For a translated version of this newsletter, please click HERE. Next click on the language icon in the upper left corner to choose your preferred language.

Para obtener una versión traducida de este mensaje, haga clic AQUI. Luego, haga clic en el icono IDIOMA en la esquina superior izquierda para elegir su idioma preferido.

Calendar Reminders

Thursday, March 2 - Student 2-Hour Early Release- Dismissal begins at 1:35 Friday, March 3 - Student Holiday (No School) Monday, April 3-7 - Spring Break (No School) Thursday, April 13 - End of 3rd Quarter/ Student    2-Hour Early Release - Dismissal begins at 1:35 Friday, April 14 - Student Holiday- (No School) Friday, April 21 - Student Holiday- (No School) Monday, May 29 - Memorial Day- (No School) Friday, June 16 - Last Day of School (Early Release- Dismissal begins at 1:35)

Annual Basketball Game Forest Edge vs. Lake Anne

We are looking forward to seeing everyone on March 17th to cheer on our boys', girls', and teachers' teams at our upcoming 6th Grade Baseket Ball Game with Lake Anne Elementary.  Our Eagles Pep Squad is ready to keep the crowd moving.  Please see below for details on purchasing tickers & t-shirts.  The game will take place at South Lakes HS.  Doors open at 6:00 PM.  Where your t-shirts to the game and you will have a chance to get team signatures form your favorite players!  Great school momento.   Deadline to order is 11:59 PM on 2/27/2023 TICKETS FOR THE BASKETBALL GAME: Where can I buy tickets? PTBoard.com T-SHIRTS FOR THE BASKETBALL GAME: DEADLINE 11:59 P.M. 2/27/23 Where can I buy a t-shirt? PTBoard.com

Show What You Know!

Monday, March 20th, 6:30PM – 8:00PM at Forest Edge

Get ready for our annual Show What You Know expo, where students get to share their favorite topics with friends and families. Students may choose any topic they wish for their projects—sports, science, nature, books, games, anything.  Students can work by themselves or as a team, but each student or team will be limited to one topic. All grades may participate. Students and their families are all invited to attend (parent/guardian must accompany children). The primary objective for students is to have fun, share information with others, and feel a sense of pride for a job well done!

Register online at https://fees.ptboard.com/ or complete the paper form in your student's Friday Folder. Don’t delay – select your topic early so that you have plenty of time to create an awesome display!!!

FCPS Equitable Access to Literacy Plan

Every Student Has The Right To Learn How To Read - Video

We wanted to share an overview of the vision of the FCPS Equitable Access to Literacy Plan with you since you might have heard the term Science of Reading.

• FCPS is unified in our commitment to a division-wide, comprehensive, and culturally responsive PreK - 12 literacy program that uses evidence-based practices, is grounded in science-based reading research, and intentionally expands learning opportunities in accordance with students’ needs.
• FCPS ensures students receive explicit instruction in reading and writing to achieve proficiency in literacy and eliminate disproportionate outcomes based on race, gender, zip code, ability, socioeconomic status, or languages spoken at home.

FCPS' approach to literacy acquisition is grounded in science-based reading research, implemented through a structured literacy model, and guided by three anchors; The Simple View of Reading (Gough, P. B., & Tunmer, W. E. 1986), The Four-Part Processing Model (Seidenberg & McClelland 1989), and The Reading Rope (Scarborough, 2001). For more information please click HERE. 

Lexia is Part of the Equitable Access to Literacy Plan

As part of the FCPS Elementary Language Arts Basal Resource Adoption, Lexia Core5 and Lexia PowerUp will be used for the next 7 years in FCPS. Lexia is equitable access to structured literacy for all students in grades K-6. Lexia will be used across all tiers and with all students in grades K-6.  Lexia will be used as part of the literacy block during independent practice when teachers are doing skills based small group instruction.  Core 5 is the K-5 version of Lexia and Powerup is the 6-8 version of the program.

Here is why Lexia Units and Minutes Matter!

• Lexia allows for students to practice skills they are learning! Lexia is computer adaptive and meets students where they are in their learning.
• When students use Lexia for the required amount of time if students are stuck, answer incorrectly or are working slow it will flag students in the program. Teachers use these flags to provide small group instruction for students.
• Time and unit goals reflect the time/practice needed to be on gradelevel across multiple areas. You can see your student’s information on their student dashboard (please see below for an example).
• Students should always work independently on Lexia, this helps us provide instruction that is best for each student!

Here is the recording of the information shared during our November Coffee Chat with our Lexia Representative.

School Board Approves 2023-24 School Year Calendar

The Fairfax County School Board approved a calendar for the 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 school years at their February 9 meeting. Learn more about the approved calendar. 

The first day of the 2023-24 school year will be Monday, August 21, and the last day will be Wednesday, June 12. 

Developing a school year calendar is a balancing act, involving multiple factors that must be considered. Community input is one of those factors, and we appreciate our community for being involved in the calendar development process.

No-Cost COVID-19 testing sites:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has launched a COVID-19 Testing Locator website, which can help families find no-cost COVID-19 testing sites: 

The locator is part of the CDC’s Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) program, which focuses on at-risk communities. Testing is available at pharmacies and other locations and is provided at no cost to individuals with or without health insurance and in areas with an increased demand for testing. 

More information via the CDC’s recent announcement is available at the following link:

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2023/s0124-testing.html

Healthy Relationships with People and Substances

Relationships are important components in the development of living a fulfilling life. Valentine’s Day occurs in the month of February, causing a frenzy of purchases and planning between loved ones to show appreciation and love. Forming and maintaining healthy relationships is difficult but vital for those in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. Healthy relationships are a factor in helping people maintain sobriety (Addiction Center). Bonds and companionship provide emotional support and are effective in increasing health and wellbeing. Emotional support decreases fears and helps people to thrive.

There is value in healthy relationships. Healthy relationships help decrease the chances of people struggling with addictions from engaging in toxic attachments that create feelings of frustration, stress, and conflict. Negative attachments can bring out the worst in people and create feelings that can lead to increased use of alcohol and substance misuse and abuse. Positive relationships encourage growth, comfort, and the creation of emotional bonds that provide feelings of joy and support. Open communication and commitment are two of the best ways to foster the ideal type of relationships most people strive for.

Common values to develop in healthy relationships include:

• honesty
• reciprocity
• effort
• respect
• safety & security
• laughter
• acceptance
• healthy boundaries
• unconditional love
• friendship
• non-judgmental

As the world celebrates love, it is important to do our part in the creation of positive partnerships, social circles, and healthy connections. Encourage the support and inspiration of those that may be silently vulnerable and struggling to feel safe.

Resources:

Healthy Relationships

Substance Abuse & Intimate Relationships

For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270.

For further Information & support:

Monica Rogers, CSAC, QMHP-C/A

Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist

mrrogers@fcps.edu

1501 Becontree Lane, Reston, VA 20190 | Phone: 703.925.8000

Attendance: 703.925.8080 | Web | Twitter