November 3 - Family Newsletter
Rolling Valley Families,
Wow! November arrived and brought in the cold! We have lots of jackets and gloves in the lost and found. Look at the bottom of this newsletter for pictures of the items we currently have in the lost and found. With today’s early release, we end the 1st Quarter and are ready to start the 2nd Quarter!
We have some events to keep us busy now until Thanksgiving break! Nov. 10 is our Veterans Day Assembly and Nov. 11 is our Pyramid Challenge! We hope to see you at both events!
We have other events happening throughout the month so make sure to read further down for all the upcoming activities we have going on at RVES! Have a great weekend and as a reminder, there is no school on Nov. 6 or Nov. 7 for students! Lastly, daylight saving time will end Sunday, November 5, at 2 a.m.Don’t forget to move your clocks back one hour!
Veronica Del Bagno
Rolling Valley Elementary Principal
Native American Heritage Month
Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories; and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native Americans. It is also an opportunity to raise awareness about the unique challenges they have faced historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.
Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
PTA NEWS:
PYRAMID CHALLENGE - see the "Upcoming Events" section for important information!
SPIRITWEAR: Our brand new RVES spiritwear is now on sale - options include t-shirts, hoodies, PJ pants and a locally-made RVES ornament! Click here to order yours by November 15! CLICK HERE
RE-STOCK THE TEACHERS' LOUNGE: Please help the PTA re-stock the teachers' lounge and show our teachers and staff how much we appreciate them! We are looking for Keurig K-Cup pods, sparkling water and individually packaged snacks such as granola bars and trail mix. Items can be dropped off at the RVES office through November 3.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Saturday, November 11; 10:00am-12:00pm; West Springfield Pyramid Challenge Fun Run @ Washington Irving Middle School: The West Springfield Pyramid Challenge is a FREE fun run that was started over a decade ago. Students from the 7 elementary schools in the West Springfield Pyramid will run a half-mile or one-mile course, depending on their grade level. This year's event will also include a unified heat with an accessible 200-meter course for students with physical and cognitive disabilities. Registration has ended, and we have 205 Rolling Valley students participating, with over 1100 students overall!
Please see below for some Pyramid Challenge needs!
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Volunteers - we really need some more volunteers, particularly for concessions, traffic assistants, finish line assistants, volunteer check-in and our charity table! Please consider signing up - there are 2 shifts for your convenience, and we'll make sure youcan see your child(ren) run! Sign up here: CLICK HERE
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Donations - we are seeking donations to help offset our Pyramid Challenge costs - if you'd like to donate, please do so here! CLICK HERE
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Charity Partnership- in honor of Veterans' Day, we will be holding a Dollar Drive for Operation Purple Camp at the Pyramid Challenge. Bring a dollar(s) or make an online donation on the spot! Operation Purple Camp, hosted by the National Military Family Association, offers military kids a free week of camp where they connect with other kids just like them.
Also, if your child(ren) is/are participating in the Pyramid Challenge, please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to their race start time to pick up t-shirts and bibs. Also, be sure to allow extra time for parking! Below is the race schedule:
10:00 am - Kindergarten (Boys & Girls)
10:15 am - First Grade (Boys & Girls)
10:30 am - Second Grade (Boys & Girls)
10:45 am - Third Grade (Boys & Girls)
11:00 am - Unified Run (K-6 Boys & Girls; note that this race will have a different start location since it is a shorter course)
11:20 am - Mascots Race
11:40 am - Fourth, Fifth & Sixth Grade (Boys)
12:00 pm - Fourth, Fifth & Sixth Grade (Girls)
Monday, November 13; 7:00-8:00pm; PTA General Membership Meeting @ RVES: All RVES families are welcome at the November general membership meeting! You'll get the inside scoop on upcoming PTA activities and hear the principal's report from Ms. Del Bagno. Note that the meeting will take place in the cafeteria, and childcare will be provided.
Monday, November 13 - Wednesday, November 15; Spirit Events @ Rice & Spice: Enjoy delicious Thai food from Rice & Spice in Kingstowne (6466 Landsdowne Ctr. Drive, Alexandria) each evening and Rolling Valley will receive a % of the proceeds! Order online at: CLICK HERE
- From Monday, November 13 - Wednesday, November 15, dine in or get takeout from the restaurant. Be sure to mention the fundraiser or put the code "RVES" in the special instructions if you order online.
