Crossfield News - 9/12/23

Upcoming Dates:

Tuesday, September 12 - Back to School Night

Wednesday, September 13 - Students Picture Day

Wednesday, September 13 - PTO Big Buns Spirit Night 

Friday, September 22 - PTO - Book Fair Family Shopping Night

Monday, September 25 - Holiday, No School 

Thursday, September 28 - AAP Parent Information Meeting

Monday, October 9 - Student Holiday, Staff Development Day 

Thursday, October 26 - PTO Fun Run


Back to School Night

3rd Grade

  Tuesday, September 12

     5:45-6:30 pm

4th Grade

  Tuesday, September 12

     5:45-6:30 pm 

5th Grade

  Tuesday, September 12  

     6:40-7:25 pm

6th Grade

  Tuesday, September 12

     6:40-7:25 pm


Picture Day is September 13

Student pictures will take place during the regular school day in our gym.  We have a new vendor this year.  Please click here for more information or to preorder.  


Who's a good reader?

Did you know that reading out loud to a dog or cat or other beloved pet can help you be a better reader?

A study done in 2010 at the University of California’s Veterinary School showed that children who read out loud to canine companions improved their reading fluency skills by 12-30%. 

So let’s celebrate those silent heroes at our Book Fair who don’t mind if a child skips, mispronounces, or misreads a word. Children gain confidence when heard and snuggled by an adoring fan.

We want to see you read to your dog, cat, or other cozy companions! Email a picture of yourself reading to a pet or a stuffed animal to Mrs. Baucum at htbaucum@fcps.edu before Sept 22nd.  She will be creating a slideshow showcasing YOUR furry friends. 


Advanced Academic Programs 

Information Meeting for Parents/Guardians of Children in Grades K-6

An information meeting will be held at Crossfield Elementary School on Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 6:30 PM in the cafeteria.  The AART will provide information about levels of service, briefly explain the screening processes, and answer questions about advanced academic services. 

Please watch this space for:

  • A date and time for a meeting regarding the screening process for full time AAP services (only for parent/guardian of students in grades 2 – 6)
  • A date and time for families of rising 7th graders who have questions about full time AAP options verses honors courses.

Big Buns

Big Buns Spirit Night 

September 13 (4-9pm)

Join us on Wednesday September 13 from 4-9pm for our spirit night at Big Buns in Franklin Farm!  Enjoy a salad, burger, or milkshake and 20% of the proceeds will be given back to our school community! Location: 13300 Franklin Farm Rd, Herndon, VA 20171


Room Parents Needed

We are lucky to have you as part of our great school community. We encourage all parents to sign up to indicate your interests in volunteering with the PTO this year!


It’s Football Season!

Thank you for those of you supporting South Lakes Seahawks and Oakton Cougars football teams.

Parents, please remember that: All elementary and middle school students need to be accompanied & supervised by an adult while at the game. High school students who get dropped off must plan to have their rides waiting for them by 9:30 PM. 

Thanks for your support!


Language Arts Spotlight 

Students in K-5 will be using Lexia® Core5® Reading—a fun, computer-based program that will help students improve their literacy skills. The activities in Core5 support and build on your child’s classroom curriculum and focus on developing reading skills in six areas: phonological awareness, phonics, structural analysis, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

Students in 6th grade will be using Lexia® PowerUp Literacy®, a computer-based program that tailors instruction to their specific needs. The activities in PowerUp support and build on our English language arts classroom curriculum, focusing on three areas essential to becoming a proficient reader: word study, grammar, and comprehension.

School-Home Connection

In Core5 and PowerUp Literacy, your child's achievements are celebrated with certificates when they complete a level. Keep an eye out for these certificates in their take-home folders—it's a tangible way to acknowledge their progress.

Periodically, teachers will send home Lexia independent skill builders to give you a look into what your child is learning in Lexia. 

A reminder that Lexia is designed to be used independently at school, please refrain from having your child access Lexia at home. 


