The Clearview Community Connect

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The Clearview Community Connect

Stronger Together


Dear Clearview Families,  

Thank you to everyone who attended our Back-to-School Night last night.  Each and every time you attend an event at Clearview, it sends the message that school is important. Our school and hearts are now full since students in our PreK and Early Childhood Special Education programs started school this week.

Enjoy the long weekend and see you on Tuesday!

 

Stephanie Almquist         Joshua Redford             Rachel Charlton  

Principal                           Assistant Principal        Assistant Principal



This week at Clearview


Herndon HS Pyramid Night

Pyramid Night


Early Release Mondays:

Planning for Your Child's Day

To provide teachers with essential planning time and ensure high-quality instruction, FCPS has implemented seven Early Release Mondays throughout the 2024-25 school year. These early dismissal days will allow teachers to prepare lessons, participate in professional development, and collaborate with colleagues. While we understand that early release may pose childcare challenges for some families, we've implemented measures to provide supervised activities for students who need them.

We encourage parents and caregivers to plan accordingly, complete the Early Release Mondays form to indicate their childcare needs, and utilize the available support options.



After-School Clubs

Students in grades 2-6 received Interest Forms in Tuesday folders this week. To indicate interest, please check the appropriate box(es), print your child’s first and last name, and sign your name. Forms must be returned by Tuesday, September 3 if you would like for your child to be considered for participation. Students selected to participate will receive a permission slip which must be returned by Monday, September 9.



Transportation Patience and Safety

Thank you for your patience as we all get used to new routines this school year. If your child’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 703-249-7100 with any additional questions. For concerns after 5:30 p.m., contact Safety and Security at 571-423-2000. 

Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE to make sure you receive email messages about bus delays.



First Friday

Students and staff are invited to come to school wearing college or career clothing on the First Friday each month!  Our next First Friday will be on September 6. By introducing college and career concepts early on, we encourage students to think critically about their interests, skills, and values while inspiring them to reach their full potential.  College and career exploration supports a variety of areas:

Confidence: A sense of direction can boost students' confidence and self-esteem.

Relevance: Understanding how education connects to real-world careers can make learning more meaningful and engaging.

Long-Term Perspective: Students can begin to envision the future and set goals.

Motivation: Seeing the practical applications of education can inspire students to put forth effort to achieve their goals.



Safety Drills During the School Year

Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for FCPS. 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 are also required to notify parents and guardians at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. However, schools are not required to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance. 

The first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school. Preschool and kindergarten students are exempt from practicing the first lockdown drill. 

Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your students before and after school lockdown drills.



⚠️ Know Our Security Terms

FCPS uses specific terminology to describe the actions school staff and students should take to ensure safety in a variety of situations. It is important for staff, families, and students to understand what the different terms mean and how they impact school operations.

Watch this video to learn about safety terms including lockdown; secure the building; and stay put, stay tuned. 

If students, staff, or community members have a safety concern at school (that is not an immediate emergency), they should submit a tip to the FCPS Safety Tipline. In an emergency, please call 9-1-1.  



Overdose Awareness Day

In Northern Virginia, consistent with national and state trends, the opioid epidemic continues to impact communities, including young adults and school-age children. 

August 31 is Overdose Awareness Day. There are three things you can do now to support student wellness and increase understanding of the dangers of opioids and fentanyl:

  • Talk with children and loved ones in your life about the dangers of drug use, especially opioids. For more information about substance use among youth, tips on how to recognize and prevent substance abuse, and available support services, please watch this webinar.
  • Safely store and dispose of medications, including prescription pain medications, to prevent drug misuse.
  • Sign up for a Virtual REVIVE! training class to learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of opioid overdose and administer naloxone nasal spray to reverse an opioid overdose.

Learn more about the dangers of opioids and available resources on our website. Visit the Student Safety and Wellness webpage for more information on topics related to student well-being. 



September is Attendance Awareness Month

Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!

The beginning of the school year is the best time to develop strong attendance habits! Students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform well in reading and math, develop strong social and emotional skills, and graduate from high school on time. Help prepare your child for future success. Visit FCPS’ Attendance webpage for tips and strategies. 



September 11 National Day of Service

Patriot Day

With the upcoming 23rd anniversary of September 11, FCPS acknowledges the loss of life, the heroism of our first responders, and the resilience of our country. The September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, also called Patriot Day, is a chance to reflect and act in service to others to honor those who were injured or killed in the terrorist attacks.

All FCPS students are encouraged to participate in service learning as it supports Portrait of a Graduate (POG) attributes and social and emotional learning (SEL) skills. Middle and high school students can learn more about service learning by logging into their Naviance account to access x2VOL.



National Hispanic Heritage Month

From September 15 to October 15, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories and cultures of the members of our community who trace their heritage to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

National Hispanic Heritage Month


🎤 Community Conversations with Superintendent Dr. Reid

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid invites you to share your questions or concerns regarding Fairfax County Public Schools. Your voice matters! Community Conversations will be held this Fall 6:30-7:30 p.m. on:

  • Monday, September 9, at Holmes Middle School 
  • Monday, September 23, at Newington Forest Elementary
  • Monday, September 30, at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary 
  • Monday, October 14, at Fairhill Elementary 
  • Monday, October 21, at Virginia Run Elementary 
  • Wednesday, October 30, at Herndon Middle 

Click the date above to register. Registration is not required but helps with planning. Additional registration links will be shared in next week’s This Week at FCPS. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid



Tech Talk

🔍 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.

