Weekly Firefly Newsletter

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Dear Flower Valley Community,

Wow! The school year is already half over. Your children have been AMAZING! I am looking forward to a fabulous 2nd half of the year. Please continue to reach out if you have any questions; you are your child's best advocate, and our goal is to ensure all of our kiddos are learning and growing each and every day at Flower Valley.

Please check out the new information below. Important highlights include a call out for volunteers, an overview of Black History Month at FVES, and our next principal and assistant principal chat. We also have our Instrumental Music performance this Thursday, February 2nd at 7:00PM. Come and enjoy the talents of our 4th and 5th grade students.

Have a wonderful weekend!

With Firefly Pride!

Mrs. Fish

• Chinese Lunar New Year
• Celebrating Black History Month at FVES
• Volunteers Needed
• Principal and Assistant Principal Chat: February 22nd at 6:30PM Via Zoom
• Valentine's Day Parties
• Counseling Corner
• MCPS News about Special Education Resources
• PTA Corner
• Important Dates in February and March
• Curriculum Corner
• Bus Transportation Updates
• Save the Date
• Helpful Resources
• Update about Virtual Snow Days
• Requesting a Chromebook for Use during Inclement Weather
• Attendance, Early Dismissals, and Transportation Changes
• Covid and OUTCLASS: Out of Class On Demand Resources for Students
• Available Tutoring Opportunities for Students
• School Meals, FARMS, My School Bucks, and Lunch Menu
• School Visitors and Volunteers
• School Cash Online
• School Contact Information

This past Sunday, January 22, 2023 marked the Chinese Lunar New Year. To all of our students, staff, and families who celebrate, we wish you a very happy and healthy new year.

This year's Black History Month theme is "Black History is American History - We are all Woven together." Students and staff will learn about African American quilting, textile artists/quilters, visual artists, authors, illustrators, and architects through the morning announcements. Students will identify the people they learn about on the announcements on their Black History Month Bingo Board.

Additionally, Ms. Choi will introduce the Memory Quilt project during art classes. Students will be given a quilting square to design in honor of a famous African American. All squares are due by February 24th. We will award prizes in each grade level and combine the squares to create Flower Valley's own Black History Month Memory Quilt.

Finally, we are working with the PTA to organize an assembly that will feature the Smithsonian Associates Discovery Theater On Tour. The tentative date for the assembly is March 3rd.

Please join me and Ms. Castillo for our next community chat. In an effort to make the time accessible to more families, we are going to hold this one virtually and in the evening. We will share all of the happenings at FVES and answer questions you may have. We'd also love any input you have about what is working well and what we can continue to improve.

The Zoom information is as follows:

Join Zoom Meeting

https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/96813213178?pwd=bHROTFlaTUR3VVVwT0JZZjlWVE90QT09

Meeting ID: 968 1321 3178

Passcode: fireflies

We hope to see you there!

We are seeking parent volunteers for small group learning activities in the classroom. If you are interested in supporting FVES in this way, please complete the volunteer requirements which can be accessed here, and let Mrs. Atanda know. Thanks, in advance, for your continued support!

Valentine's Day is approaching, which means it is time to start planning for our Valentine's Day parties on February 14th. We are looking forward to our students enjoying a little fun and good food. We have included some ways you can support the Valentine's Day festivities below.

• Your child's teacher will be sharing grade level sign-ups for party donations (sweet treats, craft supplies, decorations, etc.). All items gathered will be evenly distributed amongst the classes for each respective grade level.
• If your child would like to send in Valentine's cards for their friends, make sure a card is made for all students in your child's homeroom class.
• Our PTA and teachers will be reaching out for a couple of parents to help organize the party donations for the festivities.

We appreciate all of your support making this a fun experience for all of our children at Flower Valley!

Career Day is coming to FVES on March 29th! We will need at least 48 volunteer speakers to have a meaningful day for our students. Flyers have been sent home with students. Anyone interested in speaking at Career Day, please complete this link: FVES Career Day Flyer . Please feel free to forward this to anyone you think might be interested in presenting at Career Day. Contact Jennifer Atanda, Jennifer_T_Atanda@mcpsmd.org, if you have any questions.

