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

UPCOMING EVENTS

• March 20- World Showcase Day, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
• March 22- End of Third Quarter
• March 25-29- Holiday (Spring Break)
• April 1,2- School Planning Day/Teacher Work Day
• April 26- Kindergarten Orientation 5:30pm-6:30pm
• April 26- FES PTA Movie Night

World Showcase Spirit Week

just two more days to participate!

We are excited to celebrate our rich cultural diversity at Franconia during World Showcase Week, March 18^th to 22^nd! 

Our students and staff will participate in activities, games, and learning experiences throughout the week. See below for our daily themes of the week. Please offer your penguin the opportunity to participate in any or all of our World Showcase Spirit Days!

Thursday, 3/21

Meeting & Greeting!

*Teach your classmates how to say hello or another greeting in a new language.

Friday, 3/22

Penguin Power! 

*Celebrate our amazing Penguin Culture here at Franconia! 

Wear your Penguin spirit gear or dress in green or yellow clothing.

 World Down Syndrome Day is March 21^st! 

Since 2012, March 21st has signified a day the world comes together to celebrate, advocate, and educate about Down Syndrome. As a school community we plan to CELEBRATE this special day!  The National Down Syndrome Society celebrates this day by MOVING for 3.21.  During specials on this day, FES students will be able to run, walk, dance, cartwheel, MOVE for 3.21 minutes, miles, reps, etc.!   On Thursday, 3/21, students can show their support by:

Wearing Blue and Yellow: Down Syndrome Awareness Colors Wear sneakers. Rock your Socks!: wear mismatched socks (as socks look like the shape of chromosomes) to show their celebration of the Down Syndrome Community.

Order Your Yearbooks by Friday

Yearbook sales have been extended! 2023-24 Yearbooks are $20.00 and can be ordered now through March 22nd. No yearbook orders will be taken after that date. So 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.

The Book Fair is Coming!

The Book Fair is coming right after Spring Break! From April 3^rd to 9^th students will be able to shop during the school day. Families can shop on Thursday, April 4 and Monday, April 8 until 6:15PM!

We’d LOVE to have you volunteer! Find volunteer opportunities here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040E4CAEAD2FAAF49-48631914-franconia

The Franconia ES Main Office will be CLOSED for Spring Break.  We will re-open on Monday, April 1st.  School for students resumes Wednesday, April 3rd.   We wish each of you a safe & wonderful Spring Break!

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 account for every child, everyday.  If your child is going to be absent, please Submit an absence using our attendance form: https://franconiaes.fcps.edu/attendance-form

or one of these other two methods.  

• 703-822 2222

• FranconiaElem.Attendance@fcps.edu

Family Engagement Survey

Take the Family Engagement Survey Today! 

If you haven’t already, please take FCPS’ Family Engagement Survey today! Survey results will help us to better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs in our school community. Survey topics include:

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

The survey is available in 10 languages. Please check your email for a message from FCPS partner, K12 Insight, with a link to the survey or access the survey now. Your voice matters!

 Advanced Academic Programs (AAP)

Screening for Subject Specific (Level II) and Part-Time (Level III) Services

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction to meet the needs of advanced learners.

Screening for Subject Specific (Level II) and Part-Time (Level III) Services

Students can be screened for subject specific and part time AAP services at any time in the school year. In the spring, schools review data on all students to determine services for the start of the next school year.

• Parents or guardians can initiate the screening process by submitting the AAP School-Based Services (Level II-III) Referral Form to one of the Advanced Academic Resource Teachers (AART) Mrs. Glines kjglines@fcps.edu or Mrs. Fouad jpfouad@fcps.edu by April 30^th
• .The AAP School-Based Services (Level II-III) Referral Form may be found at https://www.fcps.edu/academics/academic-overview/advanced-academic-programs-aap/advanced-academic-program-aap-forms  or by searching “AAP Forms” at https://www.fcps.edu/.
• Parents or guardians who submit a referral will be notified by the local elementary school of their student’s eligibility status by early June.

Screening Process for Subject Specific (Level II) and Part-Time (Level III) Services

Multiple criteria are reviewed holistically to determine eligibility for all FCPS advanced academic services. Committees consider student work from opportunities with AAP lessons, examples of student reasoning or gifted behaviors from class discussions and activities, progress reports, achievement and ability scores, and parent or guardian input. Committees consider whether students have access to a group of students with similar academic needs to support academic conversations and growth in the classroom.

Appeals Process for Subject Specific (Level II) and Part-Time (Level III) Services

If a parent or guardian wishes to appeal an ineligible decision, they may submit an appeal with new data for consideration by the local school screening committee. This new information should be submitted to the Advanced Academic Resource Teacher or Assistant Principal.

