Family Newsletter December 1, 2023

6th Graders Share Writing With 1st Graders

collaboration1st 6th collaboration1st 6th collaboration

6th graders partnered with 1st graders to share their narrative nonfiction about animals. The students taught about their animal through a digital platform as well as a hands-on finished product relating to the narrative (a stick puppet, coloring, or a cut paste take away). 


book fair

Book Fair is Here!

The Book Fair is underway! We were excited to welcome families on Thursday night for Family Night. The Book Fair will be open today, December 1 until next Friday, December 8. 

You can visit the Cameron Book Fair website at any tie to preview the fair, sign up to volunteer, and set up an eWallet for a cashless shopping experience. You can also donate directly to the Cameron eWallet, which will support our community in getting access to books. 


Thank You, Patient First!

patient first

We are excited to partner with Patient First! Thank you for the donation of $1,000 towards our Outdoor Classroom!


yard sale

December 6 Yard Sale - Everything Free!

From 4-6pm on Wednesday, December 6, come to the Cameron Yard Sale! Everything is free. Items available include gently used clothing, winter hats, scarves, holiday dresses, knickknacks, household goods, and decorations. 


Support STEAM With Leftover Materials!

A message from Ms. Cosier, our STEAM teacher:

Hello Cameron!

In STEAM we use a number of recycled and upcycled supplies. We are getting really low in the small boxes department (think shoebox size or less or empty cereal boxes), the children especially love old jewelry or small gift card boxes.

Below is our wishlist. I’m not encouraging anyone to buy anything, but if you happen to have extra, old, or half-used items on this list- we have a home for them in our makerspace.

You can send students to drop off to 301. Thanks for thinking of us!

-Cosi

Visit the STEAM website to see our student galleries!

steam wishlist

Social and Emotional Learning Screener Results Coming Soon

One of the ways FCPS supports the mental wellness of all students is through the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener. In October, students in grades 3-12 took this screener in October, which gives information about their skills such as achieving goals, handling emotions, building relationships with adults and peers, and making good choices. 

The screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to create learning, experiences, and environments for students to succeed.

In early December, families will be able to view student SEL Screener results in SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent by mail.

For more information about the screener please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. For help understanding your child’s results or ideas to support them at home, review the Family Guide or contact your child’s school.


winter weather

❄️ Preparing for Winter Weather

Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made.

FCPS’ website is generally the first place where we will post an emergency weather closing. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated

Be sure to plan for the winter season. Make sure your contact information is up-to-date in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and plan for childcare if appropriate.


🌏 World Languages Offerings in Elementary Schools Survey

Fairfax County Public Schools is considering expansion of our Dual Language Immersion programs to include new languages and school sites, as well as an expansion of new languages for our Foreign Language in the Elementary Schools program.

Parents/caregivers, please share your thoughts about expanding World Languages elementary program offerings. An FCPS survey is available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Urdu, and Vietnamese. It should take less than 10 minutes to complete, and all responses are anonymous. The survey is optional and will close on Friday, December 8.


hearing and speech clinics

Speech and Hearing Clinics

Families and professionals working together to help children and adults communicate effectively. 

Call to make an appointment: 703-246-7120 tty711. All clients with Medicaid coverage are accepted. 

Speech & Hearing Program

Fairfax County's Speech and Hearing clinic staff are ASHA-certified Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists and are licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia. We offer complete diagnostic evaluation and treatment for both children and adults. For more information about locations and services, visit the website


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 to help children cope with anxiety, depression, and stress.

Part 2 Highlights:

  • Identify stress in children of all ages
  • Explain common sources of stress
  • Provide strategies for lowering stress levels so that all caregivers can benefit

NEW DATE Part 2: 12/12/23 10-11:30 a.m Share this event with others.

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


Using the Data Collection Tool to Inform Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) Decision-Making 

Webinar Highlights

  • Considering Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) – The Why, What, and How
  • Documenting LRE Considerations and Decisions within the IEP Process
  • Understanding the family’s role in the determination of LRE

Join staff members from the FCPS Department of Special Services for this important webinar.

Tuesday, December 5, 2023, 10-11 a.m. Share this event with others.

Register for Using the Data Collection Tool to Inform Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) Decision-Making 


National Special Education Day graphic

National Special Education Day

National Special Education Day is recognized each year on Dec. 2 and commemorates President Gerald Ford’s signing of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1975. We celebrate our teachers and staff who serve and support our students with special needs, as well as our families who are partners in the education and support of those students! 

Learn more about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Special Education Resources for Families

Fairfax County Public Schools has the following resources available to help 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.


🕎December 7 Chanukah Begins

Chanukah, an 8-day Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple and the miracle of a small quantity of oil that lit the Temple’s menorah for 8 days. This year, Chanukah begins at sundown on Thursday, December 7. That day will be a half-O day, and major events cannot be scheduled that evening. Learn more about Chanukah in National Geographic Kids. See the complete school year calendar.


Bodhi Day

December 8 Bodhi Day

Bodhi Day, Friday, December 8, is the Buddhist holiday that commemorates the day that the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama (Shakyamuni), experienced enlightenment, also known as bodhi in Sanskrit and Pali. The school calendar recognizes many religious and cultural observances (O days) during the school year, including Bodhi Day. There is school on these days, however, the School Board has directed that tests, quizzes, field trips, graduation, homecoming, or FCPS-scheduled athletic events will not be held on these observance days.Learn more about Bodhi Day in this video from the Miami Children’s Museum. See the complete school year calendar.


Calendar Reminder graphic

Important Dates

Dec 1-8 - Book Fair

Dec 6 - Cameron Yard Sale, 4-6pm

Dec 7 -  *updated* Turkey Trot

Dec 12 - PTA Meeting, 7pm

Dec 18-Jan 1 - No School, Winter Break