FCPS

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

To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.

ይህንን ዜና መፅሄት በሌሎች ቋንቋዎች ለማንበብ፤ እባክዎን ድረ ገፃችንን ይጎብኙ።

اس نیوزلیٹر کو دوسری زبانوں میں پڑھنے کیلئے ، براہ مہربانی ہماری ویب سائیٹ ملاحظہ کیجیئے۔

Mr. Morris's Message

And just like that, January 2023 has come to a close. Our Stratford Landing teachers are working hard to meet the needs of all our students. During January, each classroom teacher engaged in a “data dialogue” with our instructional coach. During these individual meetings, teachers reviewed important student data such as IReady data, Virginia Growth Assessment (VGA) data, and other relevant classroom assessment data. These meetings help teachers provide targeted instruction for each student.

We are strengthening our work with the Lexia reading program. During the teacher workdays, our staff received more professional development on utilizing the analysis tools of Lexia. Teachers are becoming more equipped at analyzing progress and informing their instruction. Lexia also provides teachers with strategies and lessons they can implement, especially when Lexia student data does not align with student classroom performance. 

During January, we completed “Instructional Rounds” in grades K-6. Our school leadership team together observed all grade levels and classrooms to collect data and provide feedback around instructional best practices and some of our common school-wide focuses and expectations. We will be working with teams this month to provide feedback and continue to hone our best practices in teaching and learning.

We are ensuring our SLES staff has avenues to provide feedback and influence school-wide decision-making. Last week during grade-level meetings, teachers were able to provide feedback around questions about school climate and culture and their own personal sense of belonging and purpose at Stratford Landing. This feedback helps us refine our supports and focuses for our school staff. This kind of reflective work with teachers helps build trust and rapport and can contribute to higher staff retention rates each school year.

We are providing a supportive working environment for our teachers, and we will begin our 3rd quarter planning days with each grade level next week. Substitute teachers will support the classrooms, and our teachers will be able to focus on a full day of team planning. During our quarterly planning day, we are going to be focused on the following work:

• Revisiting our school Homework Policy and brainstorming ways for students to make connections to their learning from home in school.
• Reflecting on the support we provide parents/guardians and what type of work might we consider sending home related to grades, assessment, and student progress.
• Exploring the most recent Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener data and making connections to our morning meeting and SEL instruction embedded in the academic day.
• Digging into Quarter 3 Advanced Academic resources and planning for equitable access for all our students; provide time to intentionally map out plans related to the AAP curriculum and resources for all our students.

We are very excited to host our first annual Young Author’s Night on Thursday, February 9. There is a palpable buzz in the school with both teachers and students as this night approaches. We are celebrating our student voices, and I can’t think of a better way to spend an evening at school! This event also marks our first major academic focus community event since the pandemic.

With no snow in sight (for now), we are full steam ahead for winter learning at SLES. Please reach out to your child’s teacher or the SLES admin team if you need assistance, have questions, or are looking for support.

Thank you.

Kevin Morris, Principal   

Calendar Reminders Black History Month

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.

National School Counseling Week

February 6-10 is National School Counseling Week, and highlights the tremendous impact school counselors have in helping students achieve academic success and planning for a career.School counselors work with students in a variety of different capacities, whether it is through classroom lessons, group sessions, or individual counseling. Learn more about the role of school counselors in FCPS.

Homework at SLES

This is our first year implementing our “Reading and Writing and Learning at Home” Homework policy. As with any new initiative, implementation takes time.  We will continue to reflect on our homework messaging and engagement with students and families. This is a great time to explore learning as a family or pursue hobbies and interests together. Our SLES teachers should be regularly engaging students in school about what they are learning, reading and writing at home.

Tutor.com - Extra Help for Students at No Cost to Families 

With Tutor.com through Schoology, FCPS students are able to get learning help at any time, even from bilingual tutors! Students in FCPS meet with tutors thousands of times each week to practice reading, prepare for an upcoming math test, write computer programs, study for the SAT, or to get feedback on scholarship essays–all at no cost to their families! If you haven’t already, we encourage you to take just a few minutes to connect with a tutor with your child.

More info about Tutor.com in FCPS is available here.

Save the Date: Kindergarten Orientation this Spring

If you have a child who will reach the age of five on or before Sept. 30, 2023, please mark your calendar!

The Stratford Landing Kindergarten Orientation will be held on Friday, April 14, from 9 - 10 am.

More details to come! 

Hidden in Plain Sight (HIPS) at the Mount Vernon District Station

Join us on Saturday, February 18 at 12 pm for "Hidden in Plain Sight" at the Mount Vernon District Station.

The Hidden in Plain Sight (HIPS) program is an IN-PERSON interactive program for adults to be educated about the signs of risky behavior in teens and young adults. It touches on drug and alcohol use, mental health concerns, eating disorders, risky sexual behaviors and more.

This is a hands-on learning experience for PARENTS AND GUARDIANS ONLY! We guide you through a presentation that opens your eyes to what is right in front of you. We include up to date statistics and local trends, and law enforcement officers will share their experiences they have had in our community identifying risky behavior and helping to put kids on the right path to a healthy life. Let’s open the door to communicating with our teens!

Click here to register for this free event. 

Filling Your Child's Emotional Bank Account

Read the latest Healthy Minds blog to understand why relationships are like savings accounts, and how you can help build trust and security with your children.

Magnet School Application and Lottery Information

The Magnet School Program registration window will be open from March 1 at 8:30 am and closes on April 12 at 4 pm. There are no exceptions for late applications. Status notification emails will be sent by April 14.

To learn more about the programs and the registration process, families are encouraged to attend one of the Parent Informational Nights:

In Person:

• Hunters Woods Elementary: February 13 at 6 pm
  • Snow date: February 21 at 6 pm
• Bailey’s Primary: February 16 at 6 pm
  • Snow date: February 23 at 6 pm

Virtual: 

• Bailey’s Upper: February 15 at 6 pm

Click here to learn more. 

SLES Special Education Workshop Survey

Stratford Landing Families,

We need your input! Stratford Landing ES is planning the next workshop for the Families as Partners: Special Education Series, and we are looking for your feedback on what the next workshop should cover. 

Please click here to complete the survey. 

Parent Presentation: Preparing Families for Difficult Conversations about Alcohol & Drugs

The FCPS Office of School Safety and Wellness and their partners from the Fairfax County Police Department and Community Services Board will be hosting a pyramid-wide event for our FCPS parents/guardians within the West Potomac and Quander Pyramids on Tuesday, March 7, from 6-8 pm, in the West Potomac High School Library (Rm. 303). *This is an Adults only event.

Attendees will walk away with an understanding of the following:

• Alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, and opioid.
• List what you can do as a caregiver.
• How to identify and connect with community resources.

For those who are unable to attend in person, a virtual option has been scheduled:

Division-wide Virtual Event
Hosted by the Parent Resource Center
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
10:00-11:30 AM
Click here to register for the virtual event.

Text-to-Speech Available on FCPS Websites

FCPS is introducing an innovative way to address the diverse needs of the community. A new text-to-speech feature, available on the FCPS website and each school website, will read the words aloud from webpages.

The feature will help those with accessibility needs, such as visual impairments, dyslexia, or other difficulty reading large amounts of online text. The text-to-speech feature is available for English, Spanish, and Korean. Learn more and try out the new feature.

Low-Cost Internet for Free and Reduced-Price Eligible Students

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program to lower internet costs for families with children who have been eligible for free or reduced-price meals within the last 12 months. A qualifying household will receive $30 per month toward internet services and a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet. Families can check their eligibility and register at  AffordableConnectivity.gov or by calling 877-384-2575.

Summer Learning Programs Registration is Open!

FCPS’ Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA/E-IFTA) camps opened for registration on Wednesday, February 1.

Career and Technical Education (CTE)

Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp designed to give current K-6 students an opportunity to explore STEAM, culinary, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. Visit the TAC webpage for more information.

CTE Summer Academy (CSA) is a week-long enrichment program that allows students in grades 7-11 to dive deeper into CTE program areas, develop skills, and begin career exploration. Visit the CSA website for more information and registration.

Institute for the Arts Camps (IFTA)

IFTA is a two- or four-week summer enrichment program for students currently in grades 6-11. Students select from nearly 90 classes in art, dance, health and physical education 9, music, self-directed economics and personal finance, and theater. Visit the IFTA website for more information and registration.

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 classes every day related to dance, music, theater, and visual art. They work with FCPS fine arts teachers who create classes that are fun and engaging. Visit the E-IFTA website for more information and registration.

Last Chance for Feedback on Draft School Year Calendars

FCPS has extended the deadline for community feedback on the draft calendar options for the 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 school years. Please share your thoughts by filling out this form by Monday, February 6, at noon.

Family Liaison News & Updates

Hello SLES Families! As your family liaison, my goal is to keep you informed about the valuable resources, events, and family engagement opportunities available through SLES, FCPS, and the community.

If you have questions about navigating the school, learning about FCPS resources, or getting your student set up for success, I'm here to help. Please email, or call 703-619-3690 to set up an appointment. 

Visit the SLES Family Liaison homepage for additional information and resources.

