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Important Dates:
Oct 31 2-Hour Early Release- End of 1st Quarter
SLES Book Character Spirit Day
Nov 1 Student Holiday- Religious / Cultural Observance: Diwali, All Saints Day, Dia de los Muertos
Nov 4 Student Holiday- Teacher Workday
Nov 5 Student Holiday- Teacher Workday
Nov 11 Veterans Day- No School
Nov 15 Veterans Day Celebration, Flag Ceremony 8:30-
Nov 18 3-Hour Early Release
Nov 21 SLES Thanksgiving Luncheon
A Message from Mr. Morris
We have so much to celebrate in our first quarter of school. Stratford Landing has been a busy place so far this school year.
In the first quarter of school, we implemented a new homework policy. Teachers and families, and even students, feel positive about our approach to learning at home. Additionally, teachers send weekly newsletters home with home connections and resources families can take advantage of.
Our implementation of the new FCPS literacy program, Benchmark Advance, has been successful. Teachers are working hard to learn the ins and outs of this new literacy program and approach, and our teams of teachers are collaborating every day to implement this new program with fidelity. Families have provided positive feedback around the resources and work their students are bringing home. One parent stated, “I feel like I have a handle on the work that my kid is doing everyday at school. I also have a sense of how I can help them and support them at home.” One teacher noted, “Benchmark helps me focus and organize my literacy instruction.” One student said, “I like the booklets we work through!”
Our work with Zones of Regulation continues this school year. We saw a positive impact on social and emotional learning (SEL) last school year, and teachers continue to embed SEL into each school day, especially during Morning Meetings. This week, all eligible students will have completed the FCPS SEL screener. This will provide us helpful data as we continue to support the “whole” child.
It has been a busy school year with beginning of the year assessments and student data collection. These assessments help inform instruction and enable teachers to provide direct, targeted instruction to students around specific skills and needs. We utilize our Dolphin Time to provide targeted intervention to students at all levels. Your child’s teacher will be able to share more about this beginning of the year data, and your child’s strengths and areas of growth during upcoming progress conferences. Grade levels have been communicating those conference dates with families via their classroom newsletters. Our teachers will be hosting these progress conferences up through winter vacation.
Our work with Get2Green continues, and earlier this school year Stratford Landing was recognized by the FCPS Get2Green team for our work at SLES. We’ve planted trees, started to raise salmon, maintain a student led recycling program and implemented a food share table in the cafeteria. Our students are passionate about Get2Green and this initiative provides our students leadership and civic engagement opportunities. Soon our fourth graders will begin a mulching project to further protect our newly planted trees on campus. Other ways we are promoting student leadership is through our school safety patrols, our upcoming 6th Grade Bake Sale and our Student Leadership Association (SLA), who will be partnering with Be The Good in the next few weeks.
An establishment of the Stratford Social Club has enabled us to focus on the fun of our work as educators. The Club builds community, collegiality and comradery among our staff members and provides our staff members support when there is need. From taco bars to chili cook-offs, our Stratford Social Club is impacting staff morale positively. Our Social Club has also provided support to staff members facing personal and family health and adversity.
We hosted the West Potomac marching band and orchestra for a lively assembly on our blacktop. We also hosted a schoolwide morning meeting that helped promote community and provide a sense of belonging for all our students. We celebrated our new Dolphin Decree logo during this school-wide morning meeting. We hosted two Distinguished Dolphins ceremonies so far and recognized about 75 students. Our spirt days have been exciting for students, and so far we hosted a “Back in the Groove” school spirt day, a digital citizenship spirt week, and of course the exciting Halloween book character spirt day.
A big, BIG thanks to our PTA for all their support so far this school year. We hosted a super fun Bingo Night, and just this past weekend hosted a wonderful Trunk or Treat for our students and families. Our after-school clubs are in full swing and our PTA is currently preparing for our SLES Veterans Day celebration on Nov 15.
A big shout out for another successful Rock N Run. Our students have come to adore this tradition, and even students new to Stratford Landing get swept up in the excitement. I always appreciate how students from other grade levels cheer for one another while running laps. For many students to do this, they actually “skip” their recess so they can watch other grade levels run and cheer them on. It’s awesome. We so appreciate all the work our PTA engages in to ensure not only is the event a successful one, but that we also have awesome prizes (who doesn’t love an inflatable obstacle course) for all our students to celebrate in the months to come. Additionally, our PTA works tirelessly to ensure enough money is raised to support our school and our students. We are forever grateful for our partnership with PTA and what our board members and volunteers do for SLES each day!
Additionally, I wanted to give a big thanks to all our family volunteers that work in our Family Volunteer Room (FVR) to complete many time-saving tasks for our teachers which frees them up to focus more on planning and instruction. One teacher said, “The FVR is a game changer for me. Seriously!”
We have had a joyful first quarter of school. Our SLES staff are very supportive of one another and we celebrate our work together frequently. Our students report enjoying school, making friends and having trusted adults they can engage with during the school day. If you have any questions or concerns about the school day, be sure to reach out to your child’s teacher. The Stratford Landing administration team is also available to help and support.
We appreciate your partnership.
Kevin Morris, Principal
🎖️Veterans Day Celebration 🎖️
We will be honoring and celebrating our Stratford Landing Veterans and Active Duty members on November 15th starting with a flag ceremony from 8:30am. Please join us in the flag ceremony so that we can honor our Veterans and show our appreciation.
