Wednesday Word 1/10/24

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 01/10/2024 05:00 PM EST

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اس نیوزلیٹر کو دوسری زبانوں میں پڑھنے کیلئے ، براہ مہربانی ہماری ویب سائیٹ ملاحظہ کیجیئے۔

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

  • Wednesday, January 10 - Community Conversation with Dr. Reid. 6pm at Edison High School
  • Monday, January 15 - No School, Martin Luther King Holiday
  • Thursday, January 25 - Quarter End, 2 Hour Early Release
  • Friday, January 26 -  No School, Teacher Workday

 

 

Community Conversation With Dr. Reid at Edison HS TONIGHT

 

Conversation to Raise Awareness of Fentanyl and Other Drugs In this video, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid interviews the Fosters, a family who tragically lost their son Cayden to a half pill of fentanyl mistaken for Percocet. This heart-wrenching yet eye-opening video of their experience is essential to raise awareness among parents/caregivers and students about the dangers of fake painkillers.

Please join Dr. Reid on Wednesday, January 10, at 6:30 p.m., at Edison High School for a community conversation about opioid awareness. You may register to attend. However, registration is not required; it is simply for space considerations. 

The evening’s program is appropriate for parents/caregivers and students in grades 6-12. All attendees will receive free REVIVE! Narcan training during the event and learn about support services currently available within FCPS and Fairfax County.   

FCPS’ website also has resources to help you to start the conversation and additional support for families struggling with substance misuse. 

 

 

Outstanding Employee Nominees

 

Franconia Elementary staff met to recognize all of our school’s nominees for FCPS’ Outstanding Employee Awards. Thank you to our school community for nominating so many of our wonderful teachers and staff!

 

Here are our nominees:

 

Outstanding Teacher

Lauren Dickerson

Megan Grazman

Kristen Stump

Debby Vandersande

Anna Yortzidis

 

Outstanding Operational Employee

Holly Painten

 

Without further ado, the winning candidates are:

 

Outstanding Teacher

Anna Yortzidis

 

Outstanding Operational Employee

Holly Painten

 

These staff members will now be considered for the Edison Pyramid level awards program in their categories. Join us in congratulating Mrs. Yortzidis and Mrs. Painten! They have fostered a love for learning in our school community and FCPS for decades and this honor is well deserved.

 

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Franconia Fourth Graders building collaboratively!

 

Dual Language Immersion Programs

Registration for the countywide lottery for Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs will open on Monday, January 22. Current pre-K students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program, and current kindergarten students may apply for the first grade immersion programs for the 2024-25 school year. Programs are available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish. 

Parents/caregivers who are interested may want to attend an informational meeting. Meetings are held at the school site. Check the FCPS events calendar for updated information. Meetings will begin on Tuesday, January 16. 

One virtual meeting hosted by the World Languages Office will include general program information. Access to this virtual meeting will be made available on the FCPS events calendar and the Dual Language Immersion registration site on the day of the meeting.

Get more information on the immersion program webpage and registration page.

 

 

 8th Annual Art Supply Drive

Sponsored by the Franconia Student Council Association

For the eighth year in a row, the Franconia SCA is teaming up with Paint the Globe Foundation to provide school and art supplies for kids in need across the globe.  Paint the Globe Foundation is currently working on a campaign in Kigali, Rwanda to build a pre-K art center. All items donated will be delivered to this center to allow students to use art for creative, educational, and therapeutic endeavors.

Items will be accepted 1/10-1/31:

Composition Books* Sketch Books* Colored Pencils* Markers * Construction Paper* Finger Paint* Erasers* Plain White Printer Paper* 

For additional information about Paint the Globe Foundation, or to make monetary donations, please visit:

www.painttheglobefoundation.org

 

Please donate only NEW items. Each grade will have a box  in which students can place their donations. Grade level that donates the most items will win a ice cream sundae party!! (Alternate treats for students with food allergies will be provided as necessary.)

With your help, we can make a difference. AGAIN!!!

 

Photos from past supply drives

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Top: 21-22 Campaign: Rural Women’s Network Nepal

Middle: 22-23 Campaign: Flourishing Future of Mongolia

Bottom: 19-20 Campaign: The HUG Project - Chiang Mai, Thailand

 

Franconia Penguins making 

  a difference! We will be the 

   CHANGE we want to see 

    in the WORLD!

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Penguin Winter Wonderland Dance

 

Who: 5th and 6th grade students ONLY

When: February 2nd, 2024

Time: 5:30 pm to 8:30pm

Location: Franconia Elementary Gym

Cost: $10 per person (price include pizza, drinks, and a treat)

 

  • Tickets will handed out once a permission slip and payment has been received by Ms. Ibrahim. 
  • Permission slips will be sent in Wednesday folders. 
  • Payments can be made either by cash or on My School Bucks
  • The deadline for permission slips and payment is 1/24/2024
  • Drop off between 5:30 pm and 6:30 pm
  • Pick up NO LATER THAN 8:30pm

 

 

Franconia Elementary PTA


FUND-A-RUG 

rug pic 1

Don’t miss this awesome opportunity to support ALL Penguins!

