Join us for the February PTA meeting in the FHES Library or on zoom.

Hear from our amazing FHES staff and teachers and help elect the Nomination Committee. School counselors, Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Starr, will share information about self-regulation and calming corners with attendees. Teachers from the 6th grade team will join the meeting to share examples of the amazing work that happens in our 6th grade classrooms including their recent poetry projects.

Missed last month?

After approved, the minutes can be found on fhespta.org while staff and teacher highlights can be found HERE!

For the last couple of years, we have asked the community to upload photos to add to our Yearbook. We received LOTS of submissions! While we can’t use every photo in the yearbook, we would love to offer the opportunity for our families to submit photos again.  Our yearbook theme this year is “You Matter”.

Please upload images to our Yearbook Snap shot. Access Code: flinthill24 In order to collect photos, we ask that they are either camera images or cell phone photos without the Live feature attached. If you upload photos and the ending is .HEIC instead of .JPG we are unable to use them in the yearbook.  We look forward to seeing everyone’s photo in the yearbook this year.

Place your yearbook order today!

The Spring Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener will be administered to students in grades 3-6 during the week of March 4. Students use the SEL Screener twice a year to share their perspectives on how well their school and community help them develop skills they need to succeed. The screener works by asking questions or presenting statements that students can think about and respond to. More information is available about the SEL Screener by accessing this link: 

https://www.fcps.edu/student-tests-and-assessments/student-assessment-details/social-emotional-screener  

If you have any questions please reach out to our SEL Screener Lead, Amy Williams, at aywilliams1@fcps.edu.

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will present the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Proposed Budget at the School Board meeting on Thursday, February 8, at 7:30 p.m. Dr. Reid’s presentation, as well as other budget documents, will be available after she presents to the board. 

View the meeting on FCPS Cable TV Channel 99 (Verizon Channel 11), the FCPS YouTube Channel, or the FCPS website. To watch School Board meetings dubbed in Spanish, please visit the FCPS en Español YouTube channel.

If you would like language interpretation or American Sign Language support for any School Board meeting, please contact the board clerk. Find your School Board member and how to contact them on the School Board Members webpage.

Registration is now open for several summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. 

Tech Adventure Camp is available for current grade K-5 students to explore STEAM, culinary, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. E-IFTA is a weekly arts camp for elementary students who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Visit the E-IFTA webpage to register.

Through Schoology®, all FCPS students have 24/7 access to no-cost, year-round, on-demand, 1-to-1 tutoring services through Tutor.com.

A new Teacher-Referred Tutoring program feature provides targeted support and extends student learning. Teachers can now refer students for tutoring, with their specific needs already identified. Students can get extra support — on their own schedule — and reinforce their in-class learning.

Caregivers can guide students to access expert tutoring, homework help, and writing support by clicking on the Tutor.com icon in their Schoology portal—anytime, anywhere.

Plus, look for teachers’ tutoring session referrals on the Tutor.com homepage.

Three FCPS elementary magnet schools provide programs that enhance learning in science, technology, and performing arts. 

If you are interested in sending your student to an elementary magnet school program, consider attending a school-based information night at Hunters Woods Elementary School, Bailey’s Primary Elementary School, or Bailey’s Upper Elementary School. 

Information nights will provide an opportunity to learn about individual school programs, student eligibility, the lottery process, and transportation.

Registration for the 2024-25 elementary magnet lottery is open Tuesday, March 5, through Friday, April 12. Get more information about the schools, their programs, and locations.

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):

• Elementary school instruction: Red Apple 21.
• Middle school instruction: Channel 25.  
• High school instruction: Channel 99.

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.

Help Wanted!

We need some Committee Chairs. Without these chairs, these programs and events may not occur!!! If you are interested in volunteering please send an e-mail to the VP specified below. Thank you for your support! Open Committee Chairs include the following:

Read-a-thon: Seeking committee chair to run the Read A Thon this year. Love of reading is appreciated but not necessary! Event will be held in March (Amy, fundraising@fhespta.org)

PTA Display Case: Seeking a committee chair to coordinate the PTA display case decoration in the FHES lobby on a monthly or bi-monthly basis. No need to be an artist, can recruit them! (Matt, membership@fhespta.org)

Art Room Volunteers:

Seeking volunteers to help change picture frame art and keep our students' art fresh and on display. Time commitment can be flexible.

Contact: Ms. Sarah McAlister, FHES Art teacher: sdmcalister@fcps.edu