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Upcoming Events
September 1-4: Labor Day Break
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SIS ParentVue
The SIS ParentVUE Account (Student Information System ParentVUE Account) is the FCPS secure solution for accessing information about your child's attendance, class performance, demographic data, and link to Schoology. It provides an additional conduit for communication with your child's school. Customized for Elementary, Middle, and High School students, your SIS ParentVUE Account login credentials can also be used to access Schoology, our learning management system.
If you haven’t already done so, please set up a ParentVUE account by submitting an IT ticket here, or contact Jackie Fant at JFant@fcps.edu for an activation letter.
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Here Comes The Bus
Know when your bus is approaching your stop. Here Comes the Bus® app is a school bus tracking app that can simplify morning and afternoon routines for parents and students by giving them real-time bus location and text or email notification alerts, helping them get to the bus stop on time. Here Comes the Bus® utilizes our GPS data and an easy-to-use customizable map that works on one or multiple devices, such as a tablet or smartphone.
How to Get Started
Using the app is EASY!
You will need the FCPS school district code 28982 and a Student Information System (SIS) Parent Account.
From a smartphone or tablet, download (for free) the Here Comes the Bus® app from the App Store or Google Play.
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Parent Digital Consent
Don't forget to sign!
Digital Resources - Parent Consent page.
This form is used to agree (consent) or disagree (refusal) for your student(s) to use the FCPS-approved online tools listed on the school website as part of the instructional program.
Each digital resource used in FCPS has had an instructional and technical review. Information about the educational technology tools approved for use within FCPS can be found in the Digital Ecosystem Library. Learn more about FCPS-approved digital resources on the Digital Resources in FCPS webpage.
A parent or guardian will need to log-in to the Parent Digital Consent Application.
To log in you will need:
Need Help?
The SIS ParentVUE Account Overview page has information about registration and how to get support with your account.
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Instrumental Sign-ups
Students in grades 4-6 have the opportunity to sign up for Band or Strings.
Click below for the registration link:
Grade 4 (Strings):
https://forms.gle/hkrFLZQMgJD6n3Ti8
Grades 5/6 (Band or Strings):
https://forms.gle/6C8sKqPZDz5g8nHNA
The deadline to sign up is Wednesday, 8/30.
If you have any questions please contact:
Kelly Stratil – Band Director
kastratil@fcps.edu
Jessica Kusdarman – Strings Director
jjkusdarman@fcps.edu
We look forward to a wonderful year of music in Band and Strings!!!
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School Meals
Breakfast and Lunch
Preparing for and Paying for Meals at School
Parents/caregivers need to provide their students with money to purchase meals at school, send them with a packed lunch, or apply (and be approved) for free and reduced-price meals benefits. School breakfast for students costs $1.75. Lunch is $3.25 for elementary students and $3.50 for middle, secondary, and high school students.
Paying With MySchoolBucks
The best way to purchase meals (and keep food lines moving!) is to use MySchoolBucks. Set up your student’s MySchoolBucks account today. Our front office staff can help with any questions.
MySchoolBucks accounts can be set up to add money to the account automatically, as needed. Families with multiple children can use the same MySchoolBucks account. Visit FCPS’ Food and Nutrition webpage for more information.
Find school menus here.
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Required Forms for All Students
Emergency Care/Health Information Form
Opt-Out Forms available through ParentVUE as needed:
The following opt-out forms can be completed as needed by going to the “Student Info” tab and clicking “Edit Information" in ParentVUE
- SEL Screener Participation
- Counseling Opt Out
- Transportation Intent
- Home Internet Access
For a complete K-8 Opt-Out booklet visit the Opt-Out Forms website.
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School Year Calendar
Be sure to bookmark the FCPS school year calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances.
Days marked in pink are holidays for students, but working days for teachers and staff.
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📚 A Letter from the Librarian, Mrs. Oden 📚
Hello wonderful parents and guardians of Sangster Elementary!
Starting next week, on August 28th, we will begin checking out books from the library. Here are some important guidelines for your students and family.
Please encourage your students to take care of our wonderful library books. Clean hands, hugging library books close to our hearts, and keeping them safe from food, water, pets, and other messes are all recipes to keep them looking nice for the next student.
