The Clearview Community Connect April 11, 2025

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The Clearview Community Connect

Stronger Together


Dear Clearview Families,  

As the dismissal bell rings today, we extend our warmest wishes for a joyful and restful spring break! We are so incredibly proud of all the hard work, growth, and achievements our students have demonstrated throughout this school year so far.

This break is a well-deserved opportunity for everyone – students, families, and staff – to recharge, reconnect, and enjoy quality time together. We encourage you to embrace this time to relax, explore, and create lasting memories.

Whether you are planning a grand adventure, enjoying quiet moments at home, or visiting loved ones, we hope this break brings you happiness and rejuvenation. We encourage our students to continue reading for pleasure, engage in creative activities, and perhaps even explore some of the beautiful springtime sights.

Please remember that school will resume on Monday, April 21. We look forward to welcoming our Yellow Jackets back, refreshed and ready for the exciting learning opportunities the remainder of the school year will bring.

Have a wonderful spring break!

Stephanie Almquist         Joshua Redford        Rachel Charlton  

Principal                          Assistant Principal    Assistant Principal



This week at clearview


Get to Know FCPS and the Resources Available to Families

Being connected to your school community helps you stay informed and support your child’s success. Take some time to get familiar with the many resources and tools available to FCPS families, including:

  • School Age Child Care (SACC) – This Fairfax County government program provides a safe and fun environment before and after school for elementary school-age children.
  • FCPS Communications for Families – FCPS shares news and information to support student learning and promote family engagement.
  • FCPS Family Academy – We know that as a parent or caregiver, you play a critical role in your child's education. The Family Academy compiles classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by FCPS to help you support your child's needs and learning at home. The Family Academy also includes information about resources to help you ensure your child has what they need to succeed. 
  • Family Liaisons – Family liaisons serve as a link between families and schools. You may reach out to our wonderful family liaison, Mary Specht. 

There’s an easy to follow five-step process outlined for parents registering their children for kindergarten. Be sure to register your child as soon as possible! 



Advanced Academics Programs (AAP)

Spring Screening for Subject-Specific or Part-time AAP Services

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction to meet the needs of advanced learners. Students can be screened for subject specific and part time AAP services at any time in the school year. In the spring, schools review data on all students to determine services for the start of the next school year. Parents or guardians can initiate the screening process by submitting the AAP School-Based Services Referral Form by April 15, 2025. Please direct referral forms to Clearview’s Advanced Academics Resource Teacher (AART), Holly Hill, at hlhill@fpcs.edu. She would be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the screening process or advanced academic programs, in general.

Additional information about Advanced Academic Programs can be found in the AAP Spring Newsletter



True Book Fair Returns in May

Great news: Clearview Library will hold its SECOND True Book Fair in May!

The True Book Fair will provide students in grades Preschool - 6 with at least one book of their very own for summer reading. Our wish is to provide everyone with two books.

We have been lucky enough to win one grant from Educate Fairfax to support this goal; however, we still need your support to make this happen! Check out our Amazon Wish List to support our wonderful readers.

Please feel free to share this to your page or neighborhood pages.



🙏Thank You PTA🙏

As spring break begins, our staff wanted to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude for everything you did to make Staff Appreciation Week so incredibly special. Your thoughtfulness, generosity, and the sheer effort you put into celebrating our staff were truly out of this world!

From the delicious meals and treats to the thoughtful gifts and the overall atmosphere of appreciation you created, every single gesture was deeply felt and so very much appreciated. You made each day feel like a celebration, and your support means the world to our entire school team.

Your dedication to our school community is truly remarkable, and Staff Appreciation Week was just another shining example of your unwavering commitment. Thank you for going above and beyond to make us feel valued and recognized.

Your partnership is invaluable, and we are incredibly grateful for all that you do for our students, families, and staff. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for making Staff Appreciation Week so memorable. Enjoy a well-deserved and restful spring break!



Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow.

Regular, on-time attendance is a key ingredient to your child’s success.  Keeping in mind that students are to stay home if they have a fever (of 100.4 or above), vomiting, or diarrhea, attending school must be a top priority.  

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.

Weekly Student Attendance by Grade (%)

Grade Level Weekly% Yearly%
Kindergarten 97% 82%
First Grade 95% 89%
Second Grade 91% 89%
Third Grade 94% 87%
Fourth Grade 95% 97%
Fifth Grade 97% 89%
Sixth Grade 94% 94%
Whole School  95% 90.8%

 



Springtime Weather and Air Conditioning

In the coming months, once the air conditioning is turned on (centrally), some rooms are colder than others. Thank you for sending children to school in layers of clothing so they can be comfortable regardless of the temperature inside and outside of the school.



