|
English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو
Message from Ms. Shannon
Dear Mantua families,
As you know, we have started our SOL testing season. Last week, our 4th, 5th, and 6th graders tackled assessments and we want to commend them on their hard work! We continue to have SOL testing scheduled in the coming weeks. To ensure our students feel their best and perform at their peak, please encourage them to get a good night's sleep before each test day, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive at school on time. Their hard work and focus are truly appreciated! You can learn more about FCPS testing here.
You won’t want to miss the final performance of Mantua PTA Drama's Aristocats, Kids, The Musical! Last night’s show was a hit with performers and audience members meowing! Tickets are still available for this heartwarming family event. The remaining performance is this evening, Saturday, May 4 at 6 PM, details can be found below. We also want to spotlight the 23rd annual Mantua Raccoon Run, scheduled for Saturday, May 11. Grab your running/walking sneakers and join us as we raise awareness for the INOVA-sponsored program, Living with Cancer. This is a fabulous event that showcases the strength and generosity of our Mantua community!
This upcoming week we will honor teachers and staff for National Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week! Our Mantua staff members dedicate vast amounts of time and energy to create an environment that nurtures and challenges each student, developing them into the citizens and leaders of tomorrow. We are so grateful for the true dedication of each staff member at Mantua. In addition, we recognize National School Nurse Day and the heroic efforts of our clinic aid, Neita Lindholm. From bandages to tummy aches, Neita cares for each student that walks through the clinic door. We appreciate our staff tremendously!
The month of May is set aside as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month as well as Jewish American Heritage Month. We honor and celebrate the rich history and cultural contributions that contribute to the story of our nation. Find out more about FCPS’ heritage months.
Have a wonderful week!
Take good care,
Linda Shannon, Principal
Rich Deixler, Assistant Principal
Colleen Vaughan, Assistant Principal
Important Dates
May 4: Mantua PTA Drama Aristocats Kids! 6 PM
May 9: 6th grade panoramic photo day
May 9: 4th grade Spring Strings Concert, 6:30 PM, Gym
May 11: Raccoon Run
May 14: 5th & 6th grade Spring Chorus Concert, 7 PM, Gym
May 16: 5th and 6th grade Spring Strings Concert, 6:30 PM, Gym
May 18: Mantua PTA Talent Show, 5-9 PM, Gym
May 27: Memorial Day holiday, schools and offices closed
June 1: FCPS Summer Extravaganza, Woodson High School
June 3: Grad Walk through Mantua, 2:30 PM; Graduating seniors return to walk the halls of Mantua
June 4th and 5th: Mantua Field Days (details TBA)
June 12: Early Dismissal and the last day of school
June 13-14: Teacher Workdays, no school for students
Be sure to bookmark the FCPS Academic Year Calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances.
4th Grade Spring Strings Performance
On May 9th at 6:30 PM, we will host the 4th Grade Strings Concert in the Mantua Gymnasium. Performers are to wear their Mantua Music T-shirt, purchased earlier in the year, and black pants/skirt. Arrival time for performers is 6:00. Questions can go to kjeaston@fcps.edu.
5th and 6th Grade Strings Performance
On May 16th at 6:30 PM, we will host the 5th and 6th Grade Strings Concert in the Mantua Gymnasium. Performers are to wear their Mantua Music T-shirt, purchased earlier in the year, and black pants/skirt. Arrival time for performers is 6:00. Questions can go to kjeaston@fcps.edu.
5th and 6th Grade Chorus Students
On May 14th at 7 PM, we will host the 5th and 6th Grade Chorus Concert in the Mantua Gymnasium. Performers are to wear their Mantua Music T-shirt, purchased earlier in the year, and pants (jeans or khakis) Arrival time for performers is 6:45. Questions can go to eblydenburgh@fcps.edu or acaberle@fcps.edu.
Aristocats Kids Drama Performance
The Mantua PTA Drama Club is proud to present Aristocats Kids, the musical! With the help of a smooth-talking tomcat, a family of Parisian felines set to inherit a fortune from their owner try to make it back home after a jealous butler kidnaps them and leaves them in the country. Don't miss this heart-warming tale brought to life by our talented cast of Mantua students.
Final performance will be tonight, Saturday, May 4, at 6 PM in the Mantua gym. Tickets will be $8 at the door. You can also purchase tickets ahead of time: Wednesday, May 1, and Thursday, May 2, 5:30-5:45 PM and 8:15-8:30 PM in the Mantua gym.
Concessions will be sold at the shows: NO pizza this time, but plenty of fun snacks and sweets. We accept cash and credit cards. We hope to see you there!