February Webinars and Events for Parents/Guardians

FCPS’ Parent Resource Center (PRC) is dedicated to helping adults support the success of all students. The PRC will present the following webinars in February:

• Meet the Author Series All Cats are on the Autism Spectrum by Kathy Hoopmann - February 9 at 7 pm
• Neurodiversity at Elementary Schools: How Can Families Partner with School? - February 10 at 10 am 
• What should I do before my child grows up? - February 15 at 6:30 pm
• Supporting Mental Health Through Play - February 17 & 24 at 10 am

Office of the Ombuds: At Your Service!

Do you have questions or concerns about Fairfax County Public Schools? The Office of the Ombuds is an independent, impartial, informal, and confidential resource for employees, parents/caregivers, students, and/or the community. Staff members in the office are eager to listen and assist with navigating the school division. They will also offer options and/or resources to help resolve challenges.

Contact the Office of the Ombuds at 571-423-4014, [email protected], or via the “Submit a Question” button at www.fcps.edu/ombuds. The team looks forward to serving you!

Spring and Summer Camp Registration is Now Open

The Fairfax County Park Authority has begun Spring Break and Summer Camp registration. Check out the Partakes Digital Catalog and the Activity Search Registration page for more information! 

My Market at Food for Others Mark Your Calendar!

February 9: Young Authors' Night at SLES (6-7 pm)

February 20: Holiday (George Washington's Birthday and Presidents' Day) - NO SCHOOL

February 27: Spelling Bee at SLES (6 pm)

March 2: 2-hour Early Release

March 3: Student Holiday (Professional Workday) - NO SCHOOL

Quick Links

• SLES Homepage
• SLES Parent Handbook
• Join our SLES PTA
• SLES Military Support Group
• 2022-2023 FCPS School Year Calendar
• Student Rights & Responsibilities (SR&R)
• FCPS Parent Resource Center
• Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information

8484 Riverside Road Alexandria, Virginia 22308 | Main Office: 703-619-3600
Attendance: 703-619-3636 | Web | Twitter

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

To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.

ይህንን ዜና መፅሄት በሌሎች ቋንቋዎች ለማንበብ፤ እባክዎን ድረ ገፃችንን ይጎብኙ።

اس نیوزلیٹر کو دوسری زبانوں میں پڑھنے کیلئے ، براہ مہربانی ہماری ویب سائیٹ ملاحظہ کیجیئے۔

Calendar Reminder: End of 2nd Quarter, Early Dismissal and No School for Students

As a reminder, Wednesday, January 25, is the last day of the quarter and a two-hour early release for students. Also, schools are closed for students on Thursday, January 26, for a staff development day and Friday, January 27, for a teacher workday. See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.

FCPS Weekly Progress Reports will not be sent to parents Monday, January 23, through Monday, February 6, during second quarter grading and report card generation.

Additionally, the GradeBook and Report Card modules in ParentVUE and StudentVUE will be closed Wednesday, January 25, at 4 p.m. until Monday, February 6, at 6 a.m.

SLES Special Education Workshop Survey

Stratford Landing Families:

Stratford Landing ES is planning the next workshop for the Families as Partners: Special Education Series, and we are looking for your feedback on what the next workshop should cover. 

Please click here to complete the survey. 

Young Authors' Night at Stratford Landing FY 2023-24 Proposed Budget Highlights

At the January 12 School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid proposed a budget for FY 2024 that focuses on attracting and retaining teachers and staff, initiatives aimed at closing the achievement gap for all students, and gives our youngest learners a strong start, including investments for special education students impacted during the pandemic.

The FY 2024 Proposed Budget totals $3.5 billion—a net increase of $249.6 million or 7.6% over the FY 2023 Approved Budget. Nearly 86% of the budget is targeted at instruction. The Proposed Budget focuses on several key areas:

• Innovative investments that close the achievement gap for all     students:
  • Equitable access to literacy.
  • Increased access to PreK programming.
  • Supports for students with special education needs.
  • Funding for students in Advanced Academic Programs.
  • Changing student enrollment needs.
  • Increase in student and family supports, including access to middle school athletic opportunities that support student well-being.
• Continuation of green investments.
• Increased security measures.
• Proposed increases in employee compensation.

Watch Dr. Reid’s presentation to the board. Access the presentation slides on BoardDocs.

COVID-19 Compensatory Education Plan Meetings for Families of Students with Disabilities 

Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to implementing a plan for COVID-19 compensatory education as part of its obligation to provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to students with disabilities. Please join us at an informational meeting for parents/guardians and other stakeholders:

• Wednesday, January 25, 7-9 p.m.

Visit our website to see what language interpretation services will be available at each meeting and to learn more about the COVID-19 Compensatory Education Plan.

Strategic Plan: Make Your Student's Voice Count! 

Strategic Planning is in process and will incorporate feedback from school staff, families, students, and community partners and organizations. Please encourage your students to participate in this unique opportunity to share their voices.

FCPS is currently seeking secondary students in grades 7-12 who are interested in participating in a Strategic Plan focus group. This focus group provides an opportunity to share feedback in a small group with other FCPS students and a trained facilitator. FCPS is hosting four virtual focus groups for secondary students in February and March:

February 9, 3:30-5 p.m. or 5:30-7 p.m.

March 16, 3:30-5 p.m. or 5:30-7 p.m.

Interested students should check their email for a form to sign up for the focus groups. Students will be asked to provide their student ID, so their parents/caregivers can be identified and contacted to ask for consent to participate.

If you have any questions about the student focus groups or you would like to learn more about this opportunity, please contact [email protected] 

Register Now to Attend a Community Forum!

Check out the schedule of Community Forums and register for the one that is most convenient for you. Community Forums will provide every resident an opportunity to participate in and influence the direction of FCPS’ Strategic Plan, prior to its completion and formal adoption by the School Board. Learn more about our strategic planning process.

Getting to Know Fairfax County Public Schools: An Orientation Session for Parents 

Family and School Partnerships staff members will host monthly presentations to provide a broad overview of Fairfax County Public Schools and its resources - from preschool to high school graduation - known as "Getting to Know Fairfax County Public Schools." FCPS Community Liaisons offer these presentations in English, Spanish, Arabic, Korean, and Urdu.

Please click here to fill out the form if you want to attend a virtual or in-person “Getting to Know FCPS” presentation. If you prefer to have our family liaison fill out the form on your behalf, please email Andrea Howard at [email protected].

School Board Reviews Draft School Year Calendar Options

At their January 17 work session, the School Board discussed draft calendars that were created for the 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 school years. Draft calendars were developed using the following criteria as a framework:

• Federal, state, and Virginia Department of Education guidance.
• Superintendent’s priorities.
• School Board input.
• Student absentee data.
• Staff absentee data.
• Surrounding jurisdictions’ calendars.
• Survey results.
• Calendar Feedback Committee input.

You may view the draft calendars and other related documents in BoardDocs. The calendars will be presented as new business during the School Board meeting on Thursday, January 26. The Board is scheduled to vote on the calendars during their meeting on Thursday, February 9.

Watch a recording of today’s Work Session.
Get information on FCPS' calendar development process.

Does Your Child Refuse to Go to School? 

Each year, nearly 5% of youth experience school refusal. This refers to a child refusing to go to school on a regular basis or remain in school throughout the day due to significant emotional distress. School refusal includes kindergarten students with relatively mild separation anxiety and more severe cases where a student misses weeks or months of school because of debilitating anxiety or depression.

Read how to get your child back to school in the Healthy Minds Blog or learn more about attendance policies.

Family Liaison News & Updates

Hello SLES Families! As your family liaison, my goal is to keep you informed about the valuable resources, events, and family engagement opportunities available through SLES, FCPS, and the community.

If you have questions about navigating the school, learning about FCPS resources, or getting your student set up for success, I'm here to help. Please email, or call 703-619-3690 to set up an appointment. 

Visit the SLES Family Liaison homepage for additional information and resources.

Upcoming Parent Resource Center Webinars for Parents/Guardians 

• Morning Meeting and Responsive Advisory Meeting: Building Positive Classroom Communities through Social and Emotional Learning - January 24 at 10 am 
• Meet the Author Series All Cats are on the Autism Spectrum by Kathy Hoopmann - February 9 at 7 pm
• Neurodiversity at Elementary Schools: How Can Families Partner with School? - February 10 at 10 am 

Stuff the Bus Donation Locations

Fairfax County's Winter 2023 "Stuff the Bus" Campaign has begun! Click here for dates and locations.

COVID-19 Summit at Gum Springs Community Center The GMU Center for Psychological Services is offering and Emotional Support Line in English and Spanish Spring Online Peer-to-Peer Mentoring/Tutoring Program (www.fccgw.org/p2p) Mark Your Calendar!

January 24: BINGO Night at Gum Springs Community Center Gym (6-7:30 pm)

January 25: End of Second Quarter (2-Hour Early Release)

January 26: Student Holiday (Professional Workday) - NO SCHOOL

January 27: Student Holiday (Professional Workday) - NO SCHOOL

February 9: Young Authors' Night at SLES (6-7 pm)

Quick Links

• SLES Homepage
• SLES Parent Handbook
• Join our SLES PTA
• SLES Military Support Group
• 2022-2023 FCPS School Year Calendar
• Student Rights & Responsibilities (SR&R)
• FCPS Parent Resource Center
• Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information

8484 Riverside Road Alexandria, Virginia 22308 | Main Office: 703-619-3600
Attendance: 703-619-3636 | Web | Twitter

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

To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.

