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Dear Mantua Families,
What a fantastic time we had as we connected with families during Back to School night! We warmly thank all families who attended and made this event a great success. It was exciting for our staff to interact with families, share what our students will be learning this year, and hear how the year is starting off. It was also a unique opportunity to share all of the amazing things happening at our school with our special guest, Superintendent Dr. Michelle C. Reid. I hope you enjoyed the evening as much as we did.
Get ready to walk, jog, or even dance on Movement Mondays! Join us tomorrow for a special Blue Star Welcome Week edition. Let's celebrate our military families with a fun-filled, patriotic activity around the track. Dress in your best red, white, and blue attire and enjoy the music, camaraderie, and positive energy. Together, we'll show our support for our military families and create a welcoming school community.
Blue Star Welcome Week is a nationwide initiative to ensure military families feel a sense of belonging to their school communities. There are approximately 13,500 military-connected students enrolled in FCPS. One-third of our military families transition into or out of our district each year. Blue Star Welcome Week allows schools to welcome and connect with their military families. The goal is to create a sense of belonging and ensure our military families feel celebrated and welcomed into their school communities. We hope to see you there!
Wishing you a wonderful week ahead!
Take good care,
Ms. Shannon, Mr. Deixler, and Mrs. Vaughan
Save the Dates!
September 15-October 15: National Hispanic Heritage Month
Sept 21-29: Blue Star Welcome Week
September 23: Movement Monday Special Event - Blue Star Welcome Walk
October 2: Religious and Cultural Observance, Rosh Hashanah (begins at sundown)
October 3: Rosh Hashanah, student holiday, schools and offices closed
October 4: Teacher workday, schools closed for students
October 8: Fall Picture Day for students
October 11: Yom Kippur, Religious and Cultural Observance
October 14: Staff Development Day, Student holiday
October 18: Woodson Homecoming Parade
Be sure to bookmark the FCPS School Calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances.
MANTUA News
Welcome!
We're over the moon to announce that Susan Palomino is joining our team as the Mantua Elementary School’s Administrative Finance Assistant! As a familiar face around here, her dedication and experience will be a huge asset. Over the past three years, Susan has been a rockstar in various roles, including COVID Coordinator, Office Assistant, and Finance Assistant. She has even directly supported our students as a Summer Learning Assistant. We're so excited to have Susan join our team and can't wait to see all the amazing things she will do in this new capacity. Welcome aboard!
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Early Release Mondays
We had our first of seven Early Release Mondays last week. There were many aspects of the day that were adjusted to prioritize essential learning on a reduced schedule, but still, our incredible students and staff made it work! In the upcoming weeks, we will send communications to confirm your dismissal plans for October 21.
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. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Shannon through Ms. Palomino at slpalomino@fcps.edu .
Here is a list of the remaining Early Release Mondays for the 2024-25 calendar year:
- October 21
- November 18
- February 10
- March 10
- April 21
- May 12
Staff Weekly Recognition
Want to share your appreciation for an outstanding staff member here at Mantua? Just fill out an AWESOME 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 AWESOME 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. It is such an encouragement for staff members to get this feedback from the community!
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The Positivity Project
This past week, our school community focused on the Other People Mindset of Being present and giving others my attention. This means when we are with other people, we are present and give them our full attention.
In today's world, it's easy to get distracted by phone calls, messages, and social media. These distractions can pull us away from what's most important — our relationships with other people.
Just as plants need sunlight to grow, our relationships need attention. If we don’t give our full attention when we are with our family, friends, and even colleagues, we can't build strong relationships. It’s crucial to put down our phones and tablets and really listen when others are talking. Positive relationships are the foundation of a positive culture, and we can’t build positive relationships without attention.
This week, our school will focus on the character strength of Perspective. This means understanding and appreciating different points of view. Perspective, often seen as wisdom, goes beyond intelligence. People with this strength are valued for their advice because they see the big picture and understand complex issues.
