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Dear Wolftrap Families,
Please don’t forget the last Boundary Review Community Meeting this week! Community meetings regarding FCPS’ comprehensive boundary review will take place in each of the division's six regions. You are encouraged to attend the meeting in our region, which will take place (WEDNESDAY) on Wednesday, December 18, 6:30-8 p.m., at Madison High School Cafeteria. Please register in advance by clicking on the date. Language interpretation will be available. If you are unable to attend on this date, view the full list of meetings on the Comprehensive School Boundary Review webpage.
Winter Break starts this Friday (in case you were not aware 😊), and we would like to wish all of you a wonderful break. As mentioned at Thanksgiving, we take these opportunities to remind our staff at each long break the need to give our students (and themselves) a respite from schoolwork during the holiday. While teachers may have long-term assignments that span over the course of a break, we have shared with the staff to not assign homework, projects, essays, etc. to be specifically done over the break.
All of us need the opportunity to spend time with our families and friends. We want our students to have the opportunity to catch a breath from schoolwork and to enjoy time with friends and family. We also want our teachers to decompress and put their lesson plan books and laptops away for a few days to enjoy time with their friends and family. Our goal is to have students and teachers return to school anxiety-free without the pressure of looming deadlines. This is a unified message that Madison pyramid principals send to all of you. Ms. Tipton and I wish you a wonderful time together with family and friends! See you next year!
Dr. Maggie Grove, Principal
Ms. Megan Tipton, Assistant Principal
We are excited to welcome many of you to Band and Strings concerts this week. The evening programs are designed primarily for families, and the daytime concerts are designed primarily for students and staff. If you are able, please plan to attend in the evening, as we often do not have enough seating and room for additional concert goers during the day. If you need a specific accommodation, please call the Wolftrap office or send Dr. Grove an email, and we will be happy to assist. Thank you for your help!
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Want to hear more about grades and progress reports? Plan to stop by the next PTA meeting for an update. Did you know?
- The comments that teachers include come from a “bank” of comments. Teachers are not able to enter their own comments into the progress report and are restricted by what is provided from the system.
- Teachers do not have the ability to change names in the comment bank. So, while your child’s teacher knows the names (and nicknames) of all students, that is not reflected in the comments (for example, Kate, instead of Katherine)! That makes the comments more “formal” than they might be if teachers write them.
- Teachers are not provided pronouns to use, so every comment must begin with the child’s name (this can also seem strange when reading the report!).
📅 The front office will be closed from December 23rd - January 3rd. Students and staff will return on January 6, 2024.
⏰🔔⏰🔔 I think it is important that all of you are informed about the discussion on Middle School Start Times, which don’t just affect Middle School! 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.
⛄⛄⛄ The latest issue of the FCPS Special Education and 504 Newsletter is available online. Subscribe to the Special Education and 504 Newsletter.
⛄⛄⛄ Fairfax County Public Schools has compiled a list of resources for students and families in case they need 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.
📚📚📚 Fairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) winter reading adventure has begun and will continue through Friday, January 31, 2025. Visit your local FCPL library branch or visit their 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.
Click here for information about an upcoming training for those interested in the technology workforce.
Tonight, December 16th: Winter Band concert 6:30pm
Tuesday, December 17th: Winter Strings concert 6:30pm
Wednesday, December 18th: Boundary Discussion: see above
Winter Break (Student Holiday): As a reminder, winter break will be held Monday, December 23, to Friday, January 3. 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 ahead of the break, allowing students to practice time management skills, but no assignments will be due immediately following the break. We look forward to welcoming students back in the new year. Classes resume on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. See the complete school year calendar.
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In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:
- Family Academy Orientation
- Literacy Resources
- Winter Programs and Activities
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
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