RAVENS' NEST 12/07/2022

Upcoming Events

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Dec 8thCultural and Religious Observance - Bodhi Day

Nov 22nd - Dec 8th – Online Book Fair

Dec 12th – Math VGA testing 3rd Grade

Dec 13th – Math VGA testing 4th, 5th & 6th Grade

Dec 14th – PTA Spirit Night – Chipotle, 7108 Old Keene Mill Rd., Springfield

Dec 19th – Jan 2nd – Winter Break

Plan Ahead – 2022-2023 Standard School Year Calendar 

Because of technical difficulties, if any link does not work, please copy and paste it into your browser.

 

Preparing for Winter Weather

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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: https://www.fcps.edu/ 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

Your school’s principal 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.

Preparación para el Clima Invernal

En caso de que el clima invernal llegue y afecte nuestra capacidad de llevar y traer a los estudiantes de manera segura, la política de clima inclemente de este año será la misma que la del año pasado. Los primeros cinco días de inclemencias del tiempo serán los tradicionales "días de nieve", sin actividades escolares. Después de esos cinco días, tendremos días de aprendizaje virtual no programados, siempre que sea posible. El aprendizaje virtual en estos días será una instrucción sincrónica (los estudiantes deben conectarse durante sus horas de clase). 

Hay varias maneras de saber si las inclemencias del tiempo afectarán la jornada escolar o laboral. El sitio web de FCPS es generalmente la primera y más rápida forma de enterarse de los cierres. Otros canales de comunicación incluyen correo electrónico, texto, sitio web, medios sociales y estaciones de noticias. Aprenda más sobre cómo se comunican los cambios de horario. Asegúrese de que su información esté actualizada en weCare@school en SIS para que reciba correos electrónicos y mensajes de texto de FCPS. 

Planee con anticipación la temporada de invierno. Marque el sitio web de FCPS, planifique para el cuidado de niños si es necesario, y sepa qué artículos puede necesitar para llevar a casa antes de un evento climático.

Mantenga a Su Hijo Bien Abrigado Durante las Actividades al Aire Libre

Estaremos atentos a las bajas temperaturas, los avisos y advertencias de viento helado y los avisos meteorológicos que pueden impedir que los niños estén al aire libre. Sin embargo, asegúrese de que su hijo esté vestido apropiadamente con un abrigo y otra ropa de clima frío para que pueda disfrutar cómodamente de su tiempo al aire libre. El Servicio Meteorológico Nacional ofrece algunos consejos para mantenerse seguro durante el tiempo frío.

Si necesita ayuda para proveer a su hijo de ropa para el clima frío, por favor llame a la Planificación de Servicios Coordinados (CSP) del Condado de Fairfax al 703-222-0880. El personal multilingüe puede ayudarle con cualquier dificultad que se le presente, como la alimentación, el alojamiento, el empleo, la asistencia financiera, la atención sanitaria y otras necesidades.

 

Multicultural and Language Resources for Families

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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.

 

Recursos Multiculturales y Lingüísticos

La Oficina de Asociaciones Familiares y Escolares desea recordar a las familias algunos de los recursos disponibles para ellos.

    • Los enlaces comunitarios bilingües apoyan a los registradores de estudiantes proporcionando a las familias información sobre los servicios escolares y comunitarios que se ofrecen en el condado de Fairfax. Los enlaces están disponibles para ayudar a las familias que hablan Español, Coreano y Árabe. Una vez inscritos en una escuela, las familias pueden ponerse en contacto con su enlace familiar para obtener ayuda. 
    • Los programas de alfabetización preescolar ayudan a preparar a los niños para la escuela y a fomentar la confianza de los padres como primeros maestros de sus hijos. También ayudan a los padres a convertirse en socios activos en la educación de sus hijos. Los programas están disponibles en Árabe, Español, Coreano y Herencia Africana.
    • Las Líneas Telefónicas de Información para Padres están disponibles en ocho idiomas para los padres que hablan otros idiomas distintos del Inglés. 
    • Un Podcast Multilingüe para Familias es producido por las oficinas de Inglés para Hablantes de Otros Idiomas (ESOL), Asociaciones Familiares y Escolares, y Aprendizaje Profesional y de Equidad. Cubre información importante para los padres en Inglés, Español, Árabe y Coreano. 
    • Los servicios de ESOL están disponibles en el Condado de Fairfax no sólo para los estudiantes en las escuelas, sino también para los adultos. La información sobre las clases de primavera se publicará en marzo de 2023. 

