A Message from Administration
Happy Friday Hunt Valley Community!
Last night, the PTA hosted our school spelling bee. It was wonderful to see over 25 of our students take on this challenge with bravery and grace. We acknowledge how difficult it is to stand up in a room full of people and spell words that you are unfamiliar with or may have never heard. We celebrate all our spellers for their dedication and resiliency!
A huge thanks to our fabulous PTA, judges and volunteers that helped to make this event a success! A special thank you to Mrs. Trull for bringing the Spelling Bee back to Hunt Valley.
We congratulate our winners: 1st place--Saifan; 2nd place--Joon; and 3rd place--Abby. Saifan will compete in the County-Wide Spelling Bee on March 17th!
As a reminder, the Fairfax Board of Elections has requested that schools be closed on Tuesday, March 5, to accommodate the administration of the 2024 presidential primary election.
Therefore, March 5 will be a school holiday for students and a virtual School Planning Day. School Planning Days are directed by school-based Administrators in order to devote time to school improvement efforts, including collaboration around data, common assessments, responsive instruction, etc.
Central offices and school offices will remain open. SACC will remain open, as on other professional workdays.
We hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend.
Warm regards,
Keieownna Hightower, Principal
Chrissy Gibbs, Assistant Principal
  
Ramadan
This year, the first full day of Ramadan is Monday, March 11. In Islam, Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year. During this month Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn to sunset each day while striving to increase their spirituality, through prayers, charity and good deeds. Read more about Ramadan in National Geographic Kids.
March 11 is an O day. The school calendar recognizes many religious and cultural observances (O days) during the school year. There is school on these days, however tests, quizzes, field trips, graduation, homecoming, or FCPS-scheduled athletic events will not be held on these observance days. Half-O days are full school days, but important events will not be held after school on those days. See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.
Throughout the year, as we celebrate and recognize various cultural holidays and observances, families are encouraged to contact their student’s teacher regarding accommodations, including but not limited to those around lunch, prayer/meditation and silent reflection spaces and times, and instruction.
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Look for the FCPS Family Engagement Survey This Sunday
Parents/caregivers will receive the FCPS’ Family Engagement Survey Sunday, March 3, from independent research firm K12 Insight. Please participate — your feedback is critical in helping to inform and improve practices to best support our students.Taking this survey will also help strengthen the partnership between your family and our school. When that partnership is strong, students can experience a range of benefits including improved school readiness, higher student achievement, better social skills and behavior, and an increased likelihood of graduating high school. The survey will take about 10-15 minutes to complete and will be available in 10 languages. Please visit the Family Engagement Survey webpage for more information. Your voice matters!
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Do You Know Where FCPS Funding Comes From?
The majority of FCPS funding is requested from the Fairfax County government, which generates its revenue from real estate and personal property taxes. The Commonwealth of Virginia provides the next largest source of revenue to FCPS through state aid and sales tax. The rest of the funding comes from a variety of sources, including federal aid and tuition for non-county residents. (The numbers above represent the FY 2025 proposed school operating fund in millions.)
FCPS does not have the authority to impose taxes and may only charge fees where the Commonwealth of Virginia has granted specific authority. Learn more about FCPS’ FY 2025 Advertised Budget.
Materials Needed!
The SCA and Green Club are gearing up for Hunt Valley’s 3rd Annual Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 20th and they are looking for some recyclable materials for their activities that day. If you have the following items available around the house please bring them in and place them in the bin outside of Mrs. Garretson’s room, Room 209:
- Wrapping paper rolls
- Paper Towel rolls
- Clean paper bags with handles
- Paper based/cardboard based egg cartons
In addition to these items, they are also looking for one large scrap piece of plywood 5 x 5 ft and several smaller pieces. So, if you happen to have recently finished some house renovations, or work in construction, please contact Mrs. Garretson at vcdeparisgar@fcpsedu for her to arrange a time and place to drop off the plywood or for her to pick it up. Thank you very much for your support of this great event!
PYRAMID CHALLENGE: NEW DATE AND REGISTRATION
** RESCHEDULED from November **
All runners must register/re-register by MARCH 18 West Springfield Pyramid Challenge: Sunday, April 28, 2:00-4:30 PM at Irving Middle School
The rescheduled West Springfield Pyramid Challenge is a FREE fun run event, but students wanting to participate need to RE-REGISTER for it. Your registration for the postponed run in November will NOT be carried over.
If you were unable to make the November date but want to participate on April 28, you are also welcome to register for this fun community event! Everyone who wants to participate must sign up by March 18: https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Springfield/2023PyramidChallenge
Learn About Science, Technology, and Arts Magnet Schools
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.
We’ve got an engaging summer planned for your students!
The Career and Technical Education (CTE) office will offer two enrichment camps this summer - Tech Adventure Camp and CTE Summer Academy. For details on the activities we have planned, please read below.
All information can be found on our websites! For Tech Adventure Camp go to bit.ly/FCPS_TAC. For CTE Summer Academy go to bit.ly/FCPS_CSA.
Important Updates:
- Current 6th graders (rising 7th graders) are eligible for CTE Summer Academy.
- Some of the bus stops have changed from last summer. I’m attaching our tentative bus schedule for this upcoming summer.
REGISTRATION WILL OPEN ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1st FOR ALL OUR ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS!
GET READY TO REGISTER! USE THE LINKS BELOW 😊
Tech Adventure Camp | CTE Summer Academy
 A special reminder about the tuition waiver. Fairfax County Public School students receiving Free and Reduced Meals, there are a select number of tuition waivers available. To receive the waiver, students must have a Consent to Share form on file with FCPS. Parents can find the Consent to Share forms on the FCPS Food and Nutrition website (https://www.fcps.edu/frm). Parents can also share the benefits during the online application process.
📝 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.
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.
Elementary Institute for the Arts
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.
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Mark you calendars
March 5--No School for Students
March 11-March 15--Book Fair
March 12--Spring Picture Day
March 25-April 2--No School for Students Spring Break/Teacher Workday/Staff Development Day
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