Spring Hill ES Panther Press

A Note from Principal Eck

basketball team

Dear Spring Hill Families,

It was another busy week as we move toward the end of March. As you will see below, on Thursday @ 6:30 PM, the Spring Hill vs Forestville Staff basketball game will be held at McLean High School. This is such a fun event, and we hope to see you there to cheer us on!

Today, our fifth graders went to the Natural History Museum. They learned all about the oceans, fossils, rocks and minerals. Our second graders enjoyed their day at Smithsonian Discovery Theater and had exciting things to share. 

The yearbook is almost finished! But we are still missing some Panthers' smiling faces. We will be taking yearbook pictures for new students, and students who are still missing a picture, on Wednesday, March 29th.

Have a great weekend!


Spring Hill Closed During Spring Break

Mark your calendars!  Spring Hill Elementary will be closed from April 3-7 for Spring Break.  Students will return to school on Monday, April 10, 2023. 

It’s important to note that the end of the third quarter is on Thursday, April 13 and students will be dismissed at 1:35 p.m. Friday, April 14 is a student holiday.


Counselor Corner – March 2023

Bullying is a fundamental problem in the United States. According to PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center, “One out of every five (20.2%) students report being bullied.”  (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2019). In addition, PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center explains, “A higher percentage of male than of female students report being physically bullied (6% vs. 4%), whereas a higher percentage of female than of male students reported being the subjects of rumors (18% vs. 9%) and being excluded from activities on purpose (7% vs. 4%).” (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2019)

What is bullying exactly?

Bullying is a term often used when describing hurtful and mean behavior. However, the word does not always fit the situation in which it is used. There are three types of hurtful behavior, rude behavior, mean behavior, and bullying. Rude behavior is when someone says or does something unintentionally hurtful, and they do it once. Mean behavior is when someone say or does something intentionally hurtful, and they do it once. Bullying is best explained using the acronym, BOO. BOO stands for BEING MEAN, ON PURPOSE, OVER AND OVER. It is often viewed as an imbalance of power between the bully and the one being bullied. There are four types of bullying behavior. They include, physical, verbal, social/emotional, and cyberbullying. The website, stopbullying.gov, is a great resource that specifically defines the distinct types of bullying as follows:

What can I do to prevent bullying?

The website, stopbullying.gov, shares four key strategies to prevent bullying from happening.

  1. Help kids understand bullying. Talk about what bullying is and how to stand up to it safely. Tell kids bullying is unacceptable. Make sure kids know how to get help.
  2. Keep the lines of communication open. Check in with kids often. Listen to them. Know their friends, ask about school, and understand their concerns.
  3. Encourage kids to do what they love. Special activities, interests, and hobbies can boost confidence, help kids make friends, and protect them from bullying behavior.
  4. Model how to treat others with kindness and respect.

What can I do if I suspect bullying behavior?

Spring Hill Elementary School takes allegations of bullying very seriously. We want our students to feel safe and welcomed at school. School counselors teach weekly and monthly lessons that promote character traits shown to minimize instances of bullying. We make sure that students are aware of what bullying is and is not. We instruct students how to report bullying by notifying an adult. Students are often hesitant to report hurtful behavior to an adult because they are worried about the repercussions from their peers. Students, especially in the upper grades, use the word, “Snitch,” to describe the type of person that reports hurtful behavior. That is not the case. Reporting bullying behavior is not tattling. It is standing up for oneself or for someone being bullied. It must be reported to a school administrator. When an allegation of bullying is made, administration must investigate.


Spring Break COVID Test Kit Distribution

If your family is planning to travel or attend large gatherings over spring break, and you would like to ensure your child is healthy before returning to school, please contact us at 703-506-3400 to obtain a test kit in advance of spring break. Please note, testing is NOT required for students to return to school after break. However, you may want to test your student if they are symptomatic or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. Kits will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. 


Update Your Emergency Care Information Through weCare@school

Fairfax County Public Schools provides weCare@school (weCare), an emergency care information system, to parents/caregivers who have registered for their own parent account. weCare helps manage emergency medical information by allowing parents to enter and update their children’s medical data online at their convenience. That contact information automatically enrolls parents/caregivers to receive eNotify communications from the district and their child’s school. eNotify is the communications tool for FCPS emergency, transportation, attendance, weather closings and delay, and essential outreach messages. Messages are sent via email, text, and occasionally phone. 

Learn more about updating your emergency care information


Yearbook Sales

Don’t miss your opportunity to have your panther memories for years to come.  Please be aware we will not be ordering extra yearbooks, so if you want one, order now! 

Yearbook Ordering link:  https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/

Yearbook ID Code: 12616523

Direct link: https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/Order/LookupJob?jobNumber=12616523

yearbook

Family Nutrition Tip of the Week: Pass on Ultra-Processed Foods

More than half the calories of the average American diet now come from ultra-processed foods. These are foods that have been altered with chemicals and artificial ingredients, in addition to unhealthy fats, sugar, and sodium. Research shows that a diet high in ultra-processed foods increases the risk of disease and premature mortality. The following pointers can help you reduce your consumption.