After-School Clubs

The last day of clubs will be Wednesday, June 4. If you have questions or are interested in facilitating an after-school club beginning in October 2025, please contact Assistant Principal, Rachel Charlton.



School Bus Driver & Transportation Attendant Job Fairs

Attend a Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) bus driver job fair and be part of the FCPS team! FCPS hosts school bus driver job fairs all spring and summer, at a variety of times and locations. No pre-event registration is needed to attend.

bus driver

Please consider applying your skills and talents as a bus driver or transportation attendant in FCPS. School buses are full of energy and excitement as students enjoy the rides to and from school. Are you patient?  Do you have the ability to focus in an environment with many distractions?  Are you friendly and approachable? 



Footloose at Herndon HS

Theatre 4 Kids Foundation has partnered with Herndon High School to provide an exciting opportunity for elementary students interested in the performing arts! They are offering 30 FREE tickets to Herndon High School's performance of Footloose at 2:00 PM on Sunday, May 4. 

If you are interested, please click to complete the Google Form to apply for FREE tickets! 

Additional tickets are also available for purchase on the Herndon Theatre website https://herndondrama.org/ 



April is Autism Acceptance Month

Autism Acceptance Month graphic

One in 44 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder in the United States, according to the CDC. Our schools and staff play a vital role in creating and ensuring inclusive environments that accommodate and affirm students with autism.



Tech Talk

Keeping Kids Safe Online: The Importance of Monitoring Digital Activity

Monitoring children's online activity is essential in today's digital age to ensure their safety and well-being. Enforcing age restrictions on applications and social media platforms is crucial, as these guidelines are designed to protect children from content and interactions that may not be suitable for their developmental stage. Allowing unsupervised access to such platforms can expose children to potential risks, including cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and interactions with strangers. Furthermore, excessive screen time, especially late at night, can negatively impact brain development and mental health, leading to issues such as sleep disturbances and decreased academic performance. As at home caregivers, it is important to be aware of our children's online activities, understand who they are communicating with, and guide them towards healthy digital habits. Utilizing parental control tools can assist in this endeavor by allowing us to set appropriate boundaries and monitor usage effectively. For instance, Google Family Link and Net Nanny offer features that enable parents to manage screen time, filter content, and track app usage. By staying engaged and informed, we can create a safer online environment for our children, fostering their growth and development in a healthy manner.

 

Fairfax County Public Schools Family Resource Center: A Supportive Hub for Families

The Fairfax County Public Schools Family Resource Center offers a variety of resources to help all families support their children's success in school. They provide free webinars and events, confidential consultations with professionals, and a lending library with over 10,000 resources. There are even resources specifically designed to help families of children with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. Visit their website or call them today to learn more and get the support you need!

 

🔍 Lightspeed Parent Report on Child’s Device Activity

FCPS has tools to help parents know more about their child’s activity on any FCPS device. These tools are provided at no cost to families by Lightspeed, the school division’s internet content filtering service.

Parents may sign up for a weekly Parent Report, which will provide a list of the top sites their child visited. The report also offers parents the ability to sign up for free access to the Internet Use Parent Portal. Through the portal, parents may pause their child’s access to the internet on their FCPS device during non-school hours.

Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.



Save the date
  • April 14-18 Spring Break
  • April 23 PTA Meeting, Clearview Library 7:00 PM 
  • April 24 AAP Orientation, Clearview Cafeteria  5:30 - 7:00 PM 
  • April 29 Spring Concert, PM
  • May 1 Family Science Night & Art Show
  • May 8 Family Coffee, 9 AM
  • May 8 Grade 4 Strings Concert, PM


PTA

 

May 10 is for Magical Miles & Mythical Creatures

Mark your calendars because the Clearview Elementary Fantasy 5K, Fun Run & Friends Walk is coming up on Saturday, May 10! Dress like your favorite mythical creature and get in some magical miles while enjoying a run or walk through the neighborhoods surrounding the school. 

 

Registration is now open, so visit PTBoard to sign up by April 22. Your $16 registration includes a fantasy-themed, student-designed race shirt. You can also pay $5 for a no-shirt registration. 

 

Don’t delay, register today at the start of spring break!



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