BOBCAT BULLETIN
January 2024
Principal's Message
Dear Families,
We wish all of you a joyful new year and we're excited to welcome students back after a long winter break! This month we celebrate New Year's Day and learn how this holiday is celebrated around the world by different cultures and people. Students will also learn about Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebrated on the third Monday in January. This observance provides opportunities for children to expand their knowledge of history and culture, as related to grade level standards. January 22nd is a student holiday and teacher workday, following the end of the second marking period. The complete student calendar is linked below and is frequently updated.
January 19th is the end of the second marking period and the end of the first semester. The first half of the school year has been nothing short of remarkable. Our students have showcased resilience, creativity, and a thirst for knowledge. I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to our dedicated teachers and staff for their unwavering commitment to nurturing our students' potential.
We are thrilled to be ranked among the best elementary schools in Loudoun County and Virginia. Aldie Elementary School was ranked #4 in Loudoun and #60 in Virginia. Schools are ranked on their performance on state-required tests, graduation, and how well they prepare their students for high school. Aldie Elementary student achievement for was ranked above expectations for reading and well above expectations for math. To learn more about US News school rankings, click here.
January is the start of mid-year diagnostic assessments. Please read the information below to learn about the assessments and schedule for each grade. Information will be provided in ParentVUE at the close of each test window.
We wish you health, happiness and joy in the new year and we are grateful you are a part of our story!
Warmest regards,
Tracy Stephens, Principal
Winter Diagnostic Assessments
Mid-year diagnostic testing will begin January 8th and continues through the month. Information will be available in ParentVUE at the end of each testing window. Tests and test windows are noted on the Aldie Elementary School calendar linked in this newsletter. Diagnostic assessments help teachers, students and parents monitor students' academic progress throughout the year. Information enables teachers to personalize instruction for each child and to ensure that students are appropriately challenged and supported.
- Virginia Language and Literacy Screener (VALLS): K-2
- Developmental Spelling Assessment (DSA): 1-5
- Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) for Reading: 2-5 and Math: 1-5
- Virginia Growth Assessment (VGA) for Reading & Math: 3-5
Please contact Mrs. Stephens, Principal and School Test Coordinator, with any questions about the LCPS testing program.
Impact Aid Survey
The Federal Impact Aid program provides financial assistance to school districts that enroll federally connected students. The funds secured from the program become part of the Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) general operating budget and help reduce the amount of local monies needed to provide a quality education for your children.
LCPS is eligible to receive Impact Aid funds if either parent or guardian is on active duty in the uniformed services or working on federally-owned property located in Virginia. Individuals working on federally-owned property in Virginia may be employed by a private business or contractor, or the federal government.
For SY22-23, as part of the verification and registration process in ParentVUE, we are requesting parents and guardians to complete the online survey form if applicable.
An LCPS Impact Aid Form 2024 form will be available for those parents and guardians who prefer to submit the requested information with a paper survey; the completed form may then be mailed to LCPS' Business and Finance at 21000 Education Court, Ashburn, Virginia 20148 or provide the completed form to the school and they will forward.
Please complete the survey by no later than January 26, 2024, for each LCPS-enrolled child in your household.
All information collected is confidential and will be used only for the stated purpose of determining the amount of funding available to LCPS.
Should you have questions, or need more information regarding the Impact Aid Pupil-Parent Survey, please contact the Division of Business and Financial Services, Accounting Division at ImpactAid@lcps.org or 571-252-1220.
Next Generation PBIS
Aldie Elementary, along with more than 25,000 schools across the globe follows a PBIS model to create a safe and inclusive school environment. PBIS is a systematic approach to maximizing our ability to help every child achieve success in school. PBIS is a research-based, school-wide, and classroom behavior support systems that is tailored to each school's unique needs. Expectations for behavior are grounded in a set of shared values. For the past eight years, PBIS at Aldie Elementary was centered on being Ready, Responsible and Respectful. We still value these qualities in our students and staff; however, it is time to reflect and consider how we might continue to grow.
With input from students and staff, we have identified the values that will guide our school-wide expectations for ensuring a safe and inclusive school environment today and into the future. Those values are Respect, Ownership, Community, and Kindness. In short, Bobcats R.O.C.K.! Students participated in a fun assembly earlier this month to learn how these values will shape Next Generation PBIS. Here is a sneak peek at Next Generation PBIS. Students and staff will gradually build a set of expectations that encompass all aspects of school, from the classroom, to the playground, to the cafeteria, and the bus. We'd love to hear your feedback. Email questions, ideas, or concerns to tracy.stephens@lcps.org.
