Franconia ES Wednesday Word - 4/24/24

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 ngôn ngữ khác, xin quý vị truy cập vào trang mạng của chúng tôi.

اس نیوزلیٹر کو دوسری زبانوں میں پڑھنے کیلئے ، براہ مہربانی ہماری ویب سائیٹ ملاحظہ کیجیئے۔


 

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

  • April 26 - Kindergarten Orientation, 5:30-6:30pm
  • April 26 - FES PTA Movie Night in gym, 6:00-8:00pm
  • April 26 - Donuts with Dandelions for military families, 8:30am in the cafeteria

 


Beauty

 

Attention ALL MUSICAL FANS!!

The Penguin Performers are excited to present their third musical,

Beauty and the Beast, Jr.

 

PURCHASE TICKETS THROUGH MYSCHOOLBUCKS:

CLICK HERE

 

All proceeds go toward future musical purchases, props and more!

 

When: May 1 and May 2 at 6:30pm

Where: Franconia Gym

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  

ALSO, our kindergarten and 1st grade musicals are coming up later in May.  The students are very excited to perform Go Fish! for their families.

 

Kindergarten performance

May 22

11:10 – 12:10

Franconia Gym

First grade performance

May 23

9:10 – 10:10

Franconia Gym

 

Stay tuned for volunteer information coming soon!

Go Fish

 

The Franconia Penguin Talent Show

Franconia Elementary is proud to present the 2024 Penguin Talent Show.  If you are interested in auditioning for a spot in the show, you and a parent will need to read and agree to the guidelines on the audition form.

 

Audition Form

 

Fill out the form and return to Mrs. Yortzidis by April 26.

 

Filling out the form does not mean that your child will be in the talent show.  All students will audition and those that are selected will be notified.

School Auditions will be held on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, during the school day.  Your child will audition during their specials time on that day.

We are looking for the BEST talent.  ARE YOU THE NEXT TOP TALENT?

 


 

Field Day Spirit Wear is Here

SW

 

Get ready for a Field Day full of Penguin Pride with Field Day Spirit Wear!

CLICK HERE to purchase!

DEADLINE for ordering is APRIL 26

Please note there are separate listings for child and adult sizes.

Orders are online-only and will be delivered to the school for distribution in early May.

 


 

PURPLE UP FRANCONIA!

purple

 

Don't forget that this week is our spirit week for the Month of the Military Child. 

Additionally, be on the lookout for information inviting military-connected parents to help us recognize their students on April 26th, at 8:30am in the cafeteria.

We will provide light refreshments and donuts for our "Donuts with Dandelions" celebration to wrap up the Month of the Military Child.  You should find an invitation to this in your child's Wednesday folder.

 


 

A Note from PE

We are continuing with our dribbling with feet unit. For your students safety, please send them to school wearing sneakers or another type of athletic shoe. Please refrain from wearing crocs, slides, boots, and other footwear that would be unsafe. Thank you.

From your Franconia PE Team

 


 

Congratulations to Band Students

On Saturday, April 13, at Poe Middle School in Annandale, 3 Franconia band students performed at the Virginia Band and Orchestra Director’s Association Solo & Ensemble Festival.

We are pleased to report that ALL students received SUPERIOR ratings, the best that you can get! 

Those students are:

  • Kayla Boyer, Flute
  • Caroline Coltrin, Trombone
  • Phoebe Weinberg, Clarinet

We are all extremely proud of you for your hard work and attention to detail.  It really paid off and you represent Franconia as extraordinary music ambassadors!

 


MM

 

Monday Munch 'Ems!

Welcome to Monday Munch ‘Ems! We are Sophia Lyon and Mira Stanish and we are 8th grade students at Mark Twain Middle School and Franconia Elementary Alumni.

During the month of April, on the Monday morning news, we will be sharing healthy, nutritious and super affordable snacks. We are Girl Scout Juliettes and this is part of our Silver Award Take Action project.

Look for more details coming home soon in Wednesday folders. Here are links to recipes we've presented so far:

 

Week 1: Penguin frozen banana snacks 

http://www.readingconfetti.com/2014/01/sledding-penguins-frozen-banana-snack.html

 

Week 2: Strawberry frozen yogurt bark

https://www.hellowonderful.co/post/easy-kid-snack-strawberry-yogurt-bark/

 

Week 3: No bake chocolate sunflower oat balls

https://selfproclaimedfoodie.com/no-bake-chocolate-sunflower-oat-balls/

 


 

Autism Awareness Month

It’s Autism Awareness Month and our very own Ms. Lucius created a website where everyone can learn about Autism Spectrum Disorder. The website features those who may have had Autism in the past based on what we know about them and also showcases musicians and performers who have been diagnosed with Autism. You can access this amazing site HERE.

 


 

Kindergarten Orientation

Do you have a child who will be 5 years of age by September 30, 2024, and do you plan on sending them to kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year?

We are in the process of preparing our kindergarten registration and orientation.  If your child is ready for kindergarten, call the school to set up a registration appointment.

 

Please consider joining us at school with your future kindergartener for our Kindergarten Orientation on Friday, April 26 from 5:30-6:30pm.

 

During this presentation, we will provide information about the kindergarten program at Franconia Elementary; while the future kindergarteners get to explore the classroom and participate in fun kindergarten activities. 

