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To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.
Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.
ይህንን ዜና መፅሄት በሌሎች ቋንቋዎች ለማንበብ፤ እባክዎን ድረ ገፃችንን ይጎብኙ።
اس نیوزلیٹر کو دوسری زبانوں میں پڑھنے کیلئے ، براہ مہربانی ہماری ویب سائیٹ ملاحظہ کیجیئے۔
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A Message from Mr. Morris
I wanted to share an update to our Stratford Landing News You Choose (SLES NYC) communication. Our next SLES NYC will be sent on December 1, 2023. Beginning Dec 1, 2023 our SLES NYC communication will be weekly. SLES NYC communication will also include PTA announcements and communication. Part of the reason for this shift to one weekly communication is to decrease multiple emails from different sources, as well as reduce the amount of content we shared in our bi-weekly communication. Additionally, this will ensure timely communication for our families. If you have questions about our SLES NYC, please reach out to me directly.
Thank you for your partnership.
Kevin Morris, Principal
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Lost and Found Retrieval!
Families, please encourage your child to take a look at the lost and found table for missing items. You may also stop by the school, check in at the main office and take a look at the lost and found table to retrieve items. A gentle reminder that we encourage families to put names on their children’s clothing, particularly outer wear, as we are able to return those missing items directly to students. We will be donating all remaining items at the end of the school day on Tuesday, Nov 21.
FCPS Outstanding Employee Award
The Nomination deadline for our FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards has been extended to Wednesday, November 29th !
The Outstanding Employee awards are a great way to recognize some of the amazing people at our school and highlight some of the outstanding ways they have contributed to our students and school community. The link to nominate a staff member is: https://forms.gle/1yN81xbdq1DMtYmh6
Holiday Spirit Week
Window for Full-Time Advanced Academic Program (AAP) Level IV Referrals to Close December 15, 2023
All parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7, who would like their child to be considered for Level IV Full-Time AAP services, may submit the AAP Level IV Referral Form and optional materials to our Advanced Academic Resource Teachers Tene’ McBee and Arlene Ventimiglia by emailing dtpittman@fcps.edu and aeventimigli@fcps.edu. Please cc’ our Assistant Principal LaChelle Williams lrwilliams2@fcps.edu no later than December 15, 2023.
How to Submit Referral Materials
Please submit the referral form and optional materials in one email with the subject line “Full-Time Level IV AAP Referral for (Your child’s initials, Teacher last name)”. If you prefer, you may drop off a hard copy with our office staff during regular school hours.
What to Submit
-Referral Form- required*
-Parent/Guardian Questionnaire- optional
-Two pages of work samples (pdf or jpg files or 8.5x11” one-sided page)- optional
-Additional Testing if applicable (i.e. from a previous school or an ability or achievement test administered outside of Fairfax County Public Schools that you would like included.)- optional
You should receive an e-mail confirming receipt of your referral materials. Please note that late referrals cannot be accepted.
Additional information can be found on the Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) | Fairfax County Public Schools (fcps.edu) website.
Staying Healthy This Cold/Flu Season
Cases of RSV, the flu, and other viruses often rise this time of year. It is important for students to wash their hands regularly and cover their coughs and sneezes. Please monitor your child’s health daily and keep them at home if they are sick. Visit FCPS' Health and Safety Guidance webpage for more tips.
Community Review of Elementary English Language Arts Basal Instructional Resources
FCPS will adopt new Elementary School Language Arts Basal Instructional Resources for the 2024-25 school year. Public review of the recommended materials is part of the process for selecting new resources.
You may access the resources in person and online from Wednesday, November 15, until Friday, December 15, at noon. Digital materials for public review and comment will be available on the Elementary Language Arts Basal Resource Review webpage. Those reviewing instructional materials may complete an electronic comment sheet that will be available on the webpage during the review period.
Visit FCPS' website for instructions on how to view hard copies of the instructional materials at Pimmit Hills Center. The Elementary Language Arts team will be there to answer questions Friday, December 1, 4-8 p.m., and Saturday, December 2, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
All community feedback will be shared with the review committee and School Board.
Student Attendance and Engagement
During the Academic Matters segment of the November 9 School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid discussed student attendance and engagement. Attendance and absenteeism rates are one measure for Goal 2 of our 2023-30 Strategic Plan.
Chronic absenteeism — which is defined as a student missing 10% or more of school for any reason — is a concern across Virginia school districts. Although FCPS continues to outperform the state average in attendance rates, we are tracking chronic absenteeism closely.
Data shows that:
- Missing just 10% of school — just two days a month — negatively affects a student’s academic performance.
