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Dear Mantua families,
As we finish out the third quarter of the year, we want to take a moment to celebrate the progress and personal milestones of each student at Mantua. It is rewarding to see students meet challenges and learn to excel in areas they didn’t think possible. We also love to see students embrace the concepts we have been learning through the Positivity Project and incorporate those character qualities into the classroom. We can’t wait to see the progress we make as we close out the year! Today, we’ve shared some photos of classroom activities as well as some from Spirit Week. Enjoy!
April 1-5 is recognized nationally as Assistant Principals Week. We want to extend our immense appreciation for the incredible work done by our own Assistant Principals, Rich Deixler and Colleen Vaughan. Their tireless efforts make a difference each day at Mantua. Their commitment to excellence shines through in every aspect of their work, from supporting teachers and staff to ensuring the well-being and success of each and every student. Let's take a moment to express our sincerest thanks to our Assistant Principals for all they do to make our school a place where every child can thrive and grow.
As a reminder, March 25-29 is spring break. Schools and school offices will be closed. We wish our students and staff a happy and restful Spring Break! See the complete school year calendar.
Take good care,
Linda Shannon, Principal
Rich Deixler, Assistant Principal
Colleen Vaughan, Assistant Principal
Important Dates
March 25-29: Spring Break, schools and offices closed
March 31: Easter (falls over spring break)
April 1: Teacher Workday, schools closed
April 2: Staff Development Day, schools closed
April 9-17: Mantua “Donut” Book Fair
April 9: Religious Cultural Observance Eid al Fitr - sundown 4/9 through sundown 4/10.
April 10: Holiday, schools closed, Eid al Fitr - 4/10
April 11: Family Literacy and Math Night, 6:30-8 PM
April 15: Referrals for part-time and subject-specific advanced differentiation AAP services due to Kathy Van Dyke at kkvandyke@fcps.edu
April 17: Purple Up Day (support military families)
April 18: Kindergarten Orientation, 5-6 PM, Mantua cafeteria
June 11: 6th grade Promotion Ceremony, Woodson High School, tentative start 10:30 AM
Be sure to bookmark the FCPS Academic Year Calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances.
National Assistant Principals Week
Join NASSP, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, and the American Federation of School Administrators in honoring the enormous contributions of Assistant Principals to student success. We are so fortunate to have such committed and caring leaders supporting us all.
Student Testing at Mantua
State assessments measure the extent to which students have learned the content and skills reflected in state standards and may also be used to measure growth in learning state standards. The format and timing of state assessments vary by grade level and content area, as noted in the table below. These include:
- Spring Standards of Learning (SOL) standardized tests in reading, mathematics, and science. For certain grade levels, the reading SOL tests includes an integrated reading/writing (IRW) component. More information is available on the SOL assessments webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/35021);
Please see the following table for the specific SOL assessments your child will take and the dates on which these will occur. Please do your best to avoid scheduling appointments on the days your child has an assessment.
| Grade |
SOL |
Date |
| 3 |
Reading |
Tuesday, May 7th |
| Mathematics |
Thursday, May 16th |
| 4 |
Reading |
Thursday, May 2nd |
| Mathematics |
Tuesday, May 14th |
| 5 |
Integrated Reading & Writing |
Friday, April 19th |
If you have questions about state assessments, contact your student’s teacher or one of our school test coordinators, Richard Deixler (Grades 4 & 6) or Colleen Vaughan (Grades 3 & 5).
Mantua Donut Book Fair
Ready for some fantastic reading fun? Join us for Mantua’s Donut Book Fair–we’ll have a “hole” buncha books! The book fair runs from April 9-17. The library will have special hours for this event, and we have some exciting activities, including treats available for purchase by Captain Cookie Food Truck. We look forward to seeing everyone at the book fair!
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.
AAP SPRING NEWSLETTER
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction to meet the needs of advanced learners. 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. Additionally, parents or guardians can initiate the screening process by submitting the AAP School-Based Services (Level II-III) Referral Form to the Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) or Assistant Principal by April 15, annually.
For more specific information, please visit the Advanced Academics Programs page on the Mantua Website where you will be able to read the spring newsletter from the AAP Office. If you need further information, please feel free to reach out to Mantua’s Advanced Academics Resource Teacher (AART), Kathy Van Dyke, at kkvankyde@fcps.edu.
It’s Kindergarten Registration Time!
Here’s an easy five-step process for parents wanting to register their child for kindergarten:
- Determine eligibility.
- Identify your local school.
- Gather documents.
- Fill out forms.
- Schedule an appointment. Please contact Mergie Kakouris, our Student Information Assistant, by email at mbkakouris@fcps.edu or by phone at 703-645-6300 to set up an appointment
Prepare for registration by gathering documents and completing forms. We are happy to support families with registration and the transition to kindergarten. For more information in other languages, visit FCPS’ Kindergarten Registration webpage.
Registering your child early helps us plan to have the teachers and resources needed on the first day of school. After the appointment at the school (the student and one caregiver must be present), the student will be ready for orientation, Bridge to Kindergarten, or any other introductory events each school may host. Mantua will host the 2024 Kindergarten Orientation Night on April 18th, from 5-6 PM (More details to come).
