Office Phone: 703-267-2800 Absentee Line: 703-267-2828

Clinic Phone: 703-267-2810 Cafeteria Line: 703-267-2821

                   Absentee Online Link: https://fairfaxvillaes.fcps.edu/attendance-form

                               Office Hours: 8:00 a.m.  -  4:30 p.m.  Monday – Friday

 

Welcome to Fairfax Villa Elementary School!  The staff welcomes you to an exciting and rewarding school year.  This family packet has been prepared for you in order to allow you to familiarize yourself with our policies, procedures, regulations, and student expectations.  Please read it carefully.  We hope that you have a wonderful school year!

 

2021-2022  School Hours

Grades K-6         9:15 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday

Students should not arrive before 9:00 a.m.  

 

SCHOOL PROGRAM

The goal of Fairfax Villa’s instructional program is to meet the educational needs of the individual child.  Basic skills and responsible behavior are stressed and creative expression is encouraged.  The core curriculum for each grade level and subject area is outlined in the Fairfax County Program of Studies.  Teachers use a variety of instructional strategies and materials to promote student mastery of appropriate Program of Studies (POS) objectives.  They plan and work together to assure consistency at each grade level.  The purpose of the POS is to identify the basic objectives for all students in each curriculum area.  These priority objectives provide the foundation or core of the program, grades K-6.  The basic curriculum is a tool for planning, monitoring and evaluating students’ work on a continued progress basis.  

 

Students with special needs at both ends of the academic spectrum are recognized for remedial and/or enrichment/extension programs.  The academic ladder of learning is viewed less as a vertical completion of each grade level  and more as a horizontal awareness of total understandings that are both challenging and appropriate with School Board instructional guidelines.  The approaches used to improve and individualize instruction may include small group instruction, flexible grouping, team teaching, multi-level and multi-media materials for individual use, and the utilization of paraprofessionals, peer tutors and parent volunteers.

 

COMMUNICATION

Good communication between the home and the school is vital to a successful school experience for each child.  So that parents may know when to expect written communications, the school administration has designated Tuesday as the day to send home announcements, PTA newsletters, menus, student folders, Progress Reports (4 times per year), and any handouts.  Parents are encouraged to contact the school promptly regarding their child’s progress or school procedures.  It is very important that parents promptly return to the school survey forms, field trip permission slips, and other requested information.  Staff members can be reached by e-mail or telephone. Please be advised that teachers may not be able to respond to your email right away during school hours. 

 

An important part of communicating with your child’s teacher is through our new Learning Management System -  Schoology. All parents can log into Schoology at https://lms.fcps.edu/ using the same username and password that you have set up for your Parent SIS account. If you do not yet have a Parent SIS account, please contact the school.

 

Each week, our school sends home an electronic Friday newsletter to parents. Please take the time to read the items in there and to make note of special events that are announced  in the News You Choose. PTA information is also included for your convenience.  These newsletters may also be found on our school website at https://fairfaxvillaes.fcps.edu/aggregator/sources/1

 

SCHOOL SAFETY PROCEDURES/VISITORS

All of our doors will be locked after the children enter in the morning and remain locked for the duration of the instructional day.  Parents and visitors can gain entry to the building through the front left hand door.  On the adjacent wall there is a remote access camera/speaker and doorbell.  Please use the doorbell and wait to be “buzzed” into the building. The office will maintain a central sign-in area for all visitors (including parent volunteers, substitute teachers, and other guests).  All visitors must wear a visitor sticker or a badge.  Guests will sign in by using the Visitor Management System (VMS). Prior to leaving, the guest must sign out in the main office. Visitors must be in only the area of the school you signed in to visit. Due to Covid we will not have volunteers at this time.

 

STUDENT’S RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

The Fairfax County School Board has defined the rights and responsibilities of school students in the Student Rights and Responsibilities Regulation.  This regulation is used as a guide when standards of conduct are established for Fairfax Villa students.  Students will receive a copy of the Student Rights and Responsibilities booklet in the beginning of the school year.  This is available in multiple languages. Please sign page 1 of the booklet and return to school no later than September 24, 2021 to acknowledge that you have received a copy of the SR & R booklet.   Copies of the booklet are also available online at https://www.fcps.edu/about-fcps/policies-regulations-and-notices/student-rights-and-responsibilities/video-and-resources

This document is reviewed yearly with all students.  Please read and discuss it with your child.