- Only 17% of students who were chronically absent in both kindergarten and first grade were reading proficiently in third grade, compared to 64% of those with good attendance.
- Students who fail to read at grade level by the end of third grade are four times more likely than students who achieve proficiency to drop out of high school.
- By sixth grade, chronic absenteeism becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school.
Attendance is critical for academic success!
Missing School Over the Holidays
Looking ahead to the holiday season, if missing school is unavoidable, please speak with your child’s teachers in advance to create a plan for making up missed work. However, a homework packet cannot make up for the interaction and learning that happens in the classroom.
Visit FCPS’ website for more attendance resources.
PTA News
SLES Book Fair - Nov 30 to Dec 7
Book Fair opens from 9:15 to 4:30
Extended Hours on November 30 & December 6 from 9:15 to 6:30
Volunteers needed to work the fair! Sign up: https://signup.com/go/VjOwbBb
On Thursday, Nov. 30, and Friday, Dec. 1, classes will visit the fair and make student wish lists. Students may purchase books during their normal library time, or they may visit the fair at any time during the week, with teacher permission. (Students will not check out library books during the week of the Book Fair.)
Give your child a safe, cashless way to shop the Book Fair with Scholastic’s eWallet. With this digital payment option, you create an account for your child and add an exact amount of money for them to spend. (Please be aware that any money remaining in the eWallet account cannot be refunded. It will be carried over for future use or can be donated to the library.)
Create an eWallet account: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/stratfordlanding
Books will sell out at the fair, and restocking is limited this year due to supply chain issues. Items can be purchased online, though merchandise may vary between the online fair and the in-person fair.
Visit the ONLINE Book Fair: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/stratfordlanding
2023-2024 Yearbook Cover Contest
Attention all STUDENT ARTISTS! It’s time to create your artwork for the 2023-2024 Yearbook Cover Contest! The first-place winner will have their artwork featured on the front cover of the 2023-2024 yearbook.
This contest is open to ALL current students of Stratford Landing Elementary School, and the artwork should reflect your feelings about being part of the school community!
Requirements:
- The following text must appear in your artwork:
Stratford Landing Elementary School Yearbook 2023-2024
Stratford Landing: Tell Your Story
- Check all text for spelling! Check all text to make sure all words are included! We cannot include artwork if it has misspellings or missing words.
- The artwork should reflect the yearbook theme (Stratford Landing: Tell Your Story).
- Artwork must be on an 8.5” x 11” paper (copier or printer paper is acceptable, but cardstock is preferred) – all other sizes of artwork and lined notebook paper will NOT be considered for the yearbook contest.
- Artwork must be positioned in portrait format (NO landscape format) to fit the yearbook cover.
- All artwork must be original and individually created.
- Parents may NOT assist their child in the creation of the piece.
Deadline and Submission Instructions:
- All artwork must be submitted by end of day on Friday, December 8, 2023.
- Please upload your art to the yearbook’s Google Form: https://forms.gle/6uD5x96TV7cBdD1n6
- Please keep your original artwork in a safe place until we announce the contest winner. We might need your original.
If you have questions, please contact Isabel Fernandez or Rebecca Benner at Yearbook4SLES@gmail.com.
Family Liaison Resources
by Inge Gatti
As your family liaison, my goal is to keep you informed about the valuable resources, events, and family engagement opportunities available through SLES, FCPS, and the community.
If you have questions about navigating the school, learning about FCPS resources, or getting your student set up for success, I'm glad to be here to help you and your kids. Please email, or call 703-619-3690 to set up an appointment. I am looking forward to meeting you!
Visit the SLES Family Liaison homepage for additional information and resources.
SLES Special Education Parent Workshop
Special Education Resources for Families
Fairfax County Public Schools has the following resources available to assist families of students with special needs.
- The Office of Special Education Procedural Support helps staff, families, and students with the implementation of and compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended.
- Kathy Murphy, the assistant ombuds for special education, provides information and support to caregivers and students regarding special education and Section 504 services. Contact the Ombuds Office by submitting a question, calling 571-423-4014, or emailing ombuds@fcps.edu.
Additionally, the Virginia Department of Education has updated the Virginia Family's Guide to Special Education. This state guide was developed to help those involved in special education including families, teachers, school administrators, advocates, and students.
American Education Week
For American Education Week (11/13 to 11/17) we celebrate ALL who work in our Stratford Landing ES community: our bus drivers, cafeteria workers, counselors, support staff, teachers, leadership, and more! Learn more from the National Education Association. Want to recognize someone from our school who goes above and beyond? Submit a nomination to FCPS Cares.
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