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 Dear Panther Families,
As we continue to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15), we are filled with pride for the rich diversity that makes up our Mount Vernon Woods Elementary community. With 63% of our student population identifying as Hispanic, this month holds special meaning for many of our students, families, and staff.
Throughout the month, our students will engage in various activities and lessons that highlight the impact of Hispanic cultures, including daily highlights on the Morning News Show. We have even heard from some of our Hispanic teachers about their own experiences as Hispanic Americans. At Mt Vernon Woods, we strive to create a learning environment where every student’s heritage is celebrated, respected, and embraced.
Sincerely,
Gina O'Neal, Principal
Christine Berry, Assistant Principal
Kristen Robinson, Assistant Principal
September 30- Community Conversations with Dr. Reid at Mt Vernon Woods
October 3- Cultural Observance of Rosh Hashanah- No School
October 4- Teacher worker day- Students Do Not Report
October 7- Advanced Academic Parent Information Night 4:30pm, Family Food Market 5:00pm
October 8- PTO Meeting 4:30pm
October 14- Student Holiday
Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation!
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Community Conversations this fall, including a night at Mt Vernon Woods on Monday. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click a date below to register:
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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.
Events will take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.
Advanced Academic Parent Information Night
Join us for our annual Advanced Academic Parents Information meeting on October 7, 2024, from 4:00 to 4:45pm. Those who attend will receive a ticket for the line for Family Food Market. You must arrive prior to 4:30 to receive the ticket. In this information session, we will talk about the continuum of services provided by Fairfax County Public Schools and at Mount Vernon Woods. Fairfax County believes that all students deserve an excellent education. Please see the attached newsletter for a further description of our services and testing deadlines. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Brenda Dreesbach at brdreesbach@fcps.edu.
9/24 PTO Meeting Updates
Meet the 2024-2025 PTO Board Members!
President: Tashira Roberts
Vice President: Eddie Alfaro
Secretary: Maricar Buenio
Treasurer: Yasmin Aguirre
Teacher/Staff Representative: Hagan Wilson
Parent/Community Liaison: Jeannette Little
- The board will meet monthly to prepare for monthly meetings
- The board will communicate with PTO members about upcoming events
- Fliers, talking points, email, and/or website
- The board will work with PTO members and the community to plan events, fundraisers, and special projects
SAVE THE DATES!
October 8th- PTO Meeting in the Library at 4:30 pm **Snacks and Childcare Provided**
October 10th- Panther P.R.I.D.E. Day (Volunteers needed)
October 15th Panthers Go Green- We Recycle! (Volunteers needed)
October 25th Fundraiser at Chuck-E-Cheese!
October 23rd -October 31st Red Ribbon Week (Volunteers needed)
Please reach out to Jeannette Little cjlittle@fcps.edu about volunteering or email mvwespto@gmail.com
Gun Safety and Safe Gun Storage
Providing students and staff with a safe educational environment remains our priority. Sadly, gun violence continues to impact schools and communities across our nation.
In FCPS, lessons on gun safety are built into our curriculum. It is critical that parents and guardians talk to their children about the importance of gun safety and safe gun storage in their homes, and in any home they may visit.
The FCPS website has gun safety resources as well as information about safety and security practices at schools. See Dr. Reid’s recent letter to the community for more resources.
Safely Store Firearms and Medications
The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board has a limited supply of free locking medication boxes and trigger locks that fit a wide variety of firearms. Visit the Lock and Talk website to learn more.
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 Stephanie Barnes, our school psychologist, Jos Waldron and Priscilla Guevara, school social workers, or Gary Lowe, school counselor at 703-619-2800, 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.
Attendance Tip: Scheduling Family Trips or Events
Good attendance is an important life skill that will help students succeed in school and beyond.
When planning trips or family events, refer to the FCPS calendar and try to use weekends and school holidays. Every day of learning is a day toward success. Keep in mind that absences add up quickly. Students absent 10% of the school year (or just two days per month) are considered chronically absent.
When possible, schedule appointments for your child outside of school hours. If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or another reason, you must report the absence.
