Clearview Community Connect

To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.

ይህንን ዜና መፅሄት በሌሎች ቋንቋዎች ለማንበብ፤ እባክዎን ድረ ገፃችንን ይጎብኙ

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


The Clearview Community Connect

Stronger together

Dear Clearview Families,  

This week has been full of events including the PTA sponsored, second grade field trip to the Kennedy Center, and winter dance.  Thank you to families who volunteered their time to serve as chaperones.  

Students are excited for a long weekend.  There is no school on Monday for the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.  Students are even more excited for the possibility of snow on Tuesday.  Keep an eye out for a message about a 2-hour delay or school closing (and remember, breakfast is not served if we have a 2-hour delay).

Have a wonderful weekend!

Stephanie Almquist        Joshua Redford         Rachel Charlton  

Principal                         Assistant Principal     Assistant Principal

This week at Clearview


Free Resources for Families

Did you know that caregivers can access free webinars, confidential consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities? 

Learn more about FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC).

Be the first to learn about new workshops by signing up for the FRC newsletter



Dual Language Immersion Program Registration

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 the most current information. Meetings will begin on Tuesday, January 16

A 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.



Volunteer Opportunity Starting Tuesday

Please reach out to Assistant Principal, Rachel Charlton, if you are available to volunteer, even for an hour, in the cafeteria over the next four weeks. Call Clearview or email rgcharlton@fcps.edu.



Safe Students, Safe Schools

Fairfax County Public Schools believes that academic success is built on the foundation of a safe learning environment. This includes physical safety, and mental health and wellness. 

FCPS has a comprehensive approach to safety that involves physical security measures, online monitoring by security staff, and crisis intervention support. The division has created the Safe Students, Safe Schools Brochure (PDF) to enhance your awareness of potential hazards and to equip you with practical tips for how you can help. Visit the FCPS website for more information. 



Save the Date: Academy Open Houses Begin This Month!

Is your child interested in architecture and construction, information technology, or health science? FCPS high school academies will hold open houses for interested students beginning in mid-January.

A high school Academy is a center within a high school that offers advanced technical and specialized courses to prepare students for postsecondary education and/or career fields. Students enrolling in Academy elective courses will be provided with opportunities to participate in a variety of career experiences including shadowing, mentoring, or internships with local businesses.

Learn more and view the calendar of Academy open houses.

***If you have a child in grade 5 or 6, this is the optimal time to learn about these programs.



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. See the complete school year calendar.

MLK Day


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.



Virginia School Principals Appreciation Week is January 15-21

Each year, the Governor of Virginia makes a proclamation naming this week as Virginia School Principals Appreciation Week. See the 2023 proclamation as an example.



Quarter End, Early Release, and Student Holiday

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.



January is National Mentoring Month

National Mentoring Month

Imagine a world where young people feel empowered, encouraged, and understood. Mentors can make that world a reality by helping young people find and follow their passions, excel in school, and thrive wherever they are. Learn more about Mentoring Month

Research has shown that young people with at least one trusted mentor are less likely to skip school, less likely to use illegal drugs or drink alcohol, and more prepared to enter college or the workforce. Yet one in three children lack a mentor.

All it takes is one person to serve as a trusted adult to help change a young person’s path in life. Mentors provide attention, support, and enrichment, and help connect their mentees to resources that may help them on their journey in life.

FCPS’ MentorWorks program matches mentors with students in schools near where they live or work. They meet for at least 30 minutes a week. Learn more about how to become a mentor for an FCPS student. Please contact Martha Macdonald, mentoring specialist, for additional information at mmacdonald@fcps.edu.  



Tutor.com Can Help With More Than Homework

Tutor.com offers more than help with homework! This on-demand tutoring service also provides a comprehensive range of resources including exam prep for AP, SAT, and ACT tests at no cost to families. 

Students can take practice quizzes at any time. If they struggle in particular areas, they can immediately connect to a live tutor for help through voice or chat options. Learn more on the FCPS Tutor.com webpage.



Tech Talk

 

Digital Learning Resources on Clearview's Public Webpage

Clearview's website is now home to a treasure trove of digital learning resources meticulously curated to enrich your child's educational journey. Navigating the ever-evolving landscape of education, we understand the importance of providing dynamic tools that engage and inspire our young learners. Our website proudly boasts a diverse array of interactive platforms, educational games, and supplemental materials designed to reinforce classroom lessons and foster independent learning. We invite you to explore this virtual learning hub, accessible from the comfort of your own home, and discover the wealth of resources tailored to meet the unique needs of our Clearview students. Your partnership in fostering a love for learning is invaluable, and we are confident that these digital resources will serve as valuable companions in your child's academic exploration.