 

Discipline

In order to have an environment that is conducive to learning and safe for students, any behavior that is disrespectful, destructive, or dangerous is prohibited.  FCPS has strict regulations regarding inappropriate touching, weapons, substance abuse, bullying, name calling, inappropriate language, fighting, and any other forms of disruptive behavior.  The administration at Fairfax Villa is committed to enforcing these regulations in order to maintain a safe environment conducive to learning.  Students will be advised of this policy, and parents will be required to sign and return a form regarding this regulation.

 

SCHOOL ENROLLMENT

Student Admission

New students may be registered in the main office.  The parent must complete a registration form and present the following documents:  birth certificate, verification of residency, record of immunization, and report of physical examination. Transfer Information including IEPs or progress reports from the previous school, if available, should also be presented.

 

Student Withdrawal

When a child is to be withdrawn from school, please notify the school in advance so that necessary reports and transfer slips can be prepared.

 

Kindergarten Enrollment

If age five on or before September 30^th of the current year, students must either attend kindergarten or notify the School Board of intent not to attend.  A child who does not reach his/her fifth birthday by September 30^th of that school year is ineligible by Virginia law to enroll in public kindergarten.

 

TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

Bus stop information  is  mailed with classroom assignments to students prior to the opening of school.

 

Bus Stop Guidelines

Students are to use the closest bus stop to their home for pickup and drop-off.  If you are unsure about where students’ bus stops are, be sure to call the office for clarification.  Pickup time is approximate.  Parents are asked to remind students to be conscious of good behavior at bus stops.  Not all bus stops will have safety patrols.  When a patrol is assigned to a bus stop, they should arrive approximately ten minutes before the expected bus time.  There is no need for other students to arrive before the patrol.  All students should cooperate with safety patrols and be considerate of community members’ property.

 

Transportation Changes Parents must send in a note to the front office or call the main office before 2:30 PM when there is a change in the normal routine of how the child goes home from school.  This includes:

• If your child will be going home with another student, either by school bus (even if it is the same bus normally ridden, but your child is getting off at a different stop) or private transportation;
• If your child will be bringing another student home either by school bus or private transportation;
• If you are picking your child up early;
• If your child is staying for an after-school activity on school grounds; or
• If you are picking your child up at Kiss and Ride instead of the child taking the regular bus.

Bus notes can be sent in on paper with your child or you can send an email to your child’s classroom teacher.  When a child is going home with another child in the school, a request must be received from BOTH students’ families or the request will not be approved.   Change in Transportation Requests should include:

• Name of student
• Student’s teacher and grade
• Student’s normal mode of transportation
• Name of student the child is going home with, including their teacher and grade
• Mode of transportation being used that day (if on a bus, include the bus number)
• Contact information for parent making the request

Bike Riders

Bike riding to school is limited to “walking” students in grades 4-6.  Helmets are required.  Please be sure to secure your bike with a proper lock when you park it outside Door 2. Roller blades, skateboards, scooters and roller skates are not allowed on school grounds.    

 

Kiss and Ride Procedures

In order for the Fairfax Villa staff to ensure a safe environment for all children, we ask that the following drop-off and pick-up procedures be followed by all families. We appreciate your cooperation in keeping our children safe!

Morning Drop-Off Procedures

• Drop off begins at 9:00 A.M.
• Please note change:  Due to safety concerns and gridlock during morning arrival and afternoon dismissal, parents/guardians will not be permitted to turn left when there is traffic from Santa Clara Drive to enter the Kiss and Ride lot.
• Kiss and Ride cars will line up on the westbound side of Santa Clara – coming from either University Drive or Bellavia Lane. That line will turn right from Santa Clara Drive into the Kiss and Ride Lot.
• When entering the parking lot for the Kiss and Ride line, please do not block the crosswalk.
• Enter by staff parking lot.  Proceed to the rear of the school, turn in the loop.
• As you enter the Kiss and Ride loop, remind your child to unbuckle their seat belt. 
•  When entering the parking lot for the  Kiss and Ride line, please do not block the crosswalk. Pull as far forward as possible. School staff will assist you.
•  Do not leave your child if there is no staff member present at Kiss and Ride. You must line up and wait at the starting location until a staff member is in position at Kiss and Ride to receive your child. Otherwise, this creates a dangerous situation where your child is roaming the school grounds unsupervised. There are no exceptions.
• The students may exit their vehicle on the right passenger side only. Left door should always be closed for safety purposes. If, for any reason, your child must exit from the driver side, please escort your child to the sidewalk.
•  After dropping off your child, proceed to exit the Kiss and Ride line carefully. Use extreme caution as walkers will be crossing at various times in a designated crosswalk.  A staff member will use a stop sign to halt traffic when walkers are present.  
•  Parents arriving after 9:15 a.m. must park and escort students to the main office to be signed in by a parent.
• Please be advised that making a U-turn at the bus loop may be violating Virginia traffic law and you may be ticketed when the officers make their rounds at Fairfax Villa.

