School House News


English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو


mark your calendar

December 18 - January 1 -  Winter Break (School/Office Closed)

December 7 - 15 - Chanukah

December 8 - Bodhi Day

January 15 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day (School/Office Closed)

See the complete school year calendar

  • 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.
  • 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.

Advanced Academic Program

Full-Time Advanced Academic Program (AAP) Services at Hayfield – Community Survey

Hayfield will begin our local full-time AAP services in the 2024-2025 school year. The implementation of full-time AAP services will begin in Grade 3. As we create our local plan for full-time services, we are seeking community feedback. Please complete the Hayfield Elementary Local Full-Time AAP Services Community Feedback Google Form by December 8, 2023.  If you were unable to attend the information session on November 6th, you can find the presentation on the Hayfield Elementary AAP website. Please contact Lauren Keninitz (Lmkeninitz@fcps.edu) with any questions you might have.

 

Advanced Academics Programs – Full-Time Services (Level IV) Referral Deadline

The deadline for referring your student for full-time (Level IV) services this year is December 15, 2023. If you are interested in referring your student for full-time services, please submit an AAP Full-Time (Level IV) Referral Form, found on the FCPS AAP Website to Lauren Keninitz (Lmkeninitz@fcps.edu). This form is required to initiate the referral process. There are also optional items you may submit along with the referral form. Please review the Full-Time Services Checklist for Families found on the Hayfield Elementary Advanced Academics Website to see what other optional items you may include in your child’s referral packet. The referral packet should be submitted in one e-mail to Lauren Keninitz. If you prefer to submit a paper copy, you may place the referral packet one folder addressed to Lauren Keninitz in the front office.  Please note that December 15th is a county-wide deadline; No late submissions will be accepted. For any questions, please contact Lauren Keninitz, our Advanced Academics Resource Teacher at Lmkeninitz@fcps.edu. 


important dates

Middle School Transition Information

Hayfield Secondary Tour for HES Students

January 5, 2024; 9:45 - 11:15 a.m.

 

Hayfield Secondary School Curriculum Night

January 11, 2024: 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.

 

Welcome presentation for rising 7th graders in the auditorium begins at 6 p.m. Course content tables (fair-style with teachers) is 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. 

*Information about courses/content will be available during this event.

 

Rising 7th Grade Parent Coffees

Hayfield Secondary School

February 7 and March 21 - more information to come


Positive Behavior Approach

We continue to model and review our HAWKS pledge to ensure your child’s success both academically, as well as socially and emotionally. 

For the month of December and January, we will be revisiting the A in HAWKS; hawks work hard to achieve. As hawks, we embrace challenges as we work towards our goals.

Teachers will be utilizing a variety of resources to ensure student understanding; read alouds, videos, role playing, exit tickets, etc. At the end of the month, students and staff will celebrate their hard work and best efforts, ensuring that our school community is one filled with hawks that set goals and work hard to achieve them.

Thank you for your follow up and support at home as we journey together as ACHIEVING hawks! 


Staying Healthy This Cold/Flu Season

flu

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

FCPS will adopt new Elementary School Language Arts Basal Instructional resources for the 2024-2025 school year. Public review of the recommended materials is part of the process for selecting new materials.

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.


News from Our Family Liaison

ttendance Information | Fairfax County Public Schools 

Children who show up for school regularly develop fundamental reading and math skills while building a habit of good attendance that will carry them into college and careers. Research shows that children who were chronically absent in kindergarten and 1st grade were far less likely to read proficiently at the end of 3rd grade. Click the link above for more insight into how chronic absenteeism affects students academically.

 

Introducing Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace Do you need health insurance? The Marketplace is here to help. Coverage is available to you whether you’re unemployed, you’re self-employed, or your job doesn’t provide an affordable insurance option. The Marketplace was created for Virginia, by Virginians, and is the only place to get financial assistance to help lower the cost of coverage and care.

Free Translation Services Are Available. Call the Consumer Assistance Center at 1-888-687-1501 for assistance.

