 We are grateful for our amazing chorus, band and strings students and teaching staff who graced us with an amazing winter concert this week.
Note from Dr. Sheers
As the end of the quarter approaches, I would like to thank you for all your support throughout this busy quarter; as always, it is greatly appreciated. We have enjoyed getting back to our routine by hosting a variety of events, trips and activities for the students and families.
Please remember that we are here to work in partnership with you to ensure that your child achieves their potential. We welcome you in our school building to support in a variety of volunteer opportunities. Don't hesitate to reach out to myself or your homeroom teacher if you are interested in becoming more involved in any way.
News and Notes
Important Calendar Reminder
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Wednesday, January 25 - Early Release @ 1:30 pm
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Thursday, January 26 - Friday, January 27 - Student Holidays
Rising Kindergarten Information
We are excited to begin thinking about 2023-2024! Do you have a child at home who will be five by September 30th? Please start your registration now by filling out this intake form. If you have any neighbors with little ones, please send this information to them as well. This form simply collects initial information to help us plan for staffing for next school year. Thank you!
Save the Date – Kindergarten Orientation
Thursday, March 2nd from 2:30 – 3:30 pm
Group Photos - January 24
Group photos for the yearbook will take place on Tuesday, January 24. All Scouts should wear their uniforms and all students in choir should wear their choir t-shirts.
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 on where the programs are offered.
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 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.
Magnet School Application and Lottery Information
The Magnet Program registration window will be open from Wednesday, March 1, through Wednesday, April 12, 2023. No late applications are accepted. To learn more about the programs and the registration process, families are encouraged to attend one of the Parent Informational Nights:
- Hunters Woods Elementary, February 13, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. - In-person
- Snow date: February 21, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.
- Bailey’s Upper, February 15, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. - Virtual only
- Bailey’s Primary, February 16, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. - In person
- Snow date: February 23, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.
COVID-19 Compensatory Education Plan Meetings for Families of Students with Disabilities
Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to implementing a plan for COVID-19 compensatory education as part of its obligation to provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to students with disabilities. Please join us at an informational meeting on Zoom for parents/guardians and other stakeholders on Wednesday, January 25, 7-9 p.m.
Visit our website to see what language interpretation services will be available at each meeting and to learn more about the COVID-19 Compensatory Education Plan.
FCPS Student Safety and Wellness (SSAW) is providing the most up-to-date information on current substance abuse trends, prevention strategies, brief interventions, and support. In person presentation will be offered on Monday, February 6 from 6 pm - 8 pm at West Springfield High School, Library 2000. This presentation provides parents and community members with information related to substance use trends amongst youth, supports for students, and strategies for engaging youth in discussions related to substance use. 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.
Military Family Connections
FCPS honors its military community and believes connecting with one another is invaluable. Blue Star Families is committed to strengthening military-families by connecting them with their neighbors to create vibrant communities of mutual support. FCPS encourages our military connected families to consider joining Blue Star Families of the National Capital Region (NCR) to grow our network. You will find that the National Capital Region Chapter offers many opportunities for families to connect! To become a member, visit Blue Star Families and click on “Join Now” on the right-hand side of the page. You can also visit the National Capital Region Chapter page for information on events, and to read their monthly chapter newsletter. For more information, please contact Meredith Ayala, FCPS Family Partnerships Specialist, mlayala1@fcps.edu, or Julie Riggs, Blue Star Families NCR Chapter Director, dc@bluestarfam.org.
New to FCPS?
Are you new to FCPS or want to learn more about FCPS programs and resources? Each month Community Liaisons at FCPS Welcome Centers present a Getting to Know Fairfax County Public Schools orientation for parents to help ensure a smooth transition into the FCPS community. The presentations are offered in multiple languages and are available in-person and/or virtual.
Upcoming presentations:
English - Jan. 25 at 1:00 pm (virtual)
Korean - Jan. 26 at 10:30 am (virtual)
Spanish - Jan. 23 at 10:00 am (in-person) and Jan. 20 at 10:00 am (in-person)
If you are interested in attending a Getting to Know FCPS presentation, please contact Karen Lathrop (WSES Family Liaison) at kllathrop@fcps.edu.
TalkingPoints
FCPS has recently approved the use of TalkingPoints, a free two-way messaging app that families can use to communicate in their home language with their child’s teacher and school. WSES teachers and staff may use this platform to communicate with you about your child’s education and progress, as well as to share important classroom and school news.
How does TalkingPoints work?
- TalkingPoints messages are sent directly to the parent/guardian’s mobile number that is listed in our system. Families will receive the message in the language they have listed as their correspondence language. Messages will come through either as a SMS text message or through the TalkingPoints Parent App (Please Note: the app is not required to receive messages).
- Families can reply to the message (either by text or through the app) in any language and the message will be translated into English for the teacher/school.
TalkingPoints supports 125 languages, making it easier and faster for FCPS families to connect with their schools. Families can opt out of receiving TalkingPoints messages at any time by replying to any message with “GOODBYE.” If you need to update your preferred correspondence language, please contact the front office. For more information about TalkPoints and how to download the app, visit FCPS TalkingPoints.
Tutor.com ~ Still Available for Use
Students who have used Tutor.com have provided positive feedback. Unless they’ve been opted out, students can access Tutor.com through Schoology. Every session is personalized to meet the needs of the student from remedial to advanced levels. Sessions focus on conceptual learning and critical thinking—not quick answers. Learn more at FCPS’ Tutor.com webpage.
Save the Date
Tuesday, January 24 - School Pictures -Clubs and Candids
Wednesday, January 25 - End of Quarter Early Release @ 1:30 pm
Thursday, January 26 - Friday, January 27 - Student Holidays
Monday, February 20 - President's Day
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