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Dear Mantua families,
We had a busy week with our final celebrations, field trips, and exciting learning within our classroom walls. Our 6th graders walked the hills of Gettysburg this week as they learned about the various battles that were fought on those fateful days in 1863. Students seized the opportunity to understand the sacrifices soldiers made to preserve our country’s freedom and unity. Our 4th-grade students had hands-on experience with artifacts as they celebrated Virginia Day. Volunteers from the Jamestown Foundation captivated students with stories and dramatizations of colonial life and revolutionary war scenarios. In one of the most heartwarming events of the year, our Kindergartners serenaded families, letting them know all that they learned and how ready they are for 1st grade! We wrapped up the week with a fantastic annual Spring Dance hosted by the Mantua PTA, where students celebrated the final days of the school year! Conversations, dancing, and fun on the playground made the night successful! We’ve shared some photos below and also on social media.
Next week, our fabulous PE teachers will lead our annual Field Days! The highly anticipated Field Days are an opportunity for students to gather individually and in teams for exciting and entertaining games. Weather permitting, this event will be held outdoors. Students should dress casually with closed-toed tennis shoes and arrive ready for fun! See the schedule and information below for dates and times.
We hope you have a great weekend and a wonderful week ahead!
Take good care,
Linda Shannon, Principal
Rich Deixler, Assistant Principal
Colleen Vaughan, Assistant Principal
June 3: Grad Walk at Mantua, 2:30 PM; Graduating seniors return to walk the halls of Mantua
June 4: Field Day - Grades 3-6
June 5: Field Day - Grades K-2
June 7: End-of-year picnic for Patrol volunteers
June 11: 6th Grade Promotion Ceremony, Woodson High School, 10:30 AM
June 12: Early Dismissal and the last day of school
June 13-14: Teacher Workdays, no school for students
June 19: Juneteenth
Be sure to bookmark the FCPS Academic Year Calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances.
Mantua Field Days
Message from our PE team: Mantua Field Days will take place on June 4th and 5th! All students have been placed on one of three teams. Please try to wear the following colors depending on which team your child says they are on - Mystics (red), Spirit (white), or Nationals (blue). We have 15 stations set up that they will travel through as a class. They are fun, simple stations that involve running, throwing, kicking, and getting wet!
What to wear and bring: On Field Day, students should bring a water bottle and a change of clothes. A hat and sunscreen are recommended. Students should not wear crocs, slides, or sandals - sneakers only.
We would love to have you if you are available and would like to volunteer! Please contact your child’s teacher to let them know and meet us in the gym 15 minutes before the classes arrive for a briefing. If you have any questions, please contact us, Brian Collins at bpcollins@fcps.edu and Karen Bruining at kjbruining@fcps.edu.
In the event of inclement weather, we will set up activities indoors. Please see the schedule below for various grade levels:
Tuesday, June 4 AM: Grades 5 & 6 9:30-11:15
Tuesday, June 4 PM: Grades 3 & 4 1:30-3:15
Wednesday, June 5 AM: Grades K, 1, & 2 9:30-11:15
6th Grade Promotion
The Mantua 6th Grade Promotion is June 11th! This year, Mantua will again use the Woodson Auditorium as our Promotion venue. Look for details on this event from your 6th-grade teacher. This event will begin at 10:30 AM.
Mantua Food Drive
The Mantua Food Drive is underway. We are continuing to accept donations in the front office.
Luis Uribe Gamboa, Mantua's fabulous parent liaison, aims to support families from our community, and this food drive will help him replenish his supply before the summer break. If you have any questions, contact Luis at lauribegambo@fcps.edu.
There are two ways to donate:
- There is now a large plastic bin located inside the main school entrance.
- Mantua ES parent, Ali Ackermann, will be making a trip to Costco for this purpose and you can contribute to that. Please email her at aliackaliack@gmail.com to get Venmo or PayPal info.
No donation is too small, so if you are able to grab a few cans or an extra box of cereal, every little bit helps.
Items needed are oil, tortilla flour (Maseca), dry beans (red, black, etc., but not canned beans), rice, pancake mix and syrup, pasta and pasta sauce, canned foods (tomatoes, fruit, vegetables, and tuna), ramen noodle soup, snacks (such as energy bars and chips), coffee, sugar, cereal, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and body soap.
How To Survive Middle School 2024
Are you a rising 7th grader who will attend Luther Jackson in the fall? This is your chance to get this middle school thing figured out early! Meet students from other elementary schools who will come together here at Jackson as 7th graders, learn your way around the building, get to know some fantastic Jackson teachers, and have a great time! Registered students will be given access to a wealth of information about LJMS and a chance to explore the building when they come for this 2-day session. Transportation, lunch, and a new Luther Jackson t-shirt are included!
