Message from the Principal

What a wonderful week of growing greatness!  Our eagles enthusiasm for learning and their seamless transition back to the school routine is truly commendable.  We successfully launched a year filled with growth, achievements, and incredible learning experiences!

Sarah C. Aiello 

Contact:

Sarah Aiello

@email 

Calendar

Pyramid Night:   Pyramid Night, Friday August 25th

No School:  Friday, September 1st

No School:  Monday, September 4th

Picture Day: Wednesday, September 13 

No School: Monday, September 25th

Potluck Before each Back to School Night 5-6 PM 

Plan Ahead to bring your favorite food to share!

Back to School Night K-2: Wednesday, September 20    6-7 PM

Back to School Night 3-6:   Thursday, September 21   6-7 PM

Be sure to bookmark the FCPS school year calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances.

• Days marked with blue Hs are student holidays. 
• Days marked with orange Os are religious and cultural observance days (or evenings if only half marked). 
• Days marked in pink are holidays for students, but working days for teachers and staff. 

Maureen Griffin

@email

Happening At Hutchison

ParentVue

You need a ParentVue account access important information about your child and to provide consent to different digital tools we use here at Hutchison. To activate your ParentVue account you need an activation key. Please submit the form here to get your activation key.

English Login Page

Spanish Login Page

Arabic Login Page

Our technology coach, Carly Le Blanc, is happy to help you if you call the office for an appointment. Call 703-925-8300 between 8:00am and 4:00pm during the week and ask to schedule an appointment with Carly. She is available during school hours for appointments.

How to Activate your Account Video

Amharic | Arabic | Chinese| English | Farsi| Korean | Spanish | Urdu | Vietnamese

To update your contact information in ParentVUE, click the “Online Packets” tab in the upper right of the screen, then select the “Online Verification/Update” form in the drop down menu. Click “Begin Packet.”

Parents who do not have a SIS ParentVUE account continue to have the option to communicate updates via the normal paper process. They can also print and complete a blank Emergency Care Information Form needed for updates and submit it to the front office.

Contact:

Activation Key

FCPS Help Page

Magda Calancha Vargas

[email protected]

Registrar

Carly Le Blanc

[email protected]

Technology Coach

Meet Your Admin Team! 

We are here to support you and your child!

Meet Your Wellness Team!

Please contact us with any questions or concerns.  We’re here to support your child and family.

Contact:

Classroom Communications

Families can expect Tuesday Folders to be in children’s backpacks on Tuesdays. Inside you will find a newsletter from the teacher, important Hutchison information, and any activities completed by your child the previous week. You will also receive the Classroom Newsletter via the Talking Points App.

Your child’s teacher

Testing - WIDA Screening 

The WIDA Screener is given to all students with a home language other than, or in addition to, English, when entering Fairfax County Public Schools. It is also given to English learners (ELs) who did not participate in or complete all domains of the federally required annual English language proficiency (ELP) assessment. 

The results of the WIDA Screener will identify if your student is English proficient or requires EL services. The assessment will provide information on your student’s current English language proficiency to determine the appropriate level of EL services. It will also identify eligibility for EL testing accommodations on standardized tests, including the state Standards of Learning (SOL) assessment. 

The WIDA Screener will be administered within the first 30 days of school during the school day. If your child is screened, you will be notified of the results after testing is complete.

Wendy West

@email

Hutchison Band and Strings Program:

The Hutchison Band and Strings programs offer instrumental music instruction once a week for students in grades 4th through 6th grade.

Registration for the Band and Strings programs for the 2023-2024 school year will begin next week. Students will attend a presentation about these programs and the musical instruments available to learn this year.

The Hutchison Band Program

• offers free instruction once a week for 5th and 6th grade students on the flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, or percussion.
• provides instruments for students to rent for the school year for a one-time fee of $20 with a completed FCPS Music Instrument Rental Contract.

The Hutchison Strings Program: 

• offers free instruction once a week for 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students on the violin, viola, cello, or bass. 
• provides instruments for students to rent for the school year for a one-time fee of $20 with a completed FCPS Music Instrument Rental Contract. 

Students who choose to participate in Band or Strings will be expected to:

• commit to the Band or Strings program for the entire school year.
• Bring their FCPS issued instrument to school on their assigned day for Band or Strings instruction. Instruments are to be taken home the same day.
• participate in performances that take place after the school day. 
• practice at least one day at home.
• collaboratively work with classmates to create a fun and engaging environment. 

Josephine Cofie-Arrington

@email

Understanding the FCPS School Calendar. 

Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qc_YXrhl-s (English)

https://youtu.be/RHUVzOQs3so  (Spanish)

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.

Contact:

Hollie Daniel

[email protected]

How Can My Child Read Books at Home?

1. Storyline Online  streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations. 

2. Romper streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations. 

3. Kid Zone! Listen has a collection of narrated and video books that are organized by grade level and genre.  

Amanda Salvo

@email 

Recess Monitors Needed:

Attention Parents! Become a Student Recess Monitor at Hutchison Elementary School!

Are you looking to make a positive impact on your child’s school experience? Combine your love for children with a fulfilling part-time role by applying to become a Student Recess Monitor!

Hours: Tuesdays through Wednesdays, from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM.

Pay Rate: $16.36 per hour.

As a Student Recess Monitor, you will have opportunities to:

·         Build meaningful connections with students and staff.

·         Embrace outdoor activity and promote healthy play habits.

·         Contribute to a thriving school community and witness countless smiles!

No specific experience required – just a big heart for children's well-being. Apply now to be a proud member of the Hutchison Elementary staff!

Apply Here!

Steven Wilson

@email

Cafe Hostess Needed:

Hutchison ES is looking for someone who loves children and would like to assist in our cafeteria by helping them get their lunch, opening milk, and bringing them utensils and napkins. Getting to know our amazing students during their lunch would be a great way to spend your afternoon.  Please email Jackie Wilson if interested!

Jackie Wilson

@email

County Information

✨ The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Foundation of Four Pillars

The division’s new strategic plan is built on a foundation of four pillars — what FCPS must do well to reach its goals for all students. The pillars include:

• We design innovative learning experiences that meet the needs of each and every learner, and implement professional practices that engage, empower, include, and challenge the whole learner through varied opportunities.
• We share responsibility to build trusting partnerships that sustain a safe, inclusive culture for learning and work, and we collaborate proactively with respect, honesty, and transparency.
• We recruit and retain staff who reflect the diversity of students and families; provide meaningful continuous learning, exceptional compensation, and balanced workload; and create a safe and culturally responsive environment that values staff voice.
• We nurture processes and structures that are grounded in intentional partnerships, shared responsibility for equitable resource allocation, and data-driven continuous improvement and innovation.

Stay tuned to learn more about our five goals of the new strategic plan, or visit our Strategic Plan webpage. 

Contact:

Name

Sarah Aiello, Principal

@email 

Helping Prepare Young Children for School

Families play an important role in helping children prepare for kindergarten and having a successful school year. Visit these pages to learn how to actively support your kindergartener:
 

• Success in Kindergarten Parent Strategies - Learn how to provide a smoother transition to kindergarten (available in nine languages).
• Early Childhood Tips - FCPS’ Early Partnership Team shares information on a wide variety of topics covering learning, feelings, and development.
• Kindergarten Year at a Glance - Get a general overview of the skills kindergarten students will learn throughout the year.
   

It’s Not Too Late to Register for Kindergarten!

If your child will be five years old by September 30 and has not been registered for kindergarten yet, check out this easy-to-follow five step process. 

Please contact Magda Calancha Vargas at 703-925-8305 to register.

Contact:

Jackie Wilson, AP

[email protected]

Are Your Child’s Immunizations and Records Up to Date? 

Immunizations are required for public school entry and help keep students protected from serious diseases. Many children missed their well check-ups and their recommended childhood vaccinations during recent years because of disruptions from COVID-19. It is critical to catch up to keep children healthy and ready for school. 

While COVID-19 vaccinations are not required, many other immunizations are. Check with your students’ healthcare providers now to make sure they are up to date on their immunizations.
 

Visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of clinics or contact your family’s healthcare provider. Appointments are required for most clinics.  

Remember to request documentation of your child’s immunizations to provide to their school. Get more information on immunization requirements and the necessary documentation to share with your child’s school. 

Contact:

Magda Calancha Vargas

@email 

Transportation Patience and Safety

Thank you for your patience as we all get used to new routines this school year. We appreciate our families following kiss and ride procedures and being patient as they wait for their children’s buses. 

If a student’s bus is delayed, parents may access the Bus Delay Notification System or use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app to receive the delayed bus report. Email messages will be sent to announce significant bus delays. Contact the Transportation Office at 703-249-7100 with any additional questions. For any concerns after hours (after 5:30 p.m.), contact Safety and Security at 571-423-2000. 

To make sure you receive email messages about bus delays, update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE. 

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).

Workshops for Families

The Family Resource Center is already scheduling a helpful series of webinars for the 2023-24 school year. Save the date for the following discussions in September. See the full list of workshops. Click on the title to register for each event: 

• New School Year, New Strategies: How to Plan, Persist, and Achieve Academic Success This Year, on Friday, September 8, 10-11:30 a.m.
• Meet the Author Series: The Self-Driven Child by Dr. William Stixrud, Friday, September 15, 10-11:15 a.m.
• Characteristics and Needs of Twice-Exceptional (2e) Learners, on Tuesday, September 19, 10-11:30 a.m.
• Who's the Boss? 5 Ways for Families to Help Kids with Big Emotions, Friday September 29, 10-11:30 a.m.

Contact:

Family Liaisons:

Maria Michlik 703-925-8329

Mary Specht

703-709-3159