The Falmouth Falcon Flyer
Transcription
The Falmouth Falcon Flyer
The Falmouth Falcon Flyer September 2015 From Mrs. JP Dear Families, Welcome Back to a new school year! Falmouth Elementary is moving into its fortyeighth year of serving students and the community through its dedication to education. We would like to welcome the many new staff members, students and families who are now proud to be called “Falmouth Falcons.” We are approaching a student body of 540 strong and are looking forward to a successful school year. This year we are focused on the concept of “Believing is Achieving” and we have an exceptional staff who will assist your child in achieving in various ways. Additionally, we cannot take on this challenge alone, we need you as parents to be a part of our team and know you will continue to support our efforts in assuring we are the BEST school in Stafford County! The administration and staff of Falmouth Elementary School continue to be committed to providing a high quality education resulting in academic achievement. We focus on students learning with passion, leading with confidence and living with character. We are committed to creating an environment where students feel they are active participants in their learning and take on new challenges daily. Wishing you all the best, Mrs. Sallie Johnakin-Putnam Welcome from your new AP Dear Falcon Families, My name is Meaghan Sekinger and I am thrilled to join the Falmouth Elementary School Team. I began my career as a special education teacher at a multicultural magnet school in New London, CT before moving to Virginia. I was the Instructional Consultation Team Facilitator at Stafford Elementary School for several years before becoming an Educational Diagnostician. Most recently, I worked at Stafford Elementary School and Kate Waller Barrett Elementary School as the educational diagnostician. In the short time I have been at Falmouth, I have been so impressed with the passion of the teachers, the excitement of the students and the friendliness of the parent community. I am honored to have the opportunity to serve the students, staff and families of the Falmouth community. I look forward to meeting you in the coming weeks at one of our many exciting events at school. Sincerely, Meaghan Sekinger Falmouth Elementary School Believing is Achieving Falmouth Elementary School Vision Student Vision (Falmouth Pledge): Today is a new day! I will act in a safe and healthy way. I will respect the rights of others. I will take responsibility for my learning. Today I will be the best I can be. I am proud to be a student at Falmouth Elementary! Staff Vision: Staff members facilitate and reinforce a Growth Mindset with parents and the community in order to support students as they reach for academic and social success. Instruction is enhanced through collaboration and continuous professional learning. Family and Community Vision: Families and community engage as partners with staff to increase academic and social success for all students. Through involvement, they model effective effort and reinforce the values of 21st century learning. SCHOOL HOURS 9:00 a.m. to 3:40 p.m. Please remember the TARDY bell rings at 9:00 a.m. Students should arrive prior to that time to ensure they are able to arrive to their classroom. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. Inside this issue: Principal’s Message 1 Assistant Principal’s Message 1 Important Reminders 2 Staff Highlights 3 Important Dates 4 1 STUDENT DISMISSAL Changes to the way a student will be traveling home from school will not be taken after 3:00 p.m. This is our busiest time of the day, and it is not always possible to ensure that changes can be made safely after this time. Sending a note to school with your child in the morning is the safest and easiest way to notify us of a change. It is appreciated if you do not arrive between 3:15 and 3:45 to pick up your child, as this is a very busy time in the office. Lunch Time Many students are throwing away large amounts of their lunches. Please remind your child the importance of eating a healthy balanced lunch and encourage him/her to eat what is packed/ purchased. PAY School Fees ONLINE Pay for field trips, lost library books, etc. on-line! http://osp.osmsinc.com/StaffordVA/BVModules/ CategoryTemplates/Detailed%20List%20with% 20Properties/Category.aspx?categoryid=CJ021 Reporting a Student’s Absence To assist the office staff, please be sure to call the office number to report your child’s absence. To report an absence, simply call the office at 540-373-7458. Or you may go to: http://stafford.falmouth.schoolfusion.us/ then click on the “Report an Absence” Link. Please call prior to 9:30 a.m. Important Reminders Enrollment Forms Please be sure your child’s teacher receives all the necessary paperwork from the FES First Day Folders. It is important to remember that if your information changes during the school year, please contact the office immediately. Medications Please remember all prescription medications, over-the-counter medications and cough drops, will need to be dropped off in the office by a parent/guardian and must be accompanied by a “Request for Medication/Treatment During School Hours” form. Transportation If your child’s transportation arrangements should change during the course of the day, please be sure to contact the office and SACC if necessary. This helps to ensure the safety of your child. Lunch/Breakfast Deposits