|
English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو
Upcoming Events
-
Monday, February 10 - 3 Hour Early Release, 12:30 Dismissal
-
Wednesday, February 12 - 100th Day of School
-
Monday, February 17 - President's Day Holiday, No School
Early Release Monday, February 10th
February 10th is an Early Release Monday. Students will be dismissed at 12:30PM.
All families were sent a Talking Points message to confirm or change their dismissal selection by Thursday, February 6th. If no response is received, students will do the same dismissal as the previous November 18th early release day.
Any changes to dismissal need to be made by Monday, February 10th at 10:00AM to ensure student safety.
Yearbooks Now on Sale
Don’t miss out on the chance to get your child a yearbook. 2024-25 Yearbooks are $20.00 and can be ordered now through March 22nd. No yearbook orders will be taken after that date. So make plans to order yours today!
Yearbooks are only sold/purchased online. Start your purchase by going to: yearbookordercenter.com. Typing in 21927 or searching for Franconia Elementary, Alexandria VA, will take you to our ordering site.
National School Counseling Week
We Celebrate Mrs. Guillion and Ms. Ramirez
February 3-7 is National School Counseling Week, highlighting the tremendous impact school counselors have in helping students achieve success. Our own Mrs. Guillion and Ms. Ramirez work closely with school staff to support student success through classroom guidance lessons, small group counseling, consultation, referral, and crisis response. Additionally, Mrs. Guillion is the cornerstone of our Character trait of the Month and Mindfulness Lab programs.
Thank you, Mrs. Guillion and Ms. Ramirez, for all you do to help make Franconia a place of comfort, support and growth for all!
Penguin Pals Morning Meeting
Woo hoo! Today was our first official Penguin Pal morning meeting, and it was awesome! It was so great to see our different grade levels meeting and mingling. We're excited to be pairing upper and lower grades together to build an even stronger sense of community here at Franconia Elementary!
.
.
 .
Black History Month
Spirit Week February 24th – 28th
Black History Month was created to honor the contributions of African Americans to the United States. Join us in celebrating by paying tribute to Black pioneers who have been trailblazers from all periods of U.S. history.
Unity Day
Wear ALL BLACK to celebrate unity and solidarity together!
All About Love
Celebrate authors like bell hooks and Matthew A. Cherry.
Wear shades of pink, red, peach, tan, or brown to embrace our inclusion.
Music and Art
Music created by African Americans has had a significant impact on popular culture, fashion, and dance. It has also influenced artists around the world and has been a catalyst for social change.
Dress up as your favorite musician or artist. Or, wear a t-shirt that includes an influential artist.
Leaders of the Past
Civil rights leaders are influential figures who work to protect equal opportunities for individuals and groups of people.
Dress up as your favorite historical leader! Or, wear clothing that includes an influential figure.
I Have a Dream
Inspired by Dr. MLK’s famous speech, end the week in your favorite pajamas!
Counselor Corner
Character Trait of the Month
The character trait for February is Empathy- A feeling or understanding of what someone else is feeling.
In January, we highlighted the character trait of Acceptance- Including and respecting everyone regardless of beliefs, race, gender, religion, etc...
Here’s the student video for student’s who showed Acceptance this month: https://youtu.be/9ajDIn0PODo
We are so proud of our Acceptance award winners!
K-2 Career Day!
Franconia Elementary School will be hosting Career Day entitled “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” inspired by Dr. Seuss. The event will be held on Friday, April 4th ( Rain date, Friday April 11th from 1:00-2:30) On Career Day, you are invited to share your vehicle! This will give students the opportunity to touch and explore different vehicles' while learning about your career. If you have a vehicle for students explore and love speaking to young children, then we need you! If interested, please complete the Google Form HERE.
The last day to submit your interest is by Monday, March 24th. Please feel free to forward this form to interested parties. For further questions, please contact school counselor, Veronica Guillion at 703-822-2200. ( examples of vehicles are: limo services, food trucks, energy and gas trucks, tractor, gaming truck, or pet mobile).
6th Grade Lessons on Harassment
Dear 6th Grade Parent/Guardian
To build and maintain safe and supportive school environments, Fairfax County Public Schools has developed two lessons at the sixth-grade level to educate students on the topic of sexual harassment. These two lessons seek to provide students with the necessary information, resources, and strategies to help prevent occurrences of sexual harassment as well as outline the steps to take if they feel they or their peers are targets of these behaviors. In addition, the lessons share how schools support targeted students so that they can continue to focus on learning in an environment that feels comfortable and secure.
The two lessons are taught by the school counselor as part of their counseling curriculum. Opt out forms will be provided for your child if you do not want your child to attend. Opt out forms are due by March 5th. For further questions, please contact Mrs. Guillion vguillion@fcps.edu.
.
Welcome Mrs. Lyon to ESOL
We are thrilled to introduce the newest member of our ESOL team, Elaine Lyon! After making the shift from Instructional Assistant here at Franconia, Elaine now joins Anna Leung Smith in supporting our multilingual learners. Elaine’s dedication and passion for student success will be a great addition to our team, and we are excited to have her on board as we continue to foster a welcoming, inclusive environment for all learners.
Register for Kindergarten
Kindergarten Registration: It’s as Easy as 1-2-3…
There’s an easy five-step process for parents wanting to register their child for kindergarten:
- Determine eligibility.
