 
Dear Spring Hill Families,
We had a week full of beautiful music and performances from our students and staff. It is already almost the end of 2022, and today is the last day of school in 2022. It has been a busy and wonderful few months of school, with our staff working hard to keep our students learning. Now it is time for Winter Break!
As a reminder, Winter Break begins December 19 through January 2. All FCPS Schools are closed, and our Main Office will also be closed. We look forward to welcoming students back in the new year. Classes resume on Tuesday, January 3, 2023.
In order to give everyone a true break, teachers will not be assigning homework over the Winter Break, and no tests/due dates will be on January 3-4.
The next Friday Message will be sent on January 6, 2023.
We hope that your families have a wonderful Winter Break and a Happy New Year. We look forward to a fabulous 2023!
We would like to invite you to share in a book study on Strengths-Based Parenting: Developing Your Children's Innate Talents. Strengths-based parenting aims to help parents identify and understand what children are naturally good at and where they thrive. At the end of the book, a strengths assessment provides a stronger understanding of your students' talents.
Please read and complete the book before coming to the meeting on January 31st. If you are interested in participating, please complete this form.
I look forward to our engaging discussion after reading this book. Childcare will be provided if needed.
On Saturday, February 4, 2023, families in the Langley Pyramid are joining together again to help children in need. In partnership with Rise Against Hunger, the Langley pyramid elementary, middle, and high schools are coming together with a goal to prepare 83,000 meal packages for schools and orphanages around the world.
As many of you remember, we held our last Rise Against Hunger event in February 2020. This event was a huge success and provided a wonderful service-learning opportunity for children and adults of all ages to actually make the meals. Each meal we make costs 42 cents. For just $15, one can donate over 35 meals; $30 will make over 70 meals and $100 will make nearly 280 meals.
Donate and help raise money for the event:
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Students: After the break, students will bring home a small box in which to collect funds. Each student is encouraged to contribute loose change or money they earn and wish to donate to Rise Against Hunger. Any money students wish to donate should be returned to their classroom teacher the week of January 16th.
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Families: Consider an End of Year tax deductible donation. You may make your tax-deductible donation today at: http://events.riseagainsthunger.org/LangleyPyramid2023
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Corporate Donations: If your company makes matching contributions, please consider having them join you in making a tax-deductible donation today at: http://events.riseagainsthunger.org/LangleyPyramid2023 and help us Rise Against Hunger.
This is a great event for the whole family! Don't miss out. Please email LangleySHN@gmail.com if you have any questions.
ST Math is hosting family math week from January 9, 2023, until January 13, 2023. During the week of January 9, 2023, students will be encouraged to log onto the FCPS Family Math website to engage in math activities including stories that include mathematical concepts and a variety of different math games from around the world. All activities are available in English and Spanish. Please watch for more details on this fun family event.
2023-2024 Cooper MS Rising 7th
For any families of students that will be attending Cooper MS, please see the schedule of registration events. More details will be emailed from Cooper directly to you in the upcoming weeks.
2023-24 Longfellow Middle School Rising 7th
Longfellow Middle School is excited to invite you to the Rising 7th Grade Curriculum Night on Wednesday, January 11 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm. This night will be full of information about Longfellow and the transition to middle school. Our core and elective teachers will highlight their exciting classes. There will be students and staff members to answer any questions you might have. The inclement weather date is Wednesday, January 18 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm.
The holidays are a time for traditional treats and meal-centered celebrations. Most Americans gain a couple of pounds during this time which tend to never (ever) come off. Consider these tips to avoid weight gain while still enjoying the holiday fare.
- At parties and gatherings with spreads and hors d'oeuvres, start with a plate of veggies to take the edge off of your appetite
- Don't skip meals to save up for a feast; maintain blood sugar with regular meals to avoid being overly hungry and then overeating
- Be choosy about which treats you indulge in and try smaller servings; eat slowly and savor
Eat mindfully, paying attention to your body's hunger cues to recognize when you're satisfied
Do you have SHES event pictures taking up space on your phone? Have you chaperoned a field trip or class party and don't know what to do with all of the pictures you took? We are starting to collect candid pictures for the yearbook and we would love for you to share them with us! There is no guarantee that pictures you submit will be included in the final yearbook, but we will do our best to include as many as we can.
