FCPS

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Happy Friday, Fox Mill Families,

 

On behalf of the staff of Fox Mill Elementary School, we would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the PTA for showering us with an extraordinary show of appreciation this week. The team spearheaded by Stacey Akers and Stephanie Campos, planned, and immaculately executed a wonderful, weeklong, well- received gesture. THANK YOU!

 

We stopped by Ms. Treharne and Mrs. Moran’s first grade classes and were pleasantly educated and informed as each student shared their fun fact from their Animal Research Project. Way to go kiddos!

 

Mrs. Wallisch’s second graders took a walking field trip to the creek with Mr. Anderson. They left the building with huge smiles and came back with even wider grins and tales of their exploration.

 

Our 5th Graders took their first SOLS for the school year. Next week we will continue with Reading for grades 4-6.

 

A FEW UPDATES

 

FIELD DAY

As we get closer to our Field Day on May 22nd, we want to share some reminders for families; students will participate in a variety of activities. Some stations will include water to keep cool in the heat. Students are encouraged to wear clothing and shoes that can get wet while still allowing for safe movement at each station. Please mark your calendars for this exciting event. We look forward to celebrating the end of another successful year with you and our students.

 

DO YOU HAVE A KINDERGARTENER or a NEW STUDENT TO REGISTER FOR 2024-2025?

Please contact Amy to schedule an appointment!  [email protected]

You now have 3 options on how to complete the registration requirements:

• Register Online at:  https://www.fcps.edu/online-registration
• Go to the FCPS Registration link: https://foxmilles.fcps.edu/student-services/student-registration
  1. Download the fillable forms and complete them.
  2. Email/scan the forms to me (or print and bring the hard copies).
• Contact us to receive a hard copy of the packet if preferred

 

PTA CORNER

2024 Teacher Appreciation Week is a wrap!  Thank you to all parent volunteers for making this week a success.  As we head into the last few weeks of school, the PTA is already gearing up for next year.  Don’t forget to mark your calendars for our last meeting of the year on May 16th.  If you are interested in running for a board position for next year, please reach out to us here.  Elections will be held at this meeting. 

 

 

MATSURI

Update:  Matsuri Children's Festival SOLD OUT

The Japanese Cultural Committee is overwhelmed with the outpouring of interest and support for our upcoming Matsuri Children's Festival event on May 10th.  Due to an overwhelming response, the 300 child wristbands have been sold out through Givebacks.  Unfortunately, due to building capacity, no additional wristbands will be sold at the door.  Thank you for your understanding as we manage safety and fun!  

 

What a lovely week it has been. And so, we end our focus this week with a fitting quote to our parents; Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much – Helen Keller. We could not have asked to work for a more welcoming community. Thank you all.

 

Brian Moose         Anice S. Denton

Principal                Assistant Principal

Quick Links

• FCPS School Year Calendar
• Fox Mill calendar
• Lunch Menus
• Attendance
• Fox Mill PTA

2611 Viking Drive, Herndon, VA 20171  |  Phone: 703.262.2700

Attendance: 703.262.2727 | Web | Twitter

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Fox Mill Focus

April 26, 2024

Good afternoon, Fox Mill Families,

This week ran by quickly, but there was lots of learning and growing throughout the building.  Mrs. Solsberry’s first grade students were the showstoppers this week, with their amazing Animal research project. We stopped by to engage students in their presentation and even got to show Mrs. Solsberry their work via video calls. Thanks to our long-term substitute Mrs. Stone and our Reading Specialist, Mrs. Richter for the amazing work they put in to continue the learning while Ms. Solsberry is away. We would like to thank all our parents who showed appreciation to our bus drivers on Tuesday and our administrative staff on Wednesday as we recognized their contribution to the smooth running of schools across Fairfax County.

A FEW UPDATES

Month of the Military Child

See how Fox Mill honored its military connected families during Month of the Military Child in the feature below!

https://foxmilles.fcps.edu/features/fox-mill-honors-its-military-children

 

Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL)

Please visit our website for SOL test dates. https://foxmilles.fcps.edu/announcements/sol-tests

The Virginia Board of Education allows elementary and middle school students who fail their spring Standards of Learning (SOL) tests by a narrow margin to retake the test before the end of the school year. Retesting is available when a student fails their first SOL attempt with a score of 375-399. (A score of 400 is considered passing for SOL tests.) Note that retests are not offered for fall or winter Virginia Growth Assessment (VGA) tests.   Parent/guardian permission is required for the school to retest any student in grades 3-8. If you believe that your student would benefit from a second opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills on the spring SOL test, please complete the SOL permission retake form and email or send it to your child’s teacher.

PTA Corner

Teacher Appreciation Week The Fox Mill PTA is excited to celebrate Teacher + Staff Appreciation Week on April 29-May 2. This year’s theme is Lights! Camera! Appreciation! We are looking forward to expressing our heartfelt gratitude and rolling out the red carpet for Fox Mill’s V.I.P. teachers and staff.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

May 3rd – Orthodox Good Friday- Student Holiday

May 2- May 15th - SOLs

May 8- Bike to School Day

May27th- Memorial Day – Student Holiday

May 22nd – Field Day

 

Have a wonderful weekend.

