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

UPCOMING EVENTS

• March 5- Student Holiday
• March 8-Spring Picture Day
• March 15- FES Career Day
• March 20- World Showcase Day Fashion Show, 2:00 pm
• March 20- World Showcase Day, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
• March 22- End of Third Quarter
• March 25-29- Holiday (Spring Break)

Student Holiday March 5th

📅 Calendar Reminder: March 5 Presidential Primary — Student Holiday/School Planning Day

The Fairfax Board of Elections has requested that schools be closed on Tuesday, March 5, to accommodate the safe and efficient administration of the 2024 presidential primary election.

March 5 will be a holiday for students and a virtual School Planning Day for teachers.

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Just Two More Days to Celebrate  Black History Month Spirit Week!

Black History Month was created to honor the contributions of African Americans to the United States. Join us in celebrating Black people from all periods of U.S. history, from the enslaved people brought over from Africa in the 17th century to African Americans living in the United States today.

THURSDAY  2/29                              

Revolutionary Roots in Rap

Dress in your best 90’s Hip Hop fashion! Or, come prepared to share your favorite artist/song.   

FRIDAY 3/1

I Have a Dream 

Inspired by MLK’s famous speech, end the week in your favorite pajamas!  

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Students and staff alike have enjoyed exploring and celebrating the lives and contributions of African Americans during Black History Month.

 Trends in the Drug Culture

Parent Only Presentation, Tomorrow Night

Many challenges and responsibilities come with being a parent, and having to address a difficult topic with your child, such as drug culture, trends and identifying signs of substance use, can be stressful. Drugs and drug paraphernalia is now being disguised as common everyday items out in plain sight, to go unrecognized by parents or other adults.  Substance Abuse Prevention Program want to provide you with information so you will be able to recognize drugs and drug paraphernalia and also the signs of drug use to equip you to have real and meaningful dialog with your child concerning these issues. 

Join us on February 29^th, 2024 @ 6:00pm at Edison High School where we will be hosting a parent presentation to provide information on the trends in drug culture. After the presentation there will be time to ask questions or to receive more information. The trends in drug culture have created innovative ways to hook your child and we are here to arm you by providing information concerning these topics that will assist in effective communication with your child.  Also, a Narcan Training with be provided by a member of the Community Services Board.

Questions? contact Shawn Elliott, BS, QMHP-C Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist at Sbelliott@fcps.edu

Last Chance to Order a Yearbook

Don’t miss out on the chance to get your child a yearbook. 2023-24 Yearbooks are $20.00 and can be ordered now through February 29th. No yearbook orders will be taken after that date. So make plans to order yours today!

Yearbooks are only sold/purchased online. Start your purchase by going  to: yearbookordercenter.com, typing in 21927 or searching for Franconia Elementary, Alexandria VA, will take you to our ordering site.

Spring Picture Day is Coming!

Friday, March 8th

Get those smiles ready! Spring picture day is next Friday, March 8th. 

Victor O'Neill Studios will be on site to take the following pictures:

• student individual (full-length)
• class group
• 6th grade panoramic

All orders (with the exception of panoramic pre-order) will be placed AFTER picture day.

• Link to order the panoramic picture of the entire 6^th grade: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001086570#login

Approximately 10 days after picture day, you will receive a link from Victor O’Neill to view and order pictures on-line.

Pictures will be sent to the school.

If you have any questions leading up to picture day, please reach out to Victor O’Neill Studios by emailing Underclass@vosphoto.com.

It Is WIDA testing season!  Here are a few of our First and Sixth Graders working hard toward WIDA success.

World Showcase Day Fashion Show

Walk the Red Carpet in Fashion!

Franconia Elementary will be holding a World Showcase Day Program on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 2pm.  We are looking for students who are willing to walk the red carpet and model their culture-based outfits at the World Showcase Assembly.  Interested students must have a signed form and a completed description on the origin of the outfit and any additional information about the outfit.  Filling out this form confirms that you will be in the Fashion Show.  Please return this form to Mrs. Yortzidis by March 4th.

World Showcase Day

When: Wednesday, March 20th

Time: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

We would love for our parents and community to be a part of this memorable event.  Families can choose to paticipate by:

• Presenting a display (poster board) about a country of your choice.
• Sharing food and/or artifacts from the country of your choice.
• Teaching students how to play a game played in a country of your choice.

If you are interested, please visit the link below:

https://forms.gle/KXY2QgHobd2nSPCB6

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Kindergarten Registration Is Now Open For SY 24-25

We look forward to welcoming our newest Penguins to Franconia Elementary for the 2024-25 School Year. Registration packets are available in the Franconia ES Main Office, or you may download the forms using the links below.

The registration requirements are as follows:

For incoming Kindergarten students – please visit https://www.fcps.edu/registration/kindergarten-registration

It is important that you have filled out all the paperwork, and bring with you the following:

1. Photo ID
2. Original Birth Certificate
3. Proof of Residency (Deed or Lease to your home)
4. Virginia Physical and Immunization Record (due prior to school starting in August)

When you are ready, and have gathered most of your documentation, please contact me to set up your registration appointment. All registrations are done by appointment only.

I look forward to meeting with you!  Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Patrick Pacak, Registrar/SIA

Franconia Elementary School

PHONE 703-822-2200     FAX 703-822-2297     EMAIL pmpacak@fcps.edu

Students from Mrs. Pina's Third Grade class participating in a Restorative Circle with Ms. Branson and Mr. AJ.

