Roadrunner Rundown - 9/5/23

Topic

Description/Date

Principal Message 

Dear Marshall Road Families,

We hope you enjoyed the extended weekend and the beautiful weather it brought.  While we wish September was bringing cooler temperatures, the forecast shows a very hot week.  We will follow all FCPS guidelines regarding outdoor activities including recess and P.E.  Please be sure to send water bottles with your children daily.

We hope to see you this Thursday for Back To School Night.  This evening is for adults only and will allow you to spend time in your child’s classroom, meet their teacher and learn more about the year to come.  Please see the schedule for the evening below.

• K-1: 5:00-5:45 pm
• 2-3: 6:00-6:45 pm
• 4-6: 7:00-7:45 pm

Have a great week.

Much peace.

Matthew Chapman, Sue Kirby and Antoinette Nauflett

Administrative Team

School Events & Information

A Year in the Life of the MRES Gardens

Please watch this video to see all of the learning that took place in our gardens last year!

AAP Parent Information Session and Fall Newsletter

The AAP Parent Information Session for those interested in learning about the AAP referral process will be held on Thursday, October 19 at 6:30 pm in the library.  This session is for parents of students in grades 2-6.

The fall AAP Newsletter can be found here. 

Translations are available below.

Amharic / Arabic / Chinese / Korean / Spanish

Urdu / Vietnamese

Digital Resources Consent

Teachers at Marshall Road will use a variety of digital resources to help students learn during the 2023-24 school year.  These digital resources have been checked and approved by Fairfax County Public Schools.  Please provide your consent for your student to use these resources through the Parent Digital Consent System (also linked on the Marshall Road Homepage). You will need to use your SIS Parent account to provide consent for EACH Individual Student in your family.  Here are step-by-step directions for providing your consent online.  You may also request a paper copy or verbally provide consent to your child’s teacher.

Attendance Reminder

Please remember, for any attendance notifications or dismissal changes, please email or call the Attendance line at 703-937-1515 or email at MarshallRoadElem.Attendance@fcps.edu.  Even if you notify the teacher, you must also notify the attendance line for your student’s attendance and dismissal changes.

PTA Update

September PTA Newsletter 

Access our September newsletter here.  If you’d like to receive direct communications from the PTA, including our monthly newsletter and emails, set up a Memberhub account here.  

Registration for Fall Enrichments is Open 

Registration for PTA sponsored fall enrichment classes will be open until September 12 at 9:00 pm.  

This fall offerings will include Fitness Warriors, Upcycled Art, Chess, Spanish, 3D Printing, Dance Fitness, Roblox Game Creation, Odyssey of the Mind, Yoga, Strategic Board Game Club, and MORE!  Classes and registration information are listed on our PTA enrichment site.    

Financial assistance is available for those who qualify and may be requested when you register.  Classes have enrollment limits and are filled on a "first-come first-served" basis.  Questions?  Email Cheryl at enrichment@marshallroadpta.org. 

Food4Thought (F4T) Food Drive

The Marshall Road weekend food program, F4T, is resuming in September and we need items to sustain our support for families throughout the school year.  Each week, Marshall Road volunteers will pack nearly 80 weekend food packs to help support children experiencing food insecurity with healthy food for the weekend.  If you can help students in our community with a donation, we would be most grateful.

Currently the most needed items are Chef Boyardee meals, fruit cups, boxes of mac-and-cheese, and clean plastic bags (grocery-sized only).  See here for a full list of items used each week.  Donations can be placed in the F4T bin in the lobby by students during the week of September 5-8 and by adults at Back to School Night on Thursday, September 7. Items can also be donated via our Amazon wish list or Walmart wish list.

For other ways to donate contact Krista Davidson, school social worker at kmdavidson@fcps.edu or via telephone at 703-937-1556 or see the Marshall Road PTA website. 

We also need a few additional volunteers who are available to prepare bags of food for children to take home for the weekend.  Volunteers would be needed approximately once or twice a month Monday through Thursday for between 1 and 1½ hours during the school day.  If you are interested in helping, please reach out to Lisa Kelso or Erin Lebbin at Food4Thought@marshallroadpta.org.  

Become a Runathon Sponsor – Help Support our Biggest Fundraiser 

The 13th Annual Runathon is coming up November 10 and we are already in the process of designing our new Runathon t-shirt!!!  Do you have a business?  Are you looking for a fantastic, local advertising opportunity? Sponsor the Marshall Road Elementary Runathon and have YOUR logo on 1,000 shirts!  Your business’ support through a tax-deductible donation will assist us in purchasing a t-shirt for every student, faculty member, and volunteer for this event!  T-shirt space is available with two levels of sponsorship (Platinum: $1,000 and Gold: $500).  Email Renee at president@marshallroadpta.org learn more and secure your spot on this year's T-shirt.  

Save the Date: Dining for Dollars at Mod Pizza 

Want to raise some DOUGH?  Come on down to MOD Pizza on Wednesday, September 13 and Marshall Road Elementary School will receive 25% of sales ALL DAY!  Order online using the code MODGIVES25 or by visiting the MOD location on Maple Ave and show this fundraiser flyer or mention the fundraiser at checkout. 

Stay Informed and Get Connected

You can find the most up-to-date information on our website, and PTA Facebook and Instagram pages.  You can also complete your membership and join the PTA here.

FCPS Communications 

Free and Reduced-Price Meal Applications Available

According to the Centers for Disease Control, eating breakfast at school is associated with better attendance rates, fewer missed school days, and better test scores. Students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals receive breakfast and lunch at school at no cost.  Families in FCPS that are earning less than 185% of the poverty level can receive meals for their students at no cost. Families should complete the application before the start of each school year.  Approved applications may also qualify students for additional benefits.  Apply on the Free and Reduced-Price Meals webpage.

2023 Student Rights and Responsibilities

FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities document (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment.  In late June, the School Board approved changes to the SR&R for the 2023-24 school year.  Updates include a revision of dress code expectations, bystander expectations for students witnessing harmful or unsafe behaviors, bullying, and substance abuse responses.  Read Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s letter to families regarding the SR&R. Parents/caregivers should talk to their child(ren) about expectations for this school year.  Also, please log in to SIS ParentVUE and sign to acknowledge your review of the SR&R, or sign and return the signature sheet to your child’s school by Friday, September 29.

Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights

Fairfax County Public Schools wants all parents to understand its policies regarding surveys, records, curriculum, privacy, and related rights.

In its Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms (Annual Notice), FCPS provides explanations of the rights listed above as well as forms that may be used to exercise opt-out choices.  Two versions of the Annual Notice are available — a grades K-8 version and a grades 9-12 version.  Parents with children at different grade levels should read each applicable version of the Annual Notice because the notices and opt-out rights vary depending on the student’s grade level. 

Get more information and view the 2023-24 Opt-Out Booklets here .