 

Afternoon Pick-Up Procedures

• Pick up begins at 4:00 P.M.
• Due to safety concerns and gridlock during afternoon dismissal, parents/guardians will not be permitted to turn left from Santa Clara Drive to enter the Kiss and Ride lot.
• Kiss and Ride cars will line up on the westbound side of Santa Clara – coming from either University Drive or Bellavia Lane. That line will turn right from Santa Clara Drive into the Kiss and Ride Lot.
• When entering the parking lot for the Kiss and Ride line, please do not block the crosswalk.
• When you arrive, please be sure to have your Kiss and Ride number card visibly displayed on your dashboard when you pull forward.  
• All cars should move up as far as possible along the sidewalk so that we may get as many cars loaded as possible. Please do not stop directly in front of your child as this will delay all of the cars behind you.   
• Children may only enter their vehicle from the right side of the vehicle. Left door should always be closed for safety purposes, especially during dismissal time.
• Ensure that your child wears a seat belt.
• Proceed to exit the Kiss and Ride loop carefully.
• To exit the Kiss and Ride lot, cars may turn either right (to go westbound toward Alta Vista Drive) or left (to go eastbound toward Bellavia Lane).
• Please make sure to pick up your child by 4:10 p.m.. Parents arriving after 4:10 p.m. must park and sign out students from the main office. 

 

STUDENT PERSONAL DATA

Requests for review of records should be made to the school office and will be honored within five days of the request.  Parents desiring to review their child’s permanent records will need to call the school for an appointment with their child’s counselor or the school administration.  Each student’s name, address, and telephone number are classified as “directory information” for purposes of school related activities such as PTA, room parents, etc.  A parent who does not wish any directory information available to these organizations must complete the directory opt out form that will be sent home the first week of school.  The office and/or teacher are not able to give out contact information for birthday parties or private mailings. 

 

SCHOOL PROCEDURES

Absences

We believe children should be in school unless they are ill or there are unavoidable circumstances acceptable to the principal and teacher.  Vacations and days off for pleasure are not acceptable excuses and are discouraged. For safety reasons, we ask parents to report their children’s absences to the school on a daily basis.  To prevent our school lines from being busy with calls each morning, parents should call the school absentee line (703-267-2828) or use the link below to report an absence.   The attendance line is available 24 hours a day and absences need to be reported by 9:30 a.m.  Any absence not called in by 9:30 a.m. will be recorded as unexcused.  The status will be changed once verification is received from the parent/guardian.  

 

Use this  online link to report absences and late arrivals: https://fairfaxvillaes.fcps.edu/attendance-form

 

Tardiness

All students who are not in their classroom by the official beginning of school (9:15 a.m.) are considered tardy.  Students who arrive late are to report to the office before going to their classrooms.  Parents must accompany students into the office to sign children in.

 

Release of Students During the School Day

When a student is to be picked up during school hours, a note signed by the parent or guardian must be presented to the teacher on the morning of the day the student is to leave early, except in emergencies where this notice is not possible.  The parent or person designated in the note to pick the student up reports to the office and signs for p student’s release.  The student will then be called out of the classroom and meet the person picking him/her up in the lobby reception area.  Students cannot be called down to the office before the adult arrives at the school. 

 

Student Visitors

Students’ relatives and friends are not permitted to attend classes due to liability and pupil teacher ratio guidelines.  Such visitors are welcome for lunch and can arrange to tour the school by calling the office.

 

Permission to Go Home with Another Student

Both students must have notes from parents giving approval of this request.  These notes must be brought to the school office for school approval on the morning of the day permission is requested.  Since many of our buses are overcrowded, we cannot always approve students riding the bus to go home with a friend or allow for group arrangements such as scouts or after school birthday parties.  School bus transportation is not available for walkers unless for custodial care.

