HES School House News
December 15, 2022
Upcoming Events
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Friday, December 16- SCA Spirit Day Holiday/Winter Sweater
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Monday, December 19 – Monday January 2, 2023- Winter Break- School is Closed and will reopen Tuesday, January 3, 2023
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Tuesday, January 10, 2023 - PTA Meeting 7:00 p.m.- Hayfield Elementary Cafeteria
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Monday, January 16- No School; Office Closed: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s. Birthday
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Dear Hayfield ES Families,
As we prepare for winter break, we want to wish you and yours a happy and healthy holiday season. This is precious time given to relax, rejuvenate, and reconnect. We hope that your time is spent doing what you enjoy and with people you cherish. Our school office will be closed for the duration of the break and staff will be available again when we return on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. Happy New Year!
Jessica Lewis & Seamus O'Connor
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ONLINE ORDERS ONLY
Order your 2022-2023 Hayfield Elementary Yearbook now. The early-bird price is $15 and the early-bird deadline is March 17. The price will increase to $18 starting March 18. April 14 is the last day to order a yearbook. Please Note: The school will not have extra yearbooks to be purchased after April 14.
Remember to Check Lost and Found
Missing a jacket, hoodie or coat? It could be in our lost and found! The lost and found is overflowing with items. If you think your child may be missing an item, please come to school between 8:00am-4:00pm and take a look through the lost and found.
Hayfield Elementary Artwork on Display
If you visit the Kingstowne Library between today and the end of January, please check out the awesome artwork hanging on the walls. The 40 artworks currently on display were created by our Hayfield artists!! There are artworks hanging up from grades 1 through 6. The artworks are labeled with the student name and grade level, so if you see an artist’s name you recognize, please congratulate them! Here are a few pictures of the display.
  
Mental Health, Coping & Addiction
One in four Americans suffers from a mental illness. Almost 3 in 5 people with mental illness will receive no treatment or medication. In 2019, an estimated 47.6 million adults (19% of the country) had a mental illness, but only 43% received any kind of mental health care (Johns Hopkins). There are many reasons why a person may turn to drugs or alcohol initially, including using these mind-altering substances as a coping mechanism for stress, difficult emotions, physical ailments, and other issues. Drugs and alcohol can provide a temporary respite from reality and everyday life. They can enhance pleasure and decrease inhibitions and anxiety. Drug use can be an unhealthy coping mechanism. Coping mechanisms are habits formed over time that serve to help a person manage situations or stress levels. Not all coping mechanisms are maladaptive or destructive; however, addiction is both.
Before using drugs as a coping strategy, here are some recommendations for a healthier mindset. The goal is to identify the “void” or issue and work towards healing. In the meantime, experts recommend diet and exercise as great places to start. See your Primary Care Physician and a therapist if needed. Quality sleep is also a major factor in a healthy mind. Surround yourself with good people and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270.
Resources:
Substance Use Disorder info
FCPS Social Work
Bullying Education, Prevention and Intervention in FCPS
We invite you to join us on Thursday, January 12, 2023 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. via Zoom for a presentation given by Stefan Mascoll, coordinator for the office of Student Safety and Wellness at FCPS. Stefan will be giving a presentation for Hayfield Pyramid parents and guardians on Bullying and Harassment Prevention and Intervention. Topics to be covered are the definitions and examples of bullying, harassment, and other types of concerning behaviors, school bullying and harassment prevention and response, and tips and resources for parent prevention and response. We look forward to connecting with you on this important topic! Zoom link to come.
News From Our Family Liaison
Thank you families for attending the Family Engagement virtual meeting: Hurried Parent, Hurried Child. If you have questions or would like the handouts please email Marily Grotz, Family Liaison at mgrotz@fcps.edu. The next presentation will be Friday, January 6 at 8:45-9:45 a.m. in the elementary cafeteria to review ParentVue and Schoology. This is a bring your own device event: smart phones, tablets, or laptops. Please email mgrotz@fcps.edu if you need to borrow a device for the event. Check in at the front office before proceeding to the Cafeteria.
Parent Resource Center
Registration is now open for January workshops:
Neurodiversity: What Do You Mean We are All Neurodiverse?January 12, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. and January 13, 2023 at 10 a.m.