To contribute pictures, please visit https://community.lifetouch.com/invite?code=SHES-YEARBOOK-23 and enter your email to begin uploading pictures. Please TAG your pictures with the tags provided. By tagging your pictures with your students' grade and teacher name, we can be sure that pictures end up on the correct final pages in the yearbook. Thank you in advance for your contributions! Please contact Kate Allen (ksallen@fcps.edu) if you have any questions.
Help Us Help Our School! 2022 Panther Fund Drive is Underway!
Thank you to the families who have donated to the Panther Fund this year! November has been a month of giving, and we are grateful for all your support. If you haven't yet had a chance to donate, it isn't too late! The Panther Fund is Spring Hill PTO’s direct donation fundraiser that allows our community to sponsor programs and make investments that enhance our children’s educational experience. These are items and programs not funded by the county, but we believe are important benefits to the Spring Hill community. We've got BIG plans this year! We’ve set a goal to raise $90,000 to purchase NEW classroom furniture for Grades 4 and 5. How can you help? 1. Donate to the Panther Fund! All donations are 100% tax deductible. 2. Ask your company about Corporate Matching! Double your donation with an employer-matching gift benefit. 3. Become a PTO Corporate Sponsor! Elevate your business by taking advantage of the vast network that makes up our Spring Hill community.
(Our lucky little 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders will already be receiving new classroom furniture purchased earlier this year by the PTO. Delivery is expected in December.)
Fun Fair 2023 Planning has Begun!
Save the date! On March 18, 2023, our school building will be transformed into a carnival, bringing our community together for games, raffles, face painting, prizes, and FUN, all to support the school! We are currently seeking volunteers who are willing to help organize and prepare the activities and infrastructures that make this event possible. Please view the list of volunteer opportunities and sign up to be a part of the excitement! Check YES for any activitiy that you would like to help plan. Even if you can't be at Fun Fair on the 18th, there is much work to be done beforehand. Thank you for your support! Questions? Contact Beth Franker, Fun Fair Committee Chair.
The FCPS Parent Resource Center offers a welcoming and engaging environment for families, educators, and community members. It provides access to information and resources to support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities.
Throughout the year it offers family and educator webinars. Upcoming sessions include:
Neurodiversity: What Do You Mean We are All Neurodiverse?
All human beings are neurodiverse. There is infinite variation of thinking and experiencing the world due to our identities, experiences, and brain wiring that is a valuable form of human diversity (Büdy, 2021; Singer, 2019). This webinar examines the brilliance and advantages of neurodiversity and the different ways brains may function as it relates to neurodivergence or neurotypicality.
- What is the relationship between neurodiversity and student relationships and engagement?
- How can we use asset-based language?
- How can we reflect on individual mindsets towards inclusion for all students?
Presented by Kristen Haynor, FCPS Neurodiversity Specialist.
January 12, 2023 at 6:30 p.m: View the individual event page if you would like to share this event with others.
January 13, 2023 at 10 a.m: View the individual event page if you would like to share this event with others.
Register online for Neurodiversity: What Do You Mean We are All Neurodiverse?
Social-Emotional Milestones in Early Childhood
The first five years of life are a period of incredible growth in all areas of a child’s development. Social and emotional development includes the child’s experience, expression, and management of their emotions, and the ability to establish positive and rewarding relationships with others. Join us for this important webinar to
learn about the social-emotional developmental milestones in early childhood.
Webinar Highlights include:
- Identify social-emotional skills that develop in early childhood
- Discuss strategies to support children in their social-emotional development
- Explore concepts of attachment, temperament, and self-regulation and their impact on social-emotional development
Presented by Naomi H. Grinney, LCSW, Infant Mental Health Specialist, IMH-E® Clinical Supervisor/Behavioral Health Senior Clinician Infant-Toddler Connection of Fairfax – Falls Church
January 20, 2023 10-11:30 a.m.
Register for Social-Emotional Milestones in Early Childhood.
Morning Meeting and Responsive Advisory Meeting: Building Positive Classroom Communities through Social and Emotional Learning
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.
The presenter is Ivette Robles, FCPS Curriculum Resource Teacher, Office of School Improvement and Supports.
Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at 10-11:30 a.m.
Register for Morning Meeting and Responsive Advisory Meeting: Building Positive Classroom Communities through Social and Emotional Learning
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December 19-January 2 - Winter Break
January 16 - School Holiday - Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday
January 25 - End of Quarter - 2-hour early release
January 26 - Student Holiday/Professional Workday
January 27 - Student Holiday/Professional Workday
January 31 - Parents/Principal Book Club (6:30 PM)
February 4 - Rise Against Hunger Event
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