RAVENS' NEST 01/05/2024

Upcoming Events

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Jan 9th – PTA Executive Board Meeting, Conference Room, 9:30 – 10:30 am

Jan 15th – School Holiday, Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday

Jan 17th – PTA Spirit Night at Ledo Pizza 5:00 to 9:00 pm

Jan 24th – Dual Language Immersion Program Parent Information Meeting 6:30 to 7:30 pm

Jan 25th – 2 Hour Early Release, End of 2nd Quarter

Jan 26th – Teacher Workday (No School for Students)

Link to 2023-2024 School Year Calendar 2023-24 FCPS School Year Calendar

Because of technical difficulties, if any link does not work, please copy, and paste it into your browser.

 

Virtual Math Week

math week

 

Come together as a community for students in K-8 for 5 nights the week of January 8, 2024, with delightful math games and stories - all on your own time and from the comfort of your own home. All content will be available for free directly to all families in English and Spanish. 

Through rich story-based mathematics experiences, math week offers families an opportunity to experience math, literacy, history, and geography in a positive way. The games and stories feature several countries including Lesotho, Madagascar, Ghana, and China. 

All content will be available completely free on the website starting January 8, 2024. To access the games, families will be able to simply click on the day of the week and find their child's grade and language. View the website at any time for explanations and videos.

Families can play for as little as 15 minutes or replay over and over lasting more than an hour on any given night. For families that want to reduce screen time, we will have physical print options for access to the content and games as well.

Use the games and stories on our website or dust off your favorite math game and play it as a family.

Any and ALL math experiences outside of a normal week count. Our goal is for FCPS to experience 1 million minutes of math outside of the school day. Join us!

 

Preparing for Winter Weather

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Winter weather is here! As temperatures drop, please be sure to send your children with coats and outerwear to keep them warm for outdoor activities.  Bringing these additional items to and from school means that the Lost & Found is growing!  Please be sure to label your child's items and encourage them to check the Lost & Found in cafeteria for any missing items.

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.

 

Snow Days

Snow days

 

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.

No Habrá Aprendizaje Virtual en Días de Nieve Este Invierno

Para el año escolar actual, FCPS volverá a su procedimiento anterior para los días de nieve - no habrá días de aprendizaje virtual cuando la escuela esté cerrada debido al mal clima. Durante los días de nieve, los estudiantes todavía pueden tener acceso a Tutor.com, completar cualquier oportunidad de aprendizaje suplementaria recomendada por sus maestros, y ver programación educativa (disponible virtualmente y en canales de televisión de acceso público):

    • Instrucción para la Escuela Primaria: Red Apple 21.
    • Instrucción para la Escuela Intermedia: Canal 25.
    • Instrucción para la Escuela Secundaria: Canal 99.

Once días de nieve están incorporados en el calendario existente de FCPS. Eliminando los días de aprendizaje virtual nos permitirá maximizar el aprendizaje en persona de los estudiantes y proveer acceso equitativo a la instrucción y servicios estudiantiles.

 

Dual Language Immersion Program Registration

dual language

 

Registration for the countywide lottery for Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs will open on Monday, January 22nd. 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. Visit the DLI registration page for more information on where the programs are offered. 

Parents who are interested in the DLI programs in FCPS are encouraged to attend the informational meeting at the Ravensworth cafeteria on Wednesday, January 24th at 6:30 pm.  Details regarding access to virtual meetings will be available on the Dual Language Immersion registration page by the meeting date. 

Get more information on DLI programs and registration.

 

Inscripción en el Programa de Inmersión en Dos Idiomas

La inscripción para la lotería en todo el condado para los programas de Inmersión en Dos Idiomas (DLI) se abrirá el lunes 22 de enero. Los estudiantes actuales de pre-kínder pueden aplicar para el programa de inmersión de kínder, y los estudiantes actuales de kínder pueden aplicar para los programas de inmersión de primer grado para el año escolar 2024-25.

Los programas están disponibles en Francés, Alemán, Japonés, Coreano y Español. Visite la página de inscripción del DLI para obtener más información sobre dónde se ofrecen los programas.

Los padres que estén interesados en los programas DLI en FCPS pueden asistir a una reunión informativa en su escuela el dia 24 de enero de 2024 a las 6:30 pm en la cafeteria. Los detalles sobre el acceso a las reuniones virtuales estarán disponibles en la página de inscripción de Inmersión en Dos Idiomas para la fecha de la reunión.

Más información sobre los programas DLI y la inscripción.

 

Kindergarten Registration is Open and It’s as Easy as 1-2-3…

Kindergarten class playing

 

There’s an easy five-step process outlined for parents looking to register your child for kindergarten:

  1. Determine eligibility. 
  2. Identify your local school. 
  3. Gather documents. 
  4. Fill out forms. 
  5. Schedule an appointment.

After the appointment at the school (the student and one caregiver must be present), the student will be ready for orientation, Bridge to Kindergarten, or any other introductory events each school may host. Read more about the registration process

 

Inscripción para el Kindergarten: Es tan fácil como 1-2-3...

Los padres que deseen matricular a sus hijos al Kindergarten deben seguir un sencillo proceso de cinco pasos: 

  1. Determinar la elegibilidad. 
  2. Identifique su escuela local.  
  3. Reunir documentos.  
  4. Rellenar los formularios.  
  5. Programar una cita.