Social-Emotional Milestones in Early Childhood January 20, 2023 10-11:30 a.m.
Morning Meeting and Responsive Advisory Meeting: Building Positive Classroom Communities through Social and Emotional Learning Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at 10-11:30 a.m.
Join us to hear about how teachers and school staff are building positive schoolwide and classroom communities through social and emotional learning. During this session, families will:
- Learn about the evidence-based Responsive Classroom practices of Morning Meeting and Responsive Advisory Meeting.
- Understand how teachers are using these practices to engage students in learning that is challenging, developmentally appropriate, and supportive of the whole child.
- Learn new tips so you can continue these responsive practices at home.
An important topic being discussed in FCPS is Social Emotional Learning. Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) refers to foundational skills that all students and adults need to be successful. By building on the foundation provided at home, our schools provide students opportunities to develop healthy identities, relate to others, and set and achieve goals. SEL is broken down into 5 key skills, the second being:
Self-Management - The ability to regulate one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations. This includes using healthy coping skills to manage stress, motivate oneself, and work toward goals. More information can be found here. Also, check out this video for more information on self-management and how families and educators can support students in developing this skill.
https://youtu.be/tXKFNDFjKwY
Marily Grotz - Family Liaison
Hayfield Elementary School
Phone: 703-924-4553 Cell: 571-296-6011
Email: mgrotz@fcps.edu
Office Hours: Tuesday/Thursday 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Military Matters - For Our Military Families
Days to Observe:
- National Guard Birthday December 13
- National Wreaths Across America Day December 17
Celebrating the Holidays – Together or Apart
While the holidays are often a fun time, they can also bring increased loneliness and overwhelming stress. Some military families are fortunate to be together during the holidays. However, many service members are deployed and separated from family and loved ones. Whether together or apart, there are many ways for everyone to observe the holidays.
Staying Connected During the Holidays
Being apart during the holidays doesn’t have to mean missing out on family bonding. Get creative with new traditions, connect using technology or send meaningful gifts to your loved ones from afar.
De-Stressing the Holidays
Military life can be challenging- and the holiday season can make it much more stressful for service members and their families. Share these resources for managing stress, coping with the distance from loved ones and more.
Holiday Resources and Support
Parent Webinars on-demand - Military Child Education Coalition – www.militarychild.org
Children and the Holidays – Focus on the Fun - Minimize the Stress
Help prevent festivities that are supposed to be fun from being stressful. Big family get-togethers can tax kids’ ability to behave. Talking to relatives can be hard on kids who are shy. Even favorite traditions can turn into a test of stamina for kids with short attention spans. And when there’s been a big change — including divorce or the death of someone in the family — holidays can be painful. We offer advice for navigating those challenges and making holidays rewarding for all.
Stress Less with These Financial Resources
Holidays are coming up and seasonal expenses like gifts, travel or festivities can cause added financial stress. From immediate relief options to budgeting and financial counseling, find support to ring in a season of good finances.
Help Improve EFMP
The Exceptional Family Member Program invites service members with a dependent enrolled in EFMP to participate in a survey to provide feedback and guide enhancements. Take the survey from now until Jan. 9 to make a difference.
Toys for Tots Make a child’s Christmas a little brighter this year with your donation to Toys for Tots. Skip the stress and chaos. Click the link above to make your convenient and stress-free virtual donation.
For additional support and resources please contact:
Shelly Oberst, LCSW
Military & Family Life Counselor
Hayfield Elementary School
Cell: 571-386-7884
obersts@magellanfederal.com
Hayfield PTA News & Announcements
Calling All Volunteers
We need your help to make our PTA events a success! Please consider signing up here:
Library Volunteers
Cafeteria Helpers
Cafeteria helpers are STILL needed! If you are able to help in December please sign up.
Questions?
Please contact Julie Doyle at volunteercoordinator@hayfieldespta.com
Order online to support our Hayfield Hawk community over winter break. Remember to select Hayfield Elementary School PTA as your AmazonSmile charity and the PTA will receive donations for your purchases.
Join the PTA!
Become a member of the PTA and check out upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.
No PTA meeting this month. The next PTA meeting will be:
January 10 at 7:00 p.m. in the school Cafeteria.
Hayfield Helpful Links
School Resources
Stay in Touch
Please stay in touch with us throughout the year by:
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