Brian Moose         Anice S. Denton

Principal               Assistant Principal

Quick Links

• FCPS School Year Calendar
• Fox Mill calendar
• Lunch Menus
• Attendance
• Fox Mill PTA

2611 Viking Drive, Herndon, VA 20171  |  Phone: 703.262.2700

Attendance: 703.262.2727 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Fox Mill Focus

April 19th, 2024

Good afternoon, Fox Mill Families,

We are still riding the winning wave from our 6th Grade basketball game, held at South Lakes High School last Friday. We would like to thank all our parents and teachers, who came out in droves to support our 6th grades. We loved the positive energy and good vibes. A huge thank you to all our military families who came on Wednesday for our “Donuts with Dependents” as we continue to recognize the month of the military child all month.  Our third-grade took a trip on Wednesday to Colvin Run Mill to learn about simple machines. Our fifth-grade students took their learning outside of the classrooms today and journeyed to Medieval Times for an educational and enjoyable trip. Students and chaperones were impeccably dressed in medieval costumes and beautifully decorated props.

A Few Updates

Field Day

Our Field Day is on Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024. Fourth -Sixth grade field day will be in the morning from 9am-11:00 am. Kindergarten will be from 11:30am-12:30 pm.  First to third will be in the afternoon from 1pm- 3pm.  We would like to thank all our volunteers who are generously donating their time to allow the smooth flow of all activities.

SCA Pencil Sales

The Student Council Association will be having spring pencil sales next week, April 22nd – 26th.  This is a cash only event.  Students may purchase their pencils and other cool items in the front lobby from 8:30-8:45am. Please check your child’s Thursday Folder for flyers with more information on the sales

 

KINDERGARTEN MEET & GREET APR 30-MAY 2

 

Do you have a rising kindergartener?  We would like to extend an invitation to have them come and meet The Fox Mill Kindergarten Team.  Your child will have the opportunity to play with some of our Kindergarten toys along with participating in a pre-kindergarten screener.  We are offering a variety of twenty-minute time slots on April 30th, May 1st, and May 2nd.   Parents will wait in the office while rising students meet with a Kindergarten teacher.  We hope you take advantage of this opportunity. Please use this link to sign up https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0F48ABAF28A6FC1-48917824-kindergarten

 

**If you have not yet registered your student for kindergarten for 2024-25 School Year, please contact Amy Migliara to schedule an appointment** [email protected] 703.262.2700

 

Families in the South Lakes Pyramid, You’re Invited

Join us for a special Community Preview event for South Lakes High School Theatre Arts' musical presentation of Big Fish.

Big Fish is the story of Edward Bloom, a charismatic storyteller whose fantastical tales captivate his son, Will, while also making him question what’s really true about his father’s life stories. Will reflects on his father’s larger-than-life stories, leading to an exploration of family, legacy, and the power of storytelling.

On Wednesday, May 1st at 7:00pm (before the main show dates on May 2nd, 3rd, and 4th), students and families from the South Lakes pyramid schools are invited to an exclusive private viewing of this magical show with a $5 discount on each ticket. After the performance, you’ll have a rare opportunity to meet the cast and crew, take photos, and get their autographs. Youth t-shirts will be for sale and can be autographed!

This extraordinary experience will only be offered on Wednesday, May 1st for our pyramid families, to allow younger students to see this show together. This is a great opportunity for them to experience the power of storytelling, foster a love for the arts, and capture memories of the magical and heartwarming show.

Under the creative direction of Mr. Michael Viola, and featuring an incredibly talented cast and crew, Big Fish promises to be a production that captivates and delights audiences of all ages (best for ages 8+). Did you know that the South Lakes Theatre Arts program won 12 awards for their musical last year, including Best Musical in two different awards shows!

So, don't miss out on this special preview event where imagination comes to life on stage.

Get your tickets online now, before this special preview sells out.

 

Registration For Summer 2024 Camps Is Now Open

 

Elementary Institute for the Arts (E-IFTA):

E-IFTA is a weekly arts camp for students in grades 2-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. They work with FCPS fine arts teachers who create classes that are fun and engaging. Visit the E-IFTA webpage for additional information and registration instructions.

 

Tech Adventure Camp (TAC):

TAC Is a weekly exploratory camp designed to give students the opportunity to explore STEAM, culinary, health, trades, business, and marketing areas. The camp is open to students in grades K-5 during the 2023-24 school year. Students must be at least six years old by the first day of camp. Visit the TAC webpage for more information.

 

Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps:

CTE programs are available for students currently in grades 6-11 to explore CTE program areas, develop skills, and begin career exploration. CTE will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Visit the CTE webpage for more information.

  

Rec-PAC:

Rec-PAC is a 6-week summer recreation program for elementary school students in grades 1-6. This summer camp is sponsored by Fairfax County Park Authority. Registration ends June 14th. Scholarships available. Please see the Brochure for further information or call 703-222-4664.

 

Reston Community Center:

The Reston Community Center offers full, and half-day summer camps for kids ages 5-17 years old. Includes Aquatics for ages 11-14 years, Arts Education for ages 7-13 years, and Young Actors Theatre for ages 7-17 years. For details visit: www.restoncommunitycenter.com Call: 703-476-4500, press “8” or email: [email protected]

 

Summer Reading Skills Programs:

Phonics, fluency, comprehension, love of reading, study skills, reading speed. Designed and taught by instructors from the Institute of Reading Development and offered through a partnership with the University of Richmond School of Professional and Continuing Studies. Classes offered in Chantilly, Springfield, and Sterling. For more information or to register call 1-800-499-8557.

