September 22 - Family Newsletter
Rolling Valley Families,
Hopefully, the third time is a charm! Welcome to the Rolling Valley News You Choose. I will provide weekly communication about the ongoings of the school, the district, and share news from PTA and SEPTA.
We are fully underway and with the cool and crisp mornings this fall weather is a reminder that we are in the full cycle of school! Our teachers have worked to establish routines and get assessments underway as we move through the first quarter. We held our first PTA in-person meeting for the year, and if you’ve not yet joined, please consider being part of the PTA.
A few notes as we look towards next week. Wednesday, September 27 we are holding our Curriculum Night for adults. This is a time you can grab a slice of pizza and take part in 3 different sessions that discuss the curriculum here at RV around Literacy, Mathematics, and Advanced Academics. Future dates to mark on your calendars include Oct. 21 for the Fun Fair & Haunted House and Nov. 11 for our Pyramid Challenge.
As always! Please let me know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Veronica Del Bagno
Roliing Valley Elementary Principal
Lost & Found:
Families, we are having our lost and found fill up! We have lunch boxes, water bottles, and lots of sweaters! Please take a look and call the front office if any of these pieces look familiar.
National Hispanic Heritage Month
From September 15 to October 15, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories and cultures of the members of our community who trace their heritage to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month.
Fairfax Fiesta:
Fairfax County's inaugural Hispanic Heritage Celebration, the Fairfax Fiesta, is taking place on Saturday, Sept. 23, from noon to 5 p.m., at the PARC at Tysons (8508 Leesburg Pike). The free event, presented by the Fairfax County Government and Celebrate Fairfax!, aims to provide an extraordinary experience for all ages and backgrounds. Learn more about Fairfax Fiesta.
Curriculum Night
Please join us for the Curriculum Night. These sessions are for adults to come and learn about literacy, mathematics, and advanced academics taking place in the classrooms at RVES! While this night is intended only for adults of students at RVES, however, if you need childcare, we have a few West Springfield High School students who will provide childcare. We hope to see you on Wednesday, September 27th!
RVES DOLLAR DRIVE
Rolling Valley will be holding a Dollar Drive to raise funds for a 3D printer. The drive will be set up as a contest between grade levels to raise the most money. Each grade level will have a bin in which students can donate pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and dollars which will be collected during morning arrival. Flyers will be sent home in Friday folders to explain the point system and the school-wide incentives. The top prize for the winning grade level will be a movie popcorn party. The bins will be placed in the front lobby and will be counted every day and grade level progress will be charted.
BIKE RIDERS - FYI!
Families! If your child is a bike rider please make sure they have completed the bike agreement form. We have many students riding their bikes, and very few agreeemtns turned into the school. Bike rider agreement forms can be found in the front office.
Saturday, Sept. 23 - Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023
Every year, approximately 600,000 military-connected families relocate. Most of these families move to new duty stations, while some transition out of the military and others transition in. Most of these moves take place over the summer, and Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to ensuring our military families feel welcomed and a sense of belonging to their local community.
Blue Star Welcome Week is an opportunity for our community to welcome our military-connected families and show them our appreciation for their service and sacrifices. Throughout the week, FCPS will help ease their transition through events, messages, actions of welcome, and opportunities to make meaningful connections. Please help us welcome our military families during Blue Star Welcome Week, September 23 - October 1, 2023, and throughout the year! #BlueStarWelcomeWeekFCPS
School Pictures - Oct. 4
School Picture Day is coming Wednesday, October 4, 2023. Images will be available to view and purchase approximately two weeks following our school's picture day. Save time and Pre-order online here: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001028931#login
Fall Make-Up Photos are Friday, November 10, 2023.
For questions about ordering school pictures please email underclass@vosphoto.com
Testing Corner
VGA:
Tuesday, Sept. 26 - 4th Grade - Math
Wednesday, Sept. 27 - 6th Gade - Math
Friday, Sept. 29 - 5th Grade - Math
Make-Ups - Week of Oct. 2nd - 6th
CogAT:
Oct. 10 -12 - CogAT Testing - 2nd Grade Only
Attendance/Absenteeism
🤒 When a Student Should Stay Home From School
Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.
Help your student succeed by encouraging them to attend as many days as possible, but do make sure your student stays home if they are sick. Visit FCPS’ website for information on when you should keep your child at home.
If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify their teacher, so that assistance can be provided if needed. Please contact us as soon as you know your child will be absent.
Read more about how families can help form good attendance habits.
Immunization Reminder
The Importance of Up-to-Date Immunizations
Immunizations are required for public school entry and help keep students protected from serious diseases. While COVID-19 vaccinations are not required, many other immunizations are. Check with your students’ healthcare providers now to make sure they are up to date on their immunizations. Immunization records can now be updated online in SIS ParentVUE through the Online Verification Update form. To access that form, click Online Packets in the top right of the screen after logging in to SIS ParentVUE. Caregivers can obtain an activation key letter to activate their SIS ParentVUE account by contacting
Important Forms for Caregivers to Complete
✔️ Caregiver Checklist: Have You Completed These Important Forms?
