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Dear Mantua Families,
We want to start by thanking everyone who attended Thursday's PTA meeting and Instructional Information session. It was wonderful to see so many families come together to learn about our literacy and math updates and connect with one another. A huge thank you to our amazing presenters, Amanda Bontzos, our Reading Specialist, and Jackie Cordiner, our Instructional Coach.
Our littlest learners continue to have pumpkin-filled, furry-fun weeks. Our kindergartners had an "hay-mazing" time at Cox Farms, exploring a pumpkin patch and meeting some farmyard friends. We will be sure to share photos next week from their adventure. We have included photos from last week’s first-grade trip to Krop’s Crops – another pumpkin patch experience to remember!
Early Release Reminder: Don't forget about our Early Release Monday on October 21st! If you need to make any changes to your child's dismissal plan, please fill out the Google survey that was sent out with the confirmation correspondence via text and TalkingPoints.
Run 4 Rocky is Coming! We're gearing up for our annual Run 4 Rocky event on October 25th! Rocky himself visited our classrooms today, and we're having a Spirit Week to celebrate. Mark your calendars and show your Mantua spirit!yhuyjh5uy5
Book Fair Saturday Special Event: Save the date for our Book Fair on Saturday, October 26th, from 10 AM - 2 PM! Come shop for books, see your friends, and enjoy delicious food from Char'd Burger and Captain Cookie.
Take good care,
Ms. Shannon, Mr. Deixler, and Mrs. Vaughan
Save the Dates!
October 21: Three Hour Early Release for students, 1:05 PM
October 22: FLE Preview Night, Virtual event, 5:30-6:15 PM
October 24-31: Mantua Book Fair
October 25: Mantua PTA Run 4 Rocky Event
October 26: Mantua Book Fair Saturday Event, 10 AM -2 PM
October 31: Mantua Spirit Parade
October 31: End of the Quarter, two-hour early release for students, 2:05 PM
November 1: Diwali and All Saint’s Day/Dia de los Muertos, staff and student holiday
November 4: School Planning Day, student holiday
November 5: Election Day, teacher workday, and student holiday
Be sure to bookmark the FCPS School Calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances.
Early Release Monday 10/21
Many of you have already communicated the dismissal plan for your student. A communication was sent to you this afternoon that allows you to make plan changes to your October 21 dismissal plan. This survey is a CHANGE ONLY communication. If your plans for October 21 remain the same, no further action is needed. Students enrolled in PM SACC will attend SACC at 1:05 PM. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Shannon through Ms. Palomino at slpalomino@fcps.edu .
Feature Friday
Starting next week, two classrooms will be featured each Friday on Mantua’s Instagram page. We invite all staff and community members to contribute by submitting positive messages about the featured staff member using this Google form. This is a wonderful opportunity to uplift and recognize our team for their hard work and dedication! Our first two classrooms featured will be Preschool and Kindergarten (Britton/Macedo).
Let’s make Feature Friday a fun and engaging way to celebrate our school community. Thank you for your enthusiasm and support!
Your Input on Mantua's Top 10
Every FCPS school is creating a highlights section on its website, which lists some of the great things that make each school unique. We know many of you share our joy of being part of the amazing Mantua ES community. If you have a few minutes, please consider completing this linked form to give us your perspective on what makes Mantua so special! We are asking for responses by Tuesday, 10/22.
Club Opportunities for Mantua Students
LAST CALL! We have a few spots left.
The Technology Youth Empowerment After School Program
This after-school program, run by student volunteers from Frost and Woodson, will meet Wednesday after school on November 6, 13, 20, and December 4, 11, 18, 4:05- 5:15 PM.
Priority for registration will be given to students who did not participate in last year's TYE program. If there are more students requesting registration than spots available, slots will be filled by lottery.
Click on the linked form to register your child for the TYE program.
Creative Writing Club
This before-school program is sponsored by Mrs. Van Dyke, Mantua’s Advanced Academics Resource Teacher. Meetings will be held before school from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. on Thursday mornings in the STEAM Lab.
The club will meet before school on Thursday mornings from 8:00 to 9:00 AM in the STEAM Lab (Room 240). Meeting dates will be November 7, 14, 21, December 5, 12, 19, and January 9, 16, and 23.