 

Sign Up For Parent VUE

Establishing a ParentVue account is essential for staying connected to your child’s education. This online portal provides parents with real-time access to important information and tools such as grades, Schoology, Hear Comes the Bus, class schedules and much more. By creating a ParentVue account, you'll gain valuable insights into your child's academic progress and be able to partner with FCPS in supporting their success. Click HERE for more information. 

 

Parental/Guardian Digital Consent

To ensure a smooth start to the school year, please complete the required online Parental Digital Consent form. This important document outlines necessary permissions for your child's participation in various FCPS approved instructional software. By completing the form, you'll be granting your child access to essential educational resources and opportunities. Click HERE for more information.

 

Talk to your student about their Digital Footprint

In today's digital age, it's crucial for parents to understand the concept of a digital footprint. Every online action, from posting photos to commenting on social media, contributes to a child's digital identity. This online presence can have long-term implications for their personal and professional lives. Open and honest conversations about online safety, privacy settings, and responsible digital citizenship are essential. By guiding children in making informed decisions about their online activities, parents can help them build a positive digital reputation while protecting their personal information. Click HERE for more information. 



Date 1
  • August 30  No school (Labor Day Holiday Observance)
  • September 2     No school (Labor Day Holiday)
  • September 6  First Friday: Wear college or career clothing
  • September 6  Herndon HS Pyramid Night
  • September 13 PTA Back-to-School Picnic, 6-8 PM
  • September 18 PTA Meeting, 7 PM, Library and Zoom link
  • September 23 3-hour Early Release Monday


PTA

Mark your calendars 

  • Fri., Sept. 13: Back to School Picnic from 6-8 pm in the Clearview back fields and playground area (Rain date: Thurs., Sept. 20)
  • Tues., Sept. 17: Spirit Night at Chick-fil-A North Point Village in Reston from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Wed., Sept. 18: First PTA Meeting of the year at 7 p.m. in the Clearview Library and on Zoom (link will be posted on PTBoard)
  • View full calendar events on PTBoard

 

See You at the Back-to-School Picnic Join us for our annual Back-to-School picnic on Fri., Sept. 13 from 6-8 pm in the fields and playground area behind the school. Bring your family, chairs, and picnic blanket. Enjoy lawn games, dancing, and prizes while meeting local community partners. Buses will depart the Berkdale Apartments at 5:45 and 6 pm, then depart Clearview at 8 and 8:15 pm. If it rains, we will reschedule for Thursday, Sept. 20 (same times).

Pre-Order Your Picnic Dinner

Pre-order whole cheese pizza or just slices: Click here and order no later than Tue., Sept. 10. You can also purchase other snacks, desserts, drinks and baked goodies at the picnic.

 

Calling All Bake Sale Buyers & Sellers

Bake sales are one way the PTA raises money for field trips, and we need your help! Click here to contribute items, either store-bought or homemade, donate snacks and drinks or volunteer to help at running the bake sale goods.

 

Eat More Chicken and Fundraiser for Field Trips Our first Spirit Night Fundraiser is Tuesday, Sept. 12 at the North Point Village Chick-fil-A in Reston. We really should call it Spirit Day because the PTA will get a portion of your sales—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—as long as you mention the Clearview Elementary PTA Spirit Event or use the code JACKETS in your mobile order. Spread the word and tell your friends, family, and neighbors!

 

Join the PTA today

The PTA brings together families, teachers, and staff to talk about issues that are important to the school and our community. We raise money to fund field trips, host family-engagement events, and show support and appreciation to staff and teachers. Anyone can join the Clearview PTA. Sign up online with school code HA88NV (click here) or complete the paper form sent home in your child’s next Tuesday Folder. Membership is $10 for one-person or $15 per family. You can also donate $15 to sponsor another family or you can tell us if your family needs a free, sponsored membership.

 

Stay Connected

  • Bookmark our PTA website where you’ll find announcements, calendars, sign-up forms, and more! When you “sign up” at PTBoard, you’ll also receive announcement emails.
  • Attend our meetings on the third Wednesday of each month (September-May) at 7 p.m. They’re held in the school library (or sometimes at a local community center) and on Zoom.
  • Join our Facebook Group: The Buzz: Clearview Elementary PTA (Herndon, VA). Be sure to answer the membership questions!
  • Check your child’s Tuesday Folder for PTA flyers and forms.

We can’t wait to get to know you and your families!

Your 2023-24 Clearview PTA Board: Yhanni Durdin-James (President), Ping Pan (President-Elect), Erin Sager (Treasurer), Amanda Robson (Secretary), Erin Ruark (VP of Events), and Brian Kelley (VP of Fundraising). Reach out anytime at ClearviewElementaryPTA@gmail.com!



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