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۔

Ms. Knieriem's first grade students were excited to visit the third grade Ladybug presentations last week. Third grade students researched the insects and created museum-style exhibits to share their learning.

Quarter End, Early Release and Student holiday/Teacher Work Day As a reminder, Friday, October 28, is the last day of the first quarter, and a two-hour early release for students. Also, schools are closed for students on Monday, Oct. 31, for a teacher workday. See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.

Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid

FCPS will be asking ALL families to fill out a Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid. Returning this form is important because information from this survey results in an additional $3 million in grants each year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

For each school-aged child in your household, please complete, sign, date, and return the survey to your child's school. If sections 1 and 2 of the survey do not apply to you, just check the box in Section 3. All forms must be signed, dated, and returned by November 4. All results are confidential. 

American Every Day! Thursday, November 10 9:30 a.m. (Grades K, 2, and 4) 1:45 p.m. (Grades 1, 3, 5, and 5th-Grade Chorus)   Weyanoke Gymnasium *All Families Welcome*   Students should wear jeans or dark bottoms with a red, white, and/or blue shirt. (Shirts with American symbols are fine – flags, eagles, American icons, etc.)

Text and Translation Program Updates FCPS has recently adopted TalkingPoints, a two-way messaging app that allows parents and caregivers to communicate with teachers and schools. At Weyanoke, we have been using this app for several years. The recent changes allow us to communicate with all caregivers using the information stored in the Student Information System. Families will receive messages through the TalkingPoints Parents App or via text message. We will now be able to reach out to families with school- and grade-wide messages such as reminders about our monthly Family Market Nights and other events. For more information, visit the FCPS TalkingPoints webpage. The app translates messages, so teachers can input messages in English and parents can respond in their preferred language. TalkingPoints supports 125 languages, making it easier and faster for our FCPS families to connect with their schools. If you need to update your preferred correspondence language, contact the front office at your child’s school and ask for the registrar.

Nominate an Outstanding Weyanoke Teacher or Staff Member

We are collecting nominations for Outstanding Teachers and Staff. Below is information regarding how to nominate.  Parents and community members are welcome and encouraged to nominate a favorite teacher or staff member. All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph about how your nominee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. The google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards and the eligibility requirements are below.   Outstanding Teacher  Eligibility: Has at least three full years of teaching; librarians are included in this category.   Click here for Outstanding Teacher Nomination Form   Outstanding New Teacher Eligibility: Within their first three years of being a teacher; librarians are included in this category.   Click here for Outstanding New Teacher Form   Outstanding Principal Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district)   Click here for Outstanding Principal Nomination Form                                              Outstanding Leader  Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position as an employee that is on the pay scale for School-Based Administrators (not a building principal) or other Schedule-C employees   Common positions in this category: Assistant and Associate Principals, Director of Student Activities, Director of Student Services   Click here for Outstanding Leader Nomination Form   Outstanding Professional Employee  Eligibility: At least one year experience as an employee that is paid on a Schedule-B pay scale or other non-instructional specialty pay scale   Common positions in this category: School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Assessment Coach, Career Center Specialist, Instructional Coach, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Safety and Security Specialist, and other employee paid as a Resource Teacher who serves in a non-instructional role or administrative role in the school   Click here for Outstanding Professional Employee Nomination Form   Outstanding Operational Employee Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee Common positions in this category: Administrative and Office Assistants, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, Parent Liaisons   Click here for Outstanding Operational Employee Nomination Form   The deadline to submit a nomination is NOVEMBER 14, 2022. Our teachers and staff are beyond exceptional.  They deserve our recognition and the recognition of the rest of our pyramid, region and district.  Please nominate, nominate, nominate!!!    Please feel free to share this with parents and other community members connected to Weyanoke E.S. who might be interested in nominating a Weyanoke staff or faculty member.   If you have any questions, please contact me at knrousseau@fcps.edu, or stop by the music room.