- On Tuesday, November 14, you can also pick up your order in the RVES parking lot at 7:00pm! For the parking lot pick-up option, you must place your order by 4:00pm that day. Be sure to put "delivery at RVES" in the special instructions if you choose this option!
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 more information and details about upcoming events, please visit: CLICK HERE
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November is National Family Engagement Month!
This month reminds us that families are children’s first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers. Over 35 years of research shows that the most effective way to increase student achievement is for families to be actively involved in the education of their children. The importance of family engagement will be highlighted during the month of November as we celebrate and strengthen family-school partnerships together. Click on the Family Engagement Calendar 2023 for ideas to implement more family engagement in your household.
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REMINDERS!
Rolling Valley Elementary School
SCHOOL PICTURES ARE ONLINE NOW!
FALL RETAKES ARE ON FRIDAY NOV. 10!
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The team at Victor O’Neill Studios would like to thank your school for a great picture day!
We are reaching out to inform you that student images are now online. If your school provided emails to the VOS team, please let parents know to be on the lookout for an email from Victor O'Neill Studios. If they do not see it in their inbox, check the spam/junk folder. Please share the information below with your parents:
Any student who has not had a chance to order, it’s not too late!
Please visit: vosphoto.com/underclass
use your student ID when prompted for the online code.
For questions regarding school pictures please email: underclass@vosphoto.com
Thank you!
Victor O'Neill Studios
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Understanding the Full Time
AAP Screening Process
Mark your calendar and look to join Mrs. Slye, Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, for RVES at a parent information meeting will be on Nov. 8th, 6-7 pm in the cafeteria. A flyer is forthcoming!
RVES - Scholastic Book Fair!
The book fair opens for previews NEXT WEEK! Sales will begin November 11-November 17!
Preview Days During School (no sales): November 9 & 10
Family Day: Saturday, November 11th from 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Student Shopping Days During School: November 13-17 (Families welcome during Thanksgiving Lunch on 11/15, please check with your child’s teacher if you plan to take them with you.)
Our book fair offers a cash-free payment option called eWallet. Your child can shop at our fair without carrying around cash. Grandparents, friends, and others can contribute, too! http://bit.ly/rvewallet2023.
You can shop online at our school’s Virtual Book Fair from November 9-22. All orders ship directly to your home! Visit www.scholastic.com/bf/rollingvalley.
If you would like to help purchase books for other Rolling Valley students, you may do so here: http://bit.ly/donaterv23.
We couldn’t set up and preview the book fair without YOUR help so we are looking for volunteers to help us do just that! Please visit https://bit.ly/RVbookfairvol2023 if you are willing to volunteer for a few hours to support Rolling Valley students and the book fair!
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Veterans Day Assembly
Please join RVES for a Veterans Day Assembly on Friday, Nov. 10 from 2:30-3:30! Active service members are welcome to wear their uniform and line our main hallway at 2:15 as we call down classrooms for the school-wide assembly. We hope you can attend!
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SCA FOOD DRIVE!
The 6th grade SCA team has decided to do a food drive to benefit the ECHO food bank. We will be collecting non-perishable food items the week of November 13-17th. Students can bring them to school and put them in their grade level box in the front hallway. The most requested items are:
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FOOD ITEMS
§ Protein Items (e.g. can chicken, Spam, sardines, chili, beef stew)
§ Spaghetti Sauce
§ Tea (green, herbal, black)
§ Milk products (canned, shelf stable, hot chocolate)
§ Macaroni and Cheese
§ Can Tomatoes
§ Healthy Snacks (nuts, raisins, dried fruit, granola bars etc.)
§ Sugar
§ Masa (Corn) Flour
§ Box Potatoes
§ Lentils
§ Instant Coffee
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FOOD ITEMS
§ Canned fruit
§ Bagged beans (black, red, or garbanzo)
§ Bag Rice
§ Pancake Mix
§ Pancake Syrup
§ Crackers
§ Spices (garlic, onion, cinnamon, salt, pepper)
§ Lemon/Lime Juice
§ Juice (Bottles or Box
§ Honey
§ Cooking Oil
§ Tortillas
§ Muffin/Cornbread Mix
§ Brown paper bags
§ Reusable grocery bags
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Thanksgiving Lunch!
