Fairfax Villa Weekly Message 2/23/2024

 

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

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

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IN THIS ISSUE

  1. Principal’s Message
  2. Read Across America Week
  3. Supporting Students During Ramadan
  4. Family Engagement Survey
  5. 2024-2025 Registration
  6. Middle School Special Ed Services
  7. FCPS Magnet Schools
  8. FCPS Summer Programs
  9. Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!
  10. Important Upcoming Dates

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Students in Ms. Conley-Baldwin’s class working on positive and negative charges in science!


1.Principal’s Message

This week at the Villa, our fourth grade students had a visit from the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation. They learned about the Jamestown Colony and the American Revolution with hands-on activities and a guest speaker. In addition, our Get 2 Green after school team worked on gathering resources for our indoor vegetable garden in the cafeteria. Students will be able to take home vegetables like bell peppers and lettuce once they are ready. The whole school will get to witness the growing process as students will get to observe them during lunchtime.  We are so proud of all our students who work hard to beautify our school and promote environmentally friendly initiatives! 

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Our Positivity Project team met after school to work on our new Fairfax Villa tree project. They will be putting what they love to learn on our hallway tree. We look forward to their additions. 

We are so grateful to all of our parents who have continued to support our students by volunteering, becoming classroom mystery readers, and joining classroom projects! Your ongoing family engagement makes such a difference in the lives of our students.

As partners in your child’s education, please take a moment to complete the Family Engagement Survey that opens on March 3rd. Your feedback is welcomed and valued. 

Sincerely, 

Shelia Sobeski, 

Principal


2.Read Across America Week

It is Read Across America Week! Fairfax Villa is Kicking off our celebration on February 26th! Here’s what we have planned:

  • Read In on Friday, March 1st

    • This will also be pajama day and bring a stuffed animal that can fit into a backpack

  • Reading Bingo (boards will be sent on March 1st)  to win bookmarks. Boards are due April 1st to Mrs. Case.

  • Students will participate in a “Book Tasting” during library specials the week of February 26th.


3.Supporting Students During Ramadan

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Ramadan, one of the holiest times on the Islamic calendar, begins on March 10th. We are here to support students who may need special considerations or accommodations during this time.  If your student will be fasting during Ramadan, please contact their homeroom teacher so that they are aware and able to support your student. Students who are fasting will have the option of joining another class while their class is at lunch. If your student is observing restrictions regarding music, please contact Mary Gaskins (mngaskins@fcps.edu or via Talking Points) for information about accommodations we can provide in the music room.


4.Family Engagement Survey 

Family Engagement Survey to Open March 3

FCPS is partnering with independent research firm K12 Insight to administer a Family Engagement Survey, which will be open from Sunday, March 3, to Friday, March 22. Your feedback is critical in helping FCPS to better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs throughout the district. Survey topics include:

  • Welcoming environment
  • Communication
  • Student success
  • Advocacy
  • Family and school partnerships
  • Community partnerships

The survey will be available in English, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Pashto, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese. 

Parents/caregivers will receive the survey link via email from K12 Insight. A public link will also be posted on FCPS’ website. Paper surveys will be available in our front office. Please stay tuned for more information.


5.Kindergarten and New Student Registration

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If you have an unregistered child who will attend Fairfax Villa Elementary next school year, please complete the online intake form to plan accurate class sizes/staffing for next year.

📢Please spread the word to your neighbors who will have children attending Fairfax Villa ES.📢

If you have any questions, please contact Silvia Dossmann at smdossmann@fcps.edu.


6.Middle School Special Ed Services

Frost Middle School’s special education department will be hosting an information session on February 26th from 6pm to 7pm in the Lecture Hall at Frost MS to provide an overview of special education services in middle school.


7.FCPS Elementary Magnet School Information

Learn About Science, Technology, and Arts Magnet Schools

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

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.

  • Spanish:Translations pending. Should be available Friday, February 9.
  • Korean:과학, 기술, 예술 마그넷 스쿨에 대해 알아보기

세 곳의 FCPS 초등 마그넷 스쿨은 과학, 기술, 예술 분야의 학습을 강화하는 프로그램을 제공합니다. 

자녀를 초등학교 마그넷 스쿨 프로그램에 보내는 데 관심이 있으시다면 Hunters Woods 초등학교, Bailey's Primary 초등학교, Bailey's Upper 초등학교의 학교 기반 정보의 밤에 참석하는 것을 고려해 보시기 바랍니다. 

정보의 밤에서는 개별 학교 프로그램, 학생 자격, 추첨 절차 및 교통편에 대해 알아볼 수 있는 기회가 제공됩니다.

2024-25학년도 초등학교 마그넷 스쿨 추첨 등록은 3월 5일(화)부터 4월 12일(금)까지 진행됩니다. 학교, 프로그램 및 위치에 대한 자세한 정보를 확인하세요.


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Thanks again to everyone who joined us for Heritage Night!


8.Sign Up for FCPS Summer Camps 

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.


9.Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!

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We are making great progress to meet our goal to have less than 12% of our students have chronic absences (missing more than 10% of the school year, or 18 days by the end of the year). Attending school is important and can impact your child’s future:

  • A study of weather-related absences in Massachusetts found that each missed day affected a student’s test scores and grades. This was especially true on snowy days when school stayed open but some students missed class.
  • Absences, even if they are excused, can add up to academic trouble. This is as true in kindergarten as it is in high school.

10.Important Upcoming Dates

2/28: 3rd Quarter Interims Go Home to Select Students 

3/5: Student Holiday

3/7: 5th Grade Ukulele Performance 7pm

3/14: WTW Math Enrichment Experience - Gr. 4-5

3/15: Spring Picture Day

3/25 - 3/29:  Spring Break

4/1: Teacher Workday

4/2: Staff Development Day

4/4: Zoom PTA Meeting #6

4/10: Student Holiday

4/11: Spring Chorus Concert 7pm

4/12: PTA Bingo Night

4/17: 3rd Quarter Progress Reports Go Home

5/1:  First & Second Grade Performance 7pm

5/3: Teacher Workday

5/3: Kindergarten Orientation 2pm

5/8: 4th Quarter Interims Go Home To Select Students

5/23: Strings Evening Performance at 7pm 

5/27:  Student Holiday

5/29: Springs Band Concert at 7pm

6/6: Grade 6 Showcase at 7pm

6/7:  Field Day

6/11:  6th Grade Luncheon

6/12:  6th Grade Promotion Ceremony

6/12: End of Year Progress Reports Go Home

6/12: Last Day of School - 2hr Early Release


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