Volume 2, Issue 5; February 3, 2023
Stronger Together
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Dear Clearview Families,
Clearview students and staff had a very cold start to February. As you know, on Wednesday, we quickly and safely evacuated the building after being alerted by the carbon monoxide alarm. Students followed directions to keep everyone safe while we waited for approximately 40 minutes while the fire department cleared the building. BRRRRRR! If you haven’t yet, please be sure to complement your child’s behavior.
The famous Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow yesterday (Groundhog Day) in Pennsylvania, meaning six more weeks of winter! Thank you for sending your child to school each day with winter weather attire. Please let us know if there is anything your child needs (coat, gloves, hat) to stay warm while outside.
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 WONDERFUL weekend!
Stephanie Almquist Joshua Redford Rachel Charlton
Principal Assistant Principal Assistant Principal
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.
Low-Cost Internet for
Free and Reduced-Price Eligible Students
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program to lower internet costs for families with children who have been eligible for free or reduced-price meals within the last 12 months. A qualifying household will receive $30 per month toward internet services and a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet. Families can check their eligibility and register at AffordableConnectivity.gov or by calling 877-384-2575.
Eating Disorders
The Code of Virginia, 22.1-273.2, requires Virginia Public Schools to provide, on an annual basis, parent educational information regarding eating disorders for pupils in grades five through twelve. According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA 2022),
Eating disorders are serious but treatable mental and physical illnesses that can affect people of all genders, ages, races, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, body shapes, and weights. While no one knows for sure what causes eating disorders, a growing consensus suggests that it is a range of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors. Eating disorders are not fads or phases, and can have serious consequences for health, productivity, and relationships.
In collaboration with the Fairfax County Health Department, FCPS has developed a webpage with detailed information and resources to be provided to parents and guardians of Fairfax County Public Schools. This information may be found at the following link:
https://www.fcps.edu/node/37440
Revised Absenteeism Message
During the height of the Pandemic, the absenteeism message on the attendance line was focused primarily on symptoms related to COVID-19.
In collaboration with the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD), FCPS has revised the current absenteeism message to allow schools to gather information which reflects a greater range of communicable diseases that may impact schools and the community.
As a result, we have updated our absenteeism messages on the attendance line and online attendance submission sites with the following language:
“Please leave a specific message about why your student is not attending today. Be sure to include symptoms if they are ill, especially if they have fever, nausea, vomiting, sore throat and/or cough. If your child has a diagnosis from a health care provider, please include that information.”
Thank you for helping keep our school and community healthy!
Healthy Minds Blog: Filling Your Child’s Emotional Bank Account
Read the latest Healthy Minds blog to understand why relationships are like savings accounts, and how you can help build trust and security with your children.
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.
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.
Family Media Agreement
A family media agreement is an agreed family plan about how you, as a family, will deal with computers, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, e-readers and any other digital devices that are in your family's life.
Here is a sample agreement for you to consider bringing into your family life:
Parenting in a digital age
Parenting in the digital age can present both opportunities and challenges. On one hand, technology and the internet provide access to vast amounts of information and resources, making it easier for parents to support their children's education and well-being. On the other hand, the constantly connected nature of digital devices can also raise concerns about screen time, cyberbullying, and exposure to inappropriate content. Balancing the benefits and risks of technology use is an ongoing challenge for many parents in the digital age, here are some video resources that may help.
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)
Join Amana Katora for this year’s nominating committee
We are so fortunate that Amana has agreed to serve (again) as the chair of the nominating committee for next year’s PTA board. She needs 1 or 2 more volunteers to join her. You'll work with Amana in Feb. and Mar. to answer questions about serving on the PTA board. And you'll follow up with anyone interested in serving to make sure they meet the qualifications. Email Amana Katora at ackatora@gmail.com or text/call her at 757.272.9520.
Are you ready for some football and FOOD?
We’re partnering with Jimmy's Old Town Tavern to bring you ALL THE FOOD to watch the “big game.” The online order form will be ready soon: watch for an email from the PTA, a post in our PTA Facebook group, and a Tuesday folder flyer.
- Place your orders by noon on Friday, Feb. 10.
- Then swing by the Clearview main entrance for pickup on Sunday, Feb. 12 between 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Proceeds from this FUNdraiser will be used for Staff Appreciation Week in May! It’s a WIN-WIN!
Speaking of FUNdraising…
We need some help with planning SPRINGO, our spring bingo fundraiser for Staff Appreciation Week.
- You'll work with Ms. Almquist and Ms. Bobby to choose the date, work with prior event planners to check inventory of bingo supplies, and work with other PTA members to solicit donations for prizes.
- The PTA board will put out the call for volunteers, help secure a food truck, and advertise the event.
Ready to help? Email Christine Graham at cvaughn.graham@yahoo.com or text her at 703.895.1469.
And speaking of showing appreciation…
We have so many unpurchased school supply items from our Amazon Wish List. Many of them are $10 or less! All donations are due by Friday, Feb. 10 so we can share them with teachers at the Valentine's Day staff breakfast.
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