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For a translated version of this newsletter, please click HERE. Next click on the language icon in the upper left corner to choose your preferred language.
Para obtener una versión traducida de este mensaje, haga clic AQUI. Luego, haga clic en el icono IDIOMA en la esquina superior izquierda para elegir su idioma preferido.
Dogwood Town Hall
Dogwood TSI Town Hall April 11, 2024 at 6 pm
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) recently released the schools that have been identified as being in need of support, based on Virginia’s federal accountability system under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Dogwood Elementary School is on this list.
These designations are based on a complex set of factors. Our school was identified as being in need of support in Reading for Students with Disabilities and chronic absenteeism. I would like to invite you to a community meeting to explain more about what this designation means, how we have been addressing these gaps, and what additional efforts will be put into place to support students.
Please join us on April 11, 2024 from 6 pm. - 7 pm. in the school’s cafeteria.
FCPS has a strong strategic plan that focuses resources and support to ensure that each and every student develops foundational academic skills, curiosity, and a joy for learning necessary for success in pre-K through 12th grade.
Working together, we can ensure that each and every student at Dogwood Elementary School is prepared for a future yet to be imagined. I hope to see you on April 11.
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Teacher Appreciation Week
Teacher appreciation week is coming on May 6th-10th. Do you want to help show the amazing Dogwood teachers some appreciation? We will hold a parent planning meeting next Thursday, April 18th at 4pm in the library. Please come if you would like to help plan this week of appreciation for teachers. We hope to see you there!
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Class Input 2024-25
As we move into the last months of school, it is time to begin preparing to plan for the 2024-25 school year. If you feel that there is pertinent information to support your child’s success for the upcoming school year, please complete this optional Parent Input Form by Friday, May 10th. Please remember that we do not take requests for specific teachers as we base our decisions on individual student strengths and instructional needs. This valuable information will also be shared with next year’s teacher.
Dogwood Class Placement Input Form (English)
Dogwood Class Placement Input Form (Spanish)
🙋 How Schools Are Prioritizing Student Attendance
Watch this video to learn about the collaborative efforts between schools, families, and the community to support every student’s success. Discover how our schools are connecting families with essential resources such as childcare, medical services, and transportation.
Through personalized communication, we’re prioritizing student attendance. Making sure every student feels safe, supported, included, and empowered is Goal 2 of FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan.
Action April
At the heart of being an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School is agency and empowering our students to take action. Throughout the month of April, we will engage in Action April in which our students will be presented with different ways to take action every day. Our students will also reflect and share ways that they took action and how it made them feel.
Please ask your child, “How did you take action today? How did it make you feel?”
🖍️ It’s Kindergarten Registration Time!
Attending kindergarten provides children with an opportunity to learn and practice the essential social, emotional, problem-solving, and self-regulation skills they will use throughout their lives. Our school typically conducts kindergarten registration events, including orientation, in the spring on May 2nd 4:30-6:00 pm. Eligible children can also be registered throughout the summer, but registering your child early helps us plan, so that we have the teachers and resources needed on the first day of school.
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.
SOL - Standards of Learning 2024 -Grades 3-6th
As we approach the month of May, we want families to have the tentative dates for our Standards of Learning Assessments that pertain to grade 3rd-6th. If any changes are made to the date this information will be communicated to families as soon as possible. Please do all that you can to avoid any non-emergency time off during the SOL testing dates. We are publishing the dates early so we can all plan accordingly!
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.
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 diagnosed in children, which commonly occurs together. Anxiety is 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: Monica Rogers (Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist)
District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)
If you prefer to have an abbreviated way to share district news, consider sharing the language below in your newsletter. Please edit the list of topics to best fit the needs of your community.
FCPS NewsIn case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Month of the Military Child
- Register for the FCPS Family Summit
- Teaching Real-World Math Skills
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
 April- Kindergarten Registration Month- Please register all students who will be age 5
April 11: Dogwood Town Hall 6:00pm- library
April 13: Dogwoods Bike Rodeo/ Bike Swap 10:00 am-12:00 pm
April 18: Teacher Appreciation Parent Planning 4:00 PM Dogwood Library
April 18: Dogwood Chuck E. Cheese Night- Herndon Location 3-9:00pm
May 1: Class Photos & 6th Grade Panoramic (Forms in Thursday Folders)
May 2: Kindergarten Orientation 4:30-6:00 PM
May 7: 5th & 6th Grade Reading SOL Assessment
May 9: 3rd & 4th Grade Reading SOL Assessment
May 10: Class Placement Input Form Due Date
May 14: 6th & 7th Grade Math SOL Assessment
May 16: 4th & 5th Grade Math SOL Assessment
May 21: 3rd Grade Math SOL Assessment
May 22: 5th Grade Science SOL Assessment
May 19: Dogwood Color Run (More information to follow)
May 27: Memorial Day, Holiday (FCPS Schools Closed)
May 30: Dogwood Staff vs. Student Basketball Game (More information to follow)
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