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. 

Thank you for joining us at Back to School Night!  We appreciate your presence and support as we embark on another exciting academic year of growing greatness!

We also hosted Herndon Mayor, Sheila Olem and FCPS Superintendent, Dr. Reid.  We were thrilled to share all of our work around early literacy skills, positive school culture, and strong family and community partnerships. 

Sarah C. Aiello 

Contact:

Sarah Aiello

@email 

Indigenous Peoples’ Day 10/9 No Classes

Contact:

Maureen Griffin

@email

Eagles in Action

Our Eagle News Crew had a chance to interview Herndon’s leaders: Mayor Sheila Olem and our School Board Representative Elaine Tholen

How can I help my child learn letter names and letter sounds?

1.   Improving Literacy offers parent tips, resources and a video on phonics and letters. 

2.   The Meadows Center has a great video with materials to play games that will help your child to learn letter sounds.  

3.   The Institute of Education Sciences has great resource videos with materials to practice letters and sounds. 

4.   Reading Rockets offers activities via Letters and Sounds: Practical Ideas for Parents 

Amanda Salvo

@email 

CogAT Testing Grade 2 and Some Grade 3-6 Students

In an effort to obtain additional information about your child, the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) will be administered, in the morning, to your child on the following dates: 

• 2nd Grade and Some 3rd - 6th Grade Students
• October 10th, 11th and 12th

It is important that your child attend school on these days, if possible. If your child must miss school during this time period and your child does not have another ability test result in their student record, they will have an opportunity to take another ability test later this fall.

The purpose of the CogAT is to provide information about students’ developed abilities in verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal reasoning. The types of tasks included in the test are based on content that children are likely to have experienced in school. However, the way questions are asked and specific test content are not necessarily what children have previously experienced. Children are not expected to know the answers to all questions and will be given opportunities to practice sample items before taking the test. The CogAT is an abilities test, so children are not expected to study or prepare for the test the way they would for an achievement test.

Score reports will be provided to parents once results become available. Typically, these reports are available before winter break. 

If you have any questions about this test, please contact the Advanced Academics Resource Teachers (AART), Demetria Scott at @email , Caitlin Terry at @email or the school test coordinator, Wendy West at @email , at your child's school.

A Home language opt-in letter for the CogATs will be sent home next Tuesday, if you feel your child would understand the directions for the CogAT assessment in their home language better, please return the letter with the language preferred to your child’s teacher by October 5, 2023 

Wendy West

@email 

When a student should stay home from school!

Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.
Help your student succeed by encouraging them to attend as many days as possible, but do make sure your student stays home if they are sick. Visit FCPS’ website for information on when you should keep your child at home.
 

If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify their teacher, so that assistance can be provided if needed. Please contact us as soon as you know your child will be absent. 

Read more about how families can help form good attendance habits.
 

Contact:

Hollie Daniel

[email protected]

Tips to Stay Healthy

Flu season is quickly approaching and communicable diseases continue to be present in our schools. Families and staff are encouraged to follow the health practices below to prevent the spread of illnesses and help keep our schools safe:

• Make an appointment to get a flu vaccine as soon as possible. Everyone six months and older should get a flu vaccine (with rare exceptions). Flu vaccines are widely available at doctors’ and pediatricians’ offices, grocery stores, and pharmacies.
• Get vaccinated against COVID-19 if you have not done so already. As of Tuesday, September 12, updated COVID-19 vaccines are approved for use among those aged 6 months or older for the 2023-24 season. Find out where you can get a COVID-19 vaccine or booster in your community by visiting Vaccinate Virginia, or calling 877-VAX-IN-VA or 877-829-4682. Note: Flu vaccines and COVID vaccines can be provided in the same appointment.
• Check with your student’s healthcare provider to make sure they are up to date on their required school entrance immunizations. Immunization records can now be updated in SIS ParentVUE through the Online Verification Update form.
• Check for mild, cold-like symptoms each day, such as fever, runny nose, cough, or shortness of breath. If a child is sick, please keep them home and get them tested for COVID-19 to stop further spread from occurring. Additional guidance on when to keep your child home due to symptoms and illness is available on the FCPS Attendance webpage. FCPS employees are also advised to stay home and get tested when feeling sick.
• Don’t forget to wash hands regularly, avoid touching the face with unwashed hands, cover the mouth when coughing or sneezing, and limit the time children spend in large group settings with contagious individuals whenever possible.