Please join our next PTA General Membership meeting Tues. Feb 7 from 6:30 PM - 8 PM in the media center. Mrs. Cheeks will share a presentation on 'Zones of Regulation' and we'll also cover events and other topics.

It's almost time for BINGO! Everyone is welcome to play for books and other fun prizes on Fri. Feb 10 from 6:30 - 8 PM in the all purpose room. It's $3 per bingo card or four cards for $10, cash or check at the door. Bring a book to donate and get one free bingo card!

The Office of Special Education (OSE) has developed new resources to be shared with staff members, students, and families. OSE news now has YouTube videos, flyers/bulletins, Twitter, and events posted on Facebook for our community and is sharing these opportunities with families all over the county. The OSE Family Support Center also provides virtual drop-in sessions via Zoom to engage, answer questions, and assist students and their families.

Links/Additional Information:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063543524256. Our Facebook handle/account is: MCPS Special Education.
• Twitter handle/account: @MCPSMDSpecialEd.
• YouTube MCPS Special Education: https://www.youtube.com/@MCPSMDSpecialEd. Our channel provides content through videos uploaded monthly from our Special Education Community and Citizens Advisory Committee meetings and other live events.
• Montgomery County Public Schools: Special Education Community Information page

MCPS has created a transportation dashboard where you can check on the status of any bus delays or cancellations. Click here to access the dashboard.

February 2nd: Winter Instrumental Music Concert at FVES, 7:00pm

February 7th: 6:30-8:00 pm - PTA General Membership Meeting in the Media Center

February 10th: 6:30-8:00pm - PTA Sponsored Bingo

February 14th: 2:30-3:15pm - Valentine’s Day Parties

March 4th: 6 - 8:30 PM - Parent-Staff Basketball Game / Staff Silent Auction

March 26th: 2-3pm - PTA Sponsored Fun Run

March 29th: Career Day

March 29th: 6:30-8:00pm- PTA General Membership Meeting

Benchmark: Classes have started unit 4 which focuses on point of view in narrative texts. Students are enjoying hearing familiar stories from different points of view.

Eureka Math: MCPS has a dedicated website which has support for each Eureka module in every grade level. Here is a Eureka Math support page for families. You will need to create an account to access the family resources called "tips for parents." "Homework Helpers" are tips for parents that are included with each homework assignment in the Math Succeed (HW) book. Additionally, this is a google document that contains helpful videos for parents to use. There are general Eureka videos and grade level specific videos included.

Please keep an eye out for grade level bi-weekly communication regarding details about what is happening in each of our classes.

April 20th: 5:30-7:30pm - PTA Sponsored STEM Night

April 24th-28th: PTA Sponsored Book Fair

April 26th: Spring Individual and Grade 5 Panoramic Pictures

May 6th: 10:00-2:00pm - PTA Sponsored SAVERS Donation Drive

May 16th: Time TBD - FVES International Night and Art Expo

May 19th: K, 1, 2 Field Day (rain date - May 30th)

May 21st: 2-5pm - PTA Sponsored Carnival

May 24th: 3, 4, 5, Field Day (rain date - May 31st)

June 1st: Spring Instrumental Music Concert at FVES, 7:00pm

June 6th: 6:30-7:00pm- PTA General Membership Meeting

June 14th: 5th Grade Promotion at Rockville High School

*Please remember these dates are subject to change.

MCPS Things to Know

FVES Letter to Families

School Supplies

School Website

MCPS Community Messages

Parent Handbook

Student Rights and Responsibilities (Spanish Version Available in Main Office)

Student Code of Conduct (English) (Spanish Version Available in Main Office)

MCPS recently approved the use of virtual snow days as needed in the future. Should a virtual snow day be used, an announcement would be made the day prior to allow for proper planning. The schedule we will be using can be accessed here, and Zoom links for teachers are included in the schedule. A picture of the schedule is included below as well. Should the school system decide to enact a virtual snow day, we will send a message to the FVES community with the schedule and Zoom links.

Your child will need a device to use at home for this purpose. If your child does not have a device to use at home, please complete the information below to get a Chromebook for home use.