During the first weeks of the year, caregivers receive many forms to complete. Several of the most important ones are below:
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Digital Resources Consent: Some FCPS-approved digital resources require parent/caregiver consent before they can be used by students. Find the list of resources which require consent on the Digital Resources - Parent Consent page. This page also includes directions on how to provide permission.
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Student Rights and Responsibilities: This document explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses. Parents using SIS ParentVUE will be prompted to sign the document when they log in to that platform. A printable version of the document with a signature sheet is available on the SR&R webpage.
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Opt-Outs: The Opt-Out Booklet is online or available from your child’s school. It contains information on:
- Parents’ rights to inspect and consent or opt out before their child participates in certain surveys.
- Parents’ rights to inspect instructional materials.
- Rules regarding student records and disclosure of student information (including photo/video of students) and the right to opt out.
- Parents’ rights to opt out of the Social Emotional Learning Screener, physical exams not required by state law, career or social emotional counseling, Library Equity Access Pass Project, and/or Tutor.com.
- The process by which complaints may be filed if parents or students believe their rights have been violated.
Paper forms can be signed and returned to school.
2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence
FCPS’ 2023-30 strategic plan sets five main goals to create positive change in our schools. These five goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts. Our equity commitment and a set of measures in each goal will measure our success.
Under Goal 3, every student will learn to use critical and creative thinking. They will meet or exceed academic goals. Students will reach their full potential.
Visit the Strategic Plan webpage for more information.
PTA NEWS:
BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES:
The PTA has coordinated before and after school activities for the fall, including Run Fit Kidz, Zumba, Basketball/Flag Football and a new Spanish program! All class offerings use online registration and are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please be aware that some classes will not run if there are insufficient students! If this is the case, your money will be refunded. For scholarship information, please contact Ms. Del Bagno as soon as possible. For any questions, please contact the PTA’s After-School Programs Coordinator, Lisa Callahan, at (703)338-2989 or lisa.callahan27@gmail.com. All details and registration information can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qEw6K5ljvkUaRTB8N-bcU UfCTYRjHOQeMXVO FewDQk/edit
TO DO: JOIN THE PTA! Check something off your to do list and support the PTA's initiatives by joining today - your $15 membership fee helps us pay for special events, teacher appreciation activities, school resources and much more. And though we love volunteers, no time or volunteer commitment is required to be a PTA member. Join online today at:
https://rvespta.ptboard.com/formvw?store=4145&form=1
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Saturday, October 21; 4:30-8:30pm; Haunted House & Fun Fair @ RVES: The RVES PTA is thrilled to once again host the Haunted House & Fun Fair! This longstanding community tradition is one of our biggest fundraisers, and you don't want to miss it! Purchase your tickets online in advance at rvespta.ptboard.com and receive a discount: https://rvespta.ptboard.com/formvw?store=4145&form=5
Also, we are looking for a food table coordinator for this event! Please email ptarollingvalley@gmail.com if you're able to help or have questions!
Save the date and stay tuned for more details!
Saturday, November 11 - West Springfield Pyramid Challenge Fun Run
Make sure to checkout the upcoming PTA Events and add them to your calendar!
The Haunted House and Fun Fair are being held on October 21! Mark your calendars and tell your friends. We hope to see you there!
SEPTA NEWS:
SEPTA (FAIRFAX COUNTY SPECIAL EDUCATION PTA): SEPTA is a PTA organization affiliated with the state and national PTA but specifically established to address the unique needs of special education, special needs, and disabled students and families. For complete details, registration links, etc. for the events/opportunities listed below, please see the "Upcoming Events From SEPTA" announcement on rvespta.ptboard.com or click here:
https://rvespta.ptboard.com/annlist
Fairfax County Special Education PTA (SEPTA) September Meeting: Wednesday, September 27th, 7pm on Zoom Come to RVES' Curriculum night, then close out the night online with SEPTA! Not sure what SEPTA is or what we do? This is the perfect meeting to attend! Learn more about SEPTA, how to get involved, and tips for families and staff on how to start the year off well! Attendees will also have a short Q&A with FCPS Special Guests: Dr. Geovanny Ponce, Chief of Schools (new position) Dr. Nardos King, Chief Equity Officer Dr. Terri Edmunds-Heard, interim Asst. Superintendent of Special Services Please register in advance using the link provided. --------------
SEPTA's Fall Mini-Grants Application is OPEN! Due October 15, 2023!
FCPS Staff who are SEPTA members are eligible to apply for mini-grants (up to $500) to help support students with disabilities. We have 2 grant windows/year, and the fall window deadline is October 15th! Please click on the link provided for the application, which has more information about grant eligibility and purpose. Please read the application thoroughly, as it has been updated!
Not sure if you're a current SEPTA member? Email Bridget at membership@fairfaxcountysepta.org to check.
Feel free to contact the RVES PTA at ptarollingvalley@gmail.com with any questions or comments!
Upcoming Dates:
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