REGISTRATION LINK
Dates: July 31-Aug 1
Times: 9:00 a.m.— 1:00 p.m.
Location: LJMS
Eligibility: rising 7th graders
Cost: $40
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 is critical for our planning.
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.
Student Testing Results Coming Soon
Later this month, you will begin receiving your child’s spring assessment results. If you aren’t sure what assessments your child took this year, view this list of tests by grade level on FCPS’ website.
How the results are delivered depends on the test. Scores will be posted in SIS ParentVUE, or sent by mail or from the school or testing organization. Learn what to expect regarding assessment reporting practices and timelines.
Visit FCPS’ website for additional information about student assessments, including what each assessment is testing for and how to interpret the test results. Caregivers should contact their children’s teacher with any testing questions.
New SOL Growth Reports for Grade 3-8 Tests
Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) test results, along with other student data, help demonstrate in which subjects or topics students may need additional academic support.
In order to help parents interpret SOL results, the Virginia Department of Education has released new Standards of Learning Growth Parent Reports for families of students who took grade 3-8 SOL math and reading tests this spring.
The Growth Parent Report ties together scores from fall and winter Virginia Growth Assessments (VGA) with the student’s current spring SOL results to show their trend in academic progress this year.
Learn how to understand your student’s grade 3-8 SOL results and find resources to support their ongoing learning.
Family Life Education Materials Available for Review
The recommended Family Life Education instructional materials are available for community review through Monday, June 10, at 4:30 p.m. View details and a feedback form.
Arts Summer Program Registration is Open!
Elementary Institute for the Arts, (E-IFTA), is a weekly arts camp for elementary-aged students who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create! Students take part in four classes every day related to dance, music, theatre, visual art. They work with FCPS fine arts teachers who create classes that are fun and engaging.
- Lake Braddock Secondary School, transportation provided.
- E-IFTA grades 2-5, during the 2023-2024 School Year
- 8:30 a.m.-2 pm.
- July 8-26, 2024, Register for each week separately.
- No tuition for students who qualify for free and reduced lunch.
Other Summer Learning Opportunities
Chantilly Academy will host an AFA CyberCamp from Monday, June 24, to Friday, June 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. This camp would be a great fit for rising fifth through eighth graders of all skill levels interested in learning more about the importance of cybersecurity and gaining skills to protect themselves and others from cyber threats. Discounts are available for students eligible for free and reduced-price meals. Visit the camp website for more information.
Registration is also still available for the Institute for the Arts (IFTA) and Elementary-IFTA (E-IFTA) arts camps, as well as Credit Recovery Academy.
Online Campus Summer Registration Closing Soon!
Registration for summer classes with FCPS' Online Campus will close on Friday, June 7. Online campus courses are for students in grades 7-12. Email OnlineCampus@fcps.edu or call 703-503-7781 with any questions.
Family 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.
Let's Finish the School Year Strong!
Student attendance is important all year, up to the last day of school. Attendance affects student performance and school accreditation. See how to:
- Check your child’s attendance record.
- Help your student stay engaged at school.
- Report future absences.
- Understand the FCPS school calendar.
In FCPS, we all belong. From the first day of school to the last day of school, every child matters. If your student is having a hard time finishing the year strong and attending school, please contact a trusted adult at the school—a teacher, counselor, or administrator. Visit FCPS’ website for more attendance resources.
Calling All Alumni and Friends!
Educate Fairfax is proud to introduce FCPS Alumni & Friends, an online network of alumni, teachers, parents/caregivers, and community members with ties to Fairfax County Public Schools. Whether you are a recent FCPS graduate or you’ve returned to Fairfax to work or raise your own family, this network will celebrate our alumni and friends of FCPS through stories, news and events, reunions, homecoming, and other activities. It’s also a great way to rekindle old friendships and build new ones. Join FCPS Alumni & Friends today!
School Board Votes to Adopt Fiscal Year 2025 Approved Budget
The Fairfax County School Board voted to adopt Fairfax County Public Schools’ (FCPS) Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Approved Budget at their last board meeting. The FY 2025 Approved Budget totals $3.7 billion — a net increase of $233.2 million or 6.6% over the previous year.
The FY 2025 Approved Budget focuses on providing educational excellence for all students and ensuring that employees’ hard work and dedication are acknowledged through competitive compensation. Both of these efforts fully align with the FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan.
Nearly 86% of the Approved Budget is targeted at instruction. Key budget highlights include funding for a 4% compensation increase for all employees; maintaining existing class size formulas and providing necessary support to all students; and expanding athletics offerings, additional athletic trainers, and enhanced stipends for fine and performing arts.
Read the news release.
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
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