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Early Release, Diwali/Dia de los Muertos and All Saints Day, Student Holidays
Thursday, October 31, is the last day of the first quarter and a two-hour early release for students. Keene Mill will dismiss at 2:00 pm.
Friday, November 1, is a holiday for Diwali, Dia de los Muertos, and All Saints Day. All schools and offices will be closed.
Schools will be closed for students on Monday, November 4, for a school planning day, and Tuesday, November 5, for a teacher workday.
 Costume Bingo
Thank you to all the families that came out to Costume Bingo on Thursday night! The event was a big success, and many members of the Keene Mill community came out to have fun. We played bingo, ate pizza, danced the night away, and students had the opportunity to win prizes too. Kudos to the PTA for another great event! Thank you to all the Keene Mill staff that came out to call bingo games and have fun with their students.
 Federal Impact Aid Survey
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.
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.
 Keene Mill Awarded Purple Star!
The Virginia Council on the Educational Opportunity for Military Children voted on October 21, 2024, to approve, Keene Mill Elementary School as a recipient of the SY 2024-2025 Purple Star 2nd Award. The award is for 2024-2027.
This award is given for making Keene Mill a welcoming and supportive place, especially for our military connected students.
Red Ribbon Week
 Tues 10/29- “Movie Star Day” (dress like a fancy movie star; bring appropriate shoes for recess & gym)
Wed 10/30- “Inside Out Day” (wear your favorite color from head to toe like the emotions from Inside Out 1&2)
Thrs 10/31- “Book Character Day” (no masks or play weapons)
Calling All KMES Library Volunteers
Have you always wanted to volunteer in the library? Now is your chance! Come volunteer shelving books, helping students find books, creating displays and organizing our amazing library. If you are interested in volunteering here at KMES then click on the: Keene Mill Elementary November Volunteer Sign Up and pick a time that works best for you. Please also see the attached KMES Library Class schedule if you are interested in volunteering at the same time your students are in the library. If you have any questions, please email Mr. Rigsby at lsrigsby@fcps.edu.
Outstanding Employee Awards
Help us recognize the outstanding employees at Keene Mill!
Outstanding Employee Awards nominations will be open beginning October 18th and end on November 12st. Nominations are accepted for the following roles:
You may nominate one employee at our school or multiple employees (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 one more of the criteria for that award category. The google form 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 are included in this category.
Outstanding Principal Eligibility: Has at least 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) at their current location.
Common positions in this category: Assistant and Associate Principals, Director of Student Activities, Director of Student Services.
Outstanding Professional Employee Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership at their current location.
Common positions in this category: School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Assessment Coach, Career Center Specialist, Instructional Coach, After-School Specialist, MTSS Coordinator, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Safety and Security Specialist, Resource Teachers that serve in an administrative role in a school, Special Education Department Chairs that teach less than 50% of their time, Reading Specialists that do not have a regular course load/do not give grades.
Outstanding Operational Employee Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee at their current location.
Common positions in this category: Administrative and Office Staff, Safety and Security Assistant, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, Parent Liaisons
The deadline to submit a nomination is November 12th, 2024.
If you have any questions, please contact Ellen Colter at egcolter@fcps.edu
🩹 Immunization Clinics for Students
Safeway Pharmacy has been hosting free immunization clinics at Frost Middle School for any FCPS student age 18 or younger. A clinic will be offered on Tuesday, October 29, 3-7 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.
Please note that 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.
🩹 Additional Immunization Clinics
The Fairfax County Health Department will provide immunization appointments at their district offices for FCPS elementary students on limited early-release Mondays through December. All school-required immunizations will be offered at no cost. Call 703-246-7100 to make your appointment.
The health department will also host immunization clinics at FCPS middle and high schools through December. Clinics will take place during the school day. Students may only participate in the clinic at the school where they are enrolled. Parental/caregiver consent is required for students to receive immunizations. Please check the Immunization Resources page for clinic locations, dates, and how to submit a consent form.
✨ Providing students with access to the necessary emotional, behavioral, mental, and physical health services to support their successful engagement in school is part of the FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered.
 HALLOWEEN CANDY COLLECTION ON NOV. 8
Stuck with extra Halloween candy? Have you picked through all your favorites? :) Donate your excess candy to the PTA!
On Friday, Nov. 8, the Keene Mill PTA will be collecting leftover Halloween candy to send to Treats for Troops. The program is part of the Soldiers’ Angels organization and the PTA will ship the collected candy to distribute to our troops for a sweet treat.
Candy will be collected at Keene Mill at the walker door (Door 12) at both drop off in the morning and pick up in the afternoon, and in the afternoon only at Kiss & Ride.
 PTA MEETING MOVED TO NOV. 13, FEATURES SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS
The November PTA general meeting has been moved to WEDNESDAY, NOV. 13. The meeting is virtual and begins at 6:30 PM. A link to the meeting will be posted on the KMES PTA website: keenemillpta.ptboard.com.
The PTA welcomes two FCPS school board members to join us for this meeting: Sandy Anderson (Springfield) and Rachna Sizemore Heizer (Braddock). They will discuss various school board items, including how the school board operates, curriculum, funding, and the boundary study. Please join us for this informative conversation!
 PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT: INCOURAGE MARTIAL ARTS ON NOV. 15
The Keene Mill PTA has arranged a Parents’ Night Out at InCourage Martial Arts on Friday, Nov. 15 from 6:30-8:30 PM. The theme of the night is Thanksgiving-Palooza and there will be pizza and games galore!
The evening is for children ages 4-12 and cost is $25. All participants must register through biy.ly/burkeevents
Mark Your Calendar
Tuesday, October 29-Movie Star Day
Wednesday, October 30-Inside Out Day
Thursday, October 31-Book Character Day
Thursday, October 31-End of first quarter/Two hour Early Release for students @ 2:00 pm
Friday, November 1-Diwali-NO SCHOOL
Monday, November 4 & Tuesday, November 5-Teacher Workday/Election Day-NO SCHOOL for students
Wednesday, November 6-School Pictures Retake Day
Friday, November 8-Veterans Day Celebration
Monday, November 11-Veterans Day-NO SCHOOL
Saturday, November 16-Pyramid Challenge, Irving Middle School
Wednesday-Friday, November 27-29-Thanksgiving Break-NO SCHOOL
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