September 2, 2024
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Dear Families,
We’ve just completed the second week of school, and it's been wonderful to see the excitement and energy in our classrooms. A special welcome to our youngest students—the preschoolers—who joined us last week. Their smiles and enthusiasm have truly brightened our school!
And in a blink of an eye, it is September! The beginning of the school year often involves various assessments and diagnostic tasks to gauge students' academic progress. These evaluations are crucial because they provide teachers with the necessary data to tailor instruction, both for the whole class and for small groups. By understanding where each student stands academically, educators can design lessons that address the specific needs and strengths of their students, ensuring that all learners are supported effectively throughout the year.
Lastly, we continue to model and reinforce school-wide expectations, such as maintaining silent hallways, showing respect towards others at all times, and ensuring safety in all learning environments. Your partnership in reinforcing these expectations is greatly appreciated. Thank you, and have a wonderful week ahead!
In partnership,
Principal Vega and Assistant Principal Bermudez
FCPS Calendar
IMPORTANT SURVEY TO COMPLETE
Families, we need 100% completion of this important survey to ensure safety for all our students.
Dear Parent/Caregiver,
Students will be dismissed 3 hours early seven times throughout the school year and are encouraged to return home via their normal route. If your family has childcare hardship because of the early release Mondays, student supervision will be available for families who need it.
The following dates are planned for Early Release Mondays throughout the school year and a dismissal time of 12:30 p.m.
- 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/RheQnx9aeWJqdXCP7 for each of your children who are enrolled at Sleepy Hollow Elementary.
Thanks,
Principal Vega
2024 Student Rights and Responsibilities
FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities document (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. Read Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s letter to families regarding the SR&R.
Parents/caregivers should talk to their child(ren) about expectations for this school year. Also, please log in to SIS ParentVUE and sign to acknowledge your review of the SR&R, or sign and return the signature sheet to your child’s school by Monday, September 30.
You can submit questions online regarding the SR&R.
SEL Screener
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) believes in supporting social and emotional learning (SEL) for all students. In FCPS, students use a tool called the SEL Screener to think about their own SEL skills and experiences at school. Pine Spring Elementary students in grades 3-6 will be participating in the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener in the Fall and Spring.
After each screening, results are available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families without a ParentVUE account. You can also learn more on the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.
Primary Elementary (PreK-2) Academic Screening, Growth, and Diagnostic
Primary grade levels PreK-2 use different assessments to meet state and division requirements. Students in grades PreK-2 participate in literacy screeners required by the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA). Mathematics screeners fulfill a Virginia Kindergarten Readiness Program (VKRP) requirement for grades PreK-K and fulfill a FCPS Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) requirement for grades 1-2.
- Virginia Language and Literacy Screening System (VALLSS) is used with all Grade PreK-2 students in fall, winter, and spring
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Early Mathematics Assessment System (EMAS) is used with all Grade PreK and Kindergarten students in fall and spring
iReady Math is used with all Grade 1-2 students in fall and spring; students whose fall score is below benchmark will also retest in the winter.
Upper Elementary (3-5) Academic Screening, Growth, and Diagnostic
Upper elementary grade levels 3-5 use different assessments to meet state requirements. Reading screeners and additional diagnostics fulfill Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) requirements. Mathematics screeners fulfill FCPS Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) requirements. Screening tests at these grades also serve as growth assessments to fulfill Virginia Assessment Program (VAP) requirements.
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iReady Math is used in fall, winter, and spring with all Grade 3-6 students scheduled to take a spring SOL test
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iReady Reading is used in fall, winter, and spring with all Grade 3-6 students scheduled to take a spring SOL test
- Virginia Language and Literacy Screening System (VALLSS) is used as a state screener for select Grade 3 students each window
- In fall, VALLSS is used with students new to Virginia public schools and students who are identified for a reading plan based on their iReady Reading score
- In winter and spring, VALLSS is used with students whose fall VALLSS scores showed a need for support.
- iReady Passage Reading Fluency (PRF) diagnostic is used with Grade 4-6 students who are identified for a reading plan based on their iReady Reading score
- CORE Phonics Inventory diagnostic is used with Grade 4-6 students whose iReady PRF result is below benchmark
- Developmental Spelling Assessment (DSA) diagnostic is used in fall and and spring with all Grade 4-6 students
Safety Drills During the School Year
Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for all of us. We have a crisis management and emergency preparedness plan for our school that is reviewed and updated regularly. Our plan includes procedures on how to respond to incidents such as fires and tornadoes. Students and staff regularly practice these drills every school year. We also practice lockdown drills.
A new Virginia Law (22.1-137.2) requires schools to notify parents at least 24 hours before a school practices a lockdown drill. However, we are not required to share the exact date and time of the drill. We are required to practice lockdown drills two times a year. FCPS lockdown drills do not include any type of active shooter scenario training, they are instruction and classroom based.
We will conduct a lockdown drill at our school soon. Our pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students are exempt from mandatory participation in lockdown drills during the first 60 days of the school year. They will participate in our second and final drill later this school year.
Additional information on our lockdown drill program to include parent tips and FAQs can be found on the Emergency Planning and Crisis Response web page. After reviewing this content, you should discuss the value of these safety drills with your child.
Keeping our school safe and secure for all students and staff involves the participation of the entire school community, and we thank you for your help to keep our school safe.
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