Dia de los Muertos (O Days)

Dia de los Muertos is an opportunity to remember and celebrate the lives of departed loved ones. Tuesday, November 1, and Wednesday, November 2, are “O” Days this year. To learn more about Dia de los Muertos, watch this video.

While Dia de los Muertos is largely celebrated in Mexico and Latin America, it also coincides with All Saints Day (November 1) and All Souls Day (November 2). These days are celebrated by Catholics, Anglicans, and some Protestants worldwide to honor those who have died and gone to heaven (All Saints Day) and those who may still be in purgatory (All Souls Day).

The school calendar recognizes many religious and cultural observances (O days) during the school year. There is school on these days, however, the School Board has directed that tests, quizzes, field trips, graduation, homecoming, or FCPS-scheduled athletic events will not be held on these observance days.

Online Tutoring Services Available FCPS students have unlimited access to online tutoring support services through Tutor.com at no cost to families. Student participation is optional, and parents/guardians can opt their student(s) out of accessing the services. Detailed information and FAQs are available on the Tutor.com Online Tutoring Services website. Students can access Tutor.com via a link in Schoology. Additional information about how to log in and access a tutor is provided to families via the following instructional videos:   Tutor.com: How it Works-Elementary.

Opportunity for Students to Help Inform FCPS’ Future

You may have heard FCPS is developing a Strategic Plan that will serve as the school division’s roadmap for the future. We encourage every parent/caregiver, student, employee, and community member to participate in this important work. 

The first engagement opportunity will be an optional survey, which will be open to students in grades 3-12. Knowing what is important to students will be very helpful to Dr. Reid, as she leads the planning of FCPS’ future. All schools, including ours, will schedule a date and time during the school day to administer the survey between November 2-18. If you would prefer that your child not participate, you may opt your child out of taking the survey. Please visit FCPS’ website for more information. 

Please join our Facebook Group to keep updated with the PTA and be able to discuss with other Weyanoke parents.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/weyanokepta

Reflections Art Contest is underway!  Submissions due November10 Please pick up entry forms from Art, Music, or Library. Form also available here:  https://bit.ly/3ECbIvw. Questions, contact DR.MEHRET@GMAIL.COM

Direct Donation Drive

100% of the money goes to the Weyanoke PTA to fund field trips, assemblies, and other important school activities, like the Talent Show, Spelling Bee, school clubs, and the Reflections Program. Our goal is $10,000 this year.

This is where the PTA gets MOST of its money to fund these great activities! Thank you so much for your support! We ask for direct donations, so we don’t have to ask you to sell items. Anyone can donate, including friends and family, to help Weyanoke reach our goal! Every Direct Donation is a tax-deductible donation directly to our PTA.

Donations can be sent to the school in the Donation Envelope or through the PTA website:  https://weyanokepta.square.site/

(While you’re there you can join the PTA as well!).

Prizes:

• Drone – with voice control and camera
• 10 pack of classes to Urban Evolution off of Edsall Rd
• Local Gift Cards
• First class to have all students bring in a direct donation gets a pizza party with the Principal!

Info and Ideas:

• Running from October 19 – December 16
• If every student gets $10 from 5 people, would raise almost $30,000.
• Ask your employer to match your donation, many have a policy in place to do so.
• Donate/bring in donations for your child to have a chance to win a prize in our end of the year raffle!

Upcoming Events Friday, October 28 - End of Quarter; Two Hour Early Release Monday, October 31 - Student Holiday Tuesday, November 1 - Dia de los Muertos Tuesday, November 8 - Student Holiday. Election Day. Thursday, November 10 - Veteran's Day Concerts Friday, November 11 - Student Holiday. Veterans Day Tuesday, November 15 - Caregiver Coffees Wednesday, November 23 - Friday, November 25 - Thanksgiving Holidays. School is closed. Tuesday, November 29 - Community Conversation with Superintendent Dr. Reid See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.

6520 Braddock Road, Alexandria, VA 22312 |  Main Office: 703-813-5400
Attendance: 703-813-5484 | Web | Facebook | Twitter