What's Happening Mount Eagle | January 3, 2025

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Grade 6 students dress in matching outfits for Twin/Trio Day in December.


What's Happening Mount Eagle

January 3, 2025


A Message from Ms. Kirkland

Happy New Year to everyone in the Mount Eagle 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 10:25am. Please do not drop off students before that as there is no supervision.

Please take some time this weekend to make sure that you have all of your winter weather clothing ready to go for the return to school.  We go outside for recess unless we received word that wind chills are at dangerous levels or the play area is snow or ice-covered. We want to make sure children are able to play outside comfortably, so make sure hats, coats and gloves go to school with your child.

As always, thank you for your partnership with us in your child's education at Mount Eagle. We can't wait to welcome you back soon!

Kate

Kate Kirkland

Principal

kekirkland@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.


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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. 


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

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.


🍎 Make Every Day Count! The Importance of Attendance

As you plan upcoming trips and other family events, please remember the importance of sending your child to school every day. Review the FCPS School Year Calendar and try to plan any time away during breaks from school. 

Children who show up for school regularly develop fundamental reading and math skills while building a habit of good attendance that will carry them into college and careers. Research shows that children who were chronically absent (missing 18 days or more) in kindergarten and first grade were far less likely to read proficiently at the end of third grade.

Learn how families can help form good attendance habits.


Important Times

Kiss & Ride: 8:20-8:40am

Doors Open: 8:25am Tardy Bell: 8:45am

Dismissal Bell: 3:300pm

Office Hours: 8:00am - 4:30pm


Important Dates

Monday, January 6 | All students and staff return.

Monday, January 20 | MLK Day Holiday - No school

Tuesday, January 28 | End Quarter 2

Wednesday, January 29 | Teacher Workday - No school for students

Monday, February 10 | Early Release Monday - Students dismiss at 12:30pm.

Monday, February 17 | President's Day Holiday - No school

Access the full 2024-2025 calendar here.


Get Involved in Your PTO

At Mount Eagle, every parent is a member of the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). It's a great way to connect with other parents, learn about how to support your child, and have fun! There are many ways you can share your voice, talents, and time. Check out the PTO Website for more information. It's available in multiple languages.


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 Mount Eagle 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. Their contact information is at the bottom of this newsletter.


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Your Partners in Education

We are honored to start the school year with your family, 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 of your support.

Kate Kirkland, Principal

kekirkland@fcps.edu

Leeanne Pinski, Assistant Principal

lnpinski@fcps.edu