Kindergarten Orientation

Do you have a child who will be 5 years of age by September 30, 2024, and do you plan on sending them to kindergarten for the 2023-2024 school year?

We are in the process of preparing for our kindergarten registration and orientation.  If your child is ready for kindergarten, call the school so we may add you to our list of rising kindergarten students.

Please consider joining us at school with your future kindergartener for our Kindergarten Orientation on Friday, April 26. 2024.  During this presentation, we will provide information about the Kindergarten program at Franconia Elementary; while the future kindergarteners get to explore the classroom and participate in fun kindergarten activities. 

❤ Kindergarten Team

Counselor Corner 

February Guidance Topics

This month,  all grade levels except for 5^th grade will be learning about how to calm strong/big emotions. Fifth grade will begin their lessons on strong emotions soon, but for now we will conclude our lessons on conflict by discussing I-messages.

Character Trait of the Month

The character trait for March is Patience- to wait calmly without complaining

In February, we highlighted the character trait of Empathy- A feeling or understanding of what someone else is feeling.

Here’s the student video for student’s who showed Empathy last month:https://youtu.be/6hnScbGfumo

We are so proud of our Empathy award winners!

Franconia Elementary PTA

Support the Edison Annual Mulch Sale

Benefitting the Class of 2024 ANGP

The Edison High School PTSA is holding their annual Mulch Sale. Order now for pick up or delivery on Saturday, April 6th!  

Proceeds go to help fund the Class of 2024 All Night Grad Party. This party is held every year from 11 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. at the Franconia Rec Center to give Edison grads a safe place to celebrate the night of their graduation. 

https://www.edisonangp.com/mulch-sale 

Thank you for supporting Edison’s Class of 2024!

Hayfield Craft Fair & Silent Auction

Hayfield Secondary School

Class of 2024

Indoor Craft Fair & Silent Auction

Saturday, March 16th - 9:00AM-3:00PM

• Hayfield Secondary School, 7630 Telegraph Road Alexandria, VA
• FREE ADMISSION!!!
• OVER 125 vendors
• A HUGE silent auction display filled with our vendor’s craft items, gift certificates, sporting event tickets, experiences and much more!
• Lots of tables filled with edible goodies!
• We will ALSO have KidCreate Studio and face painting for our younger visitors!!!!!
• NEW this year…a room full of young entrepreneurs offering their creative items!
• COME HUNGRY!!! A wide variety of lunch choices for YOU!

All proceeds raised will go towards Hayfield’s Class of 2024 All Night Grad Party (ANGP) celebration on Friday, June 7th at The St. James. The event is sponsored through the Hayfield SS PTSA and provides our 2024 graduates with a FUN and SAFE alcohol/drug/smoke-free celebration.

Play Tee-Ball or Coach Pitch with Central Springfield Little League

Mid March-Mid June 2024

No experience needed.

Everyone plays, everyone learns!

• Approx. 60 -90 minutes, twice a week (one weekday + Saturday)
• Generally no Fridays or Sundays
• Most practices and all games at Trailside Park
• Co-ed

GEAR

• Gear provided:  jersey, hat socks, pants, and belt
• Gear needed: glove
• Optional Gear:
• Bat & Batting helmet (the team will have some for use), rubber cleats

SIGN-UP FEES

• $255 ($100 is refundable volunteer fee with 12 volunteer hours)

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER AT CSLL.ORG

Calendar Reminders

February

• Feb. 27-March 3 - Public Schools Week - Public Schools Week is an annual celebration that brings together school leaders, educators, parents & community leaders to recognize the importance of our nation’s public schools.

March

• National Women’s History Month - Every year, March is designated Women’s History Month by presidential proclamation. The month is set aside to honor women’s contributions in American history. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Read more about Women’s History Month in National Geographic Kids. 

• Equity in Education Month - FCPS — in conjunction with the Virginia School Boards Association — observes March as Equity in Education Month, a division-wide opportunity to deepen our commitment to creating a climate and curriculum where all students receive the resources they need to reach their fullest potential.  

• March 2 - Read Across America Day (Observed Friday, March 1) -  Read Across America Day was established by the National Education Association (NEA) in 1998 to help get kids excited about reading. Learn more about Equitable Access to Literacy in this video. 

• March 3-9 - National School Social Work Week - March 3-9 is National School Social Work Week. Social workers in FCPS help to prevent social, emotional, and behavioral factors from affecting a student's ability to perform at their best. Their primary goal is to remove barriers that prevent a student from fulfilling their academic potential. Social workers are assigned to every school and center in the school system. Most social workers serve one to two sites. Learn more about the role of social workers in FCPS.

• March 4-8 - National School Breakfast Week - National School Breakfast Week (NSBW) celebrates the importance of a nutritious school breakfast in fueling students for success. 

• March 5 - Student holiday/School Planning Day (Virtual)- Presidential Primary - The Fairfax Board of Elections has requested that schools be closed on Tuesday, March 5, to accommodate the safe and efficient administration of the 2024 presidential primary election.

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):

• FranconiaESAttendance@fcps.edu
• 703-822-2222
• Online attendance form - https://franconiaes.fcps.edu/attendance-form

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

• Attendance
• Health Room
• Parent Resources (registration, SIS Parent Vue, Cafeteria, and BYOD)
• Safety
• Transportation
• PTA
• Inclement Weather
• Schoology
• SIS Parent Vue
• School Menus
• FCPS School Calendar

6301 Beulah Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22310 | Office: 703-822-2200

Attendance: 703-822-2222 |  | Web | Twitter