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Notes from the Nest
In our SEES school community, we S.O.A.R., meaning that we demonstrate: Support, Optimism, Acceptance, and Responsibility.
Dear Springfield Estates Families,
I hope you are all having a wonderful week! Here are a few highlights and updates from our school community.
Recognizing the Beginning of Ramadan
This week marks the beginning of Ramadan, a sacred time for our Muslim students, staff, and families. We want to extend our warmest wishes to those observing this special time of fasting, reflection, and community.
To further support our students who are fasting or praying, we will be opening our library as a quiet space during lunch and recess. We want to extend our warmest wishes to those observing this special time of fasting, reflection, and community. As always, we strive to ensure an inclusive and supportive environment for all students. If your child has any needs related to Ramadan observance, please let us know how we can support them during the school day.
Celebrating Scouting Achievements
We had the privilege of witnessing several of our Springfield Estates students being recognized for their scouting efforts this past Friday. Their dedication, leadership, and commitment to personal growth are truly commendable. A special congratulations to three of our 5th-grade students who participated in the Bridge Ceremony, officially crossing over to join their new Scouting Troop! We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and look forward to seeing them continue to grow in their new roles. Check out our social media for more information!
March is Women's History Month!
March is Women's History Month, a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women throughout history. Throughout the month, our students will have opportunities to learn about influential women in various fields, from science and technology to the arts and activism. We encourage families to continue these conversations at home and explore the many inspiring stories that have shaped our world.
As always, thank you for your continued partnership and support. If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to reach out.
Wishing you all a fantastic week ahead!
Warm regards,
April Martin, Proud Principal and Kassandra Flading, Assistant Principal
P.S. Don't forget to follow us on social media for daily updates and photos! https://www.facebook.com/seeseagles and https://www.instagram.com/springfieldestateselem
Upcoming Dates & Reminders:
- March 3 to March 7: Read Across America Sprit Days!
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March 10: Three Hour Early Release Monday. Students will be dismissed at 1:05 p.m. unless we have already received notification from their families that they should stay until 4:05 p.m.
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March 12: PTA Meeting. 6:00 p.m., SEES Cafeteria.
- Mar 14: SCA Spirit Day: Students Dress as Teachers and Teachers Dress as Students
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March 14: Pi Day and Math Night. Details below.
- March 17: Spring Pictures.
- March 21: SCA Spirit Day: Tie Dye Day
- March 28: SCA Spirit Day: Monochromatic Day
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March 31: School Holiday - Eid al Fitr. School is closed for staff and students.
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April 1: Teacher Workday. No school for students.
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April 14 - 18: Spring Break. School will be closed for staff and students.
From the PTA
Coordinator for Bus Driver Appreciation Day
We appreciate our bus drivers so much and can't wait to celebrate them on April 22, 2025 which is National Bus Driver Appreciation Day. The PTA is looking for a volunteer to coordinate this event which involves purchasing gift cards ahead of time and then distributing them to our morning and afternoon drivers. If interested, please contact Megan Brooks at [email protected].
Nominating Committee
As part of the election process for officers for 2025-2026, our bylaws require that a Nominating Committee by formed. If you are interested in serving on this committee, please email Megan Brooks at [email protected]. You do not need to find the candidates yourself, but act as a conduit for names to be submitted to the PTA membership for election; you’ll provide an email address through which people can contact you if they are interested in serving on the board.
Get Ready for an Epic Family Math Night at SEES!
📢 Join us on Friday, March 14, 2025, from 4:30 to 5:30 PM for an evening of fun, learning, and Pi Day celebrations! 🥧✨🎉📢
Students will explore grade-level classrooms filled with:🔢 Estimation Jars – Put your number sense to the test!🎲 Exciting Math Games – Learn, play and take them home to enjoy!🧠 Number Sense Routines – Strengthen your math skills while exploring and talking about numbers!