We are excited that Thanksgiving is making its first debut since 2019! Mark your calendars, because Rolling Valley is holding Thanksgiving Lunch on Wednesday, November 15. A flyer and the lunch schedule went home in Friday Folders! Make sure to check backpacks for information!
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2023-2024 FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards!
2023-2024 FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards!
Nominations are now open for the 23-24 FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards!
To submit a nomination for a Rolling Valley Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through this google link https://forms.gle/jj7b3jEN3oqQhAAY8. You may nominate one employee at our school or multiple employees (one individual may only nominate one employee per category.)
All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. The google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards and the eligibility requirements are below.
If you are filling out a google form, remember if more than 1 person is nominated for a category we will use the details and description you wrote on this form to help determine who should be our school finalist. Please add as much as you can in the few paragraphs!
Outstanding Teacher
Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
Outstanding New Teacher
Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
Outstanding New Principal
Eligibility: Be within their first three years as building principal
Outstanding Professional Employee
Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership
Common positions in this category: School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Assessment Coach, Career Center Specialist, Instructional Coach, Psychologist, Social Worker, Speech Pathologist, School Counselor, Resource Teachers that serve in an administrative role in a school
Outstanding Operational Employee
Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee
Common positions in this category: administrative and office assistants, custodial staff, food service staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, all parent liaisons and hourly employees
Please email Anne Walker with any questions at amwalker@fcps.edu. The deadline to submit a nomination is November 16. Thank you!
Principal Chat
We are excited to announce our series of Principal Chats! Please mark these on your calendar and we will be in touch as the sessions approach!
Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid
Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid
The Impact Aid Program is a federal grant program designed to directly compensate local school districts that have been financially impacted by federal activities. The program's mission is to reimburse local school districts for local revenues lost due to the presence of federally owned and therefore tax-exempt property. Your support in identifying students with federal connections will ensure that FCPS can obtain its fair share of grant funds from this program.
Paper copies of the survey will be sent home in Friday Folders on November 3. Please be sure to complete and sign the survey and have your child return the original (fax or email copies may not be sent) to their teacher no later than Thursday, November 16th.
You may still complete the survey online. If you are completing the survey online, it must be done by the enrolling parent. Please log into ParentVue. Once logged in, please select the Online Packets tab at the top, then select “Federal Impact Aid Survey” from the drop down menu. A form must be filled out for each student. You may complete the paper form or the online form – you do not have to do both!
For questions regarding the Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid, please call 703-329-7750 or email ImpactAid@fcps.edu or visit https://www.fcps.edu/impact. Additional information about Impact Aid programs and grants is available on the U.S. Department of Education's website at DoED Impact Aid Programs.
Have a ParentVue account, but need assistance? Complete this Help Request Form: https://itweb.fcps.edu/itsupport/parent/.
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Calendar Update for March 5 Presidential Primary
The Fairfax Board of Elections has requested schools to close on Tuesday, March 5, to accommodate the administration of the 2024 presidential primary election.
As a result, March 5 will be a school holiday for students and a virtual School Planning Day. As outlined in Regulation 4421, School Planning Days are directed by school-based administrators in order to devote time to school improvement efforts, including collaboration around data, common assessments, and responsive instruction. Central offices and school offices will remain open.
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LOST & FOUND
Yay! Some jackets and sweaters have found there home. We still have more!
703-923-2700
Upcoming Dates:
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November 6, 7 - NO SCHOOL Teacher Work Days
November 8 - AAP Screening Info. Process (6-7pm)
November 10 - Fall Makeup Picture Day
November 10 - Veterans Day Assembly (2:30-3:30)
November 11 - Pyramid Challenge
November 11 - Family Book Fair Day (1-5pm)
November 13-17 - Book Fair - Student Shopping Days During School
November 13-17 - SCA Food Drive
November 15 - Thanksgiving Lunch at School
November 22-24 - NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break
FCPS 2023-24 School Year Calendar
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