Volume 2, Issue 4; January 27, 2023
Stronger Together
To view a translated version of our newsletter, click here and select your preferred language.
Para ver una versión traducida de nuestro boletín de noticias, haga clic aquí y seleccione su idioma preferido.
Clearview students (and staff) celebrated the opening of the salad bar on Wednesday! It was wonderful to see students enjoying fruits and vegetables from all colors of the rainbow. Thank you for preparing children at home by watching the salad bar video and/or having conversations.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or compliments you may have. If you have seen a Clearview staff member going above and beyond, fill out an FCPS Cares here.
Have a FANTASTIC weekend!
Stephanie Almquist Joshua Redford Rachel Charlton
Principal Assistant Principal Assistant Principal
Welcome to Clearview Ms. Kathy Borda!
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Ms. Kathy Borda joined Clearview ES this year as a Public Health Attendant. This year, she supports students with special needs in preschool and kindergarten. Ms. Borda was a student at Clearview ES and now, in addition to serving as a Public Health Attendant, is a Yellow Jacket mom and aunt! Please introduce yourself to Ms. Borda and welcome her to Clearview! |
Text-to-Speech Available on FCPS Websites
FCPS is introducing an innovative way to address the diverse needs of the community. A new text-to-speech feature, available on the FCPS website and each school website, will read the words aloud from webpages.
The feature will help those with accessibility needs, such as visual impairments, dyslexia, or other difficulty reading large amounts of online text. The text-to-speech feature is available for English, Spanish, and Korean. Learn more and try out the new feature.
Text-to-Speech Available on FCPS Websites
FCPS is introducing an innovative way to address the diverse needs of the community. A new text-to-speech feature, available on the FCPS website and each school website, will read the words aloud from webpages.
The feature will help those with accessibility needs, such as visual impairments, dyslexia, or other difficulty reading large amounts of online text. The text-to-speech feature is available for English, Spanish, and Korean. Learn more and try out the new feature.
Summer Learning Programs Registration: Opening Soon!
FCPS’ Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA/E-IFTA) camps will open for registration on Wednesday, February 1.
Career and Technical Education (CTE)
Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp designed to give current K-6 students an opportunity to explore STEAM, culinary, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. Visit the TAC webpage for more information.
CTE Summer Academy (CSA) is a week-long enrichment program that allows students in grades 7-11 to dive deeper into CTE program areas, develop skills, and begin career exploration. Visit the CSA website for more information and registration.
Institute for the Arts Camps (IFTA)
IFTA is a two- or four-week summer enrichment program for students currently in grades 6-11. Students select from nearly 90 classes in art, dance, health and physical education 9, music, self-directed economics and personal finance, and theater. Visit the IFTA website for more information and registration.
E-IFTA is a weekly arts camp for students in grades 2-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students take part in four classes every day related to dance, music, theater, and visual art. They work with FCPS fine arts teachers who create classes that are fun and engaging. Visit the E-IFTA website for more information and registration.
Have Your Say in Our Future!
Strategic planning Community Forums kick off on Monday, January 30, at 6:30 p.m., at Stone Middle School. Check out the schedule of Community Forums and register for one that is convenient for you. There will be one in-person event in each magisterial district and several virtual events.
Participating in a strategic planning Community Forum will give employees, parents/caregivers, students, and community members a chance to help shape the school division’s future. At each event, participants will review student achievement, access, and perception data, and identify both strengths and challenges within the data. Input from the forums will be analyzed by our consultant, Performance Fact, Inc., and shared with the Core Planning Team for potential inclusion in FCPS’ new Strategic Plan.
Childcare will be provided at in-person forums. Language interpretation will be provided, as available, at all events. Please register today.
Have Your Say in Our Future!
Strategic planning Community Forums kick off on Monday, January 30, at 6:30 p.m., at Stone Middle School. Check out the schedule of Community Forums and register for one that is convenient for you. There will be one in-person event in each magisterial district and several virtual events.
Participating in a strategic planning Community Forum will give employees, parents/caregivers, students, and community members a chance to help shape the school division’s future. At each event, participants will review student achievement, access, and perception data, and identify both strengths and challenges within the data. Input from the forums will be analyzed by our consultant, Performance Fact, Inc., and shared with the Core Planning Team for potential inclusion in FCPS’ new Strategic Plan.
Childcare will be provided at in-person forums. Language interpretation will be provided, as available, at all events. Please register today.
Dranesville Strategic Planning
Community Forum- February 4
Adults only-childcare provided with registration
Please join Elaine Tholen for the Dranesville District in-person Strategic Planning Community Forum. Help shape the division’s future for the next few years!
WHEN: Saturday, February 4, 2023 from 9- 10:30a.m.
WHERE: Spring Hill Elementary School Cafeteria-
Please register here.
Child care and language interpretation will be provided at this event, and sign up is through the registration link above.
These Community Forums provide families, students, staff, and community members with an opportunity to participate in and influence the direction of FCPS’ new Strategic Plan. The goal is to have the final strategic plan by June 2023. Learn more about our strategic planning process here. If you can’t join the Dranesville Forum, please check out the schedule of Community Forums, including several virtual options, and register for one that is most convenient for you.
What Happens at a Strategic Planning Community Forum?
