Fairfax Villa Weekly Message 8/25/2023

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 08/25/2023 05:07 PM EDT
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To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.

لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى ، يرجى زيارة موقعنا على الإنترنت. انقر هنا!

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Để đọc bản tin này bằng các ngôn ngữ khác, vui lòng truy cập trang web của chúng tôi.

Important Upcoming Dates  

9/5: Boosterthon Kickoff

9/13: Boosterthon Fun Run

9/19: PTA Meeting #2 (Waples Mobile Home Park)

9/22: Woodson Feeder Night Football Game 

9/27: AAP Parent Information Meeting via Zoom 7:30pm-8:30pm

10/12: Zoom PTA Meeting #3

10/20: PTA Fall Festival

11/9: Zoom PTA Meeting #4

11/16: Thanksgiving Luncheon 

11/17: PTA Glow Party

1/18: Zoom PTA Meeting #5

2/9: PTA Heritage Night

4/4: Zoom PTA Meeting #6

4/12: PTA Bingo Night

IN THIS ISSUE

  1. Kiss and Ride Information and Registration
  2. Join Band!
  3. SEL Screener Notification and Opt Out Form
  4. iReady Universal Screener 
  5. ParentVue Accounts
  6. Fairfax Villa Fun Run 
  7. AAP Parent Information Meeting

  8. Vision and Hearing Screening

  9. Birthday Celebrations

  10. Positivity Project at Fairfax Villa Elementary

  11. Technology Updates and Information For Families

  12. Preparing for and Paying for Meals at School
  13. Woodson Feeder Night Football Game
  14. ASHA-JYOTHI 5K Run
  15. Attendance Matters
  16. Important Fairfax Villa Contacts
  17. Be Informed; Stay Involved!

1.Kiss and Ride Information and Registration

Parents may once again use the Kiss & Ride line this school year as a transportation option for students. Full instructions and rules about the Kiss & Ride transportation can be found here: Kiss and Ride Procedures 

To register for Kiss & Ride, please complete this form.

A number will be assigned to your car to expedite the drop-off/pick-up process. You do not need this number immediately to go through the line! After registering, you will be given the number at pick-up time during the first week of school.

2.Join Band

ATTENTION 5th & 6th GRADERS: Would you like to be part of something “noteworthy” this year? Consider joining the BAND! Ms. Ammirati would be delighted to welcome you to the ensemble and promises there’ll be tons of awesome music-making and fun! For more information, please explore her website: https://sites.google.com/view/fves-band (if you’re having trouble viewing, try signing out of your FCPS Google account). Online registration closes on Thursday, August 31st. When you are ready to join, you’ll find a direct link to the Google form here: https://forms.gle/JxQSuRqPuptyNzR8A Questions? Please email Ms. Ammirati (cmammirati@fcps.edu). LET’S GO BAND!

3.SEL Screener Notification and Opt Out Form

Regulation 1910 requires schools to communicate to parents/guardians that students will participate in screening and diagnostic assessments. If you would like to opt out or preview questions, please visit SEL Screener OPT OUT FORM. 

4.iReady Universal Screener Assessment 

Regulation 1910 requires schools to communicate to parents/guardians that students will participate in screening assessments. Parent notification letters with translations are available on the iReady Universal Screener Parent Notification public webpage. 

5.ParentVue Accounts

All parents of registered students should have a ParentSIS account set up as this is where you can access test scores (including SOLs, iReady, etc.), your child’s attendance, emergency care data, and progress reports among other important information.

If you have never set up your account, please submit a SIS ParentVUE Request to receive an activation letter. If you have already created an account but need login assistance, please click here and follow the steps. In order to complete online Digital Consent, parents need to have this account created. 

6.Fairfax Villa Fun Run | Register today!

Fairfax Villa Elem families,

The day is here! You can now register for our Fairfax Villa Fun Run! Our goal is to raise $20,000 for PTA resources. Registering is easy and free!

⭐️ Register Now On MYBOOSTER.COM  ⭐️

Be sure to check out the easy sharing functions on MYBOOSTER.COM to let others know how they can help support our school.

Thank you for working with us to make our school stronger. We are grateful for your support!

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7.AAP Parent Information Meeting

Cat Wilkins, Fairfax Villa’s Advanced Academics Resource Teacher (AART), will be sharing an overview of the Advanced Academics Program in a virtual parent meeting on Wednesday, September 27, at 7:30 p.m. The presentation will include information on the continuum of Advanced Academic services, curriculum, testing, and general screening information. There will be a separate meeting later this fall to address specifics about the Full-time AAP screening process.

The zoom link for the meeting is: https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/97703256291?pwd=ek5sWHphK25UNHdpOXBmVlczYVV1dz09

Meeting ID: 977 0325 6291 Passcode: 575248

8.Vision and Hearing Screening

Vision and hearing screening will be held in the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year for all students in kindergarten, third grade, and new to FCPS. If your child wears glasses, please be sure he/she has them at school on screening day. The purpose of screening is to identify students who need further evaluation because they have difficulty seeing the screening chart or hearing the screening tones.

Parents will be notified if screening results indicate that further testing is needed. Vision and hearing difficulties can interfere with learning. Prompt follow-up of a referral is recommended.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact the School Health Aide (Josephine Sarpomaa) at 703-267-2810.

9.Birthday Celebrations

More and more of our students are diagnosed with severe food allergies, and many of our parents/guardians want to limit their children's intake of sweets. If you wish to bring a small treat to celebrate your child's birthday, please send a non-food treat for your child to share with his/her classmates (pencils, stickers, eraser, bookmark, etc.). This will allow all students in the class to participate in the celebration while keeping all our students safe.