You are receiving this message because this year, your child’s school is using a classroom cart model for Chromebooks. This means students use an assigned Chromebook while in school, but do not bring their Chromebook home each night. As we move into the winter months and plan for potential emergency closures, your child will need access to a device at home to engage in homework, interactive resources and potential virtual instruction. If your child does not have access to a personal or home computer, a parent or guardian should complete a form to request an MCPS Chromebook. The device will be checked out to your student and will be kept at home for the school year. The device will need to be returned at the end of the school year or sooner if your student is leaving MCPS for any reason.

To request a MCPS Chromebook for home use, please complete this form: Chromebook Form to Distribute to Families

Links:

At Home Request for Chromebook Flyer (English)

At Home Request for Chromebook Flyer (Spanish)

If your child is going to be absent, please email your child's teacher and Mrs. Sintetos at Catherine_G_Sintetos@mcpsmd.org or call the office at 240-740-1780. When your child is absent, please send in a note explaining the reason for the absence. If your child sees the doctor, please bring in a doctor's note.

If your child is going to be arriving late, you need to bring your child to the main office and sign them in. If you will be picking up your child early or changing your child's dismissal process, please let your child's teacher and Mrs. Sintetos or Ms. Peckoo in the main office know in advance.

When your child is symptomatic, it is encouraged that a home or PCR test is administered. Only positive test results need to be reported using the MCPS COVID-19 Reporting Form. Individuals who have a positive COVID-19 test should report their positive result and follow CDC guidelines for isolation. Details regarding the MCPS back to school Covid safety protocols can be accessed here.

Please see the letter linked here. It provides information about the available learning tools while a student is out of school due to Covid.

There are several types of free tutoring services available for MCPS students. FVES has teachers who will be tutoring some of our students as part of the CARES Act services. Students are selected based on their current reading and math data including their levels of proficiency. If your student is identified, we will work to secure a tutor and contact you to coordinate dates and times for tutoring. During these sessions, FVES staff will provide additional support using Benchmark/and or Eureka curriculum, as well as Tier III evidence-based intervention programs.Students not selected for CARES tutoring may sign up for online tutoring services through FEV Tutor or Tutor Me Education.

Anyone visiting FVES must sign in at the main office and bring identification with them. We aren't able to have parents eating with students in the cafeteria due to space, but you can certainly sign your child out for lunch if you would like to enjoy lunch together.

If you are interested in serving as a volunteer, please contact Mrs. Atanda at Jennifer_T_Atanda@mcpsmd.org.

MCPS transitioned to a new online payment system called School Cash Online as its preferred method of payment for all school-related fees, except for meals. Detailed information about how to register can be accessed here.

Beginning school year 2022-2023, students who qualify for reduced-price meals will not be charged for lunch - meaning that students who qualify for reduced-price meals will eat for free! To learn more about eligibility for Free and Reduced Meals (FARMS) and apply for FARMs, click here. Deposits into lunch accounts can be made by any student and can be made ahead of time via the MCPS online payment system, My School Bucks. Details about how to add money to your student’s account can be accessed here. Menus can be accessed here.

Our office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00AM to 4:30PM Below are emails and phone numbers for the following departments:

Administration (240) 740-1780

Mrs. Angie Fish, Principal – Angie_L_Fish@mcpsmd.org

Ms. Angela Castillo, Assistant Principal - Angela_M_Castillo@mcpsmd.org

Main Office Staff (240) 740-1780

Ms. Nevine Peckoo, School Administrative Secretary – Nevine_A_Peckoo@mcpsmd.org

Mrs. Cathy Sintetos, Attendance Secretary – Catherine_G_Sintetos@mcpsmd.org

Counseling Office (240) 740-6680

Mrs. Jennifer Atanda - Jennifer_T_Atanda@mcpsmd.org

Ms. Colleen Smith - Colleen_B_Smith@mcpsmd.org

All Staff Directory

Be bright! Be kind! Be you!

We inspire all children to become critical thinkers who are imaginative, adaptable, and collaborative. We strive to cultivate peaceful, life-long learners who contribute positively to the community around them.

Email: Angie_L_Fish@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/flowervalleyes/
Location: Flower Valley Elementary School, Sunflower Drive, Rockville, MD, USA
Phone: 240-740-1780
Twitter: @AngieFish_FVES