We started our celebration of Read Across America this week! All students enjoyed 10 minutes of reading time in the hallway on Thursday morning.
 For Black History Month 2023, Cameron Girl Scout troops (1st graders and 3rd graders) went to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC.
Principal’s Note
On Monday, March 13, Cameron Elementary parents/guardians will be contacted through email with a link to the FCPS Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback Form Online. This questionnaire is part of the Performance Evaluation Program and offers parents/guardians an opportunity to provide anonymous input about various topics related to our school. These topics include instructional leadership, school climate, management (human resources and organizational), communication and community relations, culturally responsive and equitable leadership, and professionalism. The questionnaire will be collected online between March 13 and March 24. When you receive an email from FCPS Surveys, please take a few minutes to complete the questionnaire. Your opinions matter.
Read Across America
Dear Cameron Families,
We are setting out on a reading journey across the United States! Read Across America is a nationwide reading program that celebrates the diversity of stories and readers in the U.S. This year at Cameron, we encourage you to join with us as we spend the next 5 weeks reading stories from across the 5 regions of the United States.
Our Cheetah readers will participate in the following activities each week:
-Read and enjoy stories from a region of the U.S.:
- Feb. 27 - Mar. 2 - The Southeast (green)
- Mar. 6 - Mar. 10 - The Northeast (blue)
- Mar. 13 - Mar. 17 - The Midwest (yellow)
- Mar. 20 - Mar. 24 - The Southwest (orange)
- Mar. 27 - Mar. 31 - The West (red)
-Wednesday Spirit Day: Dress in the color that represents the region
-Friday Read Across the Hallway: Start the day with 10 minutes of free reading!
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Kindergarten Registration 2023-2024
We are so excited to welcome our newest Cheetahs! We are now accepting Kindergarten Registrations for the 2023-2024 school year. In order to register for Kindergarten for the 2023-2024 school year, your child(ren) must be age five on or before September 30, 2023. Please call our office at (703) 329-2104 to schedule a registration appointment.
Please view our website for additional information about registration. https://camerones.fcps.edu/student-services/student-registration
We would also like to invite you to our Kindergarten Orientation being held at our school on May 11, 2023, from 6:00pm-7:00pm.
Spring Picture Day March 10
Cameron's Spring Picture Day is on March 10th, 2023. Students will take individual pictures. Students received order forms this past week. You can also order online.
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Yearbooks Are Now on Sale!
Yearbooks are on sale now for $13.00 as an early bird special. The last day for the early bird special will be Friday, April 14. After April 14 and through April 28, the yearbook cost will be $15.00. If your family would like to purchase a yearbook, please turn in your payment to the school no later than Friday, April 28 by 4:00pm.
This year you can donate a yearbook to another student. Select “Pay It Forward” on the order form, add the money for the yearbook, and return everything to the school. Cameron ES will distribute your donated yearbook to a student who would like one.
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Family Liaison Corner
by Susana Trupo
“Nurturing your kids is essential to their well-being.”
Social and emotional learning is often considered the “missing piece” in a kid’s life, but it is essential to your child's healthy and harmonious well-being. Checking them emotionally is a simple, effective way for families to connect with their children and begin to equip them with lifelong tools to communicate their feelings and needs.
I found these tips for you:
1. Check in with your child.
You can ask:
How do you feel about going back to school?
· Is anything worrying you?
· What was a fun or hard part of today?
· Is anyone teasing or bullying you?
· Do you have any questions for me?
2. Keep track of how your child is doing.
Pay attention to your child:
· moods
· feelings
· behaviors
· attitudes about school
If you see changes or have questions, talk with your child’s teacher or doctor about what you notice.
3. Create a routine together.
Talk about how to stay healthy through:
· sleep and exercise
· good nutrition and hydration
· managing screen time
4. Encourage your child by:
· staying calm and supportive
· helping your child name their emotions
· focusing on positive things
· sharing why your child is special
· talking about why you are proud of your child
· drawing and writing together
5. Help your child address anxiety about safety and uncertainty.
If your child is anxious about safety or returning to remote learning:
· listen to their concerns
· share safety steps they can take
· answer their questions honestly
· confirm that there is still uncertainty around this school year
· share the information you do have.
6. Help your child address anxiety about separation.
If your child is anxious about separation from you:
· listen to their concerns
· practice short times apart
· create a goodbye routine
· send them a special note or photo in their backpack
· assure them you will miss them too.
7. If you need more support, look for it!
You can find out how to:
· contact school counselors or psychologists
· find resources to address stress, anxiety, trauma, or abuse
· connect with other families.
8. Share critical information with the teacher about your child.
Tell the teacher about your child's:
· strengths and challenges
· ways of dealing with stress
· questions and concerns
· interests and talents.
Eating Disorders Awareness Week: Resources for Families
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Eating disorders are behaviors that can lead to serious health problems. These behaviors can begin as a child and affect all genders. When discovered early, eating disorders can be treatable. Contact the FCPS Parent Resource Center for more information or to schedule a free, confidential consultation: prc@fcps.edu or 703-204-3941.
Resources
Eating Disorders Books in the FCPS Parent Resource Center (PRC): The FCPS PRC offers a free library materials for the community.
