Mustang Message 10-9-19

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 10/09/2019 06:30 PM EDT

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Something is alive in there! Fun with science in 2nd grade!

NO SCHOOL

MONDAY, OCTOBER 14

In observance of the Columbus Day Holiday

IMPORTANT ATTENDANCE INFORMATION

Please submit attendance information (absences, late arrivals, and early pick-ups) via one of the following methods:

Online attendance portal

Call 703-822-2222 (school attendance number)

franconiaelem.attendance@fcps.edu

Every Day Counts!

Absences Add Up

FCPS is looking forward to a great school year! Regular attendance is essential for students to form positive peer and adult relationships and to learn. In fact, when students miss significant amounts of instructional time, they tend to lose momentum academically.

We do monitor each child’s attendance daily and will contact a parent if a child does not arrive at school or class as expected. Of course, there are times that students may have health or other concerns that may prevent them from being present. Please contact the school by using its attendance telephone line, email, or online form if your child will be absent.

More information about FCPS’ attendance expectations is available online here.

Impact Aid Forms

Forms Due Back to School by OCTOBER 30

Impact Aid programs and grants are designed to assist local school districts that enroll federally connected students.

FCPS uses the Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid form to identify federally connected students and to support our request for Impact Aid resources.

This form will be sent home on October 21.

It will be due back to school by WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30.

(ALL STUDENTS MUST TURN IN A SIGNED FORM, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT A PARENT IS FEDERALLY CONNECTED.)

Click here for further information about the Impact Aid Program.

Telephone Parent Information Line Available in Eight Languages

Parents who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese can call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS and to receive support if they are having difficulty communicating with their children's schools due to a language barrier.

How high can it go?

Tuesday, October 15

7pm in the Library

October's guests: 1st & 2nd grade teams (Mindfulness) and Jo-Anne Fouad, Advanced Academics Resource Teacher [AART], to give an overview of the Advanced Academics Program [AAP] in Fairfax County Public Schools [FCPS]

For any further questions, contact the PTA President, Heather Viehl.

PTA Restaurant Night

Chipotle - Wednesday, October 16

On Wednesday, October 16, join the PTA for their restaurant night at the Chipotle in the Kingstowne shopping center from 4-8pm. Our school receives 33% of the proceeds sold during that time period.

For additional information or questions, contact Jennifer Deems at jenniferdeems@gmail.com.

PTA Fall Book Fair

Mon 10/21-Fri 10/25

The PTA will be hosting their annual Scholastic Book Fair the week of 10/21 in the library.

Students will have a chance to preview what's available before sales start.

Sales information coming soon.

Yearbook Cover Design Contest 2019

All Franconia students are invited to participate in our yearbook cover competition. Guidelines are below:

Use a PLAIN white 8 x 11 sheet of paper and colored pencils.
On the back of the paper, write your first and last name, teacher's name, and grade level.
This year's yearbook theme is Pieces of the Future and your cover design should be related to the theme.
Please make sure this information appears on your design: Franconia Elementary 2019-2020

Designs are due to the office by 3pm on Friday, October 25.

The winning cover will be picked by the Franconia staff.

If you have any questions, contact Mrs. Yortzidis at adyortzidis@fcps.edu.

Happy Designing!

Mark your calendar now!

Thanksgiving Luncheon - Monday, November 11

The annual Thanksgiving Luncheon will take place on Monday, November 11. This is a time for families to come up to the school and have a special lunch with their children.

More details coming soon!

Mustang Wall of Fame

This Month's Wall of Fame Students*

It's back! Each month, 1 student from each grade is RANDOMLY selected to be part of the Wall of Fame. Next time you visit the office, take a look at the Wall of Fame pictures!

We ask each Wall of Fame student 3 questions:

What is your favorite school subject?
What is your favorite activity outside of school?
Why do you love being a Franconia Mustang?

Here’s what they had to say:

Kindergarten – James A.

P.E.
Rock climbing
We have a big playground

1st grade – Leanne A.

Art
Going to the playground
Because it's a fun place with awesome teachers and students

2nd grade – Emma P.

Music
Play with my pets and dolls
Because they are like a big family

3rd grade – Sydney C.

Math
Soccer
Great teachers and friends

4th grade – Serenity M.

