 |
|
Upcoming Events
September 25: No School
September 27: Fall Picture Day
September 28: 4-6 Back to School Night
October 2: AAP Information Night
|
 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.
 |
|
Back to School Nights
Wednesday, September 20th Grades K – 3 6:00PM – 6:45PM OR 7:00PM – 7:45PM
Thursday, September 28th Grades 4 – 6 6:00PM – 6:45PM OR 7:00PM – 7:45PM
We offer two sessions, so parents with multiple primary-aged children have choice in which session works with their schedule.
Babysitting is available via the Girl Scouts in the gym from 5:45PM – 8:00PM. Children must be at least preschool-aged and potty trained.
|
Materials Collection - STEAM
Ms. Mishkin is collecting recycled materials for some upcoming STEAM projects. Students can bring in your lightweight cardboard (i.e. cereal boxes, sparkling water/soda boxes, snack bar boxes, etc.), tissue boxes, egg cartons and toilet paper rolls/paper towel rolls. Students can drop them in the collection box in front of the library or in the STEAM room before and after school.
Thank you!
|
|
 |
STEAMOLOGY STEM Fest Offers Hands-On Activities for Students
Students are invited to participate in STEM FEST on Saturday, October 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at South County High School. Students in kindergarten through eighth grade can participate in robotics demonstrations, coding experiments, and more. High school students are invited to volunteer. Visit the STEAMOLOGY website for more information.
 |
|
2023-24 Student Rights & Responsibilities
Due September 29
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.
|
 Advanced Academics Information Meeting
Advanced Academic Program Overview and Full-Time AAP Level IV Screening
Date: Tuesday, October 3th
Time: 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Location: Sangster Cafeteria
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is committed to challenging all students through talent development efforts and differentiated instruction to meet the needs of advanced learners. FCPS offers a continuum of advanced academic services for all students in Grades K-12. The continuum of services approach recognizes unique student needs and focuses on matching services, not labeling students. Through the continuum, students have multiple entry points for deeper learning opportunities in specific areas of need as they develop and a cluster group of students with similar academic needs to continue growing in their learning.
If you’re interested in learning more about FCPS’ AAP program, including an overview of the AAP Continuum of services for all students and/or information regarding the screening process for the full-time Level IV AAP program, please join us for the AAP Information Night on Tuesday, October 3rd. Parents will learn how to refer students in grades 2-6 for the full-time Level IV Advanced Academics Program for the 2024-2025 school year and have the opportunity to ask questions.
You will find detailed information included the AAP Fall Newsletter sent home in this week’s Thursday folder. If you have any questions, please contact our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, Linda Biberaj (LBiberaj@fcps.edu).
 Friendly Reminders
🤒 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 our site for information on when to 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. Keep an open line of communication with your school's public health staff. Call the school as soon as you know your child will be absent, and tell school staff why and for how long.
Read more about how families can help form good attendance habits. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!
🤧 Tips to Stay Healthy This School Year
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.
- 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 FCPS' Health and Safety Guidance webpage.
Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our schools safe and healthy!
Positivity Project
This week’s Positivity Project focus is the Other People Mindset with an emphasis on being present and giving others your attention. This is a great week to talk with your child about those who have been present in their lives and how they have made a difference for them.
The site P2 For Families is available for connecting P2 to your home and you can learn more about the site here. Many of the slides are password protected and the password is P2 (case-sensitive).
Next Week’s Positivity Project Focus: Perspective
|
 Resources from Sangster's Family Liaison
Local parks and recreation and community groups:
Fairfax County Parks and Recreation – Parktakes
Fairfax County SACC (after school program)
Boy Scouts
Girl Scouts
Sangster PTA
Community Resources and Activities
Springfield Youth Club
Braddock Road Youth Club
South Run Recreation Center
FCPS Family Resource Center - The Family Resource Center Lending Library contains over 10,000 books, eBooks, DVDs, and CDs on topics related to parenting and educating all children including those with learning challenges, mental health concerns, special needs, and disabilities. They offer a FREE Lending Library with 1000’s of books for parents and children. Find the books you want to read and the Family Resource Center will send the books directly to Sangster ES for you to pick. You may also return the books to Sangster ES and we’ll send them back for you.
Family Resource Center
Upcoming Webinars
Who's the Boss? 5 Ways for Families to Help Kids with Big Emotions
- Do you have a child who is bossy, and melts down over changes in plans or transitions?
- Acts like a sore loser when playing games?
- Wears the same clothes and eats the same foods?
- Likes to say, "That's not fair!" and won't stop following you until they prove a point?
Calm Parenting podcast founder Kirk Martin explains why all of these behaviors have the same root...and similar solutions.
Friday September 29, 2023, 10-11:30 a.m.
Register for Who's the Boss? 5 Ways for Families to Help Kids with Big Emotions
Military Family Resources
Military Family Life Counselor
MFLC are available to every active-duty military-connected family. Contact a Fort Belvoir MFLC at 703-389-5708. Please leave a message to receive a call back.
To find an MFLC near you, search Military One Source MFLC
Other helpful links:
School Liaison Office – Fort Belvoir
EFMP
EFMP – Fort Belvoir
MWR – Fort Belvoir
FCPS Miliary Families
USO
Military Child Care
Education Directory for Children with Special Needs
The Interstate Compact for Military-Connected Students
Ideas for Fostering New Friendships
FCPS Parent Resource Center - Military Webinars
School Transitions for Military Families: Outgoing and Incoming Students (6/2022)
Using tools from her book, “Seasons of My Military Student,” Stacy Allsbrook-Huisman will offer relevant tips and strategies for managing new challenges.
Schools and Military-Connected Students: Supportive Programs and Practices (2/2022)
Using tools from her book, “Seasons of My Military Student,” Stacy Allsbrook-Huisman will offer relevant tips and strategies for managing new challenges.
Preparing for the Unexpected: Challenges of Military Families (12/2021)
Storms in Any Season- What parents need to know about deployments, Injuries, Separations, and Loss
Facebook group – local military families
Military Spouses Group at Sangster Elementary https://www.facebook.com/groups/294341637282880
GAMS - https://www.facebook.com/groups/greateralexandriamilitaryspouses/
Fairfax County Spouses - https://www.facebook.com/groups/2053938148258566/
Sangster School Liaison
Do you have questions about FCPS, military life in Fairfax County, or the local community? Contact your Family Liaison for Sangster Elementary School.
Stacy Huisman
dshuiman@fcps.edu
571-425-8339
 Blue Star Welcome Week
Blue Star Welcome Week is a nationwide initiative to ensure military families feel a sense of belonging to their school communities. Fairfax County Public Schools will be intentionally celebrating and acknowledging Blue Star Welcome Week.
Blue Star Welcome Week is an opportunity to empower military families to thrive as they serve. There are approximately 14,500 military-connected students enrolled in FCPS. Each year, one-third of our military families transition into or out of our district. Blue Star Welcome Week gives schools an opportunity to welcome and connect with their military families. The goal is to create a sense of belonging and ensure that our military families feel celebrated and welcomed into their school communities.
  Cooler Weather
The cooler fall weather has our students headed outside for some independent reading! Everyone is enjoying getting to spend a little more time outside, especially with a good book. 📖
 Spotlight on Sangster’s New Staff
Each week we will feature a new Sangster staff members in our weekly communication so our community can get to know them better.
Welcome, Ms. Ushko!
News from the Sangster PTA
|
Quick Links
|
