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.
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 Family Social Emotional Learning Night last week was a huge success! The school community came together to learn about support students social emotional growth, and there were activities for all. Thank you to everyone who participated and supported!
 First graders enjoyed their field trip to Mount Vernon on Thursday.
 Sixth graders presented their "History Of" research projects to the school community last week. Their hard work and expertise was evident to all those who attended!
Kiss and Ride Reminders
Just some friendly reminders for our Kiss&Ride families.
Safety: Once you are in line, please wait for your turn to exit the school loop; there is only one driving line. We have a marked crossing path for our students and families; please stop at least four feet before the crossing path. The goals are simple: safety and security.
Organization: Please make sure to display the assigned car number. It helps make things run more smoothly and quickly. If you need a number for your child either because it’s lost or you are new, please contact dcfinerfrock@fcps.edu or cmreeder@fcps.edu , and we will get you one. Thank you!
PreK and Early Head Start Registration is now OPEN!
Kindergarten Registration: It’s as Easy as 1-2-3… There’s an easy five-step process outlined for parents looking to register their child for kindergarten:
1. Determine eligibility.
2. Identify your local school.
3. Gather documents.
4. Fill out forms.
5. Schedule an appointment.
After the appointment at the school (the student and one caregiver must be present), the student will be ready for orientation, Bridge to Kindergarten, or any other introductory events each school may host. Read more about the registration process.
Parent Resource Center March 2023 Webinars
 Registration
Family Literacy Program
Virtual Adult English Classes for our Cameron families.
English for beginners/conversational
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm
For more information, please contact
Esperanza Ruiz at 703-718-8023 or Natalia Sosa at 703-423-4647
Family Liaison Corner
By Susana Trupo
“Difference is the essence of humanity.”
CULTURAL AWARENESS
Dear Families,
Cameron Elementary’s diverse population is a great place to promote cultural awareness. Many of our families will soon begin observing Ramadan. I gathered some facts about Ramadan, hoping this easy reading will increase our understanding of such an important time for the Muslim community.
What is 'the sacred month' of Ramadan all about? It is about Fasting, Eid al-Fitr, and more.
Ramadan is a month-long religious holiday for Muslims as a time of self-reflection and strengthening their relationship with God.
The lunar cycle dictates the date, beginning and ending with a crescent moon. This year will begin on 3/22 and end on 4/21.
The religious holiday involves fasting, praying, and being around loved ones.
Why celebrate Ramadan?
Muslims believe that during Ramadan, God gave the Prophet Muhammad the Qu'ran, Islam's holy book, in 610 A.D. It was the first time God revealed to Muhammed that he was a prophet carrying God's message across the Arabian Peninsula.
The Qu'ran was revealed during the night of destiny for Muslims. That’s why Ramadan has become the sacred month.
It’s a month of charity and generosity. It’s a time of doing good deeds for those near and far and a time of spiritual reflection.
What does the Qu'ran say about Ramadan?
The Qur’an presents fasting as the continuation of a tradition prescribed to those who came before Muhammad.
The Qur'an reads:
“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you; perhaps you may be reverent….The month of Ramadan is where the Qur'an is sent forth as a guidance for humanity and clear portents of the guidance, and the Criterion between right and wrong. So whosever of you bears witness to the month, then formal fasting; …And when my servants ask you [the Prophet] about Me [the Lord], then truly I am near. I answer the call of the caller when he calls to Me….”
Why do Muslims fast?
The idea behind fasting is to practice self-restrain, which is one of the pillars of Islam. Fasting is done from dusk till dawn. Every Muslim that has reached puberty, and is physically capable, is required to fast.
Muslims must abstain from:
· Liquids
· Food
· Negative thoughts
· Bad intentions
Muslims, like any religious community, are diverse in belief and practice. Many fast, some choose not to fast at all, and others may be creative in how they fast.
Although there are no sexual activities during the fast, married couples can have intimate encounters at night once the fast is broken.
Muslims ask for forgiveness during Ramadan for the sins they have committed. It is about repentance. A habit takes a month to form, so Ramadan being a month-long allows for the habit to form.
It becomes a time to commune more deeply with God; it becomes a time to become more aware of God's mercy and to seek that forgiveness.
How to break the fast?
During Ramadan, there are five daily prayers. Muslims break their fast after the evening prayer with a meal called ifṭār. This meal is often celebrated with friends and extended family. Ifṭār traditionally starts with dates and water.
Dates are one of the main staples of the Arabian Peninsula. During the time of the Prophet, they were considered superfoods.
What is Eid al-Fitr, the end of Ramadan?
The end of Ramadan is a celebration known as Eid al-Fitr, one of the major holidays for Muslims. Families and friends get together, and there is a special communal prayer to mark the end of Ramadan. People often dress up in traditional clothing and eat traditional foods.
Traditional foods depend on the region in which Ramadan is being celebrate; maamoul is a shortbread cookie eaten in Syria and Lebanon, made from dates, pistachios or walnuts. Bolani is a thin-crusted bread with a vegetable filling traditionally eaten in Afghanistan. Tufahija, a dessert composed of poached apples drenched in sugar and stuffed with walnut, is enjoyed by Bosnians.
It's a celebration that that that brings families and friends together to be happy that they completed the month of fasting.
Career Opportunities with FCPS
Whether you are just starting out or are an experienced professional, FCPS offers a wide range of career opportunities. FCPS is hiring outstanding teachers, instructional assistants, engineers, IT professionals, HVAC technicians, occupational therapists, financial analysts, electricians, administrative assistants, building supervisors, and others.
For more information or to apply, visit the FCPS Careers site.
Medicaid Policy Changes
A change in federal Medicaid policy could impact the health care coverage of millions of students. In order to avoid gaps in coverage, families need to know:
- Families, especially those who have moved residences during the pandemic, should contact their state Medicaid offices to ensure their contact information is up to date.
- Families should watch their mail for letters about Medicaid and the state Children’s Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, status.
- Recipients must submit any renewal forms they receive to maintain coverage, which states could mail at any point between March 2023 and February 2024.
- Families who no longer qualify for Medicaid after the review may qualify for coverage through their state’s health insurance exchange.
Learn more in this EducationWeek article.
Important Dates
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
Mar 29 - HIPPY Family Program, 9:30-2, SACC Room
Apr 3-7 No School, Spring Break
See the complete 2022-2023 school year calendar
Cameron Website • Twitter • Facebook • SIS Parent Account
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