Math
Go for a walk
Because it shows a lot of school spirit

5th grade – John M.

Science
Freeze tag
The school is very nice and kind and I appreciate that very much

6th grade – Janelys S.

Social Studies
Playing with my friends
It's the best school I've ever been to

*Students are randomly selected to have their picture displayed in the office for a month.

Notes from the School Counselors

Hello Parents,

In the month of September, our school reflected on the character trait, "school pride" - to show that you are proud of your school. Students had the opportunity to vote for students in their class that demonstrated school spirit. The names of those students who were nominated are:

Kindergarten - Jay, Dominick, Johnny, Sadie

First Grade - Jacob, Lexie, Esme, Ariana

Second Grade - Aubrey, Lucy, Violet

Third Grade - Autumn, Emma, Bond

Fourth Grade - Aluko, Ayah, Amina, Sierra

Fifth Grade - Isabella E., Isabella O.

Sixth Grade - Mason, Mia

The next character trait we will focus on will be, "kindness" - being friendly, considerate, and willing to help others."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Furthermore, we wanted to share with you our upcoming classroom guidance topics which includes:

Kindergarten and First Grade - will learn how to be a good friend and show kindness by filling a bucket. (Book Read: “Have you Filled a Bucket Today”)

Second Grade - how to be a good friend by being an upstander against bullying behaviors. (Book Read: “The Juice Box Bully”)

Third Grade - students will identify and understand the meaning of relational bullying, being an upstander and provide strategies for coping with relational bullying. (Book Read: “My Secret Bully”)

Fourth and Fifth Grade - the difference between bullying behavior and conflict. Students will also identify and understand relational bullying and provide strategies for coping with bullying behaviors and conflict.

Sixth Grade - De-escalation strategies for coping with “Digital Drama” based on a curriculum by Common Sense Media.

For further questions and concerns or for individual student referrals, please contact either School Counselor: Veronica Guillion (703-822-2256) or Lisa Heath (703-822-2294).

4^th Annual Supply Drive

FREE TUTORING

Richard Byrd Public Library

Our mission is to provide quality educational assistance to kids who could benefit from it! GROWTH AND INSPIRATION THROUGH VOLUNTEERING AND EDUCATION TUTORING

Who: Elementary school students

What: Free tutoring by high school students

Where: Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St, Springfield, VA 22150

When: Saturdays (starts om 9/29), 2:30 - 4:30pm

Why: This is a FREE and fun way to stay ahead in the classroom!

How: Register online at giveyouth.org or email RichardByrd.Center@giveyouth.org for more information.

The FCPS Cares Program

Nominate a FCPS employee for recognition

FCPS Cares is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story so we can all acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees.

Please visit the FCPS Cares web page.

FCPS Parent Resource Center

Learn More About This FREE Resource for Parents

The Resource Center provides resources, information, and consultations to support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities.

Free Workshops and Consultations

Attend our research-based, professional workshops to learn the latest information to help your child succeed. We offer supportive and confidential consultations to answer questions, find resources and discuss concerns you may have about your child. Register for workshops at https:/www.fcps.edu/node/28279.

FREE WORKSHOPS - October

Mastering the Process of School: Helping Students Build Study and Organization Skills

Executive Functioning (EF) skills, such as time-management, materials organization, planning, and prioritization, and initiating and completing work, are critical for student success in school and in life. Students with executive function challenges can have difficulty fully demonstrating their knowledge and strengths.

Join us for this workshop to learn:

What is Executive Functioning?
What strategies can I use to help my child develop stronger Executive Functioning skills?

This session will both define and provide explicit strategies to help bolster these essential skills for students accessing a challenging curriculum or high-incidence support.

Presented by Lindsey Thoms, M.Ed., Kathy Essig, M.Ed., and Deborah Rosen of The StudyPro.

Friday, October 11, 2019, 10 a.m.-noon.

This session is full. Register for the Waitlist: Mastering the Process of School: Helping Students Build Study and Organization Skills

Moving on to Life in the Community: A Resource Fair for Students with Disabilities

Don’t miss this FREE Resource Fair for students with disabilities and their parents!