into accounts can be made on-line through www.myschoolbucks.com Please be sure to send any breakfast/lunch money in a sealed envelope with the following information: Your child’s name The teacher’s name The use of the money Back to School Night September 22nd at 6:00 p.m. KG and 1st Grade September 23rd at 6:00 p.m. 2nd and 3rd Grade September 24th at 6:p.m. 4th and 5th Grade Please arrive promptly, as all sessions begin at 6:00 p.m. and should last approximately an hour. These are informational sessions designed for parents only. From the Nurse If your child has a chronic medical condition, it is imperative that he/she has the necessary protocol on file in the clinic. The school nurse, Joy Jenkins, can assist you in understanding the paperwork necessary to create an Asthma Action Plan or a Seizure Action Plan. It is essential we are proactive and prepared should an emergency take place with your child. A current list of medications is necessary as well. Please contact the school nurse should you have any questions! 2 2015-2016 Teaching Staff Counselor Corner: September/October Groups: Please contact the counselor at 540-373-7458 or at: [email protected] if you would like for your 1st-5th grade child to participate. Grieving Falcons: A four week group learning about the stages of grief and how to work through them. Study Skills Falcons: A four week group where students learn study skills to help them be successful in the classroom. Kindergarten Team Audra Gulick Tammy O’Brien Philip Watt Jacklyn Smith *Deborah Foster * Long-term substitute 1st Grade Team Lisa Dungee Kris Cammarano Michelle Floyd Stephanie Boucher Stefanie Colson 2nd Grade Team Please contact Mrs. Williams by September 22nd if interested. Thank you! Mrs. Williams/Counselor Staffing This year promises to be an exciting year with a few new faces. As you can see from the staff list, we have had some changes in our staff. We welcome many new staff members to the Falmouth Falcons Team and know each will be a fabulous addition to our talented, energetic and enthusiastic staff. Additionally, we are still seeking to hire a permanent kindergarten teacher and have now been notified that our fourth grade enrollment has increased enough to warrant another full-time teaching position in the fourth grade. We are growing! Amber Keech Tasha Carr Melissa Rinker Michele Repass 3rd Grade Team Kerian Gaston Karen Smith Kim Ferranti Jenny Pickett Debbie McLaughlin 4th Grade Team Sara Frazier Nicole Brizendine Lavon Folson TBD 5th Grade Team John Leonard Amy Antholzner Jessica Storey Special Education Team Mallory Sanner (LSII) Joan Baker (LSII) Chris Grzasko (MD) Sharon Stoeckel (PST) Kim Murphy Orr (LD)Karita Redmon (LD) Quinn Maitland (SLP) … AND MANY, MANY MORE THAT HELP FES REMAIN SUCCESSFUL! Library News Welcome back to school and welcome to the library. Below is some background information about our library: Gr. K-1 can check out 1 book and Gr. 2-5 can check out 2 books at a time. Students come once a week for a 45 minute library lesson; however, students can also come during the morning or at times throughout the day to return and check out books at their teacher’s discretion. Our online catalog, along with other useful links, can be found at the library’s webpage. Lessons consist of read-alouds, information literacy activities, and various other activities that support the general education curriculum and reading. Our school participates in Virginia Reader’s Choice. This year’s titles are listed on the library’s webpage. More information will be given in a future newsletter. If you ever have a question or concern please feel free to contact me by calling school or sending an email to [email protected]. I hope everyone is having a great start to the year and is ready to read. Mr. Ward 3 Upcoming Dates September 16 McDonald’s Spirit Night Chatham McDonalds 5:00-8:00 p.m. September 17 Constitution Day September 22 Back to School Night - 6:00 p.m. KG and 1st Grades September 23 Back to School Night - 6:00 p.m. 2nd and 3rd Grades PTO Highlights A huge thank you to our PTO for continuing to support our technology needs. The PTO can only be successful with the help of both PARENTS and TEACHERS. September 24 Back to School Night - 6:00 p.m. 4th and 5th Grades September 28 to October 2 Book Fair September 30 Early Release at 1:10 p.m. Family Reading Night 6:00-7:30 p.m. Book Fair Open One Book/One School Begins in OCTOBER… Stay tuned… October 7 Interims Go Home - Grades 1st-5th PTO Meeting - 6:15 p.m. October 8 Donuts for Dads October 9 Donuts for Dads October 12 NO SCHOOL October 15 Fall Picture Day October 23 PTO Trunk or Treat & Movie Night October 26 Early Release at 1:10 p.m. Please consider volunteering to help the PTO. If interested, contact Hillary Taylor at [email protected] Support the PTO Spirit Nights! Join us at McTeachers Night on September 16th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Participate in the Boosterthon Fun Run by assisting your child in obtaining sponsors for their run. This year’s theme: Big World Recess. It is all about confidence, endurance, teamwork, curiosity, humility and practice. The Boosterthon begins on November 10th! The Book Fair is Coming… September 28th to October 2nd * During your child’s regularly scheduled library time. Also open during Falcon Family Read-In Wednesday, September 30 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Falmouth Elementary - Where Believing is Achieving!! 4