- Identify your local school.
- Gather documents.
- Fill out forms.
- Schedule an appointment.
After the appointment at the school (the student and one guardian must be present), the student will be ready for Kindergarten orientation, scheduled for Wednesday, April 9, 2025. Read more about the registration process. For additional information, please contact Marie Stewart, our school registrar.
Try Online Registration
Online registration for the 2025-26 school year is open. Parents/caregivers may register their children online for kindergarten through 12th grade. Learn how to begin the online registration process.
When registering, parents/caregivers will need to create or log in to an existing SIS ParentVUE account.
Nominations for First-Class Awards
The Advisory Committee for Students With Disabilities Seeks Nominations for First-Class Awards
First-Class Awards are presented each year to individuals who support, design, and/or implement inclusion activities that result in positive outcomes for students. The Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ACSD) is seeking nominations for the 2025 First-Class Awards. This is a great opportunity for the community to recognize and celebrate the inclusion efforts of educators, administrators, and students who demonstrate the inclusion of students with disabilities in all facets of education.
Nominees should model excellence in their role relative to special education, have a positive impact that benefits disabled and non-disabled students alike, and be committed to creating an inclusive environment and mindset.
Nominate an administrator, staff member, student, or community partner who has made an exceptional contribution to inclusive practices in Fairfax County Public Schools. Nominations close Wednesday, February 19.
.
Proposed Budget Presented to School Board
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid presented the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Proposed Budget at the School Board meeting on Thursday, January 23. Watch a video of the presentation.
As Dr. Reid noted in her January 24 letter to families, “The budget is fiscally responsible and invests in excellence — not just for FCPS, but for all of us in Fairfax County who want a strong community with successful young people, dedicated educators and support staff, and a thriving economy.”
The proposed budget reflects the needs of and FCPS’ commitments to Fairfax County students, families, and community members. It focuses on competitive compensation, including a 7.0% salary increase for all staff to recruit and retain our outstanding educators, administrators, and other school-based and operational staff dedicated to the success of our students; investing in students who require additional support; and continuing multiyear initiatives such as inclusive preschool and safety and security updates.
Learn more on the Budget webpage.
SPRINGFIELD CHALLENGER
“Little League Baseball for Kids, Teens and Adults With Special Needs”
2025 SPRING SEASON
April 6 – June 15
CELEBRATING 32 YEARS TOGETHER
Springfield Challenger is Little League Baseball for kids, teens and adults, ages 4 - 50, who have any special needs that preclude them from participating in a mainstream Little League program. Beginning in 1993 with nine ball players, Springfield Challenger will play our 32nd season in 2025.
Springfield Challenger offers each player an opportunity to participate in baseball, regardless of skill level - we tailor the game to each player's abilities. We don't count balls & strikes and we don't count outs. Everybody scores each inning and everybody wins. Each player gets the opportunity to play defense, bat and score each inning. Being on the field is just one of the benefits resulting from playing baseball with us - socialization skills, friendships and a feeling of success are also recognized. Our games are two or three innings, non-competitive games played on Sunday afternoons. For families we offer camaraderie with other parents and siblings and a chance to cheer on each special player and his or her teammates.
Little Challengers – Ages 4 - 12
Majors – Teens Ages 13 - 18
Adults – Ages 19 and up
9 Game Spring Schedule April 6 – June 15
8 Game Fall Schedule September 6 – October 26
There are NO cut off dates, players can register and play anytime during the season.
Register for the 2025 Spring Season here
Please email us for more information and we'll answer any questions you might have. Eddie Garretson atEgarret166@aol.com or
Logan Bruno Logan.Garretson@gmail.com
Calendar Reminders
February
Black History Month
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history.Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about Black History month.
Career and Technical Education Month
By enrolling in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) course or program, students learn the technical applications of many occupations while preparing for higher education or entry-level employment. A core program of CTE courses is offered in every middle and high school including Business and Information Technology, Family and Consumer Sciences, Health and Medical Sciences, Marketing, Technology and Engineering Education, and Trade and Industrial Education. Since this is an elective, course offerings may vary by school. Learn more on the FCPS CTE webpage.
CTE also offers summer programs for students to explore their programs. Enroll now!
February 3-7 - National School Counseling Week
National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors have in helping students achieve academic success and planning for a career. School counselors work with students in a variety of different capacities, whether it is through classroom lessons, group sessions, or individual counseling.
Learn more about the role of school counselors in FCPS.
February 12 - 100th Day of School
(moved from the 6th because of snow days)
February 17 - Presidents Day (Holiday)
All schools and offices will be closed on Monday, February 17, for the Presidents Day holiday.
February 24-28 - Public Schools Week
Public Schools Week is an annual celebration that brings together school leaders, educators, parents & community leaders to recognize the importance of our nation’s public schools.
February 28 - Ramadan
Ramadan begins at sundown on Friday, February 28. This day is an evening-only observance day. There is school on these days, but certain activities that cannot be made up can not take place after school. See the complete school year calendar.Throughout the year, as we celebrate and recognize various cultural holidays and observances, families are encouraged to contact their child’s principal regarding accommodations, including but not limited to those around lunch, prayer/meditation and silent reflection spaces and times, and instruction.
See the complete school year calendar.
Quick Links
|
