Dogwood Digest 03/21/2024
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For a translated version of this newsletter, please click HERE. Next click on the language icon in the upper left corner to choose your preferred language.
Para obtener una versión traducida de este mensaje, haga clic AQUI. Luego, haga clic en el icono IDIOMA en la esquina superior izquierda para elegir su idioma preferido.
🌷 March 25-29 is spring break. Schools and school offices will be closed. We wish our students and teachers a happy and restful Spring Break! See the complete school year calendar. There will not be a Dogwood Digest the week of Spring Break. Our school office will reopen on Monday, April 1st. We will welcome back our students on Wednesday, April 3rd.
🗓️ Quarter End/Teacher WorkdayFriday, March 22, is the end of the third quarter. Monday, April 1, and Tuesday, April 2, are school planning and teacher workdays, respectively. There will be no school for students on these days. See the school year calendar.
🖍️ It’s Kindergarten Registration Time!Attending kindergarten provides children with an opportunity to learn and practice the essential social, emotional, problem-solving, and self-regulation skills they will use throughout their lives. Our school typically conducts kindergarten registration events, including orientation, in the spring on May 2nd 4:30-6:00 pm. Eligible children can also be registered throughout the summer, but registering your child early helps us plan, so that we have the teachers and resources needed on the first day of school.
Prepare for registration by gathering documents and completing forms. We are happy to support families with registration and the transition to kindergarten. For more information in other languages, visit FCPS’ Kindergarten Registration webpage.
SOL - Standards of Learning 2024 -Grades 3-6thAs we approach the month of May we want families to have the tentative dates for our Standards of Learning Assessments that pertain to grade 3rd-6th. If any changes are made to the date this information will be communicated to families as soon as possible. Please do all that you can to avoid any non-emergency time off during the SOL testing dates. We are publishing the dates early so we can all plan accordingly!
☀️ Safely View the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8A total solar eclipse will occur on Monday, April 8, and will be viewable, depending on weather, in Fairfax County. The eclipse will begin in our area around 2:04 p.m. and end around 4:32 p.m., with the maximum eclipse occurring around 3:20 p.m.
Because the timing overlaps with dismissal, it is crucial that students understand the importance of safe viewing practices. We encourage families to review these Solar Eclipse Resources, especially the eye safety information. We hope everyone takes the opportunity to learn more about this extraordinary natural phenomenon while prioritizing safe solar viewing.
✅ Take the Family Engagement Survey Today!If you haven’t already, please take FCPS’ Family Engagement Survey today! Survey results will help us to better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs in our school community.
Survey topics include:
- Welcoming environment
- Communication
- Student success
- Advocacy
- Family and school partnerships
- Community partnerships
The survey is available in 10 languages. Please check your email for a message from our partner, K12 Insight, with a link to the survey or access the survey now. Your voice matters!
📚 Literacy Development for Multilingual LearnersIn the Academic Matters segment of last week’s School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid shared information on literacy development of multilingual learners (students who are learning the English language). Of the more than 180,000 FCPS students, over 48% have a home language other than English, and 20% are multilingual learners (as of January 2024).
Dr. Reid emphasized that the school division’s Equitable Access to Literacy Plan applies to ALL students, including multilingual learners. She shared some of the supports that exist for these students, including new elementary language arts basal resources. View Dr. Reid’s presentation slides.
Submit an FCPS CARES NominationDo you know an employee who deserves to be recognized for going above and beyond? Submit their story. Submissions are now made through the StaffConnect portal. Choose FCPS CARES from the first drop-down menu to access the appropriate form.
District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Take the Family Engagement Survey!
- New Regulation on Meditation and Reflection Spaces
- Solar Eclipse Resources
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
Social Media: Follow @Dogwood.Fairfax on Facebook
Email Updates: Sign up for Dogwood News You Choose to receive weekly updates
On the web: Check out the Dogwood website and FCPS website for updates.
March 22nd: End of Quarter 3
March 25-29th: Spring Break (FCPS Schools & Offices Closed)
April- Kindergarten Registration Month- Please register all students who will be age 5
April 1-2nd: Teacher Workday/Staff Development Day, No School For Students
April 10th: Eid al Fitr, Holiday (FCPS Schools Closed)
April 13th: Dogwoods Bike Rodeo/ Bike Swap 10:00 am-12:00 pm
May 2: Kindergarten Orientation 4:30-6:00 PM
12300 Glade Drive Reston, VA 20191 | Main Office: 703-262-3100
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