The most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 school health practices is available on the Health and Safety Guidance webpage.

Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our schools safe and healthy.

Contact:

Hope Luong, PHN

@email

Communication Plan

1. First Thursday: Happening at Hutchison Newsletter
2. Second Thursday: 9:30am In-Person Community Connection 9:30 & 7:00pm
3. Third Thursday: Happening at Hutchison Newsletter
4. Fourth Thursday: Message from the Principal Video & Community Connection 9:30 & 7:00

Contact:

Sarah Aiello

@email

Advanced Academics Updates

• AAP Newsletters went home this week in Tuesday Folders with an overview of AAP services in FCPS.
• We are having an AAP Information Meeting at Hutchison on October 12th, In person at 9:30 AM and Virtual at 7:00 PM.

Contact:

Demi Scott

Caitlin Terry

@email

@email

Herndon Homecoming Parade

This year’s Herndon Homecoming theme is Through the Decades. Hutchison will be celebrating with the 70’s decade and showing up in our Groovy Greatness attire.  We are the reigning champs from 22-23. And would like to keep our title. We are looking for a community member who would be interested in helping drive for us in the parade.  If you have a pick up truck or vintage car that you would be willing to drive, please email @email

 The parade is on Saturday, October 14 from 8a.m. - 11 a.m.

Reigning Champion–Hutchison Elementary!

Contact:

Jackie Wilson

@email

Family Science Night–Tuesday, October 24th  6:00 -7:30 PM

Bring the entire family for an evening of fun, discovery, and science learning!  Try different hands-on activities related to science, technology, engineering, and math.

Contact:

Katy Curran

@email

Follow Us on Social Media! 

Updates from the County

Information Sessions for Substitute Teachers and Instructional Assistants

Learn more about becoming a substitute teacher or instructional assistant at a virtual information session on Wednesday, September 20, from 2 to 3 p.m. Register for this session.

Visit the Recruitment Events calendar for a list of all FCPS job fairs. 

School Bonds Benefit Students

A bond referendum to benefit Fairfax County Public Schools will be on the ballot this election season. The building and renovation of schools are not financed through the school system’s operating funds, but through bonds. 

Similar to an individual or a family obtaining a mortgage on a residence to spread the cost of home buying over several years, bonds spread the cost of major capital improvements over a number of years. This ensures that current and future residents and users share in the payment. The county’s bonded debt is not likely to be a contributing factor to any increase in local taxes. 

Hear from teachers how FCPS prioritizes safety with bond funding. 

Read more about the FCPS 2023 Bond Referendum. Learn about registering to vote. Vote on Tuesday, November 7. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WaVRIeHrst6un4DxC-5CBr3KnCwCrOvF/view?usp=drive_link

2023-30 Strategic Plan–Goal 4 Equitable Access & Opportunity

The 2023-30 strategic plan sets five main goals to create positive change in FCPS. These five goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts. Our equity commitment and a set of measures in each goal will monitor our progress toward these goals. 

Under Goal 4, high-quality academics will be available to all students. They will have access to excellent resources that support their success. Visit the Strategic Plan webpage to learn more about how we will measure the success of Goal 4. 

Substitutes to Receive High-Volume Pay on High-Volume Days

The School Board has approved a list of 18 days for substitutes to receive high-volume pay. All teacher substitutes will receive their hourly pay plus an additional $80 for each high-volume day they work. See the list of high-volume days and more information. 

A bonus program for substitutes who accept more than the 10 required days has also been approved. Substitutes working 50 days within a school year, will earn a $200 bonus. Substitutes working 100 days within a school year, will earn a $300 bonus. Substitutes working 150 days within a school year, will earn a $400 bonus. Get more information on this sub bonus program. 

Make a SUBstantial Difference! 

FCPS is always looking for kind and caring substitute teachers. Weekly virtual substitute teacher information sessions are held each Wednesday from 2 to 3 p.m. Register for an upcoming session on Wednesday, September 27, and Wednesday, October 4. 

