Principal's Note
Dear Families,
I hope this message finds you well. As we continue our journey through the academic year, it is crucial that we address an issue that directly impacts the success of our school and, most importantly, the education of our students.
I am writing to you today regarding a concerning trend that has emerged within our school community: chronic absenteeism. Currently, our school's chronic absenteeism rate stands at 18%, and I must emphasize the importance of taking proactive steps to address this issue before it escalates further.
Chronic absenteeism, defined as missing 10% or more of the school year for any reason, has significant implications for the academic progress and overall well-being of our students. Not only does it disrupt their learning process, but it also hinders our ability to provide them with the quality education they deserve.
It is essential for every student to attend school regularly to maximize their learning potential and achieve academic success. Every absence, whether excused or unexcused, represents a missed opportunity for growth and development.
I want to stress the critical role that families play in ensuring their child's regular attendance. Your support and encouragement are invaluable in fostering a culture of attendance and punctuality within our school community. Please prioritize sending your child to school every day and minimize unnecessary absences.
Furthermore, if your child has a doctor's appointment or any other unavoidable commitment that requires them to miss school, I urge you to schedule these appointments outside of school hours whenever possible. If a partial absence is unavoidable, please ensure that your child attends school for the remainder of the day to minimize the impact on their academic progress.
I must also emphasize the broader consequences of chronic absenteeism for our school. If our chronic absenteeism rate reaches 25%, it will jeopardize our full accreditation status, which could have far-reaching implications for the entire school community.
Together, we can address this challenge and create an environment where every student feels supported and motivated to attend school regularly. By working collaboratively, we can ensure that our students have the best possible chance to succeed academically and fulfill their potential.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. If you have any questions or concerns regarding attendance or how you can support your child's regular attendance, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
Mr. Eric T. Johnson
Principal
 We hope to see you on Saturday at Cameron for the Earth Day Clean Up event! Not only will we clean up the school grounds, everyone will have the chance to plant flowers, make seedling starters to take home, and make art activities. It should be a beautiful day, so please join us!
🌎📣Earth Spirit Week
Dress up with us next week to celebrate Earth Spirit Week!
🎻🥁🎶May 2 Spring Concert
A Message from Food and Nutrition Services Directors
As the 2023-2024 school year comes to a close, the Office of Food and
Nutrition Services (FNS) is already planning the future of student meals in
Fairfax County Public Schools. We are excited about the upcoming
changes, but before we move forward, let's take a moment to appreciate
the incredible work of our kitchen staff who prepare meals for FCPS
students every day with passion. FNS wants to recognize our kitchen
teams as the School Lunch Heroes they are!
This year, School Lunch Hero Day is officially on May 3. Since schools are
closed on that day, we will be celebrating throughout the week from April
29 to May 2. We want to acknowledge the difference our school kitchen
teams make in the lives of every child who comes through their service
lines.
FNS will send a School Lunch Hero packet to each school during the
week of April 15, to prepare for the week of April 29. For Elementary
Schools, the packet will include various activity sheets that students can
complete to present to the kitchen team. For Middle and High Schools,
there will be 8x10 posters provided for students to sign and use to express
their appreciation and present to the kitchen team.
Your kitchen team plays a vital role in the educational success of FCPS
students by providing the fuel they need to learn and grow. We appreciate
your support for this event and for recognizing the hard work of your
school lunch heroes. We are looking forward to serving nutritious meals to
your students for the remainder of this school year and next school year.
Proudly serving our students,
Shaun Sawko and Melissa DeAngelo
✔️ Spring Assessments Measure Student Learning and Progress
Students will be participating in spring assessments based on their grade level and courses. This includes standardized benchmark assessments and progress assessments. This list of assessments for each grade level provides the spring dates for required tests.
Remember, assessment is part of ongoing teaching and learning in the classroom. Teachers may also assign end-of-year projects or final exams.
Schools set dates for each assessment and communicate schedules to students and families. Pay close attention to school newsletters and emails from the school for this information.
Parents and caregivers can help students perform their best by reminding them to get a good night’s rest and have a healthy breakfast, especially on testing days. It is important that students attend school on these dates. If you become aware of a conflict that could result in your student missing a test, please notify your student’s school as soon as possible.
Spring assessments do not signal the end of coursework for the year. Learning continues through the last day of school. In addition to details shared by each school, families may find details about spring student assessments online.
☀️🎨🎶Summer Arts Camp
Don’t miss out on this summer’s most exciting arts enrichment program! At Elementary Institute for the Arts (E-IFTA), students take art, music, theater, and dance classes daily. E-IFTA is for current second through fifth grade students. Learn more on the E-IFTA webpage. Email EIFTA@fcps.edu with any questions.
Social and Emotional Learning Screener Results Coming Soon
FCPS students in grades 3-12 took the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener in March. This survey provides updated information on skills such as achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. The SEL Screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make 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 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 ideas on how to support them at home, please review the Family Guide or contact your student’s school.
Portrait of a Graduate Prepares Students for Success
 During the Academic Matters segment of the April 11 School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid recognized 10 years of Portrait of a Graduate (POG) at FCPS. POG helps set students up for personal and academic success by building skills in communication, collaboration, ethical and global citizenship, creative and critical thinking, and being goal-directed and resilient.
Welcome to the 2024 Family Summit: Safe, Supported, and Included!
Join us on April 20, 2024 at Marshall High School to ensure the safety, support, and inclusion of every member of our school community.
Our Family Summit is free and open to all families, educators and community members in the Fairfax County Public School division.
Please enter through Door 13.
Registration is preferred, please take a moment to register for the 2024 Family Summit.
Online Special Education Resource Fair
Families with children who have disabilities are encouraged to explore the Online Special Education Resource Fair, launching on April 20th as a part of the 2024 Family Summit.
This virtual event will provide a diverse array of asynchronous videos designed specifically for families, educators, and community members seeking innovative ways to support their children. Furthermore, attendees can browse through an online exhibit hall showcasing resources from FCPS, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations dedicated to supporting students with disabilities.
As an added highlight, the fair will also unveil the winners of the 2024 First Class Awards, showcasing the exemplary employees of FCPS who model excellence in their work, create a positive impact for all students and work to create an inclusive environment. The link to the Special Education Resource Fair goes live on Saturday, April 20 and can be found on the 2024 Family Summit webpage.
April 22, 23 Passover (Half-O Days)
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.
Monday, April 22, and Tuesday, April 23, are designated half-O days in recognition of the first two days of Passover. Half-O days are full school days, but important events will not be held after school on those days. See the complete school year calendar.
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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.
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Important Dates
April 19: Family Movie Night, 6pm
April 20: Cameron ES Earth Day Clean Up, 9am-1:30pm
May 2: Kindergarten Orientation, 5:30pm
Spring Concert, 7pm
May 3: No School for Students, Orthodox Good Friday
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