Orange Hunt News We HOOT

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Check out what is happening at Orange Hunt this week:

Our first-grade students celebrated the fall season with a creative and festive Pumpkin Parade! Each student transformed a pumpkin into a beloved storybook character, showcasing their imagination and artistic skills. The parade was a delightful event, filled with colorful pumpkins and excited young learners. It was a wonderful opportunity for our students to share their creations with their classmates and teachers.


Federal Impact Aid Survey - DUE NOW

Complete your survey - click here

FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available in SIS ParentVUE under Online Packets (in the upper right corner after logging in). Please complete it as soon as possible.

For any families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE, schools will provide paper forms starting Wednesday, November 13. Paper forms should be returned by Friday, November 22.

Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. Information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

For more information, please watch this video on Impact Aid and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.

Click here to view the video on the Federal Impact Aid Survey. 


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Kids Cookie Election - 11/5

The historic Sydenstricker Schoolhouse invites parents to stop by the Schoolhouse with their kiddos between 7am-6pm to vote for their favorite of four cookie candidates and get an "I Voted" sticker. The community is invited to come back at 6:30 for the announcement of the winner and a cookie reception from 6:30-7pm. This weekend, we will have a bin at the Schoolhouse for kids to drop off "campaign posters" promoting their favorite of the four cookies. We're excited to give kids a chance to participate in an election geared towards them! Introduce your kids to the rights and responsibilities of voting with this fun, immersive and delicious experience!  

Here is a link to our website:

https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.sydenstrickerschoolhouse.org/cookie-election---2024.html__;!!Pwvz7ORF!MEmfn_hE0NzOwuJGDqcv3Cdf6aNJ1zV4qDgznpcnZ8Ld_te3fY92RvwR77iGqAOW2xUaXBI0tAiLfNHdQ7h_j59Faw$


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Outstanding Employee Awards

Help us recognize the outstanding employees at Orange Hunt!

Outstanding Employee Awards nominations will be open beginning October 18th and end on November 1st. Nominations are accepted for the following roles:

  • Outstanding Teacher
  • Outstanding New Teacher
  • Outstanding Principal (principal only)
  • Outstanding Leader (includes APs)
  • Outstanding Professional Employee
  • Outstanding Operational Employee

Please follow the link to nominate beginning October 18th.  


Attendance - Reporting Absences and Tardies

To report your child absent/tardy from school, please report absences through your SIS ParentVUE account, call 703-913-6868, or email  OrangeHuntES.Attendance@fcps.edu (reporting absences through Talking Points to the teacher is not official)

Click here to learn more about the impact of regular school attendance. 


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Square 1 Art Fundraiser - Check Your Child's Tuesday Folder!

It’s time to order your unique keepsakes with your child’s artwork. This week and next, students will be bringing home their artwork along with an order form.

Simply search for your child's art using the QR code or access code that’s displayed on the back of your child’s form at square1art.com/shop

Order by Deadline:  11/20/2024 

*Free shipping on all orders if placed by 11/20/24

Upload additional art if you like, using Art Upload!

Your support makes this fundraiser a success. If you have any questions, please contact Art Teacher-Maureen Kieffer- mekieffer@fcps.edu or Square 1 Art (details on flyer.)


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Tis the season…for flu, strep, covid…and pneumonia. Fairfax is seeing an increase in Mycoplasma Pneumoniae, so if your child is sick (cough, congestion, fever, shortness of breath, fatigue) consider requesting the nasal swab in addition to chest xrays-this testing will ensure appropriate antibiotic therapy-see here

Wash hands regularly, cover coughs and sneezes, and properly dispose of all tissues in the garbage-if you have any additional questions, please reach to our School Nurse, Kimber Tritten, katritten@fcps.edu.


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Yearbooks Now on Sale

Yearbook now on sale! Use the link or QR code to purchase by December 31 for the early bird discount price of $16.00. Price increases to $20.00 on January 1, 2025.

Buy the Orange Hunt Yearbook

School ID Number: 724530


Recycling Challenge

Orange Hunt will get a NEW bench made from recycle plastic, but we need YOUR help! We need 1000 lbs of plastic to get our TREX bench.

Plastic must be clean and dry.  

•Plastic grocery bags
•Amazon bags
•Cereal box bags
•Bread bags
•Ziploc bags
•Bubble wrap
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Click this link to register for book club! 

 

Click here to order your book. 


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Spirit Days

Thursday, October 31: Story Book Character Day (no masks and no weapons)


Superintendent Community Conversations

🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation! 

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid is hosting a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click on a date below to register:

Events take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.


Counselor's Corner

5 Ways to De-Escalate a Nuclear Meltdown & Stop the Shame Cycle: A Webinar for Families

Plans go awry, your child gets disappointed or doesn’t get their way. They begin getting upset. Rational talk doesn’t work. Nothing does. Now your child is in full meltdown mode and doesn’t hold back. What do you do?

