 A Message from our Administrators
Happy Friday Hunt Valley Families,
We have had another wonderful week of learning here at Hunt Valley. Our kindergarten classes and some of our 5th graders went on field trips this week and took the learning out of the classroom! Everyone had a wonderful time. Thank you to our teachers for organizing the field trips and to all the parents that chaperoned.
Monday, October 21st is our next 3-hour early release. All parents received confirmation about what time their child(ren) would be going home on Monday via eNotify. Please reach out to the front office with any questions.
Tonight, our chorus will be singing the National Anthem at the West Springfield High School football game. Please come out and support our students!
Tomorrow evening, the WSHS SGA will be hosting a Trunk or Treat starting at 5:00 pm.
Tuesday, October 22nd is a PTA Fundraiser at Noodles & Company. Buying dinner on Tuesday is a great way to support our school! See the flyer below.
There is a lot of information in this week's News You Choose. Please see the information below about the following:
-Pumpkin Parade
-Nominations for FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards
-SCA Updates
-Picture Day Information
-Baked Good Donation Drive for 6th grade
-Veterans Day Celebration
-Thanksgiving Luncheon
During October, we recognize the following: National School Principals Month, Disability History and Awareness Month, and National Bullying and Prevention Month. Please see more information below.
We hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend.
Sincerely,
Keieownna Hightower, Principal
Chrissy Gibbs, Assistant Principal
Eric Kopacz, Assistant Principal
 |
|
Mark Your Calendar
October 21--3-hour early release @ 1:05 pm
October 24--Picture Day
October 31--End of First Quarter; 2-hour early release @ 2:05 pm
November 1--Diwali Holiday
November 4 & 5--Student Holiday/Election Day
|
 
Take an ordinary pumpkin and turn it into an extraordinary book character.
Get a pumpkin (real or artificial) and decorate it as a book character (middle grade or picture book). Use paint, stickers, glue, etc. but, no cutting allowed. Then make up three clues about your pumpkin’s identity and write them on the outside of a folded index card (or 3x5 piece of cardstock). Inside the card, write the character’s name, the creator’s name, and homeroom teacher.
Pumpkin delivery starts next Monday, October 21 and continues through Friday, October 25. The Pumpkin Parade will be October 28-31. Pumpkin Pickup is November 4-8.
Nominations are now open for the 2024-2025 FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards!
Let a staff member know how much you appreciate them by submitting a nomination today!
To submit a nomination for a Hunt Valley Elementary School Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through this Google Form: https://forms.gle/KNSGnj2PP8m98L2Q8
You may nominate one employee at our school in a single category or different employees in each category. One individual may only nominate one employee per category.
All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. The Survey Monkey link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards. The eligibility requirements are below.
Outstanding Teacher
Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
Outstanding New Teacher
Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians also
Outstanding New Principal
Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district)
Outstanding Leader
Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee (that is not the building principal):
*Common positions in this category: Assistant Principals, Director of Student Activities, Director of Student Services
Outstanding Professional Employee
Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position that supports school leadership
*Common positions in this category: School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Assessment Coach, Career Center Specialist, Instructional Coach, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Safety and Security Specialist, Resource Teachers (administrative role)
Outstanding Operational Employee
Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position, Classroom Instructional Support Scale
*Common positions in this category: Administrative and Office Staff, Safety and Security Assistant, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, All Parent Liaisons
The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, November 8, 2022. If you have any questions, please contact Chrissy Gibbs at cegibbs@fcps.edu or Sharon Sacks at sesacks@fcps.edu
  
Immunizations
Safeway Immunization Clinics for All FCPS Students
Safeway Pharmacy will be providing immunizations at Frost Middle School for all FCPS students at no cost on:
- Saturday, October 12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Monday, October 28, 3-7 p.m.
Transportation options are available.
Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. A parent or guardian must accompany walk-in students under the age of 19 to provide consent. Learn more about immunization resources and registering in other languages for the Safeway clinic.
Elementary School Clinics
The Fairfax County Health Department will provide immunizations for FCPS elementary students on limited early release Mondays at their district offices. All school-required immunizations will be offered at no cost. Call 703-246-7100 to make your appointment.
   https://strawbridge.fotomerchanthv.com/clients/hunt-valley-elementary-school/fall-pictures-10-24-2024-58/optIn
Picture order forms have been sent home already with the students.
Sign up form will be available next week!
https://forms.gle/VJdcgMZnJRTQBGk36
 https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094DA5AF2EA6FECF8-51211530-cafeteria
Disability History and Awareness Month
In Virginia during October, Disability History and Awareness activities provide an opportunity to create greater public awareness for individuals with disabilities, with the goal of full inclusion in our community.
National Bullying Prevention Month
October is National Bullying Prevention Month. To help develop a common understanding of Bullying, below is the FCPS definition.
Bullying in Students Rights and Responsibilities is defined as: “Any aggressive and unwanted behavior that is intended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate the victim; involves a real or perceived power imbalance between the aggressor or aggressors and victim; and is repeated over time or causes severe emotional trauma. “Bullying” includes cyberbullying. “Bullying” does not include ordinary teasing, horseplay, argument, or peer conflict.”
For more information on how FCPS handles a bullying situation please visit the FCPS Bullying Prevention and Intervention webpage. Our goal is to ensure all students feel safe and welcome at school. If you have questions and/or concerns about something that is going on at school, please contact the front office so that they can support you and most importantly your student.
National School Principals Month
Every October, National Principals Month shines a spotlight on the transformative power of our school principals. These dedicated leaders play an essential role in shaping their communities, paving pathways to success for every student and staff member in their schools.
However, the principal’s role stretches far beyond administrative duties. Their leadership has a deep-seated impact on the very heart of education. Their influence radiates outwards, touching all facets of a school and significantly impacting student outcomes.
National Principals Month is a time for us all to celebrate and take action. Principals face very real challenges that urgently need our support. This month, we don’t just honor our principals, we advocate for them, urging for policy changes and strategic support that equip them to thrive in their pivotal roles.
We are so lucky to have Ms. Keieownna Hightower as our principal at Hunt Valley! Thank you for everything that you do for our school and our community!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094DA5AF2EA6FECF8-51771041-lunch
Advanced Academics Program Info
Advanced Academics Program (AAP) Information Session Mrs. Huntley, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART), will be offering two information sessions this Fall. Please join us on Wednesday, November 6th from 6:00-7:00 pm on Zoom, to learn about the AAP Continuum of Services in FCPS and the screening process for Full-Time services. Full-time AAP Services begin in 3rd grade, with the screening process starting in 2nd grade.
The referral form and optional parent questionnaire for Fall referrals can be submitted to Mrs. Huntley at arhuntley@fcps.edu.
Fall AAP 2024 Newsletter Fall 2024 Newsletter
|
