November 18th, 2023
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 Dear Sleepy Hollow Families,
As we approach the Thanksgiving Holiday break, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude for the wonderful community we have here at Sleepy Hollow Elementary School. This time of year is a special opportunity for us to come together, reflect on our blessings, and spend quality time with our loved ones. We are especially thankful for all the family and friends who joined us for our Thanksgiving Luncheon on Wednesday! The day was filled with smiles and joy!
Please remember that we have school on November 20th and 21st. Our Thanksgiving Break begins on November 22nd. Students will return to school on Monday, November 27th.
As always, we thank you for your continued support of our school. We hope you have a fantastic weekend!
With gratitude,
Mirnaly Vega and Tim Scesney
Principal and Assistant Principal
Important Calendar Dates
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November 22 - 24 - Thanksgiving Break
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November 29 - Sleepy Hollow Foreign Language in Elementary Schools, FLES Virtual Presentation, Virtual Link to come
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December 5 - Picture Day Make Up Date
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December 6 - PTA Holiday Shop
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December 6 - PTA Spirit Night at Red Robin's
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December 8 - Principal's Coffee at SHES Library 9:00 a.m.
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December 9 - Saturday Principal Coffee at Willston Center 10:00 a.m.
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December 13 - Sleepy Hollow Winter Music Concert
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December 18 - January 1 - Winter Break, School resumes on January 2nd
Sleepy Hollow Elementary School
Read-a-Thon 2023
December 4, 2023 - January 4, 2024
Today a Reader, Tomorrow a Leader!
We all know the importance that reading plays in our children's lives, enhancing their ability to learn and grow into thoughtful, critical-thinking, and creative citizens! This is why the Sleepy Hollow Elementary School PTA is hosting our first annual SHES Read-A-Thon! Support our Sleepy Hollow Dolphins as the strive to reach their reading goals each week. Donations accepted as a flat amount directly to a specific class or based on the number of minutes read by a class. We appreciate your support!
Attendance
🙋 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.
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.
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.
Elementary English Language Arts Basal Resources
📚 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.
Library News
Did you know our library’s fiction (chapter books) section is generified? In this way, books of similar type are grouped together (by genre) on the shelves so students can easily find something they like. For instance, all the mystery books are together on one shelf, all the science fiction books are together on a different shelf, etc. Talk with your child about their favorite types of books and encourage them to ask for help if they need finding something on our shelves. Parents are also welcome to reach out to our librarian at beoswalt@fcps.edu to chat about books or ask questions. Happy reading!
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