Click here to be directed to our Student Technology page. 

Click here to be directed to our Digital Learning Tools page.

🔍 Lightspeed Parent Report on Child’s Device Activity

FCPS has tools to help parents know more about their child’s activity on any FCPS device. These tools are provided at no cost to families by Lightspeed, the school division’s internet content filtering service.

Parents may sign up for a weekly Parent Report, which will provide a list of the top sites your child visited. The report also offers parents the ability to sign up for free access to the Internet Use Parent Portal. Through the portal, parents may pause their child’s access to the internet on their FCPS device during non-school hours.

Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.

 



Save the date

Important Dates

1/15 School is closed! (Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday)

1/17 PTA Meeting, 7pm, Library and Virtual

1/25 Two-hour early dismissal

1/26 School is closed! (Teacher Workday)

2/8 Family Coffee, 9am, Cafeteria



PTA

Mark your calendars 

  • Wed., Jan. 17: PTA Member Meeting at 7 p.m. in the Clearview library
  • Wed., Jan. 24: Spirit Night at Chipotle, 4-8 p.m.
  • Wed., Feb. 14: Staff Valentine’s Day Breakfast & Supply Drive
  • Mon., Feb. 19: Spirit Night at Chuck E. Cheese from 3-9 p.m.
  • Wed., Feb. 21: PTA Member Meeting & Summer Camp Fair at 7 p.m. in the Clearview cafeteria

Don’t miss out on our next two PTA meetings

Our January meeting is next week on Wed. the 17th at 7 p.m. in the library—come join us! Our special guest is Kari Kain who will give us a tour of the library and talk to us about how our children select books to check out. Thank you to Carla Falconi who will be again interpreting for our Spanish-speaking families.

 

Our February meeting on the 21st at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria will include a “summer camp fair” where you’ll have the opportunity to meet with local providers. Registrations often start in Jan./Feb. so it’s not too early to start planning for your child’s summer activities. We’ve got a great line-up so far—Herndon Parks & Recreation, Claude Moore Recreation & Community Center, Reston YMCA, Fairfax County Public Schools, and Skatequest—and we’re continuing to reach out to more places. If you have a favorite camp that you’d like us to contact, let us know at ClearviewElementaryPTA@gmail.com. 

 

Join us for Spirit Night at Chipotle on Jan. 24

We’re continuing to host spirit nights to support our 6th graders as they raise money for their end-of-year celebration. Our next one is at Chipotle (1144 Elden Street) on Wed., Jan. 24 from 4-8 p.m. A generous 33% of all sales will come back to the PTA! Watch for the flyer in an upcoming Tuesday Folder to bring with you or use the code 886PXKM for all online orders. And spoiler alert: our February spirit night is a big one…think arcade games, pizza, and a very large mouse! Watch for more details!

 

Show some love with our Valentine’s Day supply drive

Please help us show some love for our Clearview teachers and staff by boosting their classroom supplies this Valentine’s Day! Many classrooms are running low or are completely out of some items—disinfecting wipes, dry erase markers, pencils, and more. Items can be purchased from our Amazon Wish List and delivered to the school or you can drop off donations at Sarah Stein’s home. All donations are due by Sun., Feb. 11 so we can sort and distribute the items on Valentine’s Day. Contact Sarah Stein at sarahkt99@hotmail.com to arrange a drop off or ask questions. Thank you for your donations!

 

Do you enjoy running or walking outdoors?

It’s time to start planning for our annual 5K & Fun Run on Saturday, May 11. We’re trying something new this year: we’re making it a Fun Run and WALK! We’re looking for a handful of volunteers to form a small committee to support the planning efforts of our PE teachers, Mr. Sommar and Ms. McCarron, and the PTA Board. It takes a number of people, each performing smaller tasks, to make this community event so successful. Let us know at ClearviewElementaryPTA@gmail.com if you are interested in learning about some of these smaller tasks and how you can help. 

 

Coming soon: the return of spirit wear

You asked and we’re ready to deliver! Watch for more information next month about our final round of spirit wear sales for this school year. Get ready, Yellow Jackets!

 

We’re here for you!

Your Clearview PTA Board: Christine Graham (president), Nakisha Dixon (treasurer), Ryan Herb (secretary), Amana Katora (head of programs), and Brian Kelley (head of fundraising). 



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