Hay más recursos disponibles en la página web de participación familiar. 

 

Screening for Advanced Academic Program Services

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The deadline for families to refer students for full-time Advanced Academic Program services, Level IV, is December 15th at 4:00 pm. Referral forms and materials can be emailed to astrumbull@fcps.edu or dropped off at the school office, no later than December 15th at 4:00 pm. Referral forms and the optional parent questionnaire can be found here .

There are multiple pathways by which a student can be referred, however, if you are interested in your student being considered for the full-time program, you should submit your referral prior to the December 15th deadline.

  • Grade 2 Universal Screener Referrals - Students in grade 2 may be identified for screening based on their performance on a universal screening assessment (e.g., CogAT, NNAT); or
  • Staff and Family Referrals- Students may be identified for screening based on a direct referral (a request) from their teachers, parent/guardian, or other person who knows and works with the student. 

For more information, please visit the AAP FCPS website:

https://www.fcps.edu/academics/academic-overview/advanced-academic-programs

 

Food Drive to Support Food for Others

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Food for other’s mission is to distribute food to our neighbors in need by mobilizing our giving communities and volunteers. FFO provides food for children, senior citizens, people who are sick or disabled and working poor people who struggle to obtain enough nutritious food.

This donation drive is being organized by two Ravensworth fifth grade students – Mackenzie Saltman and Ava Millender. We appreciate your collaboration.

Collection boxes are placed in the school lobby and in the SACC room until December 14th.

 

Holiday Assistance

Is your family in need of assistance this holiday season? If so, please contact ECHO who will set up an appointment with you to discuss providing support.

https://www.echo-inc.org/ 

703-569-9610

Ravensworth will not be providing direct holiday assistance to families this year.

If you would like to donate to ECHO to support families in need, please visit their website https://www.echo-inc.org/ or call 703-569-7972.

Please contact Amity Kim, our school social worker, with any questions or concerns at ankim@fcps.edu or (703) 426-3682.

 

Positivity Project – Other People Mindset:  Supporting Others When They Struggle

other people mindset

Supporting other people when they struggle is a critical piece of being human. There is a Chinese saying that sums this up: “If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody.” There are many different approaches to helping people who are struggling. These can include: listening while they

describe an event and their feelings about it, taking action to help people in need, or simply just being there and sitting together in silence.

Talking through a problem is a common way to help a person who is going through a tough time. When thinking about how to help them through conversation, it can be useful to (a) validate, rather than dismissing, their feelings, (b) help them reappraise the situation, and (c) *carefully* point out logic/thinking errors that may block them from healing.

To practice and encourage the character strength of perspective with your child, please visit the Positivity Project’s P2 for Families (password: P2), where together you will watch a video, read a quote, and talk about the answers to three questions.

 

PTA

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A Message from our PTA

Ravensworth ES PTA uses Memberhub for enrollment.  Memberhub is a custom-made software for PTA’s that puts all our resources onto one platform. Best of all, Memberhub allows you to share your contact information with other PTA members and connect with other families in the same class and grade as your children.

To join Ravensworth PTA, go to: https://ravensworth.memberhub.com/store?category=Memberships

There are two membership options.

Family Membership: $20.00 (two adults)*, Single Membership: $10.00 (one adult)*

*A small processing fee will be added to each transaction

Once your membership is processed you will receive an email with directions on how to set up your profile on Memberhub. 