❤ Kindergarten Team

 


 

Counselor Corner 

Character Trait of the Month

The character trait for April is Responsibility - to do what’s expected in behavior and actions.

In March, we highlighted the character trait of Patience- to wait calmly without complaining. 

Here’s the student video for student’s who showed Patience last month:

 

https://youtu.be/70mhCOjdy40

 

We are so proud of our Patience award recipients!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SEL Screener Results

Students in grades 3-12 took the SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) Screener during the month of March, providing updated information on their SEL skills like achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships, and making responsible decisions.

The screener also asks students how well their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.

In late April, individual student SEL Screener results will be available to families in the Documents section of SIS ParentVUE.  For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent via postal mail.

For more information about the screener please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.  For support in understanding your individual student’s results or for ideas on how to support them at home, please review the Family Guide or contact your student’s school.

  


 

Kindergarten Registration Is Now Open For SY 24-25

We look forward to welcoming our newest Penguins to Franconia Elementary for the 2024-25 School Year. Registration packets are available in the Franconia ES Main Office, or you may download the forms using the links below.

The registration requirements are as follows:

For incoming Kindergarten students – please visit https://www.fcps.edu/registration/kindergarten-registration

It is important that you have filled out all the paperwork, and bring with you the following:

  1. Photo ID
  2. Original Birth Certificate
  3. Proof of Residency (Deed or Lease to your home)
  4. Virginia Physical and Immunization Record (due prior to school starting in August)

When you are ready, and have gathered most of your documentation, please contact me to set up your registration appointment. All registrations are done by appointment only.

I look forward to meeting with you!  Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

 

Patrick Pacak, Registrar/SIA

Franconia Elementary School

 

PHONE 703-822-2200     FAX 703-822-2297     EMAIL pmpacak@fcps.edu

 


jobs

 

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Do you have strong student engagement skills? Attend our instructional job fair on Saturday, April 27, 9 a.m.-noon, at Sandburg Middle School. Registration is required and must be completed by Thursday, April 25

Take advantage of networking and interviewing opportunities with representatives from various FCPS schools. Employment offers may be extended on site. During a recent job fair, more than 150 offers were extended to qualified candidates! You could be next!

🚍 Shift Gears Into a New Career at the FCPS Bus Driver Job Fair

The Office of Transportation Services will be hosting bus driver job fairs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the following dates:

Driving for FCPS is a great opportunity for stay-at-home parents, retirees, college students, and career switchers to earn income with benefits. No registration is needed. Apply today! Call 571-423-3000 or email DriveForFCPS@fcps.edu with questions.

🥗 Cook Up Your Next Career at the FCPS Food and Nutrition Job Fair

Food and Nutrition Services will host job fairs on the following Wednesdays from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Office of Food and Nutrition Services: April 17, May 1, and May 15. No registration is needed. For more information or general questions, call 703-813-4800 or email WorkForFNS@fcps.edu.



 

Calendar Reminders

April -

  • 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.

 

 

  • 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.

 

  • April 22, 23 - Passover and Half-O Days - Many Jewish communities in the United States celebrate Passover, a recognition of the deliverance of Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. Passover is also known as Pesah, Pesach, or the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Many Jewish families in the United States eat a ceremonial meal known as the Seder, which involves telling the story of the exodus from Egypt as well as eating various symbolic foods, such as meat of the paschal lamb and bitter herbs, recalling the harsh life of slavery. Learn more about Passover in NatGeo Kids.

 

  • April 24 - Theravada New Year (O Day) - In countries where Theravada Buddhism is the most dominant religion, New Year is celebrated for three days from the first full moon in April. Theravada means “the teachings of the elders.” Celebrations begin with people attending the local temple in the morning for chanting and meditation. In the afternoon they have a water festival in which they meet the Buddha image and pay respect to the elderly by watering their hands together. Building sandcastles is also one of the most popular activities during this day of celebration.

 

  • Wednesday, April 24, is designated as an O day for Theravada New Year. The school calendar recognizes many religious and cultural observances (O days) during the school year. There is school on these days, however tests, quizzes, field trips, graduation, homecoming, or FCPS-scheduled athletic events will not be held on these observance days.

 

See the complete School Year Calendar.

 


 

Reporting an Absence or Change to Dismissal

Please remember to notify the school office of any of the following changes that come up for your child.

Notification should be made by 9:00am on the day of the change.

  • Absence
  • Late arrival
  • Planned early pick-up or mid-day appointment (pick-up and return)
    • If your child needs to be picked up unexpectedly, please call the office (703-822-2200) in advance of your arrival.
    • This allows the office to contact your child’s teacher to prepare your child for their departure.
    • For early pick-ups between 3:00-3:15pm, please park on Kathmoor as the school buses start to arrive for dismissal at that time and the front parking lot will be off limits.  Pick-ups after 3:15 are not permitted as they are too close to dismissal time.
  • Changes in dismissal mode (https://franconiaes.fcps.edu/about/change-dismissal-form)

Below are the 3 options by which to notify the school office (choose one option):

Please do this IN ADDITION to contacting your child's teacher.  There could be times when the teacher is absent and, by also contacting the office, the information will be properly noted.

To email your child’s teacher, click HERE.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

 


 

Penguin Points

Click on a link for information