If you are interested in sharing your experience and speaking in your child’s classroom, please use the QR code on the attached flyer or this link to sign up.
6th Grade Election Day Bake Sale!
Tuesday, 11/05, from 7am-7pm or until sold out
The 6th Grade Election Day Bake Sale is quickly approaching! In order to make this a BIG success, we would greatly appreciate your consideration of contributing homemade baked goods, purchasing baked goods/snacks, 6th grade volunteers, as well as parent/guardian supervision, to help sell goodies on Election Day, and/or 6th graders to make signs advertising the bake sale. Day-of shifts start at 7am on Tuesday, Nov. 5th and end by 7pm. Students will receive service hours! If you are not expected to be in the area on election day, please consider a donation. Funds earned will go towards the much anticipated 6th grade class activities. This is one of 6th grade's most important fundraisers so thanks in advance for your help. Additionally, please encourage local family, and friends to stop by and purchase items on Election Day! A link to the sign up genius with all the details is below - do not hesitate to reach out with any questions.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B094BACA92FA75-52369410-6thgrade?
Holiday Season Gift Card Drive
We are currently having a Gift Card Drive and would like to ask for your support in donating gift cards to help SLES families purchasing food this coming holiday season. Any support will be greatly appreciated! If you can help, please drop off the gift cards to the front desk by November 16th.
SLES Thanksgiving Luncheon
 Please join us for the Thanksgiving Luncheon on November 21st, Thursday! Below are the times for the Thanksgiving Luncheon.
10:20-11:00- 3rd Grade
11:00-11:30- 1st Grade
11:30-12:00- 4th Grade
12:00-12:30- Kindergarten
12:30-1:00- 2nd Grade
1:15-1:45- 6th Grade
1:45-2:15- 5th Grade Classes- Brown, Nguyen, Bazemore
2:15-2:45- 5th Grade Classes- Young, Gallego, P. Johnson
Stratford Landing Family Pets Challenge!
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Stratford Landing Parents,
Our School Business Boosters are sponsoring a Parents Connect challenge in October called "Family Petsapalooza" where parents can celebrate their furry friends by submitting pet photos. (One lucky parent/pet from the participating schools will win a $100 Amazon gift card at the end of the month!)
Visit Family Petsapalooza to nominate your pet and meet other Stratford Landing pets.
And help us win the School Business Boosters Fall Parents Connect Challenge by nominating your pet and adding yourself to the "Meet the Parents" directory.
Every connected parent and/or pet helps us win the prize for having the most engaged Elementary parents, $250 for our Teacher Appreciation fund!
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Federal Impact Aid Survey
Attention SLES Families!
The Federal Impact Aid Survey is now available to complete online.
The Federal Impact Aid program provides money to districts that enroll federally connected students. Help FCPS secure funding from the Impact Aid Program by helping us identify:
- Military families.
- Federally connected families.
- Families living on a military base.
Please complete one form for each child in your household. Remember that only the enrolling parent can fill out the Impact Aid Survey form.
For families without access to ParentVUE, a paper copy of the form will be sent home with your student starting November 12. Your information will be kept strictly confidential.
Your support will ensure that we receive the resources for which we are eligible.
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Step 1: CLICK HERE or use the QR Code to be taken to SIS ParentVUE.
to be taken to SIS ParentVUE.
If you don’t have a SIS ParentVUE account, contact your child’s school for an activation letter.
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2. After you’ve logged into your ParentVue Account, look for the ‘Online Packets’ link at the top of the page. Click ‘Online Packets’. |
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3. Next, click the ‘Federal Impact Aid Survey’ button on the bottom of the page: |
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If you have multiple children in Fairfax County Public Schools, please make sure to fill out a form for each of your children. You will know you have completed all of the forms when you see a green check next to each of their names on the final screen. |
Immunizations- 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.
 
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 our school's Wellness Team Members to discuss your concerns and identify resources.
Allison Krusinski, Psychologist, - ajkrusinski1@fcps.edu
Mersal Shaker, School Counselor - mshaker@fcps.edu
Raina Roop, School Counselor - rroop@fcps.edu
Kristina Jorden, Social Worker - kjorden@fcps.edu
Haruka Hopp, Family Liaison - hhopp@fcps.edu
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.
We All Belong at School
Each one of us is unique, and every student matters. If your student is having a difficult time attending class, please speak with a trusted adult at school.
Watch this video to see how everyone belongs at school. Visit our Attendance webpage for resources on attendance. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!
🗓️ 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 our school calendar and visit our Attendance webpage for additional information. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!
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SPANISH:🗓️ 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!
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 detailed 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.
Programs Available in FCPS
Two NEW Early Literacy sites in the Mt. Vernon area are at Fort Belvoir Primary School and Sequoyah Community Center (both Wed./Fri. 10am-12pm). Families can learn more about these and other opportunities through the brand new FCPS Family Academy
Programs in the Community
LMVSC is a local non-profit that provides fun and affordable sports programs for kids in the community. Their registration for the winter basketball season is now open!
They also offer financial aid to ensure that every child has the chance to play, regardless of their financial situation.
Please refer to the flyer for more details.
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