3/22/24 Message from the the Principal

By S. Aiello
For Parents
March 21, 2024

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

 

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

Dear Families,

Spring break is just around the corner, and I wanted to take a moment to wish you all a restful and enjoyable time. This break is a fantastic opportunity for students to recharge, spend quality time with loved ones, and explore their interests outside of school.

Finishing the Year Strong:

Spring break also marks the start of the final quarter of the school year. It's a great time to refocus and ensure a successful conclusion. Here are some tips for a strong finish:

  • Review upcoming assignments: With your child, take a look at upcoming deadlines, projects, and tests. This will help them plan and prioritize their work.
  • Develop a study routine: Establish a consistent study schedule for your child, creating dedicated time each day for homework and review.
  • Communicate with teachers: Don't hesitate to reach out to teachers if you have any questions or concerns. Open communication is key to success.
  • New Resource in Schoology: Our All School Schoology Course has a new folder named “Practice at Home.” Inside you will find test prep resources for grades 3-6 and skills practice for grades K-2.  See more details in this newsletter.

 

We're excited to see your child return refreshed and ready to tackle the final quarter. Our teachers are dedicated to supporting their continued learning and growth.

Wishing you all a relaxing and enjoyable spring break!

Sarah C. Aiello 

 

Spring Break: March 25-29 is spring break. Schools and school offices will be closed. We wish our students and teachers a happy and restful Spring Break! In addition, April 1 and 2 are student holidays, so we will welcome students back on April 3. See the complete school year calendar.

Contact:

Sarah Aiello

@email 

Community Calendar

Open the calendar in a larger view by clicking here.

April dates

April 10–No School Observance of Eid

 

Contact:

Maureen Griffin

@email

 

Attendance News

As we move into the spring season, please be reminded that allergies are not a reason to stay home from school. If your child suffers from allergies or a chronic illness such as asthma, please let us know so that our Public Health Nurse can connect with you and support your child and their medical needs here at school.

 

Contact:

Hollie Daniel

[email protected]

Herndon Pyramid Art Show Opening  April 5th from 6 - 8 PM

Artwork from students at six community elementary schools, including  Hutchison Elementary, will be featured from April 5-April 26 at the Herndon Pyramid Art Show.  The Art Show will be held at Herndon United Methodist Church (701 Bennett St, Herndon, VA 20170).  The Opening Reception will be held on Friday, April 5th from 6-8 PM. 

 

Please view the amazing work of these budding artists. View the flier  here

Contact:

Sam Freeman

@email

Cherie Mickle

@email

Marni Sclaroff

@email

 

 

Kindergarten Registration for 2024-25 School Year

Will your child turn 5 years old by September 30, 2024?  If so, It is time to register your child to start kindergarten on August 19, 2024.  Please contact Hutchison’s registrar, Magda Calancha Vargas at [email protected] or 703-925-8305.

Save the date for Kindergarten Orientation:  May 2, 2024 4:30 -5:30 PM

 

Contact:

Magda Calancha Vargas

@email

SOL Testing Dates - Grades 3-6

 

SOLs during the month of may

Contact:

Wendy West

@email

 

1st Grade NNAT3 Abilities Testing - April 9, 2024

In an effort to obtain additional information about your child, the online version of the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test Third Edition (NNAT3) will be administered to your child on April 9, 2024. It is important that your child attend school on this day. If possible, please avoid scheduling trips or appointments that would take your child out of school during this time period. It is also important that your child has had a good night’s rest and a healthy breakfast before testing. 

 

The NNAT3 is a nonverbal measure of general intellectual ability. The test evaluates a student’s reasoning and problem-solving skills through the identification of patterns involving geometric shapes and pictorial designs. The test is designed to assess ability without requiring the student to read, write, or speak. Students are not expected to know the answers to all questions and will be given opportunities to practice sample items before taking the test. The NNAT3 is an abilities test, so children are not expected to study or prepare for the test the way they would for an achievement test. 

 

Contact:

Wendy West

@email

 

Yearbook!

It’s time to order!  Use the order form that came home in the Tuesday folder or order online:  www.strawbridge.net

Online code: YB28908

 

$15 until 4/12/2024 and only a few available in June.

Virginia Literacy Act

The Virginia Literacy Act will take

Contact:

Joanne Yi

@email

Summer 2024 Rec-PAC              June 24-August 1

Session 1 June 24-28: Let’s Get Animated

Session 2 July 1-3: Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Session 3 July 8-12: Pass the Baton

Session 4: July 15-19: A Breath of Fresh Art

Session 5: July 22-26: Showtime Anytime

Session 6: July 29-August 1: Summer Flashback

 

Grades 1-6

All Sessions will be held at Herndon Elementary School

Registration opens March 12  

https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/rec-pac

 

Contact:

Maureen Griffin

@email

Virginia Literacy Act

The Virginia Literacy Act will take effect 2024-25 school year. The School Board voted to approve the purchase of Benchmark Advance, 2022 as the basal instructional resource for elementary language arts. 

Contact:

Amanda Salvo

@email 

 

Practicing Skills at Home

Our All School Schoology Course has a new folder named “Practice at Home.” Inside you will find test prep resources for grades 3-6 and skills practice for grades K-2. 

