|
English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو
 |
|
Upcoming Keene Mill Events
Monday, October 19-Last Day to Register for Pyramid Challenge
Wednesday, October 21-Honeygrow Spirit Night (&Day)
October 26-30-Red Ribbon Week
Thursday, October 29-PTA Bingo Night
Friday, October 30-End of First Quarter; 2-hour early release
Monday and Tuesday, November 2-3-Student Holidays
Wednesday, November 11-Thanksgiving Lunch
Wednesday, November 18-Early Release @ 1pm
Wednesday-Friday, November 25-27-Thanksgiving Break-no school
|
Message from the Principal
Greetings Keene Mill Families,
It’s hard to believe we are already halfway through October! As the end of the quarter approaches, please be on the lookout for parent-teacher conference sign ups from your child’s teacher if you have not already received that information.
I hope you have settled comfortably into your school year routine at this point. Consistent routine plays a huge role in that daily growth, which is why attendance is so vital. Missing just 10% of school—which breaks down to only two days a month—can negatively affect a student’s academic performance and key foundational skills. To support your child's regular attendance, try establishing a consistent "evening launchpad" routine: set out clothes, pack backpacks, and confirm lunch plans the night before. Removing that morning rush helps reduce anxiety, ensures a calm start to the day, and makes arriving at school on time much smoother for the whole family.
Finally, if you would like to celebrate a staff member for going above and beyond, please submit an FCPS Cares. It warms our hearts to hear the amazing things that are happening every day.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership!
Cathy Wood
Keene Mill ES Principal
|
Pyramid Challenge!
Registration ends on Monday, October 19th.
Keene Mill is eager to earn the participant award this year, and that means we need as many Kanga students as possible to register!
The Pyramid Challenge is a free (student only) fun run with the goal of making fitness fun while also fostering school spirit amongst the 7 elementary schools of the West Springfield Pyramid.
The event will take place on Saturday, November 14th from 10am-12:00pm at Irving Middle School.
This year’s event will also include a unified heat - an accessible 200-meter course for students with physical or cognitive disabilities!
Only students may participate in the run. Adults and siblings may support from the sidelines.
We hope to see you there!
https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Springfield/WestSpringfieldPyramidChallenge
Red Ribbon Week
Monday, 10/26: Red-y to be a Hero!
-
The Dress-Up: Wear RED from head to toe.
-
The Message: Kick off Red Ribbon Week by pledging to make a difference, be a hero, and stay drug-free.
Tuesday, 10/27: Hats Off to Everyday Heroes
-
The Dress-Up: Wear your favorite hat (a baseball cap, beanie, silly hat, or even a community hero's hat like a firefighter helmet).
-
The Message: We tip our hats to the everyday heroes who make our community better, and we pledge to make super choices too!
Wednesday, 10/28: Heroes Team Up
-
The Dress-Up: Wear your favorite sports team jersey or school spirit wear.
-
The Message: Heroes look out for each other. Team up with your friends and community to support healthy habits.
Thursday, 10/29: Dream Like a Hero
-
The Dress-Up: Pajama Day! Wear your favorite school-appropriate pajamas.
-
The Message: Get plenty of rest and stay drug-free so you can grow up to make your biggest dreams come true.
Friday, 10/30: Every Hero Has a Story
-
The Dress-Up: Book Character Dress Up Day. (Dress as your favorite book character!)
-
The Message: You are the author of your own life. Write a great story by making positive choices and being a hero to others!
PTA News
Honeygrow Spirit Night (& Day!) is next Wednesday, Oct 21
From 10:30 AM-10:00 PM, eat at the West Springfield honeygrow location to support Keene Mill PTA! honeygrow is donating back 20% of sales from Dine-In, Takeout, Delivery & Pick up orders when you use promo code GIVE164.
Registration deadline for the West Springfield Pyramid Challenge is Monday, Oct. 19. Sign up today!
It’s Costume BINGO time! Bundles Sales and Volunteer Signup now online.
What: Costume Bingo
When: Thursday, Oct. 29, 6:30-8:00 PM
Where: KMES Gymnasium and Cafeteria (The gym is reserved as a quieter, calmer bingo area.)
Purchase/signup: https://tinyurl.com/2026CostumeBingo
Families can wear their costumes and enjoy pizza and bingo games with costume parades and dance parties in between. Bingo Bundles can be purchased online NOW. For $5, a bundle includes a ticket for a slice of pizza, a ticket for a drink, a ticket for a snack or treat, 6 bingo cards and a Halloween stamp to mark the cards. Skip the line, pick up your pre-purchased bundles, and play!
The PTA is also looking for VOLUNTEERS that night, with shifts limited to 30 minutes so there is still plenty of time to enjoy the event. ** Teen helpers welcome for volunteer hours! **
Volunteer here: https://tinyurl.com/2026BingoVolunteer
|
Safe Routes to School Parent and Caregiver Survey
As part of the Fairfax County School Board’s Annual School-Based Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Assessment, the FCPS Office of Safety and Security and Safe Routes to School program are inviting parents and caregivers to share their experiences traveling to and from school.
The Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Survey asks about walking and biking routes, traffic near schools, kiss and ride experiences, accessibility, and other safety concerns.
Your feedback will help FCPS identify common issues. Your responses will be kept confidential and shared with school administrators and the Office of Safety and Security. The five-minute survey is open through Thursday, October 15.
Be sure to identify the school related to your feedback and include specific locations where you have observed a safety issue. If you have students at different schools in FCPS, please complete a different survey for each school.
If you have any questions about the survey, please contact SafeRoutestoSchool@fcps.edu.
Calendar Change: Eid al-Fitr
FCPS will mark the beginning of Eid al-Fitr with an evening-only observance day on Monday, March 8. There will be school on this day, but major school-sponsored events and activities (such as auditions or tryouts) will not take place.
Tuesday, March 9, will be a holiday for students and staff.
Wednesday, March 10, will be an observance day. There will be school on this day, but certain activities that cannot be made up (major tests, field trips, or mandatory events) will not take place.
A new school year calendar has been published, which includes this change. Please note that holidays and observances on the calendar may shift due to anticipated lunar sightings.
Superintendent Community Conversations
Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for a Community Conversation. Students, families, staff, and community members are invited to ask questions, share concerns, and discuss what matters most to them. Everyone is welcome! Click on the date to register:
Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School
Share Your Feedback on Traveling to and From School
The FCPS Office of Safety and Security and Safe Routes to School program are asking families to share their experiences traveling to and from their child’s school. The feedback will help inform the Fairfax County School Board’s annual assessment of traffic and pedestrian safety near schools.
The Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Survey asks about walking and biking routes, traffic near schools, kiss-and-ride experiences, accessibility, and other safety concerns.
Your feedback will help FCPS identify common issues. Your responses will be kept confidential and shared with school administrators and the Office of Safety and Security. The five-minute survey is open through Thursday, October 15.
Be sure to identify the school related to your feedback and include specific locations where you have observed a safety issue. If you have students at different schools in FCPS, please complete a different survey for each school.
If you have any questions about the survey, please contact SafeRoutestoSchool@fcps.edu.
Immunization Events for FCPS Students
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will be providing school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students, ages 18 and under, with no out-of-pocket costs. Multiple events will take place at designated FCPS locations.
Additional dates will be made available throughout the school year. Parents or guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary. Additional immunization resources are available.
Quick Links
|
