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Principals’ Corner
Wow! It is hard to believe we are closing out the first quarter. Since the beginning of the school year your children have learned what it means to be safe, caring, and a community at Saratoga. They have established new friendships and have worked hard to overcome challenges.
Reading Highlights:
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Foundational Routines: Every grade opened the school year establishing core literacy expectations, phonics/word-study foundations, and independent reading stamina.
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Informational Science Texts: Nonfiction units focused on the natural world, moving from plant and animal growth in Kindergarten and Grade 1, to habitats and adaptations in Grades 2–3, and ecosystem observation, resource cultivation, and nature relationships in Grades 4–6.
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Literary Character Analysis: Literature units emphasized character exploration, starting with identifying traits and challenges in Kindergarten through Grade 2, and advancing to analyzing motivations, interpersonal dynamics, pivotal choices, and story impact in Grades 3–6.
Math Highlights:
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Data Literacy & Discourse: All grade levels launched Quarter 1 by creating a collaborative math community and investigating the data cycle through question formulating, data collection, and graphical analysis.
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Early Numeracy & Operations (Grades K–3): Instruction emphasized object attributes and numbers 0–10 in Kindergarten, foundational counting and addition/subtraction strategies within 20 in Grades 1–2, and place value computation along with early multiplication and division concepts in Grade 3.
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Multi-Digit & Fractional Thinking (Grades 4–5): Upper elementary students advanced into multi-digit addition and subtraction, introductory fraction concepts, whole-number computation, and algebraic reasoning with number characteristics.
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Pre-Algebra & Algebraic Systems (Grades 5 Adv–6): Advanced elementary and sixth-grade pathways targeted integers, inequalities, rational numbers, exponents, expressions, and linear equations and functions.
We have grown in our critical thinking skills and enjoyed a lot of fun along the way! Rocket Day was a blast and the Stallion Carnival was so fun; both were an excellent way to build community. We look forward to Quarter 2 and welcoming in the Watch D.O.G.S. and M.O.M.S. Thank you to all the families who came to our Watch D.O.G.S. and M.O.M.S. interest meeting and to the PTA for donating pizza for this event.
Be the Change,
Abby Ragan Abby Lower Jordan Perry
Principal Assistant Principal Assistant Principal
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 for any of the following events:
Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.
Please Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey
FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available in SIS ParentVUE under Online Packets, which is in the upper right corner of the screen after logging in. Please complete it as soon as possible. Schools will provide paper forms to families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE starting Wednesday, October 28.
Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is how we ensure we receive all the resources available to us from the federal government. For more information, please visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.
Register for ParentVUE
Learn how to activate your SISParentVUE account so you can easily submit your survey and have access to other helpful information about your child.
The Importance of the Flu VaccinationThe annual flu vaccine is the most effective way to protect your child from getting sick and to prevent the spread of illness within our classrooms. Staying up-to-date with your child's flu vaccination helps:
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Reduce School Absences: Keeping students healthy means more time spent learning and engaging with peers.
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Protect the Community: Vaccination helps shield vulnerable family members and neighbors from seasonal illness.
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Support Overall Wellness: Routine flu shots are a key component of a proactive student health plan.
Upcoming Flu Shot Events:
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will be providing flu shots for all FCPS students, ages 18 and under, with no out-of-pocket costs. Multiple events will be taking 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.
Encouraging Regular Attendance
Regular attendance is a good habit to establish in childhood. It can lead to greater success in high school, college, and careers. Teachers and students miss your child when they can’t make it to school. If you or your family need support, please reach out to your school's front office. We are here for you!
If students miss too much school, school staff may reach out to the family to partner with them on addressing barriers to regular attendance. Visit the FCPS website for attendance resources.
Reminders
- October 30: End of Quarter 1; 2 hour early release
- November 2 - 3: No School
Stay Connected
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