Here’s how to access at home: 

  1. Open a web browser on your home device
  2. Type in lms.fcps.edu (or click here)
  3. Students log in using their student ID number and the password they use at school. Home adults can also use their ParentVue login to access. If you are asked to enter a school, select “Fairfax County”
  4. Click Courses and select All School
  5. Click on the Practice at Home icon to select an activity

Contact: 

Carly Le Blanc

@email 

Follow Us on Social Media! 

          

 

Updates from the County

Fairfax County’s Funding of the FCPS Budget

The average amount of funds transferred from Fairfax County to FCPS was 52.6% of county disbursements from fiscal years (FY) 2019-2023. It dipped to 51.6% in FY 2024. The County’s budget proposal for next year would transfer 51.4% of total disbursements. 

If the county were to return to transferring 52.6% to FCPS for the upcoming year, that would equate to $63 million more to invest in excellence.

Learn more about the FCPS FY 2025 Advertised Budget. Give your feedback on the County budget

Family Engagement Survey Today!

If you haven’t already, please take FCPS’ Family Engagement Survey today! Survey results will help us to better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs in our school community. Survey topics include:

  • Welcoming environment
  • Communication
  • Student success
  • Advocacy 
  • Family and school partnerships
  • Community partnerships

The survey is available in 10 languages. Please check your email for a message from FCPS partner, K12 Insight, with a link to the survey or access the survey now. Your voice matters!

Measles are Preventable

Measles is making headlines as the number of cases nationwide has topped 40, with three confirmed cases in people living in or traveling through the National Capital Region. 

The good news is that measles is preventable through vaccination! Vaccines help teach the immune system how to defend against germs, helping to build up natural defenses. Give your child the best protection against measles with two doses of the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine. 

Visit the Fairfax County Health Department website to find out more about measles.
Extended Hours at Immunization Clinics

To help parents/caregivers obtain vaccinations for their children, the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) will offer immunization clinics with extended hours:

Parents/caregivers should make an appointment but a limited number of walk-ins will be accepted. Please call 703-246-7100 to schedule an appointment. 
Learn more about vaccinating your child and find community resources to support their health and well-being. 

Note: All students enrolling in public and private schools in Virginia are required to be adequately immunized per the Code of Virginia.

Nominations Open for First Class Award for Inclusion

The Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ACSD) is seeking nominations for the First Class Awards. The awards are presented annually to educators, administrators, and students who support, design, and/or implement inclusion activities that result in positive outcomes for students. The ACSD will recognize award winners at the Family Summit on Saturday, April 20

Nominate an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to inclusive practices in Fairfax County Public Schools by Friday, March 22. Email @email with questions.

🤧 Updated COVID Recommendations

In accordance with the updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) respiratory virus guidance, FCPS and the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) have updated school COVID-19 recommendations.

The COVID-19 isolation period of five days is no longer recommended

New respiratory virus guidance applies to respiratory viral illnesses, including COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Students who have symptoms of, test positive for, or have been diagnosed with a respiratory virus may return to school when the student is fever-free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication; AND the student’s symptoms have improved or resolved. 

Students should follow additional precautions as outlined per the CDC upon resumption of normal activities. 

Should I Send My Child to School?

Please refer to the chart on this attendance webpage if your child is experiencing symptoms or illnesses, and you are unsure if they should go to school. 

 

Safe, Supported, and Included — the FCPS Family Summit 2024

The FCPS Family Summit will take place on Saturday, April 20, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Marshall High School. The conference will cover topics that are helpful for all families, such as social-emotional resources, along with a specially curated online component to provide supports for students with disabilities and their families. 

 

Some of the topics include raising resilient, independent children; forming meaningful connections with children; addressing big emotions; and the dangers of opioids and fentanyl. The conference is being planned by several FCPS offices in collaboration with the Fairfax Alliance of Black School Educators, Black Women’s Educational Alliance - DC Chapter, Hispanic Educators Association, and Asian Educators Association. 

 

This year’s theme is Safe, Supported, and Included, which aligns with Goal 2 of the FCPS Strategic Plan. More details will be available after spring break. 

 

⏰ Community Forums on Middle School Start Times

Fairfax County Public Schools is exploring options for adjusting middle school start times and invites the public to be part of the process. Prismatic Services, Inc., an educational consulting firm, will lead the forums. All forums will deliver the same presentation and provide the same feedback opportunities. Please attend the event that works best for your schedule: 

 

 

Registration is not required but does help with planning. Click one of the dates above to register. Language interpretation and childcare will be provided. Learn more about the project exploring middle school start times.  

 

📖 Lexia Parent Night: How We Help Your Child Learn to Read

FCPS funds the use of Lexia for all elementary and middle schools as part of their literacy instruction. Lexia is a computer-based program that supplements classroom instruction to help students develop literacy skills. It also provides teachers with data to identify students who need additional support and the ability to know which specific concepts and skills to prioritize.

Attend a virtual information night on Tuesday, April 9, to learn more about Lexia and how FCPS is integrating it into the classroom to support student growth. Participants will also get tips for supporting their students at home. Integrating Lexia into the literacy curriculum aligns with the Virginia Literacy Act, FCPS’ Equitable Access to Literacy, and FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 3, which aims to have all students reading on level by the end of third grade.