Raccoon Run
Join Mantua Elementary School Kids Care Club and W.T. Woodson Young Hearts Club for the 23rd Annual Mantua Raccoon Run on Saturday, May 11, 2024. All the fun will take place at Mantua ES (9107 Horner Ct, Fairfax, VA 22031). At 8:00 AM, the 1-mile fun run will begin, and the 5k will start at 8:30 AM.
Details for the race and registration are linked here.
The Raccoon Run is an annual run sponsored by Mantua's Kids Care Club that raises money for Life With Cancer, an amazing INOVA Hospital program that helps to provide support to those living with cancer and their families. This is done through education, information, counseling, and other services, all free of charge. Kids Care Club is a PTA volunteer-run service club that allows children in grades K-6 to give back to their community. Through this race, the kids see their work put into action as the race comes together and raises money for such an amazing cause. This way we are not only helping the amazing organization that Life with Cancer is, but we are also empowering our young people to develop a love of giving back to their community.
In addition, this run honors the memory of a beloved Mantua Elementary School teacher, Mrs. Roberta Romano, who lost her battle with cancer in December of 2001. For over 20 years, this run has been held to honor her memory!
Positivity Project (P2)
This upcoming week our school community will be focusing on the character strength of Leadership. Leadership means you value each member of your group and inspire people to do their best.
Leadership can be both formal and informal. It is concerned with getting others to do what needs to be done while maintaining group morale to ensure readiness to act in the future. This character strength’s focus is on the personal qualities of leaders rather than the practice of leadership. These qualities include the ability to understand others and inspire them toward a common goal, the capacity to mitigate conflict and mold consensus, and the desire to lead other people.
For individuals, leadership is a way to achieve what you know is important, as groups of people invariably achieve more than individuals. If you want to achieve your vision for the future, you need to inspire others to join you. As an individual’s ability to lead develops, so does that person’s confidence and sense of self-efficacy.
To practice and encourage the character strength of leadership with your child, please visit the Positivity Project’s P2 for Families English, Spanish (password: P2), where together you will watch a video, read a quote, and talk about the answers to three questions.
Movement Mondays
Take full advantage of this incredible weather to join friends on the Mantua track for Movement Mondays! Movement Mondays happen every Monday from 8:35-9:05. We would love to have you join us!
Student Testing at Mantua
State assessments measure the extent to which students have learned the content and skills reflected in state standards and may also be used to measure growth in learning state standards. The format and timing of state assessments vary by grade level and content area, as noted in the table below. These include:
- Spring Standards of Learning (SOL) standardized tests in reading, mathematics, and science. For certain grade levels, the reading SOL tests include an integrated reading/writing (IRW) component. More information is available on the SOL assessments webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/35021);
Please see the following table for the specific SOL assessments your child will take and the dates on which these will occur. Please do your best to avoid scheduling appointments on the days your child has an assessment.
If you have questions about state assessments, contact your student’s teacher or one of our school test coordinators, Richard Deixler (Grades 4 & 6) or Colleen Vaughan (Grades 3 & 5).
Grade SOL Date
3 Reading Tuesday, May 7
3 Math Thursday, May 16
4 Math Tuesday, May 14
5 Science Thursday, May 9
5 Math Tuesday, May 21
6 Math Monday, May 13
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. 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. Mergie Kakouris is our Mantua contact for all school registrations, and she can be reached at MBKakouris@fcps.edu. She is happy to answer any questions you may have. For more information in other languages, visit FCPS’ Kindergarten Registration webpage.
FCPS News
Save the Date for FCPS’ Summer Extravaganza
Don’t miss a day of family fun and learning at the FCPS Summer Extravaganza!
Stop by Woodson High School on Saturday, June 1, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., where students will be able to take part in engaging educational activities designed to spark curiosity and inspire growth.
Representatives from local businesses, Fairfax County Public Library, and the Fairfax County Park Authority are participating in the Summer Extravaganza. Community organizations, such as Neighborhood Community Services, will be at the event as well. All will have learning activities, tips, and helpful information for families. Enjoy face painting, food, music, a moon bounce, a petting zoo, storytime, and student performances — all at no cost!
Visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage for more details and register to attend. Registration is not required, but it's helpful for planning purposes.
Support FCPS Relay for Life
Relay for Life – FCPS is an event that brings our community together to fight against cancer.
Relay for Life is a powerful initiative that unites schools, students, and communities in the shared goal of raising funds for cancer research, patient support, and advocacy. It's an opportunity for our schools to make a lasting impact and show solidarity in the face of this challenging disease.
