Look for the translate button at the top-right of the screen.

Busque el botón de traducción en la parte superior derecha de la pantalla. 

Tìm nút dịch ở phía trên bên phải màn hình. 

ابحث عن زر الترجمة في أعلى يمين الشاشة. 

Message from the Principal

Dearest Hutchison Families,

January!  While the weather may be chilly outside, let's not forget the warmth that thrives within our families and our school community! 

Our Community Clean-Up is rescheduled for Sunday, January 28th from 1-2.  Please mark your calendars!

Sarah C. Aiello 

Contact:

Sarah Aiello

@email 

Community Calendar

Open the calendar in a larger view by clicking here.

Thursday, January 25–2 hour Early Release (dismissal 1:35 PM)

Friday, January 26–Teacher Workday–no classes for students

Contact:

Maureen Griffin

@email

Language Development

Did you know that language is one of the building blocks to reading?  Language Comprehension woven together with Word Recognition leads to Reading Comprehension and a skilled reader.

Click to learn more: Language Development Video / Language Development Video (Spanish version) 

Contact:

Amanda Salvo

@emailu

6th Grade Families: Herndon Middle School Curriculum Night–February 1   This is a new date!

CURRICULUM NIGHT & FAIR

Thursday, February 1, 2024

HMS Auditorium

5:30-7:30 PM

5:30-6:00 PM SPED & ESOL Pre-sessions

6:00-6:30 PM Curriculum Presentation

6:30-7:30 PM Curriculum Fair

Academic Advising and Course Selection:

Rising 7th-12th grade students are discussing course selection for next year with their school counselors next month.. Parents/caregivers should discuss this process with their children to ensure students select courses that align with their interests, career goals, and postsecondary aspirations. 

As they choose courses, students should also consider their personal well-being, as well as extracurricular activities and commitments. School-life balance is an important consideration. Parents/caregivers are welcome to Mrs. Abrigo with questions.

Contact:

Roselyn Abrigo

@email

WIDA Testing Reminders 

Only for students with an English Level Proficiency of 1 - 4 and 9 for Kindergarten.  You should have received a letter of testing notification if your child will be taking WIDA tests.  

Students will take a total of 4 tests each on a different day (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking).   

Here are the dates for testing by grade level:

*3rd Grade is starting a day earlier and will not test on Monday, February 12th

Contact:

Wendy West

@email

Progress Reports

Second quarter progress esports will go home in the February 6th Tuesday folder.  Progress reports will be updated in SIS for viewing via ParentVue on February 5th.Allow Students

Contact:

Magda Calancha Vargas

@email

Preparing for Winter Weather

Winter weather is here! Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made. The FCPS’ website is generally the first place where we will post an emergency weather closing. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated. Make sure your contact information is up-to-date in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and plan for childcare if appropriate.

How Cold is Too Cold to allow students to Play Outdoors?

• When the wind chill/”feels like” temperature is 25 degrees or higher, teachers are advised to take their students outside for recess.  Teachers of younger grades may make adjustments to this temperature based on student attire and current weather conditions.
• When the wind chill/”feels like” temperature is between 20-25 degrees, teachers may use their professional judgment, based on students’ attire (jackets, snow pants, boots, gloves, and hats) and current weather conditions in determining if students will go outside for recess. 
• When the wind chill/”feels like” temperature is below 20 degrees, or there is any rain/sleet, teachers are advised to keep their students inside for recess.

Follow Us on Social Media! 

Updates from the County

Upcoming Webinars and Events for Families

The Family Resource Center offers free webinars for adults to support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. The following events are currently scheduled for January:

• Sibshops: An Exciting, In-Person Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs. This event is for FCPS students in grades 2-6 who have siblings with special needs. It will be held on Saturday, January 20, 9 am-12 pm at Providence Community Center (3001 Vaden Drive, Fairfax)
• Youth Mental Health First Aid (in-person course). Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among children and adolescents ages 12-18. It will be held Friday, February 9, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm, Family Resource Center (2334 Gallows Road, Dunn Loring) in person. For adults only.

Free Resources for Families

Did you know that caregivers can access free webinars, confidential consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities? 

Learn more about FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC).

Be the first to learn about new workshops by signing up for the FRC newsletter. 

What Families Can Do to Fight Drug Misuse

FCPS 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.”

Visit the FCPS website for more information

Dual Language Immersion Program Registration

Registration for the countywide lottery for Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs will open on Monday, January 22. Current pre-K students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program, and current kindergarten students may apply for the first grade immersion programs for the 2024-25 school year. Programs are available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish. Parents/caregivers who are interested may want to attend an informational meeting. Meetings are held at the school site. Check the FCPS events calendar for the most current information. 

Below are the 2 Dual Language Immersion programs’ information sessions:

French Immersion- Kent Gardens ES- January 18: 5:30-6:30pm

Japanese Immersion- Great Falls ES- January 30: 5 -6pm

Virtual Immersion Informational Session- February 2

A virtual meeting, Feb. 2: 6- 7pm, hosted by the World Languages Office will include general program information. Access to this virtual meeting will be made available on the FCPS events calendar and the Dual Language Immersion registration site on the day of the meeting.

Food Insecurity Resources

Food insecurity impacts more than 60,000 Fairfax County residents. There are many resources available to support those who need food assistance. Find out how to receive or offer support on the Fairfax County website, or view their Human Services Resource Guide for assistance with food, clothing, housing, and other services.