 

Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS): 

For information on NCS please visit the Summer Camps Overview  

NCS Account Creation and Registration forms - English  Spanish

 

 

Upcoming Events

 

May 10- Matsuri

May 2- May 15- SOL Testing (Grades 3-6)

 

Have a wonderful weekend,

 

Brian Moose     Anice S. Denton

Principal            Assistant Principal

Quick Links

• FCPS School Year Calendar
• Fox Mill calendar
• Lunch Menus
• Attendance
• Fox Mill PTA

2611 Viking Drive, Herndon, VA 20171  |  Phone: 703.262.2700

Attendance: 703.262.2727 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Fox Mill Focus Quick Links

• FCPS School Year Calendar
• Fox Mill calendar
• Lunch Menus
• Attendance
• Fox Mill PTA

 

Friday, April 12, 2024

Good afternoon, Fox Mill Families,

Our highlight of this week was the Solar Eclipse on Monday, a phenomenon our students will not be able to witness again until 2044. We loved hearing stories from our students who went as far as Niagara Falls and New Mexico to etch this memory into some deeply woven family time.

We would like to thank Otsuka Sensei for coordinating our visit to The White House on Wednesday. A group of students along with three adults spent the morning as invited guests, at a welcoming ceremony for Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his wife.

Our students participated in a Pep Rally to cheer our 6th grade basketball students and staff as they prepare for tonight’s basketball game at South Lakes High School. See you there!

Thank you to our 1st grade parents for providing a scrumptious breakfast for our staff. We appreciate you.

A Few Updates

April is the Month of the Military Child

The Month of the Military Child is a time to recognize military-connected youth for their service and contribution to our community. Fairfax County Public Schools is proud to have more than 14,000 military-connected youth as a part of our student body. We appreciate the varied life experiences they bring to our school community and recognize their strength and resilience.

Fox Mill is excited to honor our military kids and their families by celebrating Military Child Spirit Week APR 15th-19th.  Please check your child’s Thursday folder for a flyer outlining Spirit Week activities. Please stay tuned for other activities announced during the week.

 

Offer Your Feedback: Upcoming School Health Services Satisfaction Survey April 15 - 26, 2024

 

The Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) School Health Services invites parents/guardians of FCPS students to participate in a survey requesting feedback on the level of satisfaction with School Health services provided to the school community.

FCHD employs school health aides and public health nurses who provide school health services to the students in FCPS. To determine the quality of these services, a survey has been developed by the FCHD to be shared with all parents or guardians who interact with the school health rooms. The survey will open on April 15, 2024 and will remain open until April 26, 2024. The survey should take approximately five minutes to complete. Submit your survey.

 

Have a wonderful weekend.

 

Brian Moose    Anice S. Denton

Principal           Assistant Principal

2611 Viking Drive, Herndon, VA 20171  |  Phone: 703.262.2700

Attendance: 703.262.2727 | Web | Twitter

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Fox Mill Focus

April 5th, 2024

A pleasant afternoon to all our Fox Mill Families,

It was a pleasure welcoming all our students back to school for the last quarter of this school year. We welcomed the showers and look forward to the lovely blooms of spring. The PTA treated our students to an electrifying assembly by Mix Major, a past student of Fairfax County Public Schools (Thomas Jefferson High School). We all got groovy showing our unique dance moves.

A Few Updates

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.

SOL DATES

Please visit our website for SOL dates  SOL Tests | Fox Mill Elementary School (fcps.edu)

To learn more about Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments in Fairfax County Public Schools, please visit https://www.fcps.edu/student-tests-and-assessments/student-assessment-details/sol-assessments

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

• 4/10- Eid al Fitr (begins sundown 4/9- sundown 4/10 ( student holiday)
• 4/12- 1st Grade Teacher Breakfast
• 4/12 - 6th grade Basketball Game
• 4/25 - PTA Meeting- note this is the 4th Thursday in April.
• 5/10 - Matsuri Festival

 

Have a wonderful weekend,

Brian Moose   Anice S. Denton

Principal         Assistant Principal

 

Quick Links

• FCPS School Year Calendar
• Fox Mill calendar
• Lunch Menus
• Attendance
• Fox Mill PTA

2611 Viking Drive, Herndon, VA 20171  |  Phone: 703.262.2700

Attendance: 703.262.2727 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Fox Mill Focus

Good afternoon, Fox Mill Families,

Ms. Moran’s class got to meet former astronaut, John David Bartoe, today.  He is the great grandfather of two of our wonderful students. Mr. Bartoe’s mission to space was in 1985.

We would like to extend a huge thank you for all your support thus far for the 2023-2024 school year. It is hard to believe that we have journeyed more than halfway through the school year, faced the winter, smiled at a tease of warm weather for a couple of days and now spring break has arrived!

A Few Updates

Kindergarten Round Up

April 2nd 9:00- 10:30 am (This is a Parent- Only Event)

 

PTA Corner

Happy Spring Break!  We hope everyone enjoys their time off and gets plenty of rest as we have a busy April ahead. Before we get there though, we have the Challenge, tonight at 5:30 at South Lakes High School. We are looking forward to seeing everyone there!  

Below are reminder dates for our first week back from spring break, please mark your calendars as needed and feel free to reach out with any questions!

4/2 - Kindergarten Round Up - 9:00 am

4/3 - Deadline to Order Yearbooks

4/5 - Spring Assembly - Mix Major Interactive Music Technology

 

Lost and Found 

Our collection of coats and hoodies is growing. The lost and found is located in the cafeteria. Stop by any time to take a look. We go through the items and reunite our students with anything that is labeled. Please take a moment to write your student's name in their outerwear and lunch boxes with a Sharpie.

 

A Note from our Friends at Carson Middle School

Now Accepting Nominations

Believe it or not, the Rachel Carson PTA is already planning for the 2024-2025 school year! Are you or is someone you know enthusiastic about supporting Rachel Carson and all its students, teachers, and staff? We are soliciting nominations for several positions that will be open next year including:

• President
• Recording Secretary
• VP of Fundraising and Social Events
• Membership Chair
• Basketball Chair
• Multicultural Night Chair
• STEAM Night Chair

Current Board members will assist new members with the transition. Please email [email protected] if you are interested or know of someone who would make a great addition to our team!

