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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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Mr. Morris's Message
We are celebrating 15 Days of Festive at Stratford Landing. We are supporting our teachers and providing opportunities to connect and celebrate before winter vacation. Our teachers and students will be participating in a door decorating contest. Our staff is also engaging in a Secret Snowflake gift exchange. We have a few super-secret staff spirit days planned, and students must guess what the theme of the day is based on what our staff is wearing. We have lucky raffles planned for staff, a Casserole Cookoff, Price is Right’s Plinko, and Minute to Win It challenges. Focusing on joy and trying to reduce stress levels in the workplace help our staff be the best they can be for our students. We’ll finish out the month of December with our SCA Winter Spirit Week for all our students and staff.
We are thankful for our partnerships with our families. We’ve been busy with events, including two academic volunteer training sessions and a Families as Partners event focused on special education.
The week of December 5 – 9 is Inclusive Schools Week. We will continue our focus on CARES and provide students opportunities to understand the importance of inclusion and how we all benefit when we “choose kind.” Students will identify ways that they can demonstrate inclusive behavior with their peers.
Instructionally we continue to focus on the Fairfax County Public Schools Planning and Pacing Guide at each grade level. Our teachers meet at least twice a week together as a team with the direct support of our instructional coach to identify what we want our students to know and be able to do, how will we know that they learned it, what will we do for students who have not yet learned it and what will we do to enrich the learning for students who have already learned it. These 4 guiding Collaborative Learning Cycle questions help define the work of our teachers and teams and ensure we are maximizing learning to impact student progress and achievement positively.
We’re looking forward to an exciting final two weeks before our winter holiday. The week of December 12 – 16, interim reports will come home for some students. If you have questions about your student’s current progress, be sure to reach out to the classroom teacher. The last week before break, all our students will also be engaged in Family Life Education (FLE) lessons. We held a family preview evening session for our families to review materials teachers will use during FLE. If you have questions about these materials, please contact Assistant Principal Williams.
And just like that, the arrival of 2023 is right around the corner.
Until next time,
Kevin Morris, Principal
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Calendar Reminders
National Special Education Day
National Special Education Day is recognized each year on Dec. 2 and commemorates President Gerald Ford’s signing of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1975. We celebrate our teachers and staff who serve and support our students with special needs!
Learn more about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
FCPS Special Education Resources:
- The Office of Special Education Procedural Support provides guidance to staff, families, and students in areas related to the implementation of and compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended.
- Families of students in Special Education programs can find more resources in the Special Education Handbook for Parents (translations available from the Parent Resource Center).
- The Parent Resource Center (PRC) offers free webinars, consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. Their YouTube Channel includes videos of workshops and webinars for families and educators to support student success. Sign up for their newsletter to receive information on upcoming webinars and other resources. Please contact the PRC with any questions at prc@fcps.edu or call 703-204-2941.
- Kathy Murphy, the assistant ombuds for special education, serves as a confidential resource, providing information and support to parents and students regarding special education services. The assistant ombuds provides transparency and understanding to families of children with special needs so that they may receive all the services and supports required to equitably access public education. The assistant ombuds can be contacted by submitting a question, calling 571-423-4014, or emailing ombuds@fcps.edu.
Inclusive Schools Week
Inclusive Schools Week, Dec. 5-9, has celebrated the progress that schools have made in providing a supportive and quality education to an increasingly diverse student population, including students who are marginalized due to disability, gender, socio-economic status, cultural heritage, language preference, and other factors. The week also provides an important opportunity for educators, students and parents to discuss what else needs to be done in order to ensure that their schools continue to improve their ability to successfully educate all children. This year, the Inclusive Schools Week’s theme is “Unity Within Our Community.”
Bodhi Day (O Day)
Bodhi Day, Thursday, Dec. 8, is the Buddhist holiday that commemorates the day that the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama (Shakyamuni), experienced enlightenment, also known as bodhi in Sanskrit and Pali. 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. Learn more about Bodhi Day in this video from the Miami Children’s Museum.
See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.
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Level IV AAP Referral Reminder
Reminder: Window for AAP Level IV (Full-Time) Referrals to Close December 15, 2022
Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7, who would like their child to be considered for Level IV Full-Time Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services, may submit the AAP Level IV Referral Form and optional materials to our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher Tene’ McBee by emailing dtpittman@fcps.edu and including our Assistant Principal LaChelle Williams lrwilliams2@fcps.edu no later than December 15.