Eating Disorders What Every Family Needs to Know: View this webinar on eating disorders from the FCPS parent Resource Center.
Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW) is an annual campaign to educate the public about the realities of eating disorders and to provide hope, support, and visibility to individuals and families affected by eating disorders.
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Where Do I Start? National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) can support you on your journey. These resources can help you take the first step to getting the help.
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Parent Toolkit (pdf): The NEDA Parent Toolkit is for anyone who wants to understand more about how to support a family member or friend affected by an eating disorder.
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Educator Toolkit (pdf): The NEDA Educator Toolkit is a resource for educators, staff who work in a school setting or those who work with youth outside of school to understand more about eating disorders to support students and young.
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Coach and Trainer Toolkit (pdf): The NEDA Coach and Trainer Toolkit is a resource for staff who work in gyms, school settings, outside athletic groups, dance studios, etc. who would like to know how to support athletes who may be affected by eating disorders.
The Body Project: This is a group-based prevention intervention that provides a forum for high school girls and college aged women to confront unrealistic appearance ideals and develop healthy body image and self-esteem.
Academy of Eating Disorders Video Library The Academy for Eating Disorders provides a list of helpful videos available on a variety of topics on eating disorders
How to Help a Loved One: NEDA provides resource. Friends and family are often key to encouraging loved ones with eating and/or body image issues to seek help.
Support
Eating Disorders Helpline: The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) provides confidential help Monday-Thursday from 11am to 9pm ET, and Friday from 11am to 5pm ET.
Free and Low Cost Support: The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) provides free and low cost support options offer ways to connect with others and provide tools to promote recovery.
Support for Caregivers: Beat, a United Kingdom based organization, has published guidance encouraging healthcare providers to ensure better support for families of people with eating disorders, including by offering an assessment of their own mental health needs and offering access to peer-to-peer support programs.
Fairfax County Government: Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board's Wellness, Health Promotion & Prevention team encourages people to get screened online, at no cost and confidentially encourages people to , at no cost and confidentially, through their website.
Eating Disorders Screening Tool: NEDA provides a short screening — appropriate for ages 13 and up — can help determine if it's time to seek professional help.
NEDA Blogs
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Disability Awareness Month
In March people throughout the United States will celebrate Women’s History Month and Disability Awareness Month. Both histories are foundational parts of American history. Students deserve meaningful, sustained opportunities to learn about the experiences and contributions of this history year-round, and the celebration of Women’s History Month and Disability Awareness month are opportunities to honor these diverse and important stories.
Resources for Women's History Month and Disability Awareness Month are available for teachers across content areas as part of the FCPS Multiple Perspectives Hub. Teachers and school leaders will find ideas for classroom learning experiences across content areas and grade levels. Resources curated specifically for the social studies curriculum are also available on the new Women's History 180 document and Disability Awareness 180 document.
National School Social Work Week
March 5-10 is National School Social Work Week. Social workers in FCPS help to prevent social, emotional, and behavioral factors from affecting a student's ability to perform at their best. Their primary goal is to remove barriers that prevent a student from fulfilling their academic potential. Social workers are assigned to every school and center in the school system. Most social workers serve one to two sites. Learn more about the role of social workers in FCPS.
Celebrating Arts in Our Schools
The Council for Art Education (CFAE) administers Youth Art Month. Youth Art Month encourages support for quality school art programs, and promotes art material safety. The program provides a medium for recognizing skills developed through visual arts experiences unlike any other curriculum subjects, including:
- Observation
- Communication
Art shows, special exhibits, fundraisers, and school and community activities take place annually, traditionally during March, to celebrate visual art education for grades K-12.
March has also been designated by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) for the observance of Music In Our Schools Month® (MIOSM®), the time of year when music education becomes the focus of schools across the nation. The purpose of MIOSM is to raise awareness of the importance of music education for all children – and to remind citizens that school is where all children should have access to music. MIOSM is an opportunity for music teachers to bring their music programs to the attention of the school and the community, and to display the benefits that school music brings to students of all ages.
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Daylight Saving Time Begins
Sunday, March 12, at 2 a.m., daylight saving time begins. Don’t forget to move your clocks ahead one hour! As a result of the time change, many students will be walking to school or to bus stops in the dark. Help your child stay safe by having them wear reflective clothing and bright or light colors, or add reflective items to their backpacks or clothes. Also, encourage your child to be especially alert for cars that are turning or backing up and not to run into the street or cross between parked cars.
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Important Dates
Mar 8 - PTA Meeting
- HIPPY Family Program, 9:30-2, SACC Room
Mar 9 - Social & Emotional Learning Night, 5:45-6:45pm
Mar 10 - Spring Pictures - students, fall & spring clubs, 6th grade
Mar 15 - HIPPY Family Program, 9:30-2, SACC Room
Mar 22-23 - Ramadan, Religious / Cultural Observance Day
Mar 22 - HIPPY Family Program, 9:30-2, SACC Room
Mar 24 - Valentine's Dance K-2, 4:20-5:45pm, Gym
See the complete 2022-2023 school year calendar
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Cameron Website • Twitter • Facebook • SIS Parent Account
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