Student Rights & Responsibility--Due Friday, September 29

FCPS’ updated Student Rights and Responsibility (SR&R) booklet is available online and in SIS ParentVUE. The SR&R booklet explains expectations for student behavior, and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. 

Each year, we ask parents/caregivers to review and sign the SR&R. The SR&R will be visible upon logging in to SIS ParentVUE until the SR&R acknowledgment has been completed.

Signatures are due by Friday, September 29. Please contact our front office if you are having difficulty accessing the booklet. Visit the SIS ParentVUE Account Overview webpage for help logging in to your account. 

Our Schools, Our Future: Community Conversations Kick Off

Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for Our Schools, Our Future: A Community Conversation. Share your thoughts about FCPS and bring your questions to:

• Glasgow Middle School on Tuesday, October 3, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
• Kilmer Middle School on Thursday, October 5, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
• Madison High School on Tuesday, October 24, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
• Location TBD on Wednesday, October 25, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Pre-registration for a Community Conversation is not required but will help us plan. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided for all events based on staff availability. 

Events are open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid. Your voice matters! 

Social and Emotional Screener Offered in October

One of the ways FCPS supports the mental wellness of all students is the SEL Screener.  

The screener is offered to all students in grades 3-12 in October and again in February or March. It addresses skills like achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. 

The SEL Screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to create the learning, experiences, and environments students need to be successful. Key updates to the screener this year include:

• Fewer topics with more questions to provide schools and families with more data to support planning. 
• Additional questions aligned with FCPS’ commitment to educational equity.  

SEL Screener results are sent to families via postal mail. Families who wish to opt their child out should complete the opt-out form in the Annual Notice packet or in SIS ParentVUE. 

For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage or contact your child’s school. 

Please note that the SEL Screener differs from the anonymous Fairfax County Youth Survey. 

Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health

Children go through a lot of changes, and it can be hard to tell if their behavior is developmentally appropriate or if they could benefit from mental health support. It’s important to talk to your child and pay attention to their actions, especially these warning signs:

• Increased irritability, hyperactivity, energy, and/or aggressive behavior.
• Excessive sadness, hopelessness, or worries.
• Loss of appetite, or significant weight gain or loss.
• Lack of sleep or too much sleep.
• A decline in grades, school avoidance, or attendance concerns.
• Alcohol or drug use.
• Withdrawal from activities and/or friends and family. 
• Thoughts of harming themselves or others.

If you notice any of these warning signs or feel your child may be experiencing a mental health challenge, help is available. All Fairfax County public schools have at least one school counselor, school psychologist, and school social worker.

Please reach out to one of these staff members to discuss your concerns and identify resources. Call your school or visit their website for staff members’ contact information. Find additional information to support your child’s wellness. 

If you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis such as thoughts of harming themselves or others, please take action right away. Call 988, go to the nearest emergency room, or contact the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health Emergency Services at 703-573-5679.

Projects Funded by Recent School Bonds

Thanks to the support of Fairfax County citizens who approved the 2019 and 2021 bond referendums, projects have been funded at Armstrong, Bonnie Brae, Braddock, Bren Mar Park, Brookfield, Crossfield, Dranesville, Fox Mill, Herndon, Hybla Valley, Lees Corner, Louise Archer, Mosaic, Oak Hill, Wakefield Forest, Washington Mill, and Willow Springs, elementary schools; Cooper and Frost middle schools; and Centreville, Falls Church, Justice, Madison, and West Potomac high schools. 

Not only do our facilities wear out over time, but they also become outdated, from both a technological and instructional standpoint. FCPS renovates its schools to ensure that students across the division have high quality, effective learning environments.

Watch some of the ribbon-cutting celebrations. Follow the status of FCPS capital projects for updates on renovation projects. 

The 2023 Bond Referendum will be on the ballot in November. Vote on Tuesday, November 7. Learn about registering to vote.

Free COVID-19 Tests

Every U.S. household can place an order to receive four more free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to their home.

Review health and safety guidance for schools to stay up to date on the best ways to prevent the spread of disease, and for information on when students should stay home from school.