Calm Parenting Podcast founder, Kirk Martin will show you:

  • How to calm kids with big emotions.
  • Exactly what to say in the moment and how.
  • Why intensity is critical and why to avoid eye contact.
  • How to stop the cycle of shame and embarrassment.

November 11, 2024, 10-11:30 a.m.

Register online here


Lost and Found

Please label your child's backpacks, lunchboxes, and coats/jackets. Items with names that are turned into the Lost and Found will be returned to the student's classroom!  

The Lost and Found may be checked on school days between 9 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Please check in at the main office and our staff will be happy to escort you to the Lost and Found. Students may check at any time during the school day with permission from their teacher.  

Lost and Found items will be donated to a local charity at the end of each grading quarter. The end of the quarter is quickly approaching!

Lost and found items will be bagged and donated on November 6th! 


Family Liaison Corner

Veterans Day Celebration – November 8

OHES Veterans Day Celebration is a much-anticipated event with our Owls.  It’s an opportunity to recognize the Military Veterans (Active Duty, Reservists, & Veterans) within our own community.  Our celebration is an interactive event where classes rotate between four “stations”:  Career, Bootcamp, Music Performance, & Art Station.  This event’s success depends on our volunteers.  Please read the descriptions below to find the right station to volunteer.  The Art Station is open to ALL parents. Please refer to the schedule below if you would like to volunteer during your student’s session.  Thank you for your support!

Grade Rotation Schedule 9-9:45 am: 5th grade 10- 10:45 am: 6th grade  11-11:45 am: 4th grade & K (Lacich & Ryan) 12-12:45 pm: 2nd grade & K (Trinh & Gray) 1-1:45 pm: 1st grade 2-2:45 pm: 3rd grade

*Art Zone*:  This is a new volunteer station open to all parents.  Join Ms. Kieffer in assisting students in creating their Veterans Day craft.  Click here to sign up for Art Volunteers

*Military Band*:  Another new Veteran Volunteering opportunity.  If you are an Orange Hunt Elementary School parent who plays or played in one of the Military Service Bands, our Orange Hunt Band and Strings Programs could use your help! Veteran Band Volunteers sign up

*Military Career*:  The Veteran Volunteer will tell their group of kids two truths & one lie about your military career while you are/were in service.  The students will attempt to guess the lie & your occupation.  Veterans should be prepared to talk for 2-3 minutes.  Click here for Military Career Volunteer

*Boot Camp*:  Military Volunteers will be assisting the PE team in welcoming students.  One volunteer will briefly explain the importance of physical fitness in the military.  The most important part of this job is to cheer on the students while they go through the obstacle course.  High-fives are encouraged. Click here for Boot Camp Volunteer For any questions or concerns please contact Anne-Marie Balmaceda acbalmaceda@fcps.edu

Contact Ann Marie Balmaceda, our Family Liaison Orange Hunt ES for help.  acbalmaceda@fcps.edu

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PTA Events & Activities

OHES Upcoming Events and Deadlines  

NOVEMBER

  • Thursday, November 14h: Laternenfest 6:30 p.m.

Meet at the main entrance of the school

The German tradition of Laternenfest honors the soldier Martin, who is remembered for his good deeds and compassion towards others. Children of the elementary school age walk along the streets holding colorful, often self-made lanterns, sing songs, and share treats.

  • Saturday, November 16th: Pyramid Challenge (10-12:30)

This event is all about igniting a passion for running among our K-6 students and bringing our community together in a celebration of athleticism and teamwork.

 📆 Date: Saturday, November 16th 🕑 Time: 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM 📍 Location: Irving Middle School

For the safety and enjoyment of all, students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Visit the Orange Hunt PTA website for all sponsored events and activity information and registrations.


Upcoming Events

October 31 - Two-hour early release - students dismiss at 1:30 

November 1 - Student Holiday - Diwali, also known as Divali or Deepawali, is a major festival celebrated over five days in many parts of India by people of different faiths including many Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Muslims and some Buddhists. It is sometimes referred to as "the festival of lights."

All Saints’ Day, in the Christian church, a day commemorating all the saints of the church, both known and unknown, who have attained heaven. It is celebrated on November 1 in the Western churches and on the first Sunday after Pentecost in the Eastern churches. In Roman Catholicism, the feast is usually a holy day of obligation. It is part of the three-day triduum dedicated to remembering the dead, beginning with Halloween (October 31) and followed by All Saints’ Day (November 1) and All Souls' Day (November 2).

November 4: Student Holiday (school planning day)

November 5: Student Holiday (Teacher Workday)

November 18- Three Hour early release 12:30

November 21 - Make-up Picture Day (more information to follow later)

November 27-29 - No School Thanksgiving break


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Your Partners In Education

We are in this together!!  We are thankful to have the opportunity to work with your family this year and will work every day to ensure a safe and positive learning environment for your child. Please contact us when there is a question or concern. Thank you for your support and being part of our team!

Your Partner Principals,

Karen Tuttle                     kmtuttle@fcps.edu

Kate Austin                      kbaustin@fcps.edu

Heather Mathews            HMMathews@fcps.edu