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Dear Freedom Hill Families,
We hope your week was a great one! Despite the chilly temperatures, we had fun this week with some special events. We celebrated our 3rd Golden Plate Awards (congratulations Ms. Lauture's class!), learned about government topics during our 6th grade share fair, and our chorus had an opportunity to sing some holiday hits at Wolftrap!
As we begin another week, don't forget:
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Monday is an early release at 1:05. Changes to dismissal can only be made at this point if it is an absolute emergency.
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Our PTA is supporting Candygrams (beginning Tuesday) and a Family Dinner Out (Thursday) this week. We'd love to have you participate.
Lastly, the health of our Eagles is important as the weather becomes colder! We have seen an uptick in illnesses. Please make sure to help us by practicing consistent hand washing and keeping children home following the FCPS Guidelines. We strive to ensure our students are getting out to recess daily unless there is precipitation. Please continue to send students with layers so that they can enjoy their time outside.
Have a great week,
Nicholas Zapadka, Principal
Tim Scesney, Assistant Principal
Holly Sims, Assistant Principal
2024-25 FCPS School Calendar
FCPS Lunch Menu
Freedom Hill Family Resources
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December 9 - Early Release Monday (Dismissal at 1:05)
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December 10 - 19 - PTA Holiday Candygram Sales
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December 12 - PTA Family Dinner Out - Mod Pizza / Ben & Jerry's
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December 16 - Band/Strings Holiday Concert, 6PM
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December 23 - January 3 - Winter Break (School Closed)
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This week, we are working on ONE of the FIVE overarching components of the Positivity Project. Supporting others when they struggle is an important test of our character every single day.
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“We rise by lifting others.”
~Robert Ingersoll
When you put others first, you look to comfort people in the small, day-to-day disappointments, whether they are friends, classmates, acquaintances, family, and even rivals.
Think of a time you went through something difficult and someone encouraged you. How can you pass on that act of kindness this week?
Students in grades 3-12 took the SEL Screener during the month of October providing information on their SEL skills like achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships, and making responsible decisions. The screener also asks students how well their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.
Individual student SEL Screener results are now 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.
For support in understanding your individual student’s results or for ideas on how to support them at home, please review the Family Guide or reach out to our school staff with any questions.
At Tuesday’s School Board work session, staff from Prismatic Services, Inc., presented options for adjusting start times at FCPS middle schools. As a reminder, Prismatic is charged with developing an action plan to help the School Board reach its goal of starting middle school at or after 8 a.m.
The presentation includes five options for adjusting middle school start times based on the consultant’s analysis from community forums, surveys, and interviews with staff, parents, associations, and other groups. The School Board will provide next steps to the superintendent.
Watch a video of the work session. Visit the Middle School Start Times webpage for more information on the project.
Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather-related 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.
Webinar - Protecting Kids Against Digital Exploitation: Keeping Kids Safe Online December 13, 2024, from 10-11:30 a.m. Register Here
Join us for this important webinar presented jointly by Fairfax County Schools, the 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 in relation to sextortion?
- How can families help prevent their kids from becoming victims?
- How should families respond if their child was victimized?
If you missed our meeting, you can find resources below:
Please reach out to Mrs. Fredericks for more information. She is excited to support your family with the application process!
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The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FHES employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story, so we can all acknowledge the exceptional work happenings at Freedom Hill. |
The remaining scheduled dates for 1:05 early releases for FHES are:
- September 23
- October 28
- December 9
- February 24
- March 17
- April 28
- May 19
    
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DINE OUT AT MOD PIZZA and BEN & JERRY’S
Plan to join other FHES folks at our next Family Dinner (and Dessert) Out on Thursday, December 12th. Stop by MOD Pizza (168 Maple Ave West) from 10:30AM-10PM and Ben & Jerry’s (136C Maple Ave West) from 4-9PM. Eat in or take out. Simply mention FHES or use code MODGIVES25 for online orders.
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TRY A BEFORE OR AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITY THIS WINTER
Registration opens here this Wednesday, December 4th at 9AM for your student to try an exciting class offered through Baroody Camps this fall. Before school classes run 8:10-9:10AM; after school classes run from 4:15-5:15PM. Look for a flyer to come home in your student’s folder.
HOLIDAY CANDYGRAMS ARE BACK!
Are you looking for an easy, sweet way to send a small token of thanks, friendship or merriment to a classmate, teacher or member of the FHES staff? Look no further - the 6th grade class is continuing the annual tradition of selling candygrams! From this Tuesday December 10th - December 19th, the 6th grade class will sell candygrams each morning from 8:30-9:10AM at the main entrance; deliveries to the classrooms will occur through December 20th. Each candy gram is 50 cents and you can choose either a candy cane or a winter-themed stamp* to accompany your completed note. Additional blank notes can be found here. To send candygrams to your entire class, you can use this Google form.
*Stamps available for purchase while supplies last.
SUPPORT THE STAFF/FACULTY APPRECIATION DECEMBER LUNCH
The PTA is appreciating the FHES staff and faculty with a delicious lunch on December 18th. Please consider supporting the appreciation event, and future appreciation events, by contributing here.
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