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Upcoming Events
December 9-13: SCA Can Food Drive
December 16-20: Spirit Week
December 23-January 3: Winter Break
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 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.
Full-Time AAP Referrals Due December 15th
Some advanced learners require a full-time advanced academic program that offers differentiated instruction across all four core content areas: Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science. Students eligible for Full-Time AAP services are cluster-grouped with peers who have similar academic needs and receive a curriculum that is specifically designed for acceleration, depth, and complexity in these subjects. Full-time AAP services continue through Grade 8, and students do not need to be reevaluated each year.
The deadline to submit Full-Time Advanced Academic Program (AAP) referrals for current students in grades 2-6 is December 15th. Referrals can be sent to both of the following email addresses: lbiberaj@fcps.edu  and jaredford@fcps.edu.
Link to Full-Time AAP Referral Form: https://www.fcps.edu/system/files/forms/2023-08/aap-fulltimeservicesreferralform-english.pdf
AART Zoom Office Hours
Additionally, there will be AAP Open Office Hours via Zoom on Friday, December 6th from 12:30 - 2:30 PM. This is a drop-in session where you can ask the Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART), Linda Biberaj, any questions about the referral process. Feel free to pop on anytime during the window to get the support you need!
Link: https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/97746140139?pwd=cpKxq94ZbP3BdIT5udps7VtkR5f4qg.1
Fall Pictures 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
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SEL Screener Results
The SEL Screener Parent/Guardian Report and Guide is now posted in SIS Parent VUE under the Documents tab. For families without a Parent Vue account, the report and guide will be sent via U.S. Mail. Click here for tips about talking to your student about their screener results. If you have any further questions or concerns about your child’s results, you may reach out to your child’s school counselor, Paula Augenstein PHAugenstein@fcps.edu or Lisa Railan ltrailan@fcps.edu, or classroom teacher.
 Course Selection for Middle School Students
Beginning in January 2025, rising 7th-12th grade students meet with their counselors to discuss course selection for the next school year. Families are encouraged to actively participate in this important process.Â
As students choose courses, it is important for them to consider:
- Current academic strengths and habits.
- Graduation requirements (high school students).
- Interests and career and postsecondary goals.
- Personal well-being.
- Extracurricular activities and other commitments that may impact students’ time and energy.
School-life balance is an important consideration for students as they strive for academic and personal success. Families are welcome to contact their student’s school counselor with questions.
🎓 Graduation Requirements and Planning
Planning which courses to take next year — and in future years — must be given considerable thought. Students and families should review the Graduation Requirements and Course Planning webpage to make informed decisions while planning for success in high school and beyond. Â
The Program of Studies may also be helpful. Students and families should refer to their school’s website for their school-specific course catalog and course selection information.
Friendly Reminders!
 ❄️ Winter Break (Student Holiday)
Winter break is Monday, December 23, 2025, through Friday, January 3, 2025. To help make sure you and your children have a restful break, we have asked that no homework be assigned during this time. Teachers may assign long-range assignments in the weeks before the break, allowing students to practice time management skills, but no assignments will be due immediately after the break.
Classes resume on Monday, January 6, 2025. See the complete school year calendar.
⛄ Winter Resources for Families
A list of resources has been compiled for students and families in case they or someone they know needs assistance while schools are closed for winter break. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources webpage for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs.
❄️ Prepare for Winter Weather
Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather closing decisions are made.Â
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.Â
âť„ 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“š Bundle Up With Books Over Break
Fairfax County Public Library’s winter reading adventure has begun and will continue through Friday, January 31, 2025. Visit your local FCPL branch or their Winter Reading Adventure website to register and get a sneak peek at the prizes being offered.
Check out their Winter Reading Events webpage to learn about laser tag, movie nights, crafting sessions, Noon-Year Eve celebrations, and book discussions.
⛄ Get Outdoors for Winter Fun!
The Fairfax County Park Authority has rounded up its seasonal fun into a handy list of events happening across the county.Â
Learn more about the Winter Wonderland and the Holiday Train at Burke Lake Park, Holiday on the Farm at Frying Pan Farm Park, the Holiday Lantern Tour at Colvin Run Mill, and many more fun events.
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:
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Monday, December 9, 6:30-8 p.m., Mount Vernon High School Cafeteria, Region 3.Â
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Thursday, December 12, 6:45-8:15 p.m., Annandale High School Cafeteria, Region 6.Â
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Wednesday, December 18, 6:30-8 p.m., Madison High School Cafeteria, Region 1.
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.
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.Â
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.Â
Family Resource Center
2334 Gallows RoadÂ
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 familiesÂ
GAMS -Â https://www.facebook.com/groups/greateralexandriamilitaryspouses/
PCS to DC -Â https://www.facebook.com/groups/PCSMilitaryMovetoVirginia
Fairfax County Spouses -Â https://www.facebook.com/groups/2053938148258566/
Other Resources
School Liaison Office – Fort Belvoir
EFMPÂ Military One Source
EFMP – Fort Belvoir
MWR – Fort Belvoir
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News from the Sangster PTA
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