  • Avoid processed meats like ham, sausage, deli meats, hot dogs, bacon, and meat nuggets; instead buy fresh meats and try protein alternatives like eggs, tuna, beans, or tofu
  • Replace packaged snack foods and frozen meals, baked goods, and restaurant foods with whole foods by planning ahead for home-cooked meals, and packing a lunch and whole-food snacks like nuts and fruits for on-the-go
  • Read the nutrition label and choose foods that are lower in sugar, fat, and sodium, and have a short list of ingredients
  • Try whole food swaps like whole grains instead of refined grains, oatmeal in place of cereal, homemade over store-bought dressings and sauces, and olive or avocado oil in lieu of refined vegetable oils

Kinder

A Message from PTO

SHES vs Forestville Staff Basketball Game

March 30th 630pm at McLean High School

Tickets are ON SALE NOW for this fantastic family friendly event! Come cheer on our Spring Hill Panthers as they match up against our rivals from Forestville. The Spring Hill Dream Team consists of Mrs Chang (3rd grade), Mrs. Swiers, Mrs. Gibbs (5th grade), Mr. VanOrmer (P.E.), Mr. Eddy (specialist), Mrs. Momeni (Kindergarten), Mr. Freeman (Band), Danielle Lasley (SHES Family Liasion), and more!!

Performances by the Spring Hill Pep Band, and more! Concessions will be available for purchase.

When: Thursday, March 30th

Where: McLean High School Gym

Time: Doors open at 6:30pm, Tip-off at 7pm!

Tickets : $10


A 'Fun Fair' Sized Thank You!

Spring Hill's 55th annual Fun Fair was a huge success! Our students, their families, and our wider community gathered for a day of games, prizes, activities and cotton candy! This event would not have been possible without the efforts of our amazing volunteers, who gave their time and energy to create a memorable experience for all who attended.

Many thanks to our spectacular Fun Fair Committee members:

Fran Ali, Karen Allman, Octavian Afteni, Agnese Banerjee, Regina Bensten, Marcy Borger, Molly Budman, Jessica Carter, Katie Colosi, Kerry Desai, Anna Engel, Katherine Gamao, Amy Griggs, Jayoung Han, Kelly Hare, Mollie Ifshin, Maggie Kuchner, Suma Lanka, Danielle Lasley, Rachel Link, Cindy Merson, Raven Miller, Amanda Mosher, Bill Mosher, Christina Murphy, Rashmi Nambiar, Katherine Ng, Stephanie Peebles, Erin Phillips, Hope Saadat, Alison Smith, Sophie Townend, and Tien Tran.

A very special thanks to the administration, the teachers who so generously allowed the use of their classrooms, the front office staff, and the custodians who worked tirelessly to both prepare for the event and get the school ready for the return of classes on Monday morning.

And last but certainly not least, we are grateful to the many parent volunteers who gave their time on Saturday to make sure that our kids had a safe and fun experience. The event could not have happened without your support.

 

Beth Franker, Fun Fair Committee Chair


FCPS Parent Resource Center


Unlocking the Mysteries of Sleep and the Developing Brain

Scientists have long recognized that getting enough sleep during childhood can benefit developing brains. Join us for this series on the importance of sleep and the developing brain.

Webinar Highlights:

  • Define sleep and understand the importance of sleep for children’s healthy development
  • Provide an overview of the sleep and wake cycle
  • Identify common sleep concerns and sleep disorders in children and adolescents and how to approach them
  • Illustrate the consequences of insufficient sleep 
  • Recognize some developmental aspects affecting sleep in children and adolescents 

Part 2: March 28, 2023 10-11:30 a.m, 

Presented by Dr. Shu Buckley, Director of the Sleep Disorders and Neurodevelopment Consult Service at National Institute of Mental Health.

Dr. Concepcion Zayas, child and adolescent psychiatrist in the Sleep Disorders and Neurodevelopment Consult Service at National Institute of Mental Health.

Register for Unlocking the Mysteries of Sleep and the Developing Brain


SIBSHOPS: An Exciting, In-person Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs!

The Sibshop workshops are for children in grades 2-6 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools who have siblings with special needs to:

  • Meet other siblings in a relaxed setting.
  • Celebrate the many contributions made by brothers and sisters of children with special needs.
  • Share sibling experiences and receive peer support.
  • Play games and have fun!

Friday, April 14, 2023, 9 a.m.- noon at Providence Community Center

Presented by FCPS School Social Work Services

Register for SIBSHOPS: An Exciting, In-person Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs! 


SOL Schedule

SOL Schedule 2023

Important Dates

 

March 27 - K-3 Principal's Coffee (9-10:30 AM)

March 28 - 3rd Grade Music Showcase

March 29 - 4th - 6th Principal's Coffee (9-10:30 AM)

March 30 - Staff Basketball Game

April 3-7 - Spring Break

April 13 -  Early Release Day (1:35PM)

                  Kindergarten Registration (2:30-3:30 PM)

April 14 - Student Holiday 

April 21 - School Holiday