Sangster News You Choose 10-12-23


calendar reminders

Upcoming Events

October 9: No School for Students

October 10: Parent Coffee

October 20: Field Day


Social and Emotional Learning Screener 

One of the ways FCPS supports the mental wellness of all students is the SEL Screener.  

The screener is offered to all students in grades 3-12 in October and again in February or March. It addresses skills like achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. 

The SEL Screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to create the learning, experiences, and environments students need to be successful. Key updates to the screener this year include:

  • Different versions for students in grades 3-5 and 6-12. 
  • Fewer topics with more questions to provide schools and families with more data to support planning. 
  • Additional questions aligned with FCPS’ commitment to educational equity.  

SEL Screener results are sent to families via postal mail. Families who wish to opt their child out should complete the opt-out form in the Annual Notice packet or in SIS ParentVUE. 

For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.

Please note that the SEL Screener differs from the anonymous Fairfax County Youth Survey


field day

Field Day 

Hello Sangster Families!  

Fall Field Day 2023 is on Friday, October 20th.  Please help us create a fun filled event by signing up to volunteer.  Volunteer opportunities are separated by grade level.  The rain date is Friday, October 27.

Click on the link below to support 4th – 6th grade.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E054BAEA62AA7FC1-44985359-sangster

5th grade 9:20 - 10:20 (check in 9:00)

4th grade 10:20 - 11:20 (check in 10:00)

6th grade 11:20 - 12:20 (check in 11:00)

Click on the link below to support 1st – 3rd grade.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A044CABAE2B0-44782220-sangster

2nd grade 12:50 – 1:50 (check in 12:30)

1st grade 1:50 – 2:50 (check in 1:30)

3rd grade 2:50 – 3:50 (check in 2:30)

We truly appreciate your help, thank you!

Mrs. Tuebner & Ms. Hickey


Advanced Academic Program Information

Full-Time (Level IV) AAP Services Referrals

Some advanced learners need a full-time advanced academic program with differentiated instruction in all four core content areas (Language Arts, mathematics, social studies, and science).  Students eligible for full-time AAP services are cluster grouped on a full-time basis and receive:

  • Full-time use of materials from the AAP Curriculum Framework in Language Arts, mathematics, science, and social studies, and
  • Curriculum that is differentiated through acceleration, depth, and complexity of content.

Full-time services continue through Grade 8. Students do not need to be evaluated each year.

Screening for Full-Time (Level IV) services occurs during specific screening cycles:  

  • Fall screening is available for students in grades 3-6 who are new to FCPS since January 1, 2023. Students found eligible begin full-time services in the second semester. The fall screening referral window is from the first day of school - October 15.
  • Spring screening is available for any Grade 2-7 FCPS-enrolled student. Students found eligible begin full-time services in the 2024-2025 school year. The spring screening referral window is from the first day of school - December 15.

Link to Full-Time(Level IV) AAP Referral: https://www.fcps.edu/system/files/forms/2023-08/aap-fulltimeservicesreferralform-english.pdf

Please email referral forms as an attachment to both Ms. Biberaj, AART (LBiberaj@fcps.edu), and Mrs. Redford, AP (JARedford@fcps.edu).

AAP Information Meeting

We held an AAP Information meeting on the evening of Tuesday, October 3rd where we provided an Advanced Academic Program overview and Full-Time AAP Level IV screening information. If you were unable to attend and would like more information, please reach out to Ms. Biberaj.


Materials Collection - STEAM

Ms. Mishkin is collecting recycled materials for some upcoming STEAM projects. Students can bring in toilet paper rolls and paper towel rolls. She received enough other supplies, and only needs the tubes. Students can drop them in the collection box in front of the library or in the STEAM room before and after school.

Thank you!

paper towel tubes

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


homecoming parade

Lake Braddock annual Homecoming Parade

Lake Braddock Secondary is having our annual Homecoming parade this year on Friday, October 13th at 4:45pm!


wacky sock day on thursday oct 19

Digital Citizenship Week

October 16-20 is digital citizenship week! Our students and staff will be learning and reflecting on Media Balance and Well-Being, Privacy and Security, Relationships and Communication, Digital Footprint, and News and Media Literacy.

We are going to have a Wacky Sock Day to think about our digital footprint on Thursday, October 19. 