If a page gets torn, please do not repair it with household tape - return the book to the library, and I will fix it. 😊
With our Kindergarteners, we will slowly practice our check out and book return skills overtime so that students grow used to the procedures without having an overwhelming number of books. Kindergarteners will begin by checking out one book at a time for at least the first quarter and I will work closely with the IA’s and teachers to help make sure they are ready to handle additional books before that number is increased.
First grade will start with one book a week and slowly graduate to two over the first couple weeks.
Second graders may check out three to five books.
Third to sixth grade has unlimited checkout, but they must be able to carry the books safely and comfortably in their arms. They may also only check out one book from a popular series at a time.
That being said, these limits are more like gentle guidelines, and if a student needs to check out an additional book over the week because they have finished their first couple, they may always stop by the library again to check out more. 🙂
Thank you for taking the time to read these guidelines. I am so excited to start getting books into the hands of our incredible readers!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Oden
Library Volunteers
Library Volunteers, please plan to attend the in-person library volunteer orientation on 8/29 from 9:15am-10:15am. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided. See you at Sangster ES Library!
Volunteers should sign in at the main office and head to the library.
If you are interested in volunteering in the library, please reach out to Mrs. Oden.
 Substitutes Needed at Sangster for 2023-24
We are always looking for kind and caring substitute teachers and substitute instructional assistants to ensure our students continue to thrive when teachers and instructional assistants need to be out of the classroom. Substitute teaching is a great opportunity for future teachers, stay-at-home parents, retirees, college students, part-time employees, and anyone who wants to make a difference! Substitute instructional assistant pay is $16.59 per hour and substitute teacher pay is $18.50 per hour.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please email Jennifer Redford, Assistant Principal, at jaredford@fcps.edu and apply on-line. Also, you can sign up for a virtual, one hour substitute information session here.
 Friendly Reminders
Smart Watches and Smart Phones:
We have noticed an increase in Smart Watches at Sangster (and an increase in texting/calling). Please know, if ever your child has an emergency and wants to check in with you, we will certainly help them with that. Smart Watches are allowed, but not recommend. If they go missing, we will look into it but they are bringing it at their own risk. Smart Watches are to be used for the time feature only. Students are NEVER allowed to access the internet or call or text their parents during school hours from their watch. Please tell this to your kids. We have had multiple parents show up to pick up sick kids that we never knew were sick. If they text or get caught on the internet from their watch, it goes home for the reminder of the year.
Same with phones. Phones must be off or silenced and in backpacks – never at/on desks.
Attendance:
Call 703-644-8282 - Email SangsterElem.Attendance@fcps.edu
or submit an absence online.
Our online attendance form now gives parents/legal guardians the option of submitting a late arrival.
View our attendance form with its new enhancements!
Please do not send attendance information only to teachers, please include the attendance email, call, or use the form above.
Visitors:
To enter the building all visitors will ring the doorbell at the main entrance of the building. When buzzed in, proceed directly to the front office. Visitors staying in the building will need to scan their driver’s license at the computer and print out a visitor badge. Visitors picking up a student will need to show their ID to office staff.
Thursday Folders:
Thursday folders are sent home weekly and will contain both schoolwork and schoolwide information such as upcoming events, lost and found information, sign ups for clubs, PTA flyers and more. Be sure to check the folders each week!
Early Pick-Up:
When picking up your child at the end of the day for appointments, please do so before 3:30pm. The last 20 minutes of the school day are incredibly busy and often students have unpredictable schedules. Therefore, we request picking up before 3:30pm to ensure you make it to your appointment on time.
Positivity Project - Week of August 21, 2023
 This year, Sangster will continue implementing the Positivity Project (P2), a program dedicated to empowering America’s youth to build strong relationships and to understand, appreciate, and exemplify the character strengths in us all. Every 1-2 weeks, students learn about a new character strength. This week and next week students will get started with the Positivity Project by learning about the Other People Mindset, which is the motto of the program.
The Other People Mindset helps us to develop positive relationships with the people around us. People who have strong, positive relationships do five things consistently-
- Identify and appreciate the good in other people
- Know that your words and actions affect others
- Support others when they struggle
- Cheer on others’ successes
- Be present and give others your attention
People who live the Other People Mindset might be described as thoughtful, supportive, encouraging, and interested.
The site P2 For Families is available for connecting P2 to your home and you can learn more about the site here. Many of the slides are password protected and the password is P2 (case-sensitive).