To help us plan, please complete this quick form https://forms.gle/sczQXhgb6SmQAi2r5 or scan the QR code below by Monday, March 10th to register and let us know if:
- ✅ Your child will stay after school and meet you in their classroom at 4:30 PM.
- ✅ Your child will go home first and return with you for the event.
Fill out one form per SEES student.
From FCPS
📖 Supporting Academic Growth and Reading on Level by Third Grade The FCPS Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Advertised Budget invests in academic growth and excellence for each and every student, which is one of the priorities of the FCPS Strategic Plan.
Across FCPS, teachers, staff, parents, and even older students are invested in helping our youngest learners grow their love of reading from a strong foundation.
The goal is for students to move from “learning to read” to “reading to learn” by the end of the third grade. Reading on grade level is connected to other Strategic Plan goals, including completing advanced coursework and graduating on time.
Last fall, FCPS introduced a new reading curriculum that aligns with evidence-based literacy instruction. Between fall and winter, reading screener results show more than a 4% increase in the number of students in kindergarten to third grade approaching or meeting expectations. Similarly, 3.4% more third graders demonstrate strong foundations of reading and 8.4% more third graders are mastering grade-level standards.
Discover how an elementary school employs a science-based approach, including phonics, to supercharge students' reading.
Learn more about the FCPS FY 2026 Advertised Budget. View the Budget Development Calendar to stay up to date.
🗣️ Connect With Your Kids: Simple Steps to Stronger Communication
Teens skip things that don't interest them, including lectures from their parents. How do you connect with your children and really know what's going on in their lives? How can you become “unskippable”?
Effective communication can build trust and understanding, but it takes thought, planning, and effort.
The latest Healthy Minds Blog offers practical strategies to improve communication and build strong, lasting relationships:
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Ditch distractions and create a safe space where your child feels comfortable opening up.
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Listen actively and validate their feelings, even if you don't agree.
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Ask "how" questions instead of "what" questions to get them talking about their experiences.
For more tips and techniques, read the full article on the Healthy Minds Blog, which shares information related to youth mental health and wellness.
For support on talking with your teen about difficult subjects like fentanyl, discover how to Become Unskippable.
🚀 Prepare for a Summer of Learning and Fun
Registration will be available soon for summer camps offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students. Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA) 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. Registration begins for these programs on Monday, March 10, and ends Friday, June 6.
Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp designed to allow current K-5 students to explore activities in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), culinary arts, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. Watch this video about CTE camps.
E-IFTA is a weekly arts camp for students in grades 2-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students take part in four daily classes related to dance, music, theater, and visual art. They work with FCPS fine arts teachers who create fun and engaging classes.
For more information, see the Summer Learning page.
2025 Family Summit - Beyond Labels: Nurturing a Culture of Belonging! (an Extension of the Special Education Conference)
Families, educators, and community members are invited to the 2025 FCPS Family Summit: Beyond Labels: Nurturing a Culture of Belonging. Fairfax County Public Schools will be hosting the free, in-person event in collaboration with valued community partners. The summit will be held Saturday, March 15, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at South Lakes High School.
This event will feature:
- Opening Session: Julie Causton and Kristie Pretti-Frontczak — best-selling authors, motivational speakers, and advocates for inclusion — will share practical tools and evidence-based strategies to empower and assist all families, with a special emphasis on parents of students with individual education programs (IEPs) and 504 Plans.
- Breakout Sessions: Learn more about special education and global topics that benefit all families.
- Student Showcase: FCPS students will share their efforts in fostering inclusivity through posters, essays, videos, songs, art, and other mediums.
- Exhibitor Hall: Discover valuable resources and services in the community to support families.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with other families, staff, and community partners.
Childcare will be provided. Special education staff will be available to care for children with high support needs. You may sign up for childcare during the registration process.
Learn more about this event and register today! Contact [email protected] for more information.
6200 Charles C Goff Dr, Springfield, VA 22150 | Main Office: 703.921.2300 Attendance: 703.921.2323 | Web | Twitter