How to Submit Referral Materials
Please submit the referral materials in one email to dtpittman@fcps.edu and cc’ our Assistant Principal LaChelle Williams (lrwilliams2@fcps.edu) with the subject line “Level IV AAP Referral for (Your child’s initials, Teacher last name)”. If you prefer, you may drop off a hard copy with our office staff during regular school hours.
What to Submit
- Referral Form- required*
- Parent/Guardian Questionnaire- optional
- Two pages of work samples (pdf or jpg files or 8.5x11” one-sided page)- optional
- Additional Testing if applicable (i.e. from a previous school or an ability or achievement test administered outside of Fairfax County Public Schools that you would like included.)- optional
You should receive an e-mail confirming receipt of your file.
Please note that late referrals will not be accepted.
Preparing for Winter Weather
Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made.
FCPS’ inclement weather procedures will remain the same as last year. The first five inclement weather days will be traditional “snow days” with no school activities. After those five days, we will use the flexibility provided by the Virginia General Assembly to have unscheduled virtual learning days, whenever possible, to maintain the continuity of learning. Virtual learning on these days will be synchronous/live instruction, following the inclement weather virtual learning day schedule (includes a two-hour delay).
FCPS’ website is generally the first mode of communication during emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.
Be sure to plan ahead for the winter season. Make sure your contact information is up-to-date in weCare@school, bookmark the FCPS website, plan for childcare, if appropriate, and know what items your child may need to take home before a weather event.
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Alcohol & The Holidays
The holidays usually involve family time, games, movies, food, and possibly drinks. Alcohol consumption has increased during the pandemic and when ABC stores were deemed essential it didn’t help lower those rates (ABC News, September 29, 2020). Many people are still trying to figure out how to navigate our “new normal” and are still reeling from the consequences of so much isolation and loss. Increased alcohol consumption is one of those consequences to our communities. If you choose to drink, I invite you to drink responsibly this holiday season and talk with your child about the dangers of underage alcohol and substance use.
Questions to consider when drinking with your family:
- What message am I sending if I drink in excess around my underage child?
- Have I had conversations about responsible drinking with them?
- Are the conversations I have about alcohol realistic?
- Do my conversations with others reinforce alcohol use as a coping skill during stressful times?
- What messages am I sending my underage child if I allow them to drink with me or another adult in the house?
Information to consider:
“One-third of Fairfax County students (33.7%) reported drinking alcohol at least once in their lifetime, ranging from 18.8% of eighth-grade students to half of twelfth-grade students (49.4%). One in seven students (15.2%) reported drinking alcohol in the past month, ranging from 4.5% of eighth-grade students to 27.7% of twelfth-grade students.” (FCPS Youth Survey 2020)
“Female students reported higher rates of alcohol use in their lifetime (36.1% compared to 31.2% of male students), in the past month (17.1% and 13.1%, respectively), and binge drinking in the past two weeks (7.3% and 6.5%, respectively)” (FCPS Youth Survey 2020).
Resources:
Holiday Stress
Helpful Info to Quit Vaping
FCPS video on Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs
Substance Abuse Prevention (Spanish)
For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270 and be sure to follow us on Twitter at @FCPSSAPS.
For further Information & support:
Elizabeth Knudson, MA, NCC, LPC
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
eaknudson@fcps.edu
Strategic Planning
The success of our strategic planning process depends on our entire community being engaged. Watch as some of our amazing elementary students share their hopes and ideas for the future of schools. Also, stay tuned for information on upcoming opportunities to participate in the development of FCPS’ Strategic Plan.
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West Potomac High School "Youth Basketball Night"
The entire West Potomac Girls Basketball Staff and all the players, would like to invite all SLES students, staff, and community to attend their "Youth Night" event on Friday, December 16th at West Potomac High School. All 3 levels (Freshman, JV, and Varsity) will compete against South County High School, with games being held at 4:30, 5:45, and 7:30. There will be lots of free giveaways, chances to win prizes, and an opportunity to meet the Varsity team after the final game of the night.
How Can You Help Your Child Have Good Attendance?
Just a few missed days here and there, even if they’re excused absences, can add up to too much lost learning time and put your child behind in school. This is as true in kindergarten as it is in high school.
- Talk about the importance of showing up to school every day, make that the expectation.
