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August 29, 2024
From the Principal’s Pen
Dear Laurel Hill Families,
Janice Dalton, Principal
Addison Smith, Assistant Principal
Thmeaka Traylor, Assistant Principal
![Calendar reminder graphic](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/VAEDUFCPS/2023/05/7689173/microsoftteams-image-18_original.png) 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
Transportation Patience and Safety
Thank you for your patience as we all get used to new routines this school year. We appreciate our families following Kiss and Ride procedures and being patient while waiting for your children’s buses.
If your student’s bus is delayed, you may access the Bus Delay Notification System or use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app to receive the delayed bus report. Email messages will be sent to announce significant bus delays. Please contact the Transportation Office at 703-446-2150 with any additional questions. For concerns after 5:30 p.m., contact Safety and Security at 571-423-2000.
Safety Drills
Keeping students and staff safe is our priority. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and tornadoes. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools must also notify parents and caregivers at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. We had one fire drill this week and will conduct a lockdown drill and an additional fire drill in the next couple of weeks.
By law, the first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school. Preschool and kindergarten students do not participate in the first lockdown drill.
Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with them about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your student before and after school lockdown drills.
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.
🔍 Lightspeed Parent Report on Child’s Device Activity
FCPS has tools to help parents know more about their child’s activity on any FCPS device. These tools are provided at no cost to families by Lightspeed, the school division’s internet content filtering service.
Parents may sign up for a weekly Parent Report, which will provide a list of the top sites their child visited. The report also offers parents the ability to sign up for free access to the Internet Use Parent Portal. Through the portal, parents may pause their child’s access to the internet on their FCPS device during non-school hours.
Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.
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.
✨ Our Commitment to Excellence, Equity, and Opportunity for Each and Every Student
As we begin a new school year, FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid reminds us of the goals of FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, which guides us in delivering excellence, equity, and opportunity for each and every one of our students. Watch Dr. Reid’s message.
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.
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.
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