From the PTA
It has been a tradition here at Orange Hunt to celebrate staff appreciation week at the end of March instead of the week in May. With May being very close to the end of school and a busy time for all we began celebrating staff Appreciation week at the end of March. Please join us in celebrating our wonderful staff here at OHES!
🌟 Let's Celebrate Our Super Staff! 🌟
March marks a special time at OHES - Super Staff Week! It's our annual tradition to express heartfelt gratitude to the entire OHES staff, our unsung heroes who make every school day a success. This is our moment to collectively honor and appreciate the dedication of our teachers, aides, administrators, specialists, secretaries, custodians, and cafeteria staff.
🙌 Your Contribution Counts: Each donation, big or small, plays a crucial role in bringing our grand plans to life. Donate now and don't give it another thought this year!
💖 Act Now: By contributing to Super Staff Week, you're sending a powerful message of thanks to those who nurture and educate our children. It's a simple yet significant way to say, "We see you, we appreciate you, and we thank you."
📎 How to Participate: Click here to donate swiftly online, or refer to the attached flyer for more details on how to contribute. Your generosity is what makes this week so extraordinary!
Let's make Super Staff Week a memorable one for the wonderful individuals who do so much for our kids. Thank you for supporting our OHES family with your kindness and generosity.
Read Across America Spirit Days (March 6-8)
The National Education Association’s Read Across America is
an annual literacy awareness and reading program that
celebrates a nation of diverse readers. Each month the NEA
features three books that explore a topic related to diversity and
inclusion. Check out the calendar to see what books they have
recommended throughout the year.
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YEARBOOK ORDER
Orange Hunt Yearbooks are on sale now. The cost is $20.00. You can place your order here: Lifetouch Yearbook Order
Orange Hunt School code is 9964924
There are no extra yearbooks to buy at the end of the year. Please order now if you want one.
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Calling all green thumbs!
We are looking for some students, staff and community members to join us the 2nd Tuesday of every month to join our Get2Green team. We will be working on projects in environmental stewardship and make OHES even better. The first meeting will be Tuesday, March 12th from 3:45-4:30 in Quad D. All are welcome.
Link to sign up as a student.
Link for information as an adult.
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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.
From FCPS This Week
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 (IFTA) 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.
CTE programs are available for students currently in grades K-5 to explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math), culinary arts, health, trades, and business and marketing; and for students currently in grades 6-11 to explore CTE program areas, develop skills, and begin career exploration.
IFTA and E-IFTA are weekly arts camps for students in grades 2-11. E-IFTA is for elementary students who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. IFTA allows older students to select from nearly 90 classes in art, dance, health and physical education, music, and theater. Visit the IFTA webpage or E-IFTA webpage to register.
FCPS ACE Online STEM Courses
Fairfax County’s Adult and Communication (ACE) are offering K12 Enrichment classes starting in Jan. They are offering classes for grades 2-12. Learn more at ACE 4 KIDS or at the ACE K12 FCPS website.
FCPS Summer Learning Page
https://www.fcps.edu/academics/summer-learning
Summer Programs for Preschoolers and Kindergartners
Please see the camps in the links below.
https://dmv.kidsoutandabout.com/content/preschool-summer-camps-dc-metro-area
https://dcmoms.com/ages-stages/toddler/toddler-friendly-summer-camps-in-dc/
https://www.brighthorizons.com/programs/summer-camp https://www.fairfaxva.gov/government/parks-recreation/camp-programs
Upcoming Events
March 4 - Spring Picture Day
March 5 - No School due to Primary Election (Teacher Workday)
March 6-8 - Spirit Week (Read Across America week)
March 18-22 - Staff Appreciation Week
March 25- 29 - Spring Break
April 1-2 - Student Holiday
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FCPS Cares!
The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story, so we can all acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees at Orange Hunt ES. We love our OHES staff members, let's tell them how we feel!
FCPS Parent Resource Section
February
Behavior Solution Series for Elementary and Secondary Families
Join staff from the FCPS Behavior Intervention Services Department to help families encourage positive communication and behavior at home.
Elementary Webinars
3/15 Taming Tantrums and More
- Parents, ever had a moment when things feel like a big puzzle and you just need the right pieces? We will share strategies to help when your child’s behavior feels like a rollercoaster. Learn how to turn meltdowns into moments that make you go 'ta-da!'