Watch this video with tips on understanding the FCPS school year calendar and visit the Attendance webpage for additional information. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!
Consejo para la asistencia: Programar viajes o eventos familiares
La buena asistencia es una habilidad importante para la vida que ayudará a los estudiantes a tener éxito en la escuela y más allá.
Cuando planee viajes o eventos familiares, refiérase al calendario de FCPS y trate de usar los fines de semana y días festivos de la escuela. Cada día de aprendizaje es un día hacia el éxito. Tenga en cuenta que las ausencias se suman rápidamente. Los estudiantes que faltan el 10% del año escolar (o sólo dos días al mes) se consideran ausentes crónicos.
Cuando sea posible, programe citas para su hijo fuera del horario escolar. Si su hijo tiene que faltar a clase por enfermedad u otro motivo, debe reportar la ausencia.
Vea este vídeo con consejos para entender nuestro calendario escolar y visite nuestra página web de Asistencia para obtener información adicional. ¡Asista hoy, para tener exito mañana!
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.
Upcoming Community Celebrations:
September 14, 2024: Hispanic Heritage Month at Patrick Henry
September 15, 2024: MOLA Presents: Mi Pequeño El Salvador Festival
September 28-29, 2024: Fiesta DC
October 5, 2024: Fiesta Fairfax
Parent/Caregiver Checklist: Have You Completed These Important Forms?
We understand that the multiple school forms caregivers receive during the first weeks of school can feel overwhelming, but each one helps set your child up for a successful school year! If you do not have a SIS ParentVUE account, please contact the front office for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage.
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 the front office.
Alternative immunization documents (below) may also be provided, 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.
Permission Forms
Families can easily grant permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. Parents can 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. See how to use the tool.
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 Monday, September 30.
Entendemos que los múltiples formularios escolares que reciben los cuidadores durante las primeras semanas de clases pueden resultar abrumadores, ¡pero cada uno ayuda a preparar a su hijo para un año escolar exitoso! Si no tiene una cuenta de SIS ParentVUE, comuníquese con la oficina principal para obtener un código de activación y siga las instrucciones en la página web de la cuenta de SIS ParentVUE.
Requisitos de inmunización
Consulte con su proveedor de atención médica lo antes posible para asegurarse de que su hijo esté al día con las vacunas requeridas por el estado de Virginia. A partir del lunes 30 de septiembre, los estudiantes que no hayan proporcionado prueba de vacunación no podrán asistir a la escuela.
Puede verificar el cumplimiento de la vacunación de su hijo y enviar su registro de vacunación en SIS ParentVUE. Los registros también pueden entregarse en la oficina principal.
También se pueden proporcionar documentos de vacunación alternativos (a continuación), pero no se pueden cargar en ParentVUE:
- Declaración escrita de un proveedor de atención médica que especifica todas las vacunas administradas.
- Declaración escrita de un proveedor de atención médica de una exención médica permanente o temporal.
- Un formulario de Exención Religiosa notariado que se opone a la administración de vacunas debido a conflictos con principios o prácticas religiosas.
Encuentre más información sobre las vacunas.
Formularios de permiso
Las familias pueden otorgar fácilmente permiso para que sus hijos accedan a una variedad de recursos escolares a través del sistema de Consentimiento Digital para Padres. Los padres pueden optar por que sus hijos ingresen o no a los recursos, incluidas las herramientas educativas en línea, los servicios de asesoramiento escolar y los servicios de tutoría. También pueden cambiar la forma en que se administra la información de los estudiantes. Visite la página web de Consentimiento Digital para Padres para acceder al sistema. Vea cómo usar la herramienta.
Derechos y Responsabilidades del Estudiante (SR&R)
El documento de SR&R explica las expectativas para el comportamiento de los estudiantes y las respuestas de los adultos. A los padres que utilicen SIS ParentVUE se les pedirá que firmen el documento al iniciar sesión en esa plataforma. Una versión imprimible del documento con una hoja de firma está disponible en la página web de SR&R. Este formulario debe ser firmado y devuelto antes del lunes 30 de septiembre.
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