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

Three weeks into the school year, and it’s inspiring to see our students already on the path to growing greatness!  Each day, they absorb knowledge, build skills, and develop into the future leaders and innovators of tomorrow.  Keep up the fantastic work, Eagles!  Your potential is limitless.

Tomorrow, we welcome FCPS Division Superintendent, Dr. Reid, School Board Member, Elaine Tholen, Herndon Mayor, Sheila Olem, and Region 1 Superintendent, Douglas Tyson!  I’m so proud to share and highlight the targeted instruction and caring culture that Hutchison is.  I will be sure to share pictures next week!

Sarah C. Aiello  

Contact:

Sarah Aiello

@email 

September Calendar Community Engagement Opportunities

Contact:

Maureen Griffin

@email 

Potluck & Back to School Night:  Save the Date!

We look forward to coming together as a school community to share a meal and learn from staff and share how your child will grow greatness this year at Hutchison.  Please see our schedule:

Eagles in Action!

Fall Pictures:  September 13th

Wednesday, September 13th is Picture Day at Hutchison.  Order forms were sent home on Tuesday, 9/5 folder.

Strawbridge Studios is our photographer this year.  This link will allow parents to receive updates via email regarding their child’s school portraits.

https://strawbridge.fotomerchanthv.com/clients/hutchison-elementary-school/fall-pictures-9-13-2023/optIn

When do absences become an issue?  Satisfactory, 9 or fewer days; Warning Signs, 10 to 17 days; Chronic Absence, 18 or more days. ¿Cuándo las ausencias se convierten en un problema? Satisfactorio, 9 días o menos; Señales de Advertencia, de 10 a 17 días; Ausencia Crónica, 18 o más días.

Did you know?

• Regular school attendance in elementary school improves the chances that your child will read on grade level.
• Chronic absenteeism (missing 18 or more school days per year) is a primary cause of lower academic achievement even when the absences are "excused" or understandable.
• Students who attend 90% or more of the school year are more likely to graduate from high school on time.
• Absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with school work, dealing with peer conflicts or facing some other potentially serious difficulty, and help is available. 

¿Sabías?

• La asistencia regular a la escuela primaria mejora las posibilidades de que su hijo lea al nivel de su grado.
• El ausentismo crónico (faltar 18 o más días escolares por año) es la causa principal de un menor rendimiento académico incluso cuando las ausencias son "justificadas" o comprensibles.
• Los estudiantes que asisten al 90% o más del año escolar tienen más probabilidades de graduarse a tiempo de la escuela secundaria.
• Las ausencias pueden ser una señal de que un estudiante está perdiendo interés en la escuela, teniendo dificultades con el trabajo escolar, lidiando con conflictos con sus compañeros o enfrentando alguna otra dificultad potencialmente grave, y hay ayuda disponible.

Contact:

Hollie Daniel

[email protected]

SEL Screener

• SEL Screener Parent Notification and Updates

FCPS is committed to supporting the mental wellness of all students. The Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener helps our students share their perspectives on how their schools and communities support them and help them develop the skills they need to succeed.

The screener is offered to all students in grades 3 through 12 in the fall and spring. It addresses skills like achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. Students also share how successful their school and community are at making them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to plan programming for the division, schools, and individual students. 

Key updates to the screener this year include:
 

• Different versions for students in grades 3-5 and 6-12. 
• 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.
   

Results are mailed home to families after each screening. Families who wish to opt their child out may do so by completing the opt-out form in the Annual Notice packet or SIS ParentVue. 

For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage or contact Wendy West. 

Please note that the SEL Screener differs from the anonymous Fairfax County Youth Survey. For more information about the Youth Survey, see the Fairfax County Youth Survey site.

Contact:

Wendy West

@email

Universal Screener/i-Ready Testing Grades 1- 6

i-Reading Parent Notification

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) adopted iReady assessments as an academic universal screener for all elementary school students in grades 1-6. In addition to the iReady assessment, all elementary school students in grades 1-6 complete the Developmental Spelling Analysis (DSA). 

The purpose of iReady assessments is to identify students who may have gaps in foundational literacy and mathematics skills. iReady tests are also used to measure student progress in reading and mathematics skills. The purpose of the DSA is to measure the development of spelling skills. 

The iReady assessment includes a reading test and a mathematics test. In grades 1-3, teachers also assess students’ oral reading fluency to fulfill state testing requirements. Based on test results, some students may require additional assessments to further diagnose specific skills that may need support. 

All students complete iReady and DSA in fall and spring each year. Depending on fall performance, a student may take an assessment again in the winter. iReady and DSA are delivered within the classroom instructional block. 

Fall testing dates for Hutchison:

• i-Reading Reading September 12
• i-Reading Math September 14th 

Additional information can be found at the iReady Universal Screener webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/us).

If you have further questions about these assessments, please contact your student’s teacher or Wendy West 

Contact:

Wendy West

@email

Virginia Kindergarten Readiness Program 

• VKRP Parent Notification and Updates

The Virginia government requires the Virginia Kindergarten Readiness Program (VKRP) in all schools. VKRP assessments help state officials understand school readiness and student success across Virginia. 

