A Message from Administration
Good evening Hunt Valley Families,
For the current school year, FCPS will be returning to its previous procedure for snow days — there will be no virtual learning days when school is closed due to bad weather.
During snow days, students may still access Tutor.com, complete any supplemental learning opportunities recommended by their teachers, and view educational programming (available virtually and on public access television channels):
Eleven snow days are built into the existing FCPS calendar. Eliminating virtual learning days will allow us to maximize students’ in-person learning and provide equitable access to instruction and student services.
We hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend!
Take care,
Keieownna Hightower, Principal
Chrissy Gibbs, Assistant Principal
Around Hunt Valley:
This week, our 5th and 6th grade chours students and our 6th grade strings students performed at the Winter Concert. The music was wonderful! A huge thank you to Mrs. Shumaker, Mrs. Iooss, and Mrs. Chappell for making this happen!
Laura Jane Cohen, FCPS School Board Member and Delegate-elect, visited with our first grade students to talk about the election process after the students had completed their own classroom elections.
Thank you to everyone who has donated toys for the SCA Toy Drive. Your generosity is appreciated!
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.
Happy Bodhi Day to those in our community who celebrate! This year's Bodhi Day artwork was created by Longfellow Middle School student Mina L. Bodhi Day is a Buddhist holiday that recognizes the day that Buddha achieved enlightenment through meditation under the Bodhi tree. #OurFCPSMina’s artwork was designed as part of the FCPS Observance Design Challenge for Students. Learn more about the challenge: https://bit.ly/47oHw2j
Assessments
Students in grades 3-6 will take the Virginia Growth Assessment starting next week (see the schedule below). Please make sure that your child is present and on-time for the day of the assessment. If your student is late they may not be able to join their class for testing and will need to make-up the assessment on another day.
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Math
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Grade 3
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12/12
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Grade 4
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12/12
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Grade 5
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12/13
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Grade 6
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12/13
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Lost and Found
Our lost and found is quite full! If you come by the school to drop off/pick up your child(ren), please check to see if any of the items below belong to your child(ren). Any unclaimed items will be donated on December 15th.
Hunt Valley Community Food Drive
The PTA is sponsoring a food drive to collect food donations and gift cards to provide meals for the Hunt Valley community experiencing food insecurities over the winter holiday break. With your support, we are hoping to put together food gift baskets so no family goes hungry over the holidays!
If you don't mind donating to a family in need, please review the list of requested items and click on the button to sign up. Thank you for ensuring all of our fellow Hunt Valley neighbors have meals over the holidays!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050F49A5AD2DA4F58-46468273-holiday#/
If you have any questions please reach out to Iris Stoyanov (Iris.Stoyanov@gmail.com).
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.
Advanced Academics Reminder: Window for AAP Full-Time (Level IV) Referrals Ends December 15, 2023
Parents/guardians of HVES students in Grades 2-6 who would like their student to be considered for full-time advanced academic programs (Level IV AAP services) may submit the AAP Full-Time Referral Form to Ashley Huntley, arhuntley@fcps.edu no later than December 15.
The window to submit an AAP Full-Time (Level IV) Referral Form is the first day of school through December 15, annually. Forms for full-time and part-time referrals are available on the AAP Forms Page. No late referrals for Level IV services can be accepted.
Submitting a referral form for AAP Full-Time services (Level IV) will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of professionals from various schools review materials to determine eligibility for full-time placement. Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of the portfolio that was submitted after they have been turned in for central selection by emailing Ashley Huntley in mid/late February.
For more information, parents may review Testing and Identification information on the AAP office website, as well as information about Level IV (full-time) AAP services. Please reach out to Ashley Huntley via email at arhuntley@fcps.edu with any further questions.
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.
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.
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Mark you calendars
December 18-January 1--Winter Break
January 15--Martin Luther King Holiday-NO SCHOOL
January 25--End of 2nd quarter; 2-hour early release
January 26--Teacher Workday--NO SCHOOL
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