Family Newsletter April 5, 2024

🏅Congratulations Ms. Marciello!

Ms. Marciello is the Outstanding New Teacher for all of Region 3! She was first awarded Outstanding New Teacher at Cameron, and then went on to be recognized at the region level. This is Ms. Marciello's first year teaching, and she is positively adored by her students. 

Ms. Weber recalls a heartwarming interaction she saw that is a testament to Ms. Marciello's outstanding-ness. "Once at dismissal, two students were heading quickly for the door as they were eager to get their weekend started. One student started to turn down another hallway, and their friend said something like 'Where are you going? Let's go!' The student replied, 'I made a promise! I made a promise to my teacher that I would say goodbye to her today!' and then the student headed to Ms. Marciello's room for a hug and a quick chat. To me, this shows the special connection Ms. Marciello shares with her students." 

50 States Challenge

On Friday before Spring Break, students who participated in the 50 States Challenge got to tape Mr. Johnson to the wall! We had 52 students participate in total, and 22 who labeled all 50 states on the map correctly or with fewer than 5 errors. Families, can you do that?! We are inspired by our Cheetahs who demonstrated P.R.I.D.E. by taking on this challenge!

☀️Solar Eclipse🌑

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. <--There is actually so much good information on this website! Watch videos about why and how the eclipse happens!

Order the Yearbook!

It's time to order the 2023-2024 Cameron Yearbook! Order by April 15 to get the $10 early bird price. Orders will be accepted until May 1. You can order two ways: 

• Order online at www.barksdalephoto.com . Go to "What are you looking for?" then click "Order Your Yearbook" and enter the Access Code 0036633YB. 
• Return payment with your completed order form. Forms were sent home with students earlier this week. 

📋Registration is Open!

Online registration for the 2024-2025 school year is open! Both new and re-enrolling families can use the Online Registration System (OLS) to register students entering Kindergarten through 12th grade for the upcoming academic year. 

Please share the website with anyone you know who may be enrolling in an FCPS school next year! www.fcps.edu/online-registration

Rising 7^th Grade Families, Mark Twain Middle School PTA Needs You!  

We need to fill several officer positions for the next school year, 2024-2025.  The MTMS PTA Nominating Committee is now accepting applications.  The officer positions include President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary.  Applications are also being taken for the Membership/Volunteer Coordinator, who serves as a non-elected board position,  These officers make up the executive board and conduct the business of running the PTA.  Applicants can fill out the application form here.  Join a great team and work together to support the MTMS Staff and Students!  Please contact Corea Smith at cbergens@yahoo.com with any questions or for a description of PTA officer duties.  A slate of officers will be announced on April 17th at the next MTMS PTA Meeting, so get your applications in soon.

Matthew Mough

Principal, Mark Twain Middle School

🎟Register Today for the Science, Technology, and Arts Magnet School Lottery

Three FCPS elementary magnet schools — Hunters Woods, Bailey’s Primary, and Bailey’s Upper — provide enhanced learning programs in science, technology, and performing arts. Registration for the 2024-25 elementary magnet lottery is open through Friday, April 12. Learn more about the schools, their programs, and locations.

📖 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. 

🧮️Mathspace Mastery: Elevate Independent Learning and SOL Prep

Join us to see how Mathspace fosters independent learning at every grade level! This informative session will highlight how your student can use Mathspace to independently tackle math challenges, perfectly aligned with their grade-level course. We will demonstrate how to use this tool to prepare for the Math SOL assessment. Don't miss this chance to boost your students' self-driven learning adventure!

Additionally, a new SOL task template will be auto-assigned, this year, to students for optional practice/study.

• Presenter: Rhonda Davis, Mathspace, Head of Customer Success, North America and Jonathan Templin, Mathspace, Head of Sales, North America.
• Date: April 16, 2024 Add to Your Calendar
• Time: 10-11:30 a.m.
• Format: Virtual

Register for this event

Register Today for the FCPS Family Summit

Registration is open for the FCPS Family Summit, which 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 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 theme — Safe, Supported, and Included — aligns with Goal 2 of FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan.

⏰ 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.

🏫 Advertised Budget Focuses on Schools and Instruction Investing in excellence means putting our dollars where it matters most — schools and instruction. Nearly 93% of FCPS full-time staff work directly in our schools. And nearly 86% of FCPS’ Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Advertised Budget is dedicated to instructional programs across all grade levels, including special education.  Only 5% of the advertised budget is for general support and central administration. Central office administrators represent only 0.8% of total full-time positions. For more details on FCPS’ advertised budget, view budget documents, including the FY 2025 Budget Book.  Check out the Budget Calendar for important dates in the budget process as well as opportunities for the community to provide feedback.