Digital Citizenship Week Calendar – Family Activities.pdf


wshs trunk or treat

WSHS Trunk or Treat

Trunk or Treat at West Springfield High School - join us on October 21 at 5-6pm. After Trunk or Treat in the upper parking lot, we will be hosting a short film down on the field for everyone to enjoy. We hope for a great turnout this year and we will see you there!


reminders

Friendly Reminders

Federal Impact Aid Survey coming soon.

The federal presence in our area and the significant tax exemptions available to federally connected personnel, businesses, and agencies has qualified Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) to be eligible for federal Impact Aid grants.

Impact Aid programs and grants are designed to assist local school districts that enroll federally connected students. The grants from these programs will become part of FCPS' general operating budget and are critical to ensuring that all children in FCPS receive an excellent education. FCPS anticipates receiving approximately $3,000,000 in Impact Aid funds.

FCPS Impact Aid Survey Info


pp
positivity project

This week we will review the different character strengths from this year so far.  

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 Character Strength: Integrity


parent resources

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

Family Resource Center October 2023 - Free

Coping Strategies for Anxiety, Depression, and Stress: A Two-Part Series

Join Dr. Erin Berman, a Clinical Psychologist at the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, Maryland for these important sessions helping children cope with anxiety, depression, and stress.

Part 1 Highlights:

  • How to identify a child with anxiety or depression
  • The science and biological roots of anxiety in children
  • Interventions and considerations in dealing with children with anxiety and depression
  • Current treatment options (medications & CBT: cognitive behavioral therapy)
  • Strategies and tips for supporting your children with anxiety and depression

Part 1: 10/27/23 10-11:30 a.m Share this event with others.

Register for Coping Strategies for Anxiety, Depression, and Stress: A Two-Part Series

Sangster PTA After School Clubs

Sangster PTA has some of the best clubs in district. Take of look of what our amazing PTA has available to Sangster Families in the link below. If you haven’t joined yet, please take a few minutes to read through the Sangster PTA website and consider joining.

Sangster PTA

Fairfax County Police Department Trunk or Treat

Join us for our 4th Annual Fairfax County Police Department & Friends Trunk-Or-Treat extravaganza! This exciting event is set for Wednesday, October 18, running from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center, located at 12000 Government Center Parkway in Fairfax. Admission is absolutely FREE, offering a safe and enjoyable way to celebrate Halloween with your family. Come experience the delight of "Trick-Or-Treating" as you go "Trunk-To-Trunk" amidst a family-friendly environment.

FCPD & Friends Trunk or Treat

Mason Trunk or Treat

Saturday, October 21 · 4 - 6:30pm - Join George Mason University for a family-friendly evening of spooky fun and sweet treats at the annual Mason Trunk or Treat. This event is open to all families in the Mason and Fairfax communities. Come enjoy candy, games, music, and of course, fabulously decorated trunks.

Mason Trunk or Treat

Military Families

DOD MWR Libraries

DOD MWR Libraries is another powerful resource to supplement classroom learning. Use its expansive, personalized and interactive resources to:

  • Gain access to tutors and connect your military child or teen with live online help in a variety of subjects.
  • Access video storybooks, audiobooks, eLearning tutorials and reading materials for virtually all areas of learning. You can also find practice exams and other information to help students prepare for college.

In addition, the DOD MWR Libraries Summer Reading Program is a great resource to help families bridge the summer learning gap.

DOD MWR Libraries

Partners in Promise

Partners in PROMISE is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that serves as a representative voice for our Exceptional Military Family Members (EFMP).

Partners in Promise

Military Spouse Career Coaching

Moving every 1-3 years while raising a family can be difficult for working military spouses. The Defense Department Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program provides comprehensive coaching services free of charge to all eligible military spouses. Employment readiness specialists are also available at most installations to assist military spouses with many different employment-related issues.

DOD Career Coaching

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


falcon funladybugs

Release the Ladybugs!

3rd Grade Scientists study the life-cycle of ladybugs as they carefully raise them from larvae to beetle. Demonstrating their dedication to environmental stewardship, our Global Citizens wait until the ladybugs emerge from their pupa state and carefully release them into their natural habitats in the Sangster gardens to help control the aphid population and protect the plants. 🐞

Way to go Third Grade!

sidewand

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. Sidewand!



PTA

 

News from the Sangster PTA

 



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