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Dear Mantua families,
We were truly captivated by the stellar performance of our Mantua Drama club in “Seussical” this weekend! The costumes and sets were whimsical and full of color and we felt like we stepped right into a Dr. Seuss book! We extend a huge shout out to our Mantua PTA and the many volunteers who supported this effort. We also spotted a number of Mantua Basketball jerseys today! Basketball games officially begin this weekend!
Please also note that our Club and Candids Photo Day is next Tuesday, December 16. Check with your child’s teacher if you need more information.
Stay warm this snowy weekend!
Take good care,
Ms. Shannon, Mrs. Vaughan, Ms. Maurer
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As we count down the days to Winter Break, we want to celebrate with Winter Spirit Days:
Monday, Dec 15: Mad about Plaid (wear plaid)
Tuesday, Dec 16: Dress like a Snowman (top hat, scarf, etc)
Wednesday, Dec 17: Winter White-out (dress in white)
Thursday, Dec 18: Family Photos (dress alike–check with your child's teacher)
Friday, Dec 19: Pajama Day (wear comfy pajamas)
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Save the Dates
December 12: Mantua chorus at Fairfax Holiday Market, 7pm
December 15: Referrals for full-time AAP services due
December 16: Clubs and Candids Photo Day
Winter Band Concert, 7pm in the gym
December 19: Last day of school before Winter Break
December 20-January 4: Schools closed, Winter Break
January 5: School resumes
Mantua Employee Awards
We are incredibly lucky to have a school full of dedicated and talented staff! Every day, our team works tirelessly to support our students and we are so grateful for every one of them.
We are thrilled to recognize the staff members who have been selected as our school-based winners for the FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards! These individuals represent the hard work and dedication that happens in our halls every day.
Please join us in celebrating our 2025-26 honorees:
Outstanding New Teacher: Anna Jamerson
Outstanding Teacher: Skylar Robins
Outstanding Operational Employee: Susan Palomino
Outstanding Professional Employee: Jackie Cordiner
Thank you to everyone who took the time to submit a nomination!
AAP referrals
FCPS offers a continuum of Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services to meet students’ academic needs. Families of students in grades 2 – 6 who wish to refer their student for full-time AAP services must submit a referral by December 15. We are unable to accept late referrals. Families should not wait to receive NGAT scores before making a referral. For information about how to refer a student for AAP services, please contact Mantua’s Advanced Academics Resource Teacher (AART), Kathy Van Dyke, by Talking Points or by email at kkvandyke@fcps.edu. Forms and information may also be found at the FCPS AAP web page.
Weekly Staff Spotlight
Staff Spotlight is our way to recognize Mantua's incredible staff! Each week, we recognize a group of staff members. Check them out on Mantua ES Instagram. This coming week's featured staff are members of our 5th grade and 5th grade support team: Ms. Howard, Ms. Kocher, Mr. Withington, Ms. Kabbani and Ms. Johnson.
Please use the Spotlight Submission Form to share a positive message with them. We will share the messages with them at the end of next week.
Thank you for helping us make Staff Spotlight a fun and engaging way to celebrate our school community. We appreciate your enthusiasm and support!
Reporting Student Absences
We are committed to partnering with families to promote positive attendance habits. Any day that your child is unable to attend school, parents should report the absence. By reporting absences, families are partnering with our staff so that everyone can make sure students are supported and have access to resources.
Full-day absences can be reported in SIS ParentVUE. Parents can also report absences by emailing mantuaelem.attendance@fcps.edu. School staff will call parents if students are absent, and our school has not been notified in advance.
Parents can monitor their child’s attendance records in SIS ParentVUE.
Attendance Codes in SIS ParentVUE Explained
Attendance codes in SIS ParentVUE are assigned by school staff to better identify the reasons behind student absences. This allows us to respond thoughtfully and provide appropriate support. Visit the FCPS Attendance Policy webpage to learn more about the codes.
When Your Child Is Sick
It is also important to keep your child home when they are sick. The Can My Child Go to School? webpage provides helpful recommendations on when to keep your child home.
For instance, as long as they are feeling like they can participate in school activities, a child should attend school if they have cold symptoms. However, if they have severe, uncontrolled, or rapid coughing; wheezing; or difficulty breathing, definitely keep them home and contact your health care provider.
Support Our Schools: 25 for 2025 Giving Challenge
Join Educate Fairfax’s 25 for 2025 Giving Challenge and help ensure every FCPS student has the tools, support, and inspiration to succeed. Every gift, whether you can give $25 or $2,500, helps students learn while supporting the teachers and staff who make a lasting difference.
Educate Fairfax is the nonprofit education foundation that supports FCPS by providing resources, recognizing outstanding educators, and strengthening connections between schools and the community. Educate Fairfax invests directly in classrooms and programs. Last year, they contributed $1.27 million back into our schools.
The foundation supplied more than 5,000 school supply kits to more than 61 schools, centers, shelters, and Welcome Centers. Its Food for All Campaign packed more than 1,000 snack packs and helped feed more than 350 families over Thanksgiving. Read the Educate Fairfax Annual Report to learn more about their impact.
Together, we can support and encourage all learners and educators and strengthen the future of our schools. Donate to Educate Fairfax today.
Meet the Author: Live on Channel 21 and YouTube
Tune in to the Fairfax Network on Friday, December 12, at 1 p.m., for Meet the Author with Gabriella Aldeman, author of the bilingual children’s book “Squawk of Spanish.”
Follow Max as he learns to communicate with his Spanish-speaking grandmother and discovers how language can bring families closer together.
Visit the Meet the Author webpage to view previous episodes of the show.
Quick Contacts & Links
Linda Shannon, Principal LCShannon@fcps.edu
Colleen Vaughan, Assistant Principal CAVaughan@fcps.edu
Michele Maurer, Assistant Principal, Mkmaurer@fcps.edu
Susan Palomino, Administrative/Finance Assistant SLPalomino@fcps.edu
Mergie Kakouris, Student Information Assistant, MBKakouris@fcps.edu
Fadwa Finaish, Office Assistant, FFinaish@fcps.edu
Judy Toy, Office Assistant, JPToy@fcps.edu
Avril Donat, Office & Library Assistant Andonat@fcps.edu
Kathy Van Dyke, Advanced Academics Resource Teacher kkvandyke@fcps.edu
Maria Regina Incer, Family Liaison, mrincernunez@fcps.edu
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