United for Wellness Conference and Resource Fair
Mark your calendars for Saturday, Jan. 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and plan to attend United for Wellness Conference and Resource Fair, LCPS’ 6th annual mental health and wellness event. This year’s conference, which will be held at Riverside High School, reflects LCPS’ focus on supporting all areas of student health. The event will feature LCPS education and student support specialists and community partners as they share tips and strategies for promoting your student’s mental health, academic and social engagement and overall wellness. The conference will also feature a resource fair with local businesses and nonprofits offering services and guidance to support your family. And there will be food trucks, live music and so much more! We look forward to seeing you at the United for Wellness Conference and Resource Fair. Registration is now open!
Learn strategies to support your student’s mental health, academic and social engagement and overall wellness at the United for Wellness Conference and Resource Fair, LCPS’ 6th annual mental health and wellness event, on Saturday, Jan. 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Riverside High School. This year’s conference reflects LCPS’ focus on supporting all areas of student health. The event will feature more than 40 student support specialists and community partners as they share tips and strategies for promoting mental health and wellness. Check out the schedule of speakers and register to attend sessions.
The conference will also feature a resource fair with local businesses and nonprofits offering services and guidance to support your family. And there will be food trucks, live music and so much more! We look forward to seeing you at the United for Wellness Conference and Resource Fair. Mark your calendars and plan to attend. You won’t want to miss it!
Virginia Speak Up Survey
We want to hear your views on technology and learning! Be a part of the conversation happening across Virginia! Starting on January 15, 2024, we will be participating in the Virginia Speak Up Research Project for Digital Learning. The national Speak Up is the first survey designed to help families share their ideas directly with schools and national policymakers. Speak Up provides parents and guardians an opportunity to share their views to school and district administrators about key issues impacting their child(ren)’s education.
Since 2003, Speak Up has collected and shared the views of more than 5.4 million students, teachers, and parents/guardians from across the country. By participating in the Virginia Speak Up, you are expressing your views to a wider audience of local, state, and national policy makers —and contributing to the national dialogue about how best to prepare students for the future.
The online survey is open to students, educators, and parents/guardians; it’s quick and easy to get involved. All participation is 100% confidential. Surveys take about 20 minutes to complete.
A survey link will be sent to all families on January 15th.
To preview any of the surveys (students, teachers, administrator) visit https://www.tomorrow.org/speakup/vaspeakup/.
We appreciate you taking the time to share your views with us!
Attendance Counts!
LCPS and Aldie Elementary School are making regular school attendance a priority! To help support improving school attendance, the Loudoun County School Board recently approved revisions to the policy that governs school attendance. This policy outlines what types of absences are categorized as excused or unexcused absences. The policy also provides guidance on make-up work following an absence as well as specific actions school administrators should take if a student demonstrates a pattern of absenteeism.
Some changes to this policy include:
Absences due to family trips or vacations are considered unexcused absences unless they are due to family emergencies or observations of religious holidays. Parents/guardians are advised to schedule such trips during school holidays.
The principal or the principal’s designee is no longer required to determine whether a student’s absence is excused or unexcused. That determination is outlined by the policy.
Excused absences due to personal illness have been expanded to include mental health issues or substance abuse-related illnesses. Principals may require medical documentation to support these absences.
This policy also provides guidance on make-up work following an absence as well as specific actions school administrators should take if a student demonstrates a pattern of absenteeism.
This policy revision was adopted on Oct. 24, 2023, and applies to all LCPS students. If you have questions about this policy, please speak with your school’s principals or contact the Department of Student Services.
PTA News
January PTA Calendar of Events
January 26 Fun Friday
Fun Fridays are back in January with a Snow Day themed event. Let Mrs. Henry and Mrs. Fumagli entertain your kid(s) with themed games, activities, and a short movie and snack to end the 3 hour event.
Registration Deadline: January 24 at midnight
Register here or text 'aldiefundays23-24' to 919-626-3277
Winter After School Club Enrollment Now Open
Registration for the winter session of the After School Clubs is now open.
Note: I've attached an updated Chess and Glee flyer with these corrections: Chess is a 10 week club and the last meeting date for Glee is May 22.
Registration Deadline: January 24 at midnight
Register here or text 'aeswinter2024clubs' to (919) 626-3277
The Glow Party is Back
Save the date for February 2 for the always fun Glow Party. There will be a DJ and light show, a glowing gift bag, snacks, and fun and games. Watch for that flyer coming soon.
Upcoming Events
The next monthly PTA Meeting* is scheduled for February 13 at 6pm.
Join us on Google Meet.
*Everyone is welcome, but only PTA members in good standing will be allowed to vote on any PTA business
Cheers-
Stefanie Clay
--President
Aldie Elementary School PTA
aldie.pta@gmail.com