Falcon Flyer: April 4th, 2024

April 4th, 2024


Flint Hill Updates

Good Afternoon Flint Hill Families,

It was a joy to see all our students return to FHES after an extended and restful spring break! FHES was a busy place on Tuesday afternoon as we hosted our kindergarten orientation to welcome our newest Falcons.

On Monday, April 8th, a partial eclipse will occur in the afternoon. Mrs. Chang, the outdoor learning teacher at FHES, has been taking time to meet with students and classes to teach about this solar event and safe viewing methods. While we will not have a whole school event, Mrs. Chang will be available on the FHES blacktop/basketball court from 2:20-3:20 pm for any families who would like to check their students out for the afternoon to indirectly view the event with pinhole/shadow viewers. More information about the eclipse and safe viewing practices can be found below. Please take time before Monday to speak with your students about the importance of not directly looking at the eclipse without proper protection or viewing devices.

We need your help! To prepare for a busy season of outdoor learning, please join us for a courtyard clean-up on Saturday, April 6th from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. See the information below about how you can participate. The first 30 volunteers will receive a special FHES cup!

Heritage and Traditions Night will take place on Wednesday, April 17th! Thank you to all the students and families that have registered to share food, language, art, culture, music and more. We hope that even more students and families will join the event from 4:45 - 7:00 pm to enjoy the experience.

Congratulations to all of our students who participated in the Read-a-Thon! Thousands of minutes were read by students we are proud of the achievements and effort shown by our growing readers. A few avid readers will soon have a chance to slime the principal! Bring on the slime!

Kindly,

Mr. Montaquila, Principal

Mr. Baker, Assistant Principal


Month of the Military Child

Join our community and turn FCPS purple on Purple Up! Day, Wednesday, April 17. Wear purple in recognition of FCPS’ 14,000 enrolled military-connected students. 

FHES Purple Up!

New Student Registration

Kindergarten Registration

There’s an easy five-step process outlined for parents looking to register their child for kindergarten and other grades:

  1. Determine eligibility. 
  2. Identify your local school. 
  3. Gather documents. 
  4. Fill out forms. 
  5. Schedule an appointment.

After the appointment at the school (the student and one caregiver must be present), the student will be ready for the upcoming school year. Read more about the registration process.

Begin your Kindergarten and New Student Registration today!

If you have any questions, please contact our Student Information Assistant (SIA), Shirley Eason, or call the main office at 703-242-6100.


FHES PTA READ-A-THON Results!

FHES

On behalf of the FHES PTA, a huge thank you for your support of the 2024 FHES PTA Read-A-Thon. 

297,479 minutes were read and funds raised will go directly to supporting FHES PTA programs and initiatives that cultivate and foster the FHES learning community for both students and the teaching team alike. 

  • Mr. Bechtle's class had the most minutes read in the school at 34,146 minutes. Ms. Burch and Ms. Shaffer came in next with 27,930 and 26,802 minutes read, respectively.
  • Ms. Kuykendall's class had the most funds raised in the school at $1,275, with Ms. Wolters and Ms. Shaffer coming in next at $1,205 and $960, respectively.
  • Ms. Altounian's class had the most student sign ups for the Read-a-Thon at 24 students. Ms. Burch had 23 sign ups, followed by 22 sign ups for each of Mr. Bechtle, Ms. Radin, and Ms. Kuykendall's classrooms.
  • Congratulations to the 5th Grade Team for the most minutes read by grade-level. See below chart for the total minutes read by grade:

Grade

Minutes Read

5

               63,727

3

               58,531

6

               47,885

4

               43,560

2

               35,040

1

               33,460

K

               15,226

 


FCPS Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback Form

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On Monday, March 18, Flint Hill Elementary parents/guardians will be sent an email containing a link to complete the online FCPS Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback Form. This questionnaire is part of the VDOE-mandated Performance Evaluation Program for principals and offers parents/guardians an opportunity to provide anonymous input about various topics related to our school. These topics include how the principal demonstrates/impacts instructional leadership, school climate, management, communication and community relations, culturally responsive and equitable leadership, and professionalism within the school.

The questionnaire will be administered between March 18 and April 5. When you receive an email from FCPS Surveys, please take a few minutes to complete the questionnaire. Your feedback matters!


FHES Heritage & Traditions Night - 4/17/24 - 4:45 pm - 7:00 pm

Please join us for Heritage and Traditions Night!  Check out the link and flier below for some ideas of how to participate and feel free to add your own in the “other” category if you have something we didn’t think of.  More than one type of participation per family is welcome. Please reach out to jradin@fcps.edu or kmwolters@fcps.edu with any questions.

You can sign up to share in your own way here!

FHES Heritage and Traditions Night

Courtyard & Garden Clean Up Volunteers Needed - 4/6/24

FHES Courtyard

Come help prepare our courtyard and garden for spring outdoor learning! Get to know the courtyard plants and animals!