Registration is available for students in grades 4 - 6. Priority for registration will be given to students in the 5th and 6th grades, and to our Mantua Young Scholars. If there are more students requesting registration than spots available, slots will be filled by lottery.
Click on the linked form to register for the Creative Writing Club.
For questions about registering for either the TYE after-school program or the before-school Creative Writing Club, please email Kathy Van Dyke at kkvandyke@fcps.edu. You may also message Ms. Van Dyke through Talking Points.
The Positivity Project
This week, our school will focus on the character strength of Creativity. Creativity means coming up with new and original ways to think about and do things.
Creative people see the world differently. They are open to new experiences and think independently. They come up with many ideas and pursue them with energy and enthusiasm. Creativity takes courage because sharing original ideas can sometimes lead to criticism.
Creativity is vital to our world! Creative solutions can help resolve conflicts and find compromises that satisfy everyone involved, strengthening relationships. It helps us solve tough problems, create new things, and see the world in fresh ways. Examples include treatments for deadly illnesses, such as cancer, the invention of the cell phone, and the development of solar panels. Imagine life without Impressionist paintings or the creation of airplanes and rocket ships.
To encourage creativity with your child at home, visit the Positivity Project’s mobile-friendly P2 for Families. There, you can watch a video, read a quote, and discuss three questions together.
Veterans Day Planning
With November approaching, our Mantua school community would like to celebrate our veterans and thank them for their sacrifices for our country. We would like to honor your family’s veteran(s) in our veteran slideshow, which will be played in our front lobby throughout November. Please submit a digital photograph in jpg format to Jane Dunfee (pjdunfee@fcps.edu) with the following information:
- Name and Picture of your Veteran
- Rank
- Branch of the military in which they served/are serving
- Wars, Conflicts, or Places they served
In addition, we are hosting a breakfast for our veterans and their families on Friday, November 8th, at 8:30 AM in the cafeteria. ) After the breakfast concludes, we would like to honor all service members with a victory cheer from our classrooms at 9:15 so that our students can recognize and cheer on our attendees. Please indicate if your veteran and their family members can attend byRSVPing through this link. *5th-grade chorus members performing at breakfast and their families are also welcome to attend.
National School Bus Safety Week
This upcoming week is National School Bus Safety Week is an active and evolving public education program and an excellent way for parents, students, teachers, motorists, school bus operators, school administrators, and other interested parties - to join forces and address the importance of school bus safety.
Religious and Cultural Observances
Thursday, October 31, is the last day of the first quarter, and a two-hour early release for students. Friday, November 1, is a holiday this year for Diwali and Dia de los Muertos and All Saints Day. All schools and offices will be closed. Schools are closed for students on Monday, November 4, for a school planning day, and Tuesday, November 5, for a teacher workday. See the complete school year calendar.
Diwali (Friday, Nov. 1):We wish a fun Diwali to all celebrating! Diwali is a festival of lights and one of the major festivals celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs & some Buddhists. The festival represents the symbolic victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. #OurFCPS
All Saints Day and Día de los Muertos (Friday, Nov. 1):This week we recognize those in our community observing All Saints Day and Día de los Muertos. For Catholics, All Saints Day (November 1) celebrates all those who are with God in Heaven, known and unknown. All Souls Day (November 2), known in Mexico and Latin America as Día de los Muertos, is a day of remembrance and prayer for all those who have died, especially for the souls who may be in purgatory. These special days are celebrated by Catholics, Anglicans, and some Protestants throughout the world. #OurFCPS
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, 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 o
Safeway Immunization Clinics for All FCPS Students
Safeway Pharmacy will host immunization clinics for any FCPS student age 18 or younger at Frost Middle School on Monday, October 28, and Tuesday, October 29, from 3 to 7 p.m.
Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. A parent or guardian must accompany walk-in students age 18 or younger to provide consent. Learn more about immunization resources and registering in other languages for the Safeway clinic.
Students age 19 and older may access free immunizations at their middle/high school immunization clinic, the Fairfax County Health Department or through other community resources.
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.
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
Jane Dunfee, SBTS, Testing Coordinator, pjdunfee@fcps.edu
Fadwa Finaish, Office Assistant, FFinaish@fcps.edu
Judy Toy, Office Assistant, JPToy@fcps.edu
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