 

Updated Covid Recommendations

In accordance with the updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) respiratory virus guidance, FCPS and the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) have updated school COVID-19 recommendations.

The COVID-19 isolation period of five days is no longer recommended. 

New respiratory virus guidance applies to respiratory viral illnesses, including COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Students who have symptoms of, test positive for, or have been diagnosed with a respiratory virus may return to school when the student is fever-free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication; AND the student’s symptoms have improved or resolved. 

Students should follow additional precautions as outlined per the CDC upon resumption of normal activities. 

On behalf of all our teachers and staff, we hope that this Spring Break, March 25- 29th, 2024, you will take the time with your family to reflect and relax.

When we return April 3rd, please be reminded that we will be preparing for our end of year Standards of Learning Assessments (SOLs). Please continue to monitor our school’s website for test dates. Also please inform us of planned absences on those days.

 

Have a lovely Spring Break

Brian Moose     Anice S. Denton

Principal            Assistant Principal

Quick Links

• FCPS School Year Calendar
• Fox Mill calendar
• Lunch Menus
• Attendance
• Fox Mill PTA

2611 Viking Drive, Herndon, VA 20171  |  Phone: 703.262.2700

Attendance: 703.262.2727 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Fox Mill Focus

Good afternoon, Fox Mill Families,

We had a very busy week.  The gorgeous weather on Thursday made for a perfect picture day for class Spring pictures. We welcomed representatives from the Embassy of Japan. The three guests were quite impressed with the teaching and learning process as well as the aesthetics of our newly renovated school. We would like to thank our teachers from the Japanese Immersion Program for spearheading today’s visit.

A FEW UPDATES

Parent Coffee – Internet Safety

Thursday, March 21st, 2024 - 9:00 - 10:00 AM 

Fox Mill Elementary Cafeteria

Join us on Thursday, March 21st from 9:00-10:00 a.m. in the school cafeteria for our fifth “Parent Coffee” of the school year. Mental health counselors from the "Youth Initiatives Program of Northern Virginia Family Services" will provide parents with an informative session on Internet Safety- from a parenting, non-technical perspective. The presentation will conclude with a Q&A session. Everyone is invited! Coffee and donuts will be provided.

 

PTA Corner

Happy Friday! One week to go until Spring Break, and what a week it will be! Wednesday evening, take a break from cooking and order from Chick-fil-A!  Don’t forget to mention Fox Mill ES when checking out. 25% of profits will be donated to our school!  Thursday, join us for our March PTA meeting at 7:00 in the library. We will be discussing upcoming events and preparing for next year.  Last but not least, Friday we have the challenge!  Tickets are sold out but volunteer positions are still open, so sign up today. 

Additional reminder: order your yearbook!  The deadline is April 3rd. 

 

Kindergarten Roundup

Save the date – April 2nd 9:00- 10:30 am (This is a parent- only event)

 

Fox Mill Spring Break Office Hours

The Fox Mill ES office will be open by appointment only for Spring Break. Please contact Mr. Moose or Ms. Sterner, [email protected], for more information.

 

STEM Opportunity for 5th and 6th grade students

Hello 5th and 6th grade Fox Mill Students and Parents

I am a student attending Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) representing a non-profit organization called STEMLeap. 

We are planning to host a STEM workshop for 5th-8th grade students during spring break. The program would be held from 3/25-3/29 from 1:30 to 5:00 at the North County Governmental Center conference room and would only include a $10 supply fee for each student.

The link to our registration form is https://forms.gle/8oXLH7WgM21mueT7A.  More details about the program are available on our website at https://stemleap.org/.Thank you, Nathan Liu and the STEMLeap Team TJHSST.

 

Immunization Clinics

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:

• Thursday, March 21, 4:30-7:30 p.m., Joseph Willard Health Center. Walk-ins are accepted until 7 p.m.
• Friday, March 22, 1-5:30 p.m., Annandale District Office. Walk-ins are accepted until 5 p.m.

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.

 

Dates For Your Diary

March 25- March 29th – Spring Break

April 1st – Teacher Workday/ Student Holiday

April 2nd – Staff Development Day/ Student Holiday

 

Have a lovely weekend,

Brian Moose      Anice S. Denton

Principal             Assistant Principal

 

 

 

Quick Links

• FCPS School Year Calendar
• Fox Mill calendar
• Lunch Menus
• Attendance
• Fox Mill PTA

2611 Viking Drive, Herndon, VA 20171  |  Phone: 703.262.2700

Attendance: 703.262.2727 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Fox Mill Focus

Good afternoon, Fox Mill Family,

We had a wonderful week learning and growing together. In honor of Hinamatsuri, Doll’s Day or Girls’ Day, students participating in the first-grade Japanese Immersion program made March calendars with the Origami Hina dolls.  JCC (Japanese Cultural Committee) set up a doll display in the library and talked about the tradition on March 6.  Stay tuned boys, the tradition continues May 5th, when Boys’ Day will be celebrated. The purpose of both days is to bring hope and celebrate health and happiness of young children in Japan. 

 

 

Fox Mill Sprout Society – Garden Updates

The garden season has started, and we are thrilled to share some exciting updates.  Last Friday, Hidden Lane Landscaping generously donated their time, crew, and materials to prepare our gardens for planting.  Their generosity included weeding, conditioning the soil in both the raised beds and ground-level beds, and adding additional soil where needed.

This week, the Garden Committee met and worked on a plan that includes spring planting, classroom integration, after-school garden club/activities, and volunteer opportunities.