Book Fair 

Every fall the PTO hosts a Scholastic Book Fair, and a little renovation dust won't stop us! Plan to join us at Crossfield on Friday, Sept. 22 from 6-8 p.m. for family shopping night followed by popsicles on the playground. The Book Fair will also be open Tuesday-Friday the following week, so we need LOTS of volunteers. Sign up today! 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090948AFA72BA3F49-2023#/


CROSSFIELD FUN RUN will be October 26th

SAVE THE DATE & GET EXCITED!

Do you have a business or know a company that would like to support our school?  This is the last week to become a FUN RUN SPONSOR.  Local businesses can support the event to help cover costs and receive marketing benefits.  

The CROSSFIELD FUN RUN is organized and run by the PTO and we’re looking for more volunteers!  Consider joining the FUN RUN COMMITTEE to help this amazing event that raises funds for our students, teachers and school.  

If you’re interested in volunteering or learning more, please contact Robyn Bywater at robynbywater@gmail.com and Mindy Scardamalia at mindy.scardamalia@crossfieldpto.org.  Let’s make this year’s FUN RUN the best one yet!


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


We need your consent!

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) uses a variety of resources to support student learning. Some of the digital resources your child may use this year require parental consent. By completing the digital form linked on our website, you provide permission for your child to use the FCPS-approved online tools listed as part of an instructional program. Need technical help completing the consent form? This page has been designed to help you. Thank you for supporting our instructional programs at Crossfield!


Virginia Growth Assessment (VGA)

VGA is a state assessment measuring the extent to which students have learned the content and skills reflected in state standards and may also be used to measure growth in learning state standards. The format and timing of state assessments vary by grade level and content area. More information is available on the VGA webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/43932).

 

Test Windows for 2023-2024 VGA 

Window

       Scheduled 1st  Attempt

      Make-up Tests 

   Fall

           September 11-29

        October 2-6

Winter

      December 4-January 11

      January 12-18

 

Content Areas Assessed

Grade     

        VGA Content Areas           

         (Fall and Winter)

SOL Content Areas Tested

                  (Spring)

   3

      Reading, Mathematics

      Reading, Mathematics

   4

      Reading, Mathematics

      Reading, Mathematics

   5

      Reading, Mathematics

Science, Reading, Mathematics

   6

     Reading, Mathematics

      Reading, Mathematics


Spirit Wear

Gear up for the school year with Crossfield spirit wear! Enjoy a 30% discount across our entire website August 15th - September 14thduring the back-to-school sale. With hundreds of designs waiting for you, shop now and get your order in just 10-12 business days! Shop at 

https://1stplace.sale/97237 

Spirit Wear

Harris Teeter

Harris Teeter Together in Education Program

Harris Teeter's Together in Education program gives schools a chance to earn funds when you link your VIC card and shop Harris Teeter brands. Harris Teeter has donated over $32.4 million to Together in Education schools since 1998! When you shop Harris Teeter brands, a percentage of your purchase is donated to your school. There are NO LIMITS to how much a school can earn. Link your card via this google form  or in store by mentioning Crossfield Elementary School or code 5139.  VIC Cards must be re-linked every August!  


Scoliosis Fact Sheet

The Scoliosis Fact Sheet and translations are available at:

https://www.fcps.edu/node/42356.


Medications

Medications MUST be dropped off at Crossfield by a parent. Do not send your child to school with their medications. Our heath room and clinic health aide, Ms. Deshene, is now located in room A9.


Laptops

Due to the increasing amount of lost laptop chargers and broken laptops, we must begin charging families when these incidents occur. If your child loses their laptop charger or damages their laptop, we will use School Bucks to issue you a fee for replacement and/or repair.


Parent Vue

Access the FCPS secure solution for information about your child's attendance, class performance, demographic data, and more.

https://www.fcps.edu/family-resources/technology/student-information-system-sis/sis-parentvue/sis-parent-account


My School Bucks

Lunches, Field Trips, laptop repair fees. This is the primary way to send money to the school.https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/getmain?requestAction=home 


School Supply Lists

https://crossfieldes.fcps.edu/academics/school-supply-lists


Free and Reduced-Price Meals Application

https://www.fcps.edu/frm


Opt-out Forms

https://www.fcps.edu/system/files/forms/2023-08/2023-24_one-pageflyer.pdf


Lunch Menus

https://fcps.nutrislice.com/menus-eula