Secondary Webinars
4/19 Proactive Strategies for Effective Communication
- We will equip you with strategies for navigating the teen years. Uncover the secrets to fostering open communication, building trust, and transforming challenges into opportunities for growth.
5/31 Taming the Teenaged Brain
- Navigate the rollercoaster of teenage emotions with our training on behavior strategies, tailored to support you at home during those challenging adolescent years. We will provide practical insights and proven techniques to foster understanding and communication with your teenager.
Register for all or part of the Behavior Solution Series for Families
How to Handle Disappointing Grades: Ways to Uncover the Reasons Behind Your Child’s School Performance and How to Help
Disappointing grades are not always a fair indication of how hard your child is trying, how much they’re learning, or what their potential for success is later on in life (especially for those with ADHD and other learning differences).
On the surface, disappointing grades represent a failure at school. But there’s usually a lot more to it and many emotions for parents and students at stake!
Webinar Highlights:
- What to do if your child comes home with bad grades (and how to prevent over-reacting)
- How to talk to your child about their school performance, including some easy conversation starters
- Ways to investigate why it’s happening and the two most common reasons for poor grades
- What to do about it moving forward, including strategies to help your child study more effectively and stay organized
- Whether you should set consequences for your child’s bad grades (or reward them for good grades)
Join Ann Dolin, educator, author, and Educational Connections Founder for new strategies to tackle these sticky situations while preserving your relationship with your child.
FBA/BIP Essentials for Families
Does your child have concerning behaviors at school? Did you know that there is a process to identify and support your child at school?
Join us to learn about the FBA and BIP process and how it is used in FCPS to support any student who experiences behavioral challenges.
- Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) is a process to determine the underlying cause or functions of a student’s behavior that impedes social, emotional, and academic learning.
- Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) is a plan that utilizes positive behavioral interventions and supports to address behaviors that interfere with learning.
Staff from the Office of Special Education Instruction, Office of Intervention and Prevention Services, and Office of Special Education Procedural Support will be presenting and sharing information.
February 29, 2024 - 6:30-7:30 p.m. or (only need to register for one as they will be the same) March 1, 2024 - 10-11 a.m. Register for FBA/BIP Essentials for Families
SIBSHOPS: An Exciting, In-person Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs!
The Sibshop workshops are for children in grades 2-6 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools who have siblings with special needs to:
- Meet other siblings in a relaxed setting.
- Celebrate the many contributions made by brothers and sisters of children with special needs.
- Share sibling experiences and receive peer support.
- Play games and have fun!
March 2, 2024, 9 a.m.- noon at Providence Community Center Presented by FCPS School Social Work Services Register for: SIBSHOPS: An Exicting, In-person Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs!
February 23, 2024, 10-11:30 a.m. Register for How to Handle Disappointing Grades: Ways to Uncover the Reasons Behind Your Child’s School Performance and How to Help
COMMUNITY EVENTS, RESOURCES & ACTIVITIES
Teens In Action 2024
Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Service offers Teen in Action program, March 25-29 for rising 7th- 12th graders. FLYER Featured Opportunities:
- Outdoor Adventures
- Podcasting & Social Media
- Field Trips
- Sports, Recreation, Health, Fitness & Nutrition
- Job, Education & Career Readiness
- Music & Arts
- Science, Technology, Engineering & Math Exploration
Fairfax County Parks Spring and Summer Camp Registration Opens January 23
Spring and Summer Camp Registration begins next Tuesday, Jan. 23 at 9 a.m.! Spots fill up fast! In preparation, FCPA is sharing the full listing of camps, as well as offering multiple ways to search and tools to use that will make enrolling easier. Learn more about the camps and how to register here.
MILITARY RESOURCES
Are you new to OHES? Military family? German Immersion family? Please contact Anne-Marie Balmaceda for any assistance with school transitions. acbalmaceda@fcps.edu
Your Partners In Education
We are in this together!! We are thankful to have the opportunity to work with your family this year and will work every day to ensure a safe and positive learning environment for your child. Please contact us when there is a question or concern. Thank you for your support and being part of our team!
Your Partner Principals,
Karen Tuttle kmtuttle@fcps.edu
Kate Austin kbaustin@fcps.edu
Heather Mathews HMMathews@fcps.edu
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Want To Be Involved?
Visit the Orange Hunt PTA website for all sponsored events and activities.
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