Spring Hill ES Panther Press

A Note from Principal Eck


Dear Spring Hill Families,

I hope you all enjoyed the time with family and friends over the winter break and you were able to take time to relax and do whatever it is that you love doing best with your families.

It was wonderful to see our students come through the door on Tuesday with smiles and stories of how they spent their time during the break! With the non-wintry weather this week, we were able to complete our January Fire Drill. 

We ring in the new calendar year by welcoming a new sixth grade teacher, Ms. Jacqueline Fernandez. Ms. Fernandez comes to us from Miami Dade County Public Schools with 25 years of teaching experience. We are fortunate to have her join our team. 

I wish you all the best in 2023 and look forward to our continued work together.

Have a wonderful weekend!


SHES Parents/Principal Book Club

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. 


Youth Substance Use Presentations

FCPS is dedicated to providing parents and community members with the most accurate and up-to-date information on youth substance use, prevention, addiction, interventions and available supports. Please join us and our partners from the Fairfax County Police Department and Community Services Board as we discuss these topics as well as the ongoing opioid crisis. Attendees will walk away with an understanding of:

  • Alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, and opioid.
  • List what you can do as a caregiver.
  • How to identify and connect with community resources.

The Langley Pyramid presentation will be held on January 23rd at 6:00pm at Langley High School.   There will also be a virtual presentation in partnership with the Parent Resource Center on March 21.


Rise Against Hunger Langley Pyramid Fundraiser

This week, student brought home a Rise Against Hunger fundraising box. 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. 

As many of you remember, the Langley Pyramid held their 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.  

On Saturday, February 4, 2023, families in the Langley Pyramid are joining together again this year 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.  

 

Donate and help raise money for the event:

Elementary and Middle School students may donate the week of January 16th. High school students should donate directly online. Our goal will be reached if every child donated $5.00.

Each meal costs only 42 cents to make. For just $15, you can donate over 35 meals; $30 will make over 70 meals and $100 will make nearly 280 meals. You may make your tax-deductible donation today at: http://events.riseagainsthunger.org/LangleyPyramid2023When rehydrated, each meal package feeds 5-6 people.  Throughout our efforts, our students will understand how their family’s contribution will help impact nearly 500,000 people.

In order to reach our goal of 83,000 meals, the Langley Pyramid needs to raise $35,000 by January 27th.  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

Volunteer for the event: (Sign up opens January 3rd!!!)

If you have children at multiple schools, please register your child with their current school (e.g., Smith family has 2 children at Spring Hill, 1 at Cooper, and 1 at Langley). Enter your Last Name and Enter "Quantity" as the number of volunteers attending.  If for any reason you need to cancel, please cancel through the Sign-up Genius to make those slots available to other Langley pyramid families. Being a popular Langley pyramid event, please sign up as volunteer slots will fill up quickly.  Children ages 4-12 must be accompanied by an adult. On the day of the event, volunteers package meals based on the amount of money raised, so it is recommended that if you wish to volunteer for the event, please make a monetary donation.   


Family Math Week

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. 


Middle School Information

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.


Attention 4 - 6 Graders! 

Do you love Science and/or Geography?  Would you like to show what you know by  participating in a school-wide ‘BEE’? 

 

This year we are bringing back the Geography Bee and introducing a Science Bee.  Students who are interested in participating must be in grades 4, 5, or 6.   Interested students will be required to take a 20 min test (per subject) to qualify.

 

Test dates will be held before (8:00 - 8:35)  and after school (4:00 - 4:35) on 1/9, 1/10, & 1/17.   Students who want to try out for both bee’s must take both tests.  Students should bring their FCPS computer to their testing day. 

Bee dates are TBD for late winter and early spring.

For more information, or to sign up for a testing date please reach out to Kendra Roman; krroman@fcps.edu.


Social Emotional Screener Results

Most students in grades 3-6 participated in the Social Emotional Screener this Fall. The results are currently being mailed out this week. This survey offers valuable information about students' SEL skills, relationships, school environment, and well-being.

Parents and guardians can use these resources  when talking with school staff about screener results.


Dual Language Immersion Program Registration

Registration for the countywide lottery for Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs will open on Monday, January 23. Current pre-K students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program, and current kindergarten students may apply for the first grade immersion programs for the 2023-24 school year. 

Programs are available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish. Visit the DLI registration page for more information.

Parents who are interested in the DLI programs in FCPS are encouraged to attend an informational meeting at their school site. Meetings will begin on Wednesday, January 11. Details regarding access to virtual meetings will be available on the Dual Language Immersion registration page by the meeting date. Get more information on DLI programs and registration


Family Nutrition Tip of the Week: Slash Sodium

Most Americans eat too much sodium, with the majority coming from packaged and restaurant foods. This can lead to high blood pressure, increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke. The following tips can help you reduce your sodium intake.

  • Read nutrition labels to choose foods with 5% or less Daily Value (DV) in sodium, and avoid foods with 20% DV or more
  • Prioritize fresh, whole foods prepared at home over restaurant food
  • Drink plenty of water and exercise to sweat out excess sodium
  • Further reduce sodium by rinsing canned foods, adding flavor with herbs and spices rather than salt, and using half the salt called for in recipes

Yearbook Picture Collection

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.


Parent University


Parent Univeristy

A Message From PTO

Welcome back, Panther families! The Spring Hill PTO is kicking off 2023 with several exciting events and important dates in this first quarter. Be sure to mark your calendar and keep an eye on all of our communication and social media posts so you don't miss out! 

Outside School Activities (OSA) - We have two additional sessions of exciting offerings through our OSA program! Please note - there will be only ONE registration period for both the winter and spring sessions. Some offerings will begin in late January, while others will begin in March. Please read through our OSA communication carefully. Registration dates will be released shortly. 

Bids for Kids (January 29 - February 4) This week-long online auction will culminate with an in-person and adults-only event held at McLean Community Center at 6:30 pm on Saturday, February 4. Ticket details will be sent out soon - keep an eye out for updates! 

If you are interested in joining the Raffle & Auction Committee or have a good or service to offer as a donation, please email Anna at springhillptosecretary@gmail.com. 

*The Raffle & Auction fundraiser is hosted by and benefits the Spring Hill PTO, a 501(c)3 non-profit. The funds raised support the Spring Hill PTO mission. Participation in this fundraiser is voluntary and is operated independently of the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent, and Spring Hill Elementary School.

Bingo Night - February 10 

Fun Fair - March 18

Staff Basketball Game - March 30 

We are in need of an event chair to coordinate concessions and volunteers! If interested, please email presidentelect@springhillpto.org. As always, we thank you for your support of Spring Hill's PTO and we look forward to seeing you at these extraordinary events! 


FCPS Parent Resource Center


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


Important Dates

 

January 16 - School Holiday - Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday 

January 23 - Substance Abuse Presentation - Langley HS - 6:00 PM

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

February 10 - Bingo Night

March 18 - Fun Fair 

March 30 - Staff Basketball Game