 

Conferences with Teachers

Parent-teacher conferences are considered to be an integral part of the school program and are strongly encouraged.  A conference will be scheduled with each parent near the end of the first grading period to discuss student progress. Additional conferences may be arranged by contacting the teacher.  Conferences may be scheduled before or after school. 

 

Homework

Homework is defined as additional needed preparation in a given subject area.  Such assignments are valid only if they provide essential practice in needed skills and/or enrich, enhance, or extend school experiences.  Homework encourages growth in responsibility, gives practice in developing good work habits, and affords opportunities for increasing self-direction and learning how to budget time wisely.  Homework, however, needs to be geared to the student’s age and individual learning style.  In the primary grades (1-3), homework assignments, when given, should average not more than 30 minutes per day.  In grades 4-6, homework assignments, when given, should not exceed one hour.  Generally, homework will not be given as a weekend assignment. However, daily class assignments that are not completed during the allocated time during class should be completed by the next school session.  If your child’s homework exceeds the recommended time limits, please call the teacher for clarification.

 

Progress Reports

Progress reports are issued four times a year. After reviewing your child’s progress report, you must sign the appropriate place on the envelope and return it to your child’s teacher.  If you wish to request a conference with your child’s teacher, check the box that says “Conference Requested” next to your signature.  

 

Interim Reports

All students receive an interim report during the first quarter of the school year.  During the 2nd-4th quarter, interim reports are sent home in the middle of each marking period only  to identify areas needing improvement or to note progress in particular areas.  

Dress Code

Per FCPS regulation 2613, all students are expected to dress appropriately for a K-12 educational environment. Any clothing that interferes with or disrupts the educational environment is unacceptable.

Clothing with language or images that are vulgar, discriminatory, or obscene or clothing that promotes illegal or violent conduct, such as gang symbols, the unlawful use of weapons, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or drug paraphernalia, or clothing that contains threats is prohibited. Clothing should fit, be neat and clean, and conform to standards of safety, good taste, and decency. Clothing that exposes private parts, the midriff, or undergarments, or that is otherwise sexually provocative is prohibited. Parents or guardians of students requiring accommodation for religious beliefs, disability, or other good cause should contact the principal. We require that students, boys and girls, remove hats/sweatshirt hoods when entering the building and refrain from wearing them inside.  Adults entering our building should model the same standards. 

 

Student Property

Students and their parents should carefully consider the types and value of property which are brought to school.  The county school system does not assume responsibility for the personal property of students and does not insure their property or otherwise reimburse students for loss of or damage to their personal belongings including bikes and electronics.  Please encourage students to leave all toys including fidget spinners and electronics that are not used for educational purposes at home.  

 

Cafeteria

Our cafeteria operates under the National School Lunch Program.  A menu will be given to each child monthly.  Milk is served with each lunch or may be purchased separately.  Snacks are available daily.  Students are welcome to bring a “home-packed” lunch to school.  However, no glass containers or carbonated beverages are permitted.  Competitive items from such establishments as McDonalds, while not prohibited, are discouraged. We want to encourage students to make healthy food choices.  Breakfast is available for purchase in the cafeteria prior to the start of school each day.  You may view the month’s lunch menu online by visiting https://fcps.nutrislice.com/menu/fairfax-villa-elementary .

 

Parents and students must plan together to be sure students have necessary money or meal cards.  If a student does not have enough money on his/her lunch account, the child will receive a lunch and will be expected to reimburse the school as soon as possible.  The meal account is used like a debit card.  You may add any amount and designate what can be purchased.  You may send in payment with your child or pay online using https://www.myschoolbucks.com. 

 

Free and Reduced-Price Lunches

Applications for free or reduced-price lunches are available at the school office.  All requests remain confidential.  Guidelines prescribed by the Federal Government are applied.

 

Birthday Celebrations

Due to the prevalence of allergies and sensitivities in our student population, we do not allow food treats or “goodie bags” to be given out in class for birthdays.  There are other ways to recognize and celebrate a child’s birthday and we encourage parent consideration of one of those.  Donating a book to the classroom library in honor of the birthday celebrant or sending in an eraser for each class member are certainly worthy of consideration. The child will be recognized on the morning news broadcast and a special sticker and pencil will be given as a remembrance.  

 

You must use the US mail for individual birthday party invitations.  Invitations to parties are not to be distributed at school.  The office is not allowed to give out any student contact information.  

