August 21, 2024 Newsletter

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August 21, 2024

From the Principal’s Pen

Dear Laurel Hill Families,

We have had a very successful first few days of school!  We have been delighted to see our students settle into their new classrooms and routines so quickly. Their eagerness to learn and engage in their studies is truly inspiring.  We wanted to take a moment to express our sincere gratitude for the warm welcome and support you have provided to our students and staff during the first few days of school. 

Our first Parent Coffee was yesterday, August 20, and we are grateful to those who were able to join us in this virtual setting. The recorded session can be accessed here. The next Parent Coffee will be September 17, 2024.  As mentioned in the parent coffee, we will share a link next week to meet our fabulous teachers!

If you have not already done so, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/hg4Hgha2HJb4DDor8 for each of your children who are enrolled at Laurel Hill so we can complete our planning for the 3 hour early release Mondays.

As we continue to navigate the school year, please know that your partnership is essential. We encourage you to stay connected with your child's teacher and to attend school events whenever possible. Together, we can create a supportive and enriching educational experience for all.

Thank you again for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Janice Dalton, Principal

Addison Smith, Assistant Principal

Thmeaka Traylor, Assistant Principal

Calendar reminder graphic

Save the Date:

August 30 and Sept. 3: Labor Day holiday

September 13: Field Day! (during school hours)

September 16: 3-Hour Early Release (1pm dismissal for opted students)

September 18: Back to School Night, 6-8 pm

September 27: Screen on the Green PTA event


Parents Need To Know

Band and Strings enrollment

Sign up for STRINGS 🎻at Laurel Hill!  Each year, many 4, 5th and 6th grade students participate in this amazing Instrumental Program, so don’t miss out!  Lessons happen during the school day!  CLICK HERE to sign up.

Or…

Sign up for BAND! 5th and 6th grade students can start, or continue, to learn a band instrument! Included are woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. Band classes also happen during the school day during specials. Band forms have been sent home with students and emailed electronically. If you need a copy of the enrollment form, email Lmhellier@fcps.edu.

Registration ends on August 29th.  If you have questions, please email the Strings teacher, Mrs. Hicks, at anhicks@fcps.edu or the Band teacher, Mrs. Hellier at Lmhellier@fcps.edu.

Unsure what instrument to sign up for? Join us on Tuesday, August 27th from 6:30-8:00PM in SCHS’s cafeteria for an “instrument petting zoo”. Try as many instruments as you would like and speak to music store staff about instrument rentals.

 

📵 Phones Down, Engagement Up: FCPS Cell Phone Policy Keeping cell phones off during the school day helps students focus and learn. It also boosts positive social behavior. Review FCPS’ cell phone expectations by grade level with your child and help keep our classrooms free of distractions! If you need to reach your child during the school day, please call our main office at 703-551-5300.

 

Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights

Fairfax County Public Schools wants all parents and caregivers to understand its policies regarding surveys, records, curriculum, privacy, and related rights.

In its Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms (Annual Notice), FCPS provides explanations of the rights listed above as well as forms that may be used to exercise opt-out choices. Two versions of the Annual Notice are available: a grades K-8 version and a grades 9-12 version. Parents/caregivers with children at different grade levels should read each applicable version of the Annual Notice, because the notices and opt-out rights vary depending on the student’s grade level.

Get more information and view the 2024-25 Opt-Out Booklets.

 

Arrival/Dismissal- Students can arrive as early as 9:05am. Students are tardy at 9:20am. Dismissal begins at 4:05pm.

We will continue to use the same system for Kiss-and-Ride for the 2024-2025 school year. Kiss-and-Ride will be through the parking lot area (see photo below) and will begin promptly at 9:05 a.m. At that time staff members will arrive to ensure student safety as they exit the vehicles. Please do not drop students off before 9:05 a.m. There is no passing other cars while in the Kiss and Ride line, unless directed by school staff. There is no cell phone use in the Kiss and Ride line.

Please make sure your child can enter and exit your car from the passenger side. We do not want students to walk around your car to enter or exit, as this creates a dangerous situation.

Please make sure your child can buckle themselves in (and out). Staff are not able to help buckle students in their seats. If you need to help them, please pull out of the Kiss and Ride Lane and park, so that our Kiss and Ride can continue to flow smoothly. Please do not get out of your car while in the Kiss and Ride lane. This is a safety violation.  

 

3-Hour Early Release- The following dates are planned for Early Release Mondays throughout the school year:

  • September 16
  • October 21
  • November 18
  • February 10
  • March 10
  • April 21
  • May 12

To help plan for our school’s childcare needs during the early release Mondays, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/hg4Hgha2HJb4DDor8 for each of your children who are enrolled at Laurel Hill Elementary. The form covers the first two early release Mondays, scheduled for September 16, 2024 and October 21, 2024. If you have multiple children, you will need to submit multiple forms. Staff will confirm the after school supervision plan for each student.

 

Update Your Child’s Immunizations and Records

Please check with your healthcare provider as soon as possible to make sure your child is up-to-date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia. Starting Monday, September 30, students who have not provided proof of immunization will not be allowed to attend school. 

You can check your child’s immunization compliance and submit their immunization record in SIS ParentVUE. Records may also be delivered to a school’s front office. 

If your child needs a vaccine, please make an appointment with your healthcare provider, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of child immunization clinics, or access other local services. If needed, families may also provide other immunization documentation including a healthcare provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption or a notarized Religious Exemption Form. 

Find more information on immunizations on the FCPS website.

 

SIS ParentVUE -Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Parents/caregivers should receive an activation code when they register their child. Contact the school registrar, Sarah Orlick (SCOrlick@fcps.edu) if you need a code. 

Once you have activated a SIS ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same SIS ParentVUE account. Access SIS ParentVUE using an app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android devices. 

Need help creating an account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE

To be sure you receive important information from your schools, update your phone numbers and/or email addresses in the Parent/Guardian section of SIS ParentVUE.

PTA Newsletter- Please click on the link here to access the PTA newsletter.

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GOR

Girls on the Run is coming to Laurel Hill this fall! GOTR has fun, evidence-based programs that inspire girls in 3rd-8th grade to build their confidence, kindness, and decision making skills. Dynamic lessons instill valuable life skills including the important connection between physical and emotional health. Starting the week of September 23, the team will meet every Monday and Wednesday from 4:15pm - 5:15pm. The program culminates in a celebratory 5K at the end of the season! The standard program fee is $210 and includes weekly lessons/practices, a t-shirt, a GOTR giveaway, entry into the 5K, a 5K medal, and more. Financial assistance is available for anyone who needs it, with the lowest program registration cost being $22 for the season.

Registration is now open. Click here to register your student.

Late Registration: September 19 - September 27

Fall Season Begins: September 23

We will keep you informed and share all pertinent information as we receive it regarding the celebratory 5K.


PTA Membership

Please join the PTA for the 24-25 school year!

Congrats to our new PTA board!  

President: Vickie Gogo

Treasurer: Kendra Bacchus-Beatty

Secretary: Jennifer Dickinson

We are still looking for a VP of Programs and Fundraising.  Please reach out via the website if interested.