Message from Ms. Shannon
Dear Mantua Families,
Today we kick off our PTA-sponsored Read-a -Thon! This school-wide activity encourages students to enjoy reading while raising funds for educational materials and other needed resources for the school. Students will participate in reading activities in class, but we encourage students to read independently as well. Your private donation link will be shared with you, but a link to the website is found below. We will share Read-a-Thon updates in the coming weeks. Last week’s Literacy Night was a fantastic night full of learning and engagement. Our families heard from Dr. Diane Leipzig, Principal in Residence for the Equitable Access to Literacy, and participated in many fun activities!
Our fifth graders took a front seat for our MWEE, or Meaningful Watershed Educational Event. They learned about local watersheds within the larger Chesapeake Bay watershed, as well as animal habitats, birds and insects. We’ve shared some pictures of this event below. As we focus on Earth Week and the environment, Mantua is excited to host a tree-planting celebration on April 24 in partnership with local and state forestry departments. You can learn more about Earth Week and the FCPS Get2Green initiative here.
Check out our Chorus Spring Concert this Thursday evening, April 20, at 7pm in the gym. We look forward to hearing the wonderful music our students have been preparing for us!
We want to remind you that there will be no school for students and staff on Friday, April 21. We hope you have a restful weekend!
Take good care,
Linda Shannon, Principal
Amy Alley, Assistant Principal
Rich Deixler, Assistant Principal
Important Dates
April 17-28: Mantua Read-a-Thon
April 17-20: Get2Green Earth Week
April 18: AAP Level IV Orientation, 7:00-8:00 PM, Cafeteria
April 19: Military Child Purple Up! Day, Wear Purple
Mantua PTA Science Fair, 6:00-7:30 PM, cafeteria
Mantua PTA Meeting, 7:00 PM, Virtual
April 20: Chorus Spring Concert, 7:00-8:00 PM, Gym
April 20-21: Religious/Cultural Observance - Eid al-Fitr
April 21: No school for students and staff
April 28-29: PTA Drama Performance, The Little Mermaid, 7:00 PM, Mantua Gym
May 3: Kindergarten Orientation, 5:00-6:00 PM, Library and Classrooms
See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.
MANTUA News
Read-A-Thon: April 17-28
Mark Your Calendars! The 2nd Annual Mantua PTA Read-a-Thon Fundraiser will take place April 17-28. Over the course of these two weeks, students will be encouraged to read, read, read! Students can track minutes online and be eligible for some fun raffle prizes! This is one of our PTA's biggest fundraisers, so we thank you in advance for your support.
Parents will receive an email link to the private donation page for their student directly from our fundraising platform 99pledges. This page also serves as the tracker for your student’s time spent reading. Donations are tax deductible, and funds raised go directly toward educational needs at Mantua. We encourage reading at all skill levels, every student can participate!
Kindergarten Orientation: May 3rd at 5PM
All Upcoming Kindergarten Parents,
Mantua will hold our Kindergarten Orientation meeting to talk about your child’s upcoming year! The orientation will be held on Wednesday, May 3rd from 5-6PM. There will be a presentation for the parents in the library while your child will be visiting one of the kindergarten classrooms. We will be providing you with all the information you need to know to help your child’s transition to kindergarten!
The Kindergarten Team looks forward to seeing you!
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:
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Determine eligibility.
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Identify your local school.
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Gather documents.
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Fill out forms.
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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 at 703-645-6303 for more information or to schedule a registration appointment.
Family Resources
Dangers of Fentanyl
Last month, the division hosted a conversation on the dangers of fentanyl. During this impactful event, audience members heard testimonials from individuals affected by the opioid epidemic and learned facts from medical experts and law enforcement representatives. The conversation will continue at Woodson High School on Monday, April 24, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. Transportation will be available from select schools throughout the county. View the registration page for details. Visit our Opioid Awareness webpage for more information. Visit the Fairfax County Government webpage on opioids for information on how you can take action and how to get help for yourself or loved ones.
Summer Camp Registration
Summer Learning Programs Registration: Opening Soon! FCPS’ Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA/E-IFTA) camps will open for registration on Wednesday, February 1.
Career and Technical Education (CTE)
Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp designed to give current K-6 students an opportunity to explore STEAM, culinary, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. Visit the TAC webpage for more information. CTE Summer Academy (CSA) is a week-long enrichment program that allows students in grades 7-11 to dive deeper into CTE program areas, develop skills, and begin career exploration. Visit the CSA website for more information and registration.
Institute for the Arts Camps (IFTA)
IFTA is a two- or four-week summer enrichment program for students currently in grades 6-11. Students select from nearly 90 classes in art, dance, health and physical education 9, music, self-directed economics and personal finance, and theater. Visit the IFTA website for more information and registration.
E-IFTA is a weekly arts camp for students in grades 2-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students take part in four classes every day related to dance, music, theater, and visual art. They work with FCPS fine arts teachers who create classes that are fun and engaging. Visit the E-IFTA website for more information and registration.
FCPS Recognitions & Celebrations
Earth Week
All students and staff are encouraged to join FCPS Get2Green in celebrating our division-wide Earth Week 2023 from April 17-20. Earth Week is an engaging way to foster conversation and learning about environmental topics that are essential in developing students as environmental stewards and ethical and global citizens. Learn more about the history of Earth Day in National Geographic Kids.
School Library Month
In FCPS libraries, students develop knowledge and skills, experience a sense of belonging, find inspiration and support, and have the ability to freely pursue their personal interests and academic growth. Watch this video to learn how FCPS librarians make a difference. There is never a time when our librarians, Katie Marmol and Avril Donat, aren’t busy working with students and helping them to further their education through books. Thank you for your hard work!
The Month of the Military Child
April is the Month of the Military Child, a time to recognize children from military families for their contributions and sacrifices. We would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank children from Uniformed Services, State Department, and Foreign Services and other families for their service and sacrifices. We recognize that children serve too. The nationwide commemoration was established in 1986 by former Defense Secretary Casper Weinberger.
FCPS is proud to have more than 14,000 military-connected youth as a part of our student body. We appreciate the varied life experiences they bring to our school community and recognize their strength and resilience.
We appreciate the varied life experiences they bring to our school community and recognize their strength and resilience. On April 19, we will Purple Up! To recognize and celebrate the resilience and service of our military-connected children!
Why purple? Purple symbolizes all branches of the military as a combination of Army green, Marine Corps red, and Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force, and Space Force blue.
Post your picture and tag #PurpleUpFCPS. Let’s Purple Up! for military kids!
Learn more about Month of the Military Child and FCPS’ resources for military families.
Upcoming Religious and Cultural Observance Days
Eid al-Fitr
Eid al-Fitr, also known as small Eid, marks the end of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting, and is celebrated during the first three days of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar.Muslims congregate that morning for Eid prayers. It is a time of official receptions and private visits, when friends greet one another, presents are given, new clothes are worn, and the graves of relatives are visited. The most common way to wish someone a Happy Eid al-Fitr is Eid Mubarak, which means “blessed feast” (or festival). Read more at Britannica.com. Eid al-Fitr is from sunset April 20 to sunset April 21.
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
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