Message from Ms. Shannon
Dear Mantua Families,
What a week we had with events like Woodson Graduation, Field Days, and 4th Grade Ted Talks! We had to do a fast pivot on some of our Field Days plans last week due to air quality concerns, and Ms. Bruining and Mr. Collins, along with the support of our specialists, were up to the task! They did a fantastic job of seamlessly moving all activities indoors, and our K-2 students had a fabulous time hula-hooping and relay-racing. Many thanks to the staff who gave their time to make it possible and the many volunteers who took time out of their days to make these special activities happen. We are happy to report that all of our students enjoyed Field Days, and we are sharing some fun photos with you below.
We look forward to our 6th-grade promotion ceremony later this week, held at Woodson High School. Please read carefully the information below for start times and logistics. We’re excited to celebrate this joyous event with our students!
This evening, we had the chance to give Ms. Alley a proper send-off. The library was filled with many current and former staff and Mantua families sharing best wishes. We are also saddened to say goodbye to several staff members at the end of this year, including Eva Bousbouras, Sarah Hall, Kathleen Irwin, Nan Miller, Terry Quinn, Judy Regan, Valeria Reyes-Chian, and Georgia Sakell will be leaving us to pursue other opportunities and retirements. We will miss all of you and wish you the best of luck in your next endeavors!
As we close our academic year, we reflect on each child's unique gifts and contributions to our school community. I speak on behalf of our staff; we have greatly enjoyed teaching and caring for your children this year! For those moving on, we wish you success wherever life takes you, and for our students who are returning to Mantua next year, we look forward to seeing you again in August!
Have a wonderful summer break!
Take good care,
Linda Shannon, Principal
Amy Alley, Assistant Principal
Rich Deixler, Assistant Principal
Important Dates
June 15: 6th Grade Promotion and Celebration, beginning at 10 AM, Woodson High School
June 16: Two-hour early release, last day of school for students
August 21: First day of school, 2023-2024 school year
See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.
Summer Office Hours
Until August 14th, our Mantua office will be open during the summer from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM Monday - Friday. Please call the school office at 703-645-6300 if you need to unenroll and/or register a student for the 2023-24 school year.
MANTUA News
Yearbook Distribution
Yearbooks will be distributed during the week of June 12-16. If you’ve not yet ordered your yearbook, and you’d like one, please contact Ms. Easton at kjeaston@fcps.edu. Yearbooks are $19 each. Payment will be made through the front office, but please confirm the availability with Ms. Easton before paying in the front office.
Educate Fairfax partners with Mantua STEAM Lab
Mantua extends thanks to Educate Fairfax for their support in the purchase of supplies for the STEAM lab this year. From building geometric sculptures to testing wind-powered sail cars to learning the physics of bridge construction, the materials provided by Educate Fairfax took students’ hands-on learning to new levels. Students have been able to develop their Portrait of a Graduate skills as communicators, collaborators, and creative and critical thinkers. You can learn more about Educate Fairfax here.
Sixth Grade Promotion Information
The sixth-grade promotion ceremony will take place on Thursday, June 15th, at Woodson High School. Buses will transport students at 9:30 AM, with the ceremony taking place from 10-11 AM. Buses will return students to Mantua at approximately 11:30 AM. This will allow time for families to take pictures at Woodson at the ceremony's conclusion. The 6th-grade teachers are planning class party celebrations; please check with your student’s teacher for details on this and ways you can contribute. As Woodson is a large venue, there are no restrictions on the number of visitors per student; friends and family are welcome!
Laptop Return
We will wrap up our Laptop returns for students this week. Tomorrow, June 13, 5th and 6th grade students are scheduled to return their laptops. Please be sure to send in the laptop and charger in.
Last Day of School
As a reminder, the last school day for the academic year 2022-2023 will be June 16. This will also include a two-hour early release with dismissal at 2:05 PM. We encourage you to help your students finish strong with good attendance and diligent study habits in these last few weeks.
EduKit - Supply Kit Order
The Mantua Elementary PTA offers the EduKit program as a convenient option for busy families to order school supplies for the 2023/2024 year. EduKits include the supplies approved by our school.
Your student's order will be delivered to your home before school starts.
Order by July 1, 2023, for the best available pricing. Extended ordering is open for an additional fee from July 02 - July 14 and will be delivered to your home shortly before school begins.
The order forms are available here: https://www.edukitinc.com/schools/12021/Mantua%20Elementary
FCPS & Pyramid News
Recognitions & Celebrations
LGBTQIA + Pride Month
In the month of June, we recognize the resilience and determination of the many individuals who are fighting to live freely and authentically. We stand with those facing an ongoing struggle against discrimination and injustice. This Pride Month, we affirm our obligation to uphold the dignity of all people. Each individual in our school community should feel valued for who they are and free to be their authentic self. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
Juneteenth
Monday, June 19, is a holiday for FCPS employees. Schools and offices will be closed. Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 that word of the Emancipation Proclamation and the end of the Civil War finally reached enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, effectively marking the end of slavery in the United States. Learn more about Juneteenth.
Elementary School Language Arts Basal Instructional Resources
Fairfax County Public Schools will adopt new Elementary School Language Arts Basal Instructional Resources for the 2024-2025 school year. A review committee composed of community members, administrators, and teachers will meet in July and August to review the instructional materials under consideration and community feedback. Public review of the recommended materials is part of the process for selecting new resources. Elementary English Language Arts basal instructional resources may be accessed in person and online July 1 to July 31. Digital materials for public review and comment will be available on the Elementary Language Arts Basal Resource Review website. Those reviewing instructional materials may complete an electronic comment sheet that will be available on the website during the review period. Hard copies of instructional materials will be available for review at:Pimmit Hills Center, Room 207, 7510 Lisle Avenue Falls Church, VA 22043. Materials may be reviewed at Pimmit Hills Center Monday - Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Visitors should enter through door #4 and check in at the main office or with the building coordinator on duty. An open house with representatives from the Elementary Language Arts team will be held on July 25 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Pimmit Hills Center.All community feedback will be shared with the review committee and with School Board members before the vote at the School Board regular meeting.
Adapted Recreation and Summer Camps
The Family Resource Center has recently published a list with dozens of summer camps including general camps, camps for students with a variety of needs, and camps for children of military personnel. They’ve also prepared a list of adapted resources, sorted by activity, that are inclusive for children and adults of various physical abilities.
The Family Resource Center (FRC) provides resources and support for all families and school staff. They offer a free library, confidential consultations, and informational webinars. For more information, call 703-204-3941, email frc@fcps.edu or visit their website.
Vaccinations
All students are required to be immunized against certain communicable diseases to attend school in Virginia.
Please talk with your family healthcare provider about whether or not your children are up to date on their vaccines before the new school year begins. Submit updated immunization records to your school as soon as possible. Find out more about immunization requirements here. You may also contact Mergie Kakouris at 703-645-6303 for more information.
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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