Stay tuned for more information and opportunities for you to get involved.

 

Spring Pictures

Individual and class pictures will be taken on Wednesday, March 13th.  Families should have received separate order envelopes for individual and class pictures.  You may order pictures using the envelopes or order from Strawbridge Studios online. All students will be photographed; purchase is optional.

If your student is in 6th grade you should also have received a separate order form for a panoramic picture of all 6th grade students.

Please note—the individual pictures in the spring differ from those taken in the fall. Spring pictures will be full body shots set in front of a background. An example can be found on Fox Mill’s website, foxmilles.fcps.edu.

 

 Kindergarten Round Up

FOX MILL KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION ROUND UP AGENDA

APRIL 2, 2024

9:00—10:30 AM

• 9:00-9:05 Welcome & Introductions from Principal
• 9:05-9:10 Registration Requirements/Student Information/Q&A
• 9:10-9:20 School Health Introduction: Public Health Nurse, Fairfax County Health Dept
• 9:20-9:50 Kindergarten Program Overview:  Kindergarten Faculty                                  
• 9:50-9:55 Questions & Answers 
• 10:00-10:30 Self-Guided Tours
• 10:00-10:30 Registration Assistance—Parents in need of assistance can meet with Registrar

SAVE THE DATES:                             

• KINDERGARTEN FAMILY OPEN HOUSE:  AUGUST (Date/Time TBD)
• WELCOME BACK INFORMATIONAL LETTER MAILED/EMAILED:  EARLY AUGUST
• FCPS “BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT”: PARENTS ONLY   – Date TBD by FCPS

 

Safely View the Total Solar Eclipse on 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.

Take the Family Engagement Survey!

FCPS’ Family Engagement Survey is now open. Survey partner K12 Insight emailed a link to families on March 3 and again on March 6. Please participate! Your feedback is critical in helping to inform and improve FCPS practices to best support our students.

The survey is available in 10 languages. Parents/caregivers may stop by the front office to fill out a paper survey or complete the survey online. Please check your email for the survey invitation or use this survey link. Get more information on the Family Engagement Survey webpage

 

Dates For Your Diary

March 10th- Spring Forward (Set your watches and your clocks)

March 11- First Full Day of Ramadan

March 13- Spring Pictures

March 13th- Japanese Government Visit

 

 

Have a lovely weekend.

Brian Moose      Anice S. Denton

Principal             Assistant Principal

Quick Links

• FCPS School Year Calendar
• Fox Mill calendar
• Lunch Menus
• Attendance
• Fox Mill PTA

2611 Viking Drive, Herndon, VA 20171  |  Phone: 703.262.2700

Attendance: 703.262.2727 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Fox Mill Focus

Happy Friday, Fox Mill Families,

We would like to thank all our guest readers who visited each class, physically or virtually, to share some of their favorite books with our students. We learned from one of our guest readers, Dan Gutman, a famous writer of children’s fiction, that some of his earlier writings got rejected by many publishing houses. What a powerful message to share with our young minds- If at first you don’t succeed try and try again.

We made visits to several classes this week, including Mrs. Bekenstein’s Kindergarten class, for their writing celebration. Her students were elated to share their writing. Way to go Kinders. Ms. Treharne’s first grade class had an engaging interaction about problem solving skills. Students shared a problem they may have encountered and talked about ways they independently solved them. Mrs. Walther’s class shared different strategies on solving patterns in their algebraic reasoning unit.   Mrs. Barker’s class is getting ready to share their different types of poems in beautifully illustrated books. We hope each creative and entertaining book will become a treasured heirloom in their family’s libraries.

Thank you to all the families who came to our Parent Coffee on Thursday. If there are topics you would like us to discuss at our next parent coffee please email Mrs. Wendy Salazar, our Family Liaison, [email protected]

A FEW UPDATES

SAVE THE DATE! KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION “ROUND-UP” (PARENT ONLY)

All rising kindergarten parents are invited to our Kindergarten Registration Event

TUES. APRIL 2, 2024

9:00 – 10:30 AM

Join us for registration assistance (if necessary), as well as to learn more about the Kinder program. Details to follow soon!

SPRING PICTURES

Individual and class pictures will be taken on March 13th.  Families will receive separate order envelopes for individual and class pictures.  You may order pictures using the envelopes or order from Strawbridge Studios online.

If your student is in 6th grade you will also receive a separate order form for a panoramic picture of all 6th grade students.

Please note—the individual pictures in the spring differ from those taken in the fall. Orders must be placed before picture day. Only students who have purchased a Spring package prior to picture day will be photographed. Spring pictures will be full body shots set in front of a background. A sample of the picture is available on the Fox Mill ES website at  https://foxmilles.fcps.edu/

Eating Disorder Parent Information (FOR PARENTS of 5th & 6th GRADERS)

In 2013, Virginia passed a law requiring every school system to provide information to parents annually about eating disorders with parents/guardians of students in the fifth through twelfth grades. See the Code of Virginia, 22.1-273.2

https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title22.1/chapter14/section22.1-273.2/

According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA 2023),

Eating disorders are serious but treatable mental and physical illnesses that can affect people of all genders, ages, races, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, body shapes, and weights. In the United States, 28.8 million Americans will suffer from an eating disorder at some point in their lives.

There is no single cause of an eating disorder. Rather, it is a complex combination of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors that converge and set off an individual’s predisposed genetic vulnerability.

In collaboration with the Fairfax County Health Department, FCPS has developed a web page with detailed information and resources about eating disorders.  To find out more, please visit the FCPS Eating Disorders website.

