Coates Family Newsletter for 12/2/2022

Winter Weather Procedures

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.

Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities

We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories which may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. See the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.

If you need assistance supplying your child with cold-weather clothing, please call Fairfax County's Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. The multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and healthcare.


AAP Level IV Referral Window Reminder

Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-6 who would like their student to be considered for full-time advanced academic programs (level IV AAP services) may submit the AAP Level IV Referral Form to Jessica King, jaking@fcps.edu, no later than December 15

The window to submit an AAP Level IV Referral Form is the first day of school through December 15, annually.  Forms for full-time and part-time referrals are available on the AAP Forms Page. No late referrals for Level IV services can be accepted. 

Submitting a referral form for AAP Level IV will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of professionals from various schools review materials to determine eligibility for level IV placement.  Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of the portfolio that was submitted after they have been turned in for central selection by emailing jaking@fcps.edu

Referrals for AAP Levels II-III (part-time services) are screened at the local school. 

For more information, there are parent presentations available on the FCPS AAP website (under “Presentations”) that contain information similar to our fall parent information meetings at Coates ES.


Coates is Seeking Student Monitors for the 22-23 School Year

Coates Elementary is seeking candidates to serve as student monitors for the coming school year. If interested please follow the application guidance below. Please share this opportunity with others that may be interested. We are interviewing until all positions are filled. 

Description: 

  • provides supervision of students throughout the school day to include but not limited to the classroom, hallways, lunch, recess, specials and at arrival/dismissal
  • helps maintain order and discipline and assists in managing the behavior of students
  • operates technology
  • performs administrative and noninstructional duties;
  • ensures all layered prevention/safety protocols and procedures are implemented and followed
  • works with individual and small groups of students

Qualifications: 

  • any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school
  • must be comfortable managing student behaviors in large and small groups, ensuring all layered prevention/safety protocols and procedures are implemented and followed
  • has general familiarity/skills with basic office technology in support of teachers, students, and the classroom

Additional Details:

  • Pay: $16.34/hour (no benefits)

How to apply?

  • Email your resume and contact information for your two most recent supervisors to Jessica King, Assistant Principal of Coates Elementary, at jaking@fcps.edu.

Bodhi Day- December 8th

bodhi

Bodhi Day, Thursday, December 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. Learn more about Bodhi Day in this video from the Miami Children’s Museum. 

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 certain events that cannot be made up will not be held on these observance days. See the complete 2022-23 School Year Calendar.


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. 
  • 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. 
  • 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. 


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.


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

dec

8th- Bodhi Day

14th- Winter Chorus Concert- 7pm

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

3rd- First Day of School in 2023

9th-13th- Grades 1-6 Classroom Spelling Bee

16th- Student Holiday- Martin Luther King Jr. Day

25th- End of 2nd Quarter- 2 hour Early Release

26th-Student Holiday- Staff Development Day

27th- Student Holiday- Teacher Workday

january

 

*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/