- Community Forums will provide families, students, staff, and community members with an opportunity to review student achievement, access, and perception data and identify both strengths and challenges within the data.
- Working in small groups, participants will use research-based goals as a framework to transition their observations into recommended goals for the strategic plan that are focused on our desired future state for students.
- As a culminating activity, participants will identify the one guarantee they would like FCPS to make regarding our students’ education.
- The data from the Community Forums will be synthesized and that information will be shared with the Core Planning Team to incorporate those recommendations into finalized strategic plan goals.
What Can I Do to Prepare?
It's not necessary to do anything in advance. We want you to bring your thoughts and experiences to the discussion. If you'd like to review in advance, the data reports shared at the Community Forums are available on the Strategic Planning website.
February Webinars and Events for Parents
FCPS’ Parent Resource Center (PRC) is dedicated to helping adults support the success of all students. The PRC will present the following webinars in February:
Click on the titles above for more information and to register.
February Webinars and Events for Parents
FCPS’ Parent Resource Center (PRC) is dedicated to helping adults support the success of all students. The PRC will present the following webinars in February:
Click on the titles above for more information and to register.
Lost and Found Donation Day
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All unclaimed lost and found items will be donated to the Salvation Army on February 3rd. Please remind your child to check the lost and found for any lost items, or you may come by the school during arrival or dismissal to check the lost and found items. |
School Board Reviews Draft School Year Calendar Options
At their January 17 work session, the School Board discussed draft calendars that were created for the 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 school years. Draft calendars were developed using the following criteria as a framework:
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- Federal, state, and Virginia Department of Education guidance.
- Superintendent’s priorities.
- School Board input.
- Student absentee data.
- Staff absentee data.
- Surrounding jurisdictions’ calendars.
- Survey results.
- Calendar Feedback Committee input.
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You may view the draft calendars and other related documents in Boarddocs. The Board is scheduled to vote on the calendars during their meeting on Thursday, February 9. Watch a recording of today’s Work Session. Get information on FCPS' calendar development process.
Black History Month
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Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. February is Black History Month.
Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
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National School Counseling Week
February 6-10 is National School Counseling Week, and highlights the tremendous impact school counselors have in helping students achieve academic success and planning for a career.
School counselors work with students in a variety of different capacities, whether it is through classroom lessons, group sessions, or individual counseling. Learn more about the role of school counselors in FCPS.
Presidents Day
Public Schools Week, February 27-March 3
Public Schools Week is an annual celebration that brings together school leaders, educators, parents & community leaders to recognize the importance of our nation’s public schools. |
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 Tutor.com for Test Prep
Did you know Tutor.com can help with more than just homework? This free, on-demand tutoring service also offers a comprehensive range of resources that include exam prep for AP, SAT, and ACT tests.
Students can take practice quizzes at any time, and if they struggle in particular areas, they can immediately connect to a live tutor through voice or chat options for help. Learn more on the FCPS Tutor.com website.
February 14 Pajama Day & Valentine’s Breakfast for Teachers & Staff
February 15 PTA Meeting, 7 PM, Zoom or Library
February 20 George Washington’s Birthday (no school)
See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.
 Mark your calendars
- Tues., Feb. 14: Pajama Day for the kids and Valentine’s Day Breakfast & School Supplies for the teachers
- Wed. Feb. 15: PTA Meeting at 7 p.m. in the library and on Zoom (link will be posted on PTBoard)
Show our Clearview staff some love on Valentine's Day with breakfast and school supplies
We know our families are very busy and not everyone can volunteer in-person, so there are many different ways you can help make Valentine's Day special for our Clearview staff!
- Do you prefer to shop online? Purchase school supply items from the Amazon Wish List for delivery to Clearview or drop off donations at Sarah Stein’s home (email her to coordinate). All donations are due by Friday, Feb. 10.
- Would you rather pick something up at the grocery store? Purchase breakfast items from the sign-up sheet. We still need fresh fruit, coffee creamer, sugar, and hot beverage cups. You can drop off items ahead of time at Christine Graham's home (email her to coordinate) or bring them to the school no later than 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 14.
- How about baking? We need a few more more breakfast dishes (egg casserole, baked oatmeal, french toast or cinnamon roll casserole) from the sign-up sheet. If you don't have time to bake, but are interested in donating money toward quiches that we could heat for you, contact Christine Graham (email her to coordinate).
Please know how much we appreciate your support!
Event planner needed for SPRINGO!
To raise funds for Staff Appreciation Week in May, we want to host a spring bingo fundraiser (SPRINGO!). But we need an event planner to help:
- Work with Ms. Almquist and Ms. Bobby to choose the date.
- Work with the PTA Board to find volunteers (prize collector, set up, greeter, sales, caller, prize distributor, clean up). We will create and send out the sign-up sheet! And we have connections to youth volunteers!
- Work with prior event planners to check inventory of bingo cards/markers and order any additional supplies.
- Work with the PTA Board to select a food truck vendor. We have connections!
- Work with the PTA Board to advertise the event. We will make flyers for Tuesday Folders, post to our PTA Facebook group, and include in Friday’s News You Choose!
If you are curious about what it’s like to be part of the PTA Board, but aren’t ready to commit to a leadership position, supporting an event is a great place to start! Reach out to us at ClearviewElementaryPTA@gmail.com.
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