Learn about vocational, residential, leisure, recreational, independent living and advocacy options. This resource fair is for all individuals requiring ongoing employment and community support services after graduation.

6:30-6:45 p.m. Registration - Participants and Adult Service Providers
6:45-7:15 p.m. Overview Presentation (Little Theater)
7:15-8:45 p.m. Adult Service Provider Fair/Exhibits (Cafeteria)

Tuesday, October 15, 2019, 6:30-8:45 p.m. at Lake Braddock SS

Knowing the Signs: Substance Abuse and Today’s Youth

It can be so hard to watch someone close to you destroy themselves with drugs and alcohol. Learn how to deal with being hurt by your loved ones and how you can support them in their darkest moments.

Local substance abuse expert, Sam Lucania, with support from FCPS Office of Student Safety and Wellness, will share some of his life experiences and lessons learned.
Learn how to improve your ability to handle the unexpected influences in your child’s life.
He will have you learn that there is indeed hope in recovery and that we can turn our lives around when we take the right steps.
Learn the signs and strategies to support and help your child.

Friday, October 18, 2019, 10 a.m.-noon.

Dyslexia Open House

Browse exhibit tables and learn about next steps for FCPS students with dyslexia.

Thursday, October 24, 2019, 10-11 a.m.

Helping your Child Cope with Stress

As parents, we want to shield our children from stress and adversity as much as possible. However, we cannot protect them from everything; everyone will face challenges in his or her life. What we can do is give them the skills necessary to face those stresses and challenges head-on, to learn from them, and to grow in strength and maturity as a result.

Join Dr. Lisa Bateman, Clinical Psychologist, in this important session that will focus on:

Recognizing stress in children
Building resiliency skills
The role of mindfulness and executive functioning skills

Friday, October 25, 2019, 10 a.m.-noon.

Future Quest: College and Career Conference for Middle and High School Students

Future Quest is a FREE college and career conference held every two years for middle and high school students with disabilities, young adults with disabilities, their families, and professionals who work with them. The conference is organized by George Mason University and the Northern Virginia Transition Coalition. One of the largest events of its kind in Virginia, Future Quest features more than 40 workshops and 40 exhibits related to a successful life after high school.

Saturday, October 26, 2019, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at George Mason University Johnson Center

Lending Library

Thousands of books, DVDs and CDs on a wide variety of topics. Check out up to 6 items and keep them for 3 weeks. Call us and we can have library materials ready for you to pick up! Search for a book, DVD, or CD on the FCPS website. Search ~ Parent Resource Center library.

Tutor Lists, Resource Guides and Special Needs Summer Camps

Call our office to get the most up to date information to support students and their families.

News You Choose

Sign up for News You Choose to receive monthly emails about upcoming events. Visit the FCPS website, search Parent Resource Center and scroll to the bottom to sign up.

Dunn Loring Center for Parent Services2334 Gallows Road, Entrance 1 - Room 105Dunn Loring, VA 22027Email: prc@fcps.edu or call 703-204-3941Monday - Friday, 8am-4pmwww.fcps.edu - search Parent Resource Center.

Upcoming Mustang Events:

WEEK OF 10/14

10/15: 3^rd grade field trip (Children’s Science Center)
10/15: PTA meeting [1^st/2^nd grade & AART] (7:00pm in library)
10/16: National Boss’s Day
10/16: SCA mtg (8:45-9:15am in cafeteria)
10/16: PTA Restaurant Night (4:00-8:00pm at Chipotle)
10/17: Set-up for Book Fair in library

WEEK OF 10/21

10/21-10/25: PTA Book Fair
10/21: Safety patrols mtg [all patrols] (12:00-12:30pm in gym)
10/22: 2^nd grade field trip to Children’s Science Center
10/23: 5^th grade field trip to Luray Caverns

WEEK OF 10/28

10/28-11/1: Bullying Prevention Spirit Week
10/30: 4^th grade field trip to Jamestown
10/30: Make-up picture day
10/30: SCA mtg (8:45-9:14am in cafeteria)
11/1: End of 1^st quarter grading period

Mustang Mainstays

Click on a link for information

Franconia Elementary School website

6301 Beulah Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22310 | Office: 703-822-2200

Attendance: 703-822-2222 | | Web | Twitter

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