Sangster News From The Nest 11-21-24

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 11/21/2024 08:00 PM EST
calendar reminders

Upcoming Events

November 27-29: Thanksgiving Break

December 11: Picture Retakes

December 23-January 3: Winter Break

📆Calendar Reminder: Thanksgiving

Schools and offices will be closed Wednesday, November 27, through Friday, November 29. Classes will resume on Monday, December 2. See the complete school year calendar.

impact aid

Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey

A big 🎉THANK YOU🎉 to all families who have already filled out and submitted their form through ParentVue or sent the paper survey back!!

If you still have the paper survey from your student's Thursday Folder, please fill out and return to the classroom teacher ASAP.

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.

book fair

The Sangster Book Fair will take place on Friday, November 22nd from 9:30AM – 1:00PM. 

This year, we will be using E-Wallet for your Book Fair payments, relieving the stress of sending students to school with cash or checks. Cash and checks will not be accepted.  You can preload your student’s E-Wallet account with a limit, and your credit card will only be charged the amount they use, up to that limit. It’s easy to use, and easy to set up. Please click the following link for more details and to set up your E-Wallet: E-Wallet Link/Registration​​​​​​​

hearing vision

Vision and Hearing Screening

Vision and Hearing Screenings will be held for all Kindergarten and 3rd Grade students this week on: 

  • Tues. Nov. 19
  • Wed. Nov. 20
  • Thurs. Nov. 21
  • Fri. Nov. 22

The purpose of the screenings is to identify students who need further evaluation due to difficulty seeing the screening chart or hearing the screening tones. If your child wears eyeglasses, please be sure that glasses are at school on these screening days and that lenses are clean.

Parents will be notified by letter if screening results indicate that further evaluation is needed. Prompt follow-up with your health care provider is recommended as vision and hearing difficulties can interfere with learning.

If you can assist with screenings, sign up on this Vision and Hearing Screening Sign-Up Genius. Volunteers are much appreciated, and no prior experience is needed.  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0E4BA9AC2CAAFA7-53050995-hearing#/

If you have any questions, please contact the School Health Aide, Amy Friedman, at 703-644-8210 or afriedman@fcps.edu
pics

Fall Picture are Online Now!

Be on the lookout for an email from the Victor O'Neill Studios!

If you don't see it in your inbox, please check your spam/junk folder.

Any student who has not had a chance to order, it’s not too late!

Please visit: vosphoto.com/underclass

Use your student's ID when prompted for the online code

For questions regarding school pictures please email: underclass@vosphoto.com
retakes

Fall Picture Retakes are Coming!

📅 Date: Wednesday, December 11, 2024

More information coming soon!

Social and Emotional Learning Screener Results Coming Soon

Students in grades 3-12 took the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener in October, providing information on skills such as achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships, and making responsible decisions. The screener also asks students if their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.

In early December, individual student SEL Screener results will be available to families in the Documents section of SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent via postal mail.

Please review the Family Guide or reach out to your child’s school for help in understanding your child’s results or ideas on how to support them at home.

✨ Student access to the necessary emotional, behavioral, and mental health services to support their engagement in school is part of Strategic Plan Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered.

baskets

Friendly Reminders!

reminders

❄️ Prepare for Winter Weather

Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather closing decisions are made. 

FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible, including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.

Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange for childcare if needed.

🚌 Change of Plans at Dismissal

We have noticed an increase in last minute change of dismissal plans over the last several weeks. Please know, while we want to accommodate everyone, it is difficult to do so when less than 24 hours notice is given. Please make change of dismissal plans directly with the teacher and only contact the office in an emergency situation.

đź“… Attendance

Please remember to email or call the attendance line with any messages regarding your student's attendance. Absences and late arrivals should be reported to avoid getting a robo-call from FCPS. If you email the teacher to let them know about your student's attendance, please copy SangsterElem.Attendance@fcps.edu to ensure your message reaches our attendance staff. You can also call, 703-644-8282 to report any attendance messages. 

parent resources

⛄ Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities

The principal will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and other weather advisories that may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. See the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.

If you need assistance getting cold-weather clothing for your family, please call Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health care.

đź“Ť Boundary Review Community Meetings

Community meetings regarding FCPS' divisionwide boundary review will take place in each of the division's six regions. We encourage you to attend the meeting in your region, but you may attend another if it is more convenient. Please click on a date to register:

Language interpretation will be available. Visit the Comprehensive School Boundary Review webpage for more information.

🗓️ Upcoming Events with the Family Academy

You are an important part of your child's education! The Family Academy compiles classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by FCPS to help you support your child's needs and learning at home. Browse Family Academy offerings.

 

  

đź’» December Webinars at the Family Resource Center

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

Protecting Kids Against Digital Exploitation: Keeping Kids Safe Online

Join us for this important webinar presented jointly between Fairfax County Schools, Fairfax County Police Department, the Department of Justice, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Webinar Highlights:

  • What is Sextortion?
  • What are FCPS and FCPD seeing with respect to sextortion?
  • How can families help prevent their kids from becoming victims?
  • How should families respond if their child was victimized?

December 13, 2024 10-11:30 a.m.

Register Here

Youth Mental Health First Aid (in-person course)

Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among children and adolescents ages 12-18. 

The course will teach you how to apply the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE):

  • Assess for risk of suicide or harm. •    Listen nonjudgmentally. •    Give reassurance and information. •    Encourage appropriate professional help. •    Encourage self-help and other support strategies.

December 20, 2024, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. 

Family Resource Center

2334 Gallows Road 

Dunn Loring, VA 22027

Register for Youth Mental Health First Aid (in-person course) 30 spaces available

Military Families

Our Military Kids

Our Military Kids® is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering extracurricular activity grants to children and teens of deployed National Guard, deployed Reserve, or post-9/11 combat wounded, ill, or injured Veterans in treatment. OMK activity grants build the children's self-confidence, enhance family wellness, and strengthen a shared sense of community.

Military Child Care

Access to childcare directly affects mission readiness, morale, and retention of defense personnel worldwide. For this reason, the Department of Defense is committed to connecting military and DoD-affiliated families to quality, affordable childcare programs. For an overview of MCC and how you can request childcare for your family, watch this short video and/or select Learn More.

National Museum of the United States Army (Fort Belvoir)

Free general admission ticket reservations are encouraged. Walk-up tickets are available. 
Up to 9 tickets per request. See Group Tickets for 10 tickets or more.

Military Family & Life Counselors

The Military and Family Life Counseling Program provides free, confidential non-medical counseling to service members, their families and survivors on or near installations. Trained to work with the military community, military and family life counselors deliver valuable counseling services, briefings and presentations to the military community.

Facebook groups for local military families 

GAMS - https://www.facebook.com/groups/greateralexandriamilitaryspouses/

PCS to DC - https://www.facebook.com/groups/PCSMilitaryMovetoVirginia

Fairfax County Spouses - https://www.facebook.com/groups/2053938148258566/

Other Resources

School Liaison Office – Fort Belvoir

EFMP Military One Source

EFMP – Fort Belvoir

MWR – Fort Belvoir

sped ia
PTA

 

News from the Sangster PTA

 

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