Orange Hunt News We HOOT

Check out what is happening at Orange Hunt this week:

We had a heartwarming Veterans Day celebration! Thank you to all the veterans and parents who joined us. Our students had a blast with fun activities like Two Truths and a Lie, Boot Camp, Poppy Art, and a fantastic musical performance from our band, choir, and strings. A special thanks to our veteran parents who performed alongside our band students. We’re grateful for your service and sacrifice!

Make-Up / Re-take Picture Day - November 21st

This photo day is for students who were absent, new to the school, or who were not happy with their original package (students are required to return their original package to the photographer). No purchase is necessary.

Any student or staff member who was absent for the original session.
Any new/transfer students or staff who joined after the original session.
Any student/staff who was dissatisfied with their original picture day portrait.*

*Students who previously purchased a photo package and would like to retake
their photo MUST return their original photo package to the photographer in order to receive a new package.

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, paper copies have been sent home with your student. 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. 

Language Arts Curriculum

Our teachers have been hard at work teaching with the new Language Arts curriculum, and we are excited to help all of our students become strong readers and writers! This year we also have new assessments, which is how we check if your student needs extra help with reading and writing, and new Standards of Learning (SOLs).

Because of these changes, we are now teaching all of the Language Arts skills your child needs to know (and checking if they need extra help) throughout the whole school year, instead of different skills each quarter. While these skills will be new to your child in the beginning of the year, the goal is for your child to grow strong in all of their new skills by the end of the year.

This means that when you get your child’s progress report next month, it might look different. Your child’s teacher will give you more information on the new progress reporting and how we’re making sure your child is getting any extra help they might need. You can also find more information on FCPS’ Grading and Reporting webpage.

We will also have new ways for you to help your child practice their reading and writing skills at home. These resources are coming soon!

Literacy Resources for Families Webpage

A new Literacy Resources for Families webpage has been published to the external web to provide families with information about how to support their children with developing literacy knowledge and skills at home. It provides valuable information about the reading and writing resources to be used at home, the VALLSS, Reading Plans, guidance for Parent Teacher Conferences, and training available through the Family Academy. 

Boundary Review

📍 Boundary Review Community Meetings Start This Month

As a reminder, FCPS has started the process of reviewing school boundaries across the division. This important work will help the district better support student population growth, changes in school capacity, and evolving community needs. Community input is vital to this process. With that in mind, FCPS, in partnership with Thru Consulting, will be hosting a series of community meetings in each of FCPS’ six regions. Participants are encouraged to share their thoughts, ask questions, and learn more about the boundary review process.

Please visit FCPS’ website for meeting dates, locations, and other information. Sign up for the School Boundary Review newsletter for updates.

Stress Less, Enjoy More. Reducing Stress and Increasing Happiness: A Webinar for Families

Kids and families are under stress from so many sources, and they are suffering as a result. Achievement pressure, time pressure, social pressure, and uncertainty about a rapidly changing world are eroding the health of our youth. But it doesn’t have to be that way!

Well-known parenting expert, psychologist and author (and FCPS parent) Dr. Heather Tedesco will show you:

• The surprising ways stress shows up in kids
• The power parents have to reduce stress (in our kids and ourselves)
• How we can nurture happiness and build psychological strength in our kids long-term
• Specific strategies to stress less and enjoy more

December 6, 2024 10-11:30 a.m.

Register Here

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. 

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.)

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.

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 - ongoing project! 

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.  

Click this link to register for book club!    Click here to order your book.

Sensory Disabilities

Services for Hearing-Impaired and Visually-Impaired Students

Students with sensory disabilities require specialized services and support to access instruction that is typically presented visually and auditorily (by means of hearing). FCPS provides educational services to students who are deaf, hearing-impaired, or visually impaired. They are supported in various settings, including at their school or through itinerant specialists who travel to different schools to work with students, rather than being based in a single school. Learn more about Services for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Services for Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired.

Visit the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) website for Resources for Serving Students with Sensory Disabilities.

Spirit Days Thursday, November 14 - PJ day

PTA Events & Activities

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

Upcoming Events November 14 - PJ day November 21 - Make-up Picture Day (more information to follow later) November 27-29 - No School Thanksgiving break

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

6820 Sydenstricker Road, Springfield, VA 22152 | Phone: 703.913.6800

Attendance: 703.913.6868 | Web | Twitter | Facebook