In addition to the information on the FCPS website, the National Eating Disorders Association has a toll free, confidential Helpline, 1-800-931-2237

 

Ramadan, Religious, Cultural Observances

Throughout the year, as we celebrate and recognize various cultural holidays and observances, families are encouraged to contact principal Brian Moose, [email protected], regarding accommodations, including but not limited to those around lunch, prayer/meditation and silent reflection spaces and times, and instruction.

Tornado Drill

The Code of Virginia § 22.1-137.1 requires all public schools to participate in at least one tornado drill each year. Additionally, FCPS Regulation 8625 requires the tornado drill be completed during the school year in March. We will be conducting our Tornado Drill during the week of March 18-22. Please remind your child/ children about the importance of adhering to countywide rules as it relates to sheltering during a tornado. These preparedness activities provide an essential proactive training for behavior during any emergency.

 

Dates For Your Diary

March 5- Presidential Primary Election, Student Holiday,

March 11- First Full Day of Ramadan

March 25-29- Spring Break

March 29th – Good Friday

 

Have a wonderful weekend.

 

Brian Moose      Anice S. Denton

Principal             Assistant Principal

 

Quick Links

• FCPS School Year Calendar
• Fox Mill calendar
• Lunch Menus
• Attendance
• Fox Mill PTA

2611 Viking Drive, Herndon, VA 20171  |  Phone: 703.262.2700

Attendance: 703.262.2727 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Fox Mill Focus

Friday, February 23,2024

 

Happy Friday, Fox Mill Family,

We hope you had a wonderful week.  Our sixth-grade talent show gets underway at 7 pm this evening. Our students got a sneak peak of some of the performances today, and we can’t wait to showcase our talent to our families. See you all in the cafeteria at 7pm tonight, for another fun filled PTA sponsored activity.

 

Updates

 

Parent Coffee

Please join us on Thursday, February 29th 9am- 10am in the school cafeteria. Our topic for this month is Trauma 101 for Parents.

 

South Lakes High School International Night

February 29th, 6- 8:30 pm

Our friends at South Lakes would like you to join them as they celebrate all the unique and wonderful diversity of our community! This free event will include interactive booths, food, performance and more!

The First 150 kids to arrive will receive a “passport” that they can get stamped as they visit the different booths.

PTA Corner

Thank you to the 2nd Grade families for a great teacher breakfast this morning!  As a reminder, the sixth-grade talent show tonight is a free event, so bring the whole family and support our hardworking 6th grade students!

Looking ahead to next week, we have a Chick-Fil-A D4$ event on Wednesday 2/28 from 4:00 to 9:00.  Just mention Fox Mill Elementary School when ordering and support the PTA.  Also, be on the lookout for our March calendar in your student's Thursday folder, we have a lot of fun events coming up!  Curious what those events are and don't want to wait until Thursday?  You can always visit our website at foxmillpta.com to view our calendar right on the homepage!  While there, check out our volunteer page for opportunities to get involved.  One need we have is for volunteers to help deliver food from the Food Recovery Program to a local homeless shelter.  If you are able to help out please sign up here.

 

Family Engagement Survey to Open March 3

FCPS is partnering with independent research firm K12 Insight to administer a Family Engagement Survey, which will be open from Sunday, March 3, to Friday, March 22. Your feedback is critical in helping FCPS to better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs throughout the district. Survey topics include:

Welcoming environment

Communication

Student success

Advocacy

Family and school partnerships

Community partnerships

The survey will be available in English, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Pashto, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese. Parents/caregivers will receive the survey link via email from K12 Insight. A public link will also be posted on FCPS’ website. Paper surveys will be available in our front office. Please stay tuned for more information.

Share Your Thoughts on Schoology

FCPS will be conducting voluntary, anonymous surveys on the use of Schoology from Monday, March 11, to Friday, March 22. Surveys will be delivered to:

Elementary students (grades 3-6) through the Schoology App Center. Student feedback will inform the school division’s use of Schoology and help improve its processes, communication, and professional learning for staff. FCPS’ Instructional Services Department will also be reaching out to families through focus groups. Please contact [email protected] if you have questions.

 

Dates for Your Diary

• February 26- March 1 – Read Across America
• March 5 Presidential Primary- Student Holiday

 

 

Have a wonderful weekend.

 

Brian Moose      Anice S. Denton

Principal             Assistant Principal

 

 

 

 

Quick Links

• FCPS School Year Calendar
• Fox Mill calendar
• Lunch Menus
• Attendance
• Fox Mill PTA

2611 Viking Drive, Herndon, VA 20171  |  Phone: 703.262.2700

Attendance: 703.262.2727 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Fox Mill Focus

Good evening, Fox Mill Family,

We hope you had a wonderful week listening to conversations around learning at Fox Mill. We had lots of activities across the school on Wednesday. Thanks to all the teachers and parents who collaboratively ensured that each grade level enjoyed their Valentine celebrations.

As part of their Valentines celebration, Mrs. Nandury’ s class collected 293 books for donation to Reading Is Fundamental of NOVA. Student donations will go to support local schools in our area who are in need of books for their various student populations. Go second graders, we appreciate your huge heart of love.

A Few Updates

FOX MILL JAPANESE IMMERSION PROGRAM CLASSROOM OBSERVATION (PARENT-ONLY)

 

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2024

 

**SPACE IS LIMITED: Please choose only 1 session. **

 

AM Session:       9:00-9:20 AM    

 

PM Session:        12:30-12:50 PM

 

Parents of Japanese Immersion student applicants will have the opportunity to observe a 20-minute classroom interaction.  For more information, contact the school.

