Daylight Saving Begins (Spring Forward)
Sunday, March 10, at 2 a.m., daylight saving time begins. Don’t forget to move your clocks ahead one hour! As a result of the time change, many students will be walking to school or to bus stops in the dark. Help your child stay safe by having them wear reflective clothing and bright or light colors, or add reflective items to their backpacks or clothes. Also, encourage your child to be especially alert for cars that are turning or backing up and not to run into the street or cross between parked cars.
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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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Take the Family Engagement Survey!
FCPS’ Family Engagement Survey is now open. Survey partner K12 Insight emailed a link to families on March 3 and again on March 6. Please participate! Your feedback is critical in helping to inform and improve FCPS practices to best support our students.
The survey is available in 10 languages. All responses are confidential. Parents/caregivers may stop by the front office to fill out a paper survey or complete the survey online. Please check your email for the survey invitation or use this survey link. Get more information on the Family Engagement Survey webpage.
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!
Bipartisan Study Finds Virginia Public School Divisions Receive Less Funding per Student Than Other States
The School Board recently adopted FCPS’ FY 2025 Advertised Budget. Meeting budget needs becomes more of a challenge with underfunding by the state, using staffing formulas that continue to result in school districts not receiving the actual support needed for excellent public education. A staffing formula is the method for calculating the number of positions that need to be assigned to meet program needs.
Did You Know?
In July 2023, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) released a study of Virginia’s K-12 funding formulas. The report found that Virginia school divisions receive less funding per student than the 50-state average, the regional average, and many of Virginia’s neighboring states including West Virginia, Maryland, and Kentucky. Learn more about the JLARC study. View FCPS’ budget development timeline.
Contact your state officials to provide feedback on funding for K-12 education.
Safely View the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8
A total solar eclipse will occur on Monday, April 8, and will be viewable, depending on weather, in Fairfax County. The eclipse will begin in our area around 2:04 p.m. and end around 4:32 p.m., with the maximum eclipse occurring around 3:20 p.m.
Because the timing overlaps with dismissal, it is crucial that students understand the importance of safe viewing practices. We encourage families to review these Solar Eclipse Resources, especially the eye safety information. We hope everyone takes the opportunity to learn more about this extraordinary natural phenomenon while prioritizing safe solar viewing.
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
New Regulation on Meditation and Silent Reflection Spaces
FCPS has developed Regulation 1502 to ensure all students and staff have reasonable accommodation and access to meditation and silent reflection spaces within the school division. The regulation provides guidance for schools on how to manage requests for silent reflection during instructional and non-instructional time, and for students to leave school for religious activities.
These spaces are designated areas within a school for individuals to engage in prayer, meditation, or silent reflection, inclusive of their religious or non-religious beliefs. Parents/caregivers must provide written permission for students requesting to miss instructional time on a regular basis. Families are encouraged to contact Cynthia Youssef, family liaison, regarding accommodations. View Regulation 1502. Visit FCPS' Guidelines for Religious Activities webpage for more 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.
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.
Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!
This year, spring break is March 25-29. We will be eager to welcome your children back to school on Wednesday, April 3, after two teacher work days. Student attendance is very important. Every day, our teachers will be teaching, and students will be learning. Studies have shown that just two absences per month can cause students to fall behind. Let’s finish this school year strong. Visit FCPS’ website for attendance resources.
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 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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