 

Physical Education

Students should wear tennis or gym shoes for physical education.  Balls and other play type equipment should not be brought to school from home as they cause problems on school buses and walkways.  Students unable to engage in the physical education program must have a note from their parents or a doctor citing specific limitations.

 

Field Trips

A field trip that coordinates with a curriculum area may be scheduled for your child’s class during the school year.  Each child who participates in the field trip MUST have a signed permission slip.  Parents are often asked to accompany classes on trips.

 

Emergency Information

Please notify the school immediately if there are any changes in your address, telephone number, diagnosed allergies, or emergency contact person.  If you are going on a trip, a limited power of attorney for medical services is advisable and should be left with the guardian of your children.   Emergency care cards must be kept up to date. Please only add people as your emergency contacts who are in the area and are willing to come to school to pick up a sick child. 

 

Parents may use the weCARE button in their Parent SIS to make these changes.

 

Keeping a Watchful Eye on Our School

As a parent or concerned citizen, please call the School Security Monitor, 571-423-2000, if you see suspicious activities at our school such as persons on the school roof or persons writing graffiti.  Give the name and location of the school and a description of what is happening.  It is not necessary to give your name; the School Security personnel or police will investigate.

 

Telephoning

Parents may leave messages for teachers in their voicemail.  Messages to teachers or students may be given to the school office staff who will be glad to take the message and place it in the teacher’s office box.  Only in an emergency will a teacher or student be called to the telephone during school hours.

 

Student cell phones and other personal electronic devices that have mobile phone functionality (including but not limited to iPhone, iPad, iPod, and Android based phones) must be off and out of sight between the school hours of arrival and dismissal unless it is used for instructional purposes with the teacher’s permission.  Only the principal or the principal’s designee can give students permission to use a cell phone for calling during the school day. Cell phones should also not be used on a bus unless it is an emergency.

Lost and Found

All found articles will be placed in the lost and found area in the cafeteria.  Students may claim these before and after school hours.  Please label all items of clothing belonging to your child so that they may be returned if lost or misplaced.  All articles not claimed are given to a charitable institution several times during the school year.

Children’s Health Insurance

A flyer regarding affordable health insurance for students is available in the school office or online at www.coverva.org.  A flyer will be sent home the first week of school.  Money is sent directly to the company and not to the school.  Call Cover Virginia toll-free at 1-855-242-8282 for more information or visit the website. 

 

Stray Pets

Parents should make sure that pets do not follow children to school.  Safety precautions require that the Animal Rescue League be called to pick up any stray animals on the school grounds.  For health reasons,  pets are not to be walked on school grounds.

 

School Health Services

Fairfax Villa School has the services of a clinic aide during the school day.  This person is employed through the Health Department and works under the guidance of a Public Health Nurse.  The Public Health Nurse is a registered nurse who works with parents and the school to develop health plans and make necessary accommodations for students whose health requires special provisions.

 

Health Examinations and Immunizations

A child who is entering Fairfax County Public Schools is required to have had a physical examination within one year prior to entering any school.  Kindergarten physicals can be no earlier than 12 months prior to the date of entry.  A certificate of physical examination signed by a licensed physician must be presented.  Proof of certain immunizations by the physician is also required.  Minimum requirements are as follows:  three doses of DPT vaccine and three doses of oral polio vaccine (one dose administered after the student’s fourth birthday).  All students are required to have one MMR and a second measles or MMR before entering kindergarten.  For children born on or after January 1, 1997, one dose of Varicella is required, administered not earlier than the age of 12 months.  Hepatitis B (three dose series) is required for all students born on or after January 1, 1994, with at least four months between the first and third doses.   Any exceptions to immunization or physical examination requirements must be supported by a written statement from a licensed physician or, in the case of conflict with religious tenets, from the parent or guardian.  Students in all grades are encouraged to have a yearly dental examination.

 

The school, through the cooperation of the Health Department, provides various health services, including pre-school conferences for incoming kindergarten children as well as  vision and auditory screening for children new to Fairfax County, kindergarten, or third graders.

 

Administration of Medicine

Over the counter medications  (aspirin, acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, gargles, ear drops, antihistamines,  Pepto Bismol, eye washes)  are classified as medicines and are not to be used unless parents bring the medication to the main office or clinic and sign the required forms on the morning of the first day the medication is to be given at school.  FCPS regulations do not allow students to carry medication to and from school.  The forms required for parents and doctors to sign must be obtained from the school office or online.