Hay servicios de traducción gratuitos disponibles. Llame al Centro de Asistencia al Consumidor al 1-888-687-1501 para obtener ayuda.

تتوفر خدمات الترجمة المجانية .اتصل بمركز مساعدة المستهلك على الرقم 1501-687-888-1 للحصول على المساعدة

 

How to Talk to Your Child About Body Safety Virtual Parent Cafe

Tuesday, Dec. 12, 6:30-8 p.m.

Presented by the Body Safety Program staff.  The Body Safety program focuses on enhancing the child’s overall sense of confidence with regard to safety and promotes respect for self and peers.  Parents and caregivers can help children learn how to prevent or interrupt abuse, empowering them to act if they are threatened or victimized. Flyer here.

 

SACC's full-day winter camp is now open for registration.

To sign up, please contact their registration office at (703) 449-8989 or visit Winter Program | Office for Children (fairfaxcounty.gov) for additional information.

Neighborhood & Community Services Open Hire is this Saturday from 10 am to 12 pm at the Gerry Hyland building. Positions open for Recreation Leaders and DayCare Teachers. 

For additional information, please see this flyer.

 

Marily Grotz

Family Liaison

Hayfield Elementary School

Phone: 703-924-4553  Cell: 571-296-6011

Email: mgrotz@fcps.edu

Office Hours:  Tuesday/Thursday 8:30am-3:30pm

Sign up for News You Choose Emails

School Website:  hayfieldes.fcps.edu


For Our Military Families: Military Matters

Fort Belvoir MWR Events:

Winterfest and Tree Lighting Ceremony

Kick off the winter season with holiday cheer, snowball fights, loveable characters, and a tree full of sparkles to carry you into the New Year!

DEC 2      1:30 pm - 6:30 pm

 

Come celebrate the holiday season with Fort Belvoir MWR at their annual Winterfest and Tree Lighting Ceremony. Visit with Santa and holiday characters for a fun photo op experience. Throughout this holiday celebration, you can enjoy train rides, s'mores by the fire pit, food, and beverages, and so much more. To culminate the festivities, join us as we light the 19-foot holiday tree. Click the link to see the full schedule of events.

 

Dates to Observe – Honoring Those Who Serve/Served

-      Dec. 1 - Civil Air Patrol Birthday

-  Dec. 7 - National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

 

Dec. 8. USO Fort Meade Coffee Connections: 6:00pm & 8:00pm. We host a small gathering for military spouses to connect with each other while enjoying a cup of coffee. This is a great way to network, share advice, discuss local events, and meet new friends! https://www.uso.org/programs/uso-coffee-connections Register to attend.

 

FCPS Steam Resources – Military-connected Students:

Second $2 Million Grant to Expand STEAM & Computer Science Awarded to FCPS

FCPS has been awarded a $2 million grant from the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Military-Connected Local Educational Agencies for Academic and Support Programs (MCASP) to support the Code UP 2.0 project and build upon the Code UP project launched in 2022. 

Code UP 2.0 will directly support programming in 14 schools in Region 4, all of which have 10% or more military-connected students. Advancements in curriculum, teaching, and learning developed through this Code UP 2.0 project will benefit students division-wide. Read more about the grant and the schools it will directly support

 

Shelly Oberst, LCSW

Military & Family Life Counselor

Hayfield Elementary School

Cell: 571-386-7884

obersts@magellanfederal.com


News from the PTA

Stay informed with the latest PTA news here:

 

hayfieldespta.ptboard.com

facebook.com/HayfieldElementaryPTA

instagram.com/hayfieldespta

 

Call for Committee Chairs:

BINGO Night (co-chair position)

Fundraising

SEPTA (Special Education PTA)

 

If you are interested in leading any of these efforts email Lisa: president@hespta.com

 

Dates to Remember:

 

Dec. 1st: Holiday Market: Shopping, food and entertainment for the whole family!

Dec. 6th: Restaurant Night: Panera

**No PTA meeting this month**


Quick Links