4-4-24 Happening at Hutchison

By
April 04, 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

Welcome Back!

I hope your spring break was filled with rest and rejuvenation. As we return to school this week, let's re-enter with the shared purpose we began this year with Growing Greatness.

Our theme of "Growing Greatness" extends far beyond academic achievements. It's about nurturing an environment where every interaction we have and every instructional task planned,  is an opportunity to cultivate something remarkable in our students.  

The 4th quarter is here, and our students are rocking it!   Every challenge tackled is a step towards their goals.  Let's cheer them on as they finish strong!

Sincerely,

Sarah C. Aiello

Contact:

Sarah Aiello

@email 

Community Calendar

Open the calendar in a larger view by clicking here.

No School on April 10th for Observance of Eid al Fitr

Contact:

Maureen Griffin

@email

 

Solar Eclipse Safety Reminders

A solar eclipse is happening on April 8, 2024. It's a rare and exciting astronomical phenomenon, and one that requires important safety reminders. Looking directly at the sun, even during an eclipse, can permanently damage your eyes. 

Here's what you need to know:

  • Don't look at the sun without approved eyewear. This applies to students and staff, and we encourage you to reinforce this at home.
  • Regular sunglasses are not good enough. The NASA website has more information about eye safety.  
  • Eclipse timing: The eclipse starts around 2:04 p.m., peaks at 3:20 p.m. (which coincides with dismissal for some students), and ends around 4:32 p.m. Please remind your child to be especially vigilant about eye safety during dismissal. If you have concerns about your child walking or riding the bus home, please arrange for alternative transportation.

For more details, visit the FCPS Solar Eclipse webpage.

Visit our eclipse website for classroom activities, science videos, cultural explorations, and more, and be sure to tune in to our livestream on April 8, in partnership with NASA. Visit this Exploratorium webpage to learn more.

 

Contact:

Sarah Aiello

[email protected]u

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April Community Connections

Please join us at 9:30 AM in person or 7 PM virtual on the following dates:

Thursday, April 18–End of Year Assessments & Online Programming

The link to the virtual connection will be provided at 6:45 PM on 4/18.

Contact:

Sarah Aiello

[email protected]u

Save the Date: April 21st: Hutchison Planting Day (Earth Day Celebration)

 

 

Attendance Information

Chronic absenteeism: What counts for K - 6 students? 

Counts Toward Chronic Absence

Doesn’t Count Toward Chronic Absence 

Full-day absences 

Tardy - late to school 

Religious holiday absences

Early dismissal 

Suspensions from school

Partial day absences for doctor visits 

Medically related all-day absences

Students receiving homebound services 

Prearranged absences 

School sponsored field trips or activities 

Absences related to military family members deployment 

 

Family emergencies

 

Funerals 

 

 

Contact:

Hollie Daniel

@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

 

5th Grade Integrated Reading and Writing SOL

All 5th grade students (with the exception of a few new students) will take this SOL on April 12th in the morning. 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. 

 

Contact:

Wendy West

@email

 

SOL Testing Dates - Grades 3-6

Contact:

Wendy West

@email

 

SEL Screener Spring Data Release/Review

Parent/guardian reports will be available to families in SIS ParentVUE in late April.  For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent centrally via U.S. mail.

 

Contact:

Roselyn Abrigo

@email

 

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. 

 

Contact:

Sam Freeman

@email

Cherie Mickle

@email

Marni Sclaroff

@email

 

 

Spring After- School Program Begins April 9th

We have an exciting Spring After School Program starting Tuesday, April 9 from 4-5 PM. The program runs on Tuesday and Thursday through May 21st.  All children will be dismissed from the cafe at Door 7.  There are limited spaces available in Kids on Canvas, NASA: Future Space Explorers, and Cheerleading.  If interested, please register before Friday, April 5th. 

Contact:

Maureen Griffin

@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

 

Register Today for the FCPS Family Summit
Registration is open for the FCPS Family Summit, which will take place on Saturday, April 20, 8:30 a.m.-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 theme — Safe, Supported, and Included — aligns with Goal 2 of FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan

Contact:

Sarah Aiello

[email protected]u

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

Yearbook–It’s time to Order

Use the order form that came home in the Tuesday folder or order Onlinewww.strawbridge.net

Online code: YB28908

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

Contact:

Joanne Yi

@email

 

Before- and After-School Care (SACC)

Fairfax County Government’s School Age Child Care (SACC) program provides fun, safe, and educational care for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. Care is available before school, after school, and during school breaks in select Fairfax County public elementary schools and community centers. SACC registration is now open for the 2024-25 school year and the Camp Fairfax summer program.