Short Term Medications:  (Not to exceed ten school days) The parent must have the prescription bottle or box containing student’s name, name of medication with no abbreviations, exact dosage to be taken, and parent’s written request for school to be caretakers, including release of liability signed by parent or guardian (form in office or clinic).

Long Term Medications:  (Given for more than ten consecutive school days and/or given on an as-needed basis.) A parent must provide the school with a written prescription of directions from a physician.  These directions must be on a Fairfax County form which gives the reason for the medication, the order in which the medicine should be administered (when more than one medicine is prescribed), and the exact conditions for repeating medication when necessary (repeat as necessary is not acceptable).  Final approval to dispense medicine must be given by the Fairfax County Health Services Department.

Over-the-Counter Medications:  (Same as for short term, but not to exceed three school days) Medication must not be left in the classroom, on the teacher’s desk, or in the student’s  lunch box or backpack.  It must be kept in the clinic and brought to school by the parent or guardian. We encourage students to accept the responsibility of coming to the clinic for their medication.

 

TECHNOLOGY

As part of our FCPS Portrait of a Graduate framework, we want students to use technology for communicating and collaborating and to practice good digital citizenship.  Students are loaned a laptop for either in-class use or to use at home and bring to  school. Parents are asked to make sure that the laptops are charged each night so that they are ready to use the next school day. Students are taught how to take care of all of our technology and it is expected that they will go by the guidelines set up in the SR&R booklet. Parents will sign an agreement for care of the laptop when it is given to the student. 

 

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

Children should depart from home so they arrive at school no earlier than 9:00 a.m.  This affords your child maximum protection and safety when the majority of the school population is on the sidewalks and the safety patrols are in position. It is most important that parents remind their children to come home directly after school before going out to play.

 

Safety Patrols

The purpose of Fairfax Villa’s safety patrol program is to ensure the safety of students at street crossings, on the buses, and in the halls of the building.  Students are selected to serve as patrols from grades five and six.  Participation in this program develops leadership skills and encourages responsible behavior.  The safety patrols are sponsored by a school staff member who is assisted by the Fairfax County Police Department.  Agreement to participate represents both a parent and student commitment to provide safety direction for the entire year.

 

Student Council Association

The students in grades 3-6 have an opportunity to participate in self-government through the Student Cooperative Association.  SCA officers will be elected each year and serve for the school year.  The officers, classroom representatives, and committees must meet regularly and are involved in many aspects of the school program.  The SCA is sponsored by school faculty members and the school administration.

 

Library Media Center

Our school library media center is an integral and influential part of the total educational program.  This facility contains videos, magazines, resource files and more, as well as a large collection of books for pleasure reading and research.  Students learn to respect others by observing those rules which create an environment for reading and research.  The checkout period for a book is two weeks.  A book may be renewed if the child has not finished reading it.  Lost books must be paid for.  Overdue books create a hardship on classroom teachers and other students.  Please encourage your child to be a responsible user.

 

Reading Specialist/Literacy Specialist

The reading specialist supports instruction of the language arts program of studies, which includes reading, writing, listening, speaking, vocabulary development, phonological awareness/phonemic awareness, and phonics skills.  This support extends to building teacher capacity in literacy instruction on an on-going basis in order to support students schoolwide and provide support to the school’s literacy goals and initiatives.  This includes providing professional development schoolwide, within teacher collaborative teams, and individually with teachers in a coaching capacity.  In addition, the literacy specialist provides diagnostic support as part of the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support for at-risk learners and provides analysis of the individual needs of students to target with responsive instruction.  The reading specialist also provides in-depth knowledge of reading research and resources to support the literacy instructional program and helps maintain the school’s language arts instructional resources.   Moreover, the reading specialist promotes understanding of literacy needs and development with parents and the community and supports school initiatives to promote reading at home. 

 

ADVANCED ACADEMIC PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The instructional programs for Advanced Academic (AA) students provide differentiated instruction to meet student educational needs.  A continuum of AA services is offered in grades K-8.  Learning experiences are designed to develop higher-level thinking through enrichment, acceleration, and extensions of the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Program of Studies.  

 

School-Based Services in the Primary Grades

Response lessons in critical and creative thinking are provided for all students.  The lessons are connected to the FCPS Program of Studies.  Students who exhibit characteristics of advanced learning are considered for AAP differentiated services within the classroom.  These services are specifically planned for advanced learners to provide more challenging content, assignments, resources, and/or instructional grouping within the classroom.

