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Dear Mantua Families,
What a fantastic start to the school year! Our students have been settling into their new classrooms and embarking on exciting learning adventures. We are prioritizing relationships and creating a joyful learning environment as we delve into our new curriculum and foster a welcoming atmosphere at Mantua.
Our students are enjoying the inviting ambiance at Rocky's Cafe during lunch, and our community continues to grow closer through activities like Movement Mondays and the PTA Ice Cream Social. We look forward to seeing all of you next week at our Back to School Night.
For those interested in learning more about Advanced Academic Programs (AAP), please join us for our Information Night on September 18th from 6-8 PM at Mantua. Kathy Van Dyke, our Advanced Academics Resource Teacher, will provide a comprehensive overview of AAP services, identification processes, referrals, and important deadlines. Spanish language interpretation will be available.
Take good care,
Ms. Shannon, Mr. Deixler and Mrs. Vaughan
  Save the Dates!
September 15-October 15: National Hispanic Heritage Month
September 16: Three-hour early release at 1:05 PM
September 18: AAP Information Night, 6-8 PM
September 19: Back to School Night, 6:00-7:30 PM
Sept 21-29: Blue Star Welcome Week
Be sure to bookmark the FCPS School Calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances.
Mantua News & Information
Early Release Monday - September 16th
Mantua and the Woodson Pyramid elementary schools will have the first Early Release this coming Monday, September 16. Afterschool supervision has been made available for families who indicated childcare hardship through the Google form and parent contact. Parent responses regarding their child’s dismissal plans will directly guide student dismissal. We will not use PickUp Patrol (PUP) as our default plan on the limited early release days.
FCPS communications have shared with families that students who stay at school between early release and regular dismissal will not be with their regular teacher and will not receive instruction during this time.
Staff Weekly Recognition
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Want to share your appreciation for a wonderful staff member here at Mantua? Just fill out a WOW card and drop it in the glass jar at the front office. Last year, we began this weekly acknowledgement with colleague-to-colleague notes. This year, we have extended the fun to families and students. You will find the WOW card spot in the main office. We raffle a name each week and then display all notes throughout the week. Please join us in this joy-filled activity. |
Back to School Night
Please join us for Back to School Night on Wednesday, September 19. On this evening, our teachers will be presenting sessions within their classrooms. You will learn about their curriculum and instructional practices at Mantua and hear important FCPS information on what to expect this school year. Our specialists will pre-record informational videos that will be available on our website on the day of the event to view at your convenience. *This is an adult-only event.
In order to support our parking needs, we have scheduled a Parking transition period from 6:30-7:00 PM. Those not attending the second session are asked to leave to make parking spaces available. Our admin team will be available in the cafeteria during this time.
We look forward to seeing you!
6:00 - 6:30 PM - Classroom Session #1
6:30 - 7:00 PM - Parking Transition
Light refreshments are available in the cafeteria for those attending Session #2
7:00 - 7:30 PM - Classroom Session #2
The Positivity Project
Last week, our school community focused on the strength of Teamwork. Teamwork means you work well as a member of a group or team. You are loyal, reliable, and dedicated to helping your team achieve its goals. Teamwork involves prioritizing group success. Those who are strong in teamwork help all group members succeed, committing time and resources to the group's goals. They often delay personal accomplishments to ensure the group's overall success, which fosters positive feelings and counters selfishness and egotism.
This week, our school will focus on the character strength of Open-Mindedness. This means being willing to consider new ideas and try new things. It involves looking at situations from all sides and not jumping to conclusions. Open-mindedness is about seeking out and fairly weighing evidence, even if it goes against our own opinions or goals. Open-minded people listen to different viewpoints, including those that are less popular. They are often good listeners and provide balanced advice, which makes them great friends and confidants. This strength helps individuals form meaningful and lasting relationships.
To practice and encourage the character strengths of teamwork and open-mindedness at home, please visit the Positivity Project’s mobile-friendly P2 for Families. There, you will watch a video clip together and discuss a quote and three questions related to teamwork.
Mantua Movement Mondays
We are inviting staff, students, and families to Movement Mondays from 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM every Monday. This program will run on Mondays weekly through November 25th. We will be walking or jogging around and eventually adding some fun fitness components and exercises to our laps. Students can be dropped off any time after 8:30 AM to walk with their friends and will be dismissed to class at 9:05. Exercise is a great way to boost your mood, improve focus, and improve your ability to do everyday activities. We are looking forward to seeing you there!
Advanced Academics Programs
AAP INFORMATION NIGHT FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS
Mantua will hold its annual Advanced Academics Program (AAP) Information Night on Wednesday, September 18, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in the cafeteria. This is a great way for parents and caregivers to learn about the types of AAP services offered in Fairfax County Public Schools, how students are identified for AAP services, how to make a referral, and important deadlines. Spanish language interpretation will be available.