 Welcome Information and Resources from Sangster's Family Liaison
Local parks and recreation and community groups:
Fairfax County Parks and Recreation – Parktakes
Fairfax County SACC (after school program)
Boy Scouts
Girl Scouts
Sangster PTA
Community Resources and Activities
Springfield Youth Club
Braddock Road Youth Club
South Run Recreation Center
FCPS Family Resource Center - The Family Resource Center Lending Library contains over 10,000 books, eBooks, DVDs, and CDs on topics related to parenting and educating all children including those with learning challenges, mental health concerns, special needs, and disabilities. They offer a FREE Lending Library with 1000’s of books for parents and children. Find the books you want to read and the Family Resource Center will send the books directly to Sangster ES for you to pick. You may also return the books to Sangster ES and we’ll send them back for you.
Family Resource Center
Upcoming Webinars
New School Year, New Strategies:
How to Plan, Persist, and Achieve Academic Success This Year
Students' grades are typically lowest in the first quarter of the year because many find it hard to start the new year with confidence. It's crucial to help your child start back strong because it could set the tone for their best year yet! Join Author and Educator Ann Dolin, M.Ed,. to uncover strategies to instill greater confidence in your child at the start of the school year.
Webinar Highlights:
- How to increase your child's likelihood of earning good grades in the first quarter and beyond
- Strategies to establish a motivated, positive outlook towards school (for the whole family!)
- Proven techniques to effectively set up (and keep up with!) your family's weekday routines and busy schedules
Friday, September 8, 2023, 10-11:30 a.m. Share this event with others
Register online for New School Year, New Strategies: How to Plan, Persist, and Achieve Academic Success This Year
Meet the Author Series: The Self-Driven Child by Dr. William Stixrud
Are you working harder than your children to solve their problems? Do you need strategies to help children make their own decisions? Join Dr. William Stixrud while he discusses his book, The Self-Driven Child.
Webinar highlights include:
- Learning how to support the development of resilience in your child
- Understanding the elements of a healthy mental life
- Supporting your child's decision-making skills
- Learn how to help your child deal with stressful situations
- Learning how to make your child feel loved, trusted, supported, and capable
Friday, September 15, 2023, 10 - 11:15 a.m. Share this event with others
Register for Meet the Author Series: The Self-Driven Child by Dr. William Stixrud
Military Family Resources
Military Family Life Counselor
MFLC are available to every active-duty military-connected family. Contact a Fort Belvoir MFLC at 703-389-5708. Please leave a message to receive a call back.
To find an MFLC near you, search Military One Source MFLC
Other helpful links:
School Liaison Office – Fort Belvoir
EFMP
EFMP – Fort Belvoir
MWR – Fort Belvoir
FCPS Miliary Families
USO
Military Child Care
Education Directory for Children with Special Needs
The Interstate Compact for Military-Connected Students
Ideas for Fostering New Friendships
FCPS Parent Resource enter - Military Webinars
School Transitions for Military Families: Outgoing and Incoming Students (6/2022)
Using tools from her book, “Seasons of My Military Student,” Stacy Allsbrook-Huisman will offer relevant tips and strategies for managing new challenges.
Schools and Military-Connected Students: Supportive Programs and Practices (2/2022)
Using tools from her book, “Seasons of My Military Student,” Stacy Allsbrook-Huisman will offer relevant tips and strategies for managing new challenges.
Preparing for the Unexpected: Challenges of Military Families (12/2021)
Storms in Any Season- What parents need to know about deployments, Injuries, Separations, and Loss
Facebook group – local miliary families
Military Spouses Group at Sangster Elementary https://www.facebook.com/groups/294341637282880
GAMS - https://www.facebook.com/groups/greateralexandriamilitaryspouses/
Fairfax County Spouses - https://www.facebook.com/groups/2053938148258566/
Sangster School Liaison
Do you have questions about FCPS, military life in Fairfax County, or the local community? Contact your Family Liaison for Sangster Elementary School.
Stacy Huisman
dshuiman@fcps.edu
571-425-8339
  First Week Back
Sangster welcomed all of our students back this week!
It's been wonderful to have all of them back in the building. Everyone had a successful first week back in class. We are looking forward to another amazing school year!
News from the Sangster PTA
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Quick Links
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