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Dear Mantua Families,
As we prepare for our winter break, we're all hoping for a bit of winter magic. Whether it snows or not, we hope your time is filled with laughter, love, and cherished moments spent with loved ones. This will be our final newsletter of the year. We look forward to welcoming you back to school refreshed and ready to learn in the new year!
This week’s Reminders:
- Spirit Week starts tomorrow! Help us count down the days to winter break by dressing up for our spirit days!
- Wednesday, December 18, at 4:30 PM, we will host a reception for Mr. Rich Deixler. Please RSVP Link using this link by tomorrow evening.
- This is the final week to make donations to our Kids Club Food Drive. A list of items is included.
- December 20th is the last day to register for the Woodson Area Chorus Day, which will take place in January! We have details and a registration link below.
Our school office will be closed over the winter break. If you require assistance, please email Linda Shannon, Principal LCSshannon@fcps.edu and Susan Palomino, Administrative/Finance Assistant SLPalomino@fcps.edu.
Take good care,
Ms. Shannon, Mr. Deixler, and Mrs. Vaughan
Check out our fourth graders having fun on the field and our first graders completing their Shapes Project Based Learning (PBL)!
Important Upcoming Dates
December 18: Farewell for Rich Deixler, 4:30 PM (RSVP requested)
December 25: Christmas (falls during winter break)
December 25: Chanukah (falls during winter break)
December 23-Jan 5: Winter Break for all students
January 1: New Year’s (falls during winter break)
January 6: School resumes
January 6: Three King’s Day/Epiphany, Religious and Cultural Observance
January 7: Orthodox Christmas, Religious and Cultural Observance
January 11: Woodson Area Chorus Day (pre-registration required)
January 16: Curriculum Night, Frost Middle School (rising 7th graders)
January 19: Orthodox Epiphany, Religious and Cultural Observance (falls on a weekend)
January 20: Martin Luther King, Jr Day, staff and student holiday/Inauguration Day
January 28: End of the Quarter
January 29: Lunar New Year, Student Holiday, Teacher Workday
Mantua Spirit Week December Starts Tomorrow!
Monday ~ Grade Level Color Day (See colors below)
Tuesday ~ Team Day (Wear swag from your favorite team)
Wednesday ~ Winter Wednesday (Dress in winter-themed clothes)
Thursday ~ Mad About Plaid (Wear all things plaid)
Friday ~ PJ Day (Wear your pajamas)
Grade Level Colors:
Preschool ~ Pink, K ~ Blue, 1 ~ Green, 2 ~ White, 3 ~ Purple, 4 ~ Orange, 5 ~ Red, 6 ~ Yellow
Feature Friday
Feature Friday is the way we spotlight Mantua's incredible staff on a regular basis! Each week, we recognize a group of staff members. Check them out on Mantua ES Instagram. This week’s featured staff will be Joo Kang and Barbara Lewis (2nd grade). Please take a moment to share a positive message for the teams using the Google Form, open through 12/2.
Thank you for helping us to make Feature Friday a fun and engaging way to celebrate our school community and for your continued enthusiasm and support of our staff!
Farewell
Join us as we gather to wish Rich Deixler, Assistant Principal, a fond farewell as he moves to the Assistant Principal role at Frost Middle School! The farewell will be held in the library on December 18 from 4:30-5:30 PM. Mr. Deixler has been an integral part of the Mantua community for the past 13 years, and we hope you can join us in wishing him all the best in his new role. Members of the Mantua community are welcome and invited to attend. Please RSVP with this link.
Kids Care Club Food Drive
The Positivity Project
This coming week, our school will focus on the character strength of Self-Control. Self-control means having the ability to control your emotions and behaviors. You think before you act.
Having self-control helps people stay calm during tough times and avoid impulsive actions. It doesn’t mean you don’t have thoughts or feelings; it means you can manage them.
When working or gathering in groups, self-control is shown through “self-monitoring.” This means being honest about what works and what doesn’t. Group members adjust their roles to help the group succeed.
To practice and encourage the character strength of self-control at home, please visit The Positivity Project’s mobile-friendly P2 for Families (available in English and Spanish), where you will watch a video together and discuss a quote and three questions. Below are links to this week’s P2 for Families lessons. Click on the grade level that best meets your child’s needs.
Thank you for your continued support!
Transition to Middle School - Message from Frost MS
Middle School Start Time Study
Update on Potential Changes to Middle School Start Times
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.
Student and Family Resources
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.
School’s Closed, Learning Can Continue!
FCPS encourages students to take advantage of fun learning opportunities during winter break and snow days. Consider these winter activities to blend education and play for your students during winter break or weather-related school closures.
Winter Resources from Fairfax County Government Agencies
Food Assistance and Resource Guide
Food insecurity impacts more than 96,000 Fairfax County residents. There are many resources available to support those who need food assistance. Learn how to help these families and the many resources available to support those who need food assistance on Fairfax County’s website or view the county’s Human Services Resource Guide.
Bundle Up With Books Over Break
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.
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.
Learn more about the Winter Wonderland and the Holiday Train at Burke Lake Park, Holiday on the Farm at Frying Pan Farm Park, and many more fun events.
Preparing for Winter Weather
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.
Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities
We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and 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 supplying your child with cold-weather clothing, please call Fairfax County's Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health care.
Winter Special Education and 504 Newsletter
The latest issue of the FCPS Special Education and 504 Newsletter is available online. Topics in this issue include:
- Community Resources for Families of Students with Disabilities
- Save the Date: 2025 Family Summit
- SEL Screener Results
- New Accessibility Resources
- Adapted Physical Education and Recreation Program
- Why Some Students with Disabilities Stay in FCPS Until Age 22
- VR Programs Supports Out-of-State Post Secondary Schools
- Executive Functioning Webinars
- Early Literacy Resources
- ESY and Assessment Webinar
- COVID-19 Compensatory Education: FCPS Service Delivery Options
Subscribe to the Special Education and 504 Newsletter.
Quick Contacts & Links
Linda Shannon, Principal LCSshannon@fcps.edu
Rich Deixler, Assistant Principal RADeixler@fcps.edu
Colleen Vaughan, Assistant Principal CAVaughan@fcps.edu
Susan Palomino, Administrative/Finance Assistant SLPalomino@fcps.edu
Mergie Kakouris, Student Information Assistant, MBKakouris@fcps.edu
Jane Dunfee, SBTS, Testing Coordinator, pjdunfee@fcps.edu
Fadwa Finaish, Office Assistant, FFinaish@fcps.edu
Judy Toy, Office Assistant, JPToy@fcps.edu
Luis Uribe Gamboa, Family Liaison, lauribegambo@fcps.edu
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