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IN THIS ISSUE
- Principal’s Message
- Spring Break Reminder
- Thank you P.J. Skidoos!
- Solar Eclipse April 8
- Summer Camp Information
- SOL Testing Dates
- Farewell to Ms. Freitag
- Join a Conversation on Fentanyl and Other Drugs
- Measles Immunization Clinics
- Ramadan Photos for Bulletin Board
- Supporting Students During Ramadan
- Family Engagement Survey
- Lost and Found
- 2024-2025 Registration
- Important Upcoming Dates
K-3 Students learned about writing and illustrating books during a visit from author and illustrator Cazzy Zahursky!
1.Principal’s Message
This week at Fairfax Villa some of our staff presented our School Innovation and Improvement Plan (SIIP) to members of Region 5 and fellow elementary school leaders. Staff shared their expertise, perspective, and passion when presenting our glows and grows in language arts, math, attendance, and behaviors. Our school had the largest team in attendance which speaks volumes to our collective efforts as a staff. Below are some highlights of our presentation.
Schoolwide Score Improvement Fall To Midyear
Literacy Highlights:
Virginia Growth Assessment (VGA) Fall to Winter: 63% to 70%
iReady Fall to Winter: 45% to 59%
Lexia Fall to Winter: 39% to 68%
Math Highlights:
Virginia Growth Assessment (VGA) Fall to Winter: 46% to 57%
iReady Fall to Winter: 35% to 54%
I am so proud of our entire staff for all that they do to support our students, our families, and one another! As partners in your child’s education, please take a moment to complete the Family Engagement Survey that opened on March 3rd. You can find more information below. Your feedback is welcomed and valued.
Sincerely,
Shelia Sobeski,
Principal
2.Spring Break March 25-29th
This year, spring break is March 25-29. We will be eager to welcome your children back to school on Wednesday, April 3, after two teacher work days. Student attendance is very important. Every day, our teachers will be teaching, and students will be learning. Studies have shown that just two absences per month can cause students to fall behind. Let’s finish this school year strong. Visit FCPS’ website for attendance resources.
The Fairfax Villa Office will be closed March 25-29th and will reopen on April 1. If you should need immediate assistance during March 25-29th please contact Mrs. Sobeski: [email protected].
3.
Thank you P.J. Skidoos!
A huge thank you to P.J. Skidoos Restaurant in Fairfax for their help in preparing and providing our staff with hot baked potatoes for an appreciation luncheon on Friday, March 15th. Our staff loved having a break from making lunch and joining together.
4.☀️ Safely View the Total Solar Eclipse April 8
A total solar eclipse will occur on Monday, April 8, and will be viewable, depending on weather, in Fairfax County. The eclipse will begin in our area around 2:04 p.m. and end around 4:32 p.m., with the maximum eclipse occurring around 3:20 p.m.
Because the timing overlaps with dismissal, it is crucial that students understand the importance of safe viewing practices. We encourage families to review these Solar Eclipse Resources, especially the eye safety information. We hope everyone takes the opportunity to learn more about this extraordinary natural phenomenon while prioritizing safe solar viewing.
Woodson Math Honor Society joined our 4th and 5th grade students after school to do some hands-on activities!
5.
🥁 Summer Camps and Learning Programs
Have you made summer plans for your child yet? Are you looking for a summer camp for your child with special needs?
The Family Resource Center has compiled information on summer camps including local options, camps for students with special needs (sorted by need), and camps for students experiencing grief or who have parents in the military.
6.SOL Testing Dates
Spring testing is just around the corner. Students in grades 3-6 participate in the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments. Here are the specific dates and times we will be testing here at Fairfax Villa. Please try to avoid absences on these dates. If you know your child will be absent, please reach out to our Test Coordinator, Carol Larsen ([email protected]) to make arrangements for a make-up test. All initial testing attempts must be completed by Friday, May 24th. These dates will also be included in the calendar below from here on. *Note that on the fifth grade test dates, fifth and sixth grades will switch lunch and specials times to accommodate the fifth grade tests.
7.Farewell Ms. Freitag
Hello everyone,
It has been a pleasure getting to know and helping families supporting their children at Fairfax Villa and I feel blessed to have known such a caring and talented group of educators and staff.
Thank you for trusting me to assist you and for the opportunity to work with you.
I’m leaving to spend time with my family and finish my Social Work degree and pursue a career in this field and I hope our paths will cross again in the future! My last day at Fairfax Villa will be March 21st.
Thank you,
Ursula Freitag
8.Join a Conversation on Fentanyl and Other Drugs
A community conversation on the opioid crisis in Northern Virginia will be held Monday, March 18, 6:30-8 p.m., in the auditorium at Lake Braddock Secondary School. (Please enter through Door #14). Attendees will receive free REVIVE! Narcan training during the event and learn about support services within FCPS and Fairfax County.
