Springfield Estates ES News You Choose - November 22, 2024
GovDelivery1 week 6 days agoHaving trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Thanksgiving Luncheon this week!
English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو
Upcoming Dates & Reminders:- November 27, 28 & 29: Thanksgiving Holiday. School closed for staff and students.
- December 2 thru December 22: Spirit Days! We have planned a month of special spirit days to help students and staff count down the days to Winter Break together! Please see the calendar below for details. As always, there is no obligation to participate and, of course, school colors (blue and gold) are a great option on any spirit day!
- December 6: Coffee and Conversation. 9:30 a.m., SEES Cafeteria. Topic: "Strategies to Support Multilingual Students."
- December 11: Strings Concert (for 5th and 6th strings). Key MS, 7:00 p.m. Students report by 6:30 p.m.
- December 12: Band Concert. Key MS, 7:00 p.m. Students report by 6:30 p.m.
- December 23 thru January 3: Winter Break. No school for staff or students.
In our SEES school community, we S.O.A.R., meaning that we demonstrate: Support, Optimism, Acceptance, and Responsibility.
Dear Springfield Estates Families,
As we approach the season of Thanksgiving, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for our incredible school community. Your support, involvement, and partnership make Springfield Estates Elementary a place where our Eagles truly SOAR—Supportive, Optimistic, Accepting, and Responsible.
Celebrating Excellence in EducationWe are thrilled to announce our nominees for the Outstanding Employee Awards for Springfield Estates Elementary School (SEES). These individuals exemplify dedication, innovation, and a passion for supporting our students and school community. Please join us in congratulating:
- Outstanding Teacher of the Year Nominees:
- Ms. Emma Sunseri, 6th Grade AAP Teacher
- Ms. Heather Szczepanek, 6th Grade Teacher
- Ms. Christina Rice, 1st Grade Teacher
- Outstanding New Teacher of the Year Nominees:
- Ms. Mackenzie Fagan, 5th Grade Teacher
- Ms. Kratae Honeycutt, Special Education Teacher
- Outstanding Operational Employee of the Year Nominee:
- Mr. Gary Robinson, Assistant Building Supervisor
- Outstanding School-Based Employee of the Year Nominee:
- Ms. Krista Anderson, School-Based Technology Specialist (SBTS)
Special congratulations go to Ms. Szczepanek, Ms. Fagan, Mr. Robinson, and Ms. Anderson, who will advance to the Lewis Pyramid level, competing against nominees from other schools in our area. Their commitment to excellence and the positive impact they have on our school community are truly remarkable.
A Season of Giving ThanksAs Thanksgiving approaches, we are reminded of the importance of gratitude. In classrooms, students have been engaging in reflective activities, sharing what they are thankful for, and practicing kindness toward one another. These moments of connection and positivity are what make our school community so special.
We are incredibly thankful for the parents, guardians, and extended family members who support our school in so many ways. Whether you volunteer your time, attend events, or simply cheer on your child’s efforts, you make a difference.
Upcoming Events- Thanksgiving Break: Schools will be closed from November 27th through the 29th. School Resumes on December 2nd.
- Parent Coffee Morning: Join us Friday December 6th, "Strategies to Support Multilingual Students."
- Winter Break: Schools will be closed from December 23rd through January 3rd. School will resume on January 6th.
Finally, I want to personally thank our teachers and staff for their unwavering dedication. Their efforts to nurture and inspire our students do not go unnoticed. Let’s take a moment this Thanksgiving to show appreciation for the many ways they enrich our children’s lives.
Wishing you all a joyful and peaceful Thanksgiving break filled with love, laughter, and gratitude.
Warm regards,
April Martin
Proud Principal
P.S. Don't forget to follow us on social media for daily updates and photos! https://www.facebook.com/seeseagles and https://x.com/SEESrSIX
SEES December Spirit Days Reminder: Window for Full-Time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15, 2024Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for Full-Time advanced academic programs may submit the AAP Full-Time Referral Form to Allison Donnelly at [email protected] no later than December 15, 2024.
The window for families to submit a referral for Full-Time AAP services is the first day of school through December 15, annually. Forms for Full-Time and part-time referrals are available on the AAP Forms Page. No late referrals for Full-Time AAP services will be accepted.
Submitting a referral form for Full-Time AAP will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of six trained professionals from various schools and roles will review the portfolio materials to determine eligibility for Full-Time placement. Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of the portfolio that was submitted after they have been turned in for central selection by emailing Allison Donnelly at [email protected].
Referrals for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP are screened at the local school. If you miss this deadline, your student can still be screened for Subject-Specific AAP or Part-Time AAP for the remainder of the year and submit a referral for Full-Time AAP next fall.
Boundary Review Community MeetingCommunity meetings regarding FCPS’ comprehensive boundary review will take place in each of the division's six regions. You are encouraged to attend the meeting in our region, which will take place on
Please register in advance by clicking on the date. Language interpretation will be available. If you are unable to attend on this date, view the full list of meetings on the Comprehensive School Boundary Review webpage.
Student Feedback Opportunity for FCPS Cell Phone Policy and SR&R
FCPS is working with K12 Insight to host a community forum for families, staff members, and students to provide feedback on the school division’s cell phone policies and practices, and the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) document. FCPS is looking for more student participants (grades 3-12) to help ensure diverse perspectives from our community.
The community forum will be held on Tuesday, December 10, 6:30-8 p.m., at the Willow Oaks Administrative Center. If your student is interested in providing feedback, please visit the Cell Phone Policy Forum registration page to learn more. Families must register their child by Monday, November 25.
Social and Emotional Learning Screener Results Coming Soon
One of the ways FCPS supports the mental wellness of all students is through the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener. In October, students in grades 3-12 took this screener, which gives information about their skills such as achieving goals, handling emotions, building relationships with adults and peers, and making good choices.
The screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to create learning, experiences, and environments for students to succeed.
In early December, families will be able to view student SEL Screener results in SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent by mail.
Learn more about the screener on the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. For help understanding your child’s results or ideas to support them at home, review the Family Guide or contact us.
Register for ParentVUE
Learn how to activate your ParentVUE account, so you can easily access your child’s results and other helpful information.
❄️ Preparing for Winter Weather
Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made.
FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.
Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange for childcare if needed.
Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities
We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories which may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. See the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.
If you need assistance supplying your child with cold-weather clothing, please call Fairfax County's Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health care.
6200 Charles C Goff Dr, Springfield, VA 22150 | Main Office: 703.921.2300 Attendance: 703.921.2323 | Web | Twitter