When: Saturday, April 6- 9 am - 12 pm (rain date April 13)

  • Come with the whole family! Refreshments provided.
  • Bring tools & gloves if you have any.
  • Meet in the FHES courtyard (door #2).

The first 30 volunteers will receive a FHES cup!

Contact Beth Chang with questions: bbchang@fcps.edu


The Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award

Pictures of students arranged in a half circle around the FCPS logo - budget

Nominations are open for the 2024 Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award.  The Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee (MSAOC) sponsors this award to honor the legacy of Dr. Bussey, a founding member of the MSAOC and a longtime advocate for students and families.  

This award recognizes staff or community members who have demonstrated significant and impactful efforts to improve the educational experiences and outcomes of students from groups who are marginalized or underserved.

Any FCPS employee, student, or community member can nominate an individual or group for the award. All nomination materials must be submitted by Wednesday, May 1, 2024.  The winner will be recognized at the FCPS Equity Symposium.

Full details and the nomination information form can be found at the Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award website


Safely View the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8 

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A solar eclipse is happening on April 8, 2024. It's a rare and exciting astronomical phenomenon, and one that requires important safety reminders. Looking directly at the sun, even during an eclipse, can permanently damage your eyes. 

Here's what you need to know:

  • Don't look at the sun without approved eyewear. This applies to students and staff, and we encourage you to reinforce this at home.
  • Regular sunglasses are not good enough. The NASA website has more information about eye safety.  
  • Eclipse timing: The eclipse starts around 2:04 p.m., peaks at 3:20 p.m. (which coincides with dismissal for some students), and ends around 4:32 p.m. Please remind your child to be especially vigilant about eye safety during dismissal. If you have concerns about your child walking or riding the bus home, please arrange for alternative transportation.

For more details, visit the FCPS Solar Eclipse webpage.


Attendance: Students Are Learning Every Day

Attendance2

As you plan upcoming trips and other family events, please remember the importance of sending your child to school every day. Review the FCPS School Year Calendar and try to plan any time away during long breaks from school. 

Children who show up for school regularly develop fundamental reading and math skills while building a habit of good attendance that will carry them into college and careers. Research shows that children who were chronically absent (missing 18 days or more) in kindergarten and first grade were far less likely to read proficiently at the end of third grade.

What is an unexcused absence?

An unexcused absence is one for which the parent or guardian does not have prior knowledge, consent, and/or legitimate reason. Examples of reasons that are not justified and will result in an unexcused absence include: family and/or student vacations, child care situations, non-school-related activities, missed school bus, ect... 

Unexcused absences cannot be exempted from automatic notifications from FCPS and FHES communications.

What is an excused absence?

An excused absence is one for which parents or guardians have prior knowledge, consent, and/or legitimate reason. Legitimate reasons may include: illness of the student, death in the family, doctor or dental appointment, observance of a religious holiday, ect...

Parents or guardians and students are encouraged to prearrange excused absences when possible.

Read more about how families can help form good attendance habits.


Learn About Science, Technology, and Arts Magnet Schools

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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.


Save the Date! Spring SOL Schedule

FHES Spring SOL Schedule

Help Wanted! PTA Volunteers

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Help Wanted!

We need some Committee Chairs. Without these chairs, these programs and events may not occur!!! If you are interested in volunteering please send an e-mail to the VP specified below. Thank you for your support! Open Committee Chairs include the following:

PTA Display Case: Seeking a committee chair to coordinate the PTA display case decoration in the FHES lobby on a monthly or bi-monthly basis. No need to be an artist, can recruit them! (Matt, membership@fhespta.org)

Art Room Volunteers:

Seeking volunteers to help change picture frame art and keep our students' art fresh and on display. Time commitment can be flexible.

Contact: Ms. Sarah McAlister, FHES Art teacher: sdmcalister@fcps.edu 


Calendar Reminders!

 

  • April 6th - Courtyard Clean-up - 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
  • April 10th - Holiday/School Closed - Eid al Fitr
  • April 17th - Purple-Up Day and Heritage and Traditions Nights
  • May 3rd - Teacher Workday/Student Holiday

How to Receive FCPS Messages in Other Languages

You may wish to read FCPS messages in a language other than English. There are several ways you can receive or view our communications in a different language.

FCPS This Week is distributed in other languages to parents/guardians who have filled out the Home Language Survey form and selected a language supported by FCPS as their preferred language for communication. Home Language Survey forms are available in the following languages: Amharic | Arabic (العربية) | Chinese (中文) | Farsi (فارسی) | Korean (한국어) | Spanish (español) | Urdu (اردو) | Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt).

Learn more about other communications that are translated. 


Paperless Opt-Outs Available!

As a part of our ongoing efforts to streamline paper processes, parents can now select a number of opt-out’s electronically via ParentVUE.  Once you have signed into your ParentVUE account, simply select the “Student Info” tab and click on “Edit Information.” You will find opt-out’s listed there.  Parents that do not yet have a ParentVUE account will still be able to use paper forms for notification. If you need to set up your ParentVUE account, you can create one online via the FCPS ParentVUE Registration page.