm
-
Monday,10/24 - School Closed, Diwali
-
Saturday, 11/5 - Fun Run
Just Two More Days of Book Fair Fun!
Students can still browse and shop during the school day on Thursday and Friday. Families may join us starting at 3:30 for evening events:
Fall Festival
Friday, October 7 shop until 8:30 PM
Visit https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/franconia to shop or set up an electronic wallet for your student!
Volunteers are still needed!
Book Fair volunteers may sign-up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040E4CAEAD2FAAF49-book3
Please email the librarian, Debby Vandersande, at dmvandersand@fcps.edu with questions.
Franconia PTA Fall Festival
October 7th 5:30-8:30
Games! Raffles! Balloon Twisters! Magicians! Character Appearances! Chili Cook-Off! Haunted House!
Join your Franconia Elementary friends for an evening of fantastic fall fun! This is a Free event for all Penguin families!
*Fall Festival is not a drop-off event. Parent/guardian supervision is required at all times*
Chili Cookoff
October 7th 5:30-8:30 during the Fall Festival
Can you bring the heat?!?
Show off your culinary skills and test yourself against other Franconia families! Chili will be judged by a team of professional chefs, firefighters, FES staff and kids! Prizes from Spin Pollo and Giant will be awarded in multiple categories!
Sign up to enter here!
Character Trait of the Month
In September, we highlighted the character trait of Penguin Pride which means to show that you are proud of your school by obeying school/class rules and procedures. We are so proud of our Penguin Pride winners.
Here’s the student video for student’s who portrayed penguin pride this month.
https://youtu.be/OJNFeMMxjds
Parents can see how staff/students celebrated penguin pride at Franconia!
https://youtu.be/TMVa0rv50ro
The Character Trait for October is: Kindness-being friendly, considerate, and willing to help others.
Parents as Educational Partners (PEP)
Please join us for our second Parents as Educational Partners (PEP) meeting-- Wednesday, October 12th at 6 p.m. in Franconia's Library. We are excited to continue this program here at Franconia!
WHAT: PEP is a parent-teacher organization for parents of students from Kindergarten to Sixth Grade of any language or cultural background.
WHY: The mission of PEP is to increase the academic achievement of students by developing and maintaining strong school-home partnerships tied to improved student achievement.
HOW: During our meetings, we will create a safe, informed space through which we can empower families to seek information to best support their children's educational journeys.
WHEN: We plan to meet the second Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. Our next session will take place Wednesday, October 12th. During this session, we will discuss Fall conferences and establishing two way communication with teachers/staff at school.
WHERE: We will meet in the library at Franconia Elementary School.
Your PEP teachers are specifically prepared to provide you with accurate information about Franconia Elementary. Some of the topics that we may cover during our meetings include:
- School Personnel and the School Day
- School Procedures
- Parent-Teacher Conferences
- Report Cards and Curriculum
- Special Education and Advanced Academics
- Study skills/Homework
- School Health Procedures
- Other school-specific topics that are of interest and benefit to the group
Questions? Please email FranconiaPEP@fcps.edu.
Support the SCA's Art Supply Drive
7th Annual Art Supply Drive
Sponsored by the Franconia Student Council Association
For the seventh year in a row, the Franconia SCA is teaming up with Paint the Globe Foundation to provide school and art supplies for kids in need across the globe. Paint the Globe Foundation is currently working on campaigns in Tanzania, Nepal, and Thailand. All items donated will be delivered to local schools/community centers to allow students to use art for creative, educational, and therapeutic endeavors.
Items will be accepted 9/28-10/26:
Watercolor Paints* Paint Brushes Acrylic Paints* Colored Pencils* Pencil Sharpeners *Markers *Scissors
For additional information about Paint the Globe Foundation, or to make monetary donations, please visit:
www.painttheglobefoundation.org
Please donate only NEW items. Each class will have a box in which students can
place their donation
With your help, we can make a difference. AGAIN!!!
Student Council NEEDS YOUR HELP!
Please join the Franconia Elementary Student Council Association and the 3rd Grade Team to participate in the Marine Marathon Mile Clean-up!!
Who?
All Franconia Penguins and an adult to accompany them at the event. Other family members also welcome!
What?
Clean up after the Marine Marathon for the designated assigned miles.
When?
Sunday, October 30, 2022, at either 10:00am-12:00pm OR 11:00am-1 p.m.
Where?
We were able to secure 2 miles of the course this year. Once we know how many participants we have, we will notify you of your meeting point. It will be either mile marker 10 or mile marker 16. See the map on other side of this paper for exact locations. Use of Metro is highly recommended due to parking scarcity and road closures due to the marathon route.
Why?
Franconia Penguins will earn up to $900 from this event!!! This money will be for Student Council activities, or to purchase much needed school equipment, books, and other supplies that will be used by all Franconia Penguins!
How?
Meet us at your assigned mile marker and use the provided gloves and bags to pick up waste left from the marathon participants and spectators. The clean-up should only take about an hour. It is imperative that an adult accompany a child.
THIS IS NOT A DROP OFF EVENT
Use this link to sign-up
https://forms.gle/M5eWnaNFTTdqB6e1A
Come and Join Pack 867!
WHEN: Tuesday, October 25th, 7PM to 8PM
WHERE: St John’s Lutheran Church
Fellowship Hall
5952 Franconia Road, Alexandria, VA
WHO, WHAT, & WHY: Cub Scout Pack 867 is open to boys and girls K-5th grades. Cub Scouting is a diverse year-round program with a fun purpose. Scouts learn and explore new things while having fun and making new friends. A focus on character, citizenship, and physical fitness, which are key to the Cub Scout program. All of our leaders are parents just like you, who are extensively trained to better serve our Scouts and to keep them safe. Stop by our Pack meeting and consider joining our Pack!
