Hunters Woods ES NEWS & NOTES | September 22, 2023

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 09/22/2023 03:53 PM EDT

Upcoming Dates

September 25: Yom Kippur Holiday (All FCPS schools and offices closed)

September 28: Wear Blue for Blue Star Welcome Week (Details below)

September 29: SLHS Homecoming Game / PTA Homecoming Parade
                         Wear HWES Spirit Wear or School Colors: Green & White

October 4: National Walk or Bike to School Day (See below)

October 9: Indigenous Peoples’ Day/Teacher Workday (No school for students)

October 20: Student Picture Day (Details coming soon)

November 3:  End of First Quarter (2 Hour Early Dismissal at 1:40 PM)

November 6-7: Teacher Workdays and Election Day (No school for students)

Click here to view the 2023-2024 school year calendar.

Calendar Reminder

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Yom Kippur Holiday
Schools & Offices Closed
Monday, September 25

May all in our Jewish community observing Yom Kippur
have an easy and meaningful fast. 

All FCPS schools and offices will be closed on Monday, September 25, for Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism. See the complete school year calendar. Learn more about Yom Kippur on Brittanica.com. 

Blue Star Welcome Week
September 23 - October 1

Wear Blue on September 28

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

Students and staff are invited to wear blue on Thursday, September 28th to show support for our military families and students.

Walk and Roll to School Day

Wednesday, October 4

FCPS will participate in International Walk and Roll to School Day on Wednesday, October 4, to promote physical activity and reduce traffic congestion and pollution near schools. Students and employees are encouraged to bike or walk to school and work where safe to do so on October 4. 

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Click on the graphic above to visit walkbiketoschool.org.

Attendance Matters
We All Belong at School

Each one of us is unique, and every student matters. If your student is having a difficult time attending class, please speak with a trusted adult at school. There are solutions. 

Watch this video to see how everyone belongs at school. Visit our Attendance webpage for resources on attendance. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!

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FCPS News & Resources

Substitute and Instructional Assistant Hiring

Substitutes to Receive High-Volume Pay on High-Volume Days

The School Board has approved a list of 18 days for substitutes to receive high-volume pay. All teacher substitutes will receive their hourly pay plus an additional $80 for each high-volume day they work. See the list of high-volume days and more information. 

A bonus program for substitutes who accept more than the 10 required days has also been approved. Substitutes working 50 days within a school year, will earn a $200 bonus. Substitutes working 100 days within a school year, will earn a $300 bonus. Substitutes working 150 days within a school year, will earn a $400 bonus. Get more information on this sub bonus program. 

Make a SUBstantial Difference! 

FCPS is always looking for kind and caring substitute teachers. Weekly virtual substitute teacher information sessions are held each Wednesday from 2 to 3 p.m. Register for an upcoming session on Wednesday, September 27, and Wednesday, October 4. 

Tips to Stay Healthy

Flu season is quickly approaching and communicable diseases continue to be present in our schools. Families and staff are encouraged to follow the health practices below to prevent the spread of illnesses and help keep our schools safe:

  • Make an appointment to get a flu vaccine as soon as possible. Everyone six months and older should get a flu vaccine (with rare exceptions). Flu vaccines are widely available at doctors’ and pediatricians’ offices, grocery stores, and pharmacies.
  • Get vaccinated against COVID-19 if you have not done so already. As of Tuesday, September 12, updated COVID-19 vaccines are approved for use among those aged 6 months or older for the 2023-24 season. Find out where you can get a COVID-19 vaccine or booster in your community by visiting Vaccinate Virginia, or calling 877-VAX-IN-VA or 877-829-4682. Note: Flu vaccines and COVID vaccines can be provided in the same appointment.
  • Check with your student’s healthcare provider to make sure they are up to date on their required school entrance immunizations. Immunization records can now be updated in SIS ParentVUE through the Online Verification Update form.
  • Check for mild, cold-like symptoms each day, such as fever, runny nose, cough, or shortness of breath. If a child is sick, please keep them home and get them tested for COVID-19 to stop further spread from occurring. Additional guidance on when to keep your child home due to symptoms and illness is available on the FCPS Attendance webpage. FCPS employees are also advised to stay home and get tested when feeling sick.
  • Don’t forget to wash hands regularly, avoid touching the face with unwashed hands, cover the mouth when coughing or sneezing, and limit the time children spend in large group settings with contagious individuals whenever possible.

The most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 school health practices is available on the Health and Safety Guidance webpage.

Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our schools safe and healthy.

In Case You Missed It

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

  • Community Conversations with Dr. Reid
  • Student Rights and Responsibilities Signatures Due
  • Free Webinars for Families in October 

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, sign up today. 

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HWES Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/HWESMustangs/ 

HWES PTA Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Hunters-Woods-PTA-121455097915668/

HWES Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/HuntersWoodsES?s=20