ይህንን ዜና መፅሄት በሌሎች ቋንቋዎች ለማንበብ፤ እባክዎን ድረ ገፃችንን ይጎብኙ።

اس نیوزلیٹر کو دوسری زبانوں میں پڑھنے کیلئے ، براہ مہربانی ہماری ویب سائیٹ ملاحظہ کیجیئے۔

Mr. Morris's Message

Stratford Landing's Responses to Student Behaviors 

Our school days at Stratford Landing are calm, productive, fun, and engaging for our students. Our teachers use resources, routines, and procedures to provide a respectful, positive, safe, student-centered environment that is conducive to learning. Our teachers establish clear expectations for classroom rules and procedures. They establish a climate of trust and teamwork by being fair, caring, respectful, and enthusiastic. Our teachers work to create and maintain a positive and safe environment to maximize student learning and promote students’ social development.

During the school week, the Stratford Landing administration, staff, and non-school-based support staff respond to student behaviors. Some examples include students in crisis, students demonstrating unsafe behaviors, and students demonstrating actions that are not conducive to learning nor align with our Dolphin Decree and our CARES approach (Cooperation, Assertion, Responsibility, Empathy and Self-Control). There are many actions the SLES administration team takes to support our learning environment. Sometimes we can share these actions with families, and we can be transparent in our approaches to student behavior. To honor student confidentiality, we are not always able to fully explain the steps we take to support students and staff at Stratford Landing. Families should always reach out to the SLES administration team with any questions about student behaviors and supports we provide our students and staff.

Here are some proactive and responsive steps we take at Stratford Landing to support student behaviors and our teachers with their management of the learning environment and student safety:

• We utilize the Responsive Classroom approach to teaching and learning at Stratford Landing. For some students, additional supports (referred to as Tier 2 and Tier 3 behavior supports) are needed to ensure student success. This may look like a token board, goal sheet, or incentive chart for a student. Sometimes more intensive supports are needed. Typically speaking, these supports are confidential and meant for the student, teacher, and family of the student.  

• We create individual action plans and crisis plans for students demonstrating escalated behaviors.

• Our teachers participate in professional development during the school day and work with outside specialists to better manage student behavior, especially escalated behaviors.

• Our Multi-tiered Systems of Support Team (MTSS) provides strategies and support for our teachers and students. Our team uses student data to help make decisions on how to best support our students and teachers.

• Our teachers address behavioral concerns and focus on social emotional learning (SEL) during morning meetings.

• We adjust schedules and support from staff members to provide additional assistance to students that frequently demonstrate unsafe or escalated behaviors.  

• We’ve used allocations from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) and hired three additional hourly staff members to support students in small group and one-on-one meetings. These staff members are used strategically throughout our building to support some of our students with the greatest needs.

• We collaborate with additional FCPS resources to support student learning and behaviors including a Behavior Intervention Teacher (BIT), a Responsive Classroom (RC) specialist, and Special Education Teacher Support (SETS) staff.

• We provide explicit instruction, teaching and interactive modeling for students to help promote positive behaviors.

• We implement restorative practices with students.
• Our school counselors work with our students in a variety of ways, including whole group lessons, small group lessons and one on one support sessions
• We deploy social skill programming for some students, such as Zones of Regulation.

• We adhere to the FCPS Students Rights and Responsibilities, appropriately document behaviors that occur at SLES and communicate with necessary entities within the division to monitor and respond to student behaviors. Pages 61-71 outline progressive consequences we provided to students.

• We communicate frequently with families and partner with families to promote student success in school.  Many of our staff members develop one on one mentor-type relationships with some of our students to help them succeed.
• We make physical adjustments for safety when possible. Our cafeteria reflects a design for seating that promotes positive behaviors. Just recently we updated our school grounds and removed two sheds that created visibility issues during recess.

At Stratford Landing, we are committed to maintaining a safe and positive learning environment for our students and teachers. We are ready and available to partner with families to support student success. Please reach out directly to the SLES administration with any questions, concerns or feedback you may have about our school days.  

Until next time, 

Kevin Morris, Principal   

Rising 7th Grade Curriculum Night at Sandburg Middle School

During the Sandburg Middle School Rising 7th Grade Curriculum Night, you will receive an introduction to Sandburg Middle School and learn about the course offerings during the General Information Session. We ask that all families choose to attend the 6:00 PM or 7:00 PM session.

During the Curriculum Fair, you will have the opportunity to ask questions and get course information from the teachers.

If you have a student in the Advanced Academic Program, a student receiving Special Education services or a student receiving ESOL services, there are  additional sessions that you can attend.

Below you will find session times and locations. 

General Information Sessions
(Choose one session to attend)

 

6:00-6:30 PM

7:00-7:30 PM

Auditorium

Advanced Academic Program

(AAP) Information Session

6:30-7:00 PM

Auditorium

Special Education Information Session

6:30-7:00 PM

Lecture Hall

ESOL Information Session

6:30-7:00 PM

LDR

Curriculum Fair (Core and Elective Information)

6:00-7:30 PM

Cafeteria and Gym

 

FCPS Cares

The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for families, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story, so we can all acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees at Stratford Landing Elementary. We love our staff members; let's tell them how we feel!

Save the Date: Young Author's Night at Stratford Landing

Mark your calendars for A Celebration of Young Authors, February 9. This Open House event will showcase Stratford Landing student writing.

• 5:30 - 6:30 pm - Walk around the school reading and enjoying your child's writing and other fun activities. End the night with a sweet treat in the cafeteria. 

More details to come in the next edition of SLES News You Choose!

FCPS Math Week (Jan. 9-13)

Come together as a community for students in K-8 for 5 nights the week of January 9, 2023, with delightful math games and stories - all on your own time and from the comfort of your own home. All content will be available for free directly to all families in English and Spanish. 

Through rich story-based mathematics experiences, math week offers families  an opportunity to experience  math, literacy, history, and geography in a positive way. The games and stories feature several countries including Lesotho, Madagascar, Ghana, and China. 

All content will be available completely free on the website starting January 9, 2023. To access the games, families will be able to simply click on the day of the week and find their child's grade and language. View the website at anytime for explanations and videos.

Families can play for as little as 15 minutes or replay over and over lasting more than an hour on any given night. For families that want to reduce screen time, we will have physical print options for access to the content and games as well.

Use the games and stories on our website or dust off your favorite math game and play it as a family.

Any and ALL math experiences outside of a normal week count. Our goal is for FCPS to experience 1,000,000 minutes of math outside of the school day. Join us!

Resources for Families of Students with Disabilities

SEPTA, the Fairfax County Special Education Parent Teacher Association, was created to empower and connect families, students, and educators to ensure students with disabilities develop their full potential as individuals and community members. Learn more or become a member on the SEPTA website.

The Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ACSD) is a state mandated Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC). Parents/guardians, students, teachers, administrators, staff, and others interested in special education at FCPS are welcome and encouraged to share their thoughts, ideas, and/or public comment related to the unmet needs of students with disabilities.

FCPS’ Office of Special Education Procedural Support provides guidance to staff, families, and students in areas related to the implementation of and compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended.

Families of students in special education programs can find more resources in the Special Education Handbook for Parents. (Translations are available from the Parent Resource Center (PRC).)

The PRC offers free webinars, consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. Their YouTube channel includes videos of workshops and webinars for families and educators to support student success. Sign up for their newsletter to receive information on upcoming webinars and other resources. Please contact the PRC with any questions at [email protected] or call 703-204-2941.

Kathy Murphy, the assistant ombuds for special education, provides information and support to parents/caregivers and students regarding special education and Section 504 services. Staff in the Office of the Ombuds believe that by being transparent and connecting families with available supports and services, children with special needs can equitably access public education.

Contact the ombuds by submitting a question, calling 571-423-4014, or emailing [email protected].

Dual Language Immersion Program Registration

Registration for the countywide lottery for Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs will open on Monday, January 23. Current pre-k students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program, and current kindergarten students may apply for the first grade immersion programs for the 2023-24 school year.

Programs are available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish. Visit the DLI registration page for more information on where the programs are offered.

Parents who are interested in the DLI programs in FCPS are encouraged to attend an informational meeting at their school site. Meetings will begin on January 11. Details regarding access to virtual meetings will be available on the Dual Language Immersion registration page by the meeting date.

Get more information on DLI programs and registration.

Strategic Planning Community Forums Scheduled

Beginning January 30, FCPS will host a series of community forums as part of our Strategic Plan development process. The schedule and locations for the sessions are posted on FCPS' Strategic Planning webpage.

Planning teams, which include a diverse range of voices from the FCPS community, are continuing to review student achievement, access, and survey data;and crafting a collective vision for the school division. Key communicators will soon receive strategic planning materials to share with their groups and networks. Preparations for divisionwide student focus groups are underway, and there will be opportunities for employees to engage in a survey and “reality check” sessions in the upcoming months.

For the latest information, please visit the Strategic Planning web page and check it often. 

Virtual Special Education Conference Coming in April

Save the date! Fairfax County Public Schools will hold a virtual Special Education Conference on Saturday, April 29. The event is open to the public and intended to help parents/caregivers learn more about how families, teachers, and schools can work together toward "Unity in Our FCPS Community." More information will be shared in January. 