 

(THIS IS A PARENT-ONLY EVENT (SNOW DATE: FEB 27, 2024)

 

Parent Coffee

Topic : Trauma 101 for Parents

Thursday, February 29th, 2024 - 9:00 - 10:00 AM 

Fox Mill Elementary Cafeteria

 

Join us on Thursday, February 29th, from 9:00-10:00 a.m. in the school cafeteria for our fourth “Parent Coffee” of the school year. Mental health counselors from the "Youth Initiatives Program of Northern Virginia Family Services" will provide parents with an informative session on the impact of trauma on the brain, reactions to trauma according to age, effects of trauma on development and family functioning, what it means to be trauma informed, and how and when to seek resources. Additionally, there will also be a discussion concerning coping with bullying. 

The presentation will conclude with a Q&A session. Everyone is invited! Coffee and donuts will be provided.

Kindergarten Registration: It’s as Easy as 1-2-3…There’s an easy five-step process for parents wanting to register their child for kindergarten:

1. Determine eligibility. 
2. Identify your local school. 
3. Gather documents. 
4. Fill out forms. 
5. Schedule an appointment.

After the appointment at the school (the student and one caregiver must be present), the student will be ready for orientation, Bridge to Kindergarten, or any other introductory events each school may host. Read more about the registration process.

Be on the lookout for more information on Fox Mill’s Kindergarten Round Up.

PTA CORNER A big thank you to Stephanie Alger and Carla Richter who presented at our PTA meeting last night. They provided a detailed look at what assessments our students are taking throughout their elementary experience and how the data is used. If you have any follow up questions please feel free to contact them via email at [email protected] and [email protected].

Looking ahead, the second grade families are hosting this month's teacher breakfast on Friday, February 23rd. There are many ways to contribute and sign ups can be found here. In the evening of Friday, February 23rd the sixth grade will present their talent show at 7:00 PM in the cafeteria. This is a free event for all families to come out and enjoy- we hope to see you there!

Also, the PTA is looking for 5 volunteers to join the planning committee for The Challenge** and a co-leader for Teacher Appreciation Week!  Please contact Meagan Bahamonde at [email protected] to volunteer for The Challenge and Tory Nelson at [email protected], if interested in co-leading TAW.

**The Challenge is a night where students and parents team up and compete in a variety of events.  Parents and students are assigned to groups and rotate through 8 stations throughout the evening.  The 8 Stations consist of Human Hungry Hungry Hippo, parachute volleyball, Rock Paper Scissors Rally, Crazy Noodles, Magician, Trivia, Photo booth & games, whipped cream eating contest.  Please feel free to contact the PTA  through the general contact form on our website or by reaching out to board members directly through email (email addresses are listed here on the PTA website) if you have any questions, we are always happy to help!

Office of Student Safety & Wellness Info

Stress, Trauma & Coping

The experience of traumatic events shapes us, no matter if they happened during childhood or as an adult. Trauma is an event or series of circumstances that have lasting effects on mental, emotional, physical, social and spiritual well-being. Stress occurs from our minds and bodies identifying an event as physically or emotionally life-threatening. The situation triggers our survival instincts and our natural fight-flight-freeze response. But our minds and bodies cannot sustain being in survival mode for extended periods of time. Sometimes, those who experience high amounts of stress and traumatic situations are unable to process or move past what has happened, and as a result are stuck in a loop.

Childhood trauma manifests in many ways and when carried into adulthood, it can create a cycle of adverse experiences that affect future generations. The effects of traumatic events place a heavy burden on the individual, connected families, and communities. Responses to stress and traumatic experiences are personal. There is an intersection between trauma, coping, and substance misuse.

Studies show that about 61% of adults have had at least one adverse childhood experience (ACE) according to the CDC. Trauma prevention and intervention strategies are important. Creating a strategy of helpful coping skills to pull from prepares us to face difficult moments and our levels of resilience and feelings of wellbeing increases also. Here are a few tips to add to your coping strategies:

1. Seek mental health and/or substance use treatment.
2. Identify one or more people you feel safe with who can help to hold you accountable.
3. Develop, repair, or maintain healthy relationships for internal and external support.
4. Learn and practice self-regulation skills.
5. Encourage yourself and others.
6. Find ways to increase your self-esteem.
7. Focus on your strengths.
8. Model healthy behavior when dealing with difficult situations.
9. Identify your triggers and practice ways to work through them.

 

Resources:

Why Historical Trauma is Critical to Understanding Black Mental Health

Addressing Childhood Trauma Starts with Family Support

Violence Prevention

ACEs and Minorities

For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: 571.423.4270.

Dates For Your Diary

Monday, February 19- Presidents’ Day

 

Have a lovely long weekend.

Brian Moose     Anice S. Denton

Principal            Assistant Principal

 

 

Quick Links

• FCPS School Year Calendar
• Fox Mill calendar
• Lunch Menus
• Attendance
• Fox Mill PTA

2611 Viking Drive, Herndon, VA 20171  |  Phone: 703.262.2700

Attendance: 703.262.2727 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Dear Fox Mill Families,

Friday's Focus was not delivered. Please accept our apologies and enjoy the Fox Mill Focus for February 9th.

Fox Mill Focus

Friday, February 9, 2024

 

Happy Friday, Fox Mill Families,

We are happy to have had a full week of uninterrupted school this week. Students in our lower grades celebrated FCPS’ one hundred days of school with creative artwork. We thoroughly enjoyed taking a gallery walk in their classes.