Your generosity would not only contribute to the success of Relay for Life but also showcase the unity and compassion that define Fairfax County Public Schools.
Thank you for considering this request, and we look forward to the possibility of joining forces to make Relay for Life - FCPS a memorable and impactful event.
To sign up to participate, volunteer, etc., please go to our website at: https://relayforlife.org/fcps
It will be held on May 18, 2024 at Woodson HS beginning at 2 pm.
National School Nurse Day
National School Nurse Day is Wednesday, May 8. It is a day to recognize the many contributions that school nurses make to student health and learning.
FCPS appreciates the role of School Public Health Nurses (PHNs) for their contribution to the health and welfare of all our students. Professional school nurses support the needs of students through their delivery of healthcare, contributions to local school communities, and promotion of safety, prevention, and wellness throughout the year. They are advocates who bridge healthcare and education by supporting student health and readiness to learn. School nurses are essential to our community and work tirelessly to make a positive impact in the lives of their students.
Please join us in thanking the PHNs for their hard work and dedication to FCPS students.
Cultural Recognitions and Observances
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
People with ancestral roots in Asia and the islands of the Pacific have been integral to the story of America. In 1992, May was designated Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month to celebrate their heritage and contributions. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
Jewish American Heritage Month
May is a national month of recognition of the history of Jewish contributions to American culture, acknowledging the diverse achievement of the Jewish community in the U.S. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
FCPS Ombuds Provides Confidential Guidance
The Office of the Ombuds engages with families, students, and staff to offer resources and improve the experience of each and every member of the FCPS community. They work as an independent confidential resource to help get answers to questions, offer options to resolve concerns and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters.
Anyone seeking assistance from the Office of the Ombuds may call 571-423-4014, email ombuds@fcps.edu, visit their webpage, or submit a question. Ombuds staff do not change or make decisions, policies, or regulations; take sides; or provide legal advice.
Fentanyl Awareness Day
Tuesday, May 7, is Fentanyl Awareness Day. Watch this video to learn more about counterfeit pills, and share the information with teens and young adults in your life. Visit the Fentanyl Awareness Day website for more resources on what you can do to help raise awareness of the dangers of fentanyl including a conversation guide, fast facts, and social media posts you can share.
Tdap, Meningococcal (MenACWY) and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Immunization Packet for Rising Seventh Grade Students
As required by the Code of Virginia, all students entering 7th grade are required to receive specific immunizations (Tdap, MenACWY, HPV) prior to the beginning of the school year.
Effective July 1, 2021, a complete series of two doses of the human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) is required for all students entering seventh grade. The first dose shall be administered before the student enters the seventh grade. Parents/guardians, at their sole discretion, may elect for their student not to receive the HPV immunization.
Virginia state law requires the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) to provide the parents and/or guardians of all rising seventh grade students with information on human papillomavirus (HPV) and the human papillomavirus vaccine. The human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) prevents six types of cancer, including cervical cancer and certain head and neck cancers. Boys and girls should receive the vaccine when they are 11-12 years old.
Annually, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the Commissioner of Health provide immunization requirement information, to include the HPV vaccine, to rising 7th graders. For SY 23-24, the VDH provided the following packets which can be found on the School Health Services Hub page:
Parent Information Phone Lines Available in Eight Languages
Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.
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:
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.
Give Your Feedback on the Budget
We are now in the middle of the annual budget process, which includes opportunities for you to give feedback:
-
Tuesday, May 7: The County Board of Supervisors adopts its budget, tax rates, and transfer amount to FCPS.
-
Tuesday, May 14: The School Board holds a public hearing on the FCPS budget.
-
Thursday, May 23: The School Board adopts FCPS’ approved budget.
Learn more about the FCPS FY 2025 Advertised Budget and see the full Budget Development Calendar.
Our Schools, Our Future: Community Conversations
Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for Our Schools, Our Future – A Community Conversation. Your voice matters! Share your thoughts about FCPS and bring your questions to a conversation on:
Pre-registration for a Community Conversation is not required but will help FCPS plan. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided for all events based on staff availability. Events are open to all. Learn about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.
Quick Contacts & Links
Linda Shannon, Principal lcshannon@fcps.edu
Rich Deixler, Assistant Principal radeixler@fcps.edu
Colleen Vaughan, Assistant Principal CAVaughan@fcps.edu
Ann Marie Del Valle, Administrative Assistant, adelvalle@fcps.edu
Mergie Kakouris, Student Information Assistant, mbkakouris@fcps.edu
Fadwa Finaish, Office Assistant, ffinaish@fcps.edu
Susan Palomino, Finance Office Assistant slpalomino@fcps.edu
|