Family Liaison News & Updates

Hello SLES Families! As your family liaison, my goal is to keep you informed about the valuable resources, events, and family engagement opportunities available through SLES, FCPS, and the community.

If you have questions about navigating the school, learning about FCPS resources, or getting your student setup for success, I'm here to help. Please email, or call 703-619-3690, to set up an appointment. 

Visit the SLES Family Liaison homepage for additional information and resources.

Military Family Coffee Meetup at SLES

The next Military Family Coffee Meetup is scheduled for next Wednesday, January 11 at 9:15am in the SLES cafeteria.  Coffee and donuts will be provided, but more importantly, we hope to see YOU there!  Young children are welcome.  Please reach out to Jess and/or Becky with any questions.

Winter Clubs Registration is Now Open at Stratford Landing

Winter clubs registration is now OPEN! Please note, clubs are subject to change due to enrollment requirements. Should you have any questions regarding club details, please email our Stratford point of contact at [email protected].

Link to register: https://bc-ffx-stratfordlanding.jumbula.com/...

Registration closes on Jan 15th

January 2023 Parent Resource Center Webinars: 

• Neurodiversity: What Do You Mean We are All Neurodiverse? - January 12 at 6:30 pm & January 13 at 10 am 
• Social-Emotional Milestones in Early Childhood - January 20 at 10 am 
• Morning Meeting and Responsive Advisory Meeting: Building Positive Classroom Communities through Social and Emotional Learning - January 24 at 10 am 

IEP University Training Opportunity

The Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC), in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is offering IEP University (IEPU), a training meant to provide families and professionals with accurate and useful information about IEP development and meetings.

IEPU is a self-paced online training with easy-to-understand guidance on the special education process, the IEP document, and ways to develop collaborative relationships among schools and families. 

This self-paced training will be open from January 9, 2023 - January 29, 2023.

Click here to register today! 

Calendar Reminders MLK Day (Holiday)

As a reminder, schools and offices will be closed on Monday, January 16, for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. Learn more about Martin Luther King Jr.

National Mentoring Month

Imagine a world where young people feel empowered, encouraged, and understood. Mentors can make that world a reality by helping young people find and follow their passions, excel in school, and thrive wherever they are. Learn more about Mentoring Month. 

Three Kings Day/Epiphany (O-Day)

Three Kings Day (January 6), also known as the Epiphany, is a Christian celebration that commemorates the Biblical story of the three kings who followed the star of Bethlehem to bring gifts to the Christ child. This marks the official 12th day of Christmas. Learn more at National Geographic Kids. 

FCPS has designated Three Kings Day/Epiphany as a religious and cultural observance day (O day). There is school on these days, however, the School Board has directed that specific events that cannot be made up will not be held on these observance days.

See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.

Mark Your Calendar!

January 16: Holiday (Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday) - NO SCHOOL

January 18: BINGO Night & SLES Art Exhibit

January 25: End of Second Quarter (2-Hour Early Release)

January 26: Student Holiday (Professional Workday) - NO SCHOOL

January 27: Student Holiday (Professional Workday) - NO SCHOOL

February 9: Young Author's Night at SLES

Quick Links

• SLES Homepage
• SLES Parent Handbook
• Join our SLES PTA
• SLES Military Support Group
• 2022-2023 FCPS School Year Calendar
• Student Rights & Responsibilities (SR&R)
• FCPS Parent Resource Center
• Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information

8484 Riverside Road Alexandria, Virginia 22308 | Main Office: 703-619-3600
Attendance: 703-619-3636 | Web | Twitter

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

To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.

ይህንን ዜና መፅሄት በሌሎች ቋንቋዎች ለማንበብ፤ እባክዎን ድረ ገፃችንን ይጎብኙ።

اس نیوزلیٹر کو دوسری زبانوں میں پڑھنے کیلئے ، براہ مہربانی ہماری ویب سائیٹ ملاحظہ کیجیئے۔

Calendar Reminders Winter Break (Student holiday)

As a reminder, winter break will be held December 19 to January 2. To help make sure you and your children have a restful break, we have asked that no homework be assigned during this time. Teachers may assign long-range assignments in the weeks ahead of the break, allowing students to practice time management skills, but no assignments will be due immediately following the break. We look forward to welcoming students back in the new year. Classes resume on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023.

Chanukah

🕎 Happy Chanukah to all in our community who celebrate! This Festival of Lights is an 8-day (Dec. 18-26) Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple, and the miracle of a small quantity of oil that lit the Temple's menorah for 8 days. #OurFCPS

Christmas

🎄 A very Merry Christmas to those in our community who celebrate! Christmas (Dec. 25) is an annual holiday that commemorates the birth of Jesus, and is celebrated in many unique ways across the U.S. and the world. #OurFCPS

See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.

COVID Diagnostic Testing in January

Mark your calendars! COVID diagnostic testing will be available for FCPS teachers, staff, and students at five locations across the county January 3-5 from 5 to 8 p.m. This testing is for those who are either experiencing COVID symptoms or have been exposed to someone diagnosed with COVID. Appointments are not required, but registration must be completed before testing. Visit the COVID Testing webpage for more information.

Give Your Student the Gift of Education

We recognize that holidays are an important time to reconnect with family and expose children to their heritage and culture, whether they grew up in another part of the United States or a different country. If your family’s holiday plans include extended travel, please remember the impact to your children’s education if they miss too much school. Visit our website for more attendance resources.

Mental Health, Coping & Addiction

One in four Americans suffers from a mental illness. Almost 3 in 5 people with mental illness will receive no treatment or medication. In 2019, an estimated 47.6 million adults (19% of the country) had a mental illness, but only 43% received any kind of mental health care (Johns Hopkins). There are many reasons why a person may turn to drugs or alcohol initially, including using these mind-altering substances as a coping mechanism for stress, difficult emotions, physical ailments, and other issues. Drugs and alcohol can provide a temporary respite from reality and everyday life. They can enhance pleasure and decrease inhibitions and anxiety.  Drug use can be an unhealthy coping mechanism. Coping mechanisms are habits formed over time that serve to help a person manage situations or stress levels. Not all coping mechanisms are maladaptive or destructive; however, addiction is both.

Before using drugs as a coping strategy here are some recommendations for a healthier mindset. The goal is to identify the “void” or issue and work towards healing. In the meantime, experts recommend diet and exercise as great places to start. See your Primary Care Physician and a therapist if needed. Quality sleep is also a major factor in a healthy mind. Surround yourself with good people and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at (571) 423-4270.

Resources:

Substance Use Disorder info

FCPS Social Work

For further information and support:
Elizabeth Knudson, MA, LPC
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
Email: [email protected]

Strategic Planning Community Forums Scheduled

Beginning January 30, FCPS will host a series of community forums as part of our Strategic Plan development process. The completed schedule and locations for the sessions are posted on FCPS' Strategic Planning webpage.

Virtual Special Education Conference Coming in April

Save the date! Fairfax County Public Schools will hold a virtual Special Education Conference on Saturday, April 29. The event is open to the public and intended to help parents/caregivers learn more about how families, teachers, and schools can work together toward "Unity in Our FCPS Community." More information will be shared in January. 

Inclusive Schools Week Art Display at SLES

We are all pieces of the same puzzle that fit together as one! Our Dolphins helped celebrate Inclusive Schools Week by contributing their own unique puzzle-piece design. Stratford Landing is committed to providing supportive and quality education to ALL students. 

Inclusive Schools Week is an annual, nationally recognized event held the first week of December to celebrate the progress that schools have made in providing a supportive and quality education to an increasingly diverse student population, including students who are marginalized due to disability, gender, socio-economic status, cultural heritage, language preference, and other factors.

Click here to learn more! 

Free, On-Demand, Online Tutoring

FCPS students who’ve used Tutor.com have provided positive feedback:

• “This tutor was very helpful! She didn't tell me the answers. When needed, she helped me solve them! She was very kind and she really helped me!” –Elementary Math Student
• “This was an awesome tutor! She explained why I needed to do specific steps, and she gave me practice problems! Best tutor I have had!” – IB Chemistry Student

Unless they’ve been opted out, students can access Tutor.com through Schoology. Every session is personalized to meet students’ needs from remedial to advanced levels. Sessions focus on conceptual learning and critical thinking—not quick answers.

Learn more on FCPS’ Tutor.com webpage.

Speed Cameras Target School Zone Safety

On December 6, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted to launch a pilot program that will have 10 speed monitoring devices (speed cameras) installed throughout the county. These cameras will be in nine school zones and one construction zone. Thanks to our county partners for helping to improve the safety of our students and staff.

Studies show that speed camera enforcement is effective in improving safety by reducing speeding, accidents, and injuries. Read more about the school zone speed camera pilot program.

Family Liaison News & Updates

Hello SLES Families! As your family liaison, my goal is to keep you informed about the valuable resources, events, and family engagement opportunities available through SLES, FCPS, and the community.

If you have questions about navigating the school, learning about FCPS resources, or getting your student setup for success, I'm here to help. Please email, or call 703-619-3690, to set up an appointment. 

Visit the SLES Family Liaison homepage for additional information and resources.

Fairfax County Park Authority Winter Class Registration is Now Open!