This discussion will provide families, staff, and students with valuable knowledge about the dangers of drugs and deadly fentanyl. The material discussed will be suitable for students in grade 6 and higher. Language interpretation will be available as well as American Sign Language accommodation. Childcare and transportation will also be provided, as needed.
Learn more about the event and register online.
9.🩹 Measles Is 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.
10.Ramadan Photos for Bulletin Board
Ramadan Mubarak! To mark the month of Ramadan, observed by many of our students, some of our 6th grade students are creating a bulletin board to celebrate and share their Ramadan traditions. If your family observes Ramadan, we invite you to send in a photo that represents your own Ramadan traditions and celebrations. Please put your student’s name and teacher on the back of the photo so we can return it later.
Please note: As a new part of our diversity learning and growth at Fairfax Villa, we are featuring holidays from different cultures throughout the year. Although we would like to feature every holiday all our cultures celebrate, our goal is for every student to see at least one holiday that they observe featured during the year.
11.Supporting Students During Ramadan
Ramadan, one of the holiest times on the Islamic calendar, begins on March 10th. We are here to support students who may need special considerations or accommodations during this time. If your student will be fasting during Ramadan, please contact their homeroom teacher so that they are aware and able to support your student. Students who are fasting will have the option of joining another class while their class is at lunch. If your student is observing restrictions regarding music, please contact Mary Gaskins ([email protected] or via Talking Points) for information about accommodations we can provide in the music room!
12.Family Engagement Survey
Participate today!
Your voice matters!
Parents: Your feedback helps us understand what is going well in your child's school and where we can improve. Take 10 minutes to complete the Family Engagement Survey today. It is available in many languages. Your responses are confidential.Survey topics include:
- Welcoming environment
- Communication
- Student success
- Advocacy
- Family and school partnerships
- Community partnerships
Help us better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs in our schools.
TAKE THE SURVEY!
Visit the Family Engagement Survey webpage for more information.
13. Lost and Found
If your child is missing a jacket, sweater, or some type of accessory item, please tell them to check out our Lost and Found located in the cafeteria alongside the right wall when you walk into the cafeteria. Families are welcome to look through the items between 9:00 – 9:15 and again at 4:00 – 4:15. If you are in the building for a parent-teacher conference or another meeting, please let the front office know that you would like to check out the lost and found. Items that are not retrieved in a timely manner will be donated periodically throughout the year.
14.Kindergarten and New Student Registration
If you have an unregistered child who will attend Fairfax Villa Elementary next school year, please complete the online intake form to plan accurate class sizes/staffing for next year.
📢Please spread the word to your neighbors who will have children attending Fairfax Villa ES.📢
If you have any questions, please contact Silvia Dossmann at [email protected].
15.Important Upcoming Dates
3/25 - 3/29: Spring Break
4/1: Teacher Workday
4/2: Staff Development Day- Student Holiday
4/4: Zoom PTA Meeting #6
4/10: Student Holiday
4/11: Spring Chorus Concert 7pm
4/12: PTA Bingo Night
4/16: Grade 5 IRW Test
4/17: 3rd Quarter Progress Reports Go Home
5/1: First & Second Grade Performance 7pm
5/3: Teacher Workday
5/3: Kindergarten Orientation 2pm
5/7: Grade 5 Reading SOL Test
5/8: Grades 3 & 6 Reading SOL Test
5/8: 4th Quarter Interims Go Home To Select Students
5/9: Grade 4 Reading SOL Test
5/14: Grade 5 Math SOL Test
5/15: Grades 3 & 6 Math SOL Tests
5/16: Grade 4 Math SOL Test
5/21: Grade 5 Science SOL Test
5/23: Strings Evening Performance at 7pm
5/27: Student Holiday
5/29: Springs Band Concert at 7pm
6/6: Grade 6 Showcase at 7pm
6/7: Field Day
6/11: 6th Grade Luncheon
6/12: 6th Grade Promotion Ceremony
6/12: End of Year Progress Reports Go Home
6/12: Last Day of School - 2hr Early Release
Frequently Visited Links and Important Fairfax Villa Contacts
Fairfax Villa Contacts Page
2023-2024 School Year
Sign up for News You Choose
Join the Fairfax Villa PTA
Report Your Child’s Absence
Visit the Fairfax Villa Website
Substitute Teaching Opportunities
Monitor your student's academics with a SIS Pare+nt Account
Recognize an FCPS Employee at FCPS Cares
Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information
Parent Handbook
Fairfax Villa Contacts Page
2023-2024 School Year
Sign up for News You Choose
Join the Fairfax Villa PTA
Report Your Child’s Absence
Visit the Fairfax Villa Website
Substitute Teaching Opportunities
Monitor your student's academics with a SIS Pare+nt Account
Recognize an FCPS Employee at FCPS Cares
Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information
Parent Handbook
10900 Santa Clara Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030 | Main Office: 703-267-2800
Attendance: 703-267-2828 | Web | Twitter | Contact Us