- Help your child maintain routines, such as finishing homework and getting a good night’s
- Find out if your child feels engaged by his classes and feels safe at school. Make sure he or she is not missing class because of behavioral issues and school discipline policies. If any of these are problems, work with your school.
- Stay on top of academic progress and seek help from teachers or tutors if necessary. Make sure teachers know how to contact you.
- Stay on top of your child’s social contacts. Peer pressure can lead to skipping school, while students without many friends can feel isolated.
- Encourage meaningful afterschool activities, including sports and clubs.
Looking ahead to the holiday season, if missing school is unavoidable, talk to your children’s teachers in advance to create a plan for making up missed work. But remember, a homework packet cannot make up for the interaction and learning that goes on in the classroom.
Visit our website for more attendance resources.
ESSER III Community Conversation on December 13
Thanks to everyone who provided input in October on ESSER III funding–federal funding which was allocated to FCPS to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on students and student learning. Community feedback indicated that there is a general unawareness of the impact of ESSER funding and a perceived lack of communication around how the funds are being used.
To help address this, Superintendent Reid and Sloan Presidio, chief academic officer, will host a Community Conversation on ESSER on Tuesday, December 13, at 6:30 p.m., at the Gatehouse Administration Building in the Café. Please stay tuned for more details. Visit BoardDocs for a detailed update on ESSER.
Academic Matters
During the Academic Matters portion of Monday’s School Board meeting, Superintendent Reid discussed the innovative assessment practices happening in FCPS as part of our School Division of Innovation designation from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE).
This recognition means that VDOE has approved a plan to improve student learning, educational performance, and college, career, and citizenship readiness skills. It positions FCPS as a state leader in innovative practices with the opportunity to impact statewide policy decisions. Watch Dr. Reid’s presentation.
Multicultural and Language Resources for Families
FCPS’ Office of Family and School Partnerships would like to remind families of some of the many resources available to them:
- Bilingual community liaisons support student registrars by providing families with information about school and community services offered in Fairfax County. Liaisons are available to help families speaking Spanish, Korean, and Arabic. Once registered at a school, families can contact their family liaison for assistance.
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Early literacy programs are available to Fairfax County residents for parents of children up to 5 years old. These programs help prepare children for school and build confidence in parents as their child’s first teacher. They also help parents become active partners in their child’s education. Programs are available in African-Heritage, Arabic, Spanish, and Korean.
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Parent Information Phone Lines are available in eight languages for parents who speak languages other than English.
- A Multilingual Family Podcast is produced by the offices of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Family and School Partnerships, and Professional Learning and Equity. It covers important information for parents in English, Spanish, Arabic, and Korean.
- ESOL services are available in Fairfax County not only for students, but also for adults and families. Information on Spring classes will be posted in March 2023.
Visit the Family Engagement webpage for more resources.
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.
Upcoming Parent Resource Center Events:
IEP Palooza and Community Resource Fair
This Saturday, December 3 from 9 am - 12 pm interactive and informative event being held in Annandale High School will start with a simulated Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting. Then attendees can attend breakout sessions that will cover the different components of an IEP document.
There is also a Special Education Resource Fair featuring information tables from community resources and service groups.
Click here to register for this FREE event.
Fairfax County Park Authority Winter Class Registration is Now Open!
Outdoor, indoor and virtual class options are available in a wide range of interest areas including:
- Outdoor and indoor fitness classes
- Learn to swim group lessons and private lessons
- Children’s and Adult classes
- Nature & History programs
- Sports
- Scouting
- Golf lessons
- Gardening
- Virtual Classes and Camps – Fitness, nature, music, drama, coding
- Astronomy
Click here to find a program.
Family Reunification Classes:
Did you come to the United States, in pursuit of a better life, but had to separate from your children for one year or more? Have you reunited with your children but find the situation to be stressful? Join other parents in learning ways to cope and improve your relationship with your children.
Virtual Free Classes: Mondays, December 5th and 12th from 10am - 12pm
To register, click here to fill out the form.
Christmas Toy Giveaway
Mark Your Calendar!
December 7 (5:30 pm): Intermediate and Advanced Strings Winter Concert (gym)
December 19 - January 2: Holiday (Winter Break) - NO SCHOOL
January 16: Holiday (Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday) - NO SCHOOL
January 25: End of Second Quarter (2-Hour Early Release)
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Quick Links
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