Fort Hunt Fox Den News | January 3, 2025


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We're ready at Fort Hunt for a year filled with creativity, friendship and pushing ourselves to reach new heights. Happy New Year 2025!


News from the Fox Den

January 3, 2025


A Message from Ms. Consolla

Happy New Year to everyone in the Fort Hunt community! I hope that you and your family found time to connect with loved ones. Our custodial team was busy over the break with deep cleaning and preparing for the return of students this coming Monday.

As I write this, that snowflake icon keeps peeking in and out on my weather app. We know that the weather in this area can change rapidly, so please stay tuned for all weather alerts from FCPS. When a 2-hour delayed opening is announced, students may begin arriving no earlier than 10:30am. Please do not drop off students before that as there is no supervision.

After hearing from some parents that they preferred to hear about when their child might not be meeting expectations sooner than the quarterly progress report, I worked with teachers to develop a way to communicate that information. On Monday, some families will receive an email from teachers indicating any areas--academic, specials, citizenship & work habits--where the student may not be meeting expectations at this time. Included will be information about ways your child is being supported at school and how to contact the teacher for more information. 

As always, thank you for your partnership with us in your child's education at Fort Hunt.

Jean

Jean Consolla, Principal

jtconsolla@fcps.edu


❄️ 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.


student writes on smart board

Midyear Assessments

As we near the halfway point in the school year, we will doing some assessments with students in January to see their progress and make adjustments. Students in Grades 1-6 will be taking the math iReady assessment in January. Our multi-lingual learners will be assessed in their listening, reading, writing and speaking skills through the WIDA test. And our primary grade students will have a midpoint assessment in language arts using the VALLSS. We'll share more information as we receive it. 


seventh grade

All families of current Grade 6 students are invited to this electives fair. Between January 20-February 7, the Sandburg counselors will be visiting Fort Hunt to review course offerings and provide academic advising. They will be working closely with our school counselor, Ms. McLenithan, to support families with any questions they might have about this transition to middle school.


Dual Language Immersion Lottery

Registration for the countywide lottery for FCPS’ Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program will open on Monday, January 13, 2025. Current pre-K students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program, and current kindergarten students may apply for the first grade immersion program for the 2025-26 school year. 

Dual Language Immersion is available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish. 

Parents/caregivers who are interested may want to attend an informational meeting held at the school site. Visit the Dual Language Immersion Program Registration page for a list of meetings by language offered. The Fort Hunt meeting will be on Monday, January 27 at 6:30pm.   

Get more information on the DLI Program webpage and the DLI Program Registration webpage. Thank you for spreading the word to friends and neighbors who may be interested in registering their rising kindergarten student. As a reminder, families do not have to live inside a school's boundary to participate in an immersion program as it is determined by lottery.


Boundary Change Meetings: Attend Virtually

The Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee held its second meeting on December 16 at Gatehouse Administration Center. View key takeaways from that meeting and access the meeting agenda, slides, and other materials that committee members received.  If you did not get a chance to attend an in-person Community Boundary Review Meeting, please consider participating in a virtual meeting:

  • Friday, January 10, 2025, 6-7:30 p.m. 
  • Thursday, January 16, 2025, 1-2:30 p.m. 
  • Saturday, January 25, 2025, 9:30-11 a.m. 
  • Monday, January 27, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m. 
  • Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m. 
  • Monday, February 10, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m. 

Language interpretation will be available. 

All virtual meetings will follow the same format as the in-person meetings that were recently held, and the same information will be shared. Please stay tuned for details on how to register. Visit FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage to learn more. Sign up for FCPS’ School Boundary Review newsletter as well.


lunch

What's For Lunch?

If you're looking for what's on the menu, visit the menu here . More information about meals in FCPS can be found here. Families can add money to their child's account at My School Bucks.

Families may join their child for lunch on Fridays. You can read about it in our handbook.


Important Times

Arrive on campus: 8:30am

Kiss & Ride: 8:35-8:55am

Doors Open: 8:35am Tardy Bell: 8:55am

Dismissal Bell: 3:40pm

Office Hours: 8:00am - 4:30pm


Important Dates

School re-opens on Monday, January 6, 2025 at 8:30am.

Thursday, January 16 | Sandburg Middle School Electives Fair 6:00-7:30pm

Monday, January 20 | School closed for MLK Jr Holiday

Monday, January 27 | Immersion information meeting for rising kindergarten & Grade 1 families 6:30pm (for families not already enrolled in immersion)

Tuesday, January 28 | End of Quarter 2

Wednesday, January 29 | Teacher Workday. NO school for students

You can access the full 2024-2025 calendar here.


kids playing

Get Involved with your PTA

Consider becoming a member of the Parent Teacher Association at Fort Hunt. It's a great way to connect with other parents, learn about how to support your child and to have fun! There are many ways where you can share your voice, talents and time. Check out the PTA website for more information.  


Parent/Guardian Handbook

Do you have questions about attendance or food/drink at school or what students can wear?  If so, please check out our Parent/Guardian Handbook on our Fort Hunt website. It's available with translations. Click here to access it. Of course, if you have a question about a situation that is not listed, reach out to your child's teacher or an administrator. 


administrators

Your Partners in Education

We are honored to work with your family this year and will work everyday to ensure a safe and positive learning environment for your child. We can't do it alone. Please contact us when there is a question or concern, especially related to bullying. As a parent, you will often hear about something before staff might. Thank you for all your support.   

Jean Consolla, Principal          

jtconsolla@fcps.edu

Patty Settel, Assistant Principal   

pasettel@fcps.edu


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