Outdoor, indoor and virtual class options are available in a wide range of interest areas including:

• Outdoor and indoor fitness classes
• Learn to swim group lessons and private lessons
• Children’s and Adult classes
• Nature & History programs
• Sports
• Scouting
• Golf lessons
• Gardening
• Virtual Classes and Camps – Fitness, nature, music, drama, coding
• Astronomy

Click here to find a program. 

RECQuest Recreation Program

When Fairfax County Public Schools are closed for the spring, summer and winter breaks, RECQuest offers an engaging, healthy and affordable recreation program for children to learn, play and serve. Activities include team sports, games, arts and crafts, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) programming, service projects, cultural field trips and much more! Free nutritious lunches and snacks are served.

To learn more about the program and its locations, click here. 

January 2023 Parent Resource Center Webinars: 

• Neurodiversity: What Do You Mean We are All Neurodiverse? - January 12 at 6:30 pm & January 13 at 10 am 
• Social-Emotional Milestones in Early Childhood - January 20 at 10 am 
• Morning Meeting and Responsive Advisory Meeting: Building Positive Classroom Communities through Social and Emotional Learning - January 24 at 10 am 

IEP University Training Opportunity

The Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC), in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is offering IEP University (IEPU), a training meant to provide families and professionals with accurate and useful information about IEP development and meetings.

IEPU is a self-paced online training with easy-to-understand guidance on the special education process, the IEP document, and ways to develop collaborative relationships among schools and families. 

This self-paced training will be open from January 9, 2023 - January 29, 2023.

For more information and to register, please refer to the IEP University.

Local Holiday Event  All Ages Read Together (AART)

A nonprofit organization that provides free school readiness classes in Northern Virginia for rising kindergartners. 

https://allagesreadtogether.org/

Mark Your Calendar!

December 19 - January 2: Holiday (Winter Break) - NO SCHOOL

January 16: Holiday (Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday) - NO SCHOOL

January 25: End of Second Quarter (2-Hour Early Release)

January 26: Student Holiday (Professional Workday) - NO SCHOOL

January 27: Student Holiday (Professional Workday) - NO SCHOOL

Quick Links

• SLES Homepage
• SLES Parent Handbook
• Join our SLES PTA
• SLES Military Support Group
• 2022-2023 FCPS School Year Calendar
• Student Rights & Responsibilities (SR&R)
• FCPS Parent Resource Center
• Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information

8484 Riverside Road Alexandria, Virginia 22308 | Main Office: 703-619-3600
Attendance: 703-619-3636 | Web | Twitter

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

To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.

ይህንን ዜና መፅሄት በሌሎች ቋንቋዎች ለማንበብ፤ እባክዎን ድረ ገፃችንን ይጎብኙ።

اس نیوزلیٹر کو دوسری زبانوں میں پڑھنے کیلئے ، براہ مہربانی ہماری ویب سائیٹ ملاحظہ کیجیئے۔

Mr. Morris's Message

We are celebrating 15 Days of Festive at Stratford Landing. We are supporting our teachers and providing opportunities to connect and celebrate before winter vacation. Our teachers and students will be participating in a door decorating contest. Our staff is also engaging in a Secret Snowflake gift exchange. We have a few super-secret staff spirit days planned, and students must guess what the theme of the day is based on what our staff is wearing. We have lucky raffles planned for staff, a Casserole Cookoff, Price is Right’s Plinko, and Minute to Win It challenges. Focusing on joy and trying to reduce stress levels in the workplace help our staff be the best they can be for our students. We’ll finish out the month of December with our SCA Winter Spirit Week for all our students and staff.

We are thankful for our partnerships with our families. We’ve been busy with events, including two academic volunteer training sessions and a Families as Partners event focused on special education.

The week of December 5 – 9 is Inclusive Schools Week. We will continue our focus on CARES and provide students opportunities to understand the importance of inclusion and how we all benefit when we “choose kind.” Students will identify ways that they can demonstrate inclusive behavior with their peers.

Instructionally we continue to focus on the Fairfax County Public Schools Planning and Pacing Guide at each grade level. Our teachers meet at least twice a week together as a team with the direct support of our instructional coach to identify what we want our students to know and be able to do, how will we know that they learned it, what will we do for students who have not yet learned it and what will we do to enrich the learning for students who have already learned it. These 4 guiding Collaborative Learning Cycle questions help define the work of our teachers and teams and ensure we are maximizing learning to impact student progress and achievement positively.

We’re looking forward to an exciting final two weeks before our winter holiday. The week of December 12 – 16, interim reports will come home for some students. If you have questions about your student’s current progress, be sure to reach out to the classroom teacher. The last week before break, all our students will also be engaged in Family Life Education (FLE) lessons. We held a family preview evening session for our families to review materials teachers will use during FLE. If you have questions about these materials, please contact Assistant Principal Williams.

And just like that, the arrival of 2023 is right around the corner.

Until next time,

Kevin Morris, Principal   

Calendar Reminders National Special Education Day

National Special Education Day is recognized each year on Dec. 2 and commemorates President Gerald Ford’s signing of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1975. We celebrate our teachers and staff who serve and support our students with special needs! 

Learn more about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

FCPS Special Education Resources:

• The Office of Special Education Procedural Support provides guidance to staff, families, and students in areas related to the implementation of and compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended. 

• Families of students in Special Education programs can find more resources in the Special Education Handbook for Parents (translations available from the Parent Resource Center).
• The Parent Resource Center (PRC) offers free webinars, consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. Their YouTube Channel includes videos of workshops and webinars for families and educators to support student success. Sign up for their newsletter to receive information on upcoming webinars and other resources. Please contact the PRC with any questions at [email protected] or call 703-204-2941.
  
  
• Kathy Murphy, the assistant ombuds for special education, serves as a confidential resource, providing information and support to parents and students regarding special education services. The assistant ombuds provides transparency and understanding to families of children with special needs so that they may receive all the services and supports required to equitably access public education. The assistant ombuds can be contacted by submitting a question, calling 571-423-4014, or emailing [email protected].

Inclusive Schools Week

Inclusive Schools Week, Dec. 5-9, has celebrated the progress that schools have made in providing a supportive and quality education to an increasingly diverse student population, including students who are marginalized due to disability, gender, socio-economic status, cultural heritage, language preference, and other factors. The week also provides an important opportunity for educators, students and parents to discuss what else needs to be done in order to ensure that their schools continue to improve their ability to successfully educate all children. This year, the Inclusive Schools Week’s theme is “Unity Within Our Community.”

Bodhi Day (O Day)

Bodhi Day, Thursday, Dec. 8, is the Buddhist holiday that commemorates the day that the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama (Shakyamuni), experienced enlightenment, also known as bodhi in Sanskrit and Pali. The school calendar recognizes many religious and cultural observances (O days) during the school year. There is school on these days, however, the School Board has directed that tests, quizzes, field trips, graduation, homecoming, or FCPS-scheduled athletic events will not be held on these observance days. Learn more about Bodhi Day in this video from the Miami Children’s Museum.

See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.

Level IV AAP Referral Reminder

Reminder: Window for AAP Level IV (Full-Time) Referrals to Close December 15, 2022

Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7, who would like their child to be considered for Level IV Full-Time Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services, may submit the AAP Level IV Referral Form and optional materials to our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher Tene’ McBee by emailing [email protected] and including our Assistant Principal LaChelle Williams [email protected] no later than December 15. 

How to Submit Referral Materials

Please submit the referral materials in one email to [email protected] and cc’ our Assistant Principal LaChelle Williams ([email protected]) with the subject line “Level IV AAP Referral for (Your child’s initials, Teacher last name)”. If you prefer, you may drop off a hard copy with our office staff during regular school hours.

What to Submit

- Referral Form- required*

- Parent/Guardian Questionnaire- optional

- Two pages of work samples (pdf or jpg files or 8.5x11” one-sided page)- optional

- Additional Testing if applicable (i.e. from a previous school or an ability or achievement test administered outside of Fairfax County Public Schools that you would like included.)- optional

You should receive an e-mail confirming receipt of your file.

Please note that late referrals will not be accepted.

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’ inclement weather procedures will remain the same as last year. The first five inclement weather days will be traditional “snow days” with no school activities. After those five days, we will use the flexibility provided by the Virginia General Assembly to have unscheduled virtual learning days, whenever possible, to maintain the continuity of learning. Virtual learning on these days will be synchronous/live instruction, following the inclement weather virtual learning day schedule (includes a two-hour delay).

FCPS’ website is generally the first mode of communication during 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 ahead for the winter season. Make sure your contact information is up-to-date in [email protected], bookmark the FCPS website, plan for childcare, if appropriate, and know what items your child may need to take home before a weather event.

Alcohol & The Holidays

The holidays usually involve family time, games, movies, food, and possibly drinks. Alcohol consumption has increased during the pandemic and when ABC stores were deemed essential it didn’t help lower those rates (ABC News, September 29, 2020). Many people are still trying to figure out how to navigate our “new normal” and are still reeling from the consequences of so much isolation and loss. Increased alcohol consumption is one of those consequences to our communities. If you choose to drink, I invite you to drink responsibly this holiday season and talk with your child about the dangers of underage alcohol and substance use.

Questions to consider when drinking with your family:

1. What message am I sending if I drink in excess around my underage child?
2. Have I had conversations about responsible drinking with them?
3. Are the conversations I have about alcohol realistic?
4. Do my conversations with others reinforce alcohol use as a coping skill during stressful times?
5. What messages am I sending my underage child if I allow them to drink with me or another adult in the house?

