Family Newsletter May 15, 2023

Celebration of Cultures Night

celebration of cultures

Our Celebration of Cultures Night was an evening of excellence and pride. The diversity at Cameron (representing over 33 countries and languages!) is a strength that makes us "One Cameron."


pta teacher appreciation

Thank you to our wonderful PTA for thinking of us during Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week.


swaby

Staff Spotlight of the Week

Hi Cameron Families! My name is Princess Swaby. I am currently a teacher on the 5th grade team. This is my 2nd year at Cameron, but my 17th year in education. I have taught both locally and internationally. I am originally from Jamaica, where I started my teaching preparations at St. Joseph’s Teachers’ College. I have also attended Western Carolina University and Grand Canyon University. When I am not in the classroom, I enjoy solving Math and logic puzzles (perplexors) and being outdoors with my family.


bogo book fair

Buy One Get One Book Fair

SAVE THE DATE!

The Cameron Elementary Library will be hosting a BOGO Book Fair from June 5 - 9. This is a great opportunity for our Cheetah readers to get twice as many great books for a bargain price and be ready for our Summer Reading Challenge! 

If you would like to help during the fair, please sign up to volunteer. We appreciate your support


variety show

Variety Show!

It is exciting to announce, Cameron Elementary School will host a Variety Show on Monday, June Cameron 12th.  It will be held in the gym between 9:50 and 11:00 a.m.  The Variety Show is voluntary, and if students are interested, they may audition for a spot. 

The auditions will occur on June 6, 7, and 8.   A schedule will be worked out by the general music teachers and coordinated with the classroom teachers.  Auditions will take place during school hours. 

Students are encouraged to be creative and try to think of unique acts.  Also, it is important that students be prepared when coming to the audition.  If you have any questions concerning the Variety Show, you may contact Ms. Toney at wetoney@fcps.edu or call the school.  Parents are welcome to attend the Variety Show! 


attendance

Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow. We All Belong Here!

In FCPS, we all belong. From the first day of school, to the last day of school, every child matters. If your student is having a hard time finishing the year strong and attending school, please contact a trusted adult at the school—a teacher, counselor, or administrator. Visit our website for more attendance resources.


End of Year Celebrations!

  • Creatives Night (Art/Music/STEAM) – Wednesday 5/31, in the cafeteria from 5:30 to 7:30 PM.
  • Field Day – Friday 6/9 (Rain date Tuesday 6/13).
  • Variety Show – Monday 6/12, in the gym from 9:50 to 11:00 AM.
  • 6th Grade Promotion Ceremony – Wednesday 6/14, in Edison HS Auditorium from 6:00 to 7:30 PM.

testing

Family Liaison Corner

by Susana Trupo

Rock the test, do your best, and don’t stress!

Dear Families,

SOL testing happens during the month of May. Student can get anxious about testing and feel overwhelmed. I am sharing with you some ways to calm down their fears and, at the same time, boost their confidence. A little help from you at the beginning of the day, with love and affection, will give them confidence. Avoid arguments in the morning. A dirty room can wait to be cleaned after school.

According to Scholastics, using these strategies will help make the process more manageable: 

Help your child map out a test-taking study schedule. The focus here should always be on the content and cementing their knowledge around a topic, so utilizing a schedule to study for an upcoming test — such as half an hour or an hour a day leading up to test day — can make all the difference without leaving your child feeling overwhelmed. 

Determine what kinds of questions will be on the test. The options are short-answer, multiple-choice, essay, or a combination of the three. This allows your child to study the subject matter from different angles and teaches them to practice writing and how to back up their answers/show their work. 

Ask your child what they think is going to be on the test. Then look at their class notes together and the parts of the textbook that deal with those particular topics and issues. Ask your child what pages the teacher stressed, and whether there are any maps, charts, or extra reading they need to know. If the teacher provided study questions, go over them carefully, and help your child write down answers and key pieces of information so they can review them later.

Have brain breaks. This is important because mental overwhelm can have the opposite effect on your child, which will then lead to them absorbing less information. Practice short but effective brain breaks that incorporate fun and physical movement. For example, you can take a dance break to their favorite music, do some stretches, etc.

Remember test-taking basics. One tip for helping your child organize and remember information is to follow the five W's: who, what, when, where, and why. Thinking of this information, you can then turn it into a storytelling game that your child can then "teach" you, which will help them retain more information.

Practice test-taking skills. It's best for your child to read the test all the way through, answer the questions they know well first, and return to the questions they're unsure of later. The goal is to not only reinforce knowledge and understanding, but to build your child's confidence and help lay the groundwork for a lifetime of good study skills.

Follow up with test taking. Compliment your child for working with you and putting in the time to prepare for their exam. Communicate with their teacher and encourage them to do the same on their own if they need any extra support, or if there are any new ways to tackle studying that work best for your child, or to simply get answers to any questions your child might have before and after the exam. 


SEL Screener Reports

Students in grades 3-12 took the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener in March. The SEL Screener reports will be mailed directly to families in the next week. This website includes both the Parent Report as well as a Family Guide to support you in understanding results and ideas for talking with your student about their results. Both are available in multiple languages. To learn more about SEL and how we support students at school and at home please see the FCPS SEL website. Please reach out to our school counselors, school psychologist or school social worker with any questions.


