Panther Press- January 24, 2025
GovDelivery19 hours 56 minutes agoHaving trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.
English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو
Dear Panther Families,Despite the short week and the delayed openings, we had an incredible week here at Mt Vernon Woods. We had two pep rallies this week for students who will be taking the WIDA assessment next week. They sang a song, heard advice from classmates and were greeted with cheers and pom poms from teachers.
Our strings, band and chorus students had the opportunity to show off their musically skills at our Winter Concert on Wednesday. Thank you for the families, friends and teachers who attended!
We are also continuing with our attendance challenge and had our first class reach 40 days of perfect attendance! Ms. George's class had a hot chocolate party to celebrate reaching the 40 day mark. Congratulations Ms. George's 3rd graders!
We wish everyone a wonderful and warm weekend!
Sincerely,
Gina O'Neal, Principal
Christine Berry, Assistant Principal
Kristen Robinson, Assistant Principal
January 28- Class Group Pictures
January 28- End of Quarter 2
January 28- Parent Coffee, 9:00-10:00am SACC Room
January 29- Teacher Workday, Student Holiday
February 3- Family Food Market, 4:30pm
Attendance MattersRegular attendance is crucial for the academic success of all students. Studies have repeatedly proven that students with better attendance records perform better in school and are more likely to graduate high school on time.
Did you know?
- Starting in kindergarten, too many absences can cause children to fall behind in school.
- Missing 10% (or about 2 days per month) can make it harder to learn to read.
- Attending school even if your student arrives late is valuable for their academic success.
Please encourage your student to arrive on time every day and maintain regular attendance until the last day of school. Together, we can work toward increasing school attendance rates and improving academic outcomes for all our students.
How You Can Help:
- Set a regular bedtime and morning routine.
- Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
- Don’t let your child stay home unless she is truly sick. Keep in mind that complaints of a stomach ache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home.
- If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make them feel comfortable and excited about learning.
- Develop backup plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
- Avoid medical appointments and extended trips when school is in session.
If your child is going to be absent please call the office at 703-619-2828
or email at [email protected].
What Families Can Do to Fight Drug MisuseFCPS is committed to raising awareness about the opioid epidemic with our educators, parents/caregivers, and students. Together, we can help ensure our students thrive.
What can families do?
- Show you disapprove of underage drinking and other drug misuse. More than 80% of young people ages 10-18 say their parents are the leading influence on their decision whether to drink.
- Show you care about your child’s health, wellness, and success.
- Show you are a good source of information about alcohol and other drugs. Find helpful resources on the FCPS Opioid Awareness webpage.
- Pay attention to your child and discourage risky behaviors.
- Build your child’s skills and strategies for avoiding drinking and drug use. Talk with your child about what they would do if faced with a decision about alcohol and drugs, such as texting a code word to a family member or practicing how they will say, “No thanks.”
Get more information on opioid awareness.
SR&R and Cell Phone SurveyAll FCPS families and middle and high school students have received an invitation to participate in a survey about FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R), cell phone policy, and cell phone storage options. The survey will be available through Monday, February 3. Please take a few moments to share your feedback and help FCPS make informed, inclusive decisions for all of our schools!
Se Viene Pronto la Encuesta de SR&R y Política de CelularesTodas las familias de FCPS y estudiantes de escuelas intermedias y secundarias recibirán una invitación por correo electrónico el martes, 21 de enero, para participar en una encuesta acerca de los Derechos y Responsabilidades del Estudiante (SR&R) de FCPS, Política de Teléfonos Celulares, y opciones de almacenamiento de teléfonos celulares. La encuesta estará disponible del 21 de enero al 3 de febrero. Por favor tómese unos minutos para compartir su opinión y ayudar a FCPS a tomar decisiones informadas e inclusivas para todas nuestras escuelas.
Virginia’s Student Assessment Summary for FamiliesThis month, families of students who took any Standards of Learning (SOL) test between school years 2015-16 and 2023-24 will receive a Student Assessment Summary Report. The report shows a student’s state percentile ranking for each test. This allows families to see how their child ranked compared to all Virginia students who took the same test that year.
Reports are available now in SIS ParentVUE Documents. We will distribute them to students whose families do not have ParentVUE access. Learn how to access ParentVUE.
The report is intended to help families reflect on how their child performed across all tested subjects over the years. Our staff members are committed to working with families to help every student reach their highest potential. Learn more about student assessments in FCPS.
Gradebook Available Until End-of-QuarterBased on community feedback from the first quarter closure, FCPS revisited the scheduled dates for closing the Gradebook and Report Card modules in the SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE apps.
Moving forward, the app will close in alignment with the actual quarter-end dates. This change will allow students and families to view their assignments and grades until the last day of the quarter. Gradebook will be closed for the second quarter from Tuesday, January 28, 4 p.m. to Tuesday, February 4, 6 a.m.
Access Your Child’s Grades Through SIS ParentVueLearn how your ParentVUE account allows you to easily access grade reports and other helpful information about your child.
Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor ActivitiesWinter weather is here! As a reminder, please make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy time outdoors. We monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories that may prevent children from being outside for activities like recess or physical education.
Visit Fairfax County’s website for Winter Weather/Extreme Cold safety tips.
Application for the 2025 Student Representative to the School BoardThe School Board student representative represents the interests of Fairfax County Public Schools students. The student representative is not a member of the School Board but serves in a nonvoting, advisory capacity. Students currently in grades 9, 10, and 11 are eligible to apply.
Watch this video to learn about the student representative experience from the current representative, Megan Sawant.
Application Information and Deadlines:
To be considered for the election, students are required to provide:
- A written component, which is due Monday, February 24.
- A 30-second candidate video statement, which is due Wednesday, March 26. Candidates will be emailed a link to record their video on Monday, March 17.
Both application components are required to be considered for the election. Read more about the election process.
Virtual Community Boundary Review MeetingsIf you have not been able to attend an FCPS Community Boundary Review meeting yet, it’s not too late! The following virtual meetings will have the same format and information available as the previous in-person meetings:
- Saturday, January 25, 9:30-11 a.m.
- Monday, January 27, 6:30-8 p.m.
- Tuesday, January 28, 6:30-8 p.m.
- Monday, February 10, 6:30-8 p.m.
Click one of the dates above to register and receive your unique Zoom link. Each virtual meeting will be capped at 400 participants to help provide a meaningful experience for all. Language interpretation will be available. Learn about FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review. Sign up for the School Boundary Review newsletter for updates.
Actualizaciones de la Revisión Integral de Límites
Reuniones virtuales de la Comunidad para la Revisión Integral de Límites se llevarán a cabo:
- sábado, 25 de enero de 2025, 9:30-11 a.m.
- lunes, 27 de enero de 2025, de 6:30 a 8 p.m.
- martes, 28 de enero de 2025, de 6:30 a 8 p.m.
- lunes, 10 de febrero de 2025, 6:30-8 p.m.
La inscripción estará disponible próximamente en la página web de Revisión Integral de Límites, donde también podrá informarse sobre el proceso de revisión de límites. Inscríbase también en nuestro boletín de Revisión de Límites
"Let's Talk" PlatformThis platform is an essential tool that allows anyone within our school community to report incidents of discrimination, harassment, or other concerning behaviors confidentially. More information about the platform, including how to access and use it, can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/submit-discrimination-and-harassment-report
4015 Fielding Street, Alexandria, VA 22309 | Main Phone: 703.619.2800
Attendance: 703.619.2828 | Web | Twitter