Information to consider:

“One-third of Fairfax County students (33.7%) reported drinking alcohol at least once in their lifetime, ranging from 18.8% of eighth-grade students to half of twelfth-grade students (49.4%). One in seven students (15.2%) reported drinking alcohol in the past month, ranging from 4.5% of eighth-grade students to 27.7% of twelfth-grade students.” (FCPS Youth Survey 2020)

“Female students reported higher rates of alcohol use in their lifetime (36.1% compared to 31.2% of male students), in the past month (17.1% and 13.1%, respectively), and binge drinking in the past two weeks (7.3% and 6.5%, respectively)” (FCPS Youth Survey 2020).

Resources:

Holiday Stress

Helpful Info to Quit Vaping

FCPS video on Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs

Substance Abuse Prevention (Spanish)

For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270 and be sure to follow us on Twitter at @FCPSSAPS.

For further Information & support:

Elizabeth Knudson, MA, NCC, LPC
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
[email protected]

Strategic Planning

The success of our strategic planning process depends on our entire community being engaged. Watch as some of our amazing elementary students share their hopes and ideas for the future of schools. Also, stay tuned for information on upcoming opportunities to participate in the development of FCPS’ Strategic Plan.

West Potomac High School "Youth Basketball Night" 

The entire West Potomac Girls Basketball Staff and all the players, would like to invite all SLES students, staff, and community to attend their "Youth Night" event on Friday, December 16th at West Potomac High School. All 3 levels (Freshman, JV, and Varsity) will compete against South County High School, with games being held at 4:30, 5:45, and 7:30. There will be lots of free giveaways, chances to win prizes, and an opportunity to meet the Varsity team after the final game of the night. 

How Can You Help Your Child Have Good Attendance?

Just a few missed days here and there, even if they’re excused absences, can add up to too much lost learning time and put your child behind in school. This is as true in kindergarten as it is in high school.

• Talk about the importance of showing up to school every day, make that the expectation.
• Help your child maintain routines, such as finishing homework and getting a good night’s
• Find out if your child feels engaged by his classes and feels safe at school. Make sure he or she is not missing class because of behavioral issues and school discipline policies. If any of these are problems, work with your school.
• Stay on top of academic progress and seek help from teachers or tutors if necessary. Make sure teachers know how to contact you.
• Stay on top of your child’s social contacts. Peer pressure can lead to skipping school, while students without many friends can feel isolated.
• Encourage meaningful afterschool activities, including sports and clubs.

Looking ahead to the holiday season, if missing school is unavoidable, talk to your children’s teachers in advance to create a plan for making up missed work.  But remember, a homework packet cannot make up for the interaction and learning that goes on in the classroom.

Visit our website for more attendance resources.

ESSER III Community Conversation on December 13

Thanks to everyone who provided input in October on ESSER III funding–federal funding which was allocated to FCPS to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on students and student learning. Community feedback indicated that there is a general unawareness of the impact of ESSER funding and a perceived lack of communication around how the funds are being used.

To help address this, Superintendent Reid and Sloan Presidio, chief academic officer, will host a Community Conversation on ESSER on Tuesday, December 13, at 6:30 p.m., at the Gatehouse Administration Building in the Café. Please stay tuned for more details. Visit BoardDocs for a detailed update on ESSER.

Academic Matters

During the Academic Matters portion of Monday’s School Board meeting, Superintendent Reid discussed the innovative assessment practices happening in FCPS as part of our School Division of Innovation designation from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE).

This recognition means that VDOE has approved a plan to improve student learning, educational performance, and college, career, and citizenship readiness skills. It positions FCPS as a state leader in innovative practices with the opportunity to impact statewide policy decisions. Watch Dr. Reid’s presentation.

Multicultural and Language Resources for Families

FCPS’ Office of Family and School Partnerships would like to remind families of some of the many resources available to them:

• Bilingual community liaisons support student registrars by providing families with information about school and community services offered in Fairfax County. Liaisons are available to help families speaking Spanish, Korean, and Arabic. Once registered at a school, families can contact their family liaison for assistance.
• Early literacy programs are available to Fairfax County residents for parents of children up to 5 years old. These programs help prepare children for school and build confidence in parents as their child’s first teacher. They also help parents become active partners in their child’s education. Programs are available in African-Heritage, Arabic, Spanish, and Korean.
• Parent Information Phone Lines are available in eight languages for parents who speak languages other than English.
• A Multilingual Family Podcast is produced by the offices of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Family and School Partnerships, and Professional Learning and Equity. It covers important information for parents in English, Spanish, Arabic, and Korean.
• ESOL services are available in Fairfax County not only for students, but also for adults and families. Information on Spring classes will be posted in March 2023.

 Visit the Family Engagement webpage for more resources.

Family Liaison News & Updates

Hello SLES Families! As your family liaison, my goal is to keep you informed about the valuable resources, events, and family engagement opportunities available through SLES, FCPS, and the community. Please visit the SLES Family Liaison homepage for additional information and resources.

Upcoming Parent Resource Center Events: 

• SIBSHOPS: An Exciting, In-person Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs! Saturday, Dec. 3 at 9 am
• Parte #2: Estrategias de manejo del estrés Friday, Dec. 16 at 10 am 

IEP Palooza and Community Resource Fair

This Saturday, December 3 from 9 am - 12 pm interactive and informative event being held in Annandale High School will start with a simulated Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting. Then attendees can attend breakout sessions that will cover the different components of an IEP document.

There is also a Special Education Resource Fair featuring information tables from community resources and service groups.

Click here to register for this FREE event.

Fairfax County Park Authority Winter Class Registration is Now Open!

Outdoor, indoor and virtual class options are available in a wide range of interest areas including:

• Outdoor and indoor fitness classes
• Learn to swim group lessons and private lessons
• Children’s and Adult classes
• Nature & History programs
• Sports
• Scouting
• Golf lessons
• Gardening
• Virtual Classes and Camps – Fitness, nature, music, drama, coding
• Astronomy

Click here to find a program. 

Family Reunification Classes:

Did you come to the United States, in pursuit of a better life, but had to separate from your children for one year or more? Have you reunited with your children but find the situation to be stressful? Join other parents in learning ways to cope and improve your relationship with your children.

Virtual Free Classes: Mondays, December 5th and 12th from 10am - 12pm

To register, click here to fill out the form. 

Christmas Toy Giveaway Mark Your Calendar!

December 7 (5:30 pm): Intermediate and Advanced Strings Winter Concert (gym)

December 19 - January 2: Holiday (Winter Break) - NO SCHOOL

January 16: Holiday (Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday) - NO SCHOOL

January 25: End of Second Quarter (2-Hour Early Release)

Quick Links

• SLES Homepage
• SLES Parent Handbook
• Join our SLES PTA
• SLES Military Support Group
• 2022-2023 FCPS School Year Calendar
• Student Rights & Responsibilities (SR&R)
• FCPS Parent Resource Center
• Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information

8484 Riverside Road Alexandria, Virginia 22308 | Main Office: 703-619-3600
Attendance: 703-619-3636 | Web | Twitter

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

To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.

ይህንን ዜና መፅሄት በሌሎች ቋንቋዎች ለማንበብ፤ እባክዎን ድረ ገፃችንን ይጎብኙ።

اس نیوزلیٹر کو دوسری زبانوں میں پڑھنے کیلئے ، براہ مہربانی ہماری ویب سائیٹ ملاحظہ کیجیئے۔

Mr. Morris's Message

As we near Thanksgiving, I wanted to focus this message on gratitude. Our next SLES News You Choose will be Friday, December 2.

I wanted to share a special thanks for all of our military families and Veterans that joined us for our Veterans Day celebration. We appreciate our classroom visitors, and we enjoyed the opportunity to honor our nation’s service members together. Special thanks to Pack 888 for our flag ceremony, as well as Mrs. Shumaker for her support of our celebration. Lastly, thank you to our PTA military family volunteers for organizing this special day for our students, families, and staff. Additionally, big thanks to our sixth-grade families and volunteers for organizing a wonderful Fall Festival for our sixth graders, complete with team-building activities and inflatable obstacle courses. There was also a great civic-minded rotation during the festival, and students packed food bags for Be The Good to support families with food insecurities.

I’m thankful for the hard work and dedication of our Stratford Landing faculty. Really, they are working at their capacity to make this a joyful, positive, and meaningful school year. When I join grade-level teams for their meetings, teachers use asset-based language when talking about our students and constantly rethink, reimagine, and problem-solve to provide engaging learning environments that impact student progress and achievement. I am receiving positive feedback from families regarding the end of the first quarter progress conferences. Conferences will continue through winter break.