For any questions, please contact the Mantua Advanced Academics Resource Teacher (AART), Kathy Van Dyke, at kkvandyke@fcps.edu
PARENT REQUESTS TO RETAKE ABILITIES TEST (COGAT OR NNAT)
All students in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) take the Cognitive Aptitude Test (CogAT - grade 2) and the Naglieri Nonverbal Aptitude Test (NNAT - grade 1) as part of universal screening for Advanced Academics Program (AAP) services. Families may request a one-time retake of an ability test (either the CogAt or the NNAT, but not both) during their child's time in FCPS. Families of students in grades 3 - 6 who wish their child to retake the CogAt need to notify the school in writing by September 15. Please direct CogAt retake requests to the Mantua Advanced Academics Resource Teacher (AART), Kathy Van Dyke, at kkvandyke@fcps.edu no later than September 15.
Mantua Preschool Welcomes New Playmates!
Calling all little friends!
Mantua Preschool is excited to announce our Community Peers Program! We're looking for a few friendly preschoolers (aged 3 ½ - 5 years) to join our learning activities alongside our current students. This opportunity coincides with our half day preschool program.
What's in it for everyone?
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Community Peers: Make new friends, share experiences, and have a blast!
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Mantua Preschool Students: Learn new skills by playing with peers and watch friendships blossom!
Why is this cool?
- Playing together helps everyone learn important social skills like sharing, taking turns, and being kind.
- It's a fun and supportive environment for all children to grow!
Interested?
Want to learn more about the program and how your child can participate? Contact Diana Grace at dlgrace@fcps.edu.
Let's play and learn together!
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. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month.
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.
Update Your Contact Information
Want to easily access back-to-school forms and checklists? Log in to your SIS ParentVUE account to find forms and make updates.
Update Contact Information
Be among the first to know about weather closings, bus delays, and other critical communications from your school and FCPS by providing your cell phone number and email in SIS ParentVUE. To update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, click the “Online Packets” tab in the upper right of the screen, then click the “Online Verification/Update” icon.
Parents/caregivers who do not have a SIS ParentVUE account should print and complete the Emergency Care Information Form (PDF) and submit it to their child’s school.
Complete Permission Forms
Families can now easily give permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. This online tool can be accessed using your SIS ParentVUE account. Parents can easily opt their child in or out of resources including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. They can also change how student information is managed.
Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. Watch this video to see how to use the tool.
2023-30 Strategic Plan: Foundation of Four Pillars
While the five goals of FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan focus on student success, the four pillars describe what FCPS must do well to reach our goals for all students:
- The first focus of the pillars is on teaching and learning. We want to make sure each and every student has access to excellent and inclusive learning environments, and that instruction meets students’ individual needs.
- The second pillar focuses on our connection with families and our communities. We cannot do this work alone. Strong partnerships are key to our students’ success.
- The third pillar is centered on our hiring and maintaining a world class, diverse workforce. We want to make sure our incredible employees have what they need to help our students thrive.
- The fourth and final pillar centers on how we bring this all together. We remain focused on creating a culture of equity, excellence, and accountability where data guides our decisions.
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.
Cell Phones Off, Learning On
Thank you for helping to support the FCPS cell phone policy by waiting to call or text your child about non-urgent matters until the school day is over. In case of an emergency, it is always best to contact the school’s front office to reach your child during class time.
Visit the FCPS Cell Phone Policy webpage to read more about usage policies by grade level and to share your feedback on the current cell phone policy.
VALLS, EMAS, and iReady Notification of Testing
The Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) require schools to provide reading and mathematics screening tests for all students in grades 3-6. These assessments also fulfill a requirement for reading and mathematics growth assessments under the Virginia Assessment Program (VAP). Test results help families and teachers know how to support each student’s learning and development. The Academic Screening, Growth, and Diagnostic Tests webpage provides more information on these tests.
- iReady Math - all students scheduled to take the spring Standards of Learning (SOL)
- iReady Reading - all students scheduled to take the spring SOL
- Virginia Language and Literacy Screening System (VALLSS) - only select grade 3 students
Elementary teachers assess all grade 3-6 students with iReady Math and iReady Reading in fall, winter, and spring. Tests are delivered within the classroom instructional block. Teachers set specific testing dates for each class. General timing for required screening and growth tests is available on the Grade Level Tests webpage.
Based on academic screening results, some students may require a reading plan or math intervention plan. Some students may require additional diagnostic tests to help teachers determine specific areas for support. If you have questions about academic screening, growth, or diagnostic tests, please contact your student’s teacher.
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 weeks 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.
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:
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Monday, September 23, at Newington Forest Elementary
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Monday, September 30, at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary
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Monday, October 14, at Fairhill Elementary
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Monday, October 21, at Virginia Run Elementary
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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.
Quick Contacts & Links
Linda Shannon, Principal LCSshannon@fcps.edu
Rich Deixler, Assistant Principal RADeixler@fcps.edu
Colleen Vaughan, Assistant Principal CAVaughan@fcps.edu
Mergie Kakouris, Student Information Assistant, MBKakouris@fcps.edu
Fadwa Finaish, Office Assistant, FFinaish@fcps.edu
Judy Toy, Office Assistant, JPToy@fcps.edu
Susan Palomino, SLPalomino@fcps.edu
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