 HELLO SUMMER!
Dear Fairhill Families,
Wow. What an incredible year we have had. At Fairhill, we often talk about our three core values that drive our work: relationships, rigorous instruction, and connections to our community. This year, more than ever before, we have been able to realize those core values and embed them deep into our school culture.
Relationships- This year, our students built tremendous relationships with each other and with a trusted adult in the building. Our SEL screener data indicates that 89% of our students reported having supportive relationships, which is higher than the district average. Our teachers and staff care deeply about our students, and we work hard to create conditions that help students foster healthy relationships with each other.
Rigorous Instruction - This year, we have continued our commitment to strong academic excellence with a focus on results. In iReady - a nationalized screener to measure student achievement - our first - sixth grade students made a median 127% growth in reading; the standardized growth is 100%. In sixth grade, we had more students qualify for algebra in seventh grade than ever before through the Iowa Aptitude Test. Our commitment to learning is strong, and our students are performing at a very high level.
Connections to Community - Finally, and arguably most importantly, has been our focus on connections to our community. As we rebound from the pandemic, our goal has been to engage families in new ways and open the school doors to all community members because we know that schools cannot do it alone. We ended the school year with a chronic absenteeism rate of 4.9%, which is a significant decrease from when we started monitoring attendance in fall of 2023 when chronic absenteeism was at 23.5%. This is largely due to the strong connections made and overall commitment from families. Our events were as strong as ever this year, and our classroom participation through mystery readers, career day, and guest speakers was higher this year than in past years. We hope to see that continue to grow. Our partnership with the PTA and the entire community is critical to our students' and school's success.
So, as we wrap up this school year, we want to express a moment of gratitude for each Fairhill family who has supported us along the way. Our school is a better place because of you, and our children depend on our critically important relationship. We are thankful for that partnership.
With gratitude and love,
Ted & Maura
PS: Please see below about a few important topics: summer hours, new family tours, and the PTA Gift Crowd deadline that is approaching. Fairhill Forum will be on pause until August.
Library Books are Past Due!
All library books are now overdue. Students’ overdue notices will be in today’s Tuesday folder as well as sent to the enrolling parents’ email. Please make every effort to help your student locate and return these books,or contact Mrs. Howard at lghoward@fcps.edu for replacement options.
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Summer Reading Challenge
Last Tuesday, Fairhill students learned about Fairfax County Public Library’s Summer Reading challenge. All FCPL branches offer summer programming and participate in the summer reading challenge. For more information, please visit the FCPL’s website at: https://research.fairfaxcounty.gov/reading-challenges/summer-reading.
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💪 Let's Finish the School Year Strong!
Student attendance at school is important all year long, up to the last day of school.
Attendance has an effect on student performance and on 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.
Learn more about attendance resources.
Click HERE for more information.
Attendance Matters!
As we look into next year, please review the calendars below to help your family schedule appointments and trips that align with the school calendar. Fairhill had an amazing year with student attendance, and we want to continue that momentum!
 For Spanish click here.
News from the PTA
End of Year Gifting for Fairhill Staff
Want to thank Fairhill staff for an amazing year?!! Our PTA has made it easy to send them a gift card through GiftCrowd. Click on the staff member's link and send them a gift card with your name and a note. Click HERE to access the Fairhill Elementary Gifting Page.
The deadline for contributing to gifts is 06/12/2024 11:00 AM ET. At that time, the gifts will be sent to their respective recipients.
What is GiftCrowd?
GiftCrowd is the most convenient way to give gifts as a group. Families can contribute any amount they choose to any Fairhill staff and include a personal greeting. On the target date, the recipient will receive a notification and access to the gift. They can then read the greetings, send thank you notes, and choose how to redeem the collected amount into one or more gift cards from hundreds of brands.
How Does It Work?
Click HERE to view the list of Fairhill staff. Click on “Join” next to the staff member you wish to gift. Enter your information and the amount you wish to contribute. You can even include a message and/or a picture.
2024-2025 Fairhill School Supply Lists
School supply lists for 2024-2025 are now available! Please click on the grade that pertains to your student(s). No time to shop for school supplies? Just click here to order a school supply pack from EPI. It will be delivered right to your student's classroom next August! Please enter the code FAI068 for Fairhill. Click here for ordering information.
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Click here for more information.
Exciting Opportunities for Young Learners
As the school year wraps up, many students and their families are considering the next steps. Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) offers a range of programs through Adult and Community Education (ACE), designed to help recent high school graduates and young students explore new opportunities and develop valuable skills.
For Young Students: STEM Kits for Rising Grades 3-5
FCPS ACE also supports the educational journey of younger students with innovative STEM Kits designed for rising grades 3-5. These kits are perfect for summer learning, offering hands-on projects that spark curiosity and foster a love for science, technology, engineering, and math. Each kit includes exciting experiments, hands on projects, and interactive learning!
These STEM Kits are a great way to keep young minds active over the summer, preparing them for the upcoming school year and beyond. Kits are available for local pick up or can be shipped anywhere in the continental US.
Enroll Today!
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.
🩹 Required Immunizations for Rising 7th and 12th Graders
Immunizations are required for all students entering 7th and 12th grades this fall. Visit FCPS’ immunization webpage to learn about the required vaccines.
Caregivers should ask their private healthcare provider or the health department to review their student's immunization record to ensure that their student has received these required immunizations.
It is important to schedule immunizations early in the summer, as seventh grade students must submit documentation of the Tdap and Meningococcal vaccines before they begin school in August. Twelfth grade students must submit documentation of the Meningococcal vaccine.
Get more information on all student immunization requirements.
SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION
Registration for FCPS Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA/E-IFTA) camps closes on Friday, June 7. Tuition is waived for students eligible for free and reduced-price meals. Bus transportation is available from select FCPS high schools and middle schools. Learn more about Summer Learning and Fun for Students.
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Important Contact Information
Fairhill Phone Numbers:
Main Office 703-208-8100
• Health Room 703-208-8110
• Cafeteria 703-208-8121
Administration e-mail addresses:
• Principal, Ted Cooper: egcooper@fcps.edu
• Assistant Principal, Maura Cotter: mkcotter@fcps.edu
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 AQUÍ. Luego, haga clic en el icono IDIOMA en la esquina superior izquierda para elegir su idioma preferido.
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