I’m thankful for student leadership and student voice! We are affirming to our students that they are a part of this community and have a say and voice and that their actions matter. Our Student Council Association (SCA) members are planning all of our school spirit days. Additionally, they are creating a bulletin board near our cafeteria - “There’s a whole LATTE to be grateful for,” and our students will write notes of gratitude about SLES. This will be organized by our SCA. Our student “Dolphin Voices” committee is busy planning content for our upcoming literary magazine. I was able to visit some of the students in the cafeteria working on interviewing other students as if they were already established journalists in the field. We are focused on CARES (Cooperation, Assertion, Responsibility, Empathy, and Self-Control), and each week we are dedicating to each letter in our Dolphin Decree. During cooperation week, older students buddied up with younger students. We had students collecting trash around campus, and students also generated (and acted upon) other ways they could be cooperative to support Stratford Landing. One class wrote a poem together and celebrated cooperation. Ideas on how students can demonstrate CARES are student-generated. We have many, many students that want the very best for the school and take action to make our school a better place. Nice! Our students are also participating in the FCPS student voice survey, and before Thanksgiving break, all our students in grades 3-6 will have an opportunity to share their voices as FCPS develops their strategic plan for 2023 and beyond. Learn more about the survey here. Later this winter, SLES will conduct our own student conversations with each of our students, K-6. This feedback from students will help us continue to refine our work and ensure every dolphin can say, “Stratford Landing! I belong here.”

In the upcoming weeks, I encourage each family to reflect on gratitude together and celebrate what makes your family special.

Until next time,

Kevin Morris, Principal   

Calendar Reminder: Veterans Day

As a reminder, Friday, November 11, is a student holiday/school planning day for the Veterans Day holiday. Veterans Day provides a great reason to pause, reflect, and recognize the extraordinary sacrifices our Veterans and their families have made on our behalf, and we thank them for their service. Learn more about the history of Veterans Day at va.gov.

Thanksgiving Holiday

As a reminder, schools and offices will be closed November 23-25. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving! Classes will resume on Monday, November 28. Learn more about the first Thanksgiving.

See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.

Outstanding Employee Awards Nominations are Now Open!

Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Employee Awards! To submit a nomination for a Stratford Landing ES Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through this Google form link: here. You may nominate one employee at our school or multiple employees (one individual may only nominate one employee per category.)

The google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards and the eligibility requirements.

Outstanding Teacher 

Outstanding New Teacher

Outstanding Principal

Outstanding Leader 

Outstanding Professional Employee 

Outstanding Operational Employee

The deadline to submit a nomination is November 18th. 

If you have any questions, please contact Barbara Flores at [email protected]

Follow us on Twitter! 

Are you looking for highlights of last week’s school activities? Wondering what’s happening in your child’s classroom today? Want a glimpse inside Friday’s professional development day? 

Be sure to follow us on Twitter @StratfordlndgES  to stay updated on all the great things we are doing at Stratford Landing! We encourage you to connect with us and contribute pictures and stories of your own Stratford Landing experiences!

Lost and Found is Open

We have an enormous number of lost items in our lost and found. Students seem to be going through jackets and personal items like Kleenex! Please echo conversations with your students about keeping track of their items, especially as we are heading into colder months. You may come by the school and ask to see our lost and found items if you know an item is missing. We also encourage you to put names on items, as we are typically able to return those items to students. Although we ask our teachers to provide verbal reminders to students about their personal items, we do not have the expectation that teachers would search lost and found for items their students have lost. We appreciate your support as we work to build independence and responsibility for each of our students.

Level IV AAP Referral Reminder

Reminder:  Window for AAP Level IV (Full-Time) Referrals to Close December 15, 2022

Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7, who would like their child to be considered for Level IV Full-Time Advanced Academic Program    (AAP) services, may submit the AAP Level IV Referral Form and optional materials to our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher Tene’ McBee by emailing [email protected] and including our Assistant Principal LaChelle Williams [email protected]  no later than December 15. 

How to Submit Referral Materials

Please submit the referral materials in one email to [email protected] and cc’ our Assistant Principal LaChelle Williams ([email protected]) with the subject line “Level IV AAP Referral for (Your child’s initials, Teacher last name)”. If you prefer, you may drop off a hard copy with our office staff during regular school hours.

What to Submit

-Referral Form - required*

-Parent/Guardian Questionnaire - optional

-Two pages of work samples (pdf or jpg files or 8.5x11” one-sided page) - optional

-Additional Testing if applicable (i.e. from a previous school or an ability or achievement test administered outside of Fairfax County Public Schools that you would like included.) - optional

You should receive an e-mail confirming receipt of your file.

Please note that late referrals will not be accepted.

Tutor.com

Does your child need homework help or feedback on their writing? How about a practice quiz to get ready for a test? Tutor.com is open to FCPS students in all grades, on-demand, 24/7, at no cost to families. Learn more.

Staying Healthy this Cold/Flu Season

Although the community level of COVID-19 in Fairfax County is currently low, cases of RSV, the flu, and other viruses are on the rise. It continues to be important to wash your hands regularly, cover coughs and sneezes, monitor your health daily, and stay home if you are sick. For more tips, visit our Return to School website.

How FCPS Develops Its School Year Calendar

In an annual planning process, Fairfax County Public Schools uses input from the community to develop the calendar for the following year. Our framework for creating the calendar is available online to ensure transparency, as we work to build a calendar that is inclusive and equitable. Watch your email for a feedback form, which will be shared with parents, staff, and middle and high school students.

Family Liaison News & Updates

Hello SLES Families! As your family liaison, my goal is to keep you informed about the valuable resources, events, and family engagement opportunities available through SLES, FCPS, and the community. Please visit the SLES Family Liaison homepage for additional information and resources.

Parent Resource Center Webinar - Bullying Prevention

FCPS is deeply committed to creating a safe and positive school environment where all students can learn. Through school-wide positive behavior approaches and participation in K-12 health and guidance lessons, students are taught to behave respectfully and to resolve conflicts in positive ways.

The Bullying Prevention Webinar scheduled for November 18 at 10:30 am seeks to educate listeners on the following:

• FCPS definition of bullying
• Types of bullying
• Differences between bullying and other forms of inappropriate behavior
• How FCPS responds to allegations of bullying
• How parents and schools can work together to prevent bullying

Presenters:

• Stefan Mascoll - Coordinator Student Safety and Wellness, Fairfax County Public Schools
• Joan Lee - Educational Specialist, School Counseling Services, Fairfax County Public School

Click here to register for this free webinar. 

To join the PRC email list and receive notices of upcoming webinars, sign up for their News You Choose newsletter. 

2022 Parent Involvement Survey

All parents of school-aged children and youth with disabilities who receive special education services in Virginia are encouraged to complete the Virginia Department of Education’s annual Parent Involvement Survey. The survey will remain open through December 16, 2022.

If you have questions concerning this survey, please contact Chiquita Seaborne, Family Engagement Specialist/Special Projects Coordinator, via telephone at (804) 225-3898 or via email, at [email protected].

Parent Involvement Survey - Spanish 

Families as Partners Workshop: A Parent's Guide to Special Education at Stratford Landing

Childcare and dinner will be provided! To ensure there is enough food and childcare at the event, please register by November 15.

If you have any questions, contact Andrea Howard at [email protected] or Julie Kubiak at [email protected]. We hope to see you there!

Local Holiday Giveaways Native American Heritage Month

Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native Americans. It is also a time to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges they have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.

Mark Your Calendar!

November 11: Student Holiday (Veterans Day) - NO SCHOOL

November 23 - 25: Holiday (Thanksgiving) - NO SCHOOL

December 1 (6-7 pm): Families as Partners Workshop: Parent's Guide to Special Education at SLES (room C199)

December 7 (5:30 pm): Intermediate and Advanced Strings Winter Concert (gym)

December 19 - January 2: Holiday (Winter Break) - NO SCHOOL

January 16: Holiday (Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday) - NO SCHOOL

Quick Links

• SLES Homepage
• SLES Parent Handbook
• Join our SLES PTA
• SLES Military Support Group
• 2022-2023 FCPS School Year Calendar
• Student Rights & Responsibilities (SR&R)
• FCPS Parent Resource Center
• Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information

8484 Riverside Road Alexandria, Virginia 22308 | Main Office: 703-619-3600
Attendance: 703-619-3636 | Web | Twitter

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

To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.

Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.

ይህንን ዜና መፅሄት በሌሎች ቋንቋዎች ለማንበብ፤ እባክዎን ድረ ገፃችንን ይጎብኙ።

اس نیوزلیٹر کو دوسری زبانوں میں پڑھنے کیلئے ، براہ مہربانی ہماری ویب سائیٹ ملاحظہ کیجیئے۔

Mr. Morris's Message

As we close out the first quarter of the school year, we have a lot of celebrations at Stratford Landing. We have started our family progress conferences. To increase consistent messages from teachers and families, we’ve designed a one-page conference planning document for our teachers so they are sharing out the same kind of information to families during these conferences, such as strengths, areas of growth, and beginning of the year assessment data.

Family conferences will take place on Monday, Oct. 31, and Friday, Nov. 11. Teachers may also schedule conferences at other times during the school day, such as before school or after school. Our goal is to have all conferences completed by Tuesday, Nov. 22, although we anticipate some conferences may not be completed until the start of winter vacation. If you have questions about these conferences, or you are unsure how to schedule your conference, please contact your student’s teacher.

I also wanted to take the time to extend a heartfelt thanks to our PTA for their tremendous efforts with our most recent Rock N Run! Additionally, I’d like to thank each and every family that offered Stratford Landing donations, as well as our numerous family volunteers that made Rock N Run successful. From monitoring inflatable obstacle courses to marking the back of t-shirts after every completed lap a student ran, your time, energy, and effort does not go unnoticed. We value our partnership with the community and recognize how our families contribute to the success of our school and students.