Después de la cita en la escuela (el estudiante y uno de los tutores deben estar presentes), el estudiante estará listo para la orientación, Bridge to Kindergarten, o cualquier otro evento introductorio que cada escuela pueda organizar. Más información sobre el proceso de inscripción.

 

Traffic on Nutting Drive

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Reminder about Nutting Drive

There have been reports by parents, community members and staff of cars making U-Turns on Nutting Drive during arrival and dismissal.  Making U-Turns on Nutting Drive is illegal, compromises the safety of students and community member, and must stop.

In addition, parents and students have been seen not using crosswalks.  This is a dangerous activity and needs to end.  The safest way to drop off your child is in Kiss and Ride!

Thank you in advance for your cooperation obeying traffic laws and making Ravensworth ES a safer place for all.

 

Food Insecurity Resources

fairfax county health

 

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.

Recursos de Inseguridad Alimentaria para Familias

La inseguridad de alimentos afecta a más de 60,000 residentes del Condado de Fairfax. Hay muchos recursos disponibles para apoyar a aquellos que necesitan asistencia alimentaria. Averigüe cómo recibir u ofrecer apoyo en el sitio web del Condado de Fairfax, o consulte con su Guía de Recursos de Servicios Humanos para obtener asistencia con los alimentos, ropa, vivienda y otros servicios.

 

Positivity Project

Prudence

 

Next week our school community will be focusing on the character strength of Prudence. Prudence means you plan for the future and achieve your goals by making careful everyday choices.

Prudence is the ability to do the right thing for the right reason, at the right time. It’s a future-oriented way of thinking that helps a person set goals, make plans, and have the discipline to accomplish them. It is cognitive -- more a strength of the head than of the heart.

Prudence supports effective individual self-management. Whether aspiring for an athletic record, academic grade, or purchasing a car, foresight and planning are necessary. However, even with a plan, long-term goals can only be obtained by overcoming those impulses and desires that steer you away from your goals. Prudence provides the wisdom to know which character strength to leverage, at which time, to achieve your desired end state.

 

Substitutes Needed at Ravensworth for 2023-24

Sub teachers needed3

 

We are always looking for kind and caring substitute teachers and substitute instructional assistants to ensure our students continue to thrive when teachers and instructional assistants need to be out of the classroom. Substitute teaching is a great opportunity for future teachers, stay-at-home family members, retirees, college students, part-time employees, and anyone who wants to make a difference! Substitute instructional assistant pay will be $17.08 per hour and substitute teacher pay will be $19.05 per hour for the 2023-24 school year.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please email Erika Aspuria, Principal and apply on-line. Also, you can sign up for a virtual, one hour substitute information session here.  

 

PTA

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PTA Open Board Position

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The PTA is looking for someone willing to assume the role of Treasurer for the 2023-2024 school year. Unfortunately, our current Treasurer, Lane, is unable to continue in the position. While we will miss her in that role, it opens a wonderful opportunity for someone looking to get involved. The position includes:

  • Tracking and inputting incomes and expenses to QuickBooks
  • Creating Monthly Budget Reports and presenting them at Meetings
  • Writing checks and depositing payments received
  • Attending monthly meetings

The position demands anywhere between 2-5 hours of work per month. While an accounting background and QuickBooks experience is helpful, it is not necessary.

Anyone interested in the role can send an email to president@ravensworthpta.org. Further questions about the role may be sent to selemefamilia@gmail.org

 

PTA Spirit Night at Ledo Pizza

ledo 2

 

Enjoy a great family dinner while raising money for Ravensworth PTA Spirit Night.

The organizer receives 10% of die-in sales for each flyer presented. Your group also receives 10% of takeout and online orders when mentioning the fundraiser. For online orders please use code: “Fundraiser” to receive proper credit. Call ahead for takeout (703) 451-5336.

If any staff or parents order catering the entire week of the fundraiser, our organization will get 10% of the checkout total. Bring a friend and tell your neighbors too!

All proceeds go to Ravensworth PTA Spirit Night.

 

Chess Club

chess club 2

 

Chess Club will be held every Monday in the Cafeteria, starting September 18th from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm, except for days where school is closed or there is early release. We are able to offer this program through partnership with the U.S. Chess Center. Chess club is $130 per semester and includes a club t-shirt and snacks during the meet-ups. Registration can be done through the following link:   https://chessctr.org/ravensworth/

For more information contact Ravensworth club parent coordinators Michael Alt, alt_michael@hotmail.com  or Alexandra Parresol, alexandraparresol@yahoo.com  or the U.S. Chess Center, admin@chessctr.org

 

Get Your School Spirit Wear Today!

spirit wear new

 

Show your school spirit and support the Ravensworth PTA—purchase your spirit wear in the MemberHub store anytime: https://ravensworth.memberhub.com/store; youth and adult sizes available. Contact spiritwear@ravensworthpta.org if you have any questions. Show your pride for the Ravensworth Ravens all year long!

 

Follow Ravensworth on Social Media

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Are you connected to Ravensworth Elementary School and the Ravensworth PTA on social media? The PTA’s Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/ravensworthelementarypta and the school’s accounts are https://www.facebook.com/RavensworthElementary and https://twitter.com/RavensworthES