Family Newsletter December 8, 2023

field trip

On Thursday, 2nd graders visited the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC. 


turkey trot

Students participated in the Turkey Trot on Thursday! Round of applause to all of our runners 👏


winter spirit week

⛄️Winter Spirit Week

Next week, students are encouraged to dress in theme next week for some winter fun! 

Monday: Candy Cane Day - dress in red and white 

Tuesday: Color Day - pick a color, and dress all in that color 

Wednesday: Holiday Wear Day - dress up in your best winter wear or cultural holiday clothes

Thursday: Winter vs Summer Day - dress up in your summer or winter gear!

Friday: Cozy PJ Day - wear your pajamas!


proclamation

Cameron was honored at the school board meeting this week with a proclamation recognizing our 70th anniversary. 


goal reached

Book Fair Success!

A message from our librarian, Mrs. Migs:

I just wanted to send a big THANK YOU to everyone who donated to the Book Fair Giveaway event last night! We raised $400 in donations for the giveaway, plus over $100 in All for Books donations during the fair so far. With those funds, we were able to give brand new books to 65 children! Thank you for your support of this event!


December 12 Holiday Shop, 6-8pm

penguin patch

Jenny's Penguin Patch® Holiday Shop is coming to our school!

Tuesday, December 12, from 6-8 PM, your child will have the opportunity for an educational, fun and exciting time. Parent volunteers will help their children while they shop and enjoy the spirit of giving. We offer over 100 different gift items that can be purchased from $.25 up to $10.00 each. Gift items are "selected by children and approved by caregivers" It is sure to be one of the most exciting events your child will participate in this year. Don't let your child miss out on the opportunity to grow and experience the spirit of giving!


❄️Snow Days This Winter

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.


🙋‍♂️ Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!

We often notice more empty seats in our classrooms as winter break approaches. This year, let's work together to nurture a rock-solid attendance habit. Every hour of every school day is a unique opportunity for students to learn, connect, and grow. 

A big thank you to:

  • 🌟 Students who show up every day and the parents/caregivers supporting them.
  • 👩‍🏫 Teachers who create a welcoming environment for learning.
  • 👨‍💼 Administrators providing a safe and engaging place to grow.
  • 👏 Bus drivers, support staff, and volunteers lending a helping hand to all our learners.

If you or your child need support, please reach out to our school social worker or family liaison. If your child is not feeling well, please refer to the When Should I Keep My Child Home? webpage for guidance. 

There will be no school from Monday, December 18, to Monday, January 1, 2024, for winter break. Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 2.


📝 Keep Learning Over Winter Break with Tutor.com

FCPS students have unlimited access, 24/7, to online tutoring support services through Tutor.com at no cost to families. Students can connect online any time, any place, and in most K-12 subjects for however long they need. 


🍲 Food Insecurity Resources for Families

Food insecurity impacts more than 60,000 Fairfax County residents. There are many resources available to support those who need food assistance. Find out how to receive or offer support on the Fairfax County website, or view their Human Services Resource Guide for assistance with food, clothing, housing, and other services.


Tips for Keeping Kids Active in Winter

graphic of people playing in the snow with text "Let it snow"

Winter arrives bringing shorter and colder days.  With a little planning and the tips below, you can have fun while staying safe and warm:

Wear Protective Clothing

    • Dress in layers for warmth
    • Wear hats and gloves
    • Insulated boots are a must
    • Wear bright/light colored clothing if outside as it gets dark earlier

Take Breaks Indoors

    • Set reasonable limits on amount of time spent outside
    • Kids lose heat more quickly because they are smaller
    • Trade wet clothes for warm, dry wear
    • Stay hydrated, even in winter

Have Fun!

  • Take family bike rides or walks
  • Have relay races
  • Enjoy the snow
    • Build a snowman
    • Go sledding
    • Have a friendly snowball fight

For some ideas of what to do outdoors, take a look at the Fairfax County Park Authority’s winter events happening across the county.


Military-Connected Youth Process Action Team (MCY PAT) Family Member Application

The charge of the Fairfax County Public Schools Military-Connected Youth Process Action Team is to identify the unique academic, behavioral, and social/emotional needs of military-connected youth and families and ensure faculty and staff are informed and prepared to meet the identified needs; partnering with stakeholders as appropriate.

The MCY PAT would like to include military-connected family members on our team. We encourage you to apply to be a part of our team by completing the application by Friday, December 15, 2023. 

The MCY PAT meets virtually once a month.

Questions? Contact: Meredith Ayala, Family Partnerships Specialist at mlayala1@fcps.edu. We look forward to partnering with you to support our military families! 


winter break

Dec 18 - Jan 1 Winter Break 

As a reminder, winter break will be held Monday, December 18, to Monday, January 1. To help make sure you and your children have a restful break, we have asked that no homework be assigned during this time. Teachers may assign long-range assignments in the weeks ahead of the break, allowing students to practice time management skills, but no assignments will be due immediately following the break. We look forward to welcoming students back in the new year.Classes resume on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. See the complete school year calendar.


Calendar Reminder graphic

Important Dates

Dec 12 - Holiday Shop Night, 6-8pm

Dec 18-Jan 1 - No School, Winter Break