RVES Family Newsletter April 5

April 5 - Family Newsletter

Rolling Valley Families,

Another short but full week! This week we celebrated Assistant Principal Week, expressing our gratitude for Mr. Painter and his contributions to our school community. Happy National School Library Day to our amazing Ms. Reynolds, whose dedication to fostering a love for reading is truly appreciated!

In 3rd grade, students are eagerly observing the hatching process of chickens as they watch over the eggs in the incubator. Eggs should hatch right around Earth Day!

Kindergarten Orientation was a joyous occasion as we warmly welcomed our incoming Rockin' Robins, getting them excited about starting at RVES in the fall.

We're thrilled to announce a school-wide solar eclipse viewing event, made possible by one of our parents who works for NASA. Thanks to their efforts, we have secured approved eyewear for safe viewing. It's an exciting opportunity for our students to take part in the event! Please see below for additional details.

Have a fantastic weekend!

 

Veronica Del Bagno

Rolling Valley Elementary Principal


pics

Upcoming Dates 📆

April 8 - Solar Eclipse 

April 10- Student Holiday (Eid)

April 15-19 - SPIRIT WEEK - Month of the Military Child

*** Apr. 17 - Purple Up Day!***

April 20 - Special Education Olympics

April 25 - International Night

April 28 - PTA Pyramid Challenge

May 3 - Teacher Work Day ( Student Holiday)

May 27 - No School Memorial Day 

 


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.

kinder
Arab American Heritage Month graphic

Solar Eclipse Viewing

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. At Rolling Valley Elementary School, we have been fortunate enough to have a parent who works for NASA secure us enough approved eyewear so that the entire school can safely view the eclipse ONLY while wearing the eyewear. Our student body will collectively go outside at 3:20 to participate in the school-wide viewing of the eclipse. A huge thank you to the Grimm family for making this event possible by providing us with the needed eyewear!

Here are some important reminders:

  • Don't look at the sun without approved eyewear. This applies to students and staff, and we encourage you to reinforce it at home. 
  • Regular sunglasses are not good enough. We will be providing eyewear that has been approved for viewing.
  • 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. 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.

solar

PTA NEWS:

PTA NEWS:  

 

PTA GIFT CARD DRIVE:  The PTA is collecting restaurant gift cards that can be distributed to families in our RVES community to provide meals during times of need (such as a death in the family or recovery from an illness, injury, or medical procedure). Gift cards should be for nearby restaurants that offer takeout. If you would like to donate a restaurant gift card for any amount, please drop it off at the RVES office in an envelope marked “PTA Gift Card Drive”by Friday, April 26.

 

SPRING AFTER SCHOOL CLASSES: 

Register now for after school classes sponsored by the PTA!

Soccer

Grades K-3 -  MONDAYS 4:05 - 5:05  4/8 - 6/3  8 sessions $129

Basketball / Flag Football Combo

Grades K-3 -  THURSDAYS 4:05 - 5:05 4/11 - 5/30  8 sessions $129 

Click here for a flyer with more details: CLICK HERE

And here for registration information: CLICK HERE

 

PTA BOARD MEMBERS + COMMITTEE CHAIRS:  We will have several PTA positions open for the 2024-2025 school year - please contact ptarollingvalley@gmail.com if you're interested or would like to learn more! Taking on a PTA position is a great way to get more plugged into RVES, and you will have lots of support!  

 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Sunday, April 28; 2:00-4:30pm; Pyramid Challenge @ Irving Middle School: The West Springfield Pyramid Challenge is a FREE fun run that was started over a decade ago. Students from the 7 elementary schools in the West Springfield Pyramid will run a half-mile or one-mile course, depending on their grade level. This year's event will also include a unified heat with an accessible 200-meter course for students with physical and cognitive disabilities. Registration has now closed to allow us enough time to order t-shirts.  However, if you are interested in volunteering, we need more adult volunteers to be parking guides and to help with set-up, break-down and the RVES check-in table! Please sign up here: CLICK HERE

 

Also...we will be offering donuts and a variety of yummy baked goods for sale at our concessions table, AND the Kona Ice truck will also be on-site at this spring's event! 

 

Friday, May 10; 6:00-8:00pm; Games & Grub @ Rolling Valley:  Save the date! RVES families are invited to come hang out and enjoy games in the cafeteria, and delicious fare from local food trucks will also be available for sale! Note that all students must be accompanied by an adult. 

 

SEPTA NEWS:

 

SEPTA (FAIRFAX COUNTY SPECIAL EDUCATION PTA): SEPTA is a PTA organization affiliated with the state and national PTA but specifically established to address the unique needs of special education, special needs, and disabled students and families.  Please click here for more information and details about upcoming events: CLICK HERE

 

Feel free to contact the RVES PTA at ptarollingvalley@gmail.com with any questions or comments! 


RVES Spirit Week for Military-Connected Students

April 15-19, 2024

month
Month of the Military Child graphic

Purple Up! Day

To show our support for all our military-connected families, we are inviting all Fairfax County students, families, school employees, and community members to “Purple Up!” on April 17  for military children. Why purple? Purple symbolizes all branches of the military as a combination of Army green, Marine Corps red, and Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force and Space Force blue. 


RVES INTERNATIONAL NIGHT

International Night will take place on Thursday, April 25th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. We are looking for parents/students to share their home country/culture by bringing food, hosting an activity,  or by doing a presentation. Please see your Friday Folders for more Information. You can sign up for International Night Here or by turning in the form in your Friday Folders. If you have any questions please reach out to Ms. Walker at amwalker@fcps.edu and Ms.O’Carroll at ceocarroll@fcps.edu.

IN

FCPS Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback Form

On Monday, March 18, Rolling Valley 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!


Summer Camps and Learning Programs

Have you made summer plans for your child yet? Are you looking for a summer camp for your child with special needs?

The Family Resource Center has compiled information on summer camps including local options, camps for students with special needs (sorted by need), and camps for students experiencing grief or who have parents in the military. 

 

*****

WEST SPRINGFIELD WILL BE HOSTING A GIRLS BASKETBALL CAMP June 17 -21 FOR RISING 3rd THRU 9th GRADERS.  For registration  you can follow the link:

              View Girl's Basketball Camp Details (ryzer.com)

For more infor4mation you can contact Coach Gibson at:   wrgibsoin@fcps.edu


LOST & FOUND

Missing an item?

Call - 703-923-2700

lf