📝 Tutor.com Offers Live Tutors and Test Prep

Writing help, practice quizzes, and SAT test prep are available to all FCPS students at no cost through Tutor.com. Find out how your child can get these services, in addition to 24/7 live tutoring, through their Schoology account: Elementary School | Middle and High School.


May Day May Day - May is Mental Health Awareness Month 

The month of May is a time to pause and raise awareness of the fact that many people live everyday with mental and behavioral health issues and there is a need to reduce the stigma attached with the experience. Post-COVID the reality is that millions of Americans are dealing with an increase in mental, behavioral, and substance misuse illnesses in their families (NAMI). Additional mental health challenges by the COVID-19 pandemic have also increased youth related substance use, mental health struggles, and suicide (HHS).  According to HHS, suicide is still the second highest cause od death in youth ages 10 to 14 and adults from ages 24 to 35. This prompted the July 2022 launch of 998 the new three digit code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7 call, text, and chat access to crisis counselors. It is for anyone experiencing suicidal, substance use, and/or mental health crises or emotional distress. Concerns about loved ones may also be addressed using the 988 dialing code. SAMHSA has described the new 988 dialing code as an important step in transforming how crisis and trauma situations are handled in the United States. Please note that the 800-273-8255 number still works, 988 is just built off of the 10-digit number.

“May Day” is an emergency procedure word used internationally as a distress signal in voice-procedure radio communications. The new 9-8-8 number is a suicide and crisis lifeline, similar to 9-1-1 in a medical/safety emergency. One in six youth, aged 6-17, experience a mental health condition each year. Below are some activities to practice at home for mental wellness.

6 Mental Health Activities for Kids to Practice at Home

  • Create a Journal
    • Younger students are better able to communicate their feelings and emotions freely in a creative way.
  • Practice Gratitude Exercises
    • Have students write notes about what they are grateful for and place it a jar (label it thankful jar)
  • Engage in breathing exercises
    • A couple deep breaths can reset not only your child’s mind
    • Deep breathing exercises and meditation can increase focus and compassion
  • Try music therapy
    • Music can be used to encourage movement and relaxation
  • Use Stress Balls and other sensory toys

How to make a stress ball

What you’ll need:

  • 2 balloons
  • Small funnel
  • Rice, flour, Play-Doh, or Orbeez

Directions:

  1. Take one balloon and use a small funnel to fill it with rice, flour, Play-Doh, or Orbeez.
  2. Once the balloon is filled, tie the end to close it.
  3. Double wrap the balloon into the second balloon to make sure it’s super secured.

How to make slime

What you’ll need:

  • A glass bowl
  • Spoon or spatula
  • 1 teaspoon of baking soda
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons of all-purpose solution or contact solution
  • 1 cup of washable school glue
  • 1 cup of food coloring or glitter (optional)
  • A few drops of lavender essential oil (optional)

Directions:

  1. Mix the washable school glue and food coloring or glitter together in a glass bowl.
  2. Add in the teaspoon of baking soda. Give it a good mix with a spoon or spatula.
  3. Add in the all-purpose solution or contact solution. Add each tablespoon one at a time for best results.
  4. Mix it all together until the slime begins to separate from the sides of the bowl.
  5. (Optional step) Add in a few drops of lavender essential oil for a calming scent.
  6. Start kneading the slime in your hands until it’s no longer sticky and stays together.

Resources

Mental Health Awareness Month 

Substance Use Prevention and Encouraging Healthy Brain Development

Together for Mental Health

Fact Sheet: Celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month 2022

988 Frequently Asked Questions

For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270.

For further Information & support:

Shawn Elliott, BS, QMHP-C

Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist

sbelliott@fcps.edu


✅ Final Feedback Opportunity on Draft Strategic Plan

FCPS’ draft Strategic Plan survey will close on  Wednesday, May 17.  Please take the survey today, if you haven’t already. Your voice matters! Visit FCPS’ website to stay up-to-date on the strategic planning process.


Calendar Reminder graphic

Important Dates 

May 17 - HIPPY Family Program, 9:30-2, SACC room

             - Parenting Class, 6-7pm, library

May 24 - HIPPY Family Program, 9:30-2, SACC room

May 29 - No School, Memorial Day

May 31 - HIPPY Family Program, 9:30-2, SACC room

             - Creatives Night, 5:30-7:30, cafeteria

June 5-9 - Buy One Get One Book Fair

June 7 - HIPPY Family Program, 9:30-2, SACC room

             - Parenting Class, 6-7pm, library

             - PTA Meeting, 7-8pm

June 9 - Field Day

June 12 - Variety Show, 9:50-11am, gym

June 14 - HIPPY Family Program, 9:30-2, SACC room

              - 6th Grade Promotion, 6-7:30pm, Edison High School Auditorium

June 16 - Last Day of School, 2 hour early release at 2:00pm

See the complete 2022-2023 school year calendar


social media

Cameron Website • Twitter • Facebook • SIS Parent Account