If your child is inviting classmates to his/her birthday party, please do not have your child distribute invitations at school. Please note, teachers cannot provide student contact information.

10.Positivity Project at Fairfax Villa Elementary

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The Positivity Project (P2) is an organization whose mission is to empower students to build positive relationships and become their best selves (NOTE: Watch the P2 founding story video here). Positive psychology’s 24 character strengths serve as its foundation. Ranging from bravery and perseverance to integrity and gratitude, the character strengths are classified and described in the 800-page book Character Strengths and Virtues. These strengths aren’t about ignoring the negative. Instead, they help us overcome life’s inevitable adversities. 

To achieve its mission, P2 partners with Pre-K–12 schools and equips educators with the resources, training, and strategy to teach their students about character strengths and positive relationships. P2 is a school-wide endeavor grounded in the consistency of daily classroom instruction. P2 Partner Schools dedicate one week to each strength and students learn through daily 15-minute classroom lessons that are different for every grade level. These lessons help students understand character through definitions, examples, discussions, and exercises. P2’s model is holistic, incorporating students, educators, and parents through regular interaction with character strengths, vocabulary and concepts. 

What are the benefits of implementing The Positivity Project?

By consistently teaching students about the character strengths that people possess, they see themselves and other people based on the content of their character. This ability enhances their self-awareness and self-confidence, understanding and appreciation of others, and interpersonal relationships – which, in the long-term, will positively influence students across their lifespans. In the near team, it leads to more positive interactions and positive relationships within classrooms and schools — ultimately leading to a more positive school culture that supports teachers' ability to teach and students' ability to learn.

P2 evolves throughout a student’s entire school career. As students grow and understand character through instruction and experience, the strengths gain more meaning. They become a part of a student’s vocabulary and how they see themselves and the people around them — to include characters in books and movies. 

P2 empowers students by acknowledging that the 24 character strengths are already part of who they are as people. It helps them realize that each and every one of them can tap into these strengths — and not just as students, but for the rest of their lives. 

How can you help?

Family involvement is an integral part of student success, and we would love for you to take an active role in your student’s character strength education. P2 for Families (password: P2) provides an easy, accessible way to reiterate the character strengths vocabulary and have meaningful discussions about the importance of relationships at home. Additionally, you can follow P2 on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube to stay up to date on all things P2.
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11.Technology Updates and Digital Consent Families

  • If your child still has a Fairfax Villa laptop issued from last year, please bring it to the office before the start of school so that we will be able to give your child a new laptop when they are here the first week. If your child has lost their laptop, please contact Ms. Hachwi and Ms. Payne immediately. If your child has lost their power cord, please pay for it by sending in the exact amount of cash ($23) or  a check for $23 made out to Fairfax Villa ES to your child’s teacher.
  • Preschoolers and kindergartners will receive new iPads in the first few weeks of school. Students in grades 1 and 2 will receive laptops that will stay at school. Students in grades 3-6 will receive laptops, cases, and chargers that will be taken home each day. Please ensure all students return to school the next day with fully charged laptops.
  • The Digital Resources- Parent consent page on the public website has information for families.  The link to the Parent Digital Consent System is live and is due by September 29, 2023 in order for students to access digital materials.
  • Need help? Here’s who to contact:
    • Parents needs help with completing the form: See the digital consent parent directions on the public web, or call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).

12.Woodson Feeder Night Football Game

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WOODSON HIGH SCHOOL

Cavaliers “FEEDER NIGHT” FOOTBALL GAME

September 22, 2023 at 7:00pm

WOODSON CAVALIERS vs. Alexandria City Titans

13.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. 

14.Support ASHA-JYOTHI 5K Run and Help (Your School) Students in Need

We are pleased to share that we are partnering with a non-profit named Asha-Jyothi  (https://www.asha-jyothi.org/ ) to support their 15th Annual 5K Run/Walk on Sunday September 17th at Fairfax Corner at 8AM. All proceeds that we raise will go towards (explain how you plan to use money to help underprivileged students at your school). Asha-Jyothi has generously agreed to donate back 100% of the registration money back to each participating schools AND:

  • An additional $500 for 25+ registrations
  • An additional $1000 for 50+ registrations
  • An additional $2000 for 100+ registrations

To sign up, participating staff, students and/or their families visit the webpage: https://asha-jyothi.redpodium.com/2023fairfax5k.  Simply enter the code “AJ4schools” and select your school from the drop down menu. A discounted price of $10 for the 5K will be given to all participants.

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15.Attendance Matters

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DID YOU KNOW?

  • Students who attend 90% or more of the school year are more likely to graduate from high school on time.
  • Starting in kindergarten, too many absences can cause children to fall behind in school.
  • Missing 10 percent (or about 2 days per month) can make it harder to learn to read.
  • Being late to school may lead to poor attendance.
  • Students can still fall behind if they miss just a day every few weeks.
  • Absences can affect the whole classroom if the teacher has to slow down learning to help children catch up.
  • Absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with school work, dealing with peer conflicts or facing some other potentially serious difficulty, and help is available. 

WHAT YOU CAN DO

  • Set a regular bedtime and morning routine.
  • Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
  • Find out what day school starts and make sure your child has the required shots.
  • Introduce your child to her teachers and classmates before school starts to help her transition.
  • Don’t let your child stay home unless she is truly sick. Keep in mind complaints of a stomach ache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home.
  • If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make her feel comfortable and excited about learning.
  • Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
  • Avoid medical appointments and extended trips when school is in session. https://www.fcps.edu/attendance

16.Important Fairfax Villa Contacts

17.Be Informed; Stay Involved!