6th Grade Families - Mark Your Calendars!
The Mantua 6th Grade Promotion has a finalized date—it's June 11th! This year, Mantua will once again use the Woodson Auditorium as our Promotion venue. Many details remain to be worked out, but please confidently mark your calendars for June 11th, likely with a starting time of 10:30 AM.
Are you a rising 7th grader who will attend Luther Jackson in the fall?
How to Survive Middle School 2024
This is your chance to get this middle school thing figured out early! Come and meet students from other elementary schools who will come together here at Jackson as 7th graders, learn your way around the building, get to know some fantastic Jackson teachers, and have a great time! Registered students will be given access to a wealth of information about LJMS as well as get a chance to explore the building when they come for this 2-day session. Transportation, lunch, and a new Luther Jackson t-shirt are included!
Dates: July 31-Aug 1
Times: 9:00 a.m.— 1:00 p.m.
Location: LJMS
Eligibility: rising 7th graders
Cost: $40
REGISTRATION LINK
Seeking Student Monitors for Mantua
Hourly 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Monday-Friday, $16.36 per Hour
Description
Provides supervision of students throughout the school day, including but not limited to the classroom, hallways, lunch, recess, specials, and at arrival/dismissal; helps maintain order and discipline and assists in managing the behavior of students; operates technology; performs administrative and non-instructional duties; ensures all layered prevention/safety protocols and procedures are implemented and followed; works with individual and small groups of students.
Qualifications
Any combination of education and experience is equivalent to graduation from high school. Must be comfortable managing student behaviors in large and small groups, ensuring all layered prevention/safety protocols and procedures are implemented and followed, and have general familiarity/skills with basic office technology in support of teachers, students, and the classroom.
Please pass this information along to anyone you may know. Interested applicants should contact Mr. Rich Deixler at radeixler@fcps.edu.
Lexia Parent Night: How We Help Your Child Learn to Read
FCPS funds the use of Lexia for all elementary and middle schools as part of their literacy instruction. Lexia is a computer-based program that supplements classroom instruction to help students develop literacy skills. It also provides teachers with data to identify students who need additional support and the ability to know which specific concepts and skills to prioritize. Attend a virtual information night on Tuesday, April 9, to learn more about Lexia and how FCPS is integrating it into the classroom to support student growth. Participants will also get tips for supporting their students at home. Integrating Lexia into the literacy curriculum aligns with the Virginia Literacy Act, FCPS’ Equitable Access to Literacy, and FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 3, which aims to have all students reading on level by the end of third grade.
Safe, Supported, and Included — the FCPS Family Summit 2024
The FCPS Family Summit will take place on Saturday, April 20, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Marshall High School. The conference will cover topics that are helpful for all families, such as social-emotional resources, along with a specially curated online component to provide supports for students with disabilities and their families.
Some of the topics include raising resilient, independent children; forming meaningful connections with children; addressing big emotions; and the dangers of opioids and fentanyl. The conference is being planned by several FCPS offices in collaboration with the Fairfax Alliance of Black School Educators, Black Women’s Educational Alliance - DC Chapter, Hispanic Educators Association, and Asian Educators Association.
This year’s theme is Safe, Supported, and Included, which aligns with Goal 2 of the FCPS Strategic Plan. More details will be available after spring break.
Community Forums on Middle School Start Times
Fairfax County Public Schools is exploring options for adjusting middle school start times and invites the public to be part of the process. Prismatic Services, Inc., an educational consulting firm, will lead the forums. All forums will deliver the same presentation and provide the same feedback opportunities. Please attend the event that works best for your schedule:
-
Monday, April 29, 6-8 p.m., at Glasgow Middle School.
-
Monday, May 6, 6-8 p.m., at Whitman Middle School.
-
Monday, May 20, 6-8 p.m., at Hughes Middle School.
-
Wednesday, May 22, 6-8 p.m., at Frost Middle School.
Registration is not required but does help with planning. Click one of the dates above to register. Language interpretation and childcare will be provided. Learn more about the project exploring middle school start times.
Our Schools, Our Future: Community Conversations
Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for Our Schools, Our Future – A Community Conversation. Your voice matters! Share your thoughts about FCPS and bring your questions to a conversation on:
- Tuesday, April 16, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Graham Road Elementary School.
- Tuesday, April 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at South County Middle School.
- Thursday, May 2, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Terraset Elementary School.
- Wednesday, May 8, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Hybla Valley Elementary School.
- Thursday, May 16, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Poe Middle School.
- Tuesday, May 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Katherine Johnson Middle School.
Pre-registration for a Community Conversation is not required but will help FCPS plan. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided for all events based on staff availability. Events are open to all. Learn about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.
Quick Contacts & Links
Linda Shannon, Principal lcshannon@fcps.edu
Rich Deixler, Assistant Principal radeixler@fcps.edu
Colleen Vaughan, Assistant Principal CAVaughan@fcps.edu
Ann Marie Del Valle, Administrative Assistant, adelvalle@fcps.edu
Mergie Kakouris, Student Information Assistant, mbkakouris@fcps.edu
Fadwa Finaish, Office Assistant, ffinaish@fcps.edu
Susan Palomino, Finance Office Assistant slpalomino@fcps.edu
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