 

PTA Spirit night at Chipotle

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Chipotle Fundraiser for Ravensworth Elementary School PTA, next Wednesday, December 14th from 5:00 to 9:00 pm. 7108 Old Keene Mill Rd, Springfield, VA 22150

33% of event sales get donated to the cause.

Order online for pick up using the code: GPPPQB2 or show the flyer received in your Wednesday envelope in the restaurant.

For online orders to count towards the fundraiser, they must be placed for pickup only from the restaurant location of, and during the hours of, the fundraiser. Delivery orders and gift cards do not qualify. $150 minimum event sales required to receive any donation.

 

Scholastic Bookfair

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The Scholastic Book Fair has concluded for the 2022-2023 school year, and you all were amazing!!! We exceeded our goal by selling a total of 2,619 books. The money donated and proceeds from the book fair were used get every kid in the school at least one book! Likewise, 158 books were given to our fabulous teachers at Ravensworth Elementary. The leftover proceeds will be used to fill the school library with more books to be used for years to come.

If you couldn’t make it to the Book Fair, then shop at our school’s Online Book Fair which starts November 22, 2022 and ends December 8, 2022. All orders ship directly to your home, and shipping is free for book orders over $25. Your online orders will also benefit our school.

Visit our Book Fair homepage to learn more and get started with online shopping:

https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/ravensworth.

 

Ravensworth Yearbooks!

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Want to have all the memories the school year brings?  The time has come to order your Ravensworth Elementary School Yearbooks. The price of the yearbook is $18.00.  After January 1st, the price will increase to $20.00.  Take advantage of the savings and order your yearbook today! 

Order site: https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/Order/SelectJob

Yearbook ID Code: 4882623

School Name: Ravensworth Elementary School 

Don't delay and order your yearbook today!

 

Yearbook Love Notes

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Want to add a Love Note to your yearbook?  You can leave a Love Note for $5.00 or a Love Note with a Picture for $10.00.  If you would like to write a message to your child to be included in the yearbook, please follow these steps:

Purchase your love note in the school store on the Memberhub:

https://Ravensworth.memberhub.com/store

Visit the google form to complete your order at:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdaxRX2gtxxAHPPy00jTdzyddUZwDfmFe77g8BuP-OMY1dGmA/viewform

You must complete both steps in order for your love note to be included in the yearbook.

**If you are purchasing a Love Note with Picture, photos will be printed at an approximate size of 1”x1” so please choose a photo that has your child front and center (headshot preferred over body shot).  Minimum acceptable resolution is 300 dpi.**

For questions (not submittals), contact ravensworthyearbookphotos@gmail.com.  Deadline is January 6th.

 

Ravensworth Chess Club – Register Now!

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The Ravensworth Chess Club is accepting registrations. Chess club meets on Mondays from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. in the cafeteria and is open to grades 2-6. No chess experience necessary. Chess teaches valuable skills such as discipline, critical thinking and sportsmanship. Register at https://chessctr.org/ravensworth/ Contact Mr. Terry Smith at terrysmith209@hotmail.com with any questions.

 

Get Your School Spirit Wear Today!

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Show your school spirit and support the Ravensworth PTA—purchase your spirit wear in the MemberHub store anytime: https://ravensworth.memberhub.com/store; youth and adult sizes available. Contact spiritwear@ravensworthpta.org if you have any questions. Show your pride for the Ravensworth Ravens all year long!

 

Help Support Ravensworth ES While You Shop

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Sign in with your existing Amazon account and select Ravensworth Elementary PTA as the organization you would like to support.  Also, be sure to select to use this while shopping from the app!  It is one of the easiest ways to help our school earn money for our programs for both students and teachers.  It does not cost extra and is the same a shopping on Amazon as you would normally do!  Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the Ravensworth PTA.

 

Follow Ravensworth on Social Media

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Are you connected to Ravensworth Elementary School and the Ravensworth PTA on social media? The PTA’s Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/ravensworthelementarypta and the school’s accounts are https://www.facebook.com/RavensworthElementary and https://twitter.com/RavensworthES