 

Click HERE to donate!

All donations are tax deductible.

 

 Did you know?

  • The current classroom rugs at Franconia Elementary are over 10 years old and are well overdue for an upgrade.
  • The average classroom of students spends about 40% of their classroom time on the carpet! 

How can I help?

  • Donate what you can so that we can give our amazing teachers NEW rugs for the NEW year!!
  • Spread the word to your family, friends, and our local community!

If we work together, we can make it happen. Your donation will benefit every student and every classroom at Franconia Elementary. A $20 contribution from each FES student would help us achieve our goal, but no donation is too big or too small!

 

Our fundraising goal is $10,000

 

 

Volunteer for Career Day

Franconia Elementary School will be hosting a Career Day entitled “Oh the Places You’ll Go” inspired by Dr. Seuss.  The event will be held on Friday, March 15, 2024, from 9:10-10:40 ( inclement weather: Friday, March 22, 2024- same time).

 

On Career Day,  you are invited to come and share with our students about your career and the importance of staying in school.  If you are a person who has a career that will interest K-6 students and enjoys enthusiastically speaking in front of children, then we need you! If interested, please complete the Google Form HERE. The last day to submit your interest is by February 16, 2024. For further questions, please contact school counselor, Veronica Guillion at 703-822-2200.

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First Grade Artists creating snow people.

 

Counselor Corner 

 

 

Guidance Topics for January

 

Kindergarten-1st   Using Kelso choices to solve conflict.

2nd- 3rd grade- Social Filtering: Learning how to mindfully think before you speak.

4th grade- Using I- messages to solve conflict.

5th grade- Resolving conflicts with peers using the S.T.E.P method. 

6th grade- Choosing classes choosing success: learning how to choose classes based on strengths.

 

Character Trait of the Month

 

The character trait for January is Acceptance - Including and respecting everyone regardless of beliefs, race, gender, religion, etc...

In December, we highlighted the character trait of Generosity - To share and give to others.

Here’s the student video for student’s who showed Generosity this month:https://youtu.be/H7TIF6aAowc

We are so proud of our Generosity award winners!

 

 Inclement Weather Plan Update

 

As mentioned in Superintendent Reid’s Weekly Reflections, FCPS will not have virtual learning when school is closed due to inclement weather for the 2023-24 school year.

Eleven snow days are built into our existing calendar. Eliminating virtual learning days will enable us to maximize students’ in-person learning and provide equitable access to instruction and student services. 

You are encouraged to share ideas for learning about winter that students can use during winter break and snow days. Email ideas to WinterDiscovery@fcps.edu.  

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):

 

Calendar Reminders

 

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday

As a reminder, schools and offices will be closed on Monday, January 15, for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. Learn more about Martin Luther King Jr.

 

  • Orthodox Epiphany

In the Orthodox church, Epiphany is celebrated on January 19 and commemorates the baptism of Jesus rather than the arrival of the Magi. It is believed that Christ's baptism by John the Forerunner (John the Baptist) in the River Jordan began Christ's ministry on earth and revealed the Holy Trinity of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit to mankind.

The school calendar recognizes many religious and cultural observances (O days) during the school year. 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.

 

  • 25,26 *Quarter End, Early Release and Student holiday/Teacher Work Day

Thursday, January 25, is the last day of the quarter and a two-hour early release for students. Also, schools are closed for students on Friday, January 26, for a teacher work day.

 

See the complete school year calendar.

 

 

Reporting an Absence or Change to Dismissal

Please remember to notify the school office of any of the following changes that come up for your child.

Notification should be made by 9:00am on the day of the change.

  • Absence
  • Late arrival
  • Planned early pick-up or mid-day appointment (pick-up and return)
    • If your child needs to be picked up unexpectedly, please call the office (703-822-2200) in advance of your arrival
    • This allows the office to contact your child’s teacher to prepare your child for their departure
    • For early pick-ups after 3:00pm, please park on Kathmoor as the school buses start to arrive for dismissal at that time and the front parking lot will be off limits
  • Changes in dismissal mode (https://franconiaes.fcps.edu/about/change-dismissal-form)

Below are the 3 options by which to notify the school office (choose one option):

Please do this IN ADDITION to contacting your child's teacher.  There could be times when the teacher is absent and, by also contacting the office, the information will be properly noted.

To email your child’s teacher, click HERE.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

 

Penguin Points

Click on a link for information

Franconia Elementary School website