Those with perspective can get to the heart of difficult matters and bring clarity. They are honest, ethical, and good at seeing what truly matters. This helps them stay calm and learn from their mistakes. By reflecting on their own feelings and thoughts, they can empathize with others and offer strong listening and questioning skills. They help their groups navigate challenges and find opportunities for success.
To practice and encourage giving others our attention and the character strength of perspective, please visit the Positivity Project’s P2 for Families. There, you will watch a video clip together and discuss a quote and three questions.
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.
Immunizations
You may have received information from FCPS regarding immunizations for your child. This is a gentle reminder to make sure your student’s immunizations are up to date. Starting Monday, September 30, students who have not provided proof of immunization will not be allowed to attend school. You can view your child’s immunization status in your ParentVue account. Please contact Mergie Kakouris at MBKakouris@fcps.edu with any questions.
Mantua Movement Mondays
Again, we are inviting staff, students, and families to Movement Mondays from 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM every Monday. This program will run from September 9th through November 25th. We will walk or jog around the track. 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 AM. 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!
Movement Monday Special Event - Blue Star Welcome Walk
Calling all raccoons! During the week of September 23rd, schools and communities across the nation are celebrating Blue Star Military Family Week to foster school and community connections and support for military families. All are invited! Whether you are civilian, active duty, or retired from service, we would love to see you at the track on September 23rd from 8:30-9! Red, white, and blue attire is encouraged and muffins will be provided to all participants.
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
FCPS NEWS
Immunization Requirements
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 may check your child’s immunization compliance and submit their immunization record in SIS ParentVUE. Records may also be delivered to your school’s front office.
Alternative immunization documents (below) may also be provided to your school’s front office, but they may not be uploaded in ParentVUE:
- A healthcare provider’s written statement specifying all administered immunizations.
- A healthcare provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption.
- A notarized Religious Exemption form objecting to the administration of immunizations due to conflicts with religious tenets or practices.
Find more information on immunizations.
Fueling Student Success: New Food Options Cooked up at FCPS
Students will have more than a dozen new options for lunch and breakfast in school cafeterias starting this week. New menu items were either favorites at last year’s food show — including Korean BBQ wings, sweet Thai chili wings, chicken tikka masala, and barbacoa street tacos — or were tested with student focus groups and tastings.
View school menus to see all the new options and when they will become available.
The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, Empowered
The Office of Food and Nutrition Services' updates to lunch menus align with FCPS’ Strategic Plan Goal #2 - Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered. The new menu options reflect the many voices and cultures represented around every FCPS lunch table!
FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.
As part of the second goal, we want each and every student to feel like they belong and have the support they need to thrive. See how Goal 2 is being put into practice.
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 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.
Submit Absences
Parents can submit daylong absences through SIS ParentVUE. Log in and click “Report Absence.” Note: Partial day absences and changes of transportation should still be reported directly to the school front office.
Don’t Have a SIS ParentVUE Account Yet?
Contact your school for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage.
When a Student Should Stay Home From School
Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.
Help your child succeed by encouraging them to attend as many days as possible, but do make sure your child stays home if they are sick. Visit our website for information on when to keep your child at home.
If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify their teacher so that assistance can be provided if needed. Keep an open line of communication with your school's public health staff.
Read about how families can help form good attendance habits. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!
Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R)
The SR&R document explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses. Parents using SIS ParentVUE will be prompted to sign the document when logging in to that platform. A printable version of the document with a signature sheet is available on the SR&R webpage. This form should be signed and returned by Friday, September 30.
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
Susan Palomino, Administrative/Finance Assistant SLPalomino@fcps.edu
Mergie Kakouris, Student Information Assistant, MBKakouris@fcps.edu
Fadwa Finaish, Office Assistant, FFinaish@fcps.edu
Judy Toy, Office Assistant, JPToy@fcps.edu
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