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To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.
Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.
Để đọc bản tin này bằng các ngôn ngữ khác, vui lòng truy cập trang webcủa chúng tôi.
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Friday, April 12-Saturday April 13- Solo & Ensemble Festival
Tuesday, April 16- Kindergarten Registration Night, 4:30-7:30PM, Main Office
Wednesday, April 17- 4th Grade Strings Extravaganza, South County Middle School
FCPS Purple Up! Day – wear purple!
Monday, April 22- 4th Grade Earth Day Concert
Friday, April 26- Grade 3-6 SOL Pep Rally
Friday, April 26-Saturday, April 27- All County Choral Festival, Hayfield Secondary School
Tuesday, April 30- PTA Meeting, 7PM, Cafeteria
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 Well done to our third-grade students! Their recorder concert was an outstanding success.
 Exciting news from our nesting boxes! This is our fourth year with the boxes, and we have a great start to the season. In Box 1, a bluebird nest is underway, and in Box 2, we're thrilled to see chickadees returning for the first time since 2021. It's wonderful to have both of these beautiful birds gracing our boxes with their presence again this year!
Final Evening Kindergarten Registration Event
 To accommodate the busy lives of our Newington Forest families, we welcome you to bring your registration documents to our final evening registration event on Tuesday, April 16, 4:30pm-7:30pm. Please spread the word that registration is underway as we are excited to meet our newest Knights. Please consider registering ASAP as our staffing allocation reflects the number of registered students. Registration information for kindergarten and new students can be found on our website. Appointment slots for the evening event and other dates can be found here. You may also contact our student registrar, Patty Helms, at (703)923-2600 or Phelms@fcps.edu if you have additional questions.
Boosterthon kicks off on Tuesday, April 16.
 It’s that time! Our families can start sharing about and donating to our NFE Knights Color Run - starting TODAY! Our goal is to raise $10,000 for fencing around our outdoor playground. Are you ready to help our school?
Here are 3 things we can do to help support our school through this fundraiser:
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Register on mybooster.com tonight. It’s so easy!
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Share about our fundraiser with your family and friends using the SHARE BUTTON on mybooster.com.
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Give a donation if you are able to (all students will fully participate regardless of financial participation).
⭐️Click Here to log on TODAY! ⭐️
Thanks again for your support!
 In 2011, the University of New Hampshire 4-H started the “Purple Up! For Military Kids” initiative and is now celebrated nation-wide. Purple was chosen to symbolize all branches of the military, it is a combination of Army green, Marine Corps crimson, and Coast Guard, Air Force, Space Force and Navy blue.
Let’s show our support of Newington Forest military students by wearing purple on Wednesday, April 17th! #PurpleUpFCPS
Our lost and found is overflowing with student items. Are your children missing a coat, lunch kit, or water bottle? If your child is missing an item, please have them take a look at the lost and found. All items not claimed by Friday, April 26 will be donated to our B'thrifty bin.
Get2Green Earth Week 2024
Students and Staff are invited to wear the color matching each day’s theme to show your Earth Week spirit!
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Monday, April 22 – Earth Day - wear green
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Tuesday, April 23 – Watershed Day - wear blue
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Wednesday, April 24 – Zero Waste Day - wear white
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Thursday, April 25 – Climate Change Day - wear red
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Friday, April 26- Wildlife Day - wear nature print
Mental Health in Childhood
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with children’s physical and mental health. Mental health disorders such as ADHD and anxiety are the most commonly diagnosed in children, which commonly occurs together. Anxiety are feelings of worry, apprehension or dread that something bad is going to happen. Children diagnosed with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors, or be overly active. Early diagnosis and appropriate services for children and their families can make a difference in the lives of children with mental health disorders.
Anxiety related triggers are lonely and frightening emotional responses related to situations, persons, places or objects. Today’s sources of stress for our students include: increased coursework and graduation requirements, extracurricular activities, household responsibilities, and social media. Social media has been a great way to increase connection and communication, but for our young people it contributes to shorter attention spans and information overload. Signs of anxiety include appearing worried, irritable or nervous, restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, along with physical symptoms such as sleeping problems, headaches, and stomach aches. It is understandable for a parent to be worried because figuring out what to do is hard. Here are five simple ways to respond to teens with anxiety:
- Recognize warning signs.
- Guide your child to take a few deep breaths to slow things down.
- Make sure your child understands you are available if they need to talk.
- Acknowledge your child’s feelings and avoid downplaying situations or issues.
- Help them come up with ways to deal with the situation next time.
For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: 571.423.4270.
Sources & Resources
The Anxiety Toolkit for Teens
Talk, They Hear You
Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences
For Further Information & Support:
Catric W. Marshall, MS., LPC., CCC
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
cwhaleymarsh@fcps.edu
Kids Fitness
Research shows children copy the behavior of adults in their life. If parents are physically active, the children will be active too. Exercise burns calories, which assist in maintaining ideal weight.
Fit adults and children exercise 60 minutes
per day.
KEEP MOVING TO STAY IN SHAPE TIPS
- Plan daily family activities and make exercise fun.
- Limit screen time to 1 to 2 hours per day.
- Encourage play outside with other children.
- Assign chores that involve activity such as cleaning or walking the dog.
- Help your children find physical activities they enjoy.
Remember, making a healthy change takes time and don’t expect perfection.
 Give Your Feedback on the Budget
We are now in the middle of the annual budget process, which includes opportunities for you to give feedback:
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Tuesday, April 16, through Thursday, April 18: The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors conducts public hearings on the county budget. Sign up to speak.
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Tuesday, May 7: The County Board of Supervisors adopts its budget, tax rates, and transfer amount to FCPS.
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Tuesday, May 14: The School Board holds a public hearing on the FCPS budget.
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Thursday, May 23: The School Board adopts FCPS’ approved budget.
Learn more about the FCPS FY 2025 Advertised Budget and see the full Budget Development Calendar.
 Family Summit Designed to Enhance Safety, Security, and Inclusion
The FCPS Family Summit will take place on Saturday, April 20, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., at Marshall High School. The conference will cover topics that are helpful for all families such as raising resilient, independent children; forming meaningful connections with children; addressing big emotions; and the dangers of opioids and fentanyl. Participants may also join online sessions, which will provide supports for students with disabilities and their families.
Visit the Family Summit webpage to learn about the guest speakers and to register for the event. The theme — Safe, Supported, and Included — aligns with Goal 2 of FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan.
Immigrant Family Reunification Class
A class will be held online in Spanish for immigrant families looking to reunite during challenging transitions. Saturday classes will be available April 13, 20, or 27, from 9-11:30 a.m. Register online. For more information, please contact Andrea Howard at ahoward@fcps.edu or Sussy Tomer at setomer@fcps.edu.
Postsecondary Education and Employment Options
FCPS’ Career and Transition Services will host Flash Forward, to provide students with disabilities seeking a standard or advanced diploma and their families an introduction to options available after high school.
Flash Forward will be held Thursday, April 25, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Annandale High School, in the cafeteria. Register online. Representatives from adult education, employment, and community programs (college, military, apprenticeship, trade school, gap year, and employment) will be on site to share information about their services.
FCPS Cares 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 our Newington Forest staff members. |
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FCPS NewsIn case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- School Health Services Satisfaction Survey
- Webinars and Events for Families
- FCPS Is One of the Best Communities for Music Education
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
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