Subject Specific and Part-Time Services Overview

Subject Specific and Part-Time Services in Elementary School

FCPS offers a continuum of advanced academic services for all students in Grades K-12. The continuum of services approach allows for a focus on matching services to students’ needs rather than labeling students. Students have:

• Multiple entry points for deeper learning opportunities in specific areas of need as they develop.
• A cluster group of students with similar academic needs to support student learning and growth.

Teachers, administrators, and Advanced Academic Resource Teachers (AARTs) work together to provide the following levels of school-based services at the elementary level:

Access to Rigor, Grades K-6 (Level I)

All students have opportunities to think critically, reason, and problem-solve.

• All teachers use critical and creative thinking strategies in their lessons
• Classroom teachers provide opportunities using materials from the AAP Curriculum Framework a minimum of once per quarter.

Because Access to Rigor services are for all FCPS students, there is not a screening process.

Subject Specific Advanced Differentiation, Grades K-6 (Level II)

Some students require differentiation beyond the needs of age-level peers in their class in at least one specific subject area. Classroom teachers may adjust instruction for students in these areas by:

• Providing different assignments and resources in those subjects,
• Grouping students by their strengths, interests, and readiness, and
• Providing additional challenges using materials from the AAP Curriculum Framework.

Student needs for subject specific differentiation are re-evaluated each year at the local school.

Part-Time Advanced Academic Programs, Grades 3-6 (Level III)

Some students have advanced academic abilities in multiple subject areas and require differentiation beyond the needs of age-level peers in their class in multiple content areas.

• Students work with other students that have similar academic needs through weekly pull-out classes or weekly co-taught lessons with the AART and classroom teacher.
• Teachers provide frequent opportunities to use materials from the AAP Curriculum Framework in Language Arts, science, social studies, and/or mathematics.

Part-time services continue through Grade 6. Students do not need to be evaluated each year.

Screening for Full-Time (Level IV) Services

Screening Timeline for Full-Time Services

Screening for full-time (level IV) AAP services happens at the district/central level rather than by local schools. For your planning for next school year, please know that screening for full-time (level IV) services occurs during two specific screening cycles:

• Fall screening is available for students who are new to FCPS since January. ο Fall referrals are due October 15, annually.
• Spring screening is available for any Grade 2-7 FCPS-enrolled student. ο The referral window is from the first day of school - December 15, annually.

For more information, please visit the AAP website at: https://www.fcps.edu/registration/advanced-academics-identification-and-placement/current-fcps-students.

Full-Time Advanced Academic Programs, Grades 3-8 (Level IV)

Some advanced learners need a full-time advanced academic program with differentiated instruction in all four core content areas (Language Arts, mathematics, social studies, and science).

Students eligible for full-time AAP services are cluster grouped on a full-time basis and receive:

• Full-time use of materials from the AAP Curriculum Framework in Language Arts, mathematics, science, and social studies, and
• Curriculum that is differentiated through acceleration, depth, and complexity of content.

Full-time services continue through Grade 8. Students do not need to be evaluated each year.

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 2024-2025 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 from 5:30pm-6:30pm.   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

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

Music Notes from Mrs. Lucius

.

Go Fish - the Musical Attention all Kindergarten and 1st Grade Families: Your child will be in a mini-musical Go Fish! Ms. Lucius is auditioning students this week and next week and will send home scripts for those who have lines. The musical involves ALL students and rehearsals are during their music classes. During this process, students will learn to become “triple threats” by singing, dancing and acting all at the same time! All friends and families are encourage to save the dates: Kindergarten performance: May 22 from 11:10 – 12:10 in the Franconia Gym/Stage 1st Grade performance: May 23 from 9:10 – 10:10 in the Franconia Gym/Stage Stay tuned for volunteer information coming soon!   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~

Save the Date!  Save the date for Franconia’s 3rd musical: Beauty and the Beast, Jr. When: May 1 and May 2 at 6:30 p.m. Where: Franconia Gym/Stage Ticket information still to come.

Counselor Corner 

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

Calendar Reminders

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 22 - Quarter End

• March 25- 29 Spring Break🌷

March 25-29 is spring break. Schools and school offices will be closed. We wish our students and teachers a happy and restful Spring Break! 

• March 29 - Good Friday (Falls during spring break) 

Good Friday, the Friday before Easter, is the day on which Christians annually observe the commemoration of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Good Friday is a day of mourning. During special Good Friday services Christians meditate on Jesus's suffering and death on the cross, and what this means for their faith. Read more at Britannica.com. 

• March 31 - Easter (Falls during weekend/spring break) 

Learn more about Easter in NatGeo Kids.

April

• April 1,2 - School Planning Day/Teacher Work Day

There will be no school for students on April 1 and 2 for school planning/teacher work days.

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

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