VKRP results also help teachers, school leaders, and parents know how to support each child's learning and development. VKRP assesses mathematics, behaviors, and literacy for students in PreK and Kindergarten. Students use materials to show their early math skills with the Early Mathematics Assessment System (EMAS). Teachers observe a student’s self-regulation and social skills using the Child Behavior Rating Scale (CBRS). 

Teachers measure literacy skills using the Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening (PALS) for Kindergarten or the PreK Language and Literacy Screener. Teachers assess all PreK and Kindergarten students in fall and spring. Some Kindergarten students also take a winter literacy assessment based on their fall results. Teachers will set specific testing dates for each class. 

If you have questions about VKRP assessments, please contact your child's teacher or Wendy West.

Contact:

Wendy West

@email

Student Rights & Responsibilities

FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities document (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. In late June, the School Board approved changes to the SR&R for the 2023-24 school year. Updates include a revision of dress code expectations, bystander expectations for students witnessing harmful or unsafe behaviors, bullying, and substance abuse responses. Read Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s letter to families regarding the SR&R. 

Parents/caregivers should talk to their child(ren) about expectations for this school year. Also, please log in to SIS ParentVUE and sign to acknowledge your review of the SR&R, or sign and return the signature sheet to your child’s school by Friday, September 29.

Assistant Principals have conducted SR & R lessons so students are clear on Hutchison’s expectations for maintaining a safe and positive learning environment. 

Contact:

Jackie Wilson

Grades 1 and 2

@email 

Mikaela Antonio

Grades 3 & 4

@email

Steven Wilson

Grades PreK, 5, & 6

@email 

Wellness Wednesdays

Hutchison is excited about receiving a grant for $1500 from The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia, to establish Wellness Wednesdays.  Every Wednesday, we will have a special activity to help students and staff focus on our well-being. Starting the first week of September, the Wednesdays will include positive messages called affirmations, music, exercise, gratitude, or play. Activities will occur at the beginning of the day, recess, or lunch.

If you want to know more about the WHY? behind our activities, check these out:

Positive Affirmation Research

Affirmations:

• Develop positive self-esteem
• Increase wellbeing
• Improve educational performance and motivation
• Neuroplasticity lends to positive change

Music Research

Music:

• IS Heart healthy
• Elevates mood
• Reduces stress and depression
• Manages/eases pain
• Stimulates memories
• Increases workout endurance

Exercise Research

Regular exercise:

• Reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety
• Improves cognitive performance/memory
• Improves attendance
• Improves classroom behavior

Gratitude Research

Gratitude:

• Disconnects us from negativity
• Can be kept private for positive benefits
• Has long lasting effects on the brain
• Benefits increase over time

Play Research

Play:

• Undirected play helps develop social skills, self-advocacy, conflict resolution
• Leads to brain development
• Increases physical, emotional and cognitive strength

Counselors: Roselyn Abrigo, Andrea Kessler, Gina Fajardo

Social Worker: Laurie Velasquez

Psychologist: Shannon Waters

Family Liaisons:

Mary Specht, Maria Michlik

SIS ParentVUE

• Support Your Child’s Success

Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Caregivers should receive an activation code when they register their child. 

Once you have activated a ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same ParentVUE account. Access SIS ParentVUE by using an app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android devices. 

Need help creating a SIS ParentVUE account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.

Contact:

Magda Calancha Vargas

@email

Strategic Plan

✨ 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered

The 2023-30 strategic plan sets five main goals to create positive change in FCPS. These 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 measure our success. 

Goal 2 states that every student will be part of a school community that cares for their health, well-being, and opinions. We will listen to students and use their input to guide our decisions. We will respect their individuality, identity, and experiences. We will make sure they feel safe and supported at school.

Visit the Strategic Plan webpage to learn more about how we will measure the success of goal 2. 

Contact:

Sarah Aiello

@email

How can I help my child play with sounds?

1. Read about why playing with and perceiving sounds in words is important to reading in this Reading Rockets article.  

2. Amplify (click on phonological awareness) offers ideas for at-home activities for younger students to develop foundational skills. 

3. Improving Literacy (click play with sounds) offers parent tips, resources and a video on phonological awareness.  

4. This video, provided by the Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk, will help you learn how to blend words by doing quick activities around the house. 

Amanda Salvo

Quick and Easy Counting Activities

• Count your steps as you walk up and/or down stairs
• Count around the car.  Each person takes turns saying a number counting around the car up to and/or back from a target number.
• Sort laundry.  Which pile of socks has more?  Which pile of socks has less?
• Keep a calendar with important family events on it.  Count how many days until those dates happen.
• At the grocery store, count items as you place them in the basket (and/or on the conveyor belt).
• Count toys as you clean them up together.
• Put objects into groups of 10. Count by 10s. Try with groups of 2 or 5. Counting by groups helps students prepare for multiplication and division.

Abbey Falkey

@email

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