 

School-Based Services in the Upper Grades

AA school-based services for the upper grades are delivered through a collaborative model that supports a continuum of services.  The model is designed to strengthen direct services for advanced learners and to enhance the quality of instruction offered to all students.  The AAP specialist collaborates with classroom teachers to design differentiated lessons that challenge students to learn at a faster rate, think on a higher level, and study sophisticated and complex content through extensions of the FCPS Program of Studies.

 

Grade 3, Level IV AAP Center Program

We are pleased to be starting our Fairfax Villa Level IV Center this year with grade 3. We will be adding grades 4-6 in subsequent years with the addition of one grade level each year. 

 

The full-time AAP center program offers eligible students a challenging academic program designed to meet the needs of students with highly advanced skills.  Curriculum differentiation in the depth, breadth, and pace of instruction is matched to students’ needs in each content area.  Students work with academic peers in core subject areas.  They also participate with the entire student body in activities such as student government, physical education, band and strings, and other electives.

 

The Gifted Behavior Rating Scales (GBRS), ability and achievement test data, student progress reports, and other academic information are used to determine appropriate AAP services.  The GBRS evaluates each student in comparison to his/her peers on four categories of behaviors related to giftedness:  exceptional ability to learn, exceptional application of knowledge, exceptional creative/productive thinking, and exceptional motivation to succeed.  The local school AAP committee determines student eligibility for school-based AAP services.  Parents/guardians may refer students for AAP center placement by completing and submitting an Advanced Academic  Level IV Center Referral Form during the referral window. That window of time is announced through multiple means.  The county-wide central selection committee reviews candidates for AAP center placement and makes eligibility decisions. Students who enter an FCPS school outside of the screening and identification schedule for either program can, upon request, be considered by the local AAP screening committee and if necessary, forwarded to the Central Office.

 

Band and Strings Program

Students who participate in the Band or Strings Program must be in the upper elementary school grades:  Strings - grades 4, 5 and 6; and Band - grades 5 and 6 only.  Oversized instruments will not be allowed on school buses and parent transportation is required.  Please keep that in mind when selecting an instrument.

 

Hearing Therapist

The services of a hearing therapist are available to our school on an itinerant basis if a student is identified as deaf or hard of hearing.

 

Homebound Teacher

Homebound instruction may be available if a student is unable to attend regular school sessions over a long period of time because of extended illness or injury.

 

Special Education Teachers

Our school has the services of full time Special Education teachers who work with students who have identified learning challenges.  A child’s participation in this program is based on extensive evaluation and must be approved by the school’s local screening committee and the eligibility committee.  A variety of levels of services is available.

 

School Psychologist

Our school is served by a school psychologist who is based at the Central office and works with several schools.  The psychologist is available for consultation, conferences, and testing (as approved by the Local Screening Committee).

 

Social Worker

Our school is served by a social worker who is based at the Central office and works with several schools.  The social worker interviews parents of students who are being considered for special programs and investigates situations which necessitate a home visit, such as excessive absences.  

 

Speech Therapists

We have the services of 2 speech therapists who work with students who have identified speech impairments in articulation, language, fluency and voice defects.

 

PTA 

The Fairfax Villa Elementary School PTA is a member of the local, state, and National Parent Teacher Association.  The goals of the PTA are to encourage involvement of the community with the school, administrators, and teachers to broaden the scope of the school’s offerings through fundraising to provide additional programs and enrichment materials, and to serve as a network of communication between parents and school personnel.

 

Parent involvement with the school, either in the classrooms or library, or more indirectly through support of PTA activities, enriches the school experience for all of our children.  Much work and many volunteer hours are needed to maintain the kind of organization which will enable the community and school system to work together for the benefit of our children.  We urge you to join in this effort.

 

In addition to the active volunteer program, opportunities for involvement with the school are also available through membership on the various PTA committees.  If you are interested in joining a committee, see the first PTA newsletter for contact names and details.

 

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

Our school volunteer program is open to any adult who is willing to give some time to help out as a member of the education team.  If you desire to volunteer in your child’s classroom, send an email to your child’s teacher indicating the day of the week/time available and your telephone number.  Teachers will contact you directly concerning their needs.  Volunteers are playing an increasingly vital role in the education picture because they help to improve instruction, enrich the curriculum, increase school/community relations, and help close the “generation gap.” All classroom volunteers must also sign a confidentiality agreement prior to volunteering.