READY TO JOIN? Go ahead and make an account and fill out the application here: bit.ly/pack867, and then pay your National dues online. We will send you all the welcome material afterwards.
Want more information?
www.pack867.com
pack867committeechair@gmail.com
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener
Dates: October 17th – November 4th
Grades: 3-12
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) commits to supporting all students’ mental wellness and social and emotional learning (SEL). The School Board has approved a screener to review students’ skills and experiences in these areas. FCPS staff will use the screener to identify strengths and needs for students in grades 3-12. The screener provides information regarding students’ experiences and how staff can support their needs.
SEL skills include self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. The screener will review these skills, as well as students’ relationships, feelings of belonging, feelings about their school environment, and mood. These factors are critical to positive academic, social, and emotional success.
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 your student's teacher or the school counselor with questions.
Calendar Reminder: Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Indigenous Peoples' Day honors the histories, cultures, and contributions of Native peoples, past and present. This year, Monday, October 10, is a student holiday and staff development day.
See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.
Model Policy Comment Period
A new proposed model policy (pdf) was recently proposed by the Virginia Department of Education regarding the “privacy, dignity, and respect for all students and parents in Virginia’s Public Schools.” A 30-day public comment period on the model policy began September 26 and closes October 26. You may provide feedback to the Virginia Department of Education on the new drafted policy. If you missed Superintendent Reid’s message regarding the new proposed model policy, please view it on the FCPS website.
Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health
Identifying whether your child’s behaviors are normal or a warning sign of a mental health concern can be difficult. Talk to your child and pay attention to their actions. Also, consider these warning signs:
- Increased irritability, hyperactivity, energy, and/or aggressive behavior.
- Excessive sadness, hopelessness, or worries.
- Loss of appetite, or significant weight gain or loss.
- Lack of sleep, or too much sleep.
- A decline in grades, school avoidance, or attendance concerns.
- Alcohol or drug use.
- Withdrawal from activities and/or friends and family.
- Thoughts of harming themselves or others.
If you notice any of these warning signs or feel your child may be experiencing a mental health challenge, help is available. All Fairfax County public schools have at least one school counselor, school psychologist, and school social worker. Please reach out to one of these staff members to discuss your concerns and identify resources. Call your school or visit their website for staff members’ contact information. Find additional information to support your child’s wellness on FCPS’ website.
If you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis such as thoughts of harm to self or others, please take action:
- Text NEEDHELP to 85511 for the CrisisLink hotline or call them at 703-527-4077.
- Go to the nearest emergency room or contact the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health Emergency Services at 703-573-5679.
Please remember to notify the school office of any of the following changes that come up for your child.
Notification should be made by 9:00am on the day of the change.
- Absence
- Late arrival
- Planned early pick-up or mid-day appointment (pick-up and return)
- If your child needs to be picked up unexpectedly, please call the office (703-822-2200) in advance of your arrival
- This allows the office to contact your child’s teacher to prepare your child for their departure
- For early pick-ups after 3:00pm, please park on Kathmoor as the school buses start to arrive for dismissal at that time and the front parking lot will be off limits
- Changes in dismissal mode (https://franconiaes.fcps.edu/about/change-dismissal-form)
Below are the 3 options by which to notify the school office (choose one option):
Please do this IN ADDITION to contacting your child's teacher. There could be times when the teacher is absent and, by also contacting the office, the information will be properly noted.
To email your child’s teacher, click HERE.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
FCPS CARES
Recognize FCPS Employees
FCPS Cares 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.
The start of the school year is a great time to acknowledge someone who has helped to make your child's return to school amazing.
Learn how you can acknowledge an FCPS employee for their great work.
FCPS Parent Resource Center
Dunn Loring Center for Parent Services
2334 Gallows Road, Entrance 1, Room 105
Dunn Loring, VA
The FCPS Parent Resource Center (PRC) offers a welcoming and engaging environment for families, educators, and community members.
PARENT RESOURCE CENTER CONTACT INFO:
Email: prc@fcps.edu
Phone: 703-204-3941
Web: https://www.fcps.edu/resources/family-engagement/parent-resource-center
Twitter: @prc_fcps
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fcpsprc
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FCPSParentResourceCenter
FREE CONSULTATIONS:
- The PRC offers free, confidential in-person, videoconference, and phone consultations for families and FCPS staff.
- Appointments are highly encouraged.
- They can brainstorm strategies and possible solutions to help you address your concerns by drawing upon resources and support from FCPS, as well as community, state, and national centers.
TUTOR LIST:
- The PRC maintains a list of current FCPS employees who hold a valid and current teaching license in VA and want to tutor after their contracted school day.
- Contact the PRC at 703-204-3941 or prc@fcps.edu for more information.
FREE LENDING LIBRARY:
- Come explore the library for families and staff, 8:00am-4:00pm
- The library contains over 10,000 books, eBooks, DVDs, and CDs on topics related to parenting and educating all children, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities.
- Check out up to 6 items and keep them for 3 weeks. Renewals are easy - just call or email us.
- Find library resources to support your child with help from the Parent Resource Center staff.
- Call us and we can have library materials ready for you to pick up.
- Return library materials to us 24/7 in our book return or use the FCPS inter-office mail. Contact us for details.
FREE WEBINARS:
- Register here - https://bit.ly/3hSRIZW
- Watch recorded webinars - https://bit.ly3rpPl3Q
- To turn videos into preferred languages, open a video - choose any video on YouTube and follow these directions to have closed-captioning in your preferred language:
- Click the CC button - make sure it is underlined in red.
- Click the settings button - it looks like a gear.
- Click subtitles.
- Click auto-translate.
- Choose a language.
Penguin Points
Click on a link for information
Franconia Elementary School website
|