Until next time,

Kevin Morris, Principal   

Stratford Landing Receives 2022-23 Purple Star Designation Award

We proudly announce that Stratford Landing Elementary has been selected to receive the 2022-2023 Purple Star Designation Award from the Virginia Department of Education! This is the second time Stratford Landing ES has received this distinguished award. Receiving the Purple Star is a testament to our school's continued commitment to supporting our students and families connected to our nation's military. A BIG thank you and shout out to our SLES staff, families, and Military Support Group for providing a safe space for our military families to thrive and connect to become active members in the Stratford Landing community. 

To learn more about the Purple Star Award, please click here. 

Schools Adopting Text and Translation Platform

FCPS has recently adopted TalkingPoints, a two-way messaging app that allows parents and caregivers to communicate with teachers and schools. For more information, visit the FCPS TalkingPoints

The app translates messages, so teachers can input messages in English and parents can respond in their preferred language. TalkingPoints supports 125 languages, making it easier and faster for our FCPS families to connect with their schools. If you need to update your preferred correspondence language, contact Ms. Rakes at 703-619-3635 or [email protected]. 

Lost and Found

We have an enormous number of lost items in our lost and found. Please echo conversations with your students about keeping track of their items, especially as we are heading into colder months. You may come by the school and ask to see our lost and found items if you know an item is missing. We also encourage you to put names on items. Although we ask our teachers to provide verbal reminders to students about their personal items, we do not have the expectation that teachers would search lost and found for items their students have lost. We appreciate your support as we work to build independence and responsibility for each of our students.

2022-23 Strategic Planning

Opportunity for Students to Help Inform FCPS’ Future

Students will soon be shown a short informational video at school and be asked to complete a survey providing feedback on their experience at school. This feedback will be used to help inform FCPS leadership as they work on planning for the future of the school system. Parents are invited to view the survey questions and get more information.

Feedback Welcome on Proposed Family Life Education Changes

The Fairfax County School Board is reviewing recommended changes to the Family Life Education (FLE) curriculum and invites public feedback as part of the review process. In May 2022, the Family Life Education Curriculum Advisory Committee (FLECAC) presented recommended curriculum changes, to go into effect for the 2023-24 school year. Those changes include adopting gender-combined instruction, and exploring instruction of gender identity, recommended media, and other instructional changes. 

The recommendations reflect leading education and child development research and expert advice. According to research cited in the recommendations, these changes will create a more inclusive learning environment, result in higher academic achievement for students, and improve school climate.

Public feedback will be shared with FLECAC and the School Board. FCPS staff and the School Board will consider all feedback but are unable to reply to individuals. 

Learn more about the recommended changes on our website. The public feedback form will be available on our website and will be open October 31 through December 1.

Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid

FCPS will be asking ALL families to fill out a Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid. Returning this form is important because information from this survey results in an additional $3 million in grants each year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

For each school-aged child in your household, please complete, sign, date, and return the survey to your child's school. If sections 1 and 2 of the survey do not apply to you, just check the box in Section 3. All forms must be signed, dated, and returned by November 4. All results are confidential.

Watch the video to learn more about this process.

SLES Veterans Day Celebration on November 10

Stratford Landing is excited to celebrate our men and women in the armed forces! We'll be honoring our service members on Thursday, November 10 (no school on 11/11).

Stars for Vets – Please send in a copy of a military family picture or service member picture (past or present) to be displayed on the main bulletin board. On the back of the photo, please include information you are comfortable being displayed (name, rank, branch of service). Please also include your teacher’s name so the photo may be returned.  

Ceremony at the Flagpole – On Thursday, Nov 10 we will gather at 8:40 am for a tribute by the SLES 6thgrade chorus and a flag-raising ceremony. All are welcome to attend and service members are encouraged to come in uniform. 

Classroom Speakers – We are excited to welcome in-person speakers for this year’s Veterans Day celebration. Speakers can briefly share about careers, show off some tactical equipment, or read a book during Morning Meeting. If you would like to be a classroom speaker, please use this link to sign up: https://slpta.org/military-group/.

If mornings do not work for you, you may contact your classroom teacher about other available time slots. You may also reach out to classroom teachers if you would prefer to submit a video. 

Breakfast for Service Members – Our military support group will provide a light breakfast for our classroom speakers. You are encouraged to join us in Room 199 before or after you speak. 

Wear Red, White & Blue – We encourage all students and staff to wear red, white, and blue on Thursday, Nov 10th. 

Please direct any questions to Becky Hyatt, Rachel Calton, or Jess Abbott at [email protected] or to Andrea Howard, our Family Liaison, at [email protected]. Looking forward to seeing many of you from our SLES community on November 10th!

Family Liaison News & Updates

Hello SLES Families! As your family liaison, my goal is to keep you informed about the valuable resources, events, and family engagement opportunities available through SLES, FCPS, and the community. Please visit the SLES Family Liaison homepage for additional information and resources.

Family Resource Center/Care & Share Donations Needed

Care & Share is looking for the following donations to support our Family Resource Center. If you are interested in contributing, please use this Amazon wish list or place items in the red bins outside the main office. Thank you for your continued support!

• Youth sweatpants/joggers in sizes M, L, XL, and XXL
• Sweatshirts, hoodies, and zip-up sweatshirts in sizes M, L, XL, and XXL
• Gently used or new children's books and educational games

Upcoming Parent Resource Center Webinars

The FCPS Parent Resource Center (PRC) offers a welcoming and engaging environment for families, educators, and community members. It provides access to information and resources to support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities.

Throughout the year, the PRC hosts family and educator webinars. Upcoming sessions include: 

• Nontraditional Families: Fostering Resilience and Inclusivity While Welcoming and Affirming All Families, November 3, at 6:30 p.m.
• Where to Start: Supporting Children When Someone They Love Has Cancer, November 4, at 10 a.m.
• Everything You Need to Know About Opioids, November 10, at 10 a.m.
• Bullying Prevention, November 18, at 10:30 a.m.

To join the PRC email list and receive notices of upcoming webinars, sign up for their News You Choose newsletter. 

COVID Vaccination Clinic at Bethlehem Baptist Church

Saturday, October 29, from 10 am - 1 pm

• 1st & 2nd doses available for everyone ages 5+
  Updated fall boosters available:
  • Ages 5-11: 5 months after 2nd dose
  • Ages 12 and older: 2 months after 2nd dose or last booster
• Please bring your CDC vaccination card
• Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian
• No ID, health insurance, or appointment is required 

For questions, please contact 703-952-1060 or [email protected].  

Deployment Bags for Students

The Stratford Landing Family Resource Center now has Deployment Bags available! These bags were created by former SLES student Lily Palmerino as part of her Silver Project for Girl Scouts.

If you have or know of a student with a parent currently deployed, about to deploy, or living apart due to work, they may benefit from one of these bags.

Each bag contains a picture frame, a folder to keep important papers to share, a journal and stickers, a stationery set, and two Paracord bracelet kits.

If you'd like to pick up a Deployment Bag for your student, please reach out to Andrea Howard at [email protected]. 

Drug Take Back Day

Calendar Reminders All Saints Day/Dia de Los Muertos

Dia de los Muertos is an opportunity to remember and celebrate the lives of departed loved ones. Tuesday, November 1, and Wednesday, November 2, are “O” Days this year. To learn more about Dia de los Muertos, watch this video.

While Dia de los Muertos is largely celebrated in Mexico and Latin America, it also coincides with All Saints Day (November 1) and All Souls Day (November 2). These days are celebrated by Catholics, Anglicans, and some Protestants worldwide to honor those who have died and gone to heaven (All Saints Day) and those who may still be in purgatory (All Souls Day).

The school calendar recognizes many religious and cultural observances (O days) during the school year. There is school on these days, however, the School Board has directed that tests, quizzes, field trips, graduation, homecoming, or FCPS-scheduled athletic events will not be held on these observance days.

Daylight Saving Time Ends (Fall Back)

Sunday, Nov. 6, at 2 a.m., daylight saving time ends. Don’t forget to move your clocks back one hour!

Election Day

Don’t forget to get out and vote on Tuesday, Nov. 8! The day will be observed as a holiday for students and teachers.

Veterans Day

As a reminder, Friday, November 11, is a student holiday/school planning day for the Veterans Day holiday. Veterans Day provides a great reason to pause, reflect, and recognize the extraordinary sacrifices our Veterans and their families have made on our behalf, and we thank them for their service. 

See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.

Mark Your Calendar!

October 28: End of First Quarter (2-hour Early Dismissal)

October 31: Student Holiday (Professional Workday) - NO SCHOOL

November 8: Student Holiday (Election Day) - NO SCHOOL
November 10: SLES Veterans Day Celebration

November 11: Student Holiday (Veterans Day) - NO SCHOOL

November 23 - 25: Holiday (Thanksgiving) - NO SCHOOL

Quick Links

• SLES Homepage
• SLES Parent Handbook
• Join our SLES PTA
• SLES Military Support Group
• 2022-2023 FCPS School Year Calendar
• Student Rights & Responsibilities (SR&R)
• FCPS Parent Resource Center
• Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information

8484 Riverside Road Alexandria, Virginia 22308 | Main Office: 703-619-3600
Attendance: 703-619-3636 | Web | Twitter