 

  In order to help ensure that our volunteer programs run smoothly, please remember:

 

1. Sign in and out in the office each time you come to volunteer.
2. Wear your nametag at all times so you are easily identified as a volunteer.
3. Be sure you fill out an emergency care card that is filed in the office.
4. If you are unable to come in at your assigned time, please call the school office (as early as possible) and they will notify the teacher.  Remember, the teachers and children are counting on you!
5. Due to liability reasons, no young children are allowed to be with you when volunteering.
6. Volunteers may choose to work in their child’s room or another room.
7. Always remember that any work you do with students or their records is confidential and should not be discussed outside the classroom.
8. School volunteers must respect the confidentiality of students and school-related issues.
9. It is disruptive for school volunteers to “drop in” on their child’s classroom while working in the school.  Interruption to classroom instruction is counterproductive.  Messages for your child may be left in the school office.  

 

COUNTY-WIDE TESTING PROGRAM

Several tests are administered in Fairfax County’s elementary schools each year.  Standardized tests are commercially developed tests that are used in many school systems nationwide.  The State of Virginia has implemented Standards of Learning (SOL) Tests given in grades 3,4,5, and 6.   Benchmark Tests are given in language arts and math in select classrooms and grade levels.  Ability tests are given to first and second graders and to select students in other grades.  Parents will be notified of all dates for testing.  Please do not schedule appointments during testing that require children to be tardy or absent from school.  

 

MAKE PLANS FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER

WHEN SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED FOR THE DAY, the following will APPLY:

• All extracurricular activities, interscholastic contests, team practices, field trips, and non-school activities in school buildings will be canceled.
• Recreation programs will be canceled.
• School-age child care centers will be closed all day.

 

WHEN SCHOOLS ARE OPENED TWO HOURS LATE, the following will ALSO APPLY:

• Grades K-6  11:15 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• SACC centers will remain open until the children are picked up.  (Parents may be required to arrange for early pick up when necessary.)

 

WHEN SCHOOLS CLOSE TWO HOURS EARLY, the following will ALSO APPLY:

• The announcement will be made by 11:00 a.m.
• In order to relieve confusion when school is closed two hours early, the following changes have been made:
  • Grades K-6:   9:15 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
  • SACC centers will remain open until the children are picked up.  (Parents may be required to arrange for early pick up when necessary.)
  • Extracurricular activities will be canceled.
  • Please note when buildings close early due to excessive heat, extracurricular activities are held at the discretion of the principal.  Community activities may be held as planned.

 

Please listen to the radio or TV for announcements.  DO NOT CALL THE SCHOOL.  If no announcement is made on a given day, the school will operate on a regular schedule.  Some of the local stations carrying the announcements are as follows:

Television: Channels 4, 5, 7, 9 and /or Cable Channels 8 and 21

Radio: WTOP 103.5FM WMAL 630 AM

Internet: www.fcps.edu

 

Excessive heat, snow emergencies, and other weather related happenings can change normal school hours.  Please ensure that your child has a prearranged place to go in the event that you are not at home when schools are closed and ensure your child’s Emergency Care Card is updated appropriately. 

 

SUPERVISION GUIDELINES

The guidelines listed below are used by Child Protective Services in determining whether a situation should be investigated for possible lack of supervision:

AGE (years)

0-6                   May not be left unsupervised.

7-9                   May be left alone no longer than 1.5 hours and not on a

                         regular basis.

10-11               May be left alone not over 3 hours and not on a regular basis.

12-18               May be left alone only if no emotional/medical problems & only if the child is comfortable       comfortable with the situation.

12+                  May baby-sit for children over 4, for periods not over 4 hours.

14+                  May baby-sit for infants and children.

16+                  May be left alone several days at a time.

 These are only guidelines. In all situations, the child must be comfortable being alone and competent in dealing with emergency situations.  All children and/or baby-sitters should have emergency telephone numbers and a number to locate either a parent or a designated responsible adult.

TEACHER APPRECIATION

Teacher appreciation, baby showers, etc., should be kept low-key, non-intrusive to other parents, and safe for students.  We are asking that each family show their appreciation in their own way.  Please do not try to arrange a class gift for a staff member.  Money should not be collected and sent home with a student.  Other parents should not be called or solicited to contribute.  Please keep this gesture of gratitude personal and simple.