We would like to welcome our new Technology Support Specialist (TSSpec), Jaime Bousman- Stanczak to Fox Mill.  Jaime will be splitting her time between Fox Mill and Oak Hill elementary.  This is her fifth year as a TSSpec.  Prior to that, she was a School Based Technology Specialist for thirteen years and a classroom teacher for 6 years.  If you need to contact Jaime, you can email her at [email protected].

Valentine’s Day Exchange

Please see your child’s homeroom newsletter for information regarding Valentine card/ treat exchange. At Fox Mill, we instill values of showing students kindness and affection among all their classmates, throughout the school year. To this end, we recommend that if your child is participating in cards/ small treat exchanges, they will have enough for all their classmates.

Club and Candid Pictures for Yearbook­

FCPS’ photographer will be at school on Monday, February 12th, to take candid pictures and pictures of students in clubs for the yearbook.

 

Sign Up for FCPS Summer Camps 

 

Registration is now open for several summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. 

Tech Adventure Camp is available for current grade K-5 students to explore STEAM, culinary, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. E-IFTA is a weekly arts camp for elementary students who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Visit the E-IFTA webpage to register.

Lexia Parent Night: How We Help Your Child Learn to Read

FCPS funds the use of Lexia for all elementary and middle schools to use as part of their literacy instruction. Lexia is a computer-based program that supplements classroom instruction to help students develop literacy skills. It also provides teachers with data to identify students who need additional support, and the ability to know which specific concepts and skills to prioritize. Attend an information night on Monday, February 12, at 6:30 p.m., at Thoreau Middle School. Parents/caregivers will learn more about Lexia, and how FCPS is integrating it into the classroom and supporting student growth in reading. Attendees will also get tips for supporting their students at home.

 

Register to attend or submit a question in advance. Unable to attend in person? Join on Zoom. 

Integrating Lexia into the literacy curriculum aligns with the Virginia Literacy Act, FCPS’ Equitable Access to Literacy, and FCPS Strategic Plan Goal 3, which aims to have all students reading on level by the end of third grade. 

 PTA Corner

We are excited to be kicking off the month with back to back Friday events!  Last Friday we had a blast skating with our Fox Mill family and friends at Skate Night and can't wait to see everyone in their sparkles and sneakers  tonight at the Sneaker Ball!  Don't forget to mark your calendars for our other events:

• 2/15 - PTA General Meeting @ 7:00 in the Library.  We will have a presentation on testing, where we will discuss what tests are administered, where to find results and how the results are used.
• 2/23 - Teacher Breakfast (sponsored by 2nd Grade)
• 2/28 - D4$ @ Chick-Fil-A

Also, the PTA is looking for 5 volunteers to join the planning committee for The Challenge** and a co-leader for Teacher Appreciation Week!  Please contact Meagan Bahamonde at [email protected] to volunteer for The Challenge and Tory Nelson at [email protected], if interested in co-leading TAW.

**The Challenge is a night where students and parents team up and compete in a variety of events.  Parents and students are assigned to groups and rotate through 8 stations throughout the evening.  The 8 Stations consist of Human Hungry Hungry Hippo, parachute volleyball, Rock Paper Scissors Rally, Crazy Noodles, Magician, Trivia, Photo booth & games, whipped cream eating contest.  Please feel free to contact the PTA  through the general contact form on our website or by reaching out to board members directly through email (email addresses are listed here on the PTA website) if you have any questions, we are always happy to help!

 

Happy Super Bowl weekend. We hope that the team you are supporting emerges out to be the winner!

See you all on Monday.

 

Brian Moose           Anice S. Denton

Principal                 Assistant Principal 

 

 

         

Quick Links

• FCPS School Year Calendar
• Fox Mill calendar
• Lunch Menus
• Attendance
• Fox Mill PTA

2611 Viking Drive, Herndon, VA 20171  |  Phone: 703.262.2700

Attendance: 703.262.2727 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

FOX MILL FOCUS

Good afternoon, Fox Mill Families,

We would like to thank all our 3rd grade parents who provided the Fox Mill staff with breakfast this Tuesday.  We are truly appreciative!

We would also like to thank our parents who participated in our Parent Coffee held at Fox Mill on Thursday morning. Special thank you to our representative from FCPS’ Family Engagement, Mrs. Claudia Thomas, and Fox Mill ES Family Liaison, Wendy Salazar, for providing insights on practical ways to build and enhance our students' self-esteem. Please continue to check our newsletter for the next Parent Coffee. 

 

The Career and Technical Education (CTE)

 

The Career and Technical Education (CTE) office is once again planning engaging summer enrichment programs for students! For our current kindergarten to 5th grade students, the CTE office will have Tech Adventure Camp. Current 6th to 11th grade students, will have CTE Summer Academy

Cost - $275 per week *Tuition waivers available for students receiving Free and Reduced Meals

Dates

Week 1: July 8 - 12

Week 2: July 15 - 19

Week 3: July 22 – 26 .

Please look out for Flyers in your child’s Thursday folder with more information.

 

PTA Corner

Dining For Dollars – Chick – Fil -A – January 31st

Skate Night - Friday, February 2nd from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM.

The Dance- February 9th

 

South Lakes Basketball Game

Please join us in supporting our students and staff  at The South Lakes Basketball Game on Thursday February 1st.

 

We look forward to seeing all our students again on Monday, January 29th 2024.

Enjoy the long weekend. 

 

Brian Moose      Anice S. Denton

Principal            Assistant Principal

 

 

 

 

Quick Links

• FCPS School Year Calendar
• Fox Mill calendar
• Lunch Menus
• Attendance
• Fox Mill PTA

2611 Viking Drive, Herndon, VA 20171  |  Phone: 703.262.2700

Attendance: 703.262.2727 | Web | Twitter