🗳️ Nominations Open for the Bussey Memorial Equity Award

The Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee (MSAOC) sponsors the Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award to honor the legacy of Dr. Bussey, a founding member of the MSAOC and a longtime advocate for students and families. Read more about Dr. Bussey. 

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.  The winner will be recognized at the FCPS Equity Symposium on Tuesday, June 18.

Full details and the nomination information form are available on the Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award webpage.

👗 Prom Dress Shop Opens With Hundreds of Dresses

The annual Prom Dress Shop opens for the season on Friday, April 5, at Centreville High School. Any area student — not just those from Fairfax County Public Schools — who do not have the funds to purchase a prom dress may choose from hundreds of new dresses donated by Macy’s. Learn more and see shop hours.

Month of the Military Child April is the Month of the Military Child! Every year we take the opportunity to recognize military-connected youth for their service and contribution to our community. Fairfax County Public Schools is proud to have over 14,000 military-connected youth as a part of our student body. We appreciate the varied life experiences they bring to our school community, and recognize their strength and resilience. Learn more about Month of the Military Child and FCPS’ resources for military families.

National Arab American Heritage Month FCPS is proud to celebrate National Arab American Heritage Month in April. This special month provides an opportunity to recognize the history and valuable contributions of Arab Americans. Arab Americans have ancestry in one of the world’s 22 Arab nations, which are located from northern Africa through western Asia. The people of these nations are ethnically, politically, and religiously diverse but share a common cultural and linguistic heritage. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.

Muslim American Heritage Month Muslim American Heritage Month is a time for celebrating the history, contributions, culture, and an enhanced understanding of the diverse population of Muslim Americans. View the Fairfax County School Board resolution honoring Muslim American Heritage Month.

School Library Month In FCPS libraries, students develop knowledge and skills, experience a sense of belonging, find inspiration and support, and have the ability to freely pursue their personal interests and academic growth. Watch this video to learn how FCPS librarians make a difference.

A special shoutout goes to our amazing librarian, Mrs. Migs! In her time at Cameron, she redesigned the library, raised lots of money for the school through the Scholastic Book Fair, hosted events like Read Across America Month and Summer Reading Challenges, transformed the KMRN Morning News show, was voted as Outstanding Teacher this year, and made the library a warm, welcoming place to be. We 💜 you Mrs. Migs! Next week is National Library Week! April is School Library Month and it's a great time to celebrate the essential role that school librarians play in the lives of students. School librarians ensure students have access to a wide variety of high-quality books and resources that connect them to the world and build a culture of literacy. Librarians develop lessons that are meaningful to students and help them develop critical thinking, inquiry, and information literacy skills. They support learning across all subject areas by teaching students the skills to be independent problem-solvers and creative thinkers. By creating a safe environment for all students to be engaged and curious learners, FCPS libraries are places where everyone belongs. Take a moment to learn more about FCPS Library Programs and share your appreciation of your school librarian!

Autism Acceptance Month April is Autism Acceptance Month. One in 44 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder in the United States, according to the CDC. Our schools and staff play a vital role in creating and ensuring inclusive environments that accommodate and affirm autistic students.

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 take this time to celebrate Ms. Snyder! Ms. Snyder always has a smile on her face, brings the fun and enthusiasm to all events, helps bring amazing teachers and staff to Cameron, was voted as Outstanding Administrator this year, and is a champion for all students. Our school couldn't function without her! We 💖you, Ms. Snyder!

No School April 10 Eid al-Fitr (Half-O Day, Holiday) In Islam, Eid-al-Fitr is a three day festival to mark the end of Ramadan. Muslims dress in new clothes, give charity, and pray in congregation. Eid is celebrated with the exchange of presents and delicious food with family and friends. Read more at Britannica.com. Tuesday, April 9, has been designated as a half-O day. Half-O days are full school days, but important events will not be held after school on those days. Wednesday, April 10, is an FCPS holiday and all schools and offices will be closed. See the complete School Year Calendar.

Important Dates April 5: Chuck E. Cheese Night April 8: Grades K-2 Spring Fling Dance April 10: No School, Eid al Fitr April 17: PTA Meeting, 7pm April 19: Family Movie Night, 6pm April 20: Earth Day Cleanup, 9am-1:30pm

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