Coates Family Newsletter for 11/22/2022

Thanksgiving Holiday- No School

thanksgiving

As a reminder, schools and offices will be closed November 23-25. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving! Classes will resume on Monday, November 28. Learn more about the first Thanksgiving. See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.


Family Life Education-Parent Preview Night

You are invited to attend a preview of the Family Life Education media and lessons and to talk with school staff about the program on Friday, December 2nd at 5:30pm-6:00pm in the library.

Students in grades K-6 participate in Family Life Education (FLE) instruction through their classroom teacher. Students in Kindergarten through grade three receive instruction in an emotional and social health unit. Students in grades 4-6 receive instruction in a human growth and development unit and an emotional and social health unit. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher.

More information on curriculum detail and opt-out forms can be found at:

FLE information and Opt out forms

All FLE lessons can also be located on the "All Parents: Coates Elementary Schoology Course" here. You must have a ParentVue account to access Schoology.  Those directions are here.


Alcohol & The Holidays

The holidays usually involve family time, games, movies, food, and possibly drinks. The holidays may involve less family members this year, but that doesn’t necessarily mean less alcohol for some. 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” since a global pandemic wasn’t on our to-do list in 2020, but we encourage you to consider a few things during these trying times.

Questions to consider when drinking with your family:

  1. What message am I sending if I drink in excess around my underage child?
  2. Have I had conversations about responsible drinking with them?
  3. Are the conversations I have about alcohol realistic?
  4. Do my conversations with others reinforce alcohol use as a coping skill during stressful times?
  5. What messages am I sending my underage child if I allow them to drink with me or another adult in the house?

Info 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:

Stacey King, MSW, M.Ed

Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist

saking@fcps.edu


Spelling Bee Volunteers Needed

sb

PTA needs your help!  In order for our beloved spelling bee to take place we need parents to volunteer to judge the school bee. We are planning on holding the school bee in person on Thursday, February 9th, 2023 beginning at 6:00pm. If you are interested in volunteering as a bee judge please email Mrs. Neha Raval at nsraval@fcps.edu.


Coates Parenting Class Opportunity

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Post-Thanksgiving COVID Diagnostic Testing

COVID diagnostic testing will be available for FCPS teachers, staff, and students at five locations across the county November 28-30 from 5 to 8 p.m. This testing is for those who are either experiencing COVID symptoms or have been exposed to someone diagnosed with COVID. Appointments are not required, but registration must be completed before testing. Visit the COVID Testing webpage for more information.


Recognize Our Staff Who Go Above and Beyond

fcps cares

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.


Mark Your Calendar

23rd-25th- Student Holiday (Thanksgiving Break)

November 4
dec

2nd- FLE Preview Day- 5:30-6pm

2nd- PTA Meeting- 6-6:30pm

2nd-PTA Movie Night- 6:30-8pm

8th- Bohdi Day

14th- Winter Chorus Concert- 7pm

18th-Jan. 2nd- Student Holiday (Winter Break)

 

*The full FCPS 2022-2023 calendar can be accessed here.


Follow Coates on Social Media

stay in touch

TWITTER: @CoatesES

TWITTER (Principal Basdekis): @pdbasdekis

FACEBOOK: FCPS L.L. Coates Elementary School

FACEBOOK (PTA): L.L. Coates Elementary PTA

L.L. Coates Website: https://coateses.fcps.edu/