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Dear Cardinal Families,
Next Monday, September 23rd begins our first Early Release Mondays planned this school year for elementary schools. This is essential to allow our staff time for planning and professional development. Students will be dismissed at 12:25 pm, unless you completed the google form sharing your child needs to remain at school due to a childcare hardship. You should have received an email this week confirming your decision so we know which students will stay until 3:25 pm. Here is some additional information to help Monday run smoothly:
- It is vitally important that you remain with the dismissal plan that has been communicated to school. We want to ensure all of our students get home safely, as planned, on Monday and your cooperation is needed so your family's plan is clear.
- If you plan on picking up your child between early and regular dismissal times, please know that due to high demand, this may take longer than usual.
There will be six additional times throughout the school year for early release days. As a reminder, the following dates are planned for Early Release Mondays throughout the school year:
- October 28
- December 9 (FCPS Date Change)
- February 24
- March 17
- April 28
- May 19
Warmly,
Allison Hoak, Principal
Jon Kemmerer, Assistant Principal
Family Resources
We want to express our sincere gratitude for the families that joined us at the recent PTA meeting. Your presence and active participation are essential to the success of our school community.
We were heartened by your enthusiasm and thoughtful questions as we discussed our goals for the upcoming year. Your support and partnership are invaluable as we strive to provide the best possible educational experiences for our students.
Resources shared during the meeting are linked below. Please take a moment to explore the websites and see what might be useful for you to use at home.
Literacy Resources
Math Resources
Social Emotional Resources
We All Belong at School
Each one of us is unique, and every student matters. If your student is having a difficult time attending class, please speak with a trusted adult at school.
Watch this video to see how everyone belongs at school. Visit our Attendance webpage for resources on attendance. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!
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Join us for Bedtime Stories! September 25th, 6:00-7:00 pm
Join families for our first literacy event of the year. We gather in the library with blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals to hear teachers read and to receive a few tips from our Reading Specialist, Vicki Mansuy. Every family will receive a small bag of books to read together before we adjourn for milk and cookies and to sign up for public library cards. Kids of all ages welcome with an adult!
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Advanced Academic Screening Process
We will host a parent information meeting on Thursday, October 10th from 6:00-7:00 pm in the library. Our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART), Jenna Murgia, will share about the Full Time AAP Screening Process. This information session is for parents of children in grades 2-6.
Students to Be Surveyed on Social-Emotional Learning
FCPS is committed to supporting the mental wellness of all students. The Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener helps our students share their perspectives on how their schools and communities support them and help them develop the skills they need to succeed.
The screener is offered to all students in grades 3 through 12 in the fall and spring. It addresses skills such as achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. Students also share how successful their school and community are at making them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to plan programming for the division, schools, and individual students.
After each screening, results will be available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families who don’t have a ParentVUE account. For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.
Families who wish to opt their child out may do so by completing the opt-out form in the Annual Notice packet or SIS ParentVUE. For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage or contact our front office.
Please note that the SEL Screener is not the same as the anonymous Fairfax County Youth Survey, which will take place later this fall.
Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health
Children go through a lot of changes, and it can be hard to tell if their behavior is developmentally appropriate or if they could benefit from mental health support. It’s important to talk to your child and pay attention to their actions, especially these warning signs:
- Increased irritability, hyperactivity, energy, and/or aggressive behavior.
- Excessive sadness, hopelessness, or worries.
- Loss of appetite, or significant weight gain or loss.
- Lack of sleep or too much sleep.
- A decline in grades, school avoidance, or attendance concerns.
- Alcohol or drug use.
- Withdrawal from activities and/or friends and family.
- Thoughts of harming themselves or others.
If you notice any of these warning signs or feel your child may be experiencing a mental health challenge, help is available. Please contact Ms. Lisa Lujan, our school counselor at lklujan@fcps.edu, to discuss your concerns and identify resources. Find additional ways to support your child’s wellness.
If you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis such as thoughts of harming themselves or others, please take action right away. Call 988, go to the nearest emergency room, or contact the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health Emergency Services at 703-573-5679.
FCPS Trust Policy Supports Caring Culture
Fairfax County Public Schools is proud of its caring culture and strives to provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space for all students and families. The FCPS Trust Policy solidifies this commitment and aligns with Fairfax County Goverment's Public Trust and Confidentiality Policy. It ensures that FCPS students and families can access FCPS benefits and services without fear that information will be disclosed, directly or indirectly, to federal immigration officials. Please visit FCPS’ Trust Policy webpage to learn more about the policy and regulation in multiple languages.
🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation!
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click the dates below to register for any of the following conversations:
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Monday, September 23, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Newington Forest Elementary School.
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Monday, September 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School.
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Monday, October 14, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Fairhill Elementary School.
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Monday, October 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Virginia Run Elementary School.
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Wednesday, October 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Herndon Middle School..
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