Contact:

Marion Cannata

@email

 

Apply for Prek and Early Head Start

FCPS PreK and Early Head Start is now accepting applications for School Year 2024-25! PreK prioritizes 4-year-old applicants but also accepts applications for children 3 years old by September 30th. Early Head Start accepts applications from pregnancy to 2 years old. Both programs are for income eligible families. Apply for FCPS PreK and Early Head Start here.

Contact: 

@email

703-208-7900

The Lion King Kids–Thursday, April 25  

Our Hutchison students have been practicing for weeks and their hard work will shine on Thursday, April 25th  for the premiere of Lion King Kids.   The play will be performed for students at 9:30 AM and 7 PM for the Hutchison community to enjoy.  Please cheer on our amazing cast!

 .

Contact:

Cathay Kirschner

@email

 

Follow Us on Social Media! 

          

 

Updates from the County

 

Online Registration for 2024-25 School Year

We are excited to announce that Online Registration for the 2024-2025 school year will open on April 2, 2024. Both new and returning (re-enrolling) families can use our Online Registration (OLR) system to register students entering Kindergarten (00) through 12th grade for the upcoming academic year.

To ensure parents receive this information, please add this link to your school's website:  Welcome to Fairfax County Public Schools’ (FCPS) Online Registration.  This will provide families with the information to utilize this convenient registration tool. Parents and guardians can still register students using the electronic bundle or choose to complete paper registration forms if they prefer.

Fairfax County Health Department School Health Service Survey

The Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) employs school health aides and public health nurses who provide school health services to the students in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).
To determine the quality of these services, a survey has been developed by the FCHD to be shared with all parents or guardians of FCPS students. Parents/guardians will be asked for feedback on the level of satisfaction with School Health services provided to the school community. The survey will be distributed electronically via FCPS This Week. The survey window is April 15 - April 26, 2024.
Survey link: www.redcap.link/FCHDSchoolHealthSurvey.

Survey results will be shared with the FCPS Strategic planning process, and the survey results will contribute positively to the FCPS Strategic Plan that reflects a shared consensus among stakeholders.

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

Attend a virtual information night to learn about Lexia on Tuesday, April 9, at 6:30 p.m. Participants will discover how FCPS is integrating this program into the classroom to support student literacy growth. Tips for supporting students at home will also be shared. 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. iteracy, and FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 3, which aims to have all students reading on level by the end of third grade. 

Advertised Budget Focuses on Schools and Instruction

Investing in excellence means putting our dollars where it matters most — schools and instruction. Nearly 93% of FCPS full-time staff work directly in our schools. And nearly 86% of FCPS’ Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Advertised Budget is dedicated to instructional programs across all grade levels, including special education. 

Only 5% of the advertised budget is for general support and central administration. Central office administrators represent only 0.8% of total full-time positions.

For more details on FCPS’ advertised budget, view budget documents, including the FY 2025 Budget Book. 

Check out the Budget Calendar for important dates in the budget process as well as opportunities for the community to provide feedback.  

New Regulation on Meditation and Silent Reflection Spaces

FCPS has developed Regulation 1502 to ensure all students and staff have reasonable accommodation and access to meditation and silent reflection spaces within the school division. The regulation provides guidance for schools on how to manage requests for silent reflection during instructional and non-instructional time, and for students to leave school for religious activities.

These spaces are for individuals to engage in prayer, meditation, or silent reflection, inclusive of their religious or non-religious beliefs. Parents/caregivers must provide written permission for students requesting to miss instructional time on a regular basis. Families are encouraged to contact Hutchison family liaisons, Maria Michlick or Mary Specht, regarding accommodations. View Regulation 1502. Visit FCPS' Religious Accommodations in Schools for Students webpage for more information.

Register Today for the Science, Technology, and Arts Magnet School Lottery

Three FCPS elementary magnet schools — Hunters WoodsBailey’s Primary, and Bailey’s Upper — provide enhanced learning programs in science, technology, and performing arts. Registration for the 2024-25 elementary magnet lottery is open through Friday, April 12. Learn more about the schools, their programs, and locations

Nominations Open for the Bussey Memorial Equity Award

The Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee (MSAOC) sponsors the Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award to honor the legacy of Dr. Bussey, a founding member of the MSAOC and a longtime advocate for students and families. Read more about Dr. Bussey.  
This award recognizes staff or community members who have demonstrated significant and impactful efforts to improve the educational experiences and outcomes of students from groups who are marginalized or underserved.
Any FCPS employee, student, or community member can nominate an individual or group for the award. All nomination materials must be submitted by Wednesday, May 1.  The winner will be recognized at the FCPS Equity Symposium on Tuesday, June 18.

Full details and the nomination information form are available on the Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award webpage