Message from Ms. Shannon
Dear Mantua Families,
This week, we want to highlight our Chat-n-Chew gatherings, which have been occurring regularly since December. Chat n Chew is a PTA-sponsored event where parent volunteers lead a monthly book club for students in grades 3-6 at lunchtime. Chat-n-Chew members have enjoyed reading their books and having great discussions about the book’s plot, themes, and characters. Chat-n-Chew meetings are ending for this academic year, and we want to extend our thanks to those parents who have put in time and effort leading our students in these discussions, as well as the PTA parent organizers of this event. We hope to bring you Chat-n-Chew again next year! The 2023 Mantua Basketball season, another Mantua tradition, wrapped up this weekend with our finals. This unique, school-based program gave over 200 Mantua students opportunities to build friendships, develop skills, and practice sportsmanship. We are deeply grateful for all of the work from the volunteers, coaches, and refs who devoted their time to make this league possible.
On Thursday, our fourth-grade students went to the Kennedy Center to see the National Symphony Orchestra perform. During the performance, students were introduced to the four main types of instruments in the orchestra. The types were woodwinds, strings, brass, and percussion. After the introduction, a piece was played entitled: Philamonica Mistique that showcased all the types of instruments working together.
Several of our third-grade classes created a field trip experience within their classroom walls. They extended their studies of influential historical figures by making a wax museum with student speakers for each person in history. Each student memorized the facts of their historical speaker and represented them in the wax museum tour. It was adorable how well they stayed in character while sharing details of their lives.
Finally, a feel-good moment from a 4th-grade class; this group of students participated in a Kindness lesson by reminding each other of the qualities that make each of them so special. We have shared photos from last week below!
Take good care,
Linda Shannon, Principal
Amy Alley, Assistant Principal
Rich Deixler, Assistant Principal
Important Dates
March 21: Heritage Night at Mantua Elementary, 6:00-7:30 PM
March 22-23: Religious and Cultural Observance Day for Ramadan (begins the evening of March 22)
April 3-7: Spring Break Week (no school for staff or students)
April 13: End of third quarter, two-hour early release
April 14: Student Holiday, Staff Professional Workday
See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.
March 22-April 21 Ramadan
This year, the first day of Ramadan is Wednesday, March 22. Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year, a time for spiritual discipline for Muslims, who believe it was during this month that God revealed the first verses of the Quran to Mohammed. Read more about Ramadan in National Geographic Kids. Ramadan begins with a half “O Day” on March 22, followed by an O Day on March 23. The school calendar recognizes many religious and cultural observances (O days) during the school year. There is school on these days. However, the School Board has directed that tests, quizzes, field trips, graduation, homecoming, or FCPS-scheduled athletic events will not be held on these observance days. Half-O days are full school days, but important events will not be held after school on those days. See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.
Mantua recognizes that many families in our community will be celebrating Ramadan. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your student’s teachers if your student will need a space for fasting or praying.
MANTUA News
Lunchroom Update
We Need Your Help! Tomorrow, March 14th, our Salad Bar is opening! We are looking forward to bringing back this additional option to our students. Please remind your students to be patient as we transition our lunchroom operations to accommodate the salad bar. We are looking for a few parent volunteers to help for the first few days. If you are available to come in, please indicate your availability here.
Recess Update
After much planning and collaboration, we are excited to return student-preferred sports to recess. The design provides structure while allowing for friendly competition among students. A staff focus group developed the plan and incorporated game rules that our students already use in PE, and both parent and student focus groups provided feedback. This past week, teachers have been sharing information with students through Morning Meetings and in PE, and we plan to implement our new rules on the playground beginning tomorrow, March 14. As always, we encourage students to “Be Safe, Be Kind, & Be Responsible,” whether in class, at lunch, or on the playground.
Seeking Candidates to Join our Team!
Student Monitor:
Student monitors can serve in full-time or part-time positions. Reach out to us to talk about opportunities! Monitors may supervise students throughout the school day, including the classroom, hallways, lunch, recess, specials, and at arrival/dismissal. Hourly, $16.36 per Hour.
Dining Room Assistant:
Dining Assistants help students during lunchtime by supervising students during lunch, clean-up, and dismissal. Qualifications: Friendly, energetic, assertive in maintaining expectations of cafeteria behavior, and loves working with children. Hourly, $12.03 per Hour.
Mantua Heritage Night
Heritage night is a wonderful time to celebrate Mantua’s many diverse cultures and unique backgrounds! Enjoy a special dish, make a craft, listen to music, and look at pictures of the many different countries that the students at Mantua represent. Please reach out to Luis Uribe Gamboa at lauribegambo@fcps.edu for more information on this event.
Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten Registration: It’s as Easy as 1-2-3… Each school’s staffing depends on the upcoming year’s enrollment. The sooner our students are enrolled, the better we can plan for next year. An easy five-step process is outlined for parents looking to register their child for kindergarten:
-
Determine eligibility.
-
Identify your local school.
-
Gather documents.
-
Fill out forms.
-
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. You may contact Mergie Kakouris us at 703-645-6303 for more information or to schedule a registration appointment.
Yearbook Time!
The link is now open for you to order yearbooks for the 2022-2023 school year! The link to order can be found here. Orders are being accepted only online, and the deadline to order is April 14. After April 14, the link will be taken down, so make sure to order yours today!
Follow us on Instagram!
 |
|
We are starting to share some of our many activities on Instagram! Follow us to see the latest news and happenings: @ mantua elementary |
FCPS & Pyramid News
Recognitions & Celebrations
A Celebration of the 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 problem-solving, creativity, observation, and 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.
We want to give a shout-out to our amazing art and music teachers at Mantua for their diligence and creativity in teaching our students! Thank you to Mr. Lorenzi, Mrs. Shirley, Mrs. Aberle, Mr. Blydenburgh, Mrs. Easton, Mrs. Lubinski, and Mr. Zubaly!
National Women's History Month
Every year, March is designated Women’s History Month by presidential proclamation. The month is set aside to honor women’s contributions to American history. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Read more about Women’s History Month in National Geographic Kids.
|
|
|
Disability Awareness Month
In March, people throughout the United States will celebrate Disability Awareness Month. 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.
Equity in Education Month
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS)—in conjunction with the Virginia School Boards Association—observes March as Equity in Education Month, a division-wide opportunity to deepen our commitment to creating a climate and curriculum where all students receive the resources they need to reach their fullest potential.
Contacts
Linda Shannon, Principal lcshannon@fcps.edu
Amy Alley, Assistant Principal, avalley@fcps.edu
Rich Deixler, Assistant Principal, radeixler@fcps.edu
Ann Marie Delvalle, Administrative Assistant, adelvalle@fcps.edu
Mergie Kakouris, Student Information Assistant, mbkakouris@fcps.edu
Fadwa Finaish, Office Assistant, ffinaish@fcps.edu
Susan Palomino, Office Assistant slpalomino@fcps.edu
Technology Support for Families/Parent Help Desk: 1-833-921-3277
Parent Information Phone Lines/Support for parents who do not speak English as their first language: Parent Information Phone Lines
Parent and Student technology support: IT Support Portal
Our Mental Health Team is available if your child needs support.
Richard Hang, Counselor, rhang@fcps.edu
Susan Song, Counselor sssong@fcps.edu
Austin Swift, School